The results of early clinical trials with a microporus coated metal hip prosthesis.

In an attempt to find a better method of attaching a prosthesis to bone, a microporous coating system, with a pore width of approximately 50 microns was chosen for evaluation. A microporous coated Austin-Moore type prosthesis was inserted into 34 patients, and the results were studied for a three-year period. Four cases required reoperations, and ten cases demonstrated radiolucent lines around the prosthesis suggesting that bone ingrowth had not occurred. This article analyzes the reasons for failure of ingrowth and suggests modifications in the prosthesis design and postoperative management that hopefully will be effective.