High survival of uncemented proximally porous-coated titanium alloy femoral stems in osteoporotic bone.

UNLABELLED: Because the initial fixation of an uncemented stem may be compromised in patients with osteoporotic bone (Class C, Dorr et al.), many surgeons prefer a cemented stem in this setting. We therefore determined the survival of an uncemented, proximally porous-coated, straight-stemmed, titanium alloy femoral component in patients with Class C bone when compared with Class A and B bone. We implanted proximally plasma-sprayed, straight-stemmed titanium alloy stems in 1994 patients (2321 hips). Of these, 625 hips (27%), 1569 hips (67%), and 127 hips (6%) were classified as Classes A, B, and C, respectively. Minimum followup was 2 years (mean, 5.9 years; range, 2-19.5 years). We identified no differences in Harris hip scores, pain, radiolucencies, or osteolysis among Classes A, B, and C hips. Stem survival at 5, 10, and 15 years for aseptic loosening (failure) was 100% in all patients with Class A bone; 99+% in all patients with Class B bone; and 100% in all patients with Class C bone. Initial stability and durable fixation can be achieved with the use of this uncemented stem in patients in whom a cemented stem traditionally has been preferred as a result of poor bone quality.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.