A comparison of the outcome of cemented all-polyethylene and cementless metal-backed acetabular sockets in primary total hip arthroplasty

We compared, after a 10-year-minimum follow-up, the outcome of 50 cemented all-polyethylene Charnley acetabular sockets with that of 51 cementless metal-backed sockets in 2 comparable cohorts of young patients. Although the revision rate for the cemented and cementless group was 28% and 35%, respectively, the revision rate for aseptic loosening was 28% for the cemented and 12% for the cementless group. The mean polyethylene wear was 0.112 and 0.114 mm/y, respectively, for the 2 groups. Linear osteolysis was observed in 18 of 50 cemented sockets. Expansile osteolysis presented in 10 of 51 cementless sockets and only in one of the cemented sockets. In conclusion, cementless components had more durable fixation than cemented components. However, they presented more aggressive expansile osteolysis caused by the coexistence of polyethylene and metal debris.