Ceramic-ceramic coupling. Total hip arthroplasty in young patients.

Between 1994 and 2000 at the 7th Division of the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute a total of 123 total hip arthroplasties were implanted in 105 patients aged under 40 years (mean age 32 years). In most of the cases the patient was affected with osteoarthrosis secondary to congenital hip dysplasia (35%) or osteonecrosis (29%). In all of the cases the same type of cup was press-fitted with alumina on alumina bearing surfaces. The stem was cemented in 4 cases. Six of the patients were submitted to prosthetic revision surgery: 1 as a result of deep infection, 2 recurring dislocation, 3 aseptic loosening of one of the components. Radiographic evaluation did not reveal signs of periprosthetic osteolysis. We did not observe any cases of rupture of the alumina head or any problems related to the modularity of the implant. The authors wish to stress the reliability of using alumina on alumina in a population with high functional demand.