The status of periprosthetic bone stock is an important concern when revision total hip arthroplasty is undertaken. Remodeling of periprosthetic femoral bone after total hip arthroplasty has been studied extensively, and the phenomenon of femoral stress-shielding has been well characterized. Finite element analysis and computer-simulated remodeling theory have predicted that retroacetabular bone-mineral density decreases after total hip arthroplasty; however, remodeling of periprosthetic pelvic bone in this setting has yet to be well defined. This study was conducted to evaluate the short-term natural history of periacetabular bone-mineral density following primary total hip arthroplasty.
Periacetabular bone-mineral density was studied prospectively in a group of twenty-six patients who underwent primary hybrid total hip arthroplasty for the treatment of advanced osteoarthritis. Density within the central part of the ilium (directly cephalad to a press-fit acetabular component) was assessed with serial quantitative computed tomography. Baseline density was measured within the first five days following the total hip arthroplasty. Ipsilateral density measurements were repeated at an average of 1.28 years postoperatively. Density values at corresponding levels of the contralateral ilium were obtained at both time-points in all patients to serve as internal controls.
Bone-mineral density decreased significantly (p< or =0.001) between the two time-points on the side of the operation. The mean absolute magnitude of the interval density reduction (75 mg/cc) was greatest immediately adjacent to the implant (p<0.001), but it was also significantly reduced (by 35 mg/cc) at a distance of 10 mm cephalad to the implant (p = 0.001). Relative declines in mean density ranged from 33% to 20% of the baseline values. No focal bone resorption (osteolysis) was detected at the time of this short-term follow-up study. With the numbers available, no significant interval alteration in bone-mineral density was found on the untreated (internal control) side (p> or =0.07).
We suggest that the observed decline in bone-mineral density represents a remodeling response to an altered stress pattern within the pelvis that was induced by the presence of the acetabular implant. This finding corroborates the predictions of finite element analysis and computer-simulated remodeling theory. It remains to be seen whether this trend of atrophy of retroacetabular bone stock will continue with longer follow-up or will ultimately affect the long-term stability of press-fit acetabular components.