Limitation of total hip arthroplasty of the acetabular roof by press-fit without screw fixation: discussion of a biomechanical study

Abstract

In total hip arthroplasty of the acetabular roof fixed by press-fit without screw fixation, there is little possibility for loosening to occur, because it is difficult for wear debris to enter between the cup and the acetabular roof, as screw holes are not present. However, stability is provided only by contact. In the case of acetabular dysplasia, it is not well understood whether sufficient initial fixation power is provided. We performed a torsion test and a lever-out test. In the torsion test, in the case of a normal hip joint, as the cup grew bigger, the fixation power tended to increase in strength. In the acetabular dysplasia model, with cups of each size, as the protrusion angle increased, the fixation power of the cup tended to become weak. When the protrusion angle approaches 15 degrees, we must use a cup that is 4 mm larger than the original cup to achieve the same initial fixation power. Furthermore, when the protrusion angle is 15 degrees in cups that are over 48 mm in size, we obtain fixation power that is theoretically adequate, but when small cups, for example, 46 mm in size are set with protrusion, the initial fixation power decreases significantly, and we cannot obtain a fixation power that is theoretically adequate.