Elevated-rim acetabular liner enhances stability in total hip arthroplasty and has been widely accepted. But it has potential adverse effects. So, we assessed the effects of the elevated-rim acetabular liner clinically and radiologically.

We reviewed the results of 74 total hip arthroplasties of 64 patients that had been performed from January 1993 to March 1995. Thirty-six cases of the 74 cases used elevated rim acetabular liner and 38 cases did standard liner. Dislocation rate, Harris hips score, osteolysis and revision rate were compared between two groups.

There were no significant differences in mean anteversion, abduction angles of the cup and femoral offsets between two groups. Four of the 38 cases with the standard liner had a dislocation, compared with one of 36 cases with the elevated-rim liner (P=0.358) . Femoral osteolysis was observed 7 cases (18.4%) in the standard liner group and 14 cases (38.8%) in the elevated-rim liner group. Acetabular osteolysis was observed 17 cases (44.7%) in the standard group and 21 cases (58.3%) in the elevated-rim group. Nine cases (23.6%) had been revised in the standard group and 6 cases (16.6%) in the elevated group.

Excessive wear and breakage of the polyethylene by impingement was developed in the elevated-rim polyethylene liner.