Abstract
From July 1985 to April 1996, 394 PCA total hip replacements were performed using proximally, porous-coated, femoral components. A prospective study using a specifically designed database has been used to follow these patients. There have been 10 deaths and five patients were lost to follow-up (F/Up), leaving 379 for review.
Revision of 33 acetabular components has been performed for loosening; four acetabular liners were revised for recurrent dislocation; and three acetabular liners were revised because of wear. Only three femoral stems have been revised for loosening.
The fully proximally, porous-coated, cementless stem resulted in good survival in the mid-term.
The problems of the acetabular component of cement-less total hip replacement have been the cause of early failure, but close follow-up of patients has enabled the femoral components in these patients to be preserved.
Improved acetabular components, with lower wear characteristics, may prolong the survival of the femoral components of proximally porous –coated femoral components.
The abstracts were prepared by Professor A. J. Thurston. Correspondence should be addressed to him at the Department of Surgery, Wellington School of Medicine, PO Box 7343, Wellington South, New Zealand
