FIXATION WITH BIODEGRADABLE DEVICES OF ACETABULAR COMPONENTS IN A CANINE MODEL

Cementless total hip arthroplasty was performed in 13 dogs. The acetab ular component was anchored with two biodegradable devices polylactic acid) in seven dogs and with two titanium screws in six dogs. At 14 we eks, histomorphometric determinations of bony ingrowth into the porous coating of the acetabular weight bearing dome was 54.4% when fixed wi th the biodegradable devices and 58.9% when fixed with the titanium sc rews (no statistically significant difference; p = 0.556). At the site s of fixation, less bony ingrowth occurred with the biodegradable devi ces. The use of biodegradable devices in total hip arthroplasty should overcome the potential metal corrosion of titanium screws that can le ad to polyethylene wear.