Surface replacement of the hip in juvenile chronic arthritis.

Seventeen resurfacing arthroplasties undertaken in 13 patients with severe hip arthritis are described. The youngest patient was 14 years and the mean age 23 years. The average follow-up time is 2 years. In one patient, pain-free for 7 months, the femoral cup slipped and revision into total hip replacement was easily performed. The remaining patients are pain-free, have increased motion, a better walking capacity and can enjoy sex life. The tremendous improvement in quality of life for these young patients justifies operation even if all may have to be converted into total hip replacement within a couple of years, although there is nothing to indicate that in this early follow-up.