As reported in some publications^1-6, the usage of short stems in Total Hip Replacement appears to provide larger bone stock preservation for potential revision surgery.

Together with an improved load transfer to the proximal femur^1-3,6, this may reduce stress-shielding in the calcar region as shown in finite-element studies^4-6 and may enable minimally invasive procedures lowering the risk of intra-operative periprosthetic fractures^6,7*.

Schader et al.⁶ performed a prospective evaluation of clinical and radiographic 10-year results of the Zimmer Biomet Fitmore Short-Stem, where 123 Fitmore hip stems were evaluated.

At the final 10-year follow-up, 80 Fitmore Stems (78 patients: 30 female, 48 male) were eligible for evaluation. Clinical parameters were thigh pain, EQ-5D, Harris Hip Score (HHS) and Oxford Hip Score.

Radiographic parameters were cortical hypertrophy (CH), bone condensation, cortical thinning, radiolucency, reactive lines, calcar rounding, calcar resorption, subsidence and varus/valgus position.

• 99% survival rate reported (one revision due to aseptic stem loosening)

• Harris Hip Score (HHS) had improved from 59 to 94 and Oxford Hip Score from 22 to 43

• Cortical Hypertrophy rate after one year was 69% and after 10 years 74%

• In the first year, radiolucency was found in 58% and in 17.5% after 10 years

• Subsidence after one year was 1.6 ± 1.6mm and 5.0 ± 3.1mm after 10 years

The conclusion from the authors were that the Fitmore Hip Stem showed a survival rate of 99% as well as good clinical and radiographic outcomes in the long-term follow-up of 10 years. There was no correlation between the radiographic parameters, e.g. cortical hypertrophy, and the clinical outcome after 10 years.