Harris Galante cementless acetabular replacement in avascular necrosis

We describe the results of 76 total arthroplasties of the hip for stage-III or stage-IV avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Harris Galante Porous cups were used in 63 patients between 1986 and 1994 and followed prospectiv ely, We reviewed 70 hips with a follow-up of more than five gears (mean 7.6 ). At the latest review the mean Harris Hip Score had improved from a preopera tive value of 29 +/- 14.7 to 94 +/- 6.8. Radiologically, there was no evide nce of acetabular migration, The rate of revision for the femoral component was 8.6%, three being undertaken for loosening and three to allow downsizi ng of the femoral head, The rate of revision for the acetabular component w as 7.1% (five cups). At the time of revision none of the cups was clinicall y loose, and only required the liner to be changed, The rate of complications was low with no case of deep infection or disloca tion, but nine of the 76 hips (11.8%) showed grade-III heterotopic ossifica tion, Previous studies of patients undergoing cemented total hip arthroplas ty for the treatment of advanced avascular necrosis have indicated a high i ncidence of loosening of the acetabular component. Our findings show good m edium-term results using the Harris Galante Porous cup for acetabular recon struction, together with a variety of cemented femoral components, for the treatment of this difficult problem.