Abstract
Background
Despite growing interest in direct anterior approach total hip arthroplasty, perioperative femoral fracture and early aseptic loosening are increasingly recognized complications. Previous research has documented the role of surgeon experience in association with these femoral complications. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between femoral component design and early periprosthetic femoral complications.
Methods
This was an extension of previous work with an updated patient cohort of 5090 consecutive direct anterior primary total hip arthroplasties at a single institution with a single-taper, wedge femoral stem with 4 variants involving length and geometry: Group 1) full length, standard profile; Group 2) full length, reduced distal profile; Group 3) short length, standard profile; and Group 4) short length, reduced distal profile. Records were reviewed retrospectively for the incidence of early periprosthetic fracture or aseptic loosening and analyzed with regard to patient demographics and femoral stem type.
Results
There were 42 (0.83%) periprosthetic femur complications observed in the early postoperative period. Increased age (p<0.001) and female gender (p=0.023) were significantly associated with incidence of femoral complications in univariate analysis, while age maintained this significant relationship in multivariate analysis (P<0.001). There was a trend toward increased complication rate in patients receiving a short stem with full profile taper (1.27%, p=0.0539).
Conclusion
Despite an overall low rate of femoral complications after direct anterior total hip arthroplasty, the risk is increased in elderly patients and females. Furthermore, femoral stem design may portend an elevated risk of these complications.
