Review of 10-year results of PCA hip arthroplasty

OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term results of the PCA uncemented total hip replacement. DESIGN: A prospective nonrandomized clinical trial. Follow-up ranged from 8 to 11 years (mean 10.3 years). SETTING: A university hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred consecutive PCA arthroplasties were performed on 89 patients. All operations were supervised by a single surgeon. The patients' status was reviewed between September and November 1996 by an independent observer. Seventy-three total hip replacements were available for review. INTERVENTION: PCA uncemented acetabular and femoral replacement through a lateral surgical approach. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The need for revision, which was classified as failure, and definite 3-zone acetabular radiolucency, which was considered radiologic evidence of loosening. RESULTS: The time to failure of the acetabulum averaged 8 years. Femoral failure occurred in 3 patients an average of 4 years postoperatively. The overall failure rate for the acetabulum was 13% and for the femur 7%. CONCLUSION: The acetabular failure rate is unacceptably high. Patients who have had hip replacement with the PCA prosthesis should be followed over the long term.