Aims

A significant reduction in wear at five and ten years was previously reported when comparing Durasul highly cross-linked polyethylene with nitrogen-sterilized Sulene polyethylene in total hip arthroplasty (THA). We investigated whether the improvement observed at the earlier follow-up continued, resulting in decreased osteolysis and revision surgery rates over the second decade.

Aims

We previously reported the long-term results of the cementless Duraloc-Profile total hip arthroplasty (THA) system in a 12- to 15-year follow-up study. In this paper, we provide an update on the clinical and radiological results of a previously reported cohort of patients at 23 to 26 years´ follow-up.

Aims

To determine the effect of a change in design of a cementless ceramic acetabular component in fixation and clinical outcome after total hip arthroplasty

Between 1999 and 2001, 90 patients underwent total hip replacement using the same uncemented acetabular and femoral components with a 28 mm metallic femoral head but with prospective randomisation of the acetabular liner to either Durasul highly cross-linked polyethylene or nitrogen-sterilised Sulene polyethylene. We assessed 83 patients at a minimum follow-up of ten years. Linear penetration of the femoral head was estimated at six weeks, six and 12 months and annually thereafter, using the Dorr method, given the non-spherical shape of the acetabular component.

There was no loosening of any component; only one hip in the Sulene group showed proximal femoral osteolysis. The mean penetration of the femoral head at six weeks was 0.08 mm (0.02 to 0.15) for the Durasul group and 0.16 mm (0.05 to 0.28) for the Sulene group (p = 0.001). The mean yearly linear penetration was 64.8% lower for the Durasul group at 0.05 mm/year (sd 0.035) for the Sulene group and 0.02 mm/year (sd 0.016) for the Durasul (p < 0.001). Mean linear femoral head penetration at ten years was 61% less in the Durasul than Sulene group. Highly cross-linked polyethylene gives excellent results at ten years.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:326–32.

We reviewed 111 hemispherical Duraloc series-500 acetabular components with a minimum follow-up of 12 years. The mean clinical and radiological follow-up was 13.4 years (12 to 15). A Profile hydroxyapatite-coated anatomical femoral component was used in each case. Six patients had a late dislocation, for whom the polyethylene liner was exchanged. Each acetabular component was well fixed and all femoral components showed signs of bone ingrowth. The mean rate of femoral head penetration was 0.10 mm/year (0.021 to 0.481). The probability of not developing femoral cortical hypertrophy and proximal osteopenia by 12 years was 80.2% (95% confidence interval, 72.7 to 87.6) and 77.5% (95% confidence interval, 69.7 to 85.2), respectively. Despite these good clinical results, further follow-up is needed to determine whether these prostheses will loosen with time.

Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene sterilised in the absence of air and highly cross-linked polyethylene have been used to avoid osteolysis and loosening in total hip replacement. Our prospective randomised study has assessed the results using two different polyethylenes associated with the same prosthetic design. We assessed 45 Allofit acetabular components with a Sulene-polyethylene liner of conventional polyethylene gamma sterilised with nitrogen and 45 Allofit acetabular components with a Durasul-polyethylene liner sterilised in ethylene oxide, both matched with an Alloclassic stem with a 28 mm modular femoral head. The prostheses were implanted between May 1999 and December 2001. The mean follow-up was for 66.3 months (60 to 92). The linear penetration of the femoral head was estimated at 6 weeks, at 6 and 12 months and annually thereafter from standardised digitised radiographs using image-analysis software.

There was no loosening of any prosthetic component. There were no radiolucent lines or osteolysis. The mean rate of penetration calculated from regression analysis during the first five years was 38 μm/year (sd 2) for the Sulene group and 6 μm/year (sd 1) for the Durasul group (p = 0.00002). The rate of penetration of the Durasul group was 15.7% of that of the Sulene group.

We have analysedin the results of 24 femoral lengthenings in 23 patients operated on between 1993 and 2000, using a gradual elongation intramedullary nail (Albizzia). Of the 23 patients, 22 had femoral deficiency and one was of short stature. Their mean age was 16.9 years. Technical difficulties encountered during the procedure were mild or moderate in 18 femora and severe in six femora. Distraction was obtained by 15 ratchetings per day (1 mm/day).

There were 18 excellent results although in two patients this was achieved after the development of a pseudarthrosis which required further surgery. There were four good and two fair results in which the lengthening obtained was at least 3 cm less than had been projected. The consolidation index was 35.2 days/cm. No patient had associated long-term stiffness of the knee.

Femoral lengthening using an elongation nail gives good results and is a comfortable procedure.