Bone remodeling in proximal HA-coated versus uncoated cementless SL-Plus® femoral components: a 5-year follow-up study

• DOI: 10.1007/s00402-009-1040-4
• Publication Date: 2010-01-04T08:58:10Z
• Authors: W. Steens; A. G. Schneeberger; R. Skripitz; P. Fennema; C. Goetze
• Keywords: Radiodensity; Stress shielding; Harris Hip Score; Bone remodeling

Bone resorption at the femoral stem due to stress shielding has been particularly observed secondary to cementless hip replacement. This prospective study of 126 total-hip replacements was performed to examine clinical outcomes and changes in peri-prosthetic bone density after implantation of a double-tapered cementless femoral component manufactured with versus without hydroxyapatite (HA) coating.Sixty-seven femoral components with and 59 femoral components without proximal HA coating were implanted and examined after a mean follow-up of 5.8 (SD 1.1, 2.8-7.8) years. The Harris hip score (HHS) and plain radiographs were used for clinical and radiological follow-up evaluations. Possible changes in peri-prosthetic bone mineral density (BMD) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).Clinical outcome, measured by HHS, was similar in both groups. On plain radiographs, significantly less radiolucent lines were observed for the coated implants. DEXA revealed a significant increase in BMD at the proximal zones, along the medial side, and at the stem tips in the coated compared with the non-coated implants.Hydroxyapatite-coated implants yield favorable radiographic characteristics, but no greater clinical benefit after 5 years' implantation.