Abstract
Aims: A polyethylene free, metal on metal acetabular system (Hofer-Imhof cup; Lubrimet¨ metal on metal articulation made of CoCr-forge alloy) was designed in an effort to improve total hip arthroplasty longevity. This study was undertaken to review the clinical performance of this implant and to determine if early ace-tabular loosening or revision and wear and osteolysis were prevalent. The mid term results (mean follow up period 62,7 months) are presented in this study. Methods: In this prospective, randomized study a minimum of 55 months follow up results involving the þrst 100 implanted metal liner total hip arthroplasties are presented. The mean follow up was 62,7 months. Between April 1995 and November 1996 ninety-eight patients (100 hips) had a total hip replacement consisting of a titanium cementless self reaming, parabolic cup, a cementless titanium stem and the Lubrimet¨ metal on metal articulation. 98 patients (100 hips) had complete clinical and radiographic data 55 to 89 months after the operation. One acetabular and one femoral component had to be revised due to aseptic loosening without showing macroscopic evidence of metallosis and no histological evidence of excessive metal wear. As a none device related orthopedic complication one acetabular component required revision surgery due to a peri-prosthetic fracture. Conclusions: The mid-term results of the Hofer-Imhof Lubrimet¨Metal-on-metal articulation are encouraging and so the system may represent a viable alternative for total hip arthroplasty in younger higher demand patients.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Dr. Frantz Langlais. Correspondence should be addressed to him at EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
