The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American). 2008;90:52-56.
doi:10.2106/JBJS.H.00690
© 2008 The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc.
Anatomic Diameter Femoral Heads in Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Preliminary Report
Steven A. Stuchin, MD1
1 NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, 301 East 17th Street, New York, NY 10003. E-mail address: Steven.Stuchin{at}nyumc.org
Disclosure: The author did not receive any outside funding or grants in support of his research for or preparation of this work. Neither he nor a member of his immediate family received payments or other benefits or a commitment or agreement to provide such benefits from a commercial entity. No commercial entity paid or directed, or agreed to pay or direct, any benefits to any research fund, foundation, division, center, clinical practice, or other charitable or nonprofit organization with which the author, or a member of his immediate family, is affiliated or associated.
Background: The stability of total hip replacements has been directly related to the diameter of the femoral head in several studies; however, durability has necessitated the use of femoral heads with a relatively small diameter. Recent developments in metal-on-metal technology have allowed for the use of femoral head bearings that are anatomic in diameter. In this case series, we report on the early results of patients who were at greater risk for dislocation because of anatomic deficiencies or increased range-of-motion activities and underwent hip arthroplasty with implants that had articulating surfaces approaching anatomic dimensions.
Methods: Thirty-four patients underwent forty total hip arthroplasties with use of a modular metal-on-metal articulation with an anatomic diameter femoral head and a press-fit stem. Thirty patients were active, and four patients were profoundly disabled and had bone or soft-tissue deficiencies that would increase the risk for dislocation. Dislocation precautions were maintained for six weeks, and patients were allowed extreme ranges of motion at three months.
Results: There were no dislocations. Active patients continued in extreme range-of-motion activities. Disabled patients improved but were limited by their comorbidities.
Conclusions: Anatomic diameter femoral heads offer distinct theoretical advantages in total hip arthroplasty. These short-term results are encouraging, and further study of this new technology in a larger series with a longer follow-up period is warranted.
Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

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Letters to the Editor:
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- Anatomic Diameter Femoral Heads in Total Hip Arthroplasty:A Preliminary Report
- Dr Sunil Gurpur Kini, et al.
- JBJS Online, 19 Aug 2008
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- Dr. Stuchin responds to Drs Kini and Maduri
- Steven A Stuchin
- JBJS Online, 8 Sep 2008
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