Analysis of migration of press-fit porous-coated acetabular components with medial lucencies using Ein-Bild-Roentegen-Analyse.

A total of 136 patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (154 hips) with press-fit acetabular components were evaluated for the presence of medial radiographic lucencies. Thirty patients (22.1%) demonstrated radiolucencies greater than 1 mm in zone 2 on initial postoperative films. Ein-Bild-Roentegen-Analyse (EBRA) was used to evaluate component migration over a 5-year follow-up period. Migration, measured by EBRA, was not observed during the first 6 months when the radiolucencies were noted to disappear. After 2 years, the mean total migration was 0.8 mm, and at 5 years, it was 1.6 mm. Our results indicate that disappearance of a medial radiolucency seen on early postoperative radiographs is not associated with component migration, which supports the concept that the medial radiolucency fills in with bone or represents bony remodeling around a stable implant.