Survivorship of a Low-stiffness Extensively Porous-coated Femoral Stem at 10 Years

A novel low-stiffness extensively porous-coated total hip femoral component was designed to achieve stable skeletal fixation, structural durability, and reduced periprosthetic femoral stress shielding. In short- to intermediate-term clinical review, this implant achieved secure biologic fixation and preserved periprosthetic bone. We retrospectively reviewed all 102 prospectively followed patients (106 implants) with this implant to document the longer-term implant survivorship, clinical function, fixation quality, and periprosthetic bone preservation. Ninety-seven patients with 101 implants had current followup or were followed to patient death (range, 1-14 years; average, 10 years). Eighty-six living patients were followed for an average implant survivorship of 10 years. There were no known femoral implant removals. The average Harris hip score at 10-year followup was 98. Radiographs demonstrated secure implant fixation and maintenance of periprosthetic bone. These data suggest this implant design provided long-term function characterized by extensive fixation, structural durability, and radiographic appearance of maintained periprosthetic cortical thickness and density.

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