Preliminary results of tantalum acetabular components for THA after pelvic radiation

Total hip arthroplasty after previous therapeutic pelvic radiation has been associated with high acetabular component loosening rates. We report 12 total hip arthroplasties performed in 11 patients who had therapeutic pelvic radiation to treat an underlying malignancy. The total hip arthroplasties were performed with porous tantalum trabecular metal acetabular components. No clinical failures occurred at a mean of 31 months followup (range, 24-48 months) and there were no reoperations. Harris hip scores improved from average of 46 points preoperatively to 88 points postoperatively. There was no radiographic evidence of component migration or implant loosening. Five hips had incomplete radiolucencies on immediate postoperative radiographs, and all remained unchanged or regressed on subsequent radiographs. These early clinical and radiographic results with a porous tantalum trabecular metal acetabular component are encouraging, but long-term followup studies are needed to validate durability.