The conversion rate of bipolar hemiarthroplasty after a hip fracture to a total hip arthroplasty.
BACKGROUND
Bipolar hip hemiarthroplasty is used in the management of fractures of the proximal femur. The dual articulation is cited as advantageous in comparison to unipolar prostheses as it decreases acetabular erosion, has a lower dislocation rates and is easier to convert to a total hip arthroplasty (THA) should the need arise. However, these claims are debatable. Our study examines the rate of conversion of the bipolar hemiarthroplasty to THA and the justification for using it on the basis of future conversion to THA.


METHODS
All cases of bipolar hemiarthroplasty performed in our unit for hip fractures over a 9-year period (1999-2007) were reviewed. Medical notes and radiographs of all patients were reviewed, and all surviving patients that were contactable received a telephone follow-up.


RESULTS
Of all 164 patients reviewed with a minimum of 1 year from date of surgery, 4 patients had undergone a conversion of their bipolar prosthesis to THA. Three conversions were performed for infection, dislocation, and fracture. Only one (0.6%) conversion was performed for groin pain.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study show that bipolar hemiarthroplasties for hip fractures have a low conversion rate to THAs and this is comparable to the published conversion rate of unipolar hemiarthroplasties.
Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, University College Hospital, London, UK. salazzawi2@gmail.com
Sulaiman
S
Alazzawi
Walter B
WB
Sprenger De Rover
James
J
Brown
Ben
B
Davis
D000368:Aged; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D062785:Hemiarthroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome