A randomized trial was designed to compare the outcome of ceramic-on-ceramic with ceramic on conventional polyethylene. These patients have been followed for 15 years.

58 hips in 57 patients under 60 years of age were randomized into one of two groups. Patients were blinded to the type of hip they received. Both groups of patients were treated routinely with prophylactic peri-operative antibiotics and low molecular weight Heparin. All patients were seen at six weeks, three months and annually after surgery. Clinical and radiologic assessment was carried out at each visit.

Fifty-eight hips were available for analysis, 28 in the CoP group and 29 patients in the CoC group. Mean age of both groups was less than 45 years.

There were seven revisions (16%) among the 58 patients enrolled in the study. In the CoP group four patients underwent revision with head and liner exchange for eccentric polyethylene wear 16 years post-implantation. In the CoC group one patient had a cup revision at 15 years for acute aseptic instability of the acetabulum; two additional patients in the CoC group had femoral head exchange, one for fracture and one for trunnion corrosion. Both occurred 14 years after the index surgery.

Functional outcome scores showed no difference between the two groups at 15 years. Radiographically there was a statistically difference in wear between the two groups.

This study demonstrates that both ceramic-on-ceramic and ceramic-on-polyethylene produce satisfactory functional results with low revision rates in young patients.