Titanium acetabular cementless cups combined with highly crosslinked polyethylene liner have very low rates of aseptic loosening.

BACKGROUND

There is a clear tendency towards cementless acetabular components in primary total hip arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the long-term clinical and radiological outcome of titanium cementless acetabular cups when combined with a highly crosslinked polyethylene liner.

METHODS

This study is a retrospective follow-up of 67 cups in 64 patients. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Harris Hip Score. Radiolucent lines, osteolysis and loosening were assessed radiologically. Implant survival was determined using the Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

The average Harris Hip Score at follow-up was 80.3 ± 14.5. Signs of osteolysis were observed in 7.1% of the radiographs. No aseptic loosening of the cup was reported. Survival of the cup with aseptic loosening as an endpoint was 100%. A comparison with 19 other studies using the same material combination demonstrated very similar results. All manufacturers with available studies have at least one report of 100% survivorship at 10-year follow-up for their titanium cup and highly crosslinked polyethylene acetabular component combination with aseptic loosening as an endpoint.

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggests that the rate of aseptic loosening of a titanium cup combined with a highly-crosslinked polyethylene liner at 10-year follow-up could be as low as 0%.