To evaluate the mid-term effects of different materials and coatings used for femoral components, we prospectively performed 21 one-stage bilateral total hip arthroplasties using 2 anatomical stems which have identical geometries, randomized to side. One stem was made of Ti6Al4V alloy and had a hydroxyapatite coating on grit-blasted surface proximally, and the other was made of TMZF™ alloy and had a proximal coating of hydroxyapatite in addition to an arc-deposited titanium surface coating. Although we found extensions of radiopaque lines to the surface of coatings of seven grit-blasted stems whereas we found none in the case of the arc-deposited titanium stems, all hips showed excellent clinical and radiological outcomes as shown by radiographs and bone mineral density at the final follow-up, average 5.5 years postoperatively.
Keywords: anatomical stem; arc-deposited titanium surface; beta titanium alloy; bone mineral density; grit-blasted surface; stress shielding.
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