Long-term results after cemented revision of the femoral component in total hip arthroplasty

Immediate weightbearing is safe after revision total hip arthroplasty for Vancouver B2/B3 periprosthetic femur fractures

INTRODUCTION

Modular fluted, tapered stems provide a reliable treatment for Vancouver B2/B3 fractures. Historically, these patients had weightbearing restrictions postoperatively. Although full immediate postoperative weightbearing may provide benefits in this patient population, stem subsidence is a concern.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of post-operative weight-bearing status on stem subsidence in patients treated with modular tapered stems for Vancouver B2 and B3 periprosthetic fractures. We sought to answer two questions: (1) Does full immediate postoperative weightbearing after revision total hip arthroplasty for periprosthetic femur fracture lead to increased stem subsidence compared to protected weightbearing? (2) Is there a mortality difference between these two groups of patients with different weightbearing restrictions?

METHODS

From 2009 to 2015 all patients who underwent revision for Vancouver B2/B3 fractures were made non-weightbearing (NWB) for six weeks postoperatively. After 2015, immediate weightbearing as tolerated (WBAT) was allowed postoperatively. We compared stem subsidence between immediate postoperative and final radiographs. Additionally, we performed a Kaplan-Meijer analysis with one-year mortality as an endpoint.

RESULTS

The final cohort included forty-seven patients with an average follow-up of 254 days. The average stem subsidence was 1.0 mm (95 % CI, 0.5-1.5 mm) in the NWB cohort and 0.3 mm (95 % CI, 0-0.7 mm) in the WBAT cohort (P = 0.10). In our survivorship analysis, we noted no deaths in the WBAT cohort compared to 17 % mortality in the NWB cohort at the one-year timepoint.

CONCLUSION

Allowing patients to weight bear immediately after revision does not increase stem subsidence. Further studies are needed to determine whether early weightbearing provides a mortality benefit.

A Role for Modern Primary Cementless Femoral Stems in Revision Hip Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

In revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) cases with preserved femoral metaphyseal bone, tapered proximally porous-coated "primary" femoral stems may be an option. The objective of this study was to compare outcomes of patients with Paprosky I or II femoral bone loss undergoing revision THA with either a primary metaphyseal-engaging cementless stem or a revision diaphyseal-engaging stem.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of 70 patients with Paprosky I or II femoral bone loss who underwent femoral revision. 35 patients who were revised using a primary cementless femoral stem were compared with 35 patients who underwent femoral revision using a revision diaphyseal-engaging stem. The groups were similar regarding age, gender, body mass index, and American Society of Anesthesiologists. Clinical and radiographic outcomes and complications were compared over an average follow-up of 2.9 years (SD 1.4).

RESULTS

Revision THA was most commonly performed for periprosthetic joint infection (N = 27, 38.6%). The groups were similar with regards to Paprosky femoral classification (P = .56), length of stay (P = .68), discharge disposition (P = .461), operative time (P = .20), and complications (P = .164). There were no significant differences between primary and revision femoral stem subsidence (0.12 vs. 0.75 mm, P = .18), leg length discrepancy (2.3 vs. 4.05 mm, P = .37), and Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Jr (73.1 [SD 21.1] vs. 62.8 [SD 21.7], P = .088). No patient underwent additional revision surgery involving the femoral component.

CONCLUSION

Use of modern primary cementless femoral stems is a viable option for revision hip arthroplasty in the setting of preserved proximal femoral metaphyseal bone. Outcomes are not inferior to those of revision stems and offer potential benefits.

Midterm results of the cylindrical fully porous-coated uncemented femoral stem in revision patients with Paprosky I-IIIA femoral defects

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to analyze the survival of the Echelon® femoral stems in revision hip surgeries in patients with Paprosky I-IIIA femoral defects.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty-six patients (70 hips) who underwent revision hip surgery with at least 3 years of follow-up data were included in the study between 2000 and 2013. The mean patient age was 64.5 (32-83) years, and the mean follow-up period was 93 (45-206) months. The reasons for revision were aseptic loosening in 55 (78.6%) patients, periprosthetic joint infection in 9 (12.9%) patients, periprosthetic fracture in 4 (5.7%) patients, and stem fracture in 2 (2.9%) patients. The preoperative and postoperative follow-up X-rays and functional scores were evaluated.

RESULTS

Five patients died in an average of 70 (45-86) months after surgery due to non-related diseases. We encountered sciatic nerve palsy in two patients and early hip dislocation in two patients, whereas 54 patients were able to walk without any assistive device. The remaining 12 patients required an assistive device to walk. The mean Harris hip score significantly increased from 34 (7-63) preoperatively to 72 (43-96) postoperatively. Aseptic loosening was observed in one patient. The survival of the porous-coated anatomical uncemented femoral stem was 98.4% over 10 years.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that good clinical outcomes and survival can be obtained when using porous-coated anatomical uncemented femoral stems.

The effect of the hip joint endoprosthesis length after a total hip arthroplasty: A biomechanical study

Background/purpose:

Total hip arthroplasty is a safe, cost-effective surgical intervention which restores mobility and alleviates pain from most kinds of hip arthritis. The proposed biomechanical study evaluates the effect of the stem size on the mechanical environment of the hip and its association with aseptic loosening.

Methods:

Medium left, fourth-generation, composite femoral models were used, and different prosthesis dimensions were examined. Fourteen strain gages were placed at specific positions on the femur. Load cycles were programmed to simulate single-leg stance of gait of a normal-weight subject.

Results:

Microstrains in the anterior and posterior region of the femur shaft were found to decrease with increasing the stem length, while no specific tendency was observed in the regions of the great and lesser trochanteric as well as in the medial and lateral femur.

Conclusion:

This study indicates that shorter implants are subjected to higher strains distally to the pertrochanteric area.

Long-term results of revision total hip arthroplasty with a cemented femoral component

INTRODUCTION

In revision total hip arthroplasty (THA), the cancellous bone is normally completely removed out of the femoral canal during stem extraction. This situation is comparable to primary THA following the shape-closed concept, with some authors advocating to remove the metaphyseal cancellous bone to enhance press-fit stability ("French paradox"). The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term outcome, regarding survival and radiological results, of a cemented straight stem when used for revision THA and to compare these results to the results of the same stem in primary THA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

178 stem revisions performed between 01/1994 and 08/2008 using the Virtec straight stem were included. The cumulative incidence for re-revision was calculated using a competing risk model. Risk factors for re-revision of the stem were analyzed using an absolute risk regression model. Radiographs analyzed for osteolysis, debonding and subsidence had a minimum follow-up of 10 years.

RESULTS

The cumulative incidence for re-revision due to aseptic loosening of the stem was 5.5% (95% CI, 2.9-10.2%) at 10 years. Aseptic loosening was associated with younger age, larger defect size and larger stem size. After a minimum 10-year follow-up, osteolysis was seen in 39 of 80 revision THA. Compared to the results in primary THA, the survival in revision THA with the same implant was inferior.

CONCLUSIONS

Cemented straight stems used for revision THA showed excellent long-term results regarding survivorship and radiological outcome. This stem therefore offers a valuable and cost-effective option in revision THA.

Medium-term follow-up of 92 femoral component revisions using a third-generation cementing technique

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Very little has been published on the outcome of femoral cemented revisions using a third-generation cementing technique. We report the medium-term outcome of a consecutive series of patients treated in this way.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study included 92 consecutive cemented femoral revisions performed in our department with a third-generation cementing technique and without instrumented bone impaction grafting between 1996 and 2007. The average age of the patients at revision was 66 (25-92) years. None of the patients were lost to follow-up. At review in December 2013, 55 patients were still alive and had a non-re-revised femoral revision component in situ after a mean follow-up of 11 (5-17) years.

RESULTS

The mean preoperative Harris hip score was 50, and improved to 73 at final follow-up. 2 patients died shortly after the revision surgery. 1 stem was re-revised for aseptic loosening; this was also the only case with radiolucent lines in all 7 Gruen zones. A femoral reoperation was performed in 19 hips during follow-up, and in 14 of these 19 reoperations the femoral component was re-revised. Survivorship at 10 years, with femoral re-revision for any reason as the endpoint, was 86% (95% CI: 77-92). However, excluding 8 patients with reinfections after septic index revisions and 1 with hematogenous spread of infection from the survival analysis, the adjusted survival for re-revision for any reason at 10 years was 92% (95% CI: 83-96). With re-revision for aseptic loosening as endpoint, the survival at 10 years was 99% (CI: 90-100).

INTERPRETATION

Femoral component revision with a third-generation cemented stem results in acceptable survival after medium-term follow-up. We recommend the use of this technique in femoral revisions with limited loss of bone stock.

Revision total hip arthroplasty using cemented collarless double-taper femoral components at a mean follow-up of 13 years (8 to 20): an update

The outcome of 219 revision total hip arthroplasties (THAs) in 98 male and 121 female patients, using 137 long length and 82 standard length cemented collarless double-taper femoral stems in 211 patients, with a mean age of 72 years (30 to 90) and mean follow-up of six years (two to 18) have been described previously. We have extended the follow-up to a mean of 13 years (8 to 20) in this cohort of patients in which the pre-operative bone deficiency Paprosky grading was IIIA or worse in 79% and 73% of femurs with long and standard stems, respectively. For the long stem revision group, survival to re-revision for aseptic loosening at 14 years was 97% (95% confidence interval (CI) 91 to 100) and in patients aged > 70 years, survival was 100%. Two patients (two revisions) were lost to follow-up and 86 patients with 88 revisions had died. Worst-case analysis for survival to re-revision for aseptic loosening at 14 years was 95% (95% CI 89 to 100) and 99% (95% CI 96 to 100) for patients aged > 70 years. One additional long stem was classified as loose radiographically but not revised. For the standard stem revision group, survival to re-revision for aseptic loosening at 14 years was 91% (95% CI 83 to 99). No patients were lost to follow-up and 49 patients with 51 hips had died. No additional stems were classified as loose radiographically. Femoral revision using a cemented collarless double-taper stem, particularly with a long length stem, and in patients aged > 70 years, continues to yield excellent results up to 20 years post-operatively, including in hips with considerable femoral metaphyseal bone loss.

Femoral Component Revision Using a 2nd Generation Modular Femoral Implant

The purpose of this prospective multicenter study was to evaluate results of 122 revision THAs using a 2nd generation modular femoral implant in 120 patients. Majority of cases had significant femoral bone loss. HHS improved from a pre-operative mean score of 46 to 88 points, and SF-36 scores improved from 31 to 44 points at 2- to 5-year follow-up. There were 18 cases of intraoperative fractures of which 10 were femur shaft, 7 trochanteric, and 1 acetabular. Dislocation incidence was 9% and overall survivorship at 5 years was 97%. Use of modular femoral implants provides versatility and simplification to restore stability, limb length and offset in patients undergoing femoral component revision, Additional steps need to be undertaken to minimize incidence of fracture and dislocation.

Long stem cemented revision arthroplasty for aseptic loosening in elderly patients produces good results, despite significant bone loss

We assessed the results of long cemented stems in patients over 65 undergoing a first time revision hip arthroplasty for aseptic loosening. 103 patients were followed up for a minimum of five years after revision surgery; 45% had EndoKlinik C grade preoperative bone loss. At final follow-up 31 patients had died, all but one with the prosthesis in situ. There were 71 revisions alive, one had been revised for a peri-prosthetic fracture. Of the 45 that had radiographs at a minimum of five years, three stems were probably or definitely loose according to the Harris classification. There was 92% patient satisfaction and a mean Oxford Hip Score (OHS) of 25/60 in the 59 patients that had not been revised and had full clinical follow-up. Long-stem cemented revisions for aseptic loosening in elderly patients allow immediate postoperative weight bearing and have good radiological and clinical outcomes.

Revision hip arthroplasty with an extensively porous-coated stem - excellent long-term results also in severe femoral bone stock loss

During the last 25 years uncemented hip stem revision relying on diaphyseal fixation has shown improving clinical results and stem survival. The purpose of this study was to present the long-term results of hip revision with the SOLUTION stem (DePuy, Warsaw Indiana).
Ninety-three consecutive SOLUTION hip stem revisions in 84 patients with a mean age of 69 years (range 33-86 years) were reviewed. Of these, clinical and radiographic follow-up examination by an independent observer was possible in 36 hips/29 patients after mean 14 years (range 10-18 years). Stem re-revision was documented by our own files and by the Danish Hip Arthroplasty Registry. 
Stem re-revision had been performed in two hips for aseptic loosening, one due to deep infection and in one patient due to stem fracture. The 18 years cumulative survival, free of re-revision for any reason was calculated as 94.4% (88.9-99.8)% and for aseptic loosening to 97.6% (94.3-100%). Intraoperative complications were frequent with incidence of shaft fractures (14/93) and perforations (9/93) showing a significant learning curve. Mean Harris Hip Score was 85 (range 53-99). Osseointegration was seen in 34/36 stems with two stems fibrous fixated. Stress shielding was significant associated with stem diameters ≥15 mm. Severe preoperative bone deficiency had no negative bearing on stem survival and no significant influence on osseointegration of the stem or on Harris Hip Score. 


CONCLUSION

Femoral stem revision with an extensively porous-coated monoblock chrome-cobalt stem seems to be a reliable and reproducible technique resulting in excellent long-term survivorship and clinical outcome. It can be used in femurs with deficient bone stock.

Minimum 20-year follow-up results of revision total hip arthroplasty with improved cementing technique

A consecutive, non-selective cohort of 83 (77 patients) cemented total hip arthroplasty revisions using contemporary cementing techniques was analyzed at a minimum of 20 years following the index procedure. No patients were lost to follow-up. The average age at revision was 62.4 years (23 to 89). Twenty-two hips (26.5%) had had a reoperation, eighteen (21.7%) for aseptic loosening, 3 (3.6%) for femoral prosthesis fracture and 1 (1.2%) for dislocation. The incidence of re-revision for aseptic femoral loosening was 7.5% and for aseptic acetabular loosening was 21.7%. These results confirm that cemented femoral revision using improved cementing techniques is a durable option in revision hip surgery. In contrast to this, THA revisions using a cemented acetabular component have been less durable at this length of follow-up.

Medium-term outcomes of cemented prostheses and cementless modular prostheses in revision total hip arthroplasty

There is an increasing trend towards cementless modular femoral prostheses for revision hip replacement surgery, especially in patients with severe proximal femoral bone defects. However, for minor femoral bone defects, the benefit of cementless modular is not clear. We designed a retrospective cross-sectional study to compare outcomes of the two femoral implant designs. There were no significant differences in terms of visual analog pain scores, Harris hip scores, femoral bone restoration, stem subsidence, leg length correction, or overall complication rate. Three femoral reoperations (11%) occurred in the cemented group, and two (9%) in the cementless modular group. One femoral stem re-revised (4%) in the cemented group due to recurrent deep infection. Five-year survival for femoral reoperation was 88.2% for patients with the cemented implant and 91.3% for cementless group. Both groups had good clinical and radiological outcomes for femoral revision in patients with minor femoral bone defects during medium-term follow-up.

Revision total hip arthroplasty using a modular femoral implant in Paprosky type III and IV femoral bone loss

The purpose of this study was to compare results of patients with Paprosky type I and II femoral defects vs type IIIA, IIIB, and IV defects in patients undergoing revision hip arthroplasty. There were 64 patients in the group with type I and II defects with an average age of 68 years. There were 52 patients with Paprosky type IIIA, IIIB, and IV defects with an average age of 67 years. There were 8 intraoperative fractures in the type III and IV group, whereas there were 9 in the type I and II group. There were no differences between the 2 groups with respect to subsidence, loosening, dislocation, infection, and medical complications. Survivorship for the whole group was 96.9% at 5 years. Modular femoral implants provide several intraoperative options to restore leg length, offset, and stability despite femoral defects. We did not realize a higher failure rate in patients with type III or IV defects.

Cancellous impaction grafting in femoral revision THA

Options in the management of the deficient femur during revision hip arthroplasty include cemented or cementless fixation. The results with cemented femoral revision have not been historically successful. While the use of extensively coated implants in revision total hip arthroplasty has been more uniformly excellent, issues, such as thigh pain, stress shielding, and lack of bone stock restoration, have been raised. Impaction grafting in revision hip arthroplasty is an attempt to reconstitute bone stock and avoid problems associated with excessively large or long uncemented stems. The original concept of impaction grafting was promoted by Slooff and applied to the femur by Gie and Ling. While originators' results were promising, issues, such as fracture and poor graft delivery, were noted. Modifications to the original technique were recently described by Howie, which used longer stems when necessary, as well as an improved graft delivery system. We report our results with 30 consecutive hips using this method. At follow-up, 3 patients were known to have died, leaving 27 for evaluation. Two of the 27 were failures: 1 recurrence of infection and 1 loose stem. The remaining 25 were clinical successes with bone stock restoration in all and no periprosthetic fractures. We believe that impaction grafting remains a viable option for the management of the severely deficient femur in whom cementless fixation methods are questionable.

[Cement-in-cement hip revision with a long-stemmed femoral component]

Revision hip surgery often requires individualized techniques and implants. We report on a case of failed femoral revision in an extensively cemented femur with a concomitant proximal and dorsal femoral bone defect. We advocate the clinically effective revision procedure of antegrade drilling of the stable cement mantle and use of a cemented long-stemmed femoral component. This cement-in-cement revision technique is discussed along with the pertinent literature.

Primary aseptic revision of the femoral component of a cemented total hip arthroplasty using a cemented technique without bone graft

BACKGROUND

Primary revisions using cement without bone graft reconstruction are less frequently used because of their supposed higher failure rate. The results, in fact, depend on multiple parameters: number of prior revisions, cementing technique quality, and residual bone stock; these intricate factors are rarely taken together into account when analyzing this treatment method.

HYPOTHESIS

Femoral component fixation with cement can be a valid option in total hip arthroplasty primary revision.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this investigation was to study the long-term results of cemented femoral stems in total hip arthroplasty primary revisions in terms of the quality of the cementing technique and the residual bone stock.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective study of a series of 80-cemented primary femoral stems revised for aseptic loosening using a new-cemented femoral stem without bone graft. Seventy implants were analyzed at the longest follow-up. The Postel Merle D'Aubigné and the Harris Hip Scores were used for clinical assessment. The French Academy SOFCOT 99 bone loss grading system was used to classify preoperative bone compromise severity. The Barrack classification assessed the quality of the postoperative cementation. The radiographic study at the last follow-up sought signs of femoral implant loosening classified according to Harris.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up was 10 years and 10 months. The functional evaluation of the hip showed a significant overall gain (p<0.0001) after surgical revision. In our series, the existence of severe grade III or IV bone loss on the SOFCOT 99 classification exposed the patient to a significant risk of intraoperative complications (p=0.03). The grade III and IV femurs had a significantly higher risk (p=0.0001) of having type C or D cementation according to the Barrack classification. Type D cementation was a risk factor for significant iterative radiographic loosening (p=0.005) compared to A, B or C cementations. The 10-year survival rate of the femoral implant was 90% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 79.2-94.9%). This survival rate was significantly better (p=0.0016) for revisions with type A or B cementations on the Barrack scale (96% survival; 95% CI: 85.1-99%) than for type C or D (70% survival; 95% CI: 41.4-86.1%).

CONCLUSION

This study shows that revised cemented femoral stems without bone graft added are a valid therapeutic option in primary cemented total hip arthroplasty revisions provided that a good-quality cement technique can be achieved. Sufficient bone stock (SOFCOT 99 grade 0, I or II) was indispensable for good cementation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV: therapeutic retrospective study.

Femoral revision with impaction allografting and an uncemented femoral component

A technique for uncemented revision of the femoral component which combines impaction allografting and the use of a long-stemmed proximally coated titanium prostheses (Bimetric, Biomet Inc.) is described. The results after a mean follow-up of 112 months are reported. From 1991 to 1995 femoral component revision for aseptic loosening was performed on 100 hips. In 14 cases (14%) an intraoperative fracture occurred and 7 patients (7%) had other postoperative complications. Seventeen patients (17%) required further revision, 10 because of aseptic loosening. Of 50 surviving patients with retained implants 88% had no pain, 10% had slight pain and only 2% had severe pain. Thirty-eight patients had radiographic signs of remodelling of the graft and/or cortical repair. In cases with a successful outcome, the results have been encouraging in relation to clinical performance, regeneration of bone and implant survival.

Why revision total hip arthroplasty fails

Current outcomes data on revision total hip arthroplasty focuses on specific implants and techniques rather than more general outcomes. We therefore examined a large consecutive series of failed THAs undergoing revision to determine if survivorship and modes of failure differ in comparison to the current data. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1100 revision THAs. The minimum followup was 2 years (mean, 6 years; range, 0-20.4 years). Eighty-seven percent of revision total hips required no further surgery; however, 141 hips (13%) underwent a second revision at a mean of 3.7 years (range, 0.025-15.9 years). Seventy percent (98 hips) had a second revision for a diagnosis different from that of their index revision, while 30% (43 hips) had a second revision for the same diagnosis. The most common reasons for failure were instability (49 of 141 hips, 35%), aseptic loosening (42 of 141 hips, 30%), osteolysis and/or wear (17 of 141 hips, 12%), infection (17 of 141 hips, 12%), miscellaneous (13 of 141 hips, 9%), and periprosthetic fracture (three of 141 hips, 2%). Survivorship for revision total hip arthroplasty using second revision as endpoint was 82% at 10 years. Aseptic loosening and instability accounted for 65% of these failures.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic (retrospective) study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

A prospective outcomes analysis of femoral component fixation in revision total hip arthroplasty

A prospective, surgeon-allocated, matched cohort analysis of patient outcomes compared cementless, modular metaphyseal and cemented femoral fixation used for revision total hip arthroplasty. First-time femoral revision operations (with and without acetabular revision) with Paprosky types I and II femoral bone stock were included. This series of 86 patients was matched for age, weight, diagnosis, Charnley class, Demand category, femoral bone stock, and outcome measures. At 8-year average follow-up (range, 4-13 years), there were no significant differences in visual analog pain scores (VAPS), Harris Hip Scores (HSS), and SF-36 Physical Function and Bodily Pain scores. One femoral rerevision (2.3%) occurred in the cementless group, and 2 (4.6%) occurred in the cemented group (P = .557). Five-year survivorship for femoral rerevision was 94% for patients with cementless, modular metaphyseal fixation and 92% for patients with cemented fixation. In this study, cementless, modular metaphyseal fixation and cemented femoral fixation were both successful at intermediate-term follow-up in Paprosky types I and II femoral bone (level of evidence: therapeutic study; level II, prospective comparative study).

Revision total hip replacement using cemented collarless double-taper femoral components

We investigated 219 revisions of total hip replacement (THR) in 211 patients using a collarless double-taper cemented femoral component. The mean age of the patients was 72 years (30 to 90). The 137 long and 82 standard length stems were analysed separately. The mean follow-up was six years (2 to 18), and no patient was lost to follow-up. Survival of the long stems to re-revision for aseptic loosening at nine years was 98% (95% confidence interval (CI) 94 to 100), and for the standard stems was 93% (95% CI 85 to 100). At five years, one long stem was definitely loose radiologically and one standard stem was probably loose. Pre-operative femoral bone deficiency did not influence the results for the long stems, and corrective femoral osteotomy was avoided, as were significant subsidence, major stress shielding and persistent thigh pain. Because of these reliable results, cemented long collarless double-taper femoral components are recommended for routine revision THR in older patients.

Femoral fractures in revision hip surgeries with impacted bone allograft

Impacted allograft bone in hip revision arthroplasty is a biologic reconstruction method that restores bone loss. Periprosthetic femoral fracture is one of the most frequent complications. However, the incidence, types of fracture, time of occurrence, predisposing factors, and whether and how complication affects the reconstruction are unknown. We analyzed 285 femoral revisions performed with this technique. Fractures occurred in 64 patients (22.4%). Fifty-nine of these 64 incidents (92%) occurred during surgery and five within the first postoperative year. Of the 59 intraoperative lesions, 34 were fractures (57.6%) and 25 were incidental perforations (42.3%). Most fractures and incidental perforations were associated with cement removal rather than the reconstructive technique. The reconstruction was compromised in two of the 34 fractures, but the remainder healed without complications. Five patients had a diaphyseal fracture develop within the first postoperative year, four of whom had an intraoperative incidental perforation. There was an increased risk of fractures within the first postoperative year in patients who had an incidental perforation during surgery and in those with severe bone defects. Despite the high rate of femoral complications associated with this reconstructive technique, most did not influence the reconstruction and only the intraoperative and postoperative complete diaphyseal fractures underwent additional treatment.

Revision total hip arthroplasty with use of a cemented femoral component. Results at a mean of ten years

BACKGROUND

Revision of the femoral component of a total hip replacement with use of cement has been associated with early mechanical failure due to aseptic loosening. The purpose of the present study was to determine the long-term survival after revision of the femoral component with cement and to identify factors that were predictive of failure.

METHODS

The results of 129 revision total hip arthroplasties that had been performed with use of a cemented femoral stem were reviewed to determine component survival. Ninety-seven hips that had been followed for a minimum of five years were included in survival analysis and tests of significance. Harris hip scores were used to quantify clinical outcomes. Clinical and surgical factors were analyzed to determine whether they were predictive of failure.

RESULTS

The mean Harris hip score improved from 52 points preoperatively to 71 points at the time of the most recent follow-up (p < 0.001). The ten-year survival rate was 91% with rerevision of the femoral component because of aseptic loosening as the end point and 71% with mechanical failure as the end point. Patients who were more than sixty years old had greater long-term component survival and less pain than younger patients did (p < 0.05). A good-quality postoperative cement mantle was associated with better long-term radiographic signs of fixation (p < 0.001). Poor femoral bone quality was associated with an increased rate of rerevision for aseptic loosening (p = 0.021).

CONCLUSIONS

Revision with use of a cemented femoral component remains an option for selected patients, with an acceptable ten-year survival rate and fair radiographic evidence of fixation. Our patients had acceptable clinical outcomes at ten years, and few had notable pain. The best results may be achieved in older patients (those who are sixty years old or more) with adequate bone stock who are managed with modern cementing techniques.