Total Hip Arthroplasty With Trochanteric Ostectomy for Patients With Angular Deformity of the Proximal Femur

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) of patients with a proximal femoral deformity is technically demanding. This deformity poses the risk of femoral fracture or perforation; stem malposition; and failed stem fixation. To insert a femoral stem in neutral position with a good fit, we removed the greater trochanter in case of a varus deformity, and the lesser trochanter in case of valgus deformity, while performing THA. We aimed to evaluate stem position, implant stability, clinical results, and radiological changes after THAs using this technique.

Fifteen patients (17 hips; 11 varus hips and 6 valgus hips) underwent cementless THA using the trochanteric osteotomy technique in one institution. We evaluated procedure-specific complications: intraoperative femoral fracture, stem malposition, weakness of the abductor power and limp. Modified Harris Hip Score, radiological changes, and the stability of stems were assessed at a mean of 7.1 years of follow-up (range 2.0-15.5).

Femoral fracture occurred during the insertion of the stem in 4 hips. All stems were aligned in neutral position. At the latest follow-up, the mean power of the abductor was 4.3 (range 3-5). Eleven patients had slight limp and 4 patients had moderate limp. All stems had bone-ingrown stability and no stem was revised. The mean modified Harris Hip Score improved from 50 points at the preoperative evaluation to 81 points at the final follow-up.

The trochanteric excision enabled neutral insertion of cementless stem in patients with varus/valgus deformity of the proximal femur, and THA using this technique rendered favorable results.