Abstract
Between January 1990 and October 2000, 108 total hip arthroplasties using a cemented polished titanium stem and a cemented ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWP) cup were performed at our hospital. Because during routine follow-up visits we noted instances of resorption of the calcar, we decided to assess whether this was a problem. We were able to assess 85 of the original 108 hips.
Calcar resorption was observed in 43 hips. The extent of calcar resorption varied from 1 mm to over 15 mm. In one patient a biopsy showed typical polyethylene granuloma.
Because there is a risk of long-term failure, we concluded that it is inadvisable to use a cemented polished titanium stem when UHMWP is one of the bearing surfaces.
The abstracts were prepared by Professor M. B. E. Sweet. Correspondence should be addressed to him at The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical School, University of Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193 South Africa
