Tantalum Versus Titanium Acetabular Cups in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty: Current Concept and a Review of the Current Literature

Document Type : CURRENT CONCEPTS REVIEW

Authors

1 Department of Orthopaedics, Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, United Lincolnshire NHS trust, Lincolnshire, UK

2 University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trusts, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Infirmary Square, Leicester, LE1 5WW

Abstract

Background: Primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) is becoming an increasingly popular and efficacious medical procedure. 
There have been a number of studies evaluating tantalum acetabular cups compared with the conventional titanium 
acetabular cups for use in total hip arthroplasties. We conducted a systematic review and summarize clinical studies 
comparing tantalum acetabular cups with the conventional titanium acetabular cups for use in primary total hip arthroplasties.
Methods: A literature search was performed to find all relevant clinical studies until March 2020, which then underwent 
a further selection criteria. The inclusion criteria was set as follows: Reporting on human patients undergoing primary 
total hip arthroplasty; Direct comparison between tantalum acetabular cups with conventional titanium acetabular cups 
for use in primary total hip arthroplasty; Radiological evaluation (cup migration, osteointegration); Clinical (functional 
scores, need for subsequent revision, patient-reported outcomes; Post-operative complications; Reporting findings in 
the English Language. After a thorough search a total of six studies were included in the review. The primary outcome 
measures were clinical outcomes, implant migration, change in bone mineral density and rate of revision and infection. 
Results: Tantalum is superior to titanium with regards to fewer radiolucencies, 100% survivorship at 12 years postoperatively, improved long-term implant osteointegration and survivorship as well as decreasing osteolysis and 
mechanical loosening. There has been no significant difference in radioisometric analysis, bone mineral density or 
Harris Hip Score. Revision and infection rates were found to be significantly lower in tantalum group at 10 years from 
pooled data of national joint registry (England and Wales), while it was found to be higher in the same at 9 years from 
pooled data of Swedish and Australian registry although this is not statistically significant.
Conclusion: The use of tantalum should be reserved for cases of high risk of failure or mechanical loosening, where 
failure of a contralateral joint occurred. The use of Tantalum carries lower risk of failure and infection. Further studies 
with longer follow-up would be useful in drawing further conclusions. 
Level of evidence: II

Keywords

The Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery
Volume 10, Issue 5
May 2022
Pages 385-394

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History

  • Receive Date: 28 January 2021
  • Revise Date: 13 June 2021
  • Accept Date: 24 July 2021
  • First Publish Date: 30 August 2021

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