EPIPHYSEAL REPLACEMENT PROSTHESIS.

Conventional total hip arthroplasty is a highly successful surgical procedure for treatment of severe arthritis of the hip. However, the incidence of mechanical failures in the form of femoral component loosening and stem fracture has become an increasingly significant problem, especially in younger patients, and has renewed interest in conservative alternatives. One such alternative is the Epiphyseal Replacement Prosthesis, a new research-based design which incorporates the interface contours suggested by the geometry of the epiphyseal plate or scar. Finite element stress analyses have shown that interface contours of this geometry transfer stresses from the prosthesis to the bone in a much more natural manner than previous designs. Animal studies are now being planned to verify the theoretical model and to provide an in vivo biological and clinical evaluation.