Outcome of an uncemented hydroxyapatite coated hemiarthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fractures: a clinical and radiographic 2-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Hemiarthroplasty is the preferred treatment for displaced femoral neck fractures (DFNF) in elderly patients. The use of uncemented stems remains controversial and issues regarding inferior fixation in osteoporotic bone, implant-related pain and decreased mobility have discouraged their use. There is limited evidence for the use of modern uncemented femoral stems in the treatment of DFNF, and we wished to investigate the clinical and radiographic performance of an uncemented hydroxyapatite coated hemiarthroplasty at 2-year follow-up.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We included 97 consecutive patients who had an uncemented, hydroxyapatite coated hemiarthroplasty (Corail, Depuy) inserted during a 1-year period. Due to unwillingness or cognitive impairment (n = 6) and death before follow-up (n = 44), a total of 47 patients (39 females) with a mean age of 81 years were available.

RESULTS

At two year follow-up 38 of 47 patients lived in their own homes and the median New Mobility Score was 6 (range: 2-9). The median Visual Analogue Scale pain score was 0 (range: 0-5) at rest and 0 (range: 0-8) when walking. Patient satisfaction was a score of 9 (range: 2-10) on the VAS. Anterior or lateral thigh pain or groin pain was reported by 15 patients. The EQ-5D index score at follow-up was 0.72 (range: 0.16-1.00) and the EQ-5D Visual Analogue Score was 70 (range: 15-100). There were no signs of implant loosening in any of the 37 hips undergoing radiographic evaluation at follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that an uncemented hydroxyapatite coated hemiarthroplasty can be used to treat displaced intracupsular femoral neck fractures with good clinical and radiographic outcomes at short term follow-up.