Abstract
Aims: The aim of this study was to compare the efþcacy of plastic and bone block cement restrictor as a medullary plug in total hip replacement. Methods: In this pro- spective study all patients undergoing a primary charnley total hip replacement were randomised to receive either a Hardinge cement restrictor or a Bone block. The medullary plug was inserted to a constant distance. Postoperative standardised radiographs were assessed. The length of the distal mantle was compared between the two groups. Results: 119 hips with a bone block (BB) and 85 hips with a Hardinge plastic cement restrictor (CR) were analysed over a period of 4 years. Analysis of the data by the application of the Two-sample t Ð test, ANOVA and Mann Ð Whitney test revealed a statistically signiþcant difference between the two groups (p < 0.0001). 95% CI limits for BB (a) & CR (a)(t Ð test) = (−12.9, −6.6); 95% CI (Mann-Whitney test) = (−13.002, −8.001). Results show that the plastic cement restrictor migrates distally to a greater degree than the bone plug. Conclusion: Interdigitation of cement into the cancellous endosteal bed depends on intramedullary pressure. The depth of the cement mantle is a measure of the intramedullary pressure and the function of the cement restrictor. We conclude that the bone plug is better in primary hip replacements.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Dr. Frantz Langlais. Correspondence should be addressed to him at EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.