Behaviour of the ultra-short anatomic cementless femoral stem in young and elderly patients

Purpose

The question arises as to whether it is possible to obtain rigid fixation of the ultra-short metaphyseal-fitting anatomic cementless stem without diaphyseal fixation in the elderly as well as younger patients. We investigated whether ultra-short, metaphyseal-fitting anatomic cementless femoral stem would provide similar functional improvements in the younger and elderly patients, radiographically secure implant fixation would be achieved in both groups, the bone content would be preserved in both groups, and complication rates would be similar in both groups.

Methods

A total of 100 patients (114 hips) in the younger patient group and 100 patients (112 hips) in the elderly patient group were included in the study. Their mean age was 43.9 ± 6.11 years (range, 31–65 years) in the younger patient group and 78.9 ± 12.1 years (range, 66–91 years) in the elderly patient group. The mean duration of follow-up was 7.5 years (range, six to nine years) in the younger patient group and 7.6 years (range, six to nine years) in the elderly patient group.

Results

The mean postoperative Harris hip scores (95 points versus 91 points), WOMAC scores (11 points versus 15 points), thigh pain (none in either group), UCLA activity scores (6.5 points versus 4.5 points), and radiographic results were not significantly different between the two groups. No hip in either group had an aseptic loosening. No hip in either group had clicking or squeaking sounds or ceramic fractures.

Conclusion

The cementless ultra-short, metaphyseal-fitting anatomic cementless femoral component provides stable fixation without any need of diaphyseal fixation in both younger and elderly patients. Despite the concern, the poor bone quality in elderly patients did not compromise the stability, and osseointegration of this ultra-short, anatomic cementless femoral stem was achieved in all elderly patients.