INFLUENCE OF SOCKET PREPARATION ON THE INITIAL STABILITY OF AN ELLIPTIC ACETABULAR COMPONENT

The aim of this investigation was to examine, with the aid of a valid micrometric measuring system, the initial stability of an elliptical p ress-fit acetabular component with regard to the size of the reamer us ed to prepare the socket, and the depth of reaming. All 10 implanted c ups showed marked movement (>500 mu m) at the first loading after impl antation. Only the implant with a press-fit of 1 mm and a reaming dept h of 2 mm showed small elastic micromovement (<130 mu m) at all three measuring points during cyclic loading. The results indicate that pres s fit and stability need to be optimized using adequate surgical instr umentation and techniques, and that it is necessary to develop new met hods to optimize the cementless anchorage of acetabular components.