Changes of periprosthetic bone density after implantation of an anatomical femoral stem with cemented and cementless fixation

This prospective 12 months dual energy x-ray absorptiometry study evaluated differences in periprosthetic bone mineral density (BMD) in 25 patients undergoing cementless and in 18 patients undergoing cemented unilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA) using the Optan stem, which has the same geometric design for both fixation options. The clinical outcome scores after one year were excellent in both groups. Periprosthetic BMD measurement demonstrated bone loss medially and laterally in the proximal femoral regions following cementless fixation, whereas cemented fixation resulted in predominantly lateral bone resorption. The fixation technique appeared to have a major influence on the femoral BMD changes after THA.