Long-term results of cemented Charnley low-friction arthroplasty in patients aged less than 30 years.

The results of cemented Charnley low-friction arthroplasty in patients aged less than 30 years are presented. Eighty-three arthroplasties were performed on 55 patients with an average age of 24.9 years (range, 17-29 years) and an average follow-up period of 240 months (20 years; range, 62-360 months). There were 2 nonfatal pulmonary emboli, 2 cases of deep sepsis, and 3 fractured femoral implants. Twenty-eight acetabular components migrated (34%), 25 have been revised (30%), and the average annual acetabular wear rate was 0.12 mm. Sixteen femoral implants subsided (19%), and fracture of the tip of the cement mantle occurred in 8 hips (10%). Nineteen femoral components (23%) were revised; femoral osteolysis was seen in 15 hips (18%) and changes in the calcar in 33 (38%). Acetabular component survivorship was 92% (95% confidence interval, 85-98%) at 10 years, 70% (60-81%) at 20 years, and 68% (57-79%) at 25 years, with the figures for the femoral implant being 93% (87-98%), 76% (66-86%), and 73% (62-85%), respectively.