Noncemented Cathcart elliptical head endoprosthesis for displaced femoral neck fractures

A total of 93 patients (95 hips) undergoing unipolar noncemented elliptical head endoprosthetic replacement for an acute displaced femoral neck fractu re were reviewed clinically and radiographically at an average follow-up of 28 months. The 12-month mortality rate was 22%. The medical complication r ate was 15%, and the surgical complication rate was 19%. At most recent fol low-up, 66% Of patients used an assist device for ambulation or were nonamb ulatory. Of patients, 64% required full-time nursing care. Radiographically , subsidence of the component was identified in 66% of the hips and acetabu lar erosion in 29%. More than half of these patients had complaints of eith er thigh or groin pain. Hips with evidence of subsidence had a statisticall y significant greater length of follow-up (36 months) compared with hips th at did not show subsidence (18 months: P = .014). Noncemented unipolar repl acement for displaced femoral neck fractures is an accepted form of treatme nt. In this group of predominantly male patients, noncemented elliptical he ad unipolar replacement was associated with a high medical and surgical com plication rate as well as poor clinical and radiographic results.