Total hip arthroplasty in the young adult

The durability of cemented and hybrid total hip arthroplasty in the young adult was evaluated. A consecutive series of primary cemented total hip arthroplasties performed between 1970 and 1976, and a consecutive series of primary hybrid total hip arthroplasties performed between 1986 and 1991, were evaluated for revision and radiographic loosening of the components. All patients were younger than 50 years of age at the time of surgery and all surgery was performed by one surgeon. At minimum 20 years followup of the cemented group (93 hips in 69 patients) 22% of hips (21 hips) were revised for aseptic loosening (5% of femoral components, five hips, and 19% of acetabular components, 18 hips). At 5- to 10-year followup of the hybrid group (45 hips in 37 patients) 18% of hips (eight hips) were revised for aseptic loosening (18% of femoral components, eight hips, and 0% of acetabular components, 0 hips). Although the cemented femoral component used in the hybrid series showed a marked increase in revision and loosening compared with the cemented series, the excellent fixation obtained with uncemented acetabular components has encouraged the authors to continue the use of hybrid fixation in the young adult. However, the femoral component has been modified to incorporate a polished surface finish and a stem geometry similar to the Charnley flat back prosthesis used in the cemented series.