Complications of a cable grip system.

From a group of 643 total hip arthroplasties, 98 patients required trochanteric osteotomies, and in 68 the trochanteric osteotomies were repaired with the Dall-Miles cable grip system (Howmedica, Rutherford, NJ). Trochanteric nonunion occurred in 17 of these patients (25%), with fraying and fragmentation of the cable present in 15 (88%). Of the 51 patients with radiographic union, 18 (35%) also had signs of fraying and fragmentation. Bone destruction around the cable in the area of the lesser trochanter was seen in seven patients (10%). Large deposits of metal debris at the inferior border of the acetabulum were seen in eight hips (12%). Multifilament cable did not appear to offer significant advantages over standard monofilament wire, and the potential problems of fraying, fragmentation, and free-floating metallic debris must be considered.