Outcomes Are Encouraging for THA Patients Under Age 30

A presentation at the 30th AAHKS Annual Meeting reported on a study on contemporary total hip arthroplasty (THA) with highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) for patients under the age of 30, which is a controversial, yet increasingly performed procedure. As the surgery prevalence increases there is a need for more data on this population to inform decision making between patient and surgeon.
 
The research team investigated implant survivorship, PROs and polyethylene wear rates through a retrospective review of prospective data. 140 patients that underwent primary THA with a HXLPE liner were reviewed at a mean of 10.6 years follow-up. Patients ranged from 11-30 years (average, 22) old at time of surgery using various patient-reported outcomes scores.
 
Lead author, John C. Clohisy, M.D., and co-authors, Christopher A. Anthony, M.D., Wahid Abu-Amer, M.D., Serena Freiman, M.D., and Gail Pashos, BS, found that at the 10-year review 95.8 percent of the THAs survived and 4.2 percent had been revised. Those that had been revised were for instability, infection, aseptic loosening, and liner disassociation.
 
The study concluded that “THA with a HXLPE bearing surface performed in very young patients, those under the age of 30, has a 96 percent survivorship at 10-year follow-up. Marked improvements in pain, function and activity, combined with low failure and polyethylene wear rates strongly support THA in very young patients with disabling hip disease.”
 
The study abstract can be found here.