OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect of ceramic on ceramic total hip arthroplasty(THA)in Crowe IV developmental dysplasia of the hip(DDH).

METHODSFrom April 2008 to December 2015, 137 hips of 111 Crowe IV DDH patients received THA using Forte or Delta ceramic on ceramic by one senior surgeon, which consists of 85 unilateral hips and 26 bilateral hips. The average age of the patients was(38.88±10.83) years old ranging from 18 to 68 years old. The mean follow-up was(41.16±21.50) months ranging from 12 to 96 months. All the patients were evaluated by Harris Hip Score. Radiographic evaluations were made preoperatively and during follow-up. Harris scores, the incidence of complications such as ceramic fracture, squeaking, dislocation were observed.

RESULTSThe mean preoperative Harris score was 56.54±15.67, the mean postoperative Harris score was 88.30±6.86(=0.017). Periprosthetic osteolysis was not deteced around any cup. No ceramic fracture occurred. There were 3 cases of revision surgery due to infection, losening of the stem and limb length discrepancy, respectively; 3 cases of dislocation occurred. Seventy-seven patients were recorded the gait and the hip mobility, the hip flexion of 69 patients were above 120 degrees.

CONCLUSIONSCeramic on ceramic bearing showed an encouraging result in Crowe IV DDH total hip arthroplasty.