The outcome of complex acetabular reconstruction was evaluated in twenty-one patients who were confined to a wheelchair or bed because of pain from acetabular metastases. Reconstruction rings were used where bone loss exceeded 50% of the acetabulum. Six roof reinforcement-rings, eight ilioischial-rings and eight Harrington reconstructions were performed. All but two patients(90%) became ambulatory without pain. Median survival was nine months. Two patients underwent acetabular revision for recurrence. These results support the role of acetabular reconstruction for palliation of pain in appropriate patients with acetabular metastases.

Metastatic disease of the acetabulum is painful and disabling. Operative intervention is indicated in certain patients with pathologic fractures, and non-responders to adjuvant treatment. The functional outcome of hip arthroplasty with reconstruction rings was evaluated in twenty-one patients with acetabular metastases between 1989 and 2001. Preoperatively all patients were confined to a wheelchair or bed and used significant narcotic medications. Preoperative radiotherapy was employed in eighteen cases (90%) and 30% had undergone chemotherapy.

AAOS classification of the acetabular lesion revealed: six-type II, seven-type III and eight-type IV deficiencies. All cases required a reconstruction ring due to bone loss exceeding 50% of the acetabular dome. Six roof reinforcement rings, eight ilioischial rings and eight Harrington reconstructions with rings were performed in this group. Determination of the reconstructive technique was based on preoperative computerized tomography and intraoperative examination of the acetabular deficiency.

All but two patients (90%) became ambulatory without significant pain. Eleven patients used a walker or two canes and nine walked with one or no canes. Median survival was nine months and patients with visceral involvement had a shorter duration. Eight early post-operative complications developed in six patients (29%). In two patients the acetabular construct failed with cup migration due to locally recurrent disease; both were successfully revised.

The results of complex acetabular reconstruction for metastatic disease validate its role for palliation of pain and to improve ambulatory status. Preoperative planning with computerized tomography can assist in classifying acetabular bone loss and determining optimal reconstruction technique.

We reviewed and discussed the results of thirteen distal femoral allografts in conjunction with revision total knee arthroplasty for the treatment of periprosthetic femoral supracondylar fractures associated with poor bone stock. The mean follow up time was six years. We looked at graft survivorship, functional outcome, radiographic assessment, and complications. We concluded that this is a viable salvage procedure for this type of injury.

The incidence of periprosthetic supracondylar fractures of the femur is rising due to the aging population, and the increased number of total knee arthroplasties (TKA) being performed. One option for the treatment of severe fractures, associated with poor bone stock, is the use of a distal femoral allograft (DFA) in conjunction with revision TKA. The purpose of this study was to review and discuss the results of thirteen consecutive patients who were treated at our center between 1990 and 2001.

Data was obtained from a prospective database. Ten of the thirteen patients were available for follow up. The average age was sixty-five years (range twenty-four to ninety-three) and the mean length of follow up was six years (range one to twelve). A chart review was performed to identify complications and graft survivorship. Functional assessment was made on the basis of the modified Hospital for Special Surgery knee score (HSS) and the MOS 36-ITEM Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Patients were evaluated radiographically by two independent observers (kappa = 0.75, P = 0.02) in an attempt to determine union between the graft and host bone, graft resorption, and component loosening. The average postoperative HSS score and SF-36 were seventy-five and eighty-eight respectively. Mean flexion was 100°. One had an amputation due to the recurrence of infection. X-rays showed no migration, no loosening, good interface union in nine cases and mild to moderate resorption in three cases. We concluded that this is a viable salvage procedure for this type of injury.

Periprosthetic fracture management after hip arthroplasty is complicated by poor bone stock and loose femoral components. Using a prospective database, thirty-five fractures treated by proximal femoral allograft reconstruction were identified. Patients treated between 1989–2000 with minimum two- year results, were reviewed at a mean of 3.8 years. Twenty-six fractures were acute, and nine had failed previous treatment. Union of the PFA was achieved in all but five cases (83%). In twenty-eight cases (78%) no further surgery was required and patient ambulation was pain free. When conventional treatment is not possible, the use of a PFA provides encouraging results.

Periprosthetic femoral fracture treatment is complicated by comminution, bone loss, and potentially loose femoral components. Treatment can include cast-braces, internal fixation, revision arthroplasty or the use of proximal femoral allograft composites (PFA). This study reports on thirty-five fractures treated with a PFA between 1989–2000. Five patients were lost and twelve patients (33%) were deceased. Follow-up averaged 3.8 years (range 0.1–11.3) with minimum two-year results in surviving patients. Six patients had either Rheumatoid arthritis or DDH with very narrow femoral canals.

There were twenty-three acute fractures, five failures of non-operative management, four failures of ORIF and two fractured femoral stems. Fractures were classified by the Vancouver system with: B1–7%, B2–30%, B3–43% and C-20%. Prefracture functional scores revealed that 30% of patients had significant functional impairment and were awaiting revision arthroplasty. Patients had had an average of two previous surgical procedures (range 1–4).

The mean length of the PFA was 14cm and union between graft and host bone was achieved in all but five cases (83%). Resorption of the graft was seen in eight cases (27%), lucent lines in six cases (20%) and implant migration in four cases (13%). Post revision arthroplasty Harris Hip and SF-36 scores revealed substantial disability in this patient group.

Twenty-eight cases (73%) were deemed successful with patients not requiring further surgery and enjoying pain free ambulation. In fractures with unstable femoral components and inadequate bone stock or very narrow femoral canals few options are available. This technique provides encouraging results and a viable option when conventional treatment is not possible.

Periprosthetic fracture management after hip arthroplasty is complicated by poor bone stock and loose femoral components. Using a prospective database, thirty-five fractures treated by proximal femoral allograft reconstruction were identified. Patients treated between 1989–2000 with minimum two- year results, were reviewed at a mean of 3.8 years. Twenty-six fractures were acute, and nine had failed previous treatment. Union of the PFA was achieved in all but five cases (83%). In twenty-eight cases (78%) no further surgery was required and patient ambulation was pain free. When conventional treatment is not possible, the use of a PFA provides encouraging results.

Periprosthetic femoral fracture treatment is complicated by comminution, bone loss, and potentially loose femoral components. Treatment can include cast-braces, internal fixation, revision arthroplasty or the use of proximal femoral allograft composites (PFA). This study reports on thirty-five fractures treated with a PFA between 1989–2000. Five patients were lost and twelve patients (33%) were deceased. Follow-up averaged 3.8 years (range 0.1–11.3) with minimum two-year results in surviving patients. Six patients had either Rheumatoid arthritis or DDH with very narrow femoral canals.

There were twenty-three acute fractures, five failures of non-operative management, four failures of ORIF and two fractured femoral stems. Fractures were classified by the Vancouver system with: B1–7%, B2–30%, B3–43% and C-20%. Prefracture functional scores revealed that 30% of patients had significant functional impairment and were awaiting revision arthroplasty. Patients had had an average of two previous surgical procedures (range 1–4).

The mean length of the PFA was 14cm and union between graft and host bone was achieved in all but five cases (83%). Resorption of the graft was seen in eight cases (27%), lucent lines in six cases (20%) and implant migration in four cases (13%). Post revision arthroplasty Harris Hip and SF-36 scores revealed substantial disability in this patient group.

Twenty-eight cases (73%) were deemed successful with patients not requiring further surgery and enjoying pain free ambulation. In fractures with unstable femoral components and inadequate bone stock or very narrow femoral canals few options are available. This technique provides encouraging results and a viable option when conventional treatment is not possible.