Heterotopic ossification following uncemented total hip arthroplasty

Heterotopic ossification following an uncemented total hip arthroplasty should theoretically demonstrate a higher incidence than a cemented arthroplasty. This is due to increased production of bone debris following vigorous femoral canal and pelvic reaming, which should provide increased stimulatory factors for ectopic bone production. The authors examined 196 consecutive primary total hip arthroplasties prospectively for 1 year. The overall incidence of heterotopic ossification was 26% with only one patient having a Grade III (severe) amount of ectopic bone. This incidence is consistent with those reported in cemented total hip arthroplasties. This paper does not support Puzas et al theory of bone dust providing a stimulatory factor for the production of heterotopic bone.