Trends in Total Hip Arthroplasty Implant Utilization in the United States

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) implant usage has evolved as experience has been gained with newer implant designs. The purpose of this study was to characterize trends in THA implant usage between 2001 and 2012. The Orthopedic Research Network, which includes 174 hospitals and ~105,000 THA, was used to evaluate trends in fixation, bearings, acetabular cup and liner, and femoral head usage. In 2012, 93% of THAs were cementless; 56% of THA bearings were metal-HXLPE; and 35% were ceramic-HXLPE. 99% of acetabular cups were modular. 61% of femoral heads were metal, 39% were ceramic, 51% were 36 mm, and 28% were 32 mm. THA implant usage trends favor cementless fixation, metal-on-polyethylene or ceramic-on-polyethylene bearings, modular acetabular cups, and large diameter femoral heads.