Short-stem total hip arthroplasty (THA) has primarily been recommended for young and active patients, mainly due to its bone preserving philosophy. Elderly patients, however, may also benefit of a minimally invasive technique due to the short and curved implant design. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes as well as perioperative complications of a calcar-guided short stem between a young (75 years) population.

Data were collected in a total of 5 centers, and 400 short stems were included as part of a prospective multicentre observational study between 2010 and 2014 with a mean follow-up of 49.2 months. Clinical and radiological outcomes were assessed in both groups. Secondary outcomes such as perioperative complications, rates and reasons for stem revision were also investigated.

No differences were found for the mean visual analogue scale (VAS) values of rest pain, load pain, and satisfaction. Harris Hip Score (HHS) was found to be slightly better in the young group. Comparing both groups, no statistically significant differences ere found in the radiological parameters that were assessed (stress-shielding, cortical hypertrophy, radiolucency, osteolysis). Aseptic loosening was the main cause of implant failure in younger patients whereas in elderly patients, postoperative periprosthetic fractures due to accidental fall was found to be the main cause for stem revision.

These short-term results are encouraging towards the use of a cementless short stem in the geriatric population. According to our findings, advanced age and potentially reduced bone quality should not necessarily be considered as contra-indications for calcar-guided short-stem THA but careful and reasonable selection of the patients is mandatory. Longer follow up is necessary in order to draw safer conclusions.