PROXIMAL FEMORAL REPLACEMENT PROSTHESIS FOR SALVAGE OF FAILED HIP-ARTHROPLASTY - COMPLICATIONS IN A 2-11 YEAR FOLLOW-UP-STUDY IN 19 ELDERLYPATIENTS

We reviewed 19 elderly patients who underwent revision total hip arthr oplasty with a proximal femoral replacement prosthesis for aseptic loo sening and severe proximal femoral bone loss. The mean interval from i nitial hip replacement to revision arthroplasty was 8 (2-20) years. Th e mean age of the patients was 78 (63-87) years. 2 patients died withi n 2 years postoperatively and 1 patient was lost for follow-up evaluat ion. The remaining 16 patients were assessed clinically and radiograph ically after a mean follow-up period of 5 (2-11) years. All patients h ad local pain relief, but they all needed a crutch or another walking aid. According to the Merle d'Aubigne hip-rating scale there were no e xcellent results, 1 very good, 8 good, 5 fair, 2 poor and no bad resul ts. 4 patients had an intraoperative fracture, 7 had a dislocation, 2 had a deep infection, and 3 patients had progressive loosening of the screws fixing the greater trochanter to the femoral component. Our ser ies demonstrates that revision of a failed hip prosthesis, using a pro ximal femoral replacement prosthesis, presents complex problems.