[Main concepts and approaches in total hip prosthesis]

MAIN CONCEPTS AND APPROACHES IN TOTAL HIP PROTHESIS. Hip prothesis are composed of an acetabular cup and a femoral stem articulating with each other to reproduce an artificial spherical joint. If the geometry of the cups between the different manufacturers is similar, it differs more importantly between the different types of femoral stems. Cemented prothesis can be distinguished from cementless prothesis, each of which has its own specificities, without one of these two techniques being able to show its superiority in functional or mechanical long-term results. Different types of femoral head diameter and type of bearing are used with their own specificities. Specific implants (to manage instability or custom-made implants) have been developed to better meet the needs of patients. The main hip approaches are the anterior and posterior approaches that have their own advantages and complications. Although the choice of the approach must first depend on the surgeon's experience and the patient's functional demand, no difference in the functional long-term outcomes have been shown between them.