Cementless total hip arthroplasty with a metal-on-metal bearing in patients younger than 50 years

Abstract

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) longevity is the primary concern in young patients. Metal-on-metal articulations were reintroduced to reduce polyethylene particle-induced osteolysis and improve survivorship; to date, based on issued reports, this strategy appears to have been successful. In this study, the authors investigated metal-on-metal articulation survivorship and osteolysis incidence in young patients (19-50 years old at index operations) and retrospectively reviewed cementless metal-on-metal THAs in 70 patients (78 hips) with a mean follow-up of 12.4 years. Metasul articulation was used with the Wagner acetabular component in all. Survivorship with revision for any cause was 98.7% (95% confidence interval, 98%-100%), and survivorship due to the development of osteolysis for any lesion was 97.5% (95% confidence interval, 95%-99%). Mean Harris hip score improved from 51 to 95 points at final follow-up. The findings of this study indicate that outcomes of cementless THA with a metal-on-metal bearing in young patients are satisfactory. However, longer-term studies in larger cohorts are required to determine whether metal-on-metal articulations are really a favorable option in young patients.