A rough surface finish adversely affects the survivorship of a cemented femoral stem

To assess the role of surface finish in the survivorship of a cemented femoral stem, we evaluated the midterm clinical and radiographic performances of a cohort of patients who had total hip arthroplasties with two cemented femoral stems that differed only in surface finish. One hundred seventy-five patients [64 total hip arthroplasties with rough, textured stems (radius, 1.75-2.5 microm) and 138 total hip arthroplasties with satin finish, textured stems (radius, 0.5 microm)] were followed up clinically and radiographically for 4-8 years. All surgeries were done by one surgeon using the same surgical technique, acetabular cup, cement type, and cementing technique. The groups had similar demographics, diagnoses, preoperative clinical scores, cement mantle qualities, alignments, and lengths of followup. Seven hips in the rough surface group and none in the satin surface group had aseptic loosening. The femoral bone-cement interface showed progressive radiolucent lines or osteolysis in eight of 64 rough stems and in three of 138 satin stems. A rough, textured stem of this design is more likely to fail at intermediate followup than a satin surface stem. We recommend that the surface of cemented stems should be satin or polished with a radius less than 0.5 microm.

Therapeutic study, Level III-1 (case-control study). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.