Reproducibility of Femoral Offset Following Short Stem and Straight Stem Total Hip Arthroplasty

Bone stock-preserving short stem prostheses have gained importance in total hip arthroplasty (THA) with the use of minimally invasive surgical procedures. Because of their metaphyseal fixation and their dependency on the calcar radius, it is unknown whether the femoral offset can be reproduced with the same accuracy following short stem vs standard stem THA. This study clarifies whether it is possible to restore the femoral offset using a short stem prosthesis (Fitmore; Zimmer, Warsaw, Indiana) compared with a conventional straight stem prosthesis (CLS; Zimmer) following minimally invasive implantation using an anterolateral approach. In a prospective, randomized, double-blinded study, 80 patients underwent THA using a short stem (SS group; n= 40) or CLS implant (control group; n= 40). Follow-up examinations were conducted 6 weeks postoperatively. Radiological and functional outcomes were measured. Subjective assessment of quality of life was evaluated using the Harris Hip Score (HHS), the Short Form 36-item health survey (SF-36), and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Pre- and postoperative comparison of the groups' change in offset showed no significant differences (SS group difference from pre-to postoperative, 6.1 +/- 6.5 mm; control group difference from pre- to postoperative, 6.5 +/- 7.1 mm; P=.93). Group comparison after 6 weeks revealed no significant differences in HHS, SF-36, or WOMAC. Based on these data, an equivalent reproducibility of the femoral offset was demonstrated following short stem and straight stem THA using a minimally invasive anterolateral approach. If the long-term results of short stems show a comparable survival, they represent a sensible alternative to standard stems.