Abstract
Introduction
Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is becoming a common procedure because it dramatically relieves the patient's pain. Accordingly, young patients who hope to take THAs are also increasing. The results of THAs in the young patients have historically shown relatively poor survivorship. However several improvements of components may promise good long term results in active young patients. There was no consensus about the appropriate time for performing THA. The purpose of this study is to review the results of THAs younger than 40 years.
Material and methods
A retrospective review of 14 primary THAs in 12 patients was conducted. The mean age was 27.0 (range 17–30). Ten were female (83%) and 2 were male (17%). The average follow –up period was 38.3 months (range 18–64). All operations were performed using direct anterior approach (DAA). All patients were allowed full weight bearing as tolerated in the immediate postoperative periods. All were cementless THA and the articulation bearing were ceramic/ceramic in 5 hips (33.3%), metal/highly cross linked polyethylene in 8 hips (53.3%), and ceramic/ highly cross linked polyethylene in 2 hips (13.3%). All patients were followed clinically and radiographically. Patients were evaluated at 4,6,12 weeks and each year postoperatively. Patients were allowed sports at 3 months postoperatively without limitations.
Results
The underlying etiology was steroid-induced osteonecrosis in 5 patients, alcohol-induced osteonecrosis in 2 patients, developmental dysplasia in 2 patients (1 post osteotomy and 2 conservative therapy), infection in 1 patients, ankylosing spondylitis in 1 patients, and epiphyseal dysplasia in 1 patients. All patients failed conservative treatment. Two patients had prior osteotomy surgeries. Preoperative average JOA score, which is 100 points in full score, was 45 points. Those scores improved to 99 points post operatively. All patients became to walk without any assistive devices. There were no infections and dislocations. Their radiographs showed no loosening, subsidence, and osteolysis. All of their radiographs showed well fixed osseous integrations.
Discussion and conclusion
Although our patients were very small numbers and follow up periods were not long, all of our patients showed good clinical and radiological results. When conservative treatments failed to relieve their pain, surgical treatments are required to restore their highly active lives. The modern THA has been showed numerous good results in older generations. With modern implants and surgical technique, we can also expect promising results in young patients under the condition with careful and long term follow-up.
