Radiographic evaluation of the Duraloc cup after 4 years

We implanted 71 metal-backed, porous-coated, hemispheric, press-fit Duraloc-100 cups in 68 consecutive patients. In 61 patients, the femoral stem was a cementless Spotorno and in ten a cemented Lubinus SP II. A 28-mm Biolox ceramic head was used with both stems. After an average follow-up of 4 (3.7-5.9) years, we examined 67 hips. Radiolucencies were described in three zones according to DeLee and Charnley, and migration was measured on serial radiographs using the computer-assisted EBRA method. Total migration of more than 1 mm within the first 2 years occurred in 22/62 cups. Nine cups showed more than 1.5 mm total migration within the first 2 years and more than 2 mm within the whole period. The presence of post-operative radiolucencies correlated significantly with a total migration value of more than 2 mm within the first 2 years (p=0.02). Post-operative radiolucencies in zone 1 correlated with a total migration value of more than 2 mm within the first 2 years (p=0.027) and more than 2.5 mm within the whole period (p=0.051). These correlation values might reflect the quality of operative technique, particularly reaming, and implant selection.