Cementless total hip replacement using second-generation components: a 12- to 16-year follow-up

We reviewed 123 second-generation uncemented total hip replacements performed on 115 patients by a single surgeon between 1993 and 1994. The acetabular component used in all cases was a fully porous-coated threaded hemispheric titanium shell (T-Tap ST) with a calcium ion stearate-free, isostatically compression-moulded polyethylene liner. The titanium femoral component used was a Taperloc with a reduced distal stem. No patient was lost to follow-up. Complete clinical and radiological follow-up was obtained for all 123 hips at a mean of 14 years (12 to 16). One femoral component was revised after a fracture, and three acetabular components for aseptic loosening. No additional femoral or acetabular components were judged loose by radiological criteria. Mild proximal femoral osteolysis was identified in two hips and minor acetabular osteolysis was present in four. The mean rate of penetration of the femoral head was 0.036 mm/year (0.000 to 0.227). These findings suggest that refinements in component design may be associated with excellent long-term fixation in cementless primary total hip replacement.     

髋臼骨折的手术治疗

目的 探讨髋臼骨折的分型、手术入路的选择及手术效果.方法 手术治疗22例髋臼骨折患者,后壁骨折和后柱加后壁骨折选择K-L入路,前柱、前壁骨折及横断骨折选择髂腹股沟入路,前后移位明显的横断骨折、T形骨折、双柱骨折选择前后联合入路.结果 22例均获随访,时间6个月~5年,骨折6~9个月均愈合.按Matta评定标准:解剖复位 9例,满意复位13例.根据改良的Merle d′Aubigne-Poster髋关节功能评分标准:优7例,良10例,可4例,差1例.1例股骨头坏死,3例创伤性关节炎,2例异位骨化.结论 按髋臼骨折的分型选择合适的手术入路和良好的骨折复位内固定是获得满意疗效的前提.     

The Role of Surgical Hip Dislocation in the Treatment of Acetabular and Femoral Head Fractures

Abstract Background and Purpose: Surgical hip dislocation by trochanteric flip osteotomy facilitates access to acetabular and femoral head fractures. Furthermore, it allows evaluation of cartilage damage and vascularity of the femoral head. In this study the potential benefits of this procedure for improved fracture management and for prognostic assessment were investigated. Patients and Methods: From July 1997 to October 1999, 20 selected patients with displaced acetabular fractures (n = 12), femoral head fractures (n = 7), or combined injuries (n = 1) were included. Inclusion criteria for acetabular fractures were either displaced posterior wall fragments with cranial extension or complex acetabular fractures involving a displaced transverse fracture line. Open reduction and fixation of either complex acetabular fractures or femoral head fractures were carried out through Kocher-Langenbeck approach, trochanteric flip osteotomy, and complete surgical hip dislocation. Additionally, the extent of cartilage destruction and femoral head perfusion were assessed. Results: Anatomic reduction ( 1 mm displacement) of acetabular fractures was achieved in 69% of patients and good reduction ( 3 mm) in 31%. In patients with acetabular fractures, severe cartilage destruction of the acetabulum was found in 38% and of the femoral head in 15%, while patients with isolated femoral head fractures revealed severe cartilage damage of the femoral head in 57%. Arterial bleeding from the femoral head, tested by drilling, was observed in all patients. Secondary dislocation of the trochanteric osteotomy occurred in one patient and made refixation necessary. Patients were reexamined at least 2 years after intervention. 77% of patients with acetabular fractures and all patients with femoral head fractures showed good or excellent results after 32.6 ± 6.1 months according to the functional score of DAubigné & Postel. Conclusion: Surgical hip dislocation allows adequate reconstruction of complex acetabular and femoral head fractures and intraoperative evaluation of local cartilage damage and femoral head perfusion.     

闭合复位、空心加压螺钉治疗新鲜股骨颈骨折疗效分析

目的　将使用闭合复位、空心加压螺钉治疗新鲜股骨颈骨折的 15 5例病人资料采用回顾性方法进行研究 ,从中分析本治疗方法的骨折愈合率和股骨头坏死等方面的情况。方法　对骨折类型、伤后何时手术、年龄、性别、下地时间、空心钉种类和数量、取钉后情况各方面因素与骨折不愈合、股骨头缺血性坏死发生率关系列表分析。结果　平均随访 3年 4个月。本组 15 5例骨折病人愈合率 93 5 %。股骨头缺血性坏死发生率为 7 4 %。该方法的总体治愈率为 87 1%。结论　闭合复位、空心加压螺钉治疗新鲜股骨颈骨折疗效可靠 ,有较高的骨折愈合率 ,是可以提倡的治疗方法。高龄病人 (6 0岁以上 )身体条件好 ,首先可考虑Ⅰ期行内固定治疗。严重骨折类型会影响预后。对新鲜股骨颈骨折的治疗原则是早期手术、良好复位、有效固定。控制好老年内科并发症 ,会使总体治愈率再一步提高     

Precoated femoral component in total hip arthroplasty. Results of 5- to 9-year followup.

One hundred nineteen consecutive primary hybrid total hip arthroplasties with a precoated femoral component were performed by one surgeon in 100 patients and followed up prospectively. Ninety-eight hips in 82 patients (mean age, 67 years) were evaluated clinically and radiographically at a mean of 6.5 years (range, 5-9 years). The hips were evaluated clinically using the Harris hip score, and radiographs were evaluated for femoral cement grade, loosening, and osteolysis. Ninety-five hips remained in place at the most recent followup. Two femoral components were revised for definite loosening, and one well fixed femoral component was removed because of late hematogenous infection. Excluding the three hips that were revised, the clinical result was excellent or good in 79 hips (83%), fair in 12 hips (13%), and poor in four hips (4%). All other femoral components were well fixed. There were defects of the cement mantles (C1 and C2) in 90 hips. No femoral component had a stem and cement radiolucent line. Focal femoral osteolysis was seen in only two hips. One acetabular component was removed at 5 years because of late hematogenous infection. One acetabular component had asymptomatic migration. The remaining 96 acetabular components were well fixed. Focal acetabular osteolysis was present in four hips. The mean linear polyethylene wear rate was 0.06 (+/- 0.05) mm per year. In contrast to other reports of early failure and osteolysis, the use of a precoated femoral component in this study did not adversely affect the fixation of hybrid total hip arthroplasty, with definite failure of only 2% (two of 98) of the femoral components.     

成年股骨颈骨折愈合后内固定物取出术后短期随访

目的研究取出股骨颈内固定物术后短期内对股骨头的影响。 方法自2014年3月至2018年1月解放军第910骨科进行了68例股骨颈骨折复位内固定术,32例骨折愈合后行内固定物取出术。根据有无取出内固定物分为取出组32例及保留组36例。采用两独立样本t检验、卡方检验、Fisher确切概率法及重复测量方差分析比较两组一般情况、骨折愈合时间、股骨头坏死率、Harris髋关节评分。 结果取出组随访时间平均(31.7±6.8)个月;末次随访时钉道愈合率21.9%,股骨头坏死发生率34.4%;术前Harris髋关节评分平均(12±3)分,末次随访时评分平均(84±20)分。保留组随访时间平均(32.7±7.0)个月;末次随访股骨头坏死发生率8.3%;术前Harris髋关节评分(13±4)分,末次随访时评分平均(91±14)分。保留组在股骨头坏死率(t＝7.027)及末次随访Harris髋关节评分(F＝7.835)优于取出组(均为P<0.05)。 结论因生物力学改变,股骨颈内固定物取出后,短期内钉道愈合率低,增加股骨头坏死率,导致髋关节功能变差。     

闭合复位技术治疗外展嵌插型股骨颈骨折

目的: 探讨C形臂X线监测下闭合复位技术3枚螺钉固定外展嵌插型股骨颈骨折的可行性。方法: 回顾性分析2014年1月至2019年12月接受手术的17例外展嵌插型股骨颈骨折患者,男10例,女7例,年龄21~59(42.09±7.30)岁。根据术前的X线和CT资料,明确股骨头后倾及外展移位角度,2枚直径2 mm克氏针交叉从股骨头外侧和前方轻敲入髋臼顶盖骨质内,将近骨折段固定在髋臼上,在C形臂X线监测下逆骨折移位方向,逐渐内旋内收下肢(远骨折段),使远骨折端对合近骨折端完成解剖复位后3枚空心螺钉内固定。评价Garden指数,观察术后并发症,进行Harris功能评分。结果: 17例外展嵌插型股骨颈骨折均顺利完成闭合复位内固定,手术时间36~68(43.87±7.63) min,术中出血15~50(28.36±5.93) ml。术中Garden指数评价骨折复位质量,解剖复位12例,可接受复位5例,无复位不成功改开放复位病例。17例获得随访,时间3~41(27.5±8.4)个月。无股骨头坏死、骨折不愈合、髋关节撞击征、股骨颈缩短等并发症出现,MRI检查未发现有股骨头坏死及关节软骨损伤表现。术后2年髋关节Harris评分优13例,良4例。结论: 闭合复位3枚螺钉内固定手术技术治疗外展嵌插型股骨颈骨折可获得良好的解剖复位率及治疗效果。     

髋臼骨折内固定失败术后的全髋关节置换术

目的:探讨髋臼骨折内固定失败术后继发创伤性关节炎和(或)股骨头缺血性坏死行全髋关节置换术的特点及临床疗效。方法:2009年2月至2014年10月,采用全髋关节置换术对31例(31髋)髋臼骨折内固定失败继发创伤性关节炎和(或)股骨头缺血性坏死患者进行治疗,其中男26例,女5例;受伤时平均年龄(41±12)岁。患者因髋臼骨折内固定术后3~132个月,平均(20.6±26.9)个月内继发创伤性关节炎和(或)股骨头缺血性坏死而行全髋关节置换术,全髋关节置换术均采用后外侧入路。观察术后并发症和关节活动度,并比较术前和术后随访时髋关节VAS疼痛评分和Harris髋关节评分。结果:术后27例获得随访,随访时间12~80个月,平均(43.2±11.7)个月。其中出现关节感染1例,假体松动1例,脱位1例,无继发坐骨神经损伤病例发生。所有随访病例髋关节功能和步态有明显改善;至末次随访时,VAS由术前平均(7.6±1.2)分,降低到术后平均(1.2±0.9)分,Harris评分由术前平均(45.5±13.6)分,提高到术后平均(88.5±7.8)分,差异均有统计学意义(P0.01)。髋关节除后伸外,前屈、外展、内收、内旋及外旋活动范围较术前显著增加,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。X线片复查示:髋臼假体无不稳定发生,1例股骨柄假体下沉3 mm,2例发生异位骨化。结论:正确处理内固定物,提防潜在感染,合理重建髋臼骨缺损,是髋臼骨折内固定失败术后全髋关节置换成功的关键。     

Tapered titanium cementless total hip replacements: a 10- to 13-year followup study.

The 10- to-13 year performance of 307 Mallory Head cementless tapered total hip replacements in 283 patients was assessed. Eighty-five percent of patients had a diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Fifty-one percent of patients were women. The mean patient age was 64 +/- 10 years. The Hex Loc cementless acetabular component and titanium alloy femoral heads were used in each patient. At final followup, 37 (13%) patients died, 32 (10%) had revision surgery, and two (1%) were lost to followup. No femoral stem was revised for aseptic loosening, but one was revised because of sepsis and one was revised because of a periprosthetic fracture. Wear, osteolysis, and loosening were problems with the Hex Loc cementless acetabular components and 31 (10%) acetabular components required revision because of these mechanisms. The mean Harris hip score at final followup of the remaining patients was 87 +/- 14 points. Three percent of these patients had thigh pain. Radiographic assessment revealed that no femoral stem or acetabular socket was definitely or probably loose. Three-dimensional wear assessment using the Devane technique was 0.35 mm per year. The Mallory Head cementless, tapered femoral component performed well in the patients in the current study, but unfortunately, the clinical results were compromised by the use of a suboptimal cementless acetabular component, the use of polyethylene that was gamma-irradiated in air, and by the use of titanium alloy femoral heads. Future developments obviously will be in the areas of better acetabular component design, alternate polyethylene sterilization methods, and enhancements of the femoral stem in terms of offset choices, neck design, and perhaps ingrowth surface.     

The Harris-Galante Porous acetabular component at intermediate follow-up

Outcome of the acetabular component in 90 consecutive primary noncemented total hip arthroplasties (THAs) was prospectively studied. The acetabular cup consisted of a hemispherical titanium alloy shell with a titanium fiber-mesh porous coating and a modular polyethylene liner (Harris-Galante Porous-1, Zimmer, Warsaw, Ind). The cup was implanted using line-to-line reaming with adjunctive dome screw fixation. The femoral component consisted of a titanium alloy stem with titanium fiber-mesh porous coating and a 28-mm cobalt-chrome modular head. Mean patient age was 53 years (range: 27-75 years); male:female ratio was 48:42; and mean follow-up was 6 years (range: 4.5-8 years). One acetabular component was revised for aseptic loosening. Of 81 unrevised hips available for follow-up, mean Harris hip score was 57 preoperatively and 96 at final follow-up (72% excellent, 15% good, 1 3% fair, and none poor). Of 61 unrevised hips with adequate radiographic follow-up, radiographic failure (complete periprosthetic radiolucency) was evident in 3 (4.9%) and periacetabular osteolysis in none. Radiographic failure did not correlate with poor clinical outcome. Linear polyethylene wear rate (mean: 0.13 mm/year) did not correlate with age, gender, weight, outcome, or cup abduction angle, but did correlate with the presence of femoral periprosthetic osteolysis (0.18 mm/year with femoral osteolysis versus 0.11 mm/year without; P= .01). This series of porous-coated hemispherical cups demonstrated excellent intermediate-term clinical and radiographic outcome, comparable with similarly favorable results reported by the prosthesis designers. A potentially adverse effect of polyethylene wear on the longevity of a THA was supported by a positive correlation between polyethylene wear rate and femoral osteolysis.     

缝匠肌骨瓣移植及固定治疗青壮年股骨颈骨折

目的：为了防止青壮年股骨颈骨折后发生骨不愈合、颈吸收及股骨头缺血性坏死。方法：采用带缝匠肌蒂髂骨瓣移植及多枚骨圆针内固定治疗青壮年股骨颈骨折17例。结果：经过2－5年的随访,疗效评定：优12例,良3例,优良率88．2％,骨愈合17例,愈合率100％。愈合时间为3－12月,平均5个月,1例发生股骨头缺血性坏死,股骨头坏死率5．9％。结论：本术式能为骨折端提供充足血供,内固定可靠,能明显提高股骨颈骨折的治愈率,减少股骨头缺血性坏死的发生,是治疗青壮年股骨颈骨折的好方法。     

Malunion in displaced intracapsular fracture of femoral neck: A rare case

Intracapsular fracture of femoral neck is treated by anatomical reduction (preferably closed) and cannulated cancellous lag screw fixation. Malunion of these fractures have been described in the coronal plane (coxa valga or coxa vara). We reported a case of young adult patient with displaced intracapsular fracture of femoral neck that had malunited in sagittal plane with callus formation with excellent functional outcome. The radiographs revealed intracapsular fracture of femoral neck right side (Garden type 4 and Pauwel type 3). The patient was operated and closed reduction and internal fixation with three cannulated cancellous screws was performed. The postoperative radiograph revealed a loss of reduction in the lateral view. Due to this technical error, the patient was counselled for revision fixation for which he refused. At 9 months we observed union of the fracture in the displaced position by callus formation. Harris hip score at 2 years was 96 that indicate excellent functional outcome and the radiographs did not reveal any evidence of avascular necrosis of femoral head. We advised revision surgery to our patient as he had increased chances of implant failure and nonunion. However he refused the revision surgery and was continued with the suboptimal reduction. However, the fracture united and that too with callus formation, which is not a described phenomenon in neck of femur fracture.     

髋臼合并同侧股骨颈骨折的手术治疗与预后

目的 探讨髋臼合并同侧股骨颈骨折的手术方法与预后.方法 1990年10月至2008年1月共收治7例髋臼合并同侧股骨颈骨折患者,其中男5例,女2例;年龄22～55岁(平均38.6岁).髋臼骨折按Letournel分类:后壁骨折2例,后柱伴后壁骨折1例,横行伴后壁骨折2例,双柱骨折2例.股骨颈骨折按Garden分型:Ⅲ型2例,Ⅳ型5例.其中X线片和CT片示股骨颈骨折合并股骨头游离脱位于髋臼后上方者5例,仅显示股骨颈骨折而无脱位者2例.结果切开复位内固定术后X线片示5例移位髋臼骨折患者获解剖复位,2例获满意复位.股骨颈骨折均获满意复位和固定.7例患者术后获1～18年(平均8.6年)随访,X线片示5例合并股骨头脱位者日后均出现股骨头缺血性坏死,坏死率高达100%(5/5),髋关节功能恢复均为差,于内固定术后2～4年改行全髋关节置换术.而2例股骨头未脱位者至今X线片上仍未显示任何股骨头坏死迹象,也无创伤后关节炎表现,髋关节功能恢复均为优.结论 髋臼合并同侧股骨颈骨折患者,如同时合并股骨头脱位,因股骨头坏死率高,应首选全髋关节置换术治疗.如未合并股骨头脱位,可以考虑首选切开复位内固定.     

Cementless alumina-on-alumina total hip arthroplasty in patients younger than 50 years: a 5-year minimum follow-up study

Sixty-seven patients (78 hips) who were younger than 50 years underwent cementless total hip arthroplasty using a porous-coated acetabular cup, an alumina liner, a 28-mm alumina head, and a proximally porous-coated femoral stem. One patient (1 hip) died and 2 patients (3 hips) were lost to follow-up. The remaining 64 patients (74 hips) were followed for 5 to 6 years. Their mean age at the index operation was 37 years. The mean Harris hip score was 94 points at the time of final follow-up. Four patients (4 hips) had mild thigh pain. All acetabular and femoral components were bone-ingrown, and neither pelvic nor femoral osteolysis was identified. No fracture of the ceramic liner or head was identified. Wear of the ceramic components was undetectable in 27 hips in which measurement was possible.     

Uncemented total hip arthroplasty in patients 50 years of age or younger

The results of a consecutive series of uncemented total hip arthroplasties in patients 50 years or younger are reviewed. There were 41 total hip arthroplasties in 36 patients at an average follow-up period of 5.3 years. Average patient age was 42 years at the time of implantation. Preoperative Harris hip score (HHS) averaged ; the final HHS averaged 93. Radiographic evaluation revealed that the femoral stems were all solid, with no progressive subsidence, reactive lines, or osteolysis. Twenty of the hips (49%) demonstrated evidence of polyethylene wear. There was significant acetabular osteolysis in 12 of these 20 hips. Five of the acetabular cups were definitely loose; 1 was possibly loose. Three of the patients underwent revision surgery for acetabular loosening and/or osteolysis. It is concluded from this study that the femoral stem is excellent but that the original acetabular component and polyethylene locking mechanism are poor and made even worse with the use of a titanium femoral head.     

股骨骨折合并同侧髋臼骨折股骨头脱位的治疗

目的 分析总结股骨骨折合并同侧髋臼骨折股骨头脱位的治疗方法、效果及漏诊的教训。方法 股骨骨折按AO分型，32-A型3例，32-B型2例，32-C2型1例，用交锁钉内固定；33-C3型1例，用股骨髁支持钢板内固定；31-A2型2例，用DHS内固定。髋臼骨折按Letoumel分型，后壁骨折8例，后壁后柱骨折1例，均采用钛合金重建钢板内固定。本组漏诊2例。结果 9例随访13～38个月，平均22．4个月。按照美国矫形外科研究院疗效评定标准，优8例，良1例，优良率100％。结论 股骨骨折合并同侧髋臼骨折股骨头脱位受伤机制复杂、伤情重、合并伤多、易漏诊，应尽早手术治疗。     

Outcome of bone marrow instillation at fracture site in intracapsular fracture offemoral neck treated by head preserving surgery

Purpose: The aim of present study is to evaluate the outcome of bone marrow instillation at the fracture site in fracture of intracapsular neck femur treated by head preserving surgery. Methods: This study included 32 patients of age group 18e50 years with closed fracture of intracapsular neck femur. Patients were randomized into two groups as per the plan generated via www.randomization.com. The two groups were Group A (control), in which the fracture of intracapsular neck femur was treated by closed reduction and cannulated cancellous screw fixation, and Group B (intervention), in which additional percutaneous autologous bone marrow aspirate instillation at fracture site was done along with cannulated cancellous screw fixation. Postoperatively the union at fracture site and avascular necrosis of the femoral head were assessed on serial plain radiographs at final follow-up. Functional outcome was evaluated by Harris hip score. Results: The average follow-up was 19.6 months. Twelve patients in each group had union and 4 patients had signs of nonunion. One patient from each group had avascular necrosis of the femoral head. The average Harris hip score at final follow-up in Group A was 80.50 and in Group B was 75.73, which was found to be not significant. Conclusion: There is no significant role of adding on bone marrow aspirate instillation at the fracture site in cases of fresh fracture of intracapsular neck femur treated by head preserving surgery in terms of accelerating the bone healing and reducing the incidence of femoral head necrosis.     

Catastrophic fracture of a stable metal acetabular component

Various modes of failure of primary and revision total hip arthroplasty have been well documented in the literature over the past 30 years. Concerns over polyethylene wear, osteolysis, and hypersensitivity reactions leading to component loosening and early revision have been evaluated and reported in the literature. Routine follow-up is important to monitor for postoperative issues that might lead to the subsequent need for revision.This article describes a case of a 64-year-old man who initially presented 11 years prior with an intertrochanteric fracture, which failed secondary to varus alignment and femoral head osteonecrosis. The fixation was converted to a total hip replacement using the S-ROM system (DePuy, Warsaw, Indiana). Subsequently, the patient was lost to follow-up after primary total hip arthroplasty and presented with a catastrophic fracture of the metal acetabular cup system. The failure was suggested by clinical presentation and confirmed by imaging studies showing a fractured acetabular shell with femoral head prosthesis resting in the superolateral ileum. The contributing factors that resulted in mechanical failure were polyethylene wear and component fracture. The acetabular component was revised with an in-growth cementless trabecular metal multihole cup (Zimmer, Warsaw, Indiana) with bone grafting of acetabular defects.Routine assessments help educate patients and allow careful monitoring by physicians while establishing a radiographic timeline for the identification, progression, or lack of postoperative complications.     

Alternative bearing surfaces in total hip arthroplasty: zirconia-alumina pairing. Contribution or caveat?

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the zirconia and alumina articulation in total hip arthroplasty in regard to clinical and radiological outcome. This is the first report concerning the clinical application of a hybrid ceramic articulation. Owing to ethical reasons, a limited number of patients was enrolled in the study. Ten consecutive patients with degenerative arthritis were randomly allocated after informed consent to hybrid total hip arthroplasty treatment using an alumina femoral head and an alumina acetabular liner (5 hips), or using a zirconia femoral head and an alumina acetabular liner (5 hips). The median age of patients at index operation was 57.8 years. Current criteria were used for clinical and radiological assessment. The mean follow-up was 5.1 years (5 to 5.3 years). No hip required revision, and no clinical and radiological differences were observed between the two groups of hips. The median preoperative Harris hip score was rated 55.3 points in the control group of hips with alumina head, and 55.6 in the group of hips with zirconia head. The median Harris hip score increased to 94.9 points at the time of follow-up in the control group, and 96 points in the zirconia group. No radiological signs of cup loosening or focal acetabular osteolysis were detected at follow-up. All stems showed stable fixation without radiolucent lines or focal osteolysis. Zirconia femoral heads and alumina acetabular liners have been successfully used in the present series of 5 total hip arthroplasties with a mean follow-up of 5.1 years. Nevertheless, the use of femoral heads made of zirconia in total hip arthroplasties remains an important clinical concern due to the potential genesis of wear microparticles which can lead to progressive osteolysis. Further in-vitro and in-vivo investigations are required to define the value of this alternative bearing surface.     

Osteochondral mosaicplasty of the femoral head

Young adults with osteochondral lesions of the femoral head are at risk of rapid progression to symptomatic arthritis of the hip joint. Between January 2008 and July 2009, 10 patients were treated for femoral cartilage damage by a osteochondral mosaicplasty of the femoral head through a trochanteric flap with dislocation of the hip. The consecutive series had the following exclusion criteria: acetabular chondropathy, age above 25 years, and femoral head osteonecrosis. Patients were followed up after surgery using the Oxford-12 score, Harris hip score and the Merle d'Aubigné score, and activity assessed by the UCLA and Devane scores. Radiological evaluation by computed tomographic (CT) arthrography was undertaken in all patients at 6 months and plain radiographs. Mean follow-up was 29.2 months (20-39 months). The Postel Merle d'Aubigné score improved from the pre-operative period to the latest follow-up, from 10.5 points (8-13) to 15.5 points (12-17). Global range of motion increased from 175.4° (140-215) to 210.7° (175-240). All radiological investigations at latest follow-up showed that the autograft plugs were well-incorporated at the site of osteochondroplasty in the femoral head with intact cartilage over them and smooth interfaces between articulating bony surfaces. Osteochondral autograft transplantation may be a new alternative option for osteochondral lesions of the femoral head, but this has to be confirmed with longer follow-up and in a larger number of patients. The results of similar surgery in the knee have been mixed, and in the hip the technique is demanding, requiring familiarity with surgical hip dislocation.