Fully hydroxyapatite-coated compaction broached and triple-tapered stem may reduce the risk of stress shielding after primary total hip arthroplasty.

Abstract

Changes in bone mineral density (BMD) around the fully hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated compaction broached and triple-tapered stem, namely, Polarstem, after total hip arthroplasty (THA) are currently unknown. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate clinical outcomes of Polarstem, mainly postoperative temporal changes in BMD around the stem for 2 years, and to compare them with those of HA-coated and non-HA-coated tapered-wedge stems. This retrospective cohort study enrolled 100 consecutive patients who underwent THA using Polarstem (n = 38), HA-coated Anthology (n = 31), and non-HA-coated Anthology (n = 31). BMD was evaluated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in seven regions according to the Gruen zones. Postoperatively, BMD around the stem was assessed within 2 months (baseline BMD) and at 6, 12, and 24months. A change in BMD was defined as the value calculated by dividing each postoperative BMD value at 6, 12, and 24months by the baseline BMD value. Changes in BMD and radiographic parameters such as stress shielding and spot welds were compared among the three stems. The incidence rate of stress shielding in the Polarstem group was significantly lower than those in the other two groups (p = 0.007). The change in BMD in Zone 7 of Polarstem was significantly more than that of the other two groups at 12 and 24months postoperatively (p = 0.030 and p = 0.009, respectively). Polarstem, a fully HA-coated compaction broached and triple-tapered stem, maintained BMD around the femoral calcar until 2 years postoperatively and could reduce the risk of stress shielding compared with tapered-wedge stems.