title: Total hip arthroplasty in patients younger than 30 years of age.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previously reported results of total hip arthroplasty in patients under the age of 30 indicate a high complication rate and questionable durability.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the results of THA in extremely young patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the results of 69 THA procedures in 56 patients who were under the age of 30 at the time of surgery (mean age 23.23 +/- 4.31 years) and were followed postoperatively for 2-23 years (mean 7.4 +/- 3.79 years).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Loosening of the cup (11/69) and early traumatic dislocation (5/69) accounted for the majority of complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The final average Harris hip scores of 90.59 +/- 9.36 in these patients indicated that THA is a successful and durable treatment modality for young patients with disabling diseases affecting the hip joint. However, due to the likelihood of complications it should be used with caution in this patient group. Efforts should be made to diminish the complication rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Rehabilitation, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel. dudke@netvision.net.il
authors.forename: Israel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dudkiewicz
authors.forename: Moshe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salai
authors.forename: Amnon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Israeli
authors.forename: Yehuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Amit
authors.forename: Aharon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chechick
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013997:Time Factors