Short-term results of the M2a-taper metal-on-metal articulation.

A polyethylene-free, metal-on-metal acetabular system (M2a-taper [Biomet, Inc., Warsaw, IN]) was designed in an effort to improve total hip arthroplasty (THA) longevity. Minimum 2-year follow-up results involving 72 polyethylene liner THAs and 78 metal liner THAs from a multicenter, randomized, controlled, investigational device exemption study are reported. Mean Harris hip scores of 95.54 (polyethylene liner group) and 95.23 (metal liner group) were reported at mean follow-up intervals of 3.29 and 3.23 years. Radiographic evaluation revealed no evidence of early failure. No acetabular components have been revised or are pending revision. No statistically significant differences in the data were calculated between liner types except for the immediate postoperative (P=.0415) and minimum 2-year follow-up (P=.0341) angles of inclination. The M2a-taper metal-on-metal articulation may represent a viable alternative for THA in younger, higher demand patients.