Diaphyseal Locking Hip Arthroplasty for Treatment of Failed Fixation of Intertrochanteric Hip Fractures

Between 1997 and 2004, 18 patients (8 men and 10 women, with a mean age of 73.2 years) with failed treatment of intertrochanteric hip fractures underwent hip arthroplasty as salvage procedures at our institution. Cementless, 5/8-porous coated, 6-in. primary diaphyseal locking femoral stems were used. Prospective follow-up ranging from 2 to 5 years (mean, 37.1 months) showed improvement of hip function without prosthesis loosening. Complications included 1 case of postoperative infection, 2 cases of dislocation, and 2 cases of stem subsidence. The clinical results were satisfactory. The 5/8-porous coated, 6-in. cementless femoral stems could be used in the salvage procedures for failed fixation of intertrochanteric hip fractures.