A modular distal fixation option for proximal bone loss in revision total hip arthroplasty: a 2- to 6-year follow-up study.

Proximal femoral bone deficiency in the failed total hip arthroplasty (THA) is addressed with difficulty using proximally fixed implants. The Link MP reconstruction hip stem is proximally modular but utilizes distal fixation. This series consists of 143 patients from 3 clinical sites. Of the patients, 81 were women. The average follow-up time was 40 months, and the average patient age was 67 years. The preoperative diagnoses included 108 cases of aseptic loosening and 14 periprosthetic fractures. Clinical follow-up of all patients included radiographic assessment of the hip. This study found a 97.2% survival rate. The average subsidence was 2.1 mm. The average postoperative Harris hip score was 92. Complications included 7 wound infections and 4 deep venous thromboses. We found that the Link MP hip stem allows successful revision THA reconstruction of the proximally compromised femur. Good to excellent functional restoration and pain relief is achievable. Copyright 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.