Functional outcome of hip fusion in the young patient. Follow-up study of 10 patients.

In the young patient, an osteoarthritic or osteonecrotic hip presents a challenging therapeutic problem. Until the long-term results of noncemented total hip arthroplasty are known, hip fusion provides an option to cemented total hip arthroplasty in the young patient with hip disease. The authors describe the outcome of hip fusion in 10 patients with an average follow-up period of 8.5 years. Seventy percent of the patients had a good or very good result with pain relief, and 90% or more had a good or excellent functional result with support aids, ambulation, and climbing stairs. All 10 patients were subjectively satisfied with their hip fusion. A lower incidence of pain in the contralateral hip, ipsilateral knee, and lower back was noted at 8.5 years than that reported at long-term follow-up evaluation and was associated with a satisfactory anatomic position of hip arthrodesis.