Orthopaedic crossfire--Stem modularity is unnecessary in revision total hip arthroplasty: in the affirmative.

Numerous options are available for femoral stem fixation in revision total hip arthroplasty, including cemented stems, proximally-coated cementless stems, extensively coated cementless stems, impaction grafting cemented stems, and modular cementless stems. In terms of versatility, ease of insertion, use with an extended trochanteric osteotomy, and clinical results, extensively coated cementless stems remain the gold standard. Modular cementless stems have not matched the clinical results of extensively coated cementless stems. In addition, modular stems introduce increased complexity, cost, and potential complications and are therefore, rarely, if ever, necessary in revision total hip arthroplasty. Copyright 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.