Bone mineral density around femoral stems. DXA measurements in 22 porous-coated implants after 5 years.

Abstract

In this cross-sectional study the bone mineral density (BMD) close to proximal porous-coated femur stems was measured by DXA 4.5-6 years after the stem implantation and compared to the contralateral non-operated femur in 22 cases. Measuring areas were defined by Gruen's method. The average precision error varied according to the zone assessed and ranged from 2.2 to 4.9 percent. The median BMD values of the operated femur were in 5 of 7 areas lower than those of the contralateral side. The largest differences were noted in the calcar region and the greater trochanteric region (21 and 20 percent, respectively). No correlation was found between the femoral BMD differences and the stem diameter.