Radiographic and clinical analysis of cementless acetabular fixation in total hip arthroplasty

To investigate the factors affecting the fixation, loosening and therapeutic effect of cementless acetabular prosthesis through following up the patients with total hip arthroplasty clinically and radiographically.

From February 1998 to May 1999, 139 patients (148 hips) underwent total hip arthroplasty with cementless acetabular prosthesis in our department. In this study, the clinical therapeutic effect and the anteroposterior radiographs of the pelvis and anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the hips of 109 patients (116 hips) made before operation, at 1 week, 3, 6, and 12 months after operation and annually thereafter were analyzed retrospectively. The clinical therapeutic effects were evaluated with Harris hip score. Radiographs were used to observe the position of prostheses and the bone changes around the implant, and to measure the wearing speed and direction of the acetabular cup. All evaluations were made by an independent examiner who did not participate in the operation. The patients were followed up for 5-6 years.

The mean Harris score was 44 points (range, 10-70 points) before operation, but it increased to 92.4 points (range, 80-100 points) at the latest review after operation, which was significantly higher than that before operation (P<0.05). No acetabular component was revised because of infection or aseptic loosening. And no acetabular component migrated. There was no revision of fixed acetabular component because of pelvic osteolysis secondary to polyethylene wear. The mean linear wear rate was 0.15 mm per year. All the acetabular prostheses were classified as stable on the radiographs.

In terms of fixation, total hip arthroplasty with cementless acetabular components was successful. Although there is no aseptic loosening and a low incidence of osteolysis at the latest follow-up evaluation, polyethylene wear cannot be avoided and can lead to expansile osteolysis near the cups. This kind of osteolysis usually had no obvious clinical symptoms but it can be diagnosed early on radiographs. So radiographical follow-up for cementless acetabular components is very important.