Abstract
Aims
Will Hydroxyapatite ceramic coated (HAC) arthroplasty perform well in patients under the age of fifty?
Methods
This is a study of 269 Hydroxyapatite ceramic coated (HAC) hip arthroplasties in patients under, the age of fifty with annual review using Harris Hip Score (HHS) and plain X-rays.
Assessments were over a maximum of 19 years.
Early patients (46) had implants with ceramic/plastic bearings. Later patients (223) all had ceramic on ceramic bearings.
Results
HHS showed 90.3% scoring over 90 or 100. Lower scores mostly relate to other joint and medical problems.
Aseptic loosening and thigh pain has not been a problem. Osteolysis and debris disease have only been seen rarely in hips with ceramic on polythene bearings.
Fractured alumina components have been encountered (6 heads and 3 acetabular liners, 2.1%). Ceramic/ceramic hips have otherwise remained successful.
Wear in polythene liners developed in 21 patients followed up more than 15 years (45.7%). 3 have been revised. The others are currently asymptomatic.
Other complications include one post operative death and 14 dislocations (5.2%).
Conclusions
HAC hip arthroplasty in patients under the age of fifty does well. Hydroxyapatite bonding provides lasting implant/bone stability. No patients have thigh pain. Considering bearing surfaces, polythene will wear out and contribute to osteolysis and debris disease. Alumina bearings occasionally fracture. Zirconia Toughened Alumina has superseded Alumina which should reduce or eliminate the incidence of ceramic failure.
HAC hip arthroplasty with ceramic bearings is advocated for patients under the age of fifty.