OBJECTIVETo evaluate the bone refilling in the interface between the trabecular metal (TM) acetabular shell and the bone surface according to consecutive X film measuring after surgery.

METHODSFrom July 2006 to July 2007, 35 patients (40 hips) accepted total hip replacement using trabecular metal monoblock acetabular cup system (TM). The cup was made of a ellipse shaped press fit Tantalum shell and high cross-linked PE liner (Longevity) with 28 mm inner diameter. The patients demography was: 16 male (20 hips), 19 female (20 hips), 5 bilateral hip replacements, age from 41 - 71 (mean 53), including 18 avascular necrosis hips, 16 osteoarthritis hips (including those secondary to a dysplasia hip), 4 avascular necrosis hips after femoral neck fracture, 2 Ankylosis Spondylitis. All the 40 total hip replacements used posterior approach, using hemispherical acetabular reamer and 2 mm press fit of final metal shell without screw fixation. The consecutive X film was taken at the end time of surgery and 2, 6, 12, 24 weeks, and 12 months. The clinical results was evaluate according to Harris scoring system, and the standard pelvis AP X film was measured at the interface between metal shell and the acetabular bone surface, witch was divided into five regions (A, B, C, D, E).

RESULTSTotally 32 patients (37 hips) were followed with average 8.7 months (7 - 12 months). The Harris before surgery was 50.5 (32 - 85), promoted to 91.0 (72 - 100), including 29 excellent, 6 good, 2 fair, and the total excellent and good rate was 94.6%. Complications include 4 patients leg length discrepancy from 1 - 2 cm, 3 patients moderate thigh pain and released after conservative therapy. No infection and dislocation was found. Twenty-one patients (23 hips) were found lucent line at the bone-metal interface from 1 - 5 mm, most common in B region and BC boundary than C, D, and CD boundary. All the patients followed was found the lucent line disappeared and refilled with bone at X film 24 weeks after surgery, however, no patients was found osteolysis and cup migration.

CONCLUSIONThe trabecular metal has strong capacity of bone conductive and bone inducement.