Multicentre use of a porous tantalum monoblock acetabular component

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the minimum five-year prospective results from the multicentre use of a porous tantalum monoblock acetabular component for primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). A multicentre study was performed in 253 consecutive primary THAs in three separate surgical centres. All patients underwent identical postoperative protocols including radiological and clinical evaluation. The average preoperative total HHS score was 44.0 +/- 13.8 and increased at one-year follow-up to 95.2 +/- 4.8 (p <0.05), remaining constant through the five-year follow-up at 97.0 +/- 6.2 (p < 0.05). There was no radiographic evidence of gross polyethylene wear, progressive radiolucencies, osteolytic lesions, acetabular fracture, or component subsidence. From these results, we can recommend the continued use of this material for acetabular components in primary THA and that further review of the current multicentre population is warranted to determine the long-term durability of the acetabular composite.