THE FIXATION OF POROUS-COATED FEMORAL STE MS - A RADIOGRAPHIC STUDY OF 113 CASES WITH A 4 TO 8 YEAR FOLLOW-UP

Changes occurring in the fixation Of 113 porous-coated PCA uncemented femoral stems were studied in 90 patients who were operated on between 1984 and 1988, The average follow up was 5 years., Fixation was class ified in radiographs as osteointegration, stable fibrous fixation or u nstable. Four femoral components were revised, Metaphyseal osteoporosi s was associated with those with a stent diameter greater than 13 mm. After 2 years, osteointegration was present in 73% and instability in 24% which was not related to the position of the stem, At the end of t he follow up period, 20% of the stems showing osteointegration had cha nged and become unstable.