The Harris-Galante total hip arthroplasty: a minimum 8-year follow-up study

Average 22-Year Results of Total Hip Arthroplasty Using Harris-Galante Prosthesis in Patients under 50 Years

Background

The Harris-Galante (HG) prosthesis is a first-generation, cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) prosthesis. Considering the recent increase in the demand for THA in young patients and their life expectancy, a study with a follow-up duration of longer than 20 years in a young population is needed. Therefore, we evaluated the long-term clinical and radiographic results after cementless THA using the HG prosthesis in patients younger than 50 years.

Methods

A total of 61 THAs performed using the HG with a minimum follow-up of 10 years were included. There were 38 men and 11 women with an average age of 46 years and the mean follow-up duration was 22 years. Clinical evaluation included modified Harris Hip Score (HHS) and radiographic analysis consisted of cup inclination, anteversion angle, component stability, osteolysis, liner wear rate, wear-through, liner dissociation, and heterotopic ossification. Complications included recurrent dislocation, periprosthetic femoral fracture, and periprosthetic joint infection. Survivorship analysis included cup and stem revision for aseptic loosening, as well as any revision.

Results

The HHS improved from 46.5 preoperatively to 81.8 postoperatively (p < 0.001). The average linear wear rate was 0.36 mm/yr. A total of 34 hips (56%) were revised: stem revision in 10 (16.4%), cup revision in 9 (14.8%), exchange limited to bearing surface in 8 (13.1%), and revision of all components in 7 (11.5%). Estimated survivorship at 34 years postoperatively was 90.9% for cup revision for aseptic loosening, 80.5% for stem revision for aseptic loosening, and 22.1% for any revision.

Conclusions

THA using the HG prosthesis showed satisfactory estimated survivorship of the acetabular and femoral components at 34 years postoperatively with good clinical outcomes. Bearing-related problems, such as osteolysis and liner dissociation, accounted for 56% of revision operations and were concerns in patients younger than 50 years.

Comparison of an Uncemented Tapered Stem Design in Cobalt-Chrome vs Titanium at 15-Year Follow-Up

BACKGROUND

Cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) and titanium (Ti) have been the most popular materials employed for cementless implants. The purpose of this study was to compare clinical and radiological results of a single stem design with both alloys at long-term follow-up.

METHODS

Two hundred consecutive uncemented stems implanted in 171 patients (100 Co-Cr and 100 Ti implants) between 1999 and 2002 were studied. Mean age of the patients was 60.9 years (range, 20-84). Clinical results were evaluated using the Harris hip score. The presence of thigh pain was also analyzed. Stem fixation was graded according to Engh criteria. Radiolucent lines, osteolysis, and stem subsidence were also analyzed.

RESULTS

At 15-year follow-up, no stems had been revised. Both groups showed similar clinical results with mean Harris hip score of 93.4 (Co-Cr) vs 93.9 (Ti). There was no difference in the rate of thigh pain (11 vs 8.3, respectively, P = .507). Radiolucent lines were more frequent in the Co-Cr group (63.6% vs 35.6%, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Ti stems showed better osteointegration than Co-Cr stems, with a significantly lower incidence of radiolucent lines. However, this did not affect the clinical results or the appearance of thigh pain.

The 21- to 27-year results of the Harris-Galante cementless total hip arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

The Harris-Galante total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a first-generation cementless THA with a porous coating for biological fixation of the implant. Many studies report excellent long-term results for the acetabular cup, but few long-term studies exist for the femoral stem because of relatively poor short-term and midterm results. Here we present the 21- to 27-year results of the cup and the stem of the Harris-Galante THA.

METHODS

From 1985 to 1991, 102 Harris-Galante THAs were inserted in 82 patients. At the time of the THA, the mean patient age was 54 years (range, 20-78 years). The primary diagnosis was secondary osteoarthritis due to developmental hip dysplasia (69 [68%] hips). The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) hip score and thigh pain were measures of clinical outcome. Radiographic review was performed retrospectively. Implant survival was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

Of 102 hips, 35 hips were from 31 deceased patients, 5 patients (6 hips) were lost to follow-up, 12 hips were revised, and 49 hips were from patients living at the latest follow-up. Among the living patients, 36 hips had a clinical evaluation and 42 hips had a radiograph obtained more than 21 years. The JOA hip score improved from 42 points preoperatively to 83.5 points at the latest follow-up. Thigh pain was reported in 13 hips. One cup and four stems were loose at the latest radiographic review. Most cup revisions were related to acetabular osteolysis. Fifteen hips showed severe stress shielding. Kaplan-Meier analysis of survivorship with any revision, acetabular reoperation, stem revision, and stem loosening as the end point was 87.0%, 90.3%, 95.7% and 86.4%, respectively, at 24.6 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term implant survival and clinical results of the Harris-Galante THA were good. Acetabular osteolysis-related cup loosening was a problem of the cup. Loosening, thigh pain, and stress shielding were problems of the stem.

Bedding-in and true wear in two different generations cementless porous-coated acetabular cups

Radiographic measurement of polyethylene wear cannot distinguish between so-called bedding-in and true wear in porous-coated cups. In this study, sequential wear performance was compared in two different generations of two cementless porous-coated cups. Group 1 consisted of 42 Harris-Galante I cups (HG I; 32-mm femoral head) and 37 Harris-Galante II cups (HG II; 28 mm); group 2 comprised 30 ACS liners using Profile or Trilock cups (32 mm) and 53 Duraloc cups (28 mm). All liners were made of conventional polyethylene sterilised by gamma irradiation in air. All cups showed radiographic bone ingrowth. Follow-up ranged from 5 to 17 years. Anteroposterior pelvic radiographs were scanned digitally and sequential femoral head penetration was estimated using a software package based on Kim's method. Bedding-in was 0.17 ± 0.09 mm for HG I and 0.09 ± 0.02 for HG II cups (p=0.035) in group 1, and 0.60 ± 0.50 for the ACS liners and 0.11 ± 0.41 for the Duraloc cups (p<0.01) in group 2. Femoral head penetration at the end of follow-up was 1.50 ± 0.28 mm for HG I (mean 14 years) and 0.85 ± 0.01 for HG II (8 years) in group 1, and 2.86 ± 0.68 for ACS (12 years) and 0.90 ± 0.41 for Duraloc (8 years) in group 2. Mean wear was 0.09 mm/year for HG I and 0.10 for HG II in group 1, and 0.20 for the ACS liners and 0.09 for the Duraloc cups in group 2. In conclusion, sequential femoral head penetration using Kim's digitised method allows us to distinguish between bedding-in and true wear.

Multicentric and prospective study of the Summit cementless stem

We assess early clinical and radiographic results of a multicentric and prospective study of 485 Summit porous-coated stems implanted in 5 hospitals. Of the patients, 171 had a hydroxyapatite (HA) coating and 314 had non-HA porous-coated stems. The mean follow-up was 4.2 years (range 2.5-6 years). The median size of the stem was 5. A standard femoral offset stem was used in 366 hips (75.5%) and a high femoral offset in 119 hips (24.5%). Dislocation was the most frequent postoperative complication (16 hips). Clinical results according to the Harris scale were 30.17 points (range 10-52) before surgery and 95 points (range 90-100) at the last follow-up evaluation. All stems were radiographically osseointegrated. Femoral stem position was neutral in 395 hips (81.4%), and femoral canal filling was related with implant position. No stem subsidence greater than 5 mm has been found in any hip. No osteolysis was found around the femoral stem. No differences have been found between HA coating and non-HA porous-coated stems. Although the present follow-up in this series is too short to allow definite conclusions, the Summit stem with and without HA coating has provided excellent short-term results.

Retrieval analysis of Harris-Galante I and II acetabular liners in situ for more than 10 years

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There have been few reports documenting the wear and oxidation performance of the polyethylene bearing surface of HGPI and HGPII THA devices. We evaluated retrieved HGPI and HGPII acetabular liners that had been in situ for more than 10 years and determined whether there was a relationship between clinical and radiographic factors, surface damage, wear, and oxidation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

129 HGPI and II acetabular liners with implantation times of > 10 years were retrieved at 4 institutions between 1997 and 2010. The liners were made from a single resin and were gamma radiation-sterilized in air. Surface damage, linear wear, and oxidation index (OI) were assessed. Differences in clinical and radiographic factors, surface damage, linear wear, and OI for the 2 designs were statistically evaluated separately and together.

RESULTS

Articular surface damage and backside damage was similar in the 2 designs. The linear penetration rate was 0.14 (SD 0.07) mm/year for the HGPI liners and 0.12 (SD 0.08) mm/year for the HGPII liners. For both cohorts, the rim had a higher OI than the articular surface. 74% of the liners had subsurface cracking and 24% had a complete fracture through the acetabular rim.

INTERPRETATION

Despite modification of the HGP locking mechanism in the HGPII design, dissociation of the liner from the acetabular shell can still occur if fracture of the rim of the liner develops due to oxidative degradation.

The Harris-Galante cementless THA: a 19- to 25-year follow-up study

The goal of this study was to evaluate the long-term survivorship of primary cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) using Harris-Galante porous I acetabular and Harris-Galante porous femoral components. From July 1985 to December 1991, we performed primary cementless THA on 76 hips (70 patients). Twenty-nine patients (31 hips) died due to causes unrelated to the THA, and 6 patients (7 hips) were lost to follow-up. Of 76 hips (70 patients) studied, 38 hips (35 patients) were available for follow-up at a mean 22.5 years (range, 19-25 years) postoperatively. Mean patient age at index procedure was 51.2 years (range, 42-65 years). Average Harris Hip Score was 40.5 points preoperatively and 85.8 points at final follow-up. No patient had an early or late postoperative deep infection. Radiographically, the acetabular component fixation was stable in all 38 hips. The femoral component was bone-ingrown in 26 hips, stable-fibrous in 10, and unstable in 2. One unstable hip required revision of the femoral component. Dissociation of the polyethylene liner occurred in 3 hips without fractures of the metal locking tines and required revision of the polyethylene liner and the articular head. A total of 4 hips had documented revision, and 1 femoral component failed radiographically. The survival rate with the endpoint defined as revision surgery and radiographic loosening was 86.8% at 22.5 years of follow-up. Mean polyethylene wear was 0.085 mm/year (range, 0.031-0.15 mm). This study found that the Harris-Galante porous I acetabular and Harris-Galante porous femoral components produce excellent long-term results.

The Bicontact cementless primary total hip arthroplasty: long-term results

We report on a prospective series of 201 primary uncemented total hip arthroplasties with a Bicontact prosthesis at a mean follow-up of 12.9 years. The mean Harris hip score improved from 41 before surgery to 89 at final follow-up. Two femoral stems, one each for infection and fracture, and 12 cups were revised. The mean number of years to revision post-primary surgery was 8.7 years (six months to 16 years). The cumulative survival of the prosthesis was 95.42% for any cause at ten years and 93.57% at 12 years. Survivorship for aseptic loosening of the femoral stem was 100%. In our series, the Bicontact uncemented total hip arthroplasty stem without hydroxyapatite coating showed excellent survival and the cup survival was comparable to other leading series.

Fifteen-year to twenty-year results of cementless Harris-Galante porous femoral and Harris-Galante porous I and II acetabular components

This study examined long-term survivorship of primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) using cementless Harris-Galante porous femoral and Harris-Galante porous I or II acetabular components. Of 113 hips (101 patients) studied, 60 hips (53 patients) were available for follow-up at a mean of 17.2 years after surgery. A total of 10 hips had documented revision, and 2 hips had failed radiographically. The average Harris hip score was 82. Radiographically, 12 hips demonstrated eccentric wear, 8 had osteolysis, and 1 had a broken tine. The overall survival rate was 87.7%; the mean volumetric wear rate was 74.96 mm(3); and the mean polyethylene linear penetration rate was 0.153 mm/y, similar to that of well-cemented THA in other series. This long-term outcome for an early-generation cementless THA is promising and provides a standard by which to judge the newer generation of cementless implants.

Results of total hip arthroplasties in the young patient; further evidence for a barrier against articular wear debris by hydroxyapatite coatings

We examined the hypothesis that the circumferential osseous apposition around HA-coated implants forms a protective barrier against articular wear debris. Sixty-five hydroxyapatite-coated total hip arthroplasties in 57 patients (age <50years) with polyethylene-metal articulation were evaluated regarding PE-wear, osteolysis, and clinical outcome at a minimum of 10 years follow-up. There was no correlation between PE-wear and osteolysis of the femoral zones or cup zones I and III. A strong Pearson correlation was found between polyethylene wear and osteolysis around cup zone II, where the cup only consisted of polyethylene (p<0,01). The aseptic failure rate was 1.5% for the femoral component and 4.5% for the cup after 10 years of follow-up. The average Harris Hip Score was 90 and the average Engh score for fixation was 23 after 10 years . Around HA-coated parts of the prosthesis bone formation remained stable, regardless of the degree of polyethylene wear. The average linear polyethylene wear was 0,16 mm/year. The circumferential osseous apposition of the HA-coated implants possibly formed a protective barrier against articular wear debris. The use of cups with a backside gap resulted in PE-wear associated osteolysis in cup zone II and may be considered to be best avoided.

Outcome of a hemispherical porous-coated acetabular component with a proximally hydroxyapatite-coated anatomical femoral component

We reviewed 111 hemispherical Duraloc series-500 acetabular components with a minimum follow-up of 12 years. The mean clinical and radiological follow-up was 13.4 years (12 to 15). A Profile hydroxyapatite-coated anatomical femoral component was used in each case. Six patients had a late dislocation, for whom the polyethylene liner was exchanged. Each acetabular component was well fixed and all femoral components showed signs of bone ingrowth. The mean rate of femoral head penetration was 0.10 mm/year (0.021 to 0.481). The probability of not developing femoral cortical hypertrophy and proximal osteopenia by 12 years was 80.2% (95% confidence interval, 72.7 to 87.6) and 77.5% (95% confidence interval, 69.7 to 85.2), respectively. Despite these good clinical results, further follow-up is needed to determine whether these prostheses will loosen with time.

Results of a hydroxyapatite-coated modular femoral stem in primary total hip arthroplasty. A minimum 5-year follow-up

The use of a modular metaphyseal-diaphyseal femoral stem in primary total hip arthroplasty is infrequent. We analyze 94 ESOP (Fournitures Hospitalieres, Heimsbrunn, France) cementless 2-piece modular stems after a minimum 5 years of follow-up. There were 2 aseptic femoral stem loosenings and no cases with thigh pain. Mean femoral canal filling was 90%. Radiographic ingrowth was obtained in 83 (P < .001). At 7 years, the survival rate for femoral aseptic loosening was 97.8% and no stem was at risk for revision (95% confidence interval, 94.8%-100%). This prosthesis provides good clinical results with absence of pain and excellent radiographic results. It is an option in femora with good bone quality. Femoral osteopenia and cortical widening were infrequent, and the modular metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction was not a problem in vivo.

Midterm results of the Synergy cementless tapered stem: stress shielding and bone quality

BACKGROUND

Tapered femoral stems have been shown to produce less thigh pain and stress shielding than other cement-less stem designs. The purpose of this study was to examine the performance of this type of femoral stem in Japanese patients.

METHODS

A series of 40 total hip arthroplasties with a Synergy tapered femoral component were performed in 33 patients between March 1999 and February 2001 at our institution. Three hips (in three patients) were lost to follow-up, so 37 hips in 30 patients were followed for an average of 70 months. The patients' average age at the time of surgery was 59 years (range 43-80 years). Clinical evaluation included the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) Hip Score and the incidence of thigh pain. Preoperative radiographic examination included the cortical index and Dorr's bone type. Postoperative radiographic examination included evaluation of biological fixation, spot welds, cortical hypertrophy, and stress shielding.

RESULTS

The average JOA Hip Score improved significantly from 35 preoperatively to 91 postoperatively. No patient suffered thigh pain. All femoral components were classified as bony stable. Spot welds and cortical hypertrophy were commonly found in the middle to the distal portion of the component. Severe (third and fourth degree) stress shielding was observed in 24.3% of the cases. A low cortical index, a Dorr type C femur, and a large stem size were associated with severe stress shielding.

CONCLUSIONS

The midterm clinical results with the Synergy femoral component were satisfactory for Japanese patients. Although severe stress shielding was frequently observed in patients with poor bone quality, stem stability was not affected. Extent of grit blasting and stem length may be factors causing severe stress shielding in Japanese patients with poor bone quality. In conclusion, poor bone quality is a less favorable indication for the cementless tapered stem.

New polyethylenes in total hip replacement: a prospective, comparative clinical study of two types of liner

Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene sterilised in the absence of air and highly cross-linked polyethylene have been used to avoid osteolysis and loosening in total hip replacement. Our prospective randomised study has assessed the results using two different polyethylenes associated with the same prosthetic design. We assessed 45 Allofit acetabular components with a Sulene-polyethylene liner of conventional polyethylene gamma sterilised with nitrogen and 45 Allofit acetabular components with a Durasul-polyethylene liner sterilised in ethylene oxide, both matched with an Alloclassic stem with a 28 mm modular femoral head. The prostheses were implanted between May 1999 and December 2001. The mean follow-up was for 66.3 months (60 to 92). The linear penetration of the femoral head was estimated at 6 weeks, at 6 and 12 months and annually thereafter from standardised digitised radiographs using image-analysis software. There was no loosening of any prosthetic component. There were no radiolucent lines or osteolysis. The mean rate of penetration calculated from regression analysis during the first five years was 38 microm/year (SD 2) for the Sulene group and 6 microm/year (SD 1) for the Durasul group (p = 0.00002). The rate of penetration of the Durasul group was 15.7% of that of the Sulene group.

Clinical and radiographic results and wear performance in different generations of a cementless porous-coated acetabular cup

We compared clinical results and wear performance in two different generations of a cementless porous-coated cup, analysing the long-term results of 83 uncemented Harris-Galante I cups (32-mm femoral head) and 93 uncemented Harris-Galante II cups (28-mm femoral head). All polyethylene liners were gamma irradiated in air. Polyethylene linear wear was estimated using a software package. The minimum follow-up was 10 years. Nine Harris-Galante I cups and two Harris-Galante II cups were revised due to aseptic loosening or polyethylene problems. The mean femoral head penetration at 6 weeks after surgery was 0.15 +/- 0.05 mm for the Harris-Galante I cups and 0.12 +/- 0.03 for the Harris-Galante II cups (p < 0.001);but mean wear was 0.13 +/- 0.23 mm per year for the Harris-Galante I cups and 0.11 +/- 0.10 for the Harris-Galante II cups (p = 0.740). Most of the metallic shells in both groups showed stable fixation. The so-called second-generation cups had lower initial polyethylene wear that resulted in less polyethylene wear at the latest the follow-up, but the overall wear rate was similar in both groups despite the different femoral head sizes and the improved locking mechanism.

[Survival of cementless dual mobility sockets: ten-year follow-up]

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

We report a retrospective series of 106 total hip prosthesis with ten years follow-up. The purpose of this study was to analyze survival of cementless dual mobility sockets.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The series included 90 consecutive patients with 106 first-intention total hip prosthesis, all with cementless dual mobility sockets. All prosthesis (Novae-1 socket and Profil-1 stem, Serf) were implanted within a 6-month period. The stainless steal socket was coated with alumina and had two short anchorage studs and a superior mooring screw and a polyethylene retentive liner. The stem had a 22.2 mm chromium cobalt head. The main indication for arthroplasty was degenerative joint disease. Mean age at implantation was 56 years (range 23-87). All patients were seen for physical examination and x-rays every two or three years. We noted cup survival at ten years (actuarial method), defining surgical revision for cup replacement due to an aseptic cause as the endpoint.

RESULTS

Twelve patients died during the 10-year follow-up and one was lost to follow-up. The Postel-Merle d'Aubligné score improved from 7.1 preoperatively to 15.8 at ten years. There were two isolated acetabular loosenings, two intra-prosthetic dislocations due to advanced wear of the polyethylene insert. The overall survival rate of the socket was 94.6% at ten years. There were no episodes of prosthetic instability in this series.

DISCUSSION

This study demonstrates the good ten-year survival of the dual mobility socket, comparable to that of conventional prostheses. The absence of any case of prosthetic instability in this series confirms the good short-term and long-term stability of the dual mobility socket. Intraprosthetic dislocation, due to loss of the polyethylene retaining ring is the main limitation of this method. The incidence was however low (2% at ten years) and treatment was not a problem. We recommend using the dual-mobility socket as the first-intention implant for patients with a high risk of post-operative instability, but also recommend it for all patients aged over 70 years since instability is the leading cause of surgical revision after this age.

Long-term results of the cementless ALLOCLASSIC hip arthroplasty system using a 28-mm ceramic head: with a retrospective comparison to a 32-mm head

One hundred twenty-four total hip arthroplasties in 119 patients, all performed with the cementless ALLOCLASSIC hip arthroplasty system (SL stem and CSF cup; Centerpulse, Winterthur, Switzerland), were analyzed retrospectively. In all hips, a 28-mm head and an ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene inlay were used. Of the 124 hips, 81 could be investigated clinically and radiologically after an average of 150.6 months (range, 133-169 months). Twenty-six patients (26 hips) died in the interim. One of these patients had septic cup loosening. Seventeen hips (16 patients) were not available for follow-up because of health reasons (12 hips in 11 patients), lack of cooperation (3 hips in 3 patients), or loss to follow-up (2 hips in 2 patients). Of the 124 total hip arthroplasties, 4 cups were removed (2 aseptic and 2 septic loosening). No stem had to be removed. If aseptic loosening is defined as the end point, the survival rate is 98.4% (95% confidence interval, 93.8%-99.6%) for the cup and 100% for the stem after 157 months. If revision for any reason is defined as the end point, the survival rate is 95.6% (95% confidence interval, 90.1%-98.3%). Before operation, the average Harris Hip Score was 36.4 points (21-46). At time of follow-up, the average Harris Hip Score was 89.7 points (54-100). Radiolucent lines and osteolyses were found only seldom (mostly in the proximal stem zones).

Reconstruction of severe acetabular bone-deficiency: the Burch-Schneider antiprotrusio cage in primary and revision total hip arthroplasty

Ninety Burch-Schneider antiprotrusio cages in 87 patients implanted in primary and revision total hip arthroplasty were analyzed. Sixty-seven hips (64 patients) could be examined clinically and radiologically after an average of 50.3 months (minimum 23.6, maximum 131.0 months). Twenty patients (20 hips) died in interim and 3 patients (3 hips) were not available for follow-up. Of the 90 Burch-Schneider antiprotrusio cages, 4 had to be removed and 8 further cages were considered definitely loose. The survival rate is 93.4% (95% confidence interval, 74.3%-96.7%) after 131 months if the endpoint "cage explantation" is used. The average Harris Hip Score was improved from 28.2 preoperatively to 73.5 points at the time of follow-up. Radiolucent lines were often found in the Charnley/DeLee's zones II and III. In contrast, osteolyses were seldom seen.

Long-term results of uncemented acetabular cups with an ACS polyethylene liner. a 14-16-year follow-up study

We assessed the clinical and radiographic results of 40 porous-coated acetabular cups with an Acetabular Cup System polyethylene liner over a minimum 14-year follow-up. Femoral head penetration was estimated using a software package. Fifteen cups were revised, 11 due to polyethylene liner rupture. All cups but two were radiographically stable, and 11 hips showed acetabular osteolysis. The overall femoral head penetration rate in hips without liner fracture with reference to the early penetration point was 0.1188+/-0.070 mm per year. Polyethylene liner fractures were associated with higher early femoral head penetration (P<0.0001) and a vertical cup position (P=0.0016). The 14-year survival without cup revision for any reason was 63.9%, 71.8% with no ACS polyethylene liner fracture and 65.3% with no acetabular osteolysis. Most cups showed a good clinical outcome in general, but major Acetabular Cup System liner failure and osteolysis were frequent. Patients with the ACS cups still in place should be monitored closely.

Long-term results with cementless Fitek (or Fitmore) cups

Fitek cementless cups have been adopted in our department in 1989. The first 100 consecutive Fitek implants were analyzed clinically (Harris hip score) and radiographically (anteroposterior and lateral x-rays) with a mean follow-up of 9.7 years. We did not have any case of cup loosening or any other problem requiring cup revision. In this series, we had 86 excellent, 10 good, 2 fair, and 2 poor results. The 2 poor results were because of 2 cases of aseptic loosening of the stem (1 cemented and 1 cementless). The x-rays showed an average angle of cup inclination of 36.5 degrees (range 16 degrees -54 degrees ) after surgery and no variations at the last follow-up. Bidimensional linear wear of the acetabular component showed 6 cases of measurable wear with an average wear rate per year of 0.265 mm. The overall wear rate per year was 0.02 mm. At the time of the last follow-up examination, we had 3 femoral osteolysis and no case of acetabular osteolysis. In our series, we observed "lack of contact" zones above the polar depression in 71 cases immediately after surgery. The average thickness of these lines was 1 (range 0.5-3.5) mm. Of these, at the last follow-up, 61 cases (86%) showed a complete "filling" of the "lack of contact," whereas in 10 (24%), the "filling" was incomplete (4 cases still showing a radiolucent line [<or=0.5 mm] in zone II). In the first group with "complete filling," we found 23 (37%) cases with bone ingrowth and no migration of the cup, whereas 38 (63%) cases showed bone ingrowth with evidence of cup migration. The Mann-Whitney nonparametric U test and the Kruskal-Wallis test showed that the survival rate of the 100 analyzed cups, after a follow-up time of 9.7 years, was 100% (end point: revision for any cause). Fitek cup showed good clinicoradiographic results.

Uncemented Harris-Galante total hip arthroplasty in patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head. A 10-16-year follow-up study

BACKGROUND

There have only been a few reports regarding the long-term results of uncemented THAs in patients with osteonecrosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We evaluated the long-term results of 65 consecutive uncemented total hip arthroplasties (Harris-Galante type I prostheses) in 54 men (59 hips) and 5 women (6 hips) with osteonecrosis of the femoral head. The mean age was 53 (33-64) years. The mean duration of follow-up was 12.5 (10-16) years.

RESULTS

9 femoral stems and 3 acetabular metal shells were revised. 2 polyethylene liners were changed due to excessive wear. A girdlestone procedure was done in 2 patients (2 hips) due to delayed deep infection. The mean polyethylene wear was 0.14 mm per year. 3 non-revised hips had pelvic osteolysis and 18 had femoral osteolysis. The 15-year survival rates, using failure defined as the removal of any component for any reason, were 85 (95% CI; 79-91)% for the acetabular and 80 (74-86)% for the femoral component and 70 (63-77)% for any of the components.

INTERPRETATION

The first generation of the HGP design was frequently associated with pain, unstable fixation, and osteolysis. Excessive wear was frequent. The cup showed better durability than the stem.

Two- to 12-year evaluation of cementless Buechel-Pappas total hip arthroplasty

A unique, straight-stemmed, proximally porous-coated, modular hip arthroplasty system, coated with thin-film (5- to 9-microm), titanium-nitride ceramic, was used clinically in 130 hip arthroplasties in 117 patients who were followed over a 2- to 12-year interval (mean, 6.45 years). Harris Hip Scores demonstrated 82.3% excellent, 15.4% good, 2.3% fair, and 0% poor results. Thigh pain that limited activities of daily living was seen in 0.8% (1 of 130) hips. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates using an endpoint of revision of any component for any reason demonstrated an overall survival of 95.5% during the 12-year interval. Cementless fixation survivorship of the acetabular and femoral components was 98.5% during the 12-year interval.

Bioactive cement or ceramic/porous coating vs. conventional cement to obtain early stability of the acetabular cup. Randomised study of 96 hips followed with radiostereometry

Ninety patients (96 hips) scheduled for THA were stratified to fixation of the acetabular component in three main groups of about equal size. Fluoride cement, porous coated press-fit cup with ceramic coating or Palacos cum Gentamicin cement were used. All patients received Spectron EF stem. The migration of the cups and the femoral head penetration into the socket were measured with radiostereometric analysis. At 2 years the choice of fixation did not influence the migration or rotation of the cup. Patients with compromised bone quality showed increased three-dimensional (3D or total) migration. Proximal and 3D penetration rates were increased in cemented compared with the uncemented cups (p<0.001), which probably not could be related to the choice of fixation. Appearance of radiolucent lines was almost equal in the two cemented groups. Uncemented cups had less radiolucent lines at 2 years. Fluoride containing cement or uncemented fixation did not improve the early postoperative stability of the socket.

Fifteen-year clinical survivorship of Harris-Galante total hip arthroplasty

We studied the long-term outcome of uncemented total hip arthroplasty using HG-I components in 90 hips (80 patients) with an average age of 57.5 years who were operated on between 1984 and 1986 at our institution. Average follow-up was 14.9 years, and no patient was lost to follow-up. Hip scores improved significantly, and there was clinical and radiographic evidence of bony ingrowth on the acetabular components in all patients. There were 11 revisions in the study population for reasons related to failure of the femoral component (8 hips), acetabular liner dissociation (2 hips), and deep infection (1 hip). At the latest follow-up, 3 femoral components were determined to be loose. No acetabular component was revised for aseptic loosening. In addition to the revisions, there were 2 reoperations, 1 for psoas tendon release, and 1 for excision of heterotopic ossification. Thus, the survivorship free of revision and free of mechanical failure for the acetabular component at 15 years was 95.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.89-1.0) and 91.9% (95% CI, 0.83-0.98), respectively. The survivorship at 15 years for the femoral component was 86.8% (95% CI, 0.78-0.95) free of revision and 82.0% (95% CI, 0.71-0.92) free of mechanical failure.

Efforts to improve cementless femoral stems in THR: 2- to 5-year follow-up of a high-offset femoral stem with distal stem modification (Secur-Fit Plus)

A retrospective review of 81 sequential primary total hip arthroplasties using a cementless, high-offset femoral stem was performed. Follow-up was 24 to 60 months. The average age at the time of surgery was 54 years. The femoral bone types were: 36% Dorr A, 51% Dorr B, and 13% Dorr C. The mean postoperative Harris Hip Score was 95. The mean postoperative Oxford score was 17. Eighty-five percent had no clinical leg-length difference. All stems were radiographically stable. The stem features of hydroxyapatite coating on a rough circumferential titanium arc-deposit proximal surface in conjunction with distal flutes seem to provide immediate stability, making this implant clinically versatile. Potential benefits of increased offset include improved joint stability and avoidance of leg lengthening.