Femoral revision with impaction allografting and an uncemented femoral component.

A technique for uncemented revision of the femoral component which combines impaction allografting and the use of a long-stemmed proximally coated titanium prostheses (Bimetric, Biomet Inc.) is described. The results after a mean follow-up of 112 months are reported. From 1991 to 1995 femoral component revision for aseptic loosening was performed on 100 hips. In 14 cases (14%) an intraoperative fracture occurred and 7 patients (7%) had other postoperative complications. Seventeen patients (17%) required further revision, 10 because of aseptic loosening. Of 50 surviving patients with retained implants 88% had no pain, 10% had slight pain and only 2% had severe pain. Thirty-eight patients had radiographic signs of remodelling of the graft and/or cortical repair. In cases with a successful outcome, the results have been encouraging in relation to clinical performance, regeneration of bone and implant survival.

Long-term results after cemented revision of the femoral component in total hip arthroplasty.

The need for revision total hip arthroplasty has been increasing. The early results have been poor, and different revision techniques have been introduced. We report our results of 84 consecutive cemented first-time revisions of femoral components performed from 1981 through 1988 using a long-stem revision component. The average time to follow-up was 11.4 years (range, 7.9-15.0 years). Patients with 47 revisions had died; 2 of these had been rerevised. Two additional patients were lost to follow-up for other reasons. Of the living patients, 12 had been rerevised, leaving 23 patients (23 hips) for complete follow-up evaluation, including clinical and radiographic assessment. Of 23 patients, 15 reported no pain, 4 had only slight pain, and 4 had more severe pain. In 4 cases, there were definite radiographic signs of loosening of the femoral component. Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis showed an overall 10-year survival of the femoral component of 77.9%. Using rerevision because of aseptic loosening or definite radiographic loosening as endpoint, the 10-year survival was 80.7%. Simple recementation is well indicated in elderly patients with only minor bone loss.

Evaluation of 100 Müller curved-stem and 276 Müller long-stem total hip arthroplasties after 10 to 15 years of follow-up.

This study evaluates 376 total hip arthroplasties performed between 1978 and 1983 using 276 Müller long-stem and 100 Müller curved-stem prostheses. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from patient records. All patients still alive who did not undergo revision arthroplasty were sent a detailed questionnaire. Results indicated that long-term survival of the femoral component of the arthroplasty was significantly better when the Müller long-stem was used. Furthermore, there was no difference in the clinical out-come between patients who underwent revision and those who did not. To eliminate demographic differences between the two groups, 77 patients from each group were paired. There was no difference in clinical results of the hips between the paired groups, and long-term survival of the Müller long-stem was still significantly better using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Risk factors for recurrent aseptic loosening of the femoral component after cemented revision.

A series of 160 consecutive cemented first revisions, performed from 1977 through 1988 for aseptic loosening of a primary cemented femoral component, were studied using survivorship methods with the purpose of identifying risk factors for recurrent loosening of the femoral component. Risk of recurrent loosening depended on the length of the revision stem, with a significantly increased risk of loosening if the tip of the primary stem was overbridged by the revision stem with less than one width of the femoral shaft. Risk of recurrent loosening was also related to the extension of a cement mantle, exceeding more than 2 mm, around the revision stem measured on postrevision anteroposterior radiographs. Furthermore, low age and neutral position of the revision stem were identified as risk factors for recurrent loosening of the cemented revision femoral component. An improved fixation of the cemented revision femoral component for revisions performed after 1982 could be related to the use of longer revision stems and improved cementation.

Late disassembly of modular acetabular components. A report of two cases.

We report two cases of late disassembly of modular acetabular components, 4 and 5 years after implantation. One was revised immediately after the disassembly and one after 4 months, the latter demonstrating excessive wear of metal and polyethylene. Radiographs showing eccentric displacement of the femoral head in the cup associated with a dark, curved shadow representing the displaced polyethylene insert identify this type of implant failure.

Unsatisfactory results after repeated revision of hip arthroplasty. 61 cases followed for 5 (1-10) years.

61 cemented second revision total hip arthroplasties and 18 cemented third revision total hip arthroplasties were studied with emphasis on causes of failure, complications, risk of further revision, and clinical and radiographic results of surviving, not further revised patients. Aseptic loosening was the major reason for both second and third revisions followed by recurrent dislocations. Of 61 second revisions, 21 failed again. Postoperative dislocation was the major complication, encountered in 10/61 after second revisions and in 4/18 third revisions. 10 second revisions were reoperated on without exchange of components, but for causes related to the implant. The clinical and radiographic outcome of surviving, not further revised patients was favorable, but must be seen in the light of the high rate of further revisions. In 33 of 53 second revisions and in 5 of 13 third revisions left for evaluation, the outcome was considered unsatisfactory. We conclude that reoperations for failed arthroplasties should be the prerogative of highly experienced centers.

Clinical results after revision and primary total hip arthroplasty.

Results after 184 primary and 227 revision total hip arthroplasties were compared with an emphasis on rates of failure leading to reoperation and intra- and postoperative complications and on the clinical outcome of the nonrevised arthroplasties in the two series. The failure rate was 7% (11 of 156) in the primary series, versus 27% (54 of 195) in the revision series. The rate of complications was substantially higher after revision, due to 16% (36 of 227) intraoperative fractures of the femoral shaft and 6% (14 of 227) postoperative dislocations. Clinical assessment of the nonrevised arthroplasties in the two series revealed no difference with regard to relief of pain. For patients with concomitant disabling conditions functional outcome was inferior after revision, but for patients without such conditions the functional results of the two series were equal. The favorable clinical results of the nonrevised arthroplasties in the revision series must be seen in relation to the very high rate of failure leading to reoperation.

Survivorship analysis of failure pattern after revision total hip arthroplasty.

Failure, defined as established indication for or performed re-revision of one or both components, was analyzed using survivorship methods in 306 revision total hip arthroplasties. The longevity of revision total hip arthroplasties was inferior to that of previously reported primary total hip arthroplasties. The overall survival curve was two-phased, with a late failure period associated with aseptic loosening of one or both components and an early failure period associated with causes of failure other than loosening. Separate survival curves for aseptic loosening of femoral and acetabular components showed late and almost simultaneous decline, but with a tendency toward a higher rate of failure for the femoral component. No differences in survival could be found between the Stanmore, Lubinus standard, and Lubinus long-stemmed femoral components. A short interval between the index operation and the revision and intraoperative and postoperative complications were risk factors for early failure. Young age was a risk factor for aseptic loosening of the femoral component. Intraoperative fracture of the femoral shaft was not a risk factor for secondary loosening. No difference in survival was found between primary cemented total arthroplasty and primary noncemented hemiarthroplasty.

Arthroplasty for congenital hip dislocation. Techniques for acetabular reconstruction.

We investigated a series of 63 arthroplasties for chronically dislocated hips or severe dysplasia with at least two thirds of the femoral head uncovered. Direct cementation into the neoacetabulum at the pelvic wing was followed by 6/20 revision arthroplasties and 3/20 impending failures. Cups supported by cortical bone grafts were revised in 8/16 and found loose in 2/12 arthroplasties. The best technique was restoration of the rotational center of the hip joint and roof reconstruction with a femoral head graft with 2/25 revisions and signs of loosening in 2/25.

Traumatic amputation of the upper limb: the use of body-powered prostheses and employment consequences.

Forty three patients with unilateral traumatic amputations were reviewed as to the use of prostheses and employment consequences of the amputation. Seventeen of 19 below-elbow amputees, and 12 of 24 above-elbow amputees used their prostheses. Non-users compared to users of prostheses were characterized by: 1) Higher level of amputation 2) Non-dominant arm amputation and 3) Younger age at the time of amputation. However non-users usually did well on the labour market for various reasons.

Failures with the Judet noncemented total hip.

Primary failures with 36 noncemented Judet total hip arthroplasties are reported. Steep-cup inclination in 7 cases resulted in two dislocations, two migrations, one skew insertion, and two painful hips. Moreover, two migrations were encountered in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Femoral shaft fractures occurred intraoperatively in 7 cases and postoperatively in another 2 cases. In addition, major fractures of the greater trochanter occurred in 3 cases. The reoperation rate was 11/36, due to primary failures 8-37 months postoperatively. Consequently, the Judet design cannot be recommended for noncemented use.