Comparison between straight- and curved-stem Müller femoral prostheses

Abstract

Between 1977 and 1982, 545 cemented femoral prostheses were implanted, in combination with a noncoated cementless polyethylene acetabular component (RM cup). Three hundred and eighty-one straight-stem and 76 curved-stem Miller femoral components were implanted, as well as 88 collared components with a 130-mm stem and a 130° neck-shaft angle, derived from a long-stem steel prosthesis. Survivorship analysis of revisions for aseptic loosening at 10 years revealed 97% straight-stem survival, 91.6% curved-stem survival, and 88.3% 130° stem survival. “Survival” curves were also constructed for radiological loosening, and the survival rates (patients without radiological evidence of loosening) were 69.8%, 78.8%, and 63.1% respectively at 10 years. The 130° collared stem was associated with significantly less acetabular loosening than the other prostheses. This resulted in less calcar resorption, but there was a higher rate of stem loosening. Acetabular loosening and associated wear products appear to be responsible for calcar resorption, and stress shielding of the calcar appears to be of minor importance in the pathogenesis of aseptic stem loosening. Better cementing techniques have improved survivorship of the curved-stem prosthesis, and early fears of high rates of radiological loosening with the straight stem have not been substantiated.