The Balgrist hip socket for cementless fixation in primary total hip replacements and in acetabular revisions

The results of 532 hip arthroplasties in which an uncemented Balgrist hip socket had been used in 387 primary total hip replacements and in 145 acetabular revisions were reviewed after a maximum of six years. The socket consists of two tapered parts, namely an expansive outer titanium-alloy split ring and an insert of polyethylene. The mean age of the patients at the time of operation was 54.3 years in primary hip replacements, and 64.7 years in acetabular revisions. Acetabular deficiency according to the AAOS classification was found in 21% of the primary arthroplasties, and in 80.7% of the acetabular revisions. Using Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis, with the use of prosthesis revision as the endpoint of failure, the survival rate at five years was 99% in primary arthroplasties, and 88.7% in acetabular revisions. Our data suggest that the unique socket design of the Balgrist hip socket gives very satisfactory clinical results not only in primary hip replacements but also in acetabular revisions even with various acetabular defects.