[Custom cementless stem for osteoarthritis following developmental hip dysplasia]

Arthroplasty in developmental dysplasia of the hip joint raises technical problems related to the anatomy and age of the young patient. The purpose of this work was to report results obtained with a custom-designed cementless stem.

This study included 257 hips reviewed at mean 82 months (range 43-162 months). Mean patient age was 55 years (17-78), mean weight 67 kg (42-118), and mean height 164 cm (147-190). A standard imaging protocol was performed for all patients: AP pelvis in reclining position, AP and lateral views of healthy and pathological hip, AP view of entire lower limb in standing position, computed tomography of lower limb. La position of the greater trochanter and the lengthening necessary was determined from the preoperative films. Stem integration and migration as well as osteolysis were studied postoperatively. Femoral anteversion and the anteroposterior diameter of the paleoacetabulum were measured on the superposed computed tomographic images. Surgery was performed via a Watson-Jones approach to insert a noncemented cup hooked in the obturator foramen and implanted in the paleoacetabulum. The femur endomedullary cavity was prepared with a ream having the form of the definitive stem and the prosthetic neck was custom fit to match the desired lever arm and anteversion.

The series included 174 cases of dysplasia and 83 dislocations, 39% stage 1, 30% stage 2, 14% stage 3 and 17% stage 4. Mean lengthening was 39 mm. The mean helitorsion was 28 +/- 16 degrees and the mean anteroposterior diameter of the acetabulum was 51 mm. On average, the alpha correction in the prosthetic neck was -13.4 degrees (-71 degrees to +37 degrees). The Postel-Merle-d'Aubigné score improved from 10.4 points preoperatively to 16.7 points at last follow-up. Postoperative x-rays showed signs of osteointegration in 88% of cases, osteolysis in 5% and one case of stem impaction. Ten hips (3.9%) required revision for replacement (7 for an aseptic problem and 3 for sepsis). Survival was 94.7% at 13 years.

This study confirmed the anatomic modifications observed in patients with developmental hip dysplasia and the surgical problems they cause. There was no correlation between the degree of dislocation and the degree of helitorsion which is difficult to assess without a preoperative computed tomography. The survival rate at 13 years is encouraging in this population. The intramedullary portion of the cementless stem must be adapted to the dimensions of the femoral canal which decrease with increasing dislocation.