Efficacy of alumina ceramic heads for cemented total hip arthroplasty

Fifty-seven cemented total hip arthroplasties (THAs) were reviewed in cases of osteoarthrosis secondary to congenital dysplasia or dislocation. The bearing surface of the prosthesis used in this series consists of a polyethylene acetabular component on an alumina ceramic head. All acetabular components were positioned at the same level as the original acetabulum, and an autologous femoral head graft was performed for 18 hips. The follow-up period ranged from five to eight years, averaging six years two months. The latest survey showed excellent and good results for 53 hips (92.9%). Four acetabular components (7%) and two femoral components (3.5%) showed roentgenographic evidence of loosening. Only one hip (1.8%) had to be treated with revision surgery for femoral component loosening. None of the cases suffered a broken ceramic head. The use of a total hip prosthesis with an alumina ceramic head in THA is likely to lead to excellent results for patients with osteoarthrosis of the hip.