Ceramic-on-ceramic bearings total hip arthroplasty in young patients.
BACKGROUND
The results of ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) total hip arthroplasty (THA) in younger patients were not univocal. This study aims to evaluate the results of CoC bearing THA in patients younger than 50 years.


METHODS
A total of 90 younger patients performed CoC THAs during March 2003 and May 2008 were included in this study. Hip function and activity were evaluated with Harris hip score and University of California Los Angeles activity score. We had discussed survival rates, radiological findings of component loosening or osteolysis, and ceramic-related complications in these patients.


RESULTS
The mean Harris hip score increased from 46.3 ± 12.0 points (range, 28-70 points) before surgery to 92.5 ± 5.6 points (range, 78-100 points) at the final follow-up. The mean preoperative University of California Los Angeles activity score was 4.2 ± 1.1 points (range, 2-6 points), which improved to a mean of 7.2 ± 1.3 points (range, 4-10 points). At the time of the last follow-up, there was found to be 1 occurrence of hip dislocation, 1 squeaking, and 2 "sandwich" ceramic liners fractured during normal activity of daily living. No hips showed osteolysis or required revision for aseptic loosening. Kaplan-Meier survivorship with revision due to loosening or osteolysis was 100% and with revision due to ceramic fracture was 97.3% (95% confidence interval, 93.7%-100%) at a mean of 9.4 years.


CONCLUSIONS
This study with the use of CoC bearings THAs in younger patients have shown promising results and higher rate of survivorship without evidence of osteolysis.
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
Tao
T
Wang
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
Jun-Ying
JY
Sun
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
Xi-Jiang
XJ
Zhao
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
Yong
Y
Liu
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
Hai-Bo
HB
Yin
Activity level; Ceramic-on-ceramic bearings; Total hip arthroplasty; Younger patients