Total femur replacement in revision arthroplasty for non-oncologic patients: a systematic review

Revision total joint arthroplasty cases including those complex enough to require limb-salvage procedures are expected to significantly increase. Total femoral replacements represent a limb-preserving procedure with potential utility for these complicated cases. This review seeks to summarize the outcomes of total femoral replacements when used in the revision arthroplasty setting.

A systematic review was performed by searching Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Wiley Cochrane Library: Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Thompson Reuters Web of Science: Citation Index on February 8, 2024 for studies describing any outcomes and complications of total femur replacements performed for revision arthroplasty. Functional outcomes and postoperative complications were subsequently summarized. This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024509031). Risk of bias assessment was performed using the Methodological Index for Nonrandomized Studies.

Eleven of 4817 initially screened studies were included. Indications for total femur replacement largely consisted of periprosthetic infection, periprosthetic fracture, hardware loosening, or a combination thereof. Articles described variable benefit in function, pain, and ambulatory ability. Patients had improved hip and knee function, reduced pain levels, and preserved independent ambulatory ability, though patients largely still required assistive devices. Benefits were limited by the high risk of postoperative complications, especially infection and dislocation.

Total femur replacement is an option for limb-salvage surgery in complex revision arthroplasty cases but has high complication rates, particularly infection and dislocation. Advancements aimed at minimizing these complication rates including silver- and iodine-coated implants will be critical in establishing the viability of total femur replacements in this setting.