Subsidence of Short Stem THA With DORR Type C

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a widely accepted procedure for the treatment of end-stage hip osteoarthritis. Neck preserving short stems have gained popularity in recent years, as they aim to preserve proximal femoral bone stock and enable a more physiological load transfer. However, the use of these stems in patients with specific femoral deformities, such as DORR Type C femurs, can present unique challenges. DORR Type C femurs are characterized by decreased cortical bone thickness and increased medullary canal width, which can impact the fit and stability of the femoral stem component. Short stem total hip arthroplasty has emerged as a potential solution for these patients, as it aims to preserve proximal femoral bone stock and improve load transfer to the surrounding bone. This study seeks to investigate the measured subsidence of short stem total hip arthroplasty in patients with DORR Type C femur configuration and the clinical outcomes associated with this approach.

In hip arthroplasty, short stems represent a key advancement in the field of bone-preserving surgical techniques. Due to the relatively rapid establishment of short stems, the data situation is lagging behind in some areas, resulting in uncertainties in the indication in certain cases. One of these cases is proximal femurs with a Dorr type C configuration. This bone characteristic complicates the implantation of stems due to a thin cortical bone and a wide femoral canal and has been shown to lead to an increased complication rate. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcome of short stem implantation in Dorr type C femur. The study will include all patients who underwent implantation of the "Optimys" short stem from Mathys between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020 at the hospital Ordensklinikum Linz Barmherzige Schwestern. In addition, patients must have a type C femur according to Dorr. During a follow-up period of at least two years, the Harris Hip Score, the UCLA Activity-level Scale and the Singh Index are used to evaluate the clinical course. Radiological evaluation is carried out using pre- and postoperative X-rays, which together enable an EBRA-FCA. A statement on the migration behavior of the cementless implanted short stem in Dorr type C femur is expected. To date, it has been controversially discussed whether a Dorr type C femur provides enough structural support to achieve good primary stability for a cementless implanted short stem with tapered-wedge design. If this were not the case, the excessive migration behavior would lead to subsidence and subsequently to aseptic stem loosening and even complete failure of the prosthesis.