Abstract
Introduction
The dual mobility design concept for acetabular liners is intended to reduce the risk of dislocation and increase range of motion, but the wear pattern of this design is unclear and may have implications in implant fixation. Additionally, the solid back cups do not have the option for supplementary screw fixation, providing an additional smooth articulating surface for the liner to move against. The objective of this study was to assess cup fixation by measuring implant migration. A secondary objective was to evaluate the mobile bearing motion after rotating the hip.
Methods
Thirty subjects were recruited in a consecutive series prospective study and received Anatomic Dual Mobility (Stryker Orthopedics) uncemented acetabular components with mobile bearing polyethylene liners through a direct lateral approach. Femoral stems were cemented (Exeter) or uncemented (Accolade, Stryker Orthopedics). The femur, acetabulum, and non-articulating surface of the polyethylene liner were marked with tantalum beads. Radiostereometric analysis (RSA) exams were performed post-operatively and at 6 weeks, 3, 6, months, and at 1 year. At the 1 year exam, a frog leg RSA exam was performed to assess the mobility of the cup compared to its position during a supine exam.
Results
Proximal translation of the cup was 0.16 ± 0.28 mm (range −0.18 to 0.92 mm) and sagittal rotation was 0.08 ± 0.86 degrees (range −1.81 to 2.18 degrees) at 1 year. Analysis of the motion of the mobile bearing liner during the frog leg RSA exam showed total motions of between 0.10 to 5.58 mm (maximum total point motion).
Discussion & Conclusions
The migration of the cup has a low group average and is on track to be in the “acceptable” range as defined by Pijls et al. [1] of less than 0.2 mm of subsidence at 2 years. The combination of low subsidence and low sagittal rotations of the cup are favorable predictors of good long-term performance [2]. The wide range of motions of the mobile bearing suggest that in some patients the liner is moving freely, while in a subset of subjects there is no motion. The implications of this in terms of the generation of wear particles and affect on implant migration will be monitored to 3 years.
