Experiences with Bicontact ceramic-ceramic total hip arthroplasty

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Biomaterials science
• Medical device engineering

Background:

• Total hip replacement (THR) is a common procedure for hip joint dysfunction.
• Cementless prostheses aim for long-term osseointegration and component stability.
• Ceramic-on-ceramic bearings offer potential advantages in wear resistance and low friction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the mid-term clinical outcomes of cementless ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty.
• To evaluate the complication rate and component performance of the Bicontact/Plasmacup prosthesis.
• To assess the wear characteristics of ceramic-on-ceramic bearing surfaces in a young patient cohort.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study of 419 cementless total hip arthroplasties using Bicontact/Plasmacup ceramic-on-ceramic prostheses.
• 356 patients underwent the procedure between November 1998 and December 2005.
• Patients were followed prospectively with mid-term clinical and radiographic assessments.

Main Results:

• The average patient age was 47.9 years, with an average follow-up of 48 months.
• No cases of osteolysis (bone loss) around the acetabular or femoral components were observed.
• One instance of ceramic head fracture occurred in an obese patient; articular wear was radiographically negligible.

Conclusions:

• The cementless Bicontact/Plasmacup ceramic-on-ceramic hip joint replacement demonstrates a low complication rate in young patients.
• The prosthesis exhibits very low articular wear, suggesting favorable long-term durability.
• These findings support the use of this implant in younger, active individuals undergoing total hip arthroplasty.