Abstract: Background: Traditionally, total hip arthroplasty (THA) was done using cobalt-chrome into a polyethylene socket. However, because of wearing properties of these implants, implant loosening and loss of bone stock, particularly in younger and more active patients, was seen with greater frequency. This led to the development of ceramic implants having better wear characteristics.
Material and Methods: Present study was carried out as prospective study, on 30 patients undergoing primary ceramic on ceramic THA with minimum of 6 months of follow up. For clinical evaluation, Harris Hip score and Modified Merle d'Aubigné and Postel score were calculated pre-operatively and post-operatively. For radiological evaluation, post-operative radiographs were checked for alignment of femoral stem, loosening of stem or acetabular component, osteolysis and presence of heterotopic ossification, at predefined regular intervals.
Results: The mean Harris hip score, in our study, increased from 35 pre-operatively to 88.4 post-operatively, and mean Modified Merle d'Aubigné and Postel score increased from 9.3 pre-operatively to 16.2 post-operatively, with 90% hips having good to excellent results. This improvement was statistically significant (p< 0.005). On evaluation of alignment of femoral stems, 28 stems were central (93.3%) and 2 stems were in valgus (6.67%), having no significant clinical outcome. Not a single case of focal osteolysis, stem loosening or heterotopic ossification was seen.
Conclusion: We found excellent results of primary ceramic on ceramic THA comparable to available literature, with no serious complication found in any patient. The limitations of our study include the lack of a control group undergoing THA with alternate bearing surfaces, and longer follow up.
