This study assesses the incidence of noise in ceramic on ceramic (COC) bearings compared to metal on polyethylene (MOP) bearings. Noise after MOP implants has rarely been studied and they never been linked to squeaking. We have developed a noise characterising hip questionnaire and sent it along with the Oxford Hip Score (OHS) to 1000 patients; 509 respondents, 282 COC and 227 MOP; median age 63.7 (range 45–92), median follow up 2.9 years (range 6–156 months). 47 (17%) of the COC patients reported noise compared to 19 (8%) of the MOP patients (P=0.048). 9 COC and 4 MOP patients reported their hip noise as squeaking. We found the incidence of squeaking in the COC hips to be 3.2% compared to 1.8% in the MOP hips. Overall, 27% patients with noise reported avoiding recreational activities because of it and patient's with noisy hips scored on average 4 points less in the OHS (COC: P=0.04 and MOP: P =0.007). This is the first study to report squeaking from MOP hip replacements. We therefore believe the squeaking hip phenomenon is not exclusive to hard bearings. Surprisingly, only a small proportion of patients described nose from their as a ‘squeak’. Noisy hip implants may have social implications, and patients should be aware of this. We have shown a relationship between noise and a lower OHS. However, longer follow-up and further study is needed to link noise to a poorly functioning implant.
Aim. In the last years, many short hip stem variants were developed, almost always sharing the principle of metaphyseal and proximal diaphyseal anchorage. In this study, we analyzed the midterm results after implanting short cementless hip stem of ESKA. Methods. A total of 380 total hip replacements using the ESKA-short cementless stems were performed in a series of 340 patients between November 2002 till May 2008. The clinical and radiological evaluation of the patients was done in September 2008. The mean follow up was 37 months (3–54 months). Results. The mean age of the patients was 65 years (35–85 years). The indications varied between osteoarthritis (n=342), avascular necrosis (n=23) and aseptic loosening of stem (n=15). Good clinical and radiological outcome without complications was observed in 361 cases. However, complications were recorded in 19 cases. Aseptic loosening was noted in 4 cases and was treated with stem exchange. Deep infection occurred in 5 cases, 3 of which had direct exchange and 2 had two-stage delayed reconstruction. Dislocation was noted in 2 cases, which were revisions after aseptic loosening. 8 patients suffered intraoperative femur fissures, 7 of which healed completely after prolonged partial weight bearing postoperatively (n=4 without osteosynthesis, n=3 needed adjunctive cerclage around the proximal femur). Only 1 spiral fracture was recorded and needed a periprosthetic NCB-plate. Conclusion. Our own experience with cementless short hip stems is, in accordance with other studies, also encouraging. Based on the metaphyseal and proximal diaphyseal anchorage, short stems established themselves as a surgical option in the hip replacement surgery. There was no increase in the postoperative complication rate compared with standard
