Abstract
The incidence and pattern of distribution of osteolysis around two different cementless total hip arthroplasties, the Harris Galante Porous (HGP) and the Porous Coated Anatomic (PCA), were compared. The HGP femoral component has a straight, collared, titanium alloy stem with non circumferential titanium mesh pads. The PCA has a collarless cobalt chrome stem with an anatomical bow and a circumferential proximal porous coating. Ninety-four HGPs and 104 PCAs were followed for an average of four and a half years. Both groups were well matched for age, sex and primary diagnosis. Each group was operated on at seperate, single, institutions by a single surgeon at each centre.
The incidence of osteolysis around the acetabular components (1%) was the same. The incidence of femoral osteolysis was 31% with the HGP and 23% with the PCA. The pattern of femoral osteolysis was very different, being predominantly around the mid and distal stem with the HGP, and restricted to the proximal with the PCA. The presence of osteolysis was clinically silent unless the femoral component was also loose. Prosthetic design, in particular the presence or absence of a circumferential ingrowth mesh or porous coating, will influence the effective joint space and the distribution of wear debris particles. This may explain the prosthesis specific pattern of osteolysis seen.
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