Durability of Hemiarthroplasty for Pathologic Proximal Femur Fractures

The hip is a common location for metastatic tumors. Due to the high loads placed through the proximal femur, surgery is often indicated to provide pain relief and restore function. Historically, these lesions are reconstructed with a hemiarthroplasty; however, there are few reports on the outcome of these reconstructions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcome of hemiarthroplasty for the treatment of proximal femur metastatic disease, with a specific focus on the rates of conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA).

One hundred ninety-nine patients (102 women, 97 men) were treated using a hemiarthroplasty to reconstruct the proximal femur for metastatic disease between 1992 and 2014. Mean age and body mass index were 62 years and 27.4 kg/m², respectively. The most common site of primary disease was the breast (n = 63). The most common location for the metastatic disease was the femoral neck (n = 148). Mean follow-up for surviving patients was 4 years.

Over the course of the study, 2 (1%) patients underwent conversion to a THA due to groin pain and degenerative changes. In addition, complications occurred in 12% of patients, most commonly a deep venous thrombosis (n = 5). Following the procedure, mean Harris Hip Score and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society 1993 scores were 73 and 63%, respectively.

Reconstruction of the proximal femur with a hemiarthroplasty endoprosthesis provides a majority of patients with a durable means of reconstruction, with a low rate of conversion to THA.