Bone-preserving prosthesis with a single axis for treating osteonecrosis of the femoral head: midterm results for the thrust plate hip prosthesis.

We studied 27 patients (31 joints) who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) using the thrust plate hip prosthesis (TPP) for osteonecrosis of the femoral head. The mean follow-up period was 56 months (range 38-72 months). Clinical evaluation by the Merle d'Aubigne and Postel system showed a significant improvement from a preoperative mean score of 8.1 to a final mean follow-up score of 16.6. Mechanical loosening developed about 1 year postoperatively in one joint with a bone defect. Grade 1 stress shielding was observed in four joints. Although indications for the TPP are restricted to certain cases, unlike the conventional intramedullary stem, much can be expected of TPP. It is an outstanding prosthesis for osteonecrosis of the femoral head of young patients in terms of bone preservation and physiological load transfer.