Abstract
Purpose
The study aim was to assess how the periprosthetic bone density of the MiniHip™ changed in the course of the first year. Is there a correlation between the decrease in bone density with CCD angle or stem size? Are there other variables influencing the changes in bone density?
Material and Methods
62 patients aged 25–78 years (34 women, 28 men) were implanted with a MiniHip total hip replacement during 2011 and 2012 through an anterolateral minimally invasive (ALMI) approach. Pre-operative diagnosis was osteoarthritis in 49 patients, dysplasia in 7, femoral necrosis in 4 and femoral neck fracture in 2 cases. As a primary variable the periprosthetic bone mineral density (BMD) was measured postoperatively within the first 2 weeks as a baseline measurement. Follow-up measurements were performed at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Statistical analysis was conducted to show any differences.
Results
There is an initial post-operative loss of BMD in the first 3 months due to surgery and inactivity, with a significant decrease in the periprosthetic BMD proximally in Gruen Zones 1 (10.05%), 2 (12.37%) and 7 (10.05%) and distally in Gruen Zone 4 (6.9%). The density in the remaining Gruen regions also decreased but was not significant. In the following 3 months, the decrease in this Gruen regions continues without being significant. But after 6 months the bone mineral density shows a regeneration. At 12 months compared with the 6 months results there is an increase in BMD in Gruen Zones 1 (5.09%) and 7 (2.82%), also an increase in Gruen Zone 3 (1.75%) and 4 (1.78%) [Fig. 1].
A significant correlation between stem size and proximally bone loss in Gruen zones 1 & 7 was seen. In Gruen zone 1, there is also a correlation between bone loss and femoral neck angle, whereas this correlation was not significant in Gruen zone 7, but showing the same tendency. The analysis of covariables showed no dependencies of the results to sex, diagnosis or bearing surfaces.
Conclusion
The MiniHip shows a loss of bone mineral density immediately post-operatively. After the initial decrease there was an increase especially in the proximal Gruen zones 1 and 7. Compared to other cementless short stems there was a lower bone density decrease [Fig. 2]. MiniHip™ loads the proximal femur in a more physiological way, which may preserve more bone in zones 1 and 7.
