Abstract
The selection of an acetabular component for primary hip arthroplasty has narrowed significantly over the past 10 years. Although monoblock components demonstrated excellent long-term success the difficulty with insertion and failure to fully appreciate full coaptation of contact with the acetabular floor has led to almost complete elimination of its utilization. Modular acetabular components usually with titanium shells and highly crosslinked polyethylene are by far the most utilised today. This is particularly true with mid-term results demonstrating excellent wear rates and extremely low failure rates and the concern of possible mechanical failure of highly crosslinked polyethylene not being a clinical problem. Ceramic liners are also used but problems with squeaking articulations and liner chipping have made highly crosslinked polyethylene the preferred liner material. Metal-on-metal except in surface replacement arthroplasty is rarely used in primary hip arthroplasty.
With instability in total hip replacement still being a significant and the leading cause of revision hip replacement the dual mobility articulation has emerged as an increasingly used acetabular component. This is composed of either a monoblock cobalt chrome socket articulating with a large polyethylene liner into which the femoral head is constrained. The polyethylene liner becomes essentially a larger femoral head articulation and hip stability is significantly improved. A modular dual mobility can also be utilised with a titanium shell and a cobalt chrome liner inserted into the shell and then a dual mobility articulation. In a recent series of 182 dual mobility cups, all monoblock ADM, in high risk patients undergoing primary total hip replacement there was 1 interprosthetic dislocation which occurred during reduction of a dislocation. Average follow up was 4.4 years with a range of 2–6.6 years.
