Long-term results of uncemented acetabular cups with an ACS polyethylene liner. A 14–16-year follow-up study

We assessed the clinical and radiographic results of 40 porous-coated acetabular cups with an Acetabular Cup System polyethylene liner over a minimum 14-year follow-up. Femoral head penetration was estimated using a software package. Fifteen cups were revised, 11 due to polyethylene liner rupture. All cups but two were radiographically stable, and 11 hips showed acetabular osteolysis. The overall femoral head penetration rate in hips without liner fracture with reference to the early penetration point was 0.1188±0.070 mm per year. Polyethylene liner fractures were associated with higher early femoral head penetration (P<0.0001) and a vertical cup position (P=0.0016). The 14-year survival without cup revision for any reason was 63.9%, 71.8% with no ACS polyethylene liner fracture and 65.3% with no acetabular osteolysis. Most cups showed a good clinical outcome in general, but major Acetabular Cup System liner failure and osteolysis were frequent. Patients with the ACS cups still in place should be monitored closely.