Abstract
The Taperloc Microplasty stem design was based on that of the Taperloc stem with flat tapered wedge and the distal portion of the Taperloc stem was shortened by 35mm.
We report the minimum two-year follow up (mean, 26 months) of 68 primary total hip arthroplasty using the Taperloc Microplasty stem. 39 Magnum acetabular cups and 29 M2a Taper acetabular cups were inserted with metal on metal articulation. The series comprised 67 patients (20 men, 47 women) with a mean age at operation of 65 years (31 to 85). The principal diagnosis was osteosrthritis.
Their mean JOA Hip Score improved significantly from 36 points preoperatively to 96 points at two-year follow up. Radiological asseement showed good bony stability in all implants. There was one case of post operative anterior dislocation. We did not see intra-operative fracture previously reported for this implant. There were no clinical and radiological complications related to MOM articulation.
This short-term follow up study demonstrates that the clinical outcome of the Tapeloc Microplasty stem is comparable with that of standard Taperloc stem and other flat taper wedge stems.
