The optimal surface finish for a cemented THA stem is still debated. We hypothesized surface finish would influence survival
of Kerboull cemented hip arthroplasties and a matte finish would have lower survival. We reviewed survival of 433 total hip
arthroplasties in 395 patients: 284 consecutive patients (310 hips) were enrolled in a prospective, randomized study of polished
(165 hips) or matte finish stems (145 hips) and compared to a historical series of satin stems (123 hips) in 111 patients.
The satin and matte finish implants had similar geometry but the polished was quadrangular rather than oval. Finish roughnesses
were: polished (radius, 0.04 μm), satin (radius, 0.9 μm), and matte (radius, 1.7 μm). The mean age of the patients at the
time of the index arthroplasty was 63.6 years. The survival rate at 13 years, using radiographic loosening as the end point,
was 97.3% ± 2.6% for polished stems, 97.1% ± 2.1% for satin stems, and 78.9% ± 5.8% for matte stems. The data suggest survival
of Kerboull stems was higher with a polished or satin surface finish than with a matte finish.
Level of Evidence: Level II, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
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and that all investigations were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research.