Custom-made segmental femoral replacement prosthesis in revision total hip arthroplasty

Patients who present with failed total hip arthroplasty and significant proximal femoral bone loss pose a challenging reconstructive problem. When the integrity of the host proximal femur can be salvaged with cortical strut grafts, conventional long-stem femoral components can be used. If there is massive proximal femoral bone loss, hip salvage can be accomplished with a proximal femoral replacement prosthesis or an allograft-prosthesis composite. Although our early results with a proximal femoral replacement prosthesis were good, long-term results reveal a high rate of dislocation and acetabular component loosening, with an overall survivorship of 73% at 11 years. We have, therefore, limited the use of a proximal femoral replacement prosthesis to the elderly and inactive patient. We are encouraged by the preliminary results of total hip arthroplasty with a second-generation, modular, porous-coated, proximal femoral replacement prosthesis. Longer follow-up is required to determine whether these design modifications improve the results of this type of reconstructive procedure in revision total hip arthroplasty.