The long-term survival of modern ceramic-ceramic bearings in young active patients with osteonecrosis undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) is unknown. A previously published study of this series at 5-year follow-up demonstrated an extremely high activity level. The purpose of this study is to examine whether this very high activity level is associated with ceramic-on-ceramic THA failure at long-term follow-up. This is a retrospective review of a single-surgeon at an academic medical center between years 2003–2010. Inclusion criteria were consecutive series of ceramic-on-ceramic articulations in patients younger than 50 with a diagnosis of osteonecrosis. Median follow-up was 12.4 years (range 10–17). Data was collected via mail, telephone, and e-mail surveys. Exclusion criteria included deceased prior to follow-up. Preoperative and postoperative Western Ontario and McMaster University Arthritis Index (WOMAC) and University of California at Los Angeles Activity scores (UCLA) were collected. Student t-tests were used as appropriate.Introduction
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