Contemporary Alumina-on-Alumina THA in Patients with Sequelae of the Hip Joint Infection / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: THA in patients with dysplastic hips secondary to infection of the hip joint is a technically challenging procedure because of long-standing anatomic abnormalities of the bone and soft tissues. Low friction, low wear, alumina-on-alumina bearing surfaces are an attractive alternative to conventional metal-on-polyethylene articulation, and may offer a promising option for young, active patients. Here, we evaluated the results of a modern alumina-on-alumina THA performed in patients with sequelae of the hip joint infection, with a 5-year minimum follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 48 primary cementless alumina-on-alumina THAs that had been performed in patients who had sequelae of the hip joint infection between November 1997 and December 2000. The average age of the patients at the time of the index arthroplasty was 36.7 years (range, 18-63 years) and41 patients were younger than 50 years old. They were followed-up for more than 5 years (average, 82 months range, 60-103 months). RESULTS: All hips had no recurrence of a hip joint infection. The mean Harris hip score improved from 61.6 points preoperatively to 92.2 points at the latest follow-up. All of the implants had radiographic evidence of bone ingrowth and no radiological loosening. During the follow-up period, nocup or stem was revised. Periprosthetic osteolysis was suspected in one hip. Leg length discrepancy was corrected from 26.2 mm preoperatively to 9.5 mm postoperatively. Postoperatively, the hip center migrated 11.7 mm medially and 5.2 mm inferiorly. Nonunion of the osteotomized greater trochanter occurred in two hips, but no postoperative infection or ceramic failure was observed. CONCLUSION: The 5-year minimum follow-up clinical results of modern alumina-on-alumina THA in patients with sequelae of the hip joint infection were encouraging. Our results show that alumina-on-alumina articulation offers a reliable alternative solution for young patients with technically difficult arthroplasties.