Abstract
Introduction
Wear performances and fracture toughness of the alumina-matrix composite (AMC) Biolox-delta(r) are pointed out in the literature. This study is a prospective monocentric evaluation of 32 and 36 mm AMC/AMC bearing surfaces.
Material and methods
141 THA were included prospectively since 2006 in 127 patients. (62 females, 65 males, mean age 62, 2 years, mean BMI 25, 5). 134 cases were primary implantations. Mean follow-up is 40.9 months (29.8-53.4). In all patients we used the same cementless stem and cup.
Clinical and radiological data were evaluated with a special attention for ceramic fracture and squeaking.
Results
At follow-up mean HHS is 95.4. We faced current problems in this series (2 post-op.dislocations in non compliant patients, 1 hematoma, 3 early septic complications in immunodepressed patients)
Intraoperative events were 3 non relevant femur fractures and 1 partial acetabular fracture
4 cases needed a revision (1 cup and 1 stem loosening, 1 painful stem, 1 limb length discrepancy)
No abnormal wear, osteolysis or implants migration could be detected in the other cases. No ceramic head fracture or liner chipping occurred. No patient reported squeaking.
Discussion and conclusion
In this monocentric report the Delta COC articulation provides similar functional scores and survivorship as previously published ceramic on ceramic series. We did not observe ceramic fracture. Unusual rates of liner chipping have been described in an other multicentric study. According to our experience and despite the short follow-up, we suggest that those complications could be related to cup design rather than to the ceramic material.
