Two different cementless femoral components in primary total hip arthroplasty

The results of first (51 Harris-Galante stems with an average follow-up of 12.3 years) and second generation (53 MultiLock stems with an average of 6.4 years) cementless femoral stems in total hip replacement were analysed. Ten Harris-Galante stems were revised (9.8% at 8 years and 22.8% at 13 years) and one unstable MultiLock stem (2.6% at 8 years). Thirty-seven Harris-Galante and 45 MultiLock stems were osseo-integrated. Femoral osteolysis was seen in 21 Harris-Galante (26.6% at 8 years and 43.7% at 13 years) and in 3 MultiLock stems (8.0% at 8 years). At intermediate follow-up, second generation stems show less bone remodelling changes than first generation stems at the same interval. Distal osteolysis and pronounced stress-shielding have not been encountered in second generation stems. (Hip International 2002; 12: 289-302).