Highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) has greatly improved the durability of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in young patients because of its improved wear characteristics. Few studies have followed this population into the second decade, and therefore the purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the clinical outcome for THA patients 50 years of age and younger at a minimum of 15 years postoperatively. The second purpose was to evaluate the radiological findings secondary to wear or mechanical failure of the implant. Between October 1999 and December 2005, 105 THAs were performed in 95 patients (53 female, 42 male) aged 50 years and younger (mean 42 years (20 to 50)). There were 87 patients (96 hips) that were followed for a minimum of 15 years (mean 17.3 years (15 to 21)) for analysis. Posterior approach was used with cementless fixation with a median head size of 28 mm. HXLPE was the acetabular bearing for all hips. Radiographs were evaluated for polyethylene wear, radiolucent lines, and osteolysis.Aims
Methods
THA for patient's 50 years and younger is a procedure at high risk for complications and failure because of the high level of activity of this population. Highly cross linked polyethylene (HXLPE) has greatly improved the durability of the implant because of the improved wear characteristics. Few studies have followed this population into the second decade and therefore the purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the clinical outcome for the patients 5o years of age and younger at a minimum of 15 years. The second purpose was to evaluate the radiographic findings secondary to wear or mechanical failure of the implant. Between October 1999 and December 2005, 105 THAs were performed in 95 patients (53 female, 42 male) age 50 years and younger (mean 42 years; range 20–50). Ten patients (10 hips) were lost to follow-up or deceased. The remaining 95 hips and 85 patients were followed for a minimum of 15 years (mean of 16.8, range 15–20.5) for analysis. HXLPE (Longevity, Zimmer Biomet) was the acetabular bearing for all hips. Radiographs were evaluated for radiolucent lines and osteolysis.Introduction
Methods
