We report a prospective, stratified study of 60 PCA-cups and 60 RM-polyethylene cups which have been followed for a median time of 90 months, with annual radiography. The radiological migration of cups was measured by the computer-assisted EBRA method. A number of threshold migration rates from 1 mm in the first year to 1 mm in five years have been assessed and related to clinically determined revision rates. A total of 28 cups showed a total migration of 1 mm or more within the first two years; 13 of these cups have required revision and been exchanged. The survival curves of cups which had previously shown early migration were considerably different from those without early migration. For cups with a migration of less than 1 mm within the first two years the mean survival at 96 months was 0.96 ± 0.02; for migrating cups, it was 0.63 ± 0.11 (log-rank test, p = 0.0001; chi-square value = 39.4). Early migration is a good predictor for late loosening of hip sockets

Between 1988 and 1998 we implanted 318 total hip replacements (THRs) in 287 patients using the Plasmacup (B. Braun Ltd, Sheffield, United Kingdom) and a conventional metal-on-polyethylene articulation. The main indications for THR were primary or secondary osteoarthritis.

At follow-up after a mean 11.6 years (7.6 to 18.4) 17 patients had died and 20 could not be traced leaving a final series of 280 THRs in 250 patients. There were 62 revisions (22.1%) in 59 patients. A total of 43 acetabular shells (15.4%) had been revised and 13 (4.6%) had undergone exchange of the liner. The most frequent indications for revision were osteolysis and aseptic loosening, followed by polyethylene wear. The mean Kaplan-Meier survival of the Plasmacup was 91% at ten years and 58% at 14 years. Osteolysis was found around 36 (17.1%) of the 211 surviving shells. The median annual rate of linear wear in the surviving shells was 0.12 mm/year and 0.25 mm/year in those which had been revised (p < 0.001). Polyethylene wear was a strong independent risk factor for osteolysis and aseptic loosening. The percentage of patients with osteolysis increased proportionately with each quintile of wear-rate.

There is a high late rate of failure of the Plasmacup. Patients with the combination of this prosthesis and bearing should be closely monitored after ten years.