Early results with the thrust plate prosthesis in young patients with osteoarthritis of the hip

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of the Thrust Plate Prosthesis as a treatment option for osteoarthritis of the hip in young patients. Of the fifty patients (63 hips) reviewed, 31 (62%) were males and 19 (38%) females. Pre-operative diagnosis included primary osteoarthritis (23), developmental dysplasia (8), avascular necrosis (7), Perthes (4), post-traumatic arthritis (3), rheumatoid arthritis (2), ankylosing spondylitis (1), psoriatic arthropathy (1) and slipped upper femoral epiphysis (1). All components were implanted uncemented with metal-on-metal articulation. The average follow-up was 4.04 years (range 12 months-8.5 years). The mean age of the patients was 42.3 years (range 21-57 years). The mean pre-operative Harris Hip Score was 41.9 (range 12-89) and at final follow-up 89.91 (range 41-100). In 25 hips with > or = 5 yr follow-up, the average HHS at final follow-up was 84.5 (range 50-100). Complications included dislocation (2), transient sciatic nerve palsy (1), discomfort from lateral strap (2), implantation of wrong femoral head (1), revision (3 = 4.76%) and implant loosening (4) (6.35%). The thrust plate prosthesis is a useful alternative in young patients with hip arthritis and the results are comparable with other uncemented hip replacements. The added advantage is preservation of the proximal femoral bone stock, which can prove useful in future revisions.