Short-term results of total hip replacement in patients under thirty years of age.

BACKGROUND Total hip replacement is a commonly accepted treatment for disorders of the hip. The paper reviews the clinical and radiological outcomes of total hip arthroplasties performed in young patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-eight total hip arthroplasties were performed in twenty-one young patients between 1996 and 2005. The mean age of the patient at the time of the operation was 25.8 years (range 17 to 30 years). The mean follow-up was 6 years (range 3 to 12 years). RESULTS The average preoperative Harris score for this group of patients was 35.82 (range 11.75 to 51.45). After 6 years of follow-up all hips were rated excellent, with an average Harris score of 99.13 (range 95.6 to 100). Radiographs revealed that the acetabular and femoral components were correctly positioned in all patients. CONCLUSIONS 1. Total hip arthroplasty is an effective treatment in young patients who suffer from bilateral hip disease. 2. Using bone grafts around the acetabulum and inside the femoral canal is recommended especially in post-dysplastic hips and in rheumatoid patients.