Publication:

Short-term clinical outcomes on a new dual-taper wedge femoral stem in total hip replacement

Background Short femoral stems have become increasingly popular in total hip arthroplasty (THA), offering potential advantages such as bone preservation and improved load transfer. The Everglade stem (Signature orthopedics Australia), a novel dual-tapered design, aims to enhance initial stability while minimizing complications such as subsidence and fracture. This study evaluates the short-term clinical and radiological outcomes of the Everglade stem.

Methods We conducted a retrospective review of 100 consecutive patients (41 men, 59 women; mean age 68 years) who underwent THA using the Everglade stem at the Delray beach surgical center, a physician-owned ambulatory surgical center (ASC), between December 2022 and January 2023. Pre-operative and post-operative hip disability and osteoarthritis outcome score (HOOS-Jr) data were collected. Radiological outcomes, including stem subsidence, periprosthetic fracture, and osteolysis, were assessed at the 6-week and 6-month follow-ups.

Results The median follow-up was 161.5 days (IQR 43-187). The mean HOOS-Jr score improved from 57.07 pre-operatively to 86.03 at 6 weeks and 92.7 at the latest follow-up. No cases of stem subsidence, periprosthetic fracture, or osteolysis were observed at any follow-up. There were no stem revisions or postoperative infections.

Conclusions The Everglade stem demonstrated promising short-term outcomes, with significant improvements in patient-reported functional scores and no radiological complications. Longer-term studies are needed to evaluate the stem’s durability and long-term performance.