Periprosthetic femoral fractures treated with a modular distally cemented stem

PURPOSE: To assess the treatment outcome of revision hip arthroplasty for Vancouver type B3 periprosthetic femoral fractures using a modular distally cemented stem. METHODS: 22 men and 14 women (37 hips) aged 66 to 79 (mean, 70) years underwent revision hip arthroplasty for Vancouver type B3 periprosthetic femoral fractures. The indication for surgery was periprosthetic fracture with stem loosening and loss of proximal bone stock. The patients were referred from other hospitals after previous surgeries had failed: 8 with 3 previous surgeries, 19 with 2, and 9 with one. Using a transtrochanteric approach, the existing prosthesis was removed and a modular proximal femoral replacement stem was inserted, bypassing the area of proximal femoral fracture and bone loss. The stem was distally cemented. Patients were immobilised within 48 hours of surgery. RESULTS: Patients were followed up for a mean of 14 (range, 8-18) years. The mean Harris hip score improved from 29 (range, 5-40) to 78 (range, 56-88); 24 patients attained excellent or good scores (>80), 10 attained fair, and 2 attained poor scores. The mean healing time was 7 (range, 6-14) months; there was no non-union. Improvement in proximal bone stock was noted on serial radiographs. None of the stems had cement fracture or migration, requiring revision. Two (5%) of the patients had dislocations. CONCLUSION: Vancouver type B3 periprosthetic femoral fractures can be successfully treated with a distally cemented modular proximal femoral replacement prosthesis.