Acetabular reconstruction using morcellised bone with ring support--medium-term results at three to nine years

Marked acetabular bone loss in revision hip arthroplasty is challenging. Reconstruction or reinforcement rings may be used in moderate or severe cases with morcellised bone graft to restore bone stock. We report a single surgeon series of 45 hips over a 5-year period. There were 6 complex primary and 39 revision hip arthroplasties with a mean follow-up of 85 months (range: 42-106). Mean age at surgery was 75.6 years (range: 31-95). Contour (Smith & Nephew) titanium acetabular rings were used in all cases. At time of assessment 12 patients had died; of the 30 alive patients (33 hips), 23 patients (26 hips) were available for clinical evaluation. Forty of 45 grafts healed uneventfully with good graft incorporation, 2 were radiologically loose and both were infected. No loosening occurred in the absence of infection. Based on this experience, we recommend this as a safe and effective technique with low complication rates.