Changes in bone mineral density in the proximal femur after cementless total hip arthroplasty. A five-year longitudinal study

J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2004 Jan;86(1):20-6.

Abstract

We investigated prospectively the bone mineral density (BMD) of the proximal femur after implantation of a tapered rectangular cementless stem in 100 patients with a mean age of 60 years (16 to 87). It was determined using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, performed one week after surgery and then every six months until the end-point of five years. The BMD increased significantly in Gruen zones 2, 4 and 5 by 11%, 3% and 11% respectively, and decreased significantly in Gruen zones 1, 6 and 7 by 3%, 6% and 14% respectively, over the five-year period. The net mean BMD did not change over this time period. The changes in the BMD were not confined to the first 12 months after surgery. This investigation revealed no change in the overall periprosthetic BMD, but demonstrated a regional redistribution of bone mass from the proximal to distal zones.

MeSH terms

  • Absorptiometry, Photon
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / methods*
  • Bone Density / physiology*
  • Female
  • Femoral Fractures / physiopathology*
  • Femoral Fractures / surgery
  • Femur / physiology
  • Hip Prosthesis
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies