Abstract
Background
Impaction bone grafting (IBG) using a circumferential metal mesh is one of the options that allow restoration of the femoral bone stock and stability of the implant in hip arthroplasty. Here we examined the clinical and radiographic outcome of this procedure with a cemented stem and analyzed experimentally the initial stability of mesh–grafted bone–cemented stem complexes.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed 6 hips (6 patients) that had undergone femoral revisions with a circumferential metal mesh, impacted bone allografts, and a cemented stem. The mean follow-up period was 2.9 years (range, 1.4–3.8 years). Hip joint function was evaluated with the Japanese Orthopaedic Association hip score, and radiographic changes were determined from radiographs. The initial resistance of cemented stem complexes to axial and rotational force was measured in a composite bone model with various segmental losses of the proximal femur.
Results
The hip score improved from 50 (range, 10–84) preoperatively to a mean of 74 (range, 67–88) at the final follow-up. The overall implant survival rate was 100% at 4 years when radiological loosening or revision for any reason was used as the endpoint. No stem subsided more than 3 mm vertically within 1 year after implantation. Computed tomography showed reconstitution of the femoral canal in a metal mesh. In mechanical analyses, there was no influence on the stem stability to axial compression during the repeated axial compression test between IBG reconstruction rates. On the other hand, for IBG reconstruction rate of 66.7%, grafted bone-Sawbone juntion was buckled under the axial breaking force. In contrast, under rotational load, the rotation angles of the stainless mesh were strongly affected by the IBG reconstruction rate.
Conclusions
The short-term results show good outcomes for reconstruction of proximal bone loss with impaction bone allografts and a circumferential mesh. The procedure should be applied in cases where the circumferential proximal bone loss is less than half of the stem length implanted.
