A Monoblock Porous Tantalum Acetabular Cup Has No Osteolysis on CT at 10 Years

Background Aseptic osteolysis has been the single most important factor limiting the longevity of a THA. A great deal of attention has been focused on the development of implants and materials that minimize the development of osteolysis. The monoblock porous tantalum acetabular cup was designed to minimize osteolysis, but whether it does so is unclear.

Questions/purposes We evaluated the incidence of osteolytic lesions after THA using a monoblock porous tantalum acetabular component.

Methods We retrospectively reviewed 51 patients who had a THA using a monoblock porous tantalum acetabular cup. At a minimum of 9.6 years postoperatively (average, 10.3 years; SD, 0.2 years; range, 9.6-10.8 years), a helical CT scan of the pelvis using a metal suppression protocol was obtained. This scan was evaluated for the presence of osteolysis.

Results We found no evidence of osteolysis on CT scan at an average of 10.3 years.

Conclusions Osteolysis appears not to be a major problem at 10 years with this monoblock porous tantalum acetabular component, but longer term followup will be required to determine whether these findings persist.

Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.