Young patients are expected to place increased demands on total hip arthroplasty (THA) because they are more active and have a longer life expectancy. The long-term outcome of the Charnley low-friction arthroplasty in young, active patients has been shown to be associated with a high degree of polyethylene wear and osteolysis. However, cementless acetabular components have been shown to be successful in young patients.We evaluated the clinical and radiographic results of 77 cementless THAs in 81 young, active patients at a mean follow-up of 7.5 years. Mean preoperative Harris Hip Score improved from 46.24 to 96.5 points at 6 years. One acetabular component showed aseptic loosening 10 years postoperatively. Three patients (3 hips) underwent bone grafts and liner renewal for severe osteolysis around the acetabular component. The rate of survival at 6 years for loosening was 98.8%, and for revision of the liner was 95.5% (95% confidence interval, 93%-98%). Mean liner wear rate was 0.125 mm/year (range, 0.0-0.39 mm/year). Acetabular osteolysis was found in 14% (9 hips) of the 67 hips and was related to polyethylene wear (P=.0024). Although there was only 1 cup loosening in this study, there was a high rate of linear wear of the polyethylene liner and acetabular osteolysis in young, active patients. Further follow-up is therefore needed, and osteolysis and polyethylene wear should continue to be observed in young, active patients.
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