Modular prostheses in metastatic bone disease of the proximal femur

In the period from 1988 to 1992, 23 patients (16 females and 7 males, average age at operation 57.3 years) with metastatic disease of the proximal femur were treated by resection of the lesion and insertion of a modular prosthesis (PGR). At latest review (at an average 3.2 years following the operation, range 1 to 5 years) twelve patients were still alive. Local recurrence of the neoplasia occurred at, respectively 6, 8, and 12 months after prosthesis insertion in the three patients in whom surgery was performed because of a pathological fracture. Pain relief was obtained in all cases after surgery and no patient developed any complication during or after surgery. Functional results (Enneking Function Evaluation system) were excellent in 2 patients, good in 13 and fair in 8. PGR modular prostheses appear to be a safe form of palliative treatment in a patient with proximal femoral metastases.