Universal total hip replacement with focus on the acetabular component and the hybrid hip

One hundred sixty-one porous-coated Universal (Biomet Inc, Warsaw, IN) total hip arthroplasties were performed and studied preoperatively between July 1986 and June 1989. The study included 59 men (38 at 1-year follow-up; 21 at 2-year follow-up) and 91 women (60 at 1-year follow-up; 31 at 2-year follow-up). The average age was 62 years at 12-month follow-up and 64.7 years at 24-month follow-up (range 28 to 90 years). Three groups of patients with components were evaluated both clinically and radiographically: uncemented femoral and acetabular components (group 1); cemented femoral stems and uncemented acetabular components, ie, hybrid total hip arthroplasties (group 2); and revision total hip replacement arthroplasties (group 3). Clinical results for all groups showed Harris hip scores of 87 at 1-year follow-up and 89 at 2-year follow-up. Moderate to no limp occurred in 93% of patients at 1-year follow-up and 95% at 2-year follow-up. No ambulatory aids were used by 43% of patients at 1-year follow-up or 47% at 2-year follow-up. Both walking distance and endurance improved over time. Anthropometric analysis showed no progressive lucencies around the femoral or acetabular component in either group. A Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis could not be used, because there was only one failure. This eliminated a comparison group for those lost to follow-up. Early clinical and radiographic results have been encouraging; however, long-term analysis is needed to accurately assess the success of this total hip arthroplasty system.