Abstract
Aim: To review our experience and results of the use of the ABG cementless femoral stem in younger patients; less than 50 years at the time of surgery.
Methods: A series of 82 primary hip arthroplasty cases in patients under the age of 50 years were reviewed. All cases were assessed using standard clinical and radiographic scoring systems.
Results: There were 82 arthroplasties performed in 72 patients. The mean age at surgery was 41 years (22 to 49 years). Diagnoses included primary osteoarthritis (44%), secondary osteoarthritis (42%), and inflammatory arthropathy (13%). There was one femoral peri-prosthetic fracture occurring at 69 months after surgery, associated with a large trochanteric granuloma and ace-tabular wear. There were four dislocations (4.9%). One stem has been revised, for dislocation two weeks after surgery. One other ingrown stem was removed at the time of acetabular revision for osteolysis. A total of 10 patients (14%) has required revision for osteolysis and wear in this group. At mean follow up of 72 months (37 to 109 months), average Harris Hip Score was 91/100, with 90% of patients having a good or excellent result. No stems were found to be loose on radiographic evaluation.
Conclusions: This anatomic, hydroxyapatite coated femoral stem provided excellent initial stability and reliable bone in-growth. The fixation appeared to be durable over this follow-up period. This group of young patients had a high polyethylene wear rate, as expected in high demand individuals, and higher dislocation rate than our overall experience with this implant and surgical approach.
The abstracts were prepared by Professor A. J. Thurston. Correspondence should be addressed to him at the Department of Surgery, Wellington School of Medicine, PO Box 7343, Wellington South, New Zealand
