Femoral head diameters in THA have been increasing due to good long-term outcomes of 1^st generation HXLP cups. Furthermore, some 2^nd generation HXLP cups allow 36mm or larger heads. However, larger femoral head diameters increase the frictional torque and may lead to early cup migration and loosening. And there is a concern that larger head diameters and reduced liner thickness may increase polyethylene wear. In this study, we compared early acetabular component migration and wear rates between a group of larger heads using a 2^nd generation HXLP and a group smaller heads using a 1^st generation HXLP.

The larger head group comprising 30 hips underwent THA between February 2010 and March 2011 with the use of a sequentially cross-linked polyethylene liner (X3). 30 patients were included in this study (30 women). Their mean age was 59.3years; mean weight was 53.6kg. Trident HA-coated cementless cups were used and the sizes ranged from 46mm to 56mm (mean 50.5mm). The head diameters were 36mm in 23hips, 40mm in 5 hips, and 44mm in 2hips. All X3 liners were 5.9mm or less in thickness.

A control group was selected from a previous case series that had undergo THA between July 2007 and January 2008 using a 1st generation HXLP liner (Crossfire) by matching age and sex. Therefore 30 patients were included in this study (30 women) too. Their mean age was 60.0 years; mean weight was 55.5kg. The same Trident cups were used and the sizes ranged from 46mm to 56mm (mean 49.5mm). The head diameters were 26mm in 19hips and 32mm in 11hips. The liner thicknesses were 7.8mm or more.

All hips had standardized anteroposterior pelvic digital radiographs performed postoperatively and cup migration was measured on digital radiographs at the immediate postoperative period and two year using EBRA-CUP software. We analyzed horizontal and vertical cup migration distance and the difference in cup anteversion and inclination angle at two years. Additionally, total head penetrarion and polyethylene liner volumetric wear rates were measured using a computer-assited method with PolyWear software.

The larger head group revealed an average of 0.48mm of horizontal migration, 0.75mm of vertical migration, 0.19degree of inclination change, and 1.26 degrees of anteversion change. The control group showed an average of 0.63mm of horizontal migration, 0.36mm of vertical migration, 0.07 degree of inclination change, and 0.88 degree of anteversion change. Based on the EBRA-CUP measurements, there were no cases of significant early loosening which was indicated by more than 1mm of migration, more than 2.5 degree of inclination change, or more than 3.3 degree of anteversion change.

The liner penetration rates were 0.388±0.192mm/yr in the large head group and 0.362±0.178mm/yr in the control group. The difference was not significant (p=0.64.) The volumetric wear rates were 42.8±27.9mm⁁3/yr in the large head group and 42.0±33.0mm⁁3/yr in the control group. Again, the difference was not significant (p=0.94).

No significant early cup migration or increased wear rate were detected in THA with the sequentially cross-linked polyethylene liner and 36mm or large heads at two years.