Hip arthroplasty after treatment failure in intertrochanteric femoral fractures.

Background. Treatment failure in intertrochanteric fractures of the femur leads to pain and limitations of limb function. Methods of treatment allowing for union in order to preserve the proximal femur are undertaken in younger patients. Older patients who have poor quality bone stock and bone loss in the proximal femur are treated with hip arthroplasty. The aim of our study was to perform a long-range follow-up on patients treated with hip arthroplasty after failure of peritrochanteric fracture treatment. Material and methods. We studied 10 patients (6 men and 4 women, average age 61 years) seen after treatment failure in peritrochanteric fractures during the period 1998 - 2003 in the Orthopedics and Traumatology Departament at the Skubiszewski Medical University of Lublin. Seven patients were treated with hemiarthroplasty, and three with total hip replacement. Three long femoral stems were used. Results. One patent died in the early postoperative period. There were two dislocations of hip replacements. An increase in Harris Hip Score was noted, from an average 25 points preoperatively to an average 85 points in long-term follow-up. There was one revision arthroplasty due to breakage of the ceramic cup and head of a Mittelmeier prosthesis. Conclusions. Patients treated with hip arthroplasty after treatment failures in peritrochanteric fractures of the femur can achieve a pain-free hip and good limb function.