A FIVE-YEAR REVIEW OF THE UNCEMENTED PFC ACETABULAR COMPONENT

Abstract

We clinically and radiologically reviewed 79 uncemented PFC acetabular components inserted by our unit during a seven-year period, June 1991 to June 1998. Of these, 50 (63.3%) were primary and 29 (26.7%) were revision arthroplasties. The mean follow-up was five years (60 months), with a range of 12 to 95 months. Sixteen (20%) were excluded from the study, leaving 63 (26.7%) for review. Three (4.7%) cases were deemed to have failed (at 63, 69, 79 months), all of which were primary arthroplasties. One of them was found to be loose at revision and the other two cups had 2 mm of periacetabular radiolucency in only one zone, but had no definite evidence of loosening.

The remaining 60 (95.3%) cases showed no radiological evidence of migration of any cups, and no hip had a radiolucent line in all three zones of the acetabulum. Clinical review gave a mean Harris hip score of 96.5. Fifty (79.4%) reported no pain from the hip. One case (1.6%) had undergone recent revision of the stem, at which time the cup was found to be stable. Three (4.7%) reported slight, occasional pain. Another three (4.7%) described mild pain that did not compromise their average activities and was relieved by simple analgesia. Two cases (3.2%) complained of moderate pain that placed some limitations on their activities and required regular analgesia, and one elderly patient who had an ankylosed contralateral hip and ipsilateral sciatic nerve palsy described marked pain (1.6%), and these were considered poor outcomes. In all of these cases the cups were clinically and radiologically stable.

In conclusion, 81% of outcomes were excellent, painfree THRs. A further 4.75% had good and 4.75% fair results. 4.75% had poor outcomes and 4.75% of cases failed. We conclude that the PFC cup merits continued use and follow-up, and together with other uncemented cup designs, may produce benefits in the form of quality and longevity of results in total hip arthroplasty.