The aim of the study was to analyze results of hip arthroplasty with the use of the hydroxy-apatite-coated Corail stem.
The study group consisted of 134 patients (85 females and 49 males) who underwent 138 hip joint arthroplasties with the use of the Corail stem. The mean age of the patients at surgery was 56.8 years (range from 22 to 75 years). The mean follow-up period was 110.45 months.
Before surgery all patients were calssified as poor according to the Merle d'Aubigne i Postela classification modified by Charnley. The mean post-operative improvement was 6.8 points. The outcomes were classified as excellent in 98 patients, good in 26, satisfactory in 8 and poor in 6. Poor results were always related to loosening of implant components: aseptic loosening of the acetabular cup in 4 cases, of the stem in 1 case and septic loosening of the whole endoprothesis in 1 case. Periosteal calcification was noted in 13 cases (9.4%). According to the Kaplan-Meier estimator, 8 years' survival rate was 93.33% for the whole implant and 97.77% for the stem.
1. Our follow-up data from a mean of nearly 10 years indicate that the use of the Corail stem substantially reduces hip pain and produces a lasting good clinical outcome. 2. With good surgical technique and in the absence of complications, the risk of aseptic loosening is minimal.