Follow-up study of the cup supporter (F-S type) in total hip replacement

Twenty-five patients (30 hips) have had a total hip replacement using the cup supporter developed in our department. This report describes the follow-up findings on these patients. The mean period after hip replacement was 2 years and 8 months (range from 6 months to 6 years). The cup supporter was used in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with acetabular protrusions, central migration of the prosthesis after hemi-arthroplasty, revision operation for a defecting acetabular floor, primary acetabular protrusions (including osteoarthritis with acetabular protrusions) and traumatic fracture-dislocation of the hip. In five cases, autograft of bone was used in addition to the cup supporter for reinforcement of a thin acetabular floor. This combination appeared to provide good clinical results. The cup supporter was of value in revision operations due to loosening of the acetabular cup with severe acetabular protrusions.