Related Articles

Background:

Most proximal femoral fractures are successfully treated with internal fixation but a failed surgery can be very distressing for the patient due to pain and disability. For the treating surgeon it can be a challenge to perform salvage operations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term functional outcome and complications of total hip arthroplasty (THA) following failed fixation of proximal hip fracture.

Materials and Methods:

In a retrospective study, 21 hips in 20 patients (13 females and seven males) with complications of operated hip fractures as indicated by either established nonunion or fracture collapse with hardware failure were analysed. Mean age of the patients was 62 years (range 38 years to 85 years). Nine patients were treated for femoral neck fracture, 10 for intertrochanteric (I/T) fracture and two for subtrochanteric (S/T) fracture of the hip. Uncemented THA was done in 11 cases, cemented THA in eight hip joints and hybrid THA in two patients.

Results:

The average duration of follow-up was four years (2-13 years). The mean duration of surgery was 125 min and blood loss was 1300 ml. There were three dislocations postoperatively. Two were managed conservatively and one was operated. There was one superficial infection and one deep infection. Only one patient required a walker while four required walking stick for ambulation. The mean Harris Hip score increased from 32 preoperatively to 79 postoperatively at one year interval.

Conclusion:

Total hip arthroplasty is an effective salvage procedure after failed osteosynthesis of hip fractures. Most patients have good pain relief and functional improvements inspite of technical difficulties and high complication rates than primary arthroplasty.

Background and purpose

The surgical methods for treatment of femoral neck fractures and trochanteric hip fractures vary. We describe the changes in Sweden over the period 1998–2007 and the regional differences in treatment.

Patients and methods

Data on 144,607 patients were drawn from the National Patient Register.

Results

The proportion of femoral neck fractures treated with arthroplasty increased from 10% in 1998 to 52% in 2007. The use of intramedullary (IM) nails for pertrochanteric fractures increased from 5% to 20%, at the expense of the use of different sliding hip screws. In subtrochanteric fractures, the use of IM nails increased from 32% to 72%. Re-admissions within 180 days due to hip complications were more common after internal fixation for femoral neck fractures than after arthroplasty, and more common after intramedullary nailing of pertrochanteric fractures than after use of sliding hip screws. Treatment varied substantially within Sweden, particularly regarding the use of IM nails.

Interpretation

An increase in arthroplasties reflects an evidence-based treatment rationale for femoral neck fractures, whereas the increase in use of IM nails in pertrochanteric fractures lacks scientific support. The geographic variations call for national treatment guidelines. Further clinical trials are needed to solve the treatment issues regarding per- and subtrochanteric fractures.

The incidence of hip fractures continues to rise. This study is the first evaluation of a new intramedullary implant, the Veronail, that provides double axis fixation into the femoral head and allows the surgeon to choose whether to use sliding or fixed locked proximal screw fixation for trochanteric femoral fractures. The fractures were classified according to the AO classification, and function was assessed with the Modified Harris Hip Score. 111 patients with trochanteric fractures were evaluated in eight Italian hospitals. The stable 31.A1 fractures were treated with sliding proximal screws, the subtrochanteric 31.A3 fractures with converging proximal screws, and the unstable 31.A2 fractures were treated with both types of proximal fixation. The unstable fractures treated with locked converging screws had the same function at one year as those treated with sliding screws. This study suggests a possible new method of treating unstable trochanteric femoral fractures. This may be the solution to prevent excessive collapse of the fracture with the resultant poor function and persisting pain noted in the literature. Two converging locked proximal screws seem to provide stable fixation in 31.A2 femoral fractures and produce as good a result as the use of traditional sliding screws. The role of converging locked proximal screws in unstable trochanteric fractures requires further evaluation.

Background and purpose

Hip arthroplasty is an option for elderly patients with osteoporosis for the treatment of failure after fixation of trochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures, either as a total hip arthroplasty (THA) or as a hemiarthroplasty (HA). We analyzed the reoperation rate and risk factors for reoperation in a consecutive series of patients.

Methods

All patients (n = 88) operated from 1999 to 2006 with a THA (n = 63) or an HA (n = 25) due to failure of fixation of a trochanteric fracture (n = 63) or subtrochanteric fracture (n = 25) were included. Background data were collected from the patient records. A search was performed in the national registry of the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare in order to find information on all reoperations. The follow-up time was 5–11 years.

Results

The reoperation rate was 16% (14/88 hips). A periprosthetic fracture occurred in 6 patients, a deep prosthetic infection in 5 patients, and a dislocation of the prosthesis in 3 patients. Standard-length femoral stems had an increased risk of reoperation (11/47) compared to long stems (3/41) (HR = 4, 95% CI: 1.0–13; p = 0.06).

Interpretation

The high reoperation rate reflects the complexity of the surgery. Using long femoral stems that bridge previous holes and defects may be one way to reduce the risk for reoperation.

Failed treatment of an intertrochanteric fracture typically leads to profound functional disability and pain. Salvage treatment with hip arthroplasty may be considered. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results and complications of hip arthroplasty performed as a salvage procedure after the failed treatment of an intertrochanteric hip fracture. Twenty-one patients were treated in our hospital with hip arthroplasty for failed treatment of intertrochanteric hip fracture. There were sixteen women and five men with a mean age of 75.8 years (range 61–85 years). Fourteen patients had failure of a previous nail fixation procedure, five had failure of a plate fixation, one of hip screws fixation and one of Ender nail fixation. In 19 out of 21 patients we performed a total hip arthroplasty—14 cases used modular implants with long-stems and five cases used a standard straight stem. In 2 of 21 cases we used a bipolar hemiarthroplasty. A statistically significant improvement was found comparing pre and postoperative conditions (p < 0.05). Our experience confirms that total hip arthroplasty is a satisfactory salvage procedure after failed treatment of an intertrochanteric fracture in elderly patients with few serious orthopaedic complications and acceptable clinical outcomes.

Due to an ever-aging population and a growing prevalence of osteoporosis and motor vehicle accidents, the number of subtrochanteric fractures is increasing worldwide.

The choice of the appropriate implant continues to be critical for fixation of unstable hip fractures. The subtrochanteric region has certain anatomical and biomechanical features that can make fractures in this region difficult to treat. The preferred type of device is a matter of debate. Increased understandings of biomechanical characteristics of the hip and improvement of the implant materials have reduced the incidence of complications. The surgeons choose between the two methods according to Seinsheimer's classification and also to their personal preferences. As a general principle, the open reduction and internal fixation were performed in stable fractures, and the closed reduction and internal fixation were performed in unstable fractures.

The advantages of intramedullary nailing consist in a small skin incision, lower operating times, preservation of fracture hematoma and the possibility of early weight bearing. The disadvantages consist in a difficult closed reduction due to important muscular forces, although the nail can be used as a reduction instrument, and higher implant cost.

In open reduction internal fixation techniques, the advantage is represented by anatomical reduction which, in our opinion, is not necessary. The disadvantages are represented by: higher operating time, demanding surgery, large devascularization, higher infection rates, late weight bearing, medial instability, refracture after plate removal and inesthetic approach.

The aim of this non-randomised prospective study was to evaluate the short-term outcome of Gamma nail and dynamic hip screw (DHS) fixation in the treatment of subtrochanteric hip fractures due to low-energy trauma in the elderly. All of the 1,624 femoral hip fractures in 1,511 patients of the Oulu Hospital, aged over 49 years, were prospectively registered from 1991−1999 using special forms. Seventy-three (4.5%) of the fractures were subtrochanteric. After exclusions, 58 patients constituted the final study group. Of these, 43 were treated with Gamma nails and 15 with DHS. Background factors before the fracture, complications, reoperations and functional parameters at 4 months were recorded using standardised forms. Intraoperative and hospital data were collected from patient records. The Seinsheimer fracture types IIIA, IIC and V were the most common fracture patterns when the Seinsheimer classification system was used, and Fielding II and AO 31A3.3, respectively, were the most common types in the Fielding and AO classification system. There were four (9%) intraoperative complications in the Gamma nail group as compared to none in the DHS group. On the other hand, postoperative complications were more common in the DHS group (27%) than in the Gamma nail group (7%). We recognised a correlation between certain fracture types and the likelihood of typical intra- or postoperative complications or difficulties with both devices: In Gamma nailing, difficulty in closed reduction as well as the rate of open reduction and the use of supplementary fixation were most frequent in the Seinsheimer IIC fractures. It is also noticeable that all of the postoperative device failures and fracture displacements of the DHS group occurred in the Seinsheimer type IIIA category. Detailed fracture classification is essential for the choice of the fixation device, and the present study confirms the presumption that, despite the perioperative problems associated with Gamma nailing, this technique may be preferable to plate fixation for specific fracture types with medial cortical comminution, such as Seinsheimer type IIIA.

Background

Trochanteric fractures are common fractures in the elderly. Due to characteristic demographic changes, the incidence of these injuries is rapidly increasing. Treatment of these fractures is associated with high rates of complications. In addition, the long-term results remain poor, with high morbidity, declines in function, and high mortality. Therefore, in this study, complication rates and patients’ outcomes were evaluated after fixation of geriatric trochanteric fractures using the Gamma3™ nail.

Methods

Patients aged 60 years old or older, with pertrochanteric and subtrochanteric femoral fractures, were included. Patients with polytrauma or pathological fractures were excluded. Age, sex, and fracture type were collected on admission. In addition, data were recorded concerning the surgeon (resident vs. consultant), time of operation, and local or systemic perioperative complications. Complications were also collected at the 6- and 12-month follow-ups after trauma. Barthel Index, IADL, and EQ-5D measurements were evaluated retrospectively on admission, as well as at discharge and during the follow-up.

Results

Ninety patients were prospectively included between April 2009 and September 2010. The patients’ average age was 81 years old, and their average ASA score was 3. The incision/suture time was 53 min (95% CI 46–60 min). Hospital mortality was 4%, and overall mortality was 22% at the 12-month follow-up. Eight local complications occurred (4 haematomas, 1 deep infection, 1 cutting out, 1 irritation of the iliotibial tract, 1 periosteosynthetic fracture). The incidence of relevant systemic complications was 6%. Forty-two percent of the patients were operated on by residents in training, without significant differences in duration of surgery, complication rate, or mortality rate. The Barthel Index (82 to 71, p < .001), IADL (4.5 to 4.3, p = .0195) and EQ-5-D (0.75 to 0.66, p = .068) values did not reach pre-fracture levels during the follow-up period of 12 months.

Conclusion

The results showed a relatively low complication rate using the Gamma3™ nail, even if the nailing was performed by residents in training. The high mortality, declines in function, and low quality of life could probably be attributed to pre-existing conditions, such as physical status.

In summary, the Gamma3™ nail seems to be a useful implant for the nailing of trochanteric fractures, although further studies are necessary comparing different currently available devices.

Background:

Hip replacement following failed internal fixation (dynamic hip screw for intertrochanteric fractures) or previous hip arthroplasty presents a major surgical challenge. Proximal fitting revision stems do not achieve adequate fixation. Distal fixation with long-stemmed extensively coated cementless implants (like the Solution™ system) affords a suitable solution. We present our early results of 15 patients treated with extensively coated cementless revision stems.

Materials and Methods:

Fifteen patients with severely compromised proximal femora following either failed hip arthroplasty or failed internal fixation (dynamic hip screw fixation for intertrochanteric fractures) were operated by the senior author over a two-year period. Eight patients had aseptic loosening of their femoral stems following cemented hip replacements, with severe thinning of their proximal cortices and impending stress fractures. Seven had secondary hip arthritis following failure of long implants for comminuted intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric femoral fractures. All patients were treated by removal of implant (cemented stems/DHS implants) and insertion of long-stemmed extensively coated cementless revision (‘Solution™ DePuy, Warsaw (IN), US’) stems along with press-fit acetabular component (Duraloc Cup, DePuy, Warsaw (IN), US). All eight hip revisions needed extended trochanteric osteotomies.

Results:

All patients were primarily kept in bed on physiotherapy for six weeks and then gradually progressed to weight-bearing walking over the next six to eight weeks. The Harris Hip Scores and patient satisfaction were used for final evaluation. We achieved good results in the short term studied. In our first three patients (all following failed cemented total hip replacements), we resorted to cerclage wiring to hold osteotomised segments (done to facilitate stem removal). The subsequent 12 proceeded without the need for cerclage wiring. One patient had a intraoperative severe comminuted fracture extending into the supracondylar region while hammering in the stem. Post cerclage wiring, she was put on a long knee brace and her mobilization was delayed to 12 weeks.

Conclusions:

The extensively coated cementless (‘Solution™’) femoral stem provides a reasonable ‘solution’ to the deficient femur in hip revision. The proximal femoral deficiences can be relatively easily bypassed and distal fixation can be achieved with this stem. Extreme care needs to be taken to avoid fractures and penetration of the femoral shaft, which can, however, be managed by cerclage wiring. Principles of a successful outcome include preservation of the functional continuity of the abduction apparatus, care to recognize and prevent distal extension of fracture while inserting the stem (preemptive cerclage wiring) and supervised rehabilitation.

We report a rare case of posterior hip dislocation after a low energy trauma. The patient sustained a trochanteric fracture in the same hip six months ago, which was fixed using a sliding hip screw and had healed. At surgery a deep wound infection was found and a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) was cultured. After thorough debridement, an excisional arthroplasty was decided. The patient received specific intravenous antibiotics and after six weeks a total hip arthroplasty was done. In three years follow-up the patients presented with a fully functional hip without any signs of infection. Hip dislocation after a trochanteric fracture internal fixation is rare complication associated with high morbidity and mortality. Infection eradication and a second stage arthroplasty can be life and limb saving.

Deep hip infection is a rare complication of intertrochanteric fractures and an optimal treatment has not yet been reported. Twenty-seven patients who contracted deep hip sepsis following the failed primary treatment of an intertrochanteric fracture were treated with two-stage hip arthroplasty. Antibiotic-impregnated cement beads were implanted following resection arthroplasty in the first 15 patients, and a temporary cement spacer prosthesis was used in the other 12 hips. There was only one recurrence of infection at an average follow-up of 4.8 years. Complications included non-union of the greater trochanter in four patients, intraoperative femoral fracture in two and fracture of the cement prosthesis in one. The use of an interim spacer was associated with better hip function in the interim period; a decreased operative time and less blood loss at the time of arthroplasty; and a higher hip score at final follow-up. Staged arthroplasty is an effective salvage procedure for deep hip infection after the failed treatment of an intertrochanteric fracture. The use of a temporary spacer maintains hip function between stages, makes arthroplasty less complicated, and improves the clinical outcome.

Introduction

Femoral subtrochanteric fractures are commonly treated using intramedullary devices. Failure of the implant and subsequent nonunion is still an issue, however, and limited evidence exists regarding the most appropriate treatment.

Case presentation

We report the case of an 80-year-old Caucasian woman with a subtrochanteric fracture originally treated using a trochanteric gamma nail which failed, resulting in a nonunion and fracture of its proximal end. The nonunion was revised with the removal of the broken trochanteric gamma nail, application of a condylar blade plate, ipsilateral Reamer/Irrigator/Aspirator autografting, recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-7 and injectable hydroxyapatite cement. The fracture united fully at ten months following revision surgery, with no signs of femoral head avascular necrosis at 18-month follow-up.

Conclusion

The essential requirements for success when revising a nonunited fracture are to provide anatomical reduction, mechanical stability, bone defect augmentation and biological stimulation to achieve healing. Current advances in molecular biology, such as recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-7, and biotechnology such as the Reamer/Irrigator/Aspirator system and hydroxyapatite injectable cement can improve patient outcomes over the use of our traditional revision techniques.

Background

This prospective experimental study evaluated the surgical procedure and results of modular hybrid total hip arthroplasty in dogs.

Methods

Ten skeletally mature healthy mongrel dogs with weights varying between 19 and 27 kg were used. Cemented modular femoral stems and uncemented porous-coated acetabular cups were employed. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed before surgery and at 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 and 360 days post-operation.

Results

Excellent weight bearing was noticed in the operated limb in seven dogs. Dislocation followed by loosening of the prosthesis was noticed in two dogs, which were therefore properly treated with a femoral head osteotomy. Femoral fracture occurred in one dog, which was promptly treated with full implant removal and femoral osteosynthesis.

Conclusions

The canine modular hybrid total hip arthroplasty provided excellent functionality of the operated limb.

We retrospectively reviewed 43 patients who had undergone Girdlestone resection arthroplasty of the hip after failed total hip replacement or failed operations for hip trauma between 1990 and 2002. The indications were peri-prosthetic infection, aseptic loosening, recurrent dislocation and failed internal fixation for femoral neck fractures. Twenty-five patients died with an overall mortality of 58%. Out of 18 survivors, four patients had a prosthesis re-implanted and were excluded from the study. In 14 surviving patients followed-up for a mean of 44.5 months, the average age was 76 years. Adequate pain relief was achieved in 12 patients and infection was controlled in all. They all needed walking aids. The overall patient satisfaction was 10/14. We observed that patients who had had resection arthroplasty following failed operations for hip trauma had a higher mortality than those for failed total hip arthroplasty. Girdlestone arthroplasty is still a viable option to salvage irretrievably failed hips presenting technical difficulties in medically compromised patients. Limb shortening and the inevitable need for a walking aid should be clearly explained to patients during the consenting process in order to avoid unrealistic expectations.

Background:

Reverse oblique trochanteric fracture of femur is a distinct fracture pattern. 95° Dynamic condylar screw (DCS) and proximal femoral nail (PFN) are currently the most commonly used implants for its fixation. This study aims to biomechanically compare the cutout resistance as well as modes of failure of DCS and PFN in reverse oblique trochanteric fractures.

Materials and Methods:

Sixteen freshly harvested cadaveric proximal femoral specimens were randomly assigned to three mean bone mineral density matched groups, eight of which were implanted with 95° DCS and the other eight with PFN. The constructs were made unstable to resemble a reverse oblique trochanteric fracture by removing a standard size posteromedial wedge. These constructs were subjected to computer controlled cyclic compressive loading with 200 kg at a frequency of 1 cycle/second (1 Hz) and end points of both the groups were analyzed.

Results:

The bending moment of the PFN group was approximately 50% less than that of the DCS group (P<0.0001). The PFN group resisted more number of cycles than the DCS group (P=0.03) and showed lesser number of component failures as compared with the DCS group (P=0.003).

Conclusions:

The PFN is biomechanically superior to DCS for the fixation of reverse oblique trochanteric fractures of femur.

Background

Dislocation is a serious complication following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Femoral revision using monoblock components has been associated with high incidence of subsidence and dislocation. Advantages of modular stems in THA have long been debated. The aim of this retrospective study is to assess the capability of an uncemented modular stem in decreasing the incidence of early dislocation subsequent to revision THA.

Materials and methods

We evaluated the dislocation rate during the first 2 years following revision surgery in two groups of patients who were treated by implantation of a cementless tapered femoral prosthesis; a standard-modularity stem (Wagner SL) and an increased-modularity stem (Profemur R) were used, respectively, in 66 hips (group I, 64 patients) and 102 hips (group II, 97 patients). Group I consisted of 47 females and 17 males with average age of 66 years (range 29–84 years). Group II included 60 females and 37 males with average age of 70 years (range 48–89 years).

Results

Dislocation occurred in six hips (9.1%) of group I and in seven hips (6.8%) of group II (P = 0.401). Dislocations were observed early in both groups, except one hip in group II that dislocated 434 days postoperatively and required surgical reduction. All other dislocations were treated by closed reduction. No recurrence was observed.

Conclusions

The use of an increased-modularity revision stem alone did not prove to be effective in reducing the risk of postoperative dislocation.

Background

Dislocation is a serious complication following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Femoral revision using monoblock components has been associated with high incidence of subsidence and dislocation. Advantages of modular stems in THA have long been debated. The aim of this retrospective study is to assess the capability of an uncemented modular stem in decreasing the incidence of early dislocation subsequent to revision THA.

Materials and methods

We evaluated the dislocation rate during the first 2 years following revision surgery in two groups of patients who were treated by implantation of a cementless tapered femoral prosthesis; a standard-modularity stem (Wagner SL) and an increased-modularity stem (Profemur R) were used, respectively, in 66 hips (group I, 64 patients) and 102 hips (group II, 97 patients). Group I consisted of 47 females and 17 males with average age of 66 years (range 29–84 years). Group II included 60 females and 37 males with average age of 70 years (range 48–89 years).

Results

Dislocation occurred in six hips (9.1%) of group I and in seven hips (6.8%) of group II (P = 0.401). Dislocations were observed early in both groups, except one hip in group II that dislocated 434 days postoperatively and required surgical reduction. All other dislocations were treated by closed reduction. No recurrence was observed.

Conclusions

The use of an increased-modularity revision stem alone did not prove to be effective in reducing the risk of postoperative dislocation.

Introduction

The aim of the study was to compare the mortality risk and complication rate after operative treatment of pertrochanteric fractures with primary arthroplasty, dynamic hip screw (DHS) or proximal femoral nail (PFN).

Patients and methods

Clinical records including X-rays of all patients with trochanteric femoral fractures, except pathologic fractures and a minimum age of 60 years, which were treated between 1992 and 2005 were entered in this retrospective study. Of these 283 patients, 132 were treated by primary arthroplasty, 109 with a DHS and 42 with a PFN. Survival after 1 year and complications, which had to be treated within this period were our main outcome measurement. Influencing cofactors such as age, gender and comorbidities were reduced by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Mortality was significantly influenced by age, gender and amount of comorbidities but not by fracture classification. Primary hip arthroplasty did not bear a higher 1-year mortality risk than osteosynthesis in a multiple regression analysis. The main complication with DHS and PFN were cutting out of the hip screw and non-union with a revision rate of 12.8%. With the introduction of hemiarthroplasty, the postoperative dislocation rate decreased from 12 to 0%.

Conclusion

For stable fractures a dynamic hip screw (DHS) and for unstable fractures a short proximal femoral nail (PFN) can be recommended. The mortality risk of primary cemented arthroplasty did not differ significantly from the other treatment groups and because of its low complication rate it is a viable treatment option for trochanteric fractures if osteoporosis prevents from full weight bearing or if osteoarthritis makes further operations likely. Primary total hip replacement should be handled with care due to its significantly higher dislocation rate compared with hemiarthroplasty especially in unstable fractures.

Background

The most common mechanical failure in the internal fixation of trochanteric hip fractures is the cut-out of the sliding screw through the femoral head. Several factors that influence this complication have been suggested, but there is no consensus as to the relative importance of each factor.

The purpose of this study was to analyse the cut-out complication with respect to the following variables: patients’ age, fracture type, fracture reduction, implant positioning and implant design.

Methods

3066 consecutive patients were treated for trochanteric fractures with Gamma Nails between 1990 and 2002 at the Centre de Traumatologie et de l`Orthopedie (CTO), Strasbourg, France. Cut-out complications were identified by reviewing all available case notes and radiographs. Subsequently, the data were analysed by a single reviewer (AJB) with focus on the studied factors.

Results

Seventy-one cut-out complications were found (2.3%) of the 3066 trochanteric fractures. Cut-out failure associated with avascular head necrosis, pathologic fracture, deep infection or secondary to prior failure of other implants were excluded from the study (14 cases). The remaining 57 cases (1.85 %, median age 82.6, 79% females) were believed to have a biomechanical explanation for the cut-out failure. 41 patients had a basicervical or complex fracture type. A majority of cut-outs (43 hips, 75%) had a combination of the critical factors studied; non-anatomical reduction, non-optimal lag screw position and the characteristic fracture pattern found.

Conclusions

The primary cut-out rate of 1.85% was low compared with the literature. A typical cut-out complication in our study is represented by an unstable fracture involving the trochanteric and cervical regions or the combination of both, non-anatomical reduction and non-optimal screw position. Surgeons confronted with proximal femoral fractures should carefully scrutinize preoperative radiographs to assess the primary fracture geometry and fracture classification. To reduce the risk of a cut-out it is important to achieve both anatomical reduction and optimal lag screw position as these are the only two factors that can be controlled by the surgeon.

Objective:

Despite new developments in the management of osteoporotic fractures, complications like screw cutout are still found in the fixation of proximal femur fractures even with biomechanically proven better implants like proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA). The purpose of this cadaveric study was to investigate the biomechanical stability of this device in relation to two common positions (center-center and inferior-center) of the helical blade in the femoral head in unstable trochanteric fractures.

Materials and Methods:

Eight pairs of human cadaveric femurs were used; in one group [center-center (C-C) group], the helical blade of PFNA was fixed randomly in central position both in anteroposterior and lateral view, whereas in the other group it was fixed in inferior one-third position in anteroposterior and in central position in lateral view [inferior-center (I-C) group]. Unstable intertrochanteric fracture was created and each specimen was loaded cyclically till load to failure

Results:

Angular and rotational displacements were significantly higher within the C-C group compared to the I-C group in both unloaded and loaded condition. Loading to failure was higher in the I-C group compared to the C-C group. No statistical significance was found for this parameter. Correlations between tip apex distance, cyclic loading which lead to femoral head displacement, and ultimate load to failure showed a significant positive relationship.

Conclusion:

The I-C group was superior to the C-C group and provided better biomechanical stability for angular and rotational displacement. This study would be a stimulus for further experimental studies with larger number specimens and complex loading protocols at multicentres.

Background

Today, dislocated femoral neck fractures are commonly treated with a cemented hip arthroplasty. However, cementing of the femoral component may lead to adverse effects and even death. Uncemented stems may lower these risks and hydroxyapatite (HA) coating may enhance integration, but prosthetic stability and clinical outcome in patients with osteoporotic bone have not been fully explored. We therefore studied fixation and clinical outcome in patients who had had a femoral neck fracture and who had received a fully HA-coated stem prosthesis.

Patients and methods

50 patients with a dislocated femoral neck fracture were operated with the fully HA-coated Corail total or hemiarthroplasty. 38 patients, mean age 81 (70–96) years, were followed for 24 months with conventional radiographs, RSA, DEXA, and for clinical outcome.

Results

31 of the 38 implants moved statistically significantly up to 3 months, mainly distally, mean 2.7 mm (max. 20 mm (SD 4.3)), and rotated into retroversion mean 3.3º (–1.8 to 17) (SD 4.3) and then appeared to stabilize. Distal stem migration was more pronounced if the stem was deemed to be too small. There was no correlation between BMD and stem migration. The migration did not result in any clinically adverse effects.

Interpretation

The fully hydroxyapatite-coated Corail stem migrates during the first 3 months, but clinical outcome appears to be good, without any adverse events.

The sliding compression device, a widely used implant in unstable proximal femoral fractures, suffers from two major limitations: excessive collapse and screw cut-out. Commonly attributed reasons for these are lateral wall comminution and single-point fixation, respectively. We report our experience of stabilising 74 unstable trochanteric fractures, of which 46 cases underwent lateral wall reconstruction using a trochanteric stabilising plate (TSP) in combination with a dynamic hip screw (DHS), and 34 cases with an intact lateral wall had a DHS with an additional anti-rotation screw providing two-point fixation. Fracture consolidation was observed in all cases at an average of 13.56 weeks. Overall functional hip score as per the Salvati and Wilson scoring system was >30 points in 55 patients. Lateral wall reconstruction is an important component in stabilisation of unstable trochanteric fractures and a combination of TSP with a DHS appears to be a useful device to achieve this. Addition of an antirotation screw is likely to enhance the stability further by providing two-point fixation.

Background and purpose

Hemiarthroplasty as treatment for femoral neck fractures has increased markedly in Sweden during the last decade. In this prospective observational study, we wanted to identify risk factors for reoperation in modular hemiarthroplasties and to evaluate mortality in this patient group.

Patients and methods

We assessed 23,509 procedures from the Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Register using the most common surgical approaches with modular uni- or bipolar hemiarthroplasties related to fractures in the period 2005–2010. Completeness of registration (individual procedures) was 89–96%. The median age was 85 years and the median follow-up time was 18 months.

Results

3.8% underwent reoperation (any further hip surgery), most often because of implant dislocation or infection. The risk of reoperation (Cox regression) was higher for uncemented stems (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.5), mainly because of periprosthetic femoral fractures. Bipolar implants had a higher risk of reoperation irrespective of cause (HR = 1.3), because of dislocation (1.4), because of infection (1.3), and because of periprosthetic fracture (1.7). The risk of reoperation due to acetabular erosion was lower (0.30) than for unipolar implants, but reoperation for this complication was rare (1.7 per thousand). Procedures resulting from failed internal fixation had a more than doubled risk; the risk was also higher for males and for younger patients. The surgical approach had no influence on the risk of reoperation generally, but the anterolateral transgluteal approach was associated with a lower risk of reoperation due to dislocation (HR = 0.7). At 1 year, the mortality was 24%. Men had a higher risk of death than women (1.8).

Interpretation

We recommend cemented hemiarthroplasties and the anterolateral transgluteal approach. We also suggest that unipolar implants should be used, at least for the oldest and frailest patients.

Background

High-dose radiation retards bone healing, compromising the surgical results of radiation-induced fractures. Prosthetic replacement has traditionally been reserved as a salvage option but may best achieve the clinical goals of eliminating pain, restoring function and avoiding complications.

Questions/purposes

We asked whether patients undergoing prosthetic replacement at index surgery for radiation-related subtrochanteric or diaphyseal fractures of the femur had fewer complications than those undergoing open reduction internal fixation at index operation.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed records from 1045 patients with soft tissue sarcomas treated with surgical resection and high-dose radiation therapy between 1982 and 2009 and identified 37 patients with 39 fractures. We recorded patient demographics, diagnosis, type of surgical resection, total radiation dose, fracture location and pattern, years after radiation the fracture occurred, type of surgical fixation, and associated complications.

Results

Patients undergoing prosthetic replacement at index surgery had a lower number of major complications and revision surgeries than those undergoing index open reduction internal fixation. Patients undergoing open reduction internal fixation at index surgery had a nonunion rate of 63% (19 of 30). Fractures located in the metaphysis were more likely to heal than those located in the subtrochanteric or diaphyseal regions.

Conclusions

Radiation-induced fractures have poor healing potential. Our data suggest an aggressive approach to fracture treatment with a prosthetic replacement can minimize complications and the need for revision surgery.

Level of Evidence

Level III, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Subtrochanteric fractures are fraught with certain anatomic, biologic and biomechanical challenges. Evolution of implants like the Gamma nail, fixed-angle nail plates, compression hip screws and dynamic hip screws with trochanteric stabilization plates underlines a persistent quest for a better implant. We studied the dynamic condylar screw DCS as an implant on a series of 30 consecutive patients with subtrochanteric fractures. Our purpose was to assess this implant as a panacea for subtrochanteric fractures. All cases of AO type A and B were anatomically fixed, whereas type C was biologically plated. The idea was to assess the applicability and adaptability of the DCS. Fractures in 29 cases united, with one patient suffering from an implant failure. There were 17 excellent, 5 good, 5 fair and 3 poor results. The DCS is a definite advance over previous methods of treatment; when combined with the utilization of biological fixation techniques for comminuted fractures, can be relied upon to treat all types of subtrochanteric fractures.