Increased loosening of cemented straight stem prostheses made from titanium alloys. An analysis and comparison with prostheses made of cobalt-chromium-nickel alloy
Tb. Maurer et al., Increased loosening of cemented straight stem prostheses made from titanium alloys. An analysis and comparison with prostheses made of cobalt-chromium-nickel alloy, INT ORTHOP, 25(2), 2001, pp. 77-80
We studied the rate of aseptic loosening of three different types of femora
l sterns in primary total hip replacement. After a median follow-up of 10.2
years 4/147 CoCrNi (SS77) straight stems (type M.E. Muller) were revised.
After a median follow-up of 7.7 years 32/239 Ti-6Al-7Nb (SS77) were revised
and after a median follow-up of 5.2 years 52/203 SLS Titanium alloy stems
were revised. Whereas the first two stems are of identical design (smooth-b
lasted, anterior and posterior collar), the SLS stem design is different. S
urgical procedure and cementing technique have remained unchanged. There is
a significantly higher risk of failure for smaller titanium stem sizes and
in males and patients who are physically active. This indicates that the g
reater elasticity of the Titanium alloy is one of the factors responsible f
or loosening.