Cemented Total Hip Arthroplasty: Still Relevant in the New Millennium?

Total hip arthroplasty can be performed successfully using cement or cementless technology. Cemented femoral stems can achieve enduring long-term suvivorship as long as meticulous surgical technique is utilized and patient selection is appropriate. Cemented acetabular components should only be utilized in patients with less than 10 years of remaining life expectancy. Critical risk factors for cemented total hip arthroplasty include atrophic osteoarthritis on the acetabular side and unfavorable femoral geometry for the femoral stem such as ‘‘the stove-pipe’’ canal. Rapid polyethylene wear and oseolysis are rarely seen in contemporary cemented total hip arthroplasty performed with a smooth, tapered, collarless femoral stem with a highly polished head and a well-designed acetabular component. (Journal of the Southern Orthopaedic Association 12(2):79–82, 2003)