Current trends in total hip arthroplasty

Abstract

After 20 years of application, with excellent short-term and long-term results, uncemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) is now generally regarded as the standard procedure for younger patients undergoing THA. However, expectations regarding hip replacement are continuously rising, along with the increasing number of young and active patients undergoing hip arthroplasty: a complication rate, including postoperative dislocation, close to zero, faster postoperative rehabilitation, low wear even in active patients, high durability and long term survival, etc. Demographic changes in aging societies are also leading to an increased need for cost-effective THA for the low-demand trauma patient. For high-demand patients, modern THA bearings, such as ceramic-ceramic articulations and other improved PE and metal materials, provide high durability and low wear, if the components are properly aligned. Navigation technology has been introduced in THA to ensure perfect component positioning without outliers and concomitant risk of increased wear and implant failure. Minimally and less invasive approaches are becoming increasingly popular in order to facilitate rehabilitation and fast-track surgery in younger patients. Navigation provides assistance for implant positioning in procedures with limited surgical exposure and visibility. New bone-preserving implants, such as surface replacement or short-stemmed femoral shaft prostheses, have been introduced especially for younger patients. Some of these new procedures are still under development, and the long-term results of new implant concepts have to be evaluated over the next decades. Not every modern concept will likely stand the test of time, but some will be beneficial for patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty in the future. © Medsportpress, 2007.