Aims. To clarify the mid-term results of transposition osteotomy of the acetabulum (TOA), a type of spherical periacetabular osteotomy, combined with structural allograft bone grafting for severe hip dysplasia. Methods. We reviewed patients with severe hip dysplasia, defined as Severin IVb or V (lateral centre-edge angle (LCEA) < 0°), who underwent TOA with a structural bone allograft between 1998 and 2019. A medical chart review was conducted to extract demographic data, complications related to the osteotomy, and modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS). Radiological parameters of hip dysplasia were measured on pre- and postoperative radiographs. The cumulative probability of TOA failure (progression to Tönnis grade 3 or conversion to total hip arthroplasty) was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier product-limited method, and a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify predictors for failure. Results. A total of 64 patients (76 hips) were included in this study. The median follow-up period was ten years (interquartile range (IQR) five to 14). The median mHHS improved from 67 (IQR 56 to 80) preoperatively to 96 (IQR 85 to 97) at the latest follow-up (p < 0.001). The radiological parameters improved postoperatively (p < 0.001), with the resulting parameters falling within the normal range in 42% to 95% of hips. The survival rate was 95% at ten years and 80% at 15 years. Preoperative Tönnis grade 2 was an independent risk factor for TOA failure. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that TOA with structural bone allografting is a viable surgical option for correcting severely dysplastic acetabulum in adolescents and young adults without advanced osteoarthritis, with favourable mid-term outcomes. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(7):743–750

Purpose. Cementless cup with structural allograft is one of option for acetabular revision in the cases which has severe bone loss. This study was performed to verify that the structural allograft with cementless cup could be one of good options for revision of acetabular cup with severe bone defect and to verify that the allograft resorption affect the stability of cementless acetabular cup. Materials and Methods. We reviewed 25 cases of 25 patients who underwent acetabular cup rvision using cementless porous coated hemispherical cup with structural allograft from May 1992 to July 2011 July 2011. There were nine males and sixteen females with an average age of 50.0 years. The average follow-up period was 76.7(28∼212) months. The clinical evaluation was performed using Harris Hip Score(HHS) and UCLA activity score. Radiologically, the degree of resorption of grafted bone, incorporation of allograft bone with normal bone, osteolysis and cup loosening were evaluated. Results. Clinically, the average Harris hip score was improved from 54 preoperatively to 93.4 at the last follow-up. The average UCLA activity score was also improved from 4.3 preoperatively to 6.4 at the last follow-up. Radiologically, the incorporation of allograft was accomplished in 11.4 months and the resorption of grafted bone was noted in 3 cases(12%), but the allograft resorption had not progressed to moderate degree even in long term follow-up. There was no cup loosening and average survivor rate was 100% in 6 years. There was no infection, allograft nonunion, osteolysis. Conclusion. Cementless cup with structural allograft in acetabular cup reconstruction can provide excellent mi-term results in both clinical and radiological aspects. Structural allograft can provide strong mechanical support for the bone ingrowth of cementless cup. The clinical result of this study auggest that cementless cup with structural allograft can be a good option for acetabular cup revision with severe bone defect. Resorption of structural allograft rarely occurred, and the resorption of structural allograft does not affect stablility of cup even in long term follow-up

Acetabular bone defects are common in revision total hip arthroplasty and are usually worse than depicted on routine radiographs. These defects may be cavitary, segmental or both. For cavitary and segmental defects with more than 50% host support, our preference is to use a cementless revision acetabular component, supplemented by the use of screw fixation and morselised bone graft. For cavitary and segmental defects with less than 50% host support, the use of an anti-protrusio cage, morselised bone graft and a cemented all polyethylene socket is preferred. Our use of structural allografts is much less common. Indications would include absence of the acetabular dome or posterior column. Our preferred technique is use of the “reverse 7” distal femoral allograft. Whenever a structural allograft is used, we would reinforce this with the use of an anti-protrusio cage. This approach has yielded predictable excellent clinical results

Bone loss options in revision total knee replacement include prevention (earlier revision before extensive osteolysis, tedious prosthesis removal), prosthetic substitution, and bone grafting. Massive bone loss options include arthrodesis, custom total knee replacement, amputation, or revision with structural allograft-prosthesis composites. Advantages of structural allografts include their biologic potential, versatility (shape to fit host defects), relative cost effectiveness, potential for bone stock restoration, and the potential for ligamentous reattachment. Potential disadvantages include the risk of disease transmission and graft nonunion, malunion, collapse, or resorption. Extensive preoperative planning is required to rule out infection as well as properly select both the type and size of allograft and prosthetic implant. Fresh frozen allograft specimens are most commonly selected due to superior strength. Implant designs with diaphyseal-engaging stems and increased prosthetic constraint are often required. Extensive surgical exposure is often needed including proximal quadricepsplasty or tibial tubercle osteotomy in some cases. Both the host site and allograft require meticulous preparation both to maximise surface contact between host and allograft as well as mechanical interlock of the allograft with the host. Allograft fixation must be rigid to allow for incorporation. Diaphyseal-engaging stems, screws, and/or plates are often required to obtain this. The favoured method of fixation is cementing the prosthesis to the allograft with the addition of diaphyseal- engaging stems into the host medullary canal. Equivalent results have been obtained with either cemented or press-fit stems. Ligamentous reattachment to the allograft is more successful when done via a bone block technique. Wound closure difficulties may be encountered, particularly in the tibial region. Relaxing incision techniques as well as rotational muscle flaps are occasionally necessary to obtain soft tissue closure without excessive tension. Short-term results have shown union rates at greater than 90% when rigid fixation is obtained. In the author’s series of 32 cases, 86% good to excellent results were obtained at an average follow- up period of 50 months. More common complications include instability and graft collapse. Use of more constrained prostheses with long intramedullary stems will lessen these complications

Introduction: Treatment of acetabular defects can be difficult, especially in case of roof destruction. Since 9 years, we use a variant of Paprosky’s technique which consists in rebuilding the roof by structural allograft and acetabular reinforcement ring. The purpose of this study is to present this technique and the follow up results. Patients: This retrospective study concerns 21 patients (23 hips) with severe acetabular bone loss (8 cases of stage 2 and 15 cases of stage 3 of Paprosky): 4 septical and 19 aseptical loosening. Between 1998 and 2005, all patients were operated with the same surgical technique using an allogeneic structural allograft (femoral head or distal femur) and an acetabular reinforcement ring (20 of KERBOULL, 3 of GANZ) associated with a cemented PE cup. Method: Review included a clinical and X-ray evaluation (analysis of the refocusing of the hip, the positioning and the stability of implants and the graft incorporation). Results: Mean duration of follow-up is 3,5 years [1–8,3]. Preoperative PMA score rised from 6,6 [0–12] to 15,8 [12–18] in postoperative. There was no peroperative complication. After surgery, 2 cases of early hip dislocation required PE block; 2 cases of sepsis were treated, one by washing and one by a surgical revision. In 60% of cases, immediate total weight bearing was allowed. The immediate postoperative X-rays showed that the rotation center of the hip was 5,2 mm [0–10] far from the ideal rotation center (26% of cases: 0 mm) and the PE cup was implanted with a lateral inclination of 42,5° [30–55]. In postoperative X-ray follow up, one case of acetabular aseptic loosening was found which didn’t need hip revision. In all other cases no modification of implants position neither of hip rotation center was noted. In 79% of cases, we had total graft incorporation; in 17% of cases, an non evolutive radiolucent area between graft and bone and in 4% of cases (loosening) a graft migration. Conclusion: The use of a structural allograft combined with acetabular reinforcement ring allows hip reconstruction in severe acetabular bone loss with good medium term results

We report 11 patients having revision of total hip arthroplasty using massive structural allografts for failure due to sepsis and associated bone loss. All patients had a two-stage reconstruction and the mean follow-up was 47.8 months (24 to 72). Positive cultures were obtained at the first stage in nine of the 11 patients, with Staphylococcus epidermidis being the most common organism. The other two patients had draining sinuses with negative cultures. There was no recurrence of infection in any patient. The mean increase in the modified Harris hip score was 45 and all the grafts appeared to have united to host bone. Two patients required additional procedures, but only one was related to the allograft. Complications included an incomplete sciatic nerve palsy and one case of graft resorption. Our results support the use of massive allografts in failed septic hip arthroplasty in which there is associated bone loss

In this report, porous tantalum was used to achieve abductor tendon reattachment to structural allograft of the proximal femur in salvage reconstruction of a failed total hip arthroplasty. In each case, a porous tantalum segment with trapezoidal cross section was fixed to a dovetail joint of complementary geometry cut into the lateral greater trochanter. Fixation of the porous tantalum to the allograft was supplemented with polymethylmethacrylate cement. Residual abductors were mobilized from the surrounding soft tissues and secured against the porous tantalum segment with a short greater trochanteric reattachment device and cables. Patients were followed up at 73 and 80 months. Harris Hip Scores of 74 and 80 respectively were found. Both were unlimited community ambulators without support, had negative Trendelenberg signs, and were satisfied with the clinical outcomes. This preliminary experience suggests that porous tantalum has potential application in cases of severe proximal femoral bone loss involving abductor deficiency

Purpose of the Study: The outcome after revision knee arthroplasty with structural distal femoral allograft augmentation for major bone loss has been rarely reported in the literature. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome for patients managed with such a procedure in our hospital. Materials and Methods: Since 2001, ten revision knee arthroplasties requiring structural distal femoral allograft for major bone loss were performed in nine patients who underwent surgery at mean age of 68.1±9.8 years and prospectively followed. All patients were operated by the same surgical team. The first assessment was completed for the patients during August 2005 for radiographic and clinical evaluation. The mean follow up time was 22.2±15.1 months. Results: On radiographic analysis none of the allografts had resorbtion. Implant position. Was preserved in all patients. Two patients had postoperative complications: one had superficial wound infection without need of surgical revision, another patient needed angioplasty because of pseudoaneurisma of popliteal artery and temporary using of knee brace for mild medial instability. Clinical evaluation revealed that mean “Hospital for Special Surgery Score” had improved from 39.8 to 84.1 points and mean range of motions improved from 75.0±42.0 to 103.5±12.5 (p=0.05, paired t-test). Before the surgery all patients used a walker or a crutch, while only one of them used a cane and the remaining patients walked without any support after the operation. Conclusions: Our preliminary results demonstrate that structural femoral allografts used in revision knee replacement improve clinical and functional outcomes. Further follow-up is planned

Introduction and Objectives: The treatment of choice in periprosthetic Vancouver B1 fractures is open reduction and fixation with an osteosynthesis plate. There is a certain amount of controversy as to the need to also use a cortical allograft plate. Materials and Methods: We carried out a revision of periprosthetic fractures Vancouver type B1 treated with Dall-Milles (Styker) plates with and without an additional cortical allograft. Results: We included a total of 12 patients operated between March 2003 and July 2207, 6 of them had a plate and also an allograft plate (AP) and 6 only had a DM plate alone (DMP). There was one case of superficial infection of the surgical wound in the AP group in the only case of an open fracture (grade 1) in the series. No osteosynthesis failures were seen in either of the groups. Mean age (4 years more), mean hospital stay (4 days more), need for transfusion (33% more) and mortality (16% more) were all greater in the AP group; whereas the size of the DM plate and operation time (30 minutes less) were less. The EQ-5D health scale was one tenth better in the DMP group, but, curiously, the Oxford Hip Score was 9 points lower. Discussion and Conclusions: Not all patients with periprosthetic fractures Vancouver type B1 treated with a DM plate need the addition of a structural allograft plate. We consider that patients with low bone quality and who were functionally independent before fracture are those that will need a cortical allograft

Introduction

Cancellous and cortical bone used as a delivery vehicle for antibiotics. Recent studies with cancellous bone as an antibiotic carrier in vitro and in vivo showed high initial peak concentrations of antibiotics in the surrounding medium. However, high concentrations of antibiotics can substantially reduce osteoblast replication and even cause cell death.

Introduction. Large acetabular bone defects caused by aseptic loosening are common. Reconstruction of large segmental defects can be challenging. Various implants and operative techniques have been developed to allow further acetabular revision in cases where bone stock is poor. Reconstitution of bone stock is desirable especially in younger patients. The aim of the study was to review the clinical and radiological results of hip revision with structural acetabular bone grafts using fresh frozen allograft and cemented components. Method. Between 1990 and 2014, 151 first time revisions for aseptic acetabular loosening with acetabular reconstruction with a fresh frozen structural allograft and cemented components were performed at our hospital. Graft dimensions, number of screws used and socket coverage by the graft were measured on the post-operative AP radiograph. Follow-up radiographs were analysed for socket loosening, quality of graft union, graft and graft resorption. Results. At a mean follow-up of 7 years 11 months (range 0 – 22), 5 patients had died and 24 hips revised (15.9%). One hundred and three hips had a follow-up greater than 5 years. The reasons for re-revision were infection in 1, recurrent dislocation in 4, aseptic stem loosening in 4 and aseptic cup loosening in 21 (13.9%). Survival analysis with revision for aseptic cup loosening as the endpoint was 80.2% at 10 years. Conclusion. The results using solid allograft to reconstruct the acetabulum are encouraging with a follow-up to 22 years. Structural allograft is a good option to reconstruct segmental defects of the acetabulum at revision surgery and we especially advocate its use to reconstitutes bone stock in younger patients

INTRODUCTION. Allograft reconstruction after resection of primary bone sarcomas has a non-union rate of approximately 20%. Achieving a wide surface area of contact between host and allograft bone is one of the most important factors to help reduce the non-union rate. We developed a novel technique of haptic robot-assisted surgery to reconstruct bone defects left after primary bone sarcoma resection with structural allograft. METHODS. Using a sawbone distal femur joint-sparing hemimetaphyseal resection/reconstruction model, an identical bone defect was created in six sawbone distal femur specimens. A tumor-fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon reconstructed the defect using a simulated sawbone allograft femur. First, a standard, ‘all-manual’ technique was used to cut and prepare the allograft to best fit the defect. Then, using an identical sawbone copy of the allograft, the novel haptic-robot technique was used to prepare the allograft to best fit the defect. All specimens were scanned via CT. Using a separately validated technique, the surface area of contact between host and allograft was measured for both (1) the all-manual reconstruction and (2) the robot-assisted reconstruction. All contact surface areas were normalized by dividing absolute contact area by the available surface area on the exposed cut surface of host bone. RESULTS. The mean area of contact between host and allograft bone was 24% (of the available host surface area) for the all-manual group and 76% for the haptic robot-assisted group (p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS. This is the first report to our knowledge of using haptic robot technology to assist in structural bone allograft reconstruction of defects left after primary bone tumor resection. The findings strongly indicate that this technology has the potential to be of substantial clinical benefit. Further studies are warranted

We evaluated 38 hip reconstructions in 36 patients at a mean follow-up of 5.9 years (range 4 to 9.1) after femoral head allografts had been used to augment severely deficient acetabular bone stock. The patients were all relatively young and had many previous operations. Their pre-operative Harris hip rating averaged 46 points (range 18 to 73). All the allografts united and there were no infections. However, 12 acetabular components (32%) became loose; six of these had needed revision using the healed allograft, and two hips had required resection arthroplasty. The 30 surviving hips had a mean Harris hip score of 82 points. Some radiographic evidence of graft resorption was seen in 23 hips, though this was mild in 17. The extent of cover provided by the allograft and the severity of graft resorption both correlated with acetabular loosening. Although structural allografts had allowed successful hip reconstructions in many of these patients with major bone loss, the failure rate had increased from zero at four years to 32% at six years; clearly they provide only a short-term solution

We investigated the radiographic and clinical course of 31 patients in whom a bulk acetabular allograft had been used during the cementless revision of a total hip replacement. Two patients died and two were lost to follow-up within 24 months, but of the remaining 27 acetabular components, 12 (44%) showed radiographic evidence of instability at a mean of 46 months. Five of these have been revised. In the 12 failures, signs of instability had been noted at an average of 29 months (1 to 60). Failures during the first 24 months were usually due to technical errors, later failures to gradual migration of the cup into the graft. The cups with the greatest amount of their surface supported by grafts were most likely to migrate, but this migration was usually asymptomatic. Screw fixation of the cup, used in 24 cases, appeared to control the mechanism of failure. Femoral head allografts and distal femoral allografts had been used, with failure in 6 of 16, and 6 of 11 respectively; distal femoral allografts were used only for large defects. The insidious course of late cup migration and graft failure necessitates close radiographic follow-up of patients treated with bulk allografts.

We evaluated the use of a hemipelvic acetabular transplant in twenty revision hip arthroplasties with massive acetabular bone defects (Paprosky IIIB) at a mean follow-up of 5-years (4–10 years). These defects were initially trimmed to as geometric a shape as possible by the surgeon. The hemipelvic allografts were then cut to a geometric shape to match the acetabular defects and to allow tight stable positioning of the graft between the host ilium ischium and pubis. The graft was further stabilised with screw fixation. A cemented cup (without a reinforcement ring) was entirely supported by the allograft in all procedures.

We report 65% good intermediate-term results.

There were seven failures (five aseptic loosening and two deep infections). Radiographic bone bridging between the graft and host was evident in only one of these cases. Aseptic graft osteolysis began radiographically at a mean of 14 months and revision occurred at a mean of 2 years in the 5 aseptic failure cases. All 5 cases could be reconstructed again due to the restoration of bone stock provided by the hemipelvic graft. One infected case was able to be reconstructed using impaction allografting and the other was converted to a Girdlestone hip.

Thirteen of twenty acetabular reconstructions did not require revision. Radiographic bone bridging between the graft and host was evident in 12 cases. In 2 cases, ace-tabular migration began early (at 5 and 27 months) but stopped (at 35 and 55 months). These 2 cases have been followed for 6 and 9 years respectively, with no further migration. Two dislocations occurred but did not require acetabular revision.

The function of these hips is good with a mean Postel Merle D’Aubigne score of 16.5.

We feel that these are satisfactory intermediate term results for massive acetabular defects too large for reconstruction with other standard techniques.

An uncemented hemispherical acetabular component is the mainstay of acetabular revision and gives excellent long-term results. Occasionally, the degree of acetabular bone loss means that a hemispherical component will be unstable when sited in the correct anatomical location or there is minimal bleeding host bone left for biological fixation. On these occasions an alternative method of reconstruction has to be used. A major column structural allograft has been shown to restore the deficient bone stock to some degree, but it needs to be off-loaded with a reconstruction cage to prevent collapse of the graft. The use of porous metal augments is a promising method of overcoming some of the problems associated with structural allograft. If the defect is large, the augment needs to be protected by a cage to allow ingrowth to occur. Cup-cage reconstruction is an effective method of treating chronic pelvic discontinuity and large contained or uncontained bone defects. . This paper presents the indications, surgical techniques and outcomes of various methods which use acetabular reconstruction cages for revision total hip arthroplasty. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B(1 Suppl A):73–7

Background. Ankle and hindfoot fusion in the presence of large bony defects represents a challenging problem. Treatment options include acute shortening and fusion or void filling with metal cages or structural allograft, which both have historically low union rates. Impaction grafting is an alternative option. Methods. A 2 centre retrospective review of consecutive series of 32 patients undergoing hindfoot fusions with impaction bone grafting of morselised femoral head allograft to fill large bony void defects was performed. Union was assessed clinically and with either plain radiography or weightbearing CT scanning. Indications included failed total ankle replacement (24 patients), talar osteonecrosis (6 patients) and fracture non-union (2 patients). Mean depth of the defect was 29 ±10.7 mm and mean maximal cross-sectional area was 15.9 ±5.8 cm. 2. Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis was performed in 24 patients, ankle arthrodesis in 7 patients and triple arthrodesis in 1 patient. Results. Mean age was 57 years (19–76 years). Mean follow-up of 22.8 ±8.3 months. 22% were smokers. There were 4 tibiotalar non-unions (12.5%), two of which were symptomatic. 10 TTC arthrodesis patients united at the tibiotalar joint but not at the subtalar joint (31.3%), but only two of these were symptomatic. The combined symptomatic non-union rate was 12.5%. Mean time to union was 9.6 ±5.9 months. One subtalar non-union patient underwent re-operation at 78 months post-operatively after failure of metalwork. Two (13%) patients developed a stress fracture above the metalwork that healed with non-operative measures. There was no bone graft collapse with all patients maintaining bone length. Conclusion. Impaction of morselised femoral head allograft can be used to fill large bony voids around the ankle and hindfoot when undertaking arthrodesis, with rapid graft incorporation and no graft collapse despite early loading. This technique offers satisfactory union outcomes without the need for shortening or synthetic cages

Aims. Although internal hemipelvectomy is associated with a high incidence of morbidity, especially wound complications, few studies have examined rates of wound complications in these patients or have identified factors associated with the consequences. The present study aimed to: 1) determine the rate of wound and other complications requiring surgery after internal hemipelvectomy; and 2) identify factors that affect the rate of wound complications and can be used to stratify patients by risk of wound complications. Methods. The medical records of 123 patients undergoing internal hemipelvectomy were retrospectively reviewed, with a focus on both overall complications and wound complications. Logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between host, tumour, and surgical factors and rates of postoperative wound complications. Results. The overall rate of postoperative complications requiring surgery was 49.6%. Wound complications were observed in 34.1% of patients, hardware-related complications in 13.2%, graft-related complications in 9.1%, and local recurrence in 5.7%. On multivariate analysis, extrapelvic tumour extension (odds ratio (OR) 23.28; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.97 to 274.67; p = 0.012), both intra- and extrapelvic tumour extension (OR 46.48; 95% CI, 3.50 to 617.77; p = 0.004), blood transfusion ≥ 20 units (OR 50.28; 95% CI, 1.63 to 1550.32; p = 0.025), vascular sacrifice of the internal iliac artery (OR 64.56; 95% CI, 6.33 to 658.43; p < 0.001), and use of a structural allograft (OR, 6.57; 95% CI, 1.70 to 25.34; p = 0.001) were significantly associated with postoperative wound complications. Conclusion. Internal hemipelvectomy is associated with high rates of morbidity, especially wound complications. Several host, tumour, and surgical variables are associated with wound complications. The ability to stratify patients by risk of wound complications can help refine surgical and wound-healing planning and may lead to better outcomes in patients undergoing internal hemipelvectomy. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(3):280–284

Background. Revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a challenging scenario following complex primary THA for developmental dysplasia of hip (DDH). This study envisages the long-term outcomes of revision DDH and the role of lateral structural support in socket fixation in these young patients who may require multiple revisions in their life-time. Materials and methods. Hundred and eighteen consecutive cemented revision THAs with minimum follow up of 5 years following primary diagnosis of DDH operated by a single unit between January 1974 and December 2012 were analysed for their clinical and radiological outcomes. Results. The mean follow-up of 118 patients was 11.0 years (5.1–39.6 years). At 11 years, the cumulative survivorship with revision as the endpoint was 89.8%. Amongst the 88 acetabular revisions for aseptic loosening, 21 had pre-existing autologous lateral structural bone graft from the primary THA (group A). Only 3 (14%) of them required lateral structural re-grafting using allograft at revision. With the remaining 18 hips, the lateral support from the previous graft facilitated revision with no requirement of additional structural graft. Sixty-seven hips did not have lateral structural autograft during primary operation (group B). Amongst them, 18 (27%) required lateral structural allograft in revision surgery. Discussion. There is paucity of evidence regarding long-term results following revision THAs in patients with DDH. Nearly double the number of patients with no previous acetabular structural bone graft needed structural allograft during revision in comparison to those patients with autologous structural bone grafting done at primary operation. The lateral structural autograft used at primary arthroplasty seems to provide invaluable bone stock for future revisions. Conclusion. This study reports the largest number of revision THAs with primary diagnosis of DDH with the longest follow up. In our experience, the lateral support from the structural graft done in primary operation appears to have provided benefit in subsequent revision socket fixation

Introduction:. We report the outcomes of salvage procedures in total ankle replacement (TAR) in a single surgeon series. Methods:. This study was a retrospective review of patients who had undergone salvage procedures with tibio-talo-calcaneal (TTC) fusion for failed TAR over a period from 1999–2013 in a single centre. In this period, 317 TAR were performed of which 11 have failed necessitating conversion to TTC fusion. Clinical documentation and radiographs were reviewed for cause of failure, type of graft for fusion, time to radiological/clinical union and complications including further surgeries. Results:. The causes of failure of the TAR were pain from instability/impingement in 8, fracture in one, subsidence of the talar component in one and infection in one. From the group of 11 patients, 8 patients went onto union at a mean of 10 months (7–14). All 8 patients had femoral head structural allografts to maintain limb length for the procedure and 3 required a secondary procedure to dynamise the nail. 2 patients with femoral head structural allografts developed infections necessitating removal of the graft and conversion to an external fixator of which one united and the other developed a painless fibrous union. 1 patient developed non-union with progressive deformity of the ankle resulting in a Symes amputation. Conclusions:. From our series of patients we have demonstrated that failure of TAR requiring salvage procedures is a relatively rare event (3.5%). The use of TTC fusion is successful in the majority of patients and the use of femoral head structural allografts allows preservation of leg length with good rates of union