The Effect of a Hydroxyapatite and Tricalcium - Phosphate Coating on Titanium Fiber - Mesh Stem

Kang, Seung Baik; Lee, Ji Ho; Park, Jin Soo; Youn, Kang Seob

Abstract

Seventy-three uncemented total hip arthroplasties in the sixty-four patients were studied as a retrospective manner. Hydroxyapatite and tricalcium-phosphate (HA/TCP Calcicoat) coated titanium fiber-mesh stems were used in forty-eight cases and the identical components but without hydroxyapatite coating were used in the other twenty-five cases. The distribution of the patients in two groups showed no statistically significant differences and the same porous coated hemispherical acetabular components were used in two groups. At the time of two year follow-up after the operation, the mean Harris hip score and the Enghs radiographic assessment score were 95.5 and 19.8, respectively, in the HA/TCP Calcicoat tm group and 94.4 and 19.2, respectively, in the non-coated group. None of these differences were statistically significant. At three months after operation, the frequency of the thigh pain was 8.3% in the HA/TCP Calcicoat tm group and 20% in the non-coated group, which was also not significantly different (p=0.24). There were no revisions in either group. All the femoral components except one among the non-coated group showed stable bony fixation in both groups and no differences in Enghs radiographic assessment criteria were detected between the two groups. There seemed to be a tendency of early pain relief and more endosteal new bone formation in the HA/TCP Calcicoat TM group, which, however, failed to show a statistically significant clinical or radiographic differences. This result is considered as preliminary and longer follow-up should be required to uncover any hidden advantages or disadvantages of the HA/TCP Calcicoat TM coating on titanium fiber-mesh stem.