Abstract
Introduction
In the United Kingdom, over 83,000 primary total hip arthroplasties (THAs) were performed last year, of which 20% are in patients under the age of 60 years. These patients generally have a longer life expectancy and a higher activity level than an older cohort, which may potentially translate to higher revision rates.
Methods
We reviewed our Trent regional arthroplasty register to assess current surgical practice in younger patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. The results were compared to a previous study published in 2005.
Results
Between 2010 and 2012, 1,097 primary THAs were performed on patients aged 54 or less. There was an equal cohort of males to females with a mean age of 46 years of patients undergoing THA. Osteoarthritis was the commonest aetiology for patients having surgery. Reviewing the components used there were 32 different femoral and 30 different acetabular types along with 70 different combinations of components. There were 608 uncemented THAs, 313 hybrid THRs, 98 cemented THAs, 67 resurfacing arthroplasties and 11 reverse hybrid THAs.
Discussion
The majority of implants were uncemented in both femur and acetabulum with consultants performing most of the procedures. There is a clear preference for uncemented femoral and acetabular fixation in the younger patient, and the trend towards uncemented components has increased over the last 10 years amongst the same surgeons. There continues to be a wide variety of cup and stem usage along with many different combinations of components, with no consensus on the ideal combination.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.