Uncemented total hip arthroplasty; increased risk of early periprosthetic fracture requiring revision surgery in elderly females.

Purpose: The preferred method of stem fixation in total hip arthroplasty (THA) remains debatable. Uncemented THA favors a lower rate of aseptic loosening but has an increased risk of early periprosthetic fractures (EPF). We hypothesize that routine placement of uncemented THA by experienced surgeons diminishes this EPF-risk. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of age, gender, ASA classification and BMI of THA performed by experienced surgeons on the risk of EPF.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study including all primary THAs and revision surgeries performed between 2012 and 2018. Possible predictive factors included are age, gender, BMI, ASA classification, presence of osteoporosis, Dorr classification, revision surgery type and clinical outcome. A number needed to treat (NNT) analysis was conducted assuming that cementing THA prevents EPF.

Results: 2635 primary THAs were performed. Indications for 70 revisions included 18 EPF in uncemented THA female patients. Periprosthetic fractures without a relevant trauma occurred within six weeks in 16 patients. There was a statistically significant correlation between EPF-risk and age ( = 0.032), female gender ( = 0.001) and ASA classification ( = 0.015). For age ≥75, there was an increase in EPF ( = 0.047). With the assumption that cementing would prevent EPF, the NNT is 48. No statistically significant correlation was found between EPF and BMI, osteoporosis or Dorr classification.

Conclusion: Female patients aged ≥75 have an increased EPF-risk after uncemented THA and would therefore benefit from treatment with a cemented stem. An ASA score of III-IV is an independent risk factor for EPF after uncemented THA.