The Short and “Shorter” of It: >1750 Tapered Titanium Stems at 6- to 88-Month Follow-Up

Femoral fixation in THA can be achieved with different design rationales. Our hypothesis was that two short titanium flat-tapered stems would demonstrate similar stability.

Between May 2005 and May 2012, 849 short (135–170 mm), titanium flat stems (“Short”) were used in THA. Between July 2005 and May 2012, 902 similar, but 35-mm shorter, stems (“Shorter”) were utilized. Harris Hip Score, radiographic, and survivorship data were analyzed.

Survivorship of the “Short” stems was 99.1% at 7 years. Eight of 849 stems have been revised: 4 for loosening, 3 for fracture, and 1 for infection. Harris Hip Score improved from 41.6 to 88.9. In the “Shorter” group, 9 of 902 have been revised: 6 for fracture/loosening, 2 for infection, and 1 for instability. HHs improved from 43.7 to 92.0. No statistically significant differences were noted in revision rate.

This comparison study of short titanium tapered stems has confirmed similar >99% survivorship in >1750 THA stems at 6- to 88 (mean 36)-month follow-up. Early periprosthetic fracture, although rare (0.5%), was more likely to occur in older patients.