Failure of HA coating on a gritblasted acetabular cup: 155 patients followed for 7-10 years.

We report the outcome of 191 acetabular gritblasted titanium cups with a hemispherical design for press-fit insertion and coated with hydroxyapatite. The prosthesis was made of gritblasted titanium entirely coated with hydroxyapatite. 155 patients aged 15-78 years were operated on during the years 1991-1993 and followed for 7-10 years. During this period, 39 cups were revised because of mechanical loosening, a further 9 had radiolucent lines and 2 focal osteolysis. None of these 11 patients had clinical symptoms. Failure was associated with age, wear and radiolucency/osteolysis. At revision, we found that the soft tissues were discolored, and that most of the coating had disappeared. This design of hydroxyapatite-coated cups has a high rate of debonding and failure.