Clinical and radiological results with a 36-mm cobalt-chrome prosthetic head, cross-linked Durasul liners associated with Allofit cups: a more than 10-year follow-up period

Highly cross-linked polyethylene is currently a common articulation surface used for total hip arthroplasty (THA).

The aim of the present study is in vivo assessment of highly cross-linked Durasul polyethylene linear and volumetric wear when associated with a 36-mm prosthetic femoral head.

We retrospectively reviewed clinical and radiographic data of 78 patients (81 hips) having primary THAs using Durasul liner combined with a 36-mm CoCr prosthetic head. All of them were followed for more than 10 years. Patient outcome was assessed with the Harris Hip Score (HHS) preoperatively and at last follow-up. 2-D prosthetic head penetration into polyethylene, 3D wear rates and cup migration were evaluated.

The preoperative and last follow-up HHS were 50.43 +/− 10.42 and 97.44 +/− 5.51 respectively. The annual penetration of the prosthetic head into Durasul^® liner was 0.029 +/− 0.003 mm. The annual linear penetration and volumetric wear extrapolation rates using Charnley and Ilchmann formulas were 37.84% and 57.76% respectively of that seen with conventional polyethylene liner. At last follow-up, the total loss of material in Durasul represents only 0.15% of the initial polyethylene mass. We did not observe any significant cup migration in the study group.

Results are promising, and we believe that these data authorise the continued use of highly cross-linked polyethylene liner associated with a 36-mm prosthetic head for total hip arthroplasties in older patients. More long-term follow-up studies are mandatory before we feel comfortable with the project of using cross-linked polyethylene in young and active patients instead of ceramic-on-ceramic bearings.