OBJECTIVETo evaluate middle and long-term results of total hip arthroplasties (THA) for the treatment of secondary hip traumatic osteoarthritis and femoral head necrosis after acetabular fractures.

METHODSFrom January 2000 to December 2005, 33 patients with secondary hip traumatic osteoarthritis and (or) femoral head necrosis after acetabular fractures were treated with THA. There were 21 males and 12 females, ranging in age from 27 to 69 years old, with an average of 52 years old. Twenty-three patients were performed with open reduction and internal fixation: 5 patients were treated with anterior approach; 12 patients, posterior approach; 6 patients, combined approaches; other 10 patients, conservative treatment in the early stage. All THA were performed with posterior-lateral approach. Bone union was achieved in the all acetabular fractures. Removal of all implants was necessary in 5 patients, and partial removal in 3 patients. Cemented cup was implanted in 6 patients and uncommented cup in 27 patients. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were observed, and Harris hip scores before surgery and 10 years after operation were compared. The prosthetic loosening, osteolysis or revision were used to evaluate 10 years survival rate of prosthesis.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up,and the duration ranged from 10 to 15 years, with a mean of 12 years. One patient died at the 10th year after operation. The Harris score at the 10th year was higher than the preoperative one. One and two patients were performed with revision total hip arthroplasty caused by aseptic loosening alone and aseptic loosening combined with osteolysis respectively. Osteolysis occurred in 1 patient; deep venous thrombosis in 4 patients; dislocation of prosthesis in 2 patients. One patient had infection of incision and one patient had infection around the prosthesis. Ten years survival rate of implant was 84.8% (28/133).

CONCLUSIONTHA is an effective method to treat secondary hip traumatic osteoarthritis and (or) femoral head necrosis after acetabular fractures in improving hip joint functions with high implant survival rate and good middle and long-term results.