Aims: The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical outcome, radiological integration and survivorship associated with a porous coated stem and those associated with a hydroxyapatite-coated stem in a consecutive serie of uncemented total hip replacements.

Methods: Between 1992 and 1995, 188 primary uncemented hip arthroplasties were performed at our institution using either a proximal porous-coat or a fully HA-coated stem. Mean age and weight and distribution of sex and primary diagnosis were similar in both groups. Ninety-eight hips from the HA group (group 1) and 69 from the porous-coated group (group 2) had a complete clinical and radiographic follow-up. The average duration of follow-up period for group 1 and 2 was 10.12 and 9.8 years respectively (range,9 to 12). Parameters such as implant migration and bone remodelling were especially evaluated and compared in both groups on postoperative X-rays.

Results: In group 2 , 8 hips (11.8%) needed revision for aseptic loosening and 24 additional hips (34.7%) showed non-progressive lucent lines; distal migration of the stem was seen in 9 cases(13.04%). In contrast no hip in group 1 required revision and all but two hips in this group showed radiological integration; no stem showed distal migration. Harris hip score at follow-up was better in group 1 (p= 0.05) due to a higher incidence of thigh pain in group 2 (23% vs 0%). Significant differences between both groups (p=0.02) were also observed in predicted rate of survival at 10 years with revision for aseptic loosening as the endpoint.

Conclusion: In our series the HA-coated stem has provided significantly better outcomes in terms of clinical scores, radiological integration and survivorship rates than porous-coated stem.