[Medium-term results of cement-free autophor hip endoprosthesis]

Representation of middle-term observations of cementless ceramic THR (type Autophor) in a period of now nearly 18 years with altogether 1974 primary arthroplasties. The design of the conical shaped screwed ceramic socket proved to be very successful, its aseptic loosening rate amounted to 1.8% at last. We could confirm the favourable biocompatibility and wear behaviour of ceramic/ceramic joint pairing. The stem design had to be improved twice during the observation period due to upcoming aseptic loosening problems; the femoral component 900 S with macro- and microprofile, which has been in clinical use since 1984, shows an aseptic failure quote of less than 2% after 8 years. The very low average age of our patients with cementless THR at time of operation (48.9 years) proves, that--when using wear resistant biomaterials and surface enlarged prosthetic components to be implanted without bone cement--Charnley's strict age indication of THR may be abandoned.