Analysis of the Factors that Predispose to Wear with a 32mm Femoral Head at 5–15 Year follow-up: Clinical and Radiographic Assessment of the Harris-Galante cup at 5–15 Year follow-up

The clinical and radiographic features of 109 consecutive hybrid total hip replacements performed between 1986 and 1992 in 96 patients were retrospectively reviewed. A cementless Harris-Galante (HGP1) cup and a 32mm monobloc straight Muller stem were used in all cases. At an average 10.11 (range 5 to 15) years following surgery, the excellent durability of fixation of the Harris-Galante cup has been demonstrated with only one cup (0.9%) revised for periacetabular osteolysis and aseptic loosening. The prevalence of polyethylene wear was 27.4%. The mean annual linear wear rate was 0.063mm (range 0.00–0.53mm).

There was a significantly increased wear of polyethylene inserts with an outer diameter < 52mm (<10mm polyethylene thickness), (ANOVA Test). However, there was no association found between acetabular liner wear and the following factors: underlying diagnosis, Charnley grade, age, weight and sex of the patient. The Harris Hip Score ranged between 5 and 54 pre-operatively and the average HHS was more than 80 post-operatively with more than 70% of patients pain-free. A liner with a thickness of 10mm or greater may prove beneficial in the prevention and reduction of wear rate particularly in young patients. It is recommended that all patients with this cup design, in which a polyethylene insert that is less than 10mm thick is coupled with a 32mm head, should continue to be regularly followed up.