Long-term follow-up result of short metaphyseal femoral stem in primary total hip arthroplasty: A retrospective study.

Background: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) has increased along with an increasing demand for improved quality of life. Combined with prolonged life expectancy, the number of revision surgeries is expected to increase. Stress shielding is a significant issue with traditional femoral stems used in THA, making revision surgeries particularly challenging in younger patients. This has sparked renewed interest in studying safety and functional outcomes of short metaphyseal femoral stems, which have the potential to alleviate these challenges and simplify revision surgeries.

Aim: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of short-stem THA.

Methods: A total of 124 hips that underwent THA using the short femoral stem (TRILOCK^® Depuy) between May 2006 and November 2008 were included in this study. Patients were followed for a period of 15 years. Outcomes were assessed in terms of pain relief, hip joint range of motion, improvement in mobility, and functional outcomes using the modified Harris Hip Score, Oxford hip score, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis index score.

Results: A total of 124 hips in 98 patients were evaluated. Significant improvements in functional outcomes were observed over the 15-year follow-up period, with no cases of subsidence, implant loosening, or complications necessitating revision surgery. The only complication reported was heterotopic ossification in 1 patient.

Conclusion: Short metaphyseal stems provide better functional outcomes with early mobilization, and its long-term follow-up without subsidence, implant loosening, or proximal femoral bone loss simplifies revision surgery in younger patients.