[Total hip prosthesis in young patients].

Total hip prostheses are functional for a shorter period of time in young patients than in elderly. This problem is essentially related to the production of wear debris consecutively to metal versus polyethylene friction. New materials, such as alumina, produce less debris and therefore have been used for more than fifteen years with acceptable results at ten years (> 90% of functional hips). Total hip prostheses are sometimes needed in young patients suffering of post traumatic lesions, severe osteonecrosis and early osteoarthritis. In these cases, the indication of the prostheses should be accurately discussed, since it gives very often excellent results in comparison to more conservative treatments.