Large acetabular cups implanted to accept large heads can lead to bone loss

March 20, 2013

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CHICAGO – In a study into some of the detrimental effects of the popular trend of upsizing acetabular components for total hip arthroplasty, researchers from Grand Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, found when the size of component exceeded the size of the native femoral head by 125% to150% the resultant cross-sectional bone loss could reach 27%.

“Careless reaming and not paying attention to what you’re doing can lead to significant bone loss at primary THA [total hip arthroplasty], increasing risk of anterior-posterior wall compromise and reduced bone coverage,” Sharat K. Kusuma, MD, said.

The researchers studied 74 cadaveric pelves…

Implanting a large femoral head combined with excessive reaming can lead to later problems when it is time for a revision THA, Kusuma said…

“We propose that surgeons who are going to operate use the femoral head size to begin the templating process and be very cognizant of the amount of bone loss…”

Reference:

Kusuma SK. Paper #36. Presented at: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting; March 19-23, 2013; Chicago.