Early clinical and functional results of short modular femoral metaphyseal stem hip arthroplasty: a pilot study

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term results, complications, and functional outcomes associated with short femoral metaphyseal hip arthroplasty. Methods: Twenty-nine hips with coxarthrosis were included in the study. Each patient had outpatient clinical examination and follow-up (mean 20 mo) with evaluation using the Harris Hip Score (HHS), Western Ontario and McMaster University (WOMAC) score, Short-Form 36 (SF-36), and anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the hip. Results: Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference between the preoperative and the postoperative outcome scores. The radiographic evaluation revealed no differences. No one had cup or femoral implant loosening and no heterotopic ossification. Conclusions: This study showed that a short femoral metaphyseal stem can obtain early satisfactory clinical and functional outcomes without compromising implant stability. Future investigations should evaluate whether such results may be maintained after a longer time.