Primary ToMinimized Distal Stem: The gradual change in stiffness of the wedge design is less likely to cause thigh pain. In a study of 297 primary hips of a competitive design, 12% of the patients reported thigh pain at one year follow-up. A direct correlation was found between stem size and thigh pain. In general, thigh pain increased with stem size due to increasing bending stiffness. This creates abnormally high femoral stresses at the distal tip of the component1. The Linear® hip stem has a more tapered distal stem to decrease this stiffness and reduce the incidence of thigh pain.
Bibliography:
Survival of polished compared with precoated Roughened Cemented Femoral components. JBJA Am.2008;90:1457-63
Results of the Anatomic Medullary Locking Total Hip Arthroplasty at a Minimum of Twenty years. JBJS Am.2008;90;1524-30.
Influence of Surgical Experience on Accuracy of Acetabular cup Positioning in Total hip Arthroplasty. Am J Orthop; 2008 (7):360-363