Bipolar prosthetic replacement for the management of unstable intertrochanteric hip fractures in the elderly.
To promote early full weight-bearing and rapid rehabilitation, 20 elderly patients (average age, 82.2 years) with unstable intertrochanteric hip fractures were treated with a bipolar head-neck replacement. Seventeen patients had the prosthesis inserted as primary fracture management, and three, for salvage of failed internal fixation. The patients were ambulating with unrestricted weight-bearing at an average of 5.5 days after the operation. The bipolar design may permit conversion to a total hip arthroplasty without removal of the femoral component, and may reduce the risk of acetabular cartilage damage. By using the greater trochanter as a landmark for precise placement of the femoral head, correct limb length was restored.
Green
S
S
Problem-Fracture/Osteomyelitis Service, Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center, Downey, CA 90242.
Moore
T
T
Proano
F
F
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011859:Radiography