Functional and Patient-related Outcomes of Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients Younger Than 20 Years

Abstract

Background: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) in adolescent and young adults represent only about 10% of all THAs. Despite the advances in hip conservation surgery, there are still adolescents and young adults who progress to severe joint degeneration. THA seems to be the last solution in these cases. We aimed to assess the clinical and patient-related outcomes at short-term to midterm follow-up for THAs performed before the age of 20 years.

Material and methods: We performed a retrospective monocentric study including all patients that underwent a THA before the age of 20 years between January 2008 and December 2018 at our tertiary orthopaedic center with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Demographic data were recorded. The Harris and Oxford hip scores were used to assess clinical and patient-related outcomes.

Results: A total of 11 patients (12 THAs) were included. Juvenile inflammatory arthritis and avascular necrosis due to slipped capital femoral epiphysis were the most commonly encountered etiologies. The mean age at surgery was 16 years (minimum 13, maximum 19 years). The mean follow-up duration was 6 years (minimum 2, maximum 9 years) without any revision. Regarding the Harris and Oxford hip scores, the mean score were 81 and 39.5 for clinical and patient-related outcomes respectively. The Spearman correlation test revealed a statistically significant positive correlation between the 2 scores of ρ = 0.811 with a P value < .001.

Conclusions: THA in adolescents and young adults suffering from end-stage osteoarthritis due to pediatric hip disorders provides improved hip function and notable pain relief at short-term to midterm follow-up.

Keywords: Avascular femoral head necrosis; Harris hip score; Oxford hip score; Paediatric hip disease; Total hip arthroplasty.

Figure 1

Fifteen-year-old boy with AVN secondary to SCFE who benefited from a customized total hip arthroplasty (Symbios, Switzerland).