Anatomic placement of the acetabular implant in cementless total hip arthroplasty does not adversely affect the implant survival and patient satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate if the acetabulum's conservative reaming with preservation of the medial acetabular bone and anatomic placement of the acetabular implant in cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) has any adverse effect on the radiological outcome, long term implant survival and patient satisfaction.

METHODS

106 consecutive patients were identified from a single surgeon practice who underwent cementless THA from 2005 to 2010. Twenty-one were lost to follow up, and five patients died unrelated to THA. Eighty patients were available for the study. The mean follow-up was 8.6 years (range 5.7-11.6). The mean age was 61.9 years. Immediate pre- and postoperative radiographs were reviewed to calculate combined offset (Acetabular offset - AO, plus Femoral offset - FO). Implant failure, aseptic loosening, revision surgery, patient satisfaction and complications were assessed on long-term follow-up.

RESULTS

Acetabular component survival was 100% with no aseptic failure. None of the patients had revision surgery for any cause. The mean difference in the acetabular offset and combined offset postoperatively was within 3 mm. One patient had a dislocation, and one had a prosthetic joint infection (PJI). 95% of the patients in this series would recommend the hip replacement procedure to others, with a mean satisfaction score of 8.7 (range; 1-10).

CONCLUSION

Conservative acetabular reaming with preservation of medial acetabulum bone with the anatomic placement of the acetabular implant in cementless THA is safe with no adverse effects on implant survival and patient satisfaction. It offers the advantage of preserving the patient's bone stock, which would potentially be of significant advantage to the patient and the surgeon in case of revision arthroplasty.