Tapered hydroxyapatite-coated press-fit stems: any added value?

This study compares the efficacy of hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated press-fit stems versus porous coated press-fit stems with a minimum 2-year follow up. Of the 1152 patients in the study, 69 had an HA-coated grit blasted cemented stem inserted (6%), whereas 1083 (94%) had a porous coated stem inserted. A detailed clinical and radiographic analysis demonstrated that there was no clinical difference at an average 4-year follow up. Similarly, there was no radiographic difference when the HA group was compared with the porous coated group. Thus, there is no need for HA coating on a tapered titanium stem in primary total hip arthroplasty in patients with osteoarthritis.