Hip arthroplasty for salvage of failed treatment of intertrochanteric hip fractures in elderlv patients

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the results and complications of hip arthroplasty performed as a salvage procedure after the failed treatment of intertrochanteric hip fractures in elderly patients. Methods Between 2004 and 2009,10 patients were treated with hip arthroplasty after the failed treatment of intertrochanteric fracture.There were six females and four males,at mean age of 75.7 years ( range,68-84 years).The initial treatment of fractures included dynamic hip screw (DHS) fixation in three cases,dynamic condyle screw (DCS) fixation in one,proximal femur fixation with reconstruction interlocking nail in three and conservative treatment without internal fixation in three.The failed procedures included avascular necrosis in four cases,cephalic implant cutting in three,nonunion in two and malunion associated with osteoarthritis in one.Joint hip replacement was performed except for pre-operative infection.Harris score at follow-up was recorded and prosthesis position was evaluated by imaging. Results Six patients were treated with total hip arthroplasty with a cemented cup (three patients) and an uncemented cup ( three patients) and four with a bipolar hemiarthroplasty.A long-stem implant was used in 5 of the 10 hips.The average duration of follow-up was 4.6 years (2-7 years).The mean duration of surgery was 128 minutes and mean blood loss was 764 ml.The mean Harris hip score increased from 37 preoperatively to 85 postoperatively.The functional results were satisfactory.One 84-year-old patient with the implant intact died 2 years postoperatively from a brain hemorrhage. Conclusions Hip arthroplasty is an effective salvage procedure after the failed treatment of intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patient.Most patients have better pain relief and functional improvements in spite of technical difficulties than primary arthroplasty.In the meantime,attention should be paid to patients with poor bone quality,bone loss,or articular cartilage damage. Key words: Arthroplasty, replacement, hip; Hip fractures; Treatment failure