Acetabular erosion and the Monk "hard top" hip prosthesis

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Biomedical engineering
• Materials science

Background:

• Subcapital hip fractures are common, particularly in elderly populations.
• The Monk "hard top" hip prosthesis was developed to address specific challenges in hip arthroplasty.
• Complications associated with hip prostheses require ongoing investigation to improve patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on the incidence and clinical significance of acetabular erosion following Monk "hard top" hip prosthesis implantation.
• To evaluate the symptomatic impact of acetabular erosion in patients with subcapital fractures.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case series analysis.
• Review of patient records and radiographic data for individuals who received the Monk "hard top" prosthesis for subcapital fractures.
• Clinical assessment of symptoms in patients diagnosed with acetabular erosion.

Main Results:

• Nine cases (5% of the total cohort) of acetabular erosion were identified.
• All patients experiencing acetabular erosion presented with significant symptoms.
• Acetabular erosion was a notable complication in this patient group.

Conclusions:

• Acetabular erosion is a significant complication associated with the Monk "hard top" hip prosthesis.
• The findings underscore the need for careful patient selection and monitoring when using this implant.
• Further research into the biomechanics and material properties of the Monk "hard top" prosthesis may be warranted.