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Fitek cementless cups have been adopted in our department in 1989. The first 100 consecutive Fitek implants were analyzed clinically (Harris hip score) and radiographically (anteroposterior and lateral x-rays) with a mean follow-up of 9.7 years. We did not have any case of cup loosening or any other problem requiring cup revision. In this series, we had 86 excellent, 10 good, 2 fair, and 2 poor results. The 2 poor results were because of 2 cases of aseptic loosening of the stem (1 cemented and 1 cementless). The x-rays showed an average angle of cup inclination of 36.5 degrees (range 16 degrees -54 degrees ) after surgery and no variations at the last follow-up. Bidimensional linear wear of the acetabular component showed 6 cases of measurable wear with an average wear rate per year of 0.265 mm. The overall wear rate per year was 0.02 mm. At the time of the last follow-up examination, we had 3 femoral osteolysis and no case of acetabular osteolysis. In our series, we observed "lack of contact" zones above the polar depression in 71 cases immediately after surgery. The average thickness of these lines was 1 (range 0.5-3.5) mm. Of these, at the last follow-up, 61 cases (86%) showed a complete "filling" of the "lack of contact," whereas in 10 (24%), the "filling" was incomplete (4 cases still showing a radiolucent line [

Three patients with posterior dislocation of the hip associated with Pipkin type II fracture of the femoral head were treated surgically by removal of the cephalic fragment, as closed reduction had not been satisfactory. The clinical and radiographic results were good after 1 year, and none of the patients showed radiographic signs of avascular necrosis.

The writers present a case of spontaneous cure of spondylolytic spondylolisthesis in a child aged twelve, which resulted in an almost perfect result within three years. This is an extremely rare occurrence, only five cases having previously been reported.

The authors report 19 operations according to the Maquet technique for patellofemoral arthritis or chondromalacia between 1977 and 1984. The same procedure and technique were used in all cases but the results were better in chondromalacia which were good in 64% of the cases compared with 38% in arthritis. After discussing the problems of clinical and radiographic evaluation, the authors conclude that after a long period of rehabilitation satisfactory results are obtained in chondromalacia, while only limited success is achieved in arthritis.

The authors describe a case of intraspinal extradural ganglionic cyst. This is a rare condition which has not previously been reported in the literature. The differential diagnosis is discussed.

After a five year experience with two models of uncemented total hip prosthesis (Lord model and Mittelmeier model), two surgical teams analysed and compared the results in 88 cases with a view to ascertaining if there were any advantages of one model over the other. This was a prospective survey recording the standard parameters of assessment commonly accepted, and was subjected to statistical analysis. The results showed no superiority of one model over the other but they have reinforced our conviction of the superiority of uncemented prostheses over the cemented type.

The results of 58 cementless total hip prostheses (Lord madreporous type) were evaluated 4 to 7 years after implantation. The functional results were generally satisfactory, although in approximately half the cases some pain was still present. Radiographic examination allowed us to analyse the response of the diaphyseal bone to the different situations of the endomedullary implant. Acetabular wear, which is one of the factors which may influence the long-term results, was also evaluated.

The authors present a case of loosening of the acetabular cup of a total prosthesis resulting from an injury which caused a fracture of the acetabulum. This does not appear to have been previously recorded in the literature. This case also presented a problem of treatment and emphasizes the need for intercompatibility of prosthetic components should only one need replacement. Bone grafts were used in this case to reinforce the acetabular roof for the secure seating of a replacement cup--in this case a cementless acetabular component screwed into the bony acetabulum.