Primary ceramic hip replacement: a prospective study of 119 hips

A prospective study of 119 consecutive primary ceramic total hip arthroplasties (Autophor, Smith & Nephew) was performed. Follow up was 100% at a minimum of 3 years. Six hips were revised during the course of the study (5%). Harris hip scores were 29.0 preoperatively, 78.7 at 6 weeks, and 92.6 at 3.4 years (range: 62 to 100). Ninety-one percent of the 107 surviving hips at follow up had a good or excellent hip score. The clinical results matched those of Mittelmeier. Thigh pain was a frequent finding, but rarely presented a clinical problem. Our incidence of thigh pain may be higher than that of others because no patients were lost to follow up. The ceramic portion of the Autophor Ceramic Hip was well tolerated clinically and radiographically. The femoral component was responsible for 2% to 4% of the revisions, and we have now replaced it with a stem designed for bony stabilization.