Primary cementless hip arthroplasty with a titanium plasma sprayed prosthesis.

One hundred two patients underwent 105 primary uncemented total hip arthroplasties and were reviewed at a minimum of 5 years after operation (mean, 6.1 years). The components were titanium alloy with a titanium plasma spray coating. The acetabular revision rate was 11.4%. Acetabular cavitary lytic lesions were identified in 25.5% at 5 years. All acetabular revisions were performed for a combination of wear and osteolysis. One femoral revision was performed to facilitate an acetabular revision, but the femoral revision rate for aseptic loosening was 0%. In addition, no femoral components had subsided or were thought to be loose radiographically. Thigh pain was present in 4% at 5 years. Despite the 25.5% incidence of acetabular osteolysis, distal femoral lysis was not seen and only 5% showed focal osteolysis in the trochanteric region proximal to the circumferential porous coating of the femoral component. Component design features were thought to be critical to the excellent performance of the femoral component and to the poor performance of the acetabular component.