Mid-term outcomes after primary total hip arthroplasty with a cemented short stem in an elderly patient cohort

The main objective of this prospective study was to assess clinical, radiographic and safety mid-term outcomes after THA with a short cemented stem in an elderly patient cohort. Moreover, the study aimed at investigating the mid-term survivorship of the implant and the incidence of complications.

96 consecutive patients (100 cases) underwent THA with a short cemented stem. Underlying pathology was primary coxarthrosis in 93% of the cases. The clinical assessment was performed with the Harris Hip Score (HSS) and the Oxford Hip Score (OHS) and the radiographic evaluations were performed preoperatively, and at 45 days, 6, 12, 24 and 60 months postoperatively.

Patients’ mean age at the time of surgery was of 73.4 years (range: 67.2–79.6 years). Mean HHS and OHS registered a significant improvement already 45 days after surgery, with the HHS increasing from 35.9 ± 11.3 (preoperative) to 79.2 ± 8.8 (45 days post-operatively) and the OHS increasing from 10.9 ± 4.8 (preoperative) to 34.1 ± 7.5 at 45 days (p < 0.001). Mean HHS and OHS at 5 years post operatively reached 97.2 ± 5.8 and 47.4 ± 1.4 points respectively. All implants were stable at the final follow-up with no cases of progressive radiolucent lines or osteolysis. No revisions were performed, with a survivorship of 100% at 5 years.

According to excellent clinical and patient-subjective outcomes and to the good implant stability with no component failure up to 5 years, this study suggests that the analysed short cemented stem could be a safe and performing treatment option for THA in elderly population.

Level of Evidence: III.

NCT04987437