Short-term clinical outcomes on a new dual-taper wedge femoral stem in total hip replacement

Background: Short femoral stems have become increasingly popular in total hip arthroplasty (THA), offering potential advantages such as bone preservation and improved load transfer. The Everglade stem (Signature orthopedics Australia), a novel dual-tapered design, aims to enhance initial stability while minimizing complications such as subsidence and fracture. This study evaluates the short-term clinical and radiological outcomes of the Everglade stem. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 100 consecutive patients (41 men, 59 women; mean age 68 years) who underwent THA using the Everglade stem at the Delray beach surgical center, a physician-owned ambulatory surgical center (ASC), between December 2022 and January 2023. Pre-operative and post-operative hip disability and osteoarthritis outcome score (HOOS-Jr) data were collected. Radiological outcomes, including stem subsidence, periprosthetic fracture, and osteolysis, were assessed at the 6-week and 6-month follow-ups. Results: The median follow-up was 161.5 days (IQR 43-187). The mean HOOS-Jr score improved from 57.07 pre-operatively to 86.03 at 6 weeks and 92.7 at the latest follow-up. No cases of stem subsidence, periprosthetic fracture, or osteolysis were observed at any follow-up. There were no stem revisions or postoperative infections. Conclusions: The Everglade stem demonstrated promising short-term outcomes, with significant improvements in patient-reported functional scores and no radiological complications. Longer-term studies are needed to evaluate the stem’s durability and long-term performance.