No adverse effects of early weight bearing after uncemented total hip arthroplasty: a randomized study of 20 patients

Abstract

Background: Few guidelines are available whether early weight-bearing after an uncemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) can be recommended or not. Stability and ingrowth may be jeopardized by immediate loading of the implant while functional recovery may be promoted and periprosthetic demineralization reduced.

Patients and methods: We did a prospective study of 20 patients who were operated on with a hydroxyapatite-coated (HA), uncemented total hip arthroplasty with a tapered stem because of unilateral arthrosis, and randomized the patients to the immediate (I) or late (L) weight-bearing (after 3 months) group. The shoe on the operated side was equipped with an auditory device signaling when the patient placed a load on the extremity. The clinical assessment was done with the Harris hip score at the time of the operation and after 12 and 24 months. Radiographs and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) were evaluated for migration, femoral remodeling and bone mineral density (BMD) after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Tc-scintigraphy was done after 6, 12 and 24 months.

Results: Postoperatively, the Harris hip score showed no group difference. After 3 months, we noted a large reduction in BMD around the stem prosthesis. This was most marked in the proximal regions and the bone loss was significantly larger in zone 1, 4 and 5 in the L group. Distally, the BMD normalized with time, but the loss of bone persisted in the proximal zones after 24 months. An initial increase in the scintigraphic uptake ratio in all zones in both groups declined with time, but it was still increased on the operated side after 24 months. Several radiographic signs of bone remodeling were seen, but the patterns were similar in both groups.

Interpretation: We found no adverse effect of immediate weight bearing with this prosthesis.