Results of a tapered cementless femoral stem implanted in varus.

Varus placement of the femoral component in total hip arthroplasty has been associated with poor outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine results of total hip arthroplasty with varus alignment of a tapered titanium femoral prosthesis (Alloclassic; Sulzer, Zurich, Switzerland) at a minimum 5-year follow-up. Of a consecutive series of 585 patients, 23 met the inclusion criteria. Harris hip scores averaged 97, and all implants were clinically and radiographically stable at the most recent follow-up. In this series of patients, varus alignment of the prosthesis did not have an adverse effect on outcome. Although malalignment of the femoral prosthesis may compromise the results of some designs, the Alloclassic prosthesis has proved to be reliable and forgiving despite varus malalignment at 5 to 11 years' follow-up. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA).