Osteolysis with a cementless second generation metal-on-metal cup in total hip replacement

This study examined the long-term results of a metal-on-metal total hip replacement with a Metasul-lined cup. Twenty-nine total hip arthroplasties were performed in 27 young patients (mean age 49 years). Twenty-two patients (23 hips) were available for clinical and radiographic analysis after a mean duration of 99 months. Mean preoperative Harris hip score of 60 improved to 93 at most recent follow-up. One patient required revision of his cup for periacetabular osteolysis. Radiographic analysis showed osteolysis in another four hips. The high rate of osteolysis found in this series has not previously been reported with this type of implant. The length of follow-up in this series is greater than other reports in the literature and may explain this difference.