Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2025
09:31
Individualized Stem-positioning in Calcar-guided Short-stem Total Hip Arthroplasty
Published on: February 27, 2018
11.8K
No significant differences in 60-day postoperative complication rates between conventional and shortened stems
Guillaume Girardot1, Sylvain Guy1,
1Lyon Ortho Clinic, Clinique de La Sauvegarde, Ramsay Santé, 29B Avenue Des Sources, Lyon, France.
Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics
|December 28, 2023
Summary
Shortened stems in total hip arthroplasty (THA) showed fewer intraoperative complications but similar 60-day postoperative outcomes compared to conventional stems. This large cohort study found no significant differences in complications or radiographic results between the two stem types.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a common procedure for hip joint replacement.
- Stem design in THA influences surgical outcomes and patient recovery.
- Conventional and shortened stems represent different approaches to femoral component fixation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare 60-day complication rates, radiographic outcomes, and clinical outcomes between conventional and shortened stems in primary THA.
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of shortened stems in a large patient cohort.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective comparative cohort study of 781 primary THAs (395 conventional stems, 386 shortened stems).
- Data collected on intraoperative and postoperative complications.
- Radiographic and clinical assessments (mHHS) performed preoperatively and at 60 days post-surgery.
Main Results:
- Shortened stems had significantly fewer intraoperative complications (0.3% vs 2.8%).
- No significant differences were observed in postoperative complications requiring reoperation or stem revision between groups.
- Radiographic outcomes (subsidence, alignment, offset, limb length discrepancy) and postoperative mHHS scores were comparable.
- Shortened stems showed a lower net improvement in mHHS (24.4 vs 29.9).
Conclusions:
- Shortened stems in primary THA are associated with reduced intraoperative complications.
- No significant differences in 60-day postoperative complication rates or radiographic outcomes were found between conventional and shortened stems.
- While postoperative functional scores (mHHS) were similar, the net improvement was lower with shortened stems, warranting further investigation.
