Histology of the bone-implant interface 45 years after bilateral implantation of a Judet acrylic hip prosthesis: a case report.

Abstract

The Judet acrylic femoral head hemiprosthesis was first implanted in 1946. We performed bilateral revision in one patient 45 years after implantation of a Judet prosthesis. Histological analysis of femoral neck remnants and joint capsule did not show aggressive osteoclastic bone resorption or signs of dynamic bone apposition as is frequently observed nowadays with failed total hip prostheses. Only limited tissue reaction was seen with some macrophages with a foamy cytoplasm. This case report confirms the extremely good tissue tolerance of PMMA, as reported by Judet in 1950, even after 45 years follow-up.