Revision hip replacement in patients 55 years of age and younger.

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and complications associated with revision hip arthroplasty undertaken in patients under 55 years of age. A review of our revision hip database showed that 430 revision hip arthroplasties undertaken over the past 9 years had a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Of these, 84 (46 female, 38 male) patients were under 55 years of age. The index procedures were preformed at an average age of 46 years (range 15 years to 54 years). The etiology of failure was aseptic loosening (74%), followed by infection (8%) and recurrent dislocation (7%). In the majority of cases, uncemented implants were used at revision surgery (91% uncemented femoral stem, 100% uncemented acetabular cup). A form of bone graft was necessary in 39% of cases. At final follow-up satisfactory progress was noted in all cases with a statistically significant improvement in Harris hip score (p<0.05). Revision of hip arthroplasty in patients below 55 years of age is associated with significant improvement in function and patient satisfaction.