Total hip arthroplasty using a modular “short-stem” femoral prosthesis vs. a standard prosthesis: a five-year follow-up study

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare the results and radiological stability of a short stem with those of a standard stem.

A series of 44 patients with a short stem Vitae ® (Adler ® ) was compared to a control group of 33 patients who underwent the same procedure with a standard stem Hydra ® (Adler ® ). Both cementless stems were modular. The  surgical technique was identical and was performed by the same surgeon. The groups were comparable in terms of preoperative characteristics (age, sex, BMI, functional scores). The 5-year stem migration rate, its functional impact and risk factors for migration were was studied.

Mean subsidence was 2.2 mm + 1.7 in group 1 and 3.1 mm + 2.2 in group 2 (p = 0.08). Mean varus tilt was 2.7 ° ± 2.2 in group 1 and 0.5 ° ± 0.5 in group 2 (p <0.05 × 10- 5). Repeat surgery for painful migration was performed in one case in group 1. All functional scores were improved with no significant difference between the two groups.

Despite a higher radiological migration rate in the short stem group, functional results were comparable between the two groups, leading us to suspend the use of this short stem model.