Ahmad M Zedan, Jessica L Abrolat, Maithily Diaz, Alan Zhong, Jeffrey J Barry, Erik N Hansen, Stefano A Bini, Claudio Diaz-Ledezma
Cementless CTTS demonstrated reliable early fixation with no femoral failures in a rigorously defined osteoporotic cohort. These findings suggest that cementless CTTS may be a viable option for femoral fixation in osteoporotic patients undergoing elective THA.
BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a well-established risk factor for early femoral failure following cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA). The performance of cementless collared triple-taper stems (CTTSs) in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of osteoporosis remains poorly defined. This study aimed to evaluate early clinico-radiographic outcomes of CTTS in osteoporotic patients undergoing elective THA.
METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 96 patients (87.5% women; mean age 69.5 ± 7.4 years) who underwent elective THA with a CTTS between 2018 and 2025. Osteoporosis was confirmed by either dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry T-score ≤ -2.5 or history of fragility fracture. Preoperative morphology and postoperative canal fill ratios, alignment, and subsidence (>3 mm) were assessed. Femoral failure was defined as periprosthetic fracture or aseptic loosening.
RESULTS: Preoperative morphology demonstrated a predominance of wide canals (Dorr B: 67.5%, Dorr C: 26%) and a mean morphological cortical index of 2.55. Postoperatively, high mean canal fill ratios were achieved (Z1: 0.66; Z2: 0.79; Z3: 0.76; Z4: 0.74), indicating reliable metaphyseal and diaphyseal fit. Despite osteoporotic bone quality, no cases of measurable subsidence were observed. Prominent collars occurred in 34.4% and neocortex formation in 5.2%, with no associated complications. At a mean follow-up of 2 years (range 1-7), the primary outcome of femoral failure was 0% at 90 days, 1 year, and final follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS: Cementless CTTS demonstrated reliable early fixation with no femoral failures in a rigorously defined osteoporotic cohort. These findings suggest that cementless CTTS may be a viable option for femoral fixation in osteoporotic patients undergoing elective THA.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Therapeutic study.