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Hip: H. Lindahl, H. Malchau, A. Odén, and G. Garellick Risk factors for failure after treatment of a periprosthetic fracture of the femur J Bone Joint Surg Br 2006; 88-B: 26-30 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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Risk factors for failure after treatment of a periprosthetic fracture of the femur

Yousaf R Shah, Turab A. Syed, Zahid Saeed, Zulfiqar Sadiq   (8 March 2006)

Risk factors for failure after treatment of a periprosthetic fracture of the femur 8 March 2006
Yousaf R Shah, Trust Registrar Trauma and Orthopaedics Milton Keynes General Hospital., Milton Keynes, UK, Turab A. Syed, Zahid Saeed, Zulfiqar Sadiq Send letter to journal: Re: Risk factors for failure after treatment of a periprosthetic fracture of the femur orthoresearch{at}gmail.com Yousaf R Shah, et al.	Sir, We read this article with interest. The purpose of the study was to identify the factors causing high failure rate of total hip replacement revision. One of these was the surgeons’ false impression of stability of the femoral stem, thus classifying Vancouver type B2 as B1. They subsequently treated the fracture with plate fixation only and not revision. It would be interesting to know what radiological criterion was used pre-operatively to classify the stability of the stem.1 If the decision was coupled with intra-operative assessment, what factors were considered? The data dates back to 1979, since when a number of modifications2 have taken place, both in cementing techniques and implant design (stems and plates). Therefore, it raises the question of any correlation of implant failure with these factors. Was there any association between failure and the site of plate/s placement? Lastly, what was the post-operative weight bearing status of the patients and was there any correlation between this and failure of revision? Y.R. Shah, T.A. Syed, Z. Saeed, Z. Sadiq, Trauma and Orthopaedics, Milton Keynes General Hospital, Milton Keynes, UK. 1. Gruen TA, McNeice GM, Amstutz HC. "Modes of failure" of cemented stem-type femoral components: a radiographic analysis of loosening. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1979;141:17–27. 2. McCaskie AW, Gregg PJ. Femoral cementing technique: current trends and future developments. J Bone Joint Surg [Br] 1994;76-B:176-7.