Hip ; Total hip arthroplasty ; Ceramic-on-ceramic articulation
Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the medium-term clinical and radiographic results of uncemented total hip arthroplasty with ceramic-on-ceramic articulation.
Materials and Methods: From February 1999 to August 2000, fifty-two primary total hip arthroplasties were performed on forty-two patients using a ceramic-on-ceramic bearing implant. The mean follow-up period was 5.4 years (range, 5-6.6 years) and the mean age at surgery was 43.2 years (range, 19-66 years). The clinical results were evaluated using the Harris hip score. The radio-graphic evaluations were carried out in terms of the stability of the components, the prevalence of osteolysis and wear.
Results: At the most recent follow-up, the mean preoperative Harris hip score improved from 63 points (range, 26-93 points) to 97 points (range, 82-100 points). The Harris hip score showed excellent results in 49 hips (94%) and good results in 3 hips (6%). Fixation by bone ingrowth was noted in all cases and there was no case with osteolysis or a deep infection. Ceramic wear was not detectable on the plain radiograph. Complications included one case of dislocation, one case of a fracture of the ceramic femoral head and one case of an intraoperative periprosthetic proximal femoral crack.
Conclusion: Ceramic-on-ceramic articulation showed excellent clinical and radiographic results in terms of wear, osteolysis and loosening. A further follow-up study should be performed to evaluate the long-term clinical and radiographic results with special focus on the fracture of the ceramic material.