[Early effectiveness of total hip arthroplasty in treating protrusion acetabuli].

Objective: To evaluate the method and the early effectiveness of total hip arthroplasty in the treatment of protrusion acetabuli.

Methods: Between January 2006 and February 2010, 16 cases (16 hips) of protrusion acetabuli were treated, including 6 males and 10 females with an average age of 56.5 years (range, 39-72 years). The median disease duration was 6.4 years (range, 1 year and 6 months to 35 years). Involved hips included 7 left hips and 9 right hips; 3 patients had primary protrusion acetabuli and 13 patients had secondary protrusion acetabuli. The preoperative Harris score was 49.5 +/- 5.5. According to Dunlop et al. classification criterion, there were 3 cases of mild, 9 cases of moderate, and 4 cases of severe. All patients received total hip arthroplasty with bone graft and cementless prosthesis for recovery of femoral offset and acetabular center of rotation.

Results: All incisions healed by first intention without complication of infection, deep venous thrombosis, or nerve injury. All patients were followed up 12-62 months with an average of 37 months. The Harris score at last follow-up was 90.5 +/- 4.5, showing significant difference (t = 49.578, P = 0.000) when compared with preoperative score. The X-ray films showed that no prosthesis loosening or subsidence was observed, and bone graft healed with no sign of re-protrusion.

Conclusion: In treatment of protrusion acetabuli, total hip arthroplasty with bone graft and cementless prosthesis can recover the femoral offset and acetabular center of rotation and provide satisfactory early effectiveness.