The 20-Year Outcome of the Charnley Arthroplasty in Younger and Older Patients

The purpose of this study is to present the 20-year outcome of 206 Charnley low-friction arthroplasties done by the same surgeon on 181 patients who were separated into two age groups (younger and older). In Group A (76 patients, 92 hips) the mean age at surgery was 44 years (range, 24–55 years), and in Group B (105 patients, 114 hips) the mean age at surgery was 65 years (range, 56–82 years). All patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically. At final followup, 71 patients (87 hips) in Group A and 90 patients (99 hips) in Group B were available for study. The overall failure rate for the hips of Group A was 37.9%, and the overall failure rate for the hips of Group B was 20%. The main cause of failure in Group A was aseptic loosening of the components and breakage of the femoral stem, whereas in Group B the main cause of failure was deep infection. We concluded that by eliminating the above factors, and using new cementing techniques and improved implants, the 20-year results of this arthroplasty would be better. Our results show that the Charnley arthroplasty is a reliable procedure for hip replacement, even in younger patients.

Level of Evidence: Therapeutic study, Level IV (Case series—no, or historical control group). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.