We investigated the incidence of soft-tissue
lesions after small head metal-on-metal total hip replacement (MoM THR).
Between December 1993 and May 1999, 149 patients (195 hips) underwent
primary cementless MoM THR. During the follow-up period, three patients (five THRs) died
and eight patients (14 THRs) were lost to follow-up. We requested
that all patients undergo CT evaluation. After exclusion of five
patients (six THRs) who had undergone a revision procedure, and
22 (28 THRs) who were unwilling to take part in this study, 111
patients (142 THRs) were evaluated. There were 63 men (88 THRs)
and 48 women (54 THRs) with a mean age of 45.7 years (37 to 56)
at the time of surgery. The mean follow-up was 15.4 years (13 to
19). A soft-tissue lesion was defined as an abnormal peri-prosthetic
collection of fluid, solid lesion or asymmetrical soft-tissue mass. At final follow-up, soft-tissue lesions were found in relation
to 28 THRs (19.7%), including 25 solid and three cystic lesions.
They were found in 20 men and eight women; 26 lesions were asymptomatic
and two were symptomatic. The mean maximal diameter of the soft-tissue
lesion was 42.3 mm (17 to 135). The relatively high rate of soft-tissue lesions
observed with small head MoM THR remains a concern. Cite this article:
