The aim of this study is to review the relation of polyethylene wear in patients underwent Anatomic Medullary Locking total hip replacement with respect to the types of acetabulum used.

85 cementless primary AML joint replacements were performed in the 10 years period from 1988 to 1998. The average age at operation was 46.6 with a range from 22 to 63. Two different types of acetabulum design namely the Acetabulum Cup System (ACS) and Duraloc were used. 39 of them were followed up from 2 to 10 years with an average of 69 months. Xrays were performed at the review visit and the thickness of the insert was calculated. The cup abduction angle was measured and the size of the cup and initial insert thickness was also recorded. The findings were correlated and subjected to statistical analysis.

Our findings suggested that the wear of the ACS cup was significantly higher than that of the Duraloc cup. The size of the cup but not the age of the patient at the time of operation also affects the wear rate. It appears that wear rate started to accelerate from year 8 onwards. The risk is higher with cups of less than 50mm diameter

We conclude that it is advisable to review closely those patients with the ACS cup implanted. Revision surgery should be considered if eccentric wear started to be seen on Xray to avoid complicated procedure.