Abstract
Introduction
Severe osteolysis of the femur secondary to aseptic loosening in hip arthroplasty, remains a difficult revision scenario. Multiple techniques have been developed to aid the surgeon, including restoration of bone stock with impaction bone grafting or strut allografts, various distal fixation prostheses and mega-prostheses. Cemented femoral components, with integration of the cement into the cavitations, has largely fallen out of favour. We examined the long-term outcomes with this technique.
Patients/Materials & Methods
Between 1977 and 1990, 109 patients had a cemented stem revision (without bone grafting) for severe femoral osteolysis in the absence of infection. Severe osteolysis was defined as cavitation in a minimum of 4 Gruen zones. Follow-up included functional scoring, radiological assessment and any complications. Further revision and survivorship analysis for stem failure or aseptic loosening of the femoral component were recorded.
Results
109 patients (117 hips) were reviewed with an average age of 65.4years (range 31–82). 39 patients had five zone involvement, 25 had six zone involvement and in 13 patients all seven zones were affected. 17 patients had an isolated stem revision, 100 patients had both components revised.
Post-operative complications during the entire follow-up period were 7 dislocations, 10 trochanteric non-unions, 2 periprosthetic fractures and no infections. Only 9 patients had further revision of the femoral stem, 8 for aseptic loosening and 1 for stem fracture. In addition, re-revision procedures were performed for aseptic loosening of the cup (8 procedures) and dislocation (2 procedures).
Analysis for stem revision demonstrated 91.17% survival at 12 years (minimum 40 hips at risk).
Conclusion
Cemented revision arthroplasty for severe osteolysis of the femur has results comparable, if not superior, to alternative treatment modalities. Where restoration of bone stock is not a principle goal in the revision setting, cemented revision arthroplasty is a viable option in severe femoral osteolysis.
