Polyethylene wear and osteolysis with a new modular titanium acetabular component: results at 7 to 13 years

Radiostereometric analysis study of tantalum compared with titanium acetabular cups and highly cross-linked compared with conventional liners in young patients undergoing total hip replacement

BACKGROUND

Radiostereometric analysis provides highly precise measurements of component micromotion relative to the bone that is otherwise undetectable by routine radiographs. This study compared, at a minimum of five years following surgery, the micromotion of tantalum and titanium acetabular cups and femoral head penetration in highly cross-linked polyethylene liners and conventional (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) liners in active patients who had undergone total hip replacement.

METHODS

This institutional review board-approved prospective, randomized, blinded study involved forty-six patients. Patients were randomized into one of four cohorts according to both acetabular cup and polyethylene liner. Patients received either a cementless cup with a titanium mesh surface or a tantalum trabecular surface and either a highly cross-linked polyethylene liner or an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene liner. Radiostereometric analysis examinations and Short Form-36 Physical Component Summary, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) activity, and Harris hip scores were obtained preoperatively, postoperatively, at six months, and annually thereafter.

RESULTS

All patients had significant improvement (p < 0.05) in Short Form-36 Physical Component Summary, WOMAC, UCLA activity, and Harris hip scores postoperatively. On radiostereometric analysis examination, highly cross-linked polyethylene liners showed significantly less median femoral head penetration at five years (p < 0.05). Steady-state wear rates from one year to five years were 0.04 mm per year for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene liners and 0.004 mm per year for highly cross-linked polyethylene liners. At the five-year follow-up, the median migration (and standard error) was 0.05 ± 0.20 mm proximally for titanium cups and 0.21 ± 0.05 mm for tantalum cups.

CONCLUSIONS

In this young population who had undergone total hip replacement, radiostereometric analysis showed significantly less femoral head penetration in the highly cross-linked polyethylene liners compared with that in the conventional ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene liners. Penetration rates were one order of magnitude less in highly cross-linked polyethylene liners compared with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene liners. There was no significant difference in proximal migration between the tantalum and titanium acetabular cups through the five-year follow-up (p > 0.19).

Intermediate- to long-term results after hybrid total hip arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

There have been few reports describing intermediate- to long-term results after hybrid total hip arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. We followed up 52 hips in 44 patients aged 5 men and 39 women, with a mean of 11.5 years (range, 5-23.5 years). Revisions had been performed in 6 hips in 6 patients: 1 both acetabular and femoral components for infection, 1 acetabular component for aseptic loosening, 3 acetabular components for recurrent dislocation, and 1 acetabular component for dislodgement of the polyethylene liner from the metal shell. None of other acetabular or femoral components were revised or found to be loose at the final follow-up. Although postoperative dislocation remains a concern, hybrid total hip arthroplasty had an acceptable result in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Development of ceramic-on-ceramic implants for total hip arthroplasty

Over the past three decades, alumina ceramic, now in its third/fourth generation, has been markedly improved in terms of its mechanical properties, including purity, grain microstructure, and burst strength. In the clinic, it is particularly suitable for young and for very active patients. This paper discusses the development and characteristics of different kinds of ceramics. In addition, ceramics in the third/fourth generation which are used in total hip arthroplasty clinically are reviewed in detail.

Second-generation modular acetabular components provide fixation at 10 to 16 years

BACKGROUND

First-generation modular titanium fiber-metal-coated acetabular components had high rates of wear, pelvic osteolysis, and liner dissociation. Second-generation components were designed to reduce the incidence of these problems but it is unclear whether the changes achieved these goals.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

We asked the following questions: (1) Is the risk of revision surgery for loosening, wear, or liner dissociation low with the second-generation acetabular component? (2) Is the rate of pelvic osteolysis low? (3) Can the liner be exchanged without bone cement?

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data from 99 patients (118 hips) undergoing THAs with one second-generation modular titanium acetabular component with routine screw fixation and conventional polyethylene. The minimum followup was 10 years (mean, 12 years; range, 10-16 years). We obtained Harris hip scores and examined radiographs for loosening and osteolysis.

RESULTS

At last followup, all acetabular components were well fixed and no titanium shell had been revised or removed. No liner had dissociation. At most recent followup, the mean Harris hip score was 89. We observed pelvic osteolysis in eight hips (7%). There were three reoperations for dislocation (head-liner exchange only) and three loose femoral components revised. Two liners (at 11 and 14 years) were exchanged for wear-pelvic osteolysis.

CONCLUSIONS

This second-generation modular titanium fiber-metal-coated acetabular component with screw fixation had no loosening, no liner dissociation, and a low rate of pelvic osteolysis at 10 to 16 years. Liner exchange is practical without use of cement. We continue to use this component with highly crosslinked polyethylene liners.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Large-head metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty using the Durom acetabular component at minimum 1-year interval

Large-head metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty represents novel technology, and outcome data are lacking. We prospectively compared the performance of a nonmodular metal-on-metal acetabular component (Durom; Zimmer, Warsaw, IN) with a modular titanium component (Trilogy, Zimmer). All Durom components placed at our institution with minimum 1-year follow up (n = 63) were compared with an age- and sex-matched Trilogy control group (n = 100). Failure defined as revision or persistent moderate/severe groin pain was significantly higher for the Durom (11.1%) compared with the Trilogy group (0%) (P = .002). Although all acetabular components in both groups appeared radiographically stable, no significant bone ingrowth was noted at the time of Durom revisions. We could not identify any patient/surgical-related factors predictive of failure. Further study is needed to determine the scientific basis for these observations.