Why have an Exeter Hip

The Exeter Hip Replacement was designed by Professor Robin Ling of the Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Hospital, Exeter,  and Dr Clive Lee of the University Of Exeter. It was invented as a result of  early failures occurring in hip replacements being performed at that time.

The ‘Exeter Hip’ was introduced into clinical practice in November 1970 and has performed extremely well over the years, despite the very basic cementing techniques being used at that time.

As a result it has become the most widely and commonly used cemented hip replacement in the world. Failure of the femoral (thigh bone) component has proved to be extremely rare with only 3.5% of all the stems inserted before the end of 1995 needing re-operation for loosening. The survivorship of the stem, with stem loosening as the end-point, is 91% at 33 years. None of the patients still alive at between 28 and 33 years post surgery have required a re-operation for stem loosening.

Fixation of the socket has not been quite as successful, but even then the survivorship at 33 years with re-operation for loosening being the end-point is 73%. 66% of the living patients operated on before the end of 1995 still have their original socket in position at between 28 and 33 years following surgery.  

With the better techniques used today even more impressive results are to be expected. Minor changes in the Exeter Hip Replacement have occurred over the past thirty years, with the last change being in 1988, this allowing femoral heads of different lengths and sizes to be used.  325 patients with this component have recently been reviewed with a follow up of 10 to 15 years. No femoral components have been changed for loosening up until this time.

Over the years the orthopaedic hospital has been a pioneering centre,  keeping to the forefront with new developments. Impaction Bone Grafting of the femur in re-do hip surgery was an operation developed in Exeter, with the first operation in the world being performed here in April1987. This operation is now used in many places through out the world especially in situations where it is necessary to reconstitute bone. The success rate at 15 years is just over 90 %.

Ever since the stem was first used in 1970 patients have regularly been reviewed and outcomes closely documented. This continues to this day with all records being kept on computer so outcomes can be closely accessed and based on these outcomes further advances in surgical technique can be made.

It is quite clear that the ‘Exeter Hip’ has stood the test of time. Complication rates are low.  Long term results are outstanding and hip replacements can now be confidently offered to younger patients. Small incision surgery is offered where appropriate as are modern bearing surfaces. Why one should have an Exeter Hip Replacement is clearly apparent.