Abstract
The aim of this paper is to present our 7 years experience with the use of a custom femoral stem with proximal HA-coating (Unique SCP). This prosthesis was developed to optimise the þxation and the strain distribution to the proximal femur and also the biomechanics of the hip in uncemented femoral stems. Methods: 226 hips have been operated. Mean age was 51.5 years (24–66). 44.7% of the hips were dysplastic. The prostheses were designed to optimise anteversion and leg length correction. All patients were followed with radiological and clinical examination. The maximum observation time is 7 years. Merle DñAubigne score was used. Results: Three patients sustained a peroperative þssure in the proximal femur (1.3%), the þssures were treated successfully with cerclage wires. One patient sustained a femoral fracture 3 months postoperatively. A dislocation of the joint occurred by severe injuries in three patients later than three months after the operation (1.3%). These joints have been stable after non-operative reduction. Thigh pain after two years was seen in only one patient. Average total score at 3 years (82 patients) was 5.68 (preop 3.12), at 5 years (28 patients) 5.65 (preop 3.12). The pain scores at the corresponding observations were 5.65 (preop 2.71) and 5.75 (preop 2.71). There have been no radiological signs of loosening or severe bone loss in observations up to 7 years postoperatively. Conclusions: The rate of peroperative þssures, postoperative dislocations and thigh pain is low in this type of prostheses compared to most type of uncemented standard stems. This is probably due to an optimised design. The mid-terms clinical results up to seven years postop are excellent.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Dr. Frantz Langlais. Correspondence should be addressed to him at EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.