The thrust plate prosthesis in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip. Clinical and radiological outcome with minimum 5-year follow-up.

The thrust plate prosthesis (TPP) is a neck preserving femoral component in total hip arthroplasty (THA). We present our mid-term results from using the thrust plate prosthesis in young patients with hip arthritis. We conducted a retrospective review of a consecutive series of patients with a minimum of 5 years follow-up after total hip arthroplasty using the thrust plate prosthesis. Harris Hip Score (HHS) and Oxford Hip Score (OHS) were recorded preoperatively and at the last clinical review. Radiographic analysis was performed and patient satisfaction levels and complications were recorded. Between 1996 and 2000 we implanted 41 prostheses in 38 consecutive patients (3 bilateral). The mean age at time of surgery was 56 years (41-67) and the mean length of follow-up was 71 months. The HHS improved from a mean of 42 points preoperatively to 88 points at the last clinical review and the mean OHS also improved from 40 points to 18 points. Eighty-three percent of patients expressed that they were 'very satisfied' with the procedure. Implant survivorship was 95% at 5 years follow-up with revision surgery being the end point. Eight patients suffer discomfort when lying on the operated side. Many patients treated with the TPP show excellent improvement in clinical outcome scores and a high level of patient satisfaction but the complication rate gives some concern. We support the selective use of the TPP to treat young patients with hip osteoarthritis.