Radiographic­ behavior­ of­ cementless­ sockets­ and ­its clinical correlation

• Main Authors: German Garabano, Hernán del Sel, Damián Otero
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Asociacion Argentina de Ortopedia y Traumatologia 2013-10-01
• Series: Revista de la Asociación Argentina de Ortopedia y Traumatologia
• Subjects: cotilo no cementado; imagen radiolúcida; comportamiento radiográfico
• Online Access: http://ojs.aaot.org.ar/ojsr/index.php/AAOTMAG/article/view/226
• ISSN: 1515-1786; 1852-7434

Background Radiolucent lines between cementless acetabular components and surrounding bone can be seen frequently on the immediate postoperative X-rays. The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the clinical and radiographic behavior, if there were changes in the cup position and survival when these lines were present. Methods One hundred and twenty one Duraloc® (Depuy J&J) uncemented sockets (53 model 100 and 68 model 300) were analyzed. There were 73 men and 48 women, with an average age of 58 years and a follow-up of 5.2 years. We performed a manual measurement of the X-rays to determine the presence of the radiolucent gap between the component and the acetabular bone, and the position and orientation of the cups. When this gap was observed measurements were repeated in all follow-up X-rays. Results The gap was observed in 28 (23.14%) patients (9 model 100 and 19 model 300). The average gap size was 3.5 mm, being more frequent in zone II and it was filled on average 22 months after surgery in 86% of cases. The filling was partial in two cases and it did not change in four patients. The HHS for the group with the gap was 94.3 points and that for group without the gap was 93.9 points. No loosening was detected. Conclusions The presence of radiolucent line on the immediate postoperative X-rays after placement of a cementless socket has a finite duration in the majority of cases and in line with other reports it does not represent a threat to the medium and long-term survival of the component.