The purpose of this study is to present early results, common pitfalls and management in in cases of revision hip arthroplsty in patients with congenital disease of the hip.

From 2001 to 2006, 36 consecutive cemented THAs with a history of congenital hip disease were revised due to aseptic loosening (31 cases), stem fracture (3 cases), septic loosening (2 case). There were thirty patients, all females, with a mean age at revision 61.7 years (range, 40 to 76). The revision was performed after a mean 15.4 years post primary operation (range, 9 to 26). In 7 cases the cup only, in 5 cases the stem only, and in 24 cases both components were revised.

The mean follow-up was 43 months (range, 24 to 84). There were 3 intraoperative femoral fractures managed with long stem and circlage wires. Postoperatively, 5 hips were infected and sustained a 2 stage revision using a cement spacer. 3 hips were revised due to loosening.

28 cups and 28 stems remained intact for an average 45.2 months (range, 24 to 84). The probability of survival at 48 months was 76.3% (±9.7%) for the cups (12 components at risk) and 76.4% (±11.3%) for the stems (9 components at risk).

Revision of a CDH arthroplasty is difficult and non predictable. Lack of acetabular bone stock and anatomical abnormalities of the femur lead to increased intra and postoperative complication rate.