Aim of this work is to critically analyze the current mandatory trend to adapt femoral cementless implant shape as to allow their use through mini-invasive anterior hip approach (MIS-AA).

During decades, designers of cementless stems tried to adapt implant shapes to patient anatomy, that led to various classification systems (straight, curved, anatomic, etc …). Another way to classify cementless stems is according to their longevity, outcome quality and long-term results. This is the goal of the Orthopaedic Data Evaluation Panel (ODEP) that provided in 2017 an approved list of prostheses that meet at least the NICE 10y revision rate standard.

In the last available ODEP 2020 issue, the best rating (13y experience “13”, with strong evidence “A” and < 6.5% rev rate “∗”) was achieved by only 10 cementless implant: Mallory-Head®, Taperloc®, Bimetric®, Accolade®, SL-Alloclassic®, Corail®, CLS Spotorno®, Furlong®, Synergy® & Versys Fibermetal®. All 10 are Ti straight tapers with large metaphyseal morphology in particular in Gruen Zone I. All these 10 ODEP 13A∗ cementless stems can universally be implanted through postero-lateral (PL), MIS-PL, lateral & conventional anterior approaches, but not safely through MIS-AA. Conversely, only new short and curved stems can be inserted safely through MIS-AA. Indeed, surgeons who promote MIS-AA cannot routinely use those successful femoral implants classified ODEP 13A∗.

Obviously, surgical approach determines the choice of femoral component. Surgeons who promote MIAA can only bet/hope that these new short curved implants with currently very few clinical evidence will reach the same success and longevity that ODEP 13A∗ conventional straight tapers. Only future long-term studies will address that concern.

Since the universal failure of first generation smooth threaded cups in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA), the screw-in concept of cementless acetabular cup fixation has been largely abandoned. We hypothesised that grit-blasted titanium conical cement free threaded cup shows stable long-term fixation. 198 Alloclassic total hip arthroplasties were performed in 179 patients, mean age 66 years old (22–85). 193 hips were analyzed after a mean follow-up of 10 years (1–25 years).

Results were excellent or good in 184 hips (95%). Postel-Merle d'Aubigne score increased from 10.3 (range 1 to 15) pre-operatively to 16.7 (12 to 18) points and 151 hips (78%) were pain free at last FU. Radiographic signs indicating successful cup osseointegration were noted in 92% of hips. Polyethylene wear > 0.1mm/year was observed in 6 hips (3%). The main cause of re-operation/revision surgery was recurrent dislocation (9/17cases, 53%). 2 threaded cups were revised for any reason and the revision per cent observed acetabular component years was 0.10 at 10 years average FU. 20 year-survival of the metal back was 98.8% (77.2–99.9%) and 100% (79.6–100%) for revision for any reason and revision for aseptic loosening, respectively. Despite minimum PE thickness of 6.5mm and use of alumina ceramic 28mm heads, conventional polyethylene liner wear was the weak link of the acetabular reconstruction;

This study shows excellent long-lasting bone anchorage through bone on-grown of grit-blasted titanium threaded cup. Despite universal outstanding longevity in the worldwide literature, CSF threaded cups were retrieved from the European market in March 2017 due to insufficient sales, indicating that evidence base medicine may not be the major criteria influencing surgeons' choice.

Although about 200 000 cementless Zweymüller-Alloclassic total hip arthroplasties (THAs) were carried out worldwide in the last decade, the survival analysis of these prostheses was not available in the 2000 report of the Swedish national hip arthroplasty registry. We report a prospective survivorship analysis of 200 consecutive grit-blasted cementless Alloclassic primary THAs carried out since 1988.

Using surgical, clinical and radiological endpoints for the stem and the threaded cup the ten-year survivorship was 91.5% for reoperation for any cause, 96.4% for hip pain (Merle d’Aubigné score < 5 points, clinical failure), 99.4% for definite aseptic loosening (radiological failure) and 99.3% for revision for aseptic loosening. Using the Swedish registry criteria of primary osteoarthritis and revision for aseptic loosening as the endpoint, the survival rate of 99.1% at ten years for the subgroup of 157 Alloclassic THAs in osteoarthritis compares favourably with that of the best modern cemented hip replacements reported in the Swedish arthroplasty registry.