[Low loosening rate of a cemented titanium straight shaft prosthesis in long-term follow-up].

Abstract

Aseptic loosening is still a major problem in total hip replacement. We studied the mid-term results of a straight stem femoral prosthesis made from titanium alloy (BiContact) and implanted with the use of bone cement. 250 hips in 238 patients have been implanted between 8/87 and 12/88 and followed up. 172 patients were alive and could be reached after 7 years. Two patients had to undergo revision surgery within the follow up period, and in two other patients radiolucencies could be found. A loosening rate of 1.2% and a rate of radiolucencies of another 1.2% indicate that the combination of a titanium alloy stem prosthesis with bone cement not necessarily leads to early loosening or a high loosening rate, which has been supposed by several authors. The design of the individual prosthesis seems to be of greater importance than the materials used.