Bipolar hemiarthroplasty
Bipolar hemiarthroplasty has been studied in 9 papers since 2021: 1 trial and 8 observational studies in people. The newest paper, Aug 6, 2025: “A Fragile Balance: Survival Analysis Following Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty in the Elderly”.
9 papers study it8 findingsUpdated
“A total of 24 months after HA, the total WOMAC score and its subcomponents showed no statistically significant difference between the unipolar and bipolar groups.”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 4 independent labs in 4 countries
- Funders: Gouvernement du Canada | Canadian Institutes of Health Research and 2 more
- 4 of 8 findings with company ties
- Human trial1
- Humans8
Studies in people
1 study gave bipolar hemiarthroplasty to people and measured what changed.
no change: Has no effect on WOMAC
no change: Has no effect on SF-12 PCS
Treated cohort746 peopleaged over 50 years24months
Patients who underwent HA for treatment of displaced femoral neck fracture
Bone & joint open, May 19, 2023
What did studies of Bipolar hemiarthroplasty find?
7Studies of Bipolar hemiarthroplasty measured 7 outcomes; the most studied are SF-12 PCS (1 study), muscle strength (1) and ambulatory function (1).
SF-12 PCS
no changein humans1
1 study
SF-12 PCS
no changein humans1
Bipolar hemiarthroplasty showed no clear effect on SF-12 PCS in humans.
“Among all study participants, the WOMAC score and subcomponent scores along with SF-12 PCS and MCS scores were not statistically significantly different between receiving a UH and a BH 24 months postoperatively.”
Human trial24monthsn = 746
Bone & joint open
Bipolar hemiarthroplasty showed no clear effect on SF-12 PCS in humans (displaced femoral neck fracture).
“Similarly, no statistically significant difference was found in the PCS and MCS scores of the SF-12 questionnaire.”
Human trialdisplaced femoral neck fracture24 monthsn = 746
Bone & joint open
Muscle strength
upin humans1
1 study
Muscle strength
upin humans1
Bipolar hemiarthroplasty is linked with better muscle strength in humans (preinjury Functional Ambulation Category 3) (GMT 3.56 vs 3.18, p = 0.01).
“there was a significant between-group difference at FAC 3 (early group, GMT score = 3.56; delay group, GMT score = 3.18 [p = 0.01])”
Humanspreinjury Functional Ambulation Category 3
JB & JS open access
Ambulatory function
upin humans1
1 study
Ambulatory function
upin humans1
Bipolar hemiarthroplasty is linked with better ambulatory function in humans (preinjury Functional Ambulation Category 3) (FIM 3.44 vs 2.31, p = 0.005).
“For preinjury Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) 3, there was a notable contrast between the early (FIM: 3.44) and delay groups (FIM: 2.31) (p = 0.005).”
Humanspreinjury Functional Ambulation Category 3
JB & JS open access
Weight-bearing ability
no changein humans1
1 study
Weight-bearing ability
no changein humans1
Bipolar hemiarthroplasty showed no clear effect on weight-bearing ability in humans (femoral neck fracture) (maximum peak force 80.6% ± 19.5 vs 78.9% ± 21.6; average peak force 66.8% ± 15.8 vs 60.5% ± 15.6).
“In our study, BA did not allow for a significantly higher average and maximum loading capacity compared with THA.”
Human trialfemoral neck fractureearly postoperative periodn = 39
Journal of clinical medicine
WOMAC
no changein humans1
1 study
WOMAC
no changein humans1
Bipolar hemiarthroplasty showed no clear effect on WOMAC in humans.
“Among all study participants, the WOMAC score and subcomponent scores along with SF-12 PCS and MCS scores were not statistically significantly different between receiving a UH and a BH 24 months postoperatively.”
Human trial24monthsn = 746
Bone & joint open
WOMAC
no changein humans1
1 study
WOMAC
no changein humans1
Bipolar hemiarthroplasty showed no clear effect on WOMAC in humans (displaced femoral neck fracture).
“A total of 24 months after HA, the total WOMAC score and its subcomponents showed no statistically significant difference between the unipolar and bipolar groups.”
Human trialdisplaced femoral neck fracture24 monthsn = 746
Bone & joint open
Operation time
downin humans1
1 study
Operation time
downin humans1
Bipolar hemiarthroplasty decreases operation time in humans (intertrochanteric fractures) (94.38 vs 125.76 min).
“The operation time was (125.76 ± 33.49) min and (94.38 ± 20.94) min in PFNA group and BHA group (P < 0.05)”
Human trialintertrochanteric fractures
Research SquarePreprint