[Replacement of the hip joint in young patients under 40 years of age. Clinico-statistical report of experiences].

At Orthopedic Department of Homburg/Saar University Clinic there were - between 1974 and 1985 - altogether 270 cementless total hip replacements by AUTOPHOR-arthroplasty in 243 patients, who were 40 years of age and younger at time of operation. The male patients mostly suffered from posttraumatic joint destructions or idiopathic femoral head necrosis, the female patients from dysplasia coxarthritis. In 43.3% there were previous hip operations in the past. 6 septic failures (5 times removal of prosthesis); 33 (12.2%) aseptic failures, mostly of the femoral component with following exchange operation. Clinical and roentgenological control of 170 cases (septic and aseptic failures excluded). Subjectively good and very good results in 82.3%. Evaluation of clinical datas acc. to the scheme of Merle d'Aubigné. Improvement of preoperative situation (5.4 points average) to 14.7 points average postoperatively. In most of the patients, a professional and social integration could be achieved; only 28 patients received a pension. With regards to the functional inferior alternatives of resection hip rsp. hip arthrodesis, THR by cementless prostheses in young patients with severe joint destructions seems to be justifiable and recommendable - according to our medium-term results.