Background: Osteoarthritis is a serious social problem. Young people usually present with secondary degenerative changes. These patients find it particularly difficult to accept symptoms, as they are at their peak of professional activity and family life. They have high expectations regarding improvement in life comfort. The aim of this study was to analyse clinical and radiological outcomes of total hip arthroplasty for hip osteoarthritis in patients younger than 28 years old. We also assessed the correlation between aetiology of early degenerative changes and endoprosthesis survival.
Materials and methods: Thirty out of a group of 55 patients (22 women and 8 men) aged 17-28 years (mean 23.4), who underwent total hip replacement before they reached the age of 28 years, were qualified for the study. The follow-up period ranged from 16 months to 25 years (mean 6.9 years). Degenerative changes resulted most often from developmental dysplasia of the hip joint. We assessed the clinical status (HHS and MAP scores) and radiological outcomes.
Results: 6 cases of aseptic loosening (20%) out of 30 patients and one case of septic loosening of one of the endoprosthesis components occurred. The HHS and MAP scores improved markedly.
Conclusions: We observed a considerable improvement in hip function in patients after total hip replacement. Implant survival in the study group was slightly shorter than in the literature. Post-arthroplasty complications were more frequent in patients treated for developmental dysplasia of the hip joint and those with a history of joint infection before the age of two years.