Abstract
Introduction
The success of cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) depends on the primary stability of the components. One of the biomechanical factors that comes into play is the mechanical quality of the bone. To our knowledge, there are no reported studies in the literature analyzing the impact of the preoperative bone mineral density on the outcomes of cementless THA. The goal of the study was to analyze the clinical results at 2 year follow-up according to the preoperative cancellous bone mineral density (BD). Our hypothesis was that the clinical outcomes were correlated to the BD.
Material and methods
From January to June 2013, a prospective study included patients who underwent a cementless THA using a proximally shortly fixed anatomic stem. A 3D preoperative CTscan-based planning was performed according to the routine protocol using the Hip-Plan software in order to determine the hip reconstruction goals as well as the implants size and position. The Hounsfield bone density (BD) of the metaphyseal cancellous bone was computed in a volume (of 1 mm thick and of 1cm² surface) at the level of the calcar 10 mm above the top of the lesser trochanter and laterally to the medial cortical (Figure 1). Intra-and inter-observer repeatability measurements were performed. Patients were clinically assessed at 2 years follow-up using self-administered auto-questionnaires corresponding to the Harris and the Oxford scores. A Multivariate statistical analysis assessed correlations between clinical scores, age, gender, body mass index, and BD.
Results
50 patients were included consisting of 29 men and 21 women, with an average age of 62 ± 12 years and an average BMI of 25.8. The average preoperative BD was 69.4 ± 54 HU. At 2 years follow-up, the hip function scores were significantly correlated with the preoperative BD (0.42, p = 0.002) and the age (0.39, p = 0.005). However, there was no significant correlation between BD and BMI.
Discussion Bone density appears to be an important parameter to consider when planning THA. This highlights also the importance of preoperative image calibration
Conclusion
The functional outcomes after cementless THA are correlated with preoperative cancellous bone density. Bone density needs to be integrated into THA 3D planning.
