Abstract
Introduction
Acetabular revision for cavitary defects in failed total hip replacement remains a challenge for the orthopaedic surgeon. Bone graft with cemented or uncemented revision is the primary solution; however, there are cases where structural defects are too large. Cup cage constructs have been successful in treating these defects but they do have their problems with early loosening and metalwork failure.
Recently, highly porous cups that incorporate metal augments have been developed to achieve greater intra-operative stability showing encouraging results.
Methods
Retrospective analysis of twenty-six consecutive acetabular revisions with Trabecular Titanium cups. Inclusion criteria included aseptic cases, adult patients, end-stage disease with signs of loosening, no trauma nor peri-prosthetic fractures.
Data was obtained for patient demographics, Paprosky classification, use of bone graft, use of acetabular augment, and Moore index of osseointegration.
Results
Twenty-six subjects were included in the study. Four patients were lost to follow up due to death. The average age was 73 (range 50–91) with 16 females and 10 males.
The Paprosky classification was as follows: type I=7 (26.9%), type IIa=7 (26.9%), type IIb=4 (15.4%), type IIc=2 (7.7%), type IIIa=6 (23%).
The Moore index at 6 months was as follows: type I=2 (7.7%), type II=4 (15.4%), type III=8 (30.1%), type IV= 6 (23%), type V=3 (11.5%), no data =3 (11.5). At 12 months: type I=0, type II=2 (7.7%), type III=5 (19.2%), type IV=7 (26.9%), type V=4 (15.4%), no data = 8 (4 no radiographs and 4 deceased).
Augments were used in 8 patients. All cups implanted had supplemented screw fixation.
Discussion
Revision acetabular surgery for aseptic loosening remains a challenge, particularly with cavitary defects. Success of surgery depends on solid fixation at the time of implantation and good, rapid osseointegration. With cavitary defects, stability of the implant becomes an issue, needing implants capable of filling the defects, with good porosity and enough surface roughness to achieve early stability. We found the Trabecular Titanium cup to have very high porosity and surface roughness allowing very good and stable fixation. The use of augments did not affect the initial stability of the implant.
The Moore index of osseointegration reliably detects bony ingrowth of the cup of radiographic analysis by assessing (1) absence of radiolucent lines; (2) presence of a superolateral buttress; (3) medial stress-shielding; (4) radial trabeculae; and (5) an inferomedial buttress. Each sign had a high PPV for the presence of bone ingrowth. Ninety-seven percent of cups with three to five signs were ingrown, whereas 83% of cups with one or no signs were unstable. With three or more signs present, the PPV was 96.9%, the sensitivity was 89.6%, and specificity was 76.9%
In our study, 61.5% of patients had 3 signs or more and 69.2% of patients had 2 signs or more at 12 months.
Conclusion
The Trabecular TitaniumTM cup demonstrates good initial stability at implantation, and at twelve-months excellent osseointegration. These results are comparable to published results for similar trabecular cup designs. Further long-term studies are welcome and we continue to monitor this group of patients.
