SURVIVORSHIP OF THE CHARNLEY TOTAL HIP-ARTHROPLASTY IN JUVENILE CHRONIC ARTHRITIS - A FOLLOW-UP OF 186 CASES FOR 22 YEARS

Between 1971 and 1991 we performed Charnley low-friction arthroplasty (LFA) on 116 patients (186 hips) with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) . We have now carried out a survival study, taking endpoints as revisi on, death or the end of the year 1993. Overall survival was 91.9% at t en years and 83.0% at 15 years. That of the femoral component was 95.6 % at ten years and 91.9% at 15 years and of the acetabulum 95.0% and 8 7.8%, respectively. Only the use of steroids significantly impaired th e survival. We therefore recommend the use of Charnley LFA for young p atients with JCA requiring total hip replacement.