Osteolysis around uncemented acetabular components of cobalt-chrome surface replacement hip arthroplasty

Ten cases of major osteolysis were identified in patients with hemispherical cobalt chrome acetabular components of cementless resurfacing total hip prostheses at follow-up examinations ranging from two to five years. All components were porous coated with cobalt chrome spheres and were stabilized initially with screws. Five patients were women and five were men, with ages ranging from 20 to 59 years. The radiolucent cystic lesions with peripheral rims of reactive bone formation appeared one to five years after the operation. They measured from 1.5 to 6 cm in the largest diameter and were most often found adjacent to the screws used to secure the acetabular components to the skeleton. On the radiographs, none of the components appeared to be loose. Three patients had revision surgery. In two of the three cases, the implants were found to be firmly fixed. There was no clinical or bacteriologic evidence of infection. The polyethylene articulating surface showed signs of wear in all three cases and in one of the three it dislocated from the metal shell. Granulation tissue was found in the regions of osteolysis, and the diseased tissue contained numerous macrophages and giant cells. Lymphocytes and plasma cells were rare. Numerous small particles of phagocytosed polyethylene and metal in the cells were noted in two cases, whereas only polyethylene was found in the third.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)