Abstract

Selective augmentation of the acetabular component with screws during primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) assumes that the surgeon can detect when an acetabular component needs added stability. In contrast, non-selective screw users do not alter their practice based on their interpretation of stability and either use screws all or none of the time. We aimed to determine the effect of selective screw use on aseptic acetabular component loosening. We retrospectively reviewed aseptic failures of THA acetabular components. We compared the survivorship of selective to non-selective supplementation of acetabular fixation with screws, and compared time to revision, obesity and selective screw use. Selective screw use (n=16) was associated with earlier acetabular component aseptic loosening (median 1.9 years; interquartile range (IQR) 1.1-5.0) compared to non-selective screw use (n=22; median 5.6 years; IQR 2.0- 15.3, p = 0.010). Selective screw use was independently associated with earlier revision after adjusting for patient obesity. Obesity was associated with selective screw use in 50% of the cases versus 14% of non-selective cases (OR 6.3 CI 1.2-25.2, p = 0.028), possibly reflecting the increased difficulty in achieving acetabular component stability in this and other settings with compromised bone. Surgeons should carefully assess component stability at time of primary THA. If the acetabulum is not stable, the addition of screws alone may not be sufficient for acetabular component stability. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

View details for DOI 10.1002/jor.24649

View details for PubMedID 32157712