Varus malalignment of short femoral stem not associated with post-hip arthroplasty fracture.

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg

Bone & Joint Center, Straub Medical Center, 888 South King Street, Honolulu, HI, 96818, USA.

Published: November 2022

AI Article Synopsis

  • Periprosthetic femoral fractures are common complications following total hip arthroplasty (THA), and this study investigates the role of varus malalignment in short femoral stems.
  • A total of 366 patients were analyzed, with outcomes showing that most stems were neutrally aligned, and early complications like fractures occurred primarily in these neutrally aligned cases.
  • The findings suggest that aggressive realignment of short femoral stems, which initially have good fixation, may not be necessary and could even elevate the risk of intraoperative fractures.

Article Abstract

Introduction: Periprosthetic femoral fractures are an increasingly common post-operative complication of total hip arthroplasty (THA). Though varus malalignment is known to increase fracture risk in standard-length femoral stems, varus malalignment is not as well studied in short stems. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if varus malalignment contributes to early periprosthetic fracture risk in a cementless taper-wedged, short femoral stem.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective review included 366 consecutive patients (441 THAs) having undergone THA via anterior approach by a single surgeon between July 2014 and December 2016. All patients received the same short, cementless femoral stem. Femoral component angle was measured on 6-week post-THA weight-bearing radiographs, with malalignment defined as a femoral component angle exceeding 0° ± 3°. Periprosthetic femoral fracture and aseptic loosening occurring within 2 years post-THA were recorded.

Results: The final data analysis included 426 hips with a mean follow-up time of 32.9 ± 10.2 months. Varus and neutral alignment occurred in 84 (19.6%) and 342 (79.9%) of stems, respectively. Three (0.7%) periprosthetic femoral fractures occurred within 2 years, all occurring in patients with neutrally aligned femoral stems. One (0.2%) stem failed due to aseptic loosening and was malaligned.

Conclusion: Despite nearly 20% of stems placed in varus alignment, three of the four early complications occurred in a neutrally aligned stem. Based on these results, forceful intraoperative realignment of a short femoral stem with good initial fixation may present an unnecessary increased risk of intraoperative fracture.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00402-021-04244-wDOI Listing

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