Abstract
Purpose
In revision hip surgery, Type IIIB femurs have presented the greatest historical challenge to achieving stable fixation and osseous integration. This study evaluated the intermediate term outcome of a modular, tapered, distal fixation revision femoral component used in a consecutive revision hip series with special attention to its performance in the defective Type IIIB femur.
Methods
Between February 2002 and January 2005, 51 consecutive revision hip arthroplasties were performed using modular, tapered, distal fixation femoral components. The femoral defects at the time of revision surgery were classified using a system previously described by Paprosky. The most recent radiographs were reviewed and clinic notes examined to assess femoral component stability.
Results
At a minimum of 4.2 years and a mean of 5.8 years follow-up, 2 patients were lost to follow-up. Revision cases classified by the Paprosky femoral defect classification system included 14 Type IIIB hips (28%). All hips reviewed (100%) had radiographic evidence of bony ingrowth. No stem migrated more than 2mm. There were no failures at the modular junction and no component disassociation.??Conclusion: A modular, tapered distal fixation femoral component had a 100% survival rate at mean 5.8 year follow-up after revision surgery. All femoral components showed successful osseous-integration. The ability with modularity to independently place the diaphyseal segment of a femoral component in the best remaining femoral host bone may have provided the greatest opportunity for osseous-integration. In this consecutive revision hip series there was no instance of modular junction fracture or component related failure in cases with minimal or no proximal bone support.
