Drs Marcelino Gomes, do Carmo, and de Souza are from the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, Santa Casa de Batatais,
and Dr Gomes is also from Pontifical Catholic University, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Drs Marcelino Gomes, do Carmo, and de Souza have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Correspondence should be addressed to: Luiz S. Marcelino Gomes, PhD, Department of Orthopedics, Santa Casa de Batatais, 310
Manoel Furtado Av, Batatais, São Paulo 14300-000, Brazil.
Despite the controversies with respect to complication rates and functional outcomes, bipolar hemiarthroplasty remains an
option for the treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly less active patient without pre-existing hip disease.
1,2
Although dislocation of a bipolar hemiarthroplasty is a rare complication when compared with the rate reported for patients
with femoral neck fractures undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA), several unique implant-related complications have been
described for bipolar components, such as disassembly of the modular components, locking ring mechanism failure, and metallosis
from outer cup impingement.
3,4
Among these complications, inner bearing dissociation is the most frequent condition associated with bipolar dislocation.
5
Failures common to both procedures include, most frequently, polyethylene debris-induced osteolysis and loosening of the
femoral component.
More recently, a particular femoral complication has been reported in the literature, occurring as the acute displacement
at cement-prosthesis interface of polished tapered femoral component of THA as a consequence of either acute dislocation
6
or, more frequently, in association with attempted closed manipulation.
7–10
All the reports refer to the dislodgement of polished tapered femoral stems in association with THA.
This article present a case of a patient in whom the polished collarless tapered femoral stem dislodged out of the cement
mantle during traumatic bipolar hemiarthroplasty dislocation with intact locking ring mechanism.
Case Report
An 82-year-old woman sustained a closed unstable femoral neck-fracture (Garden IV) as a result of a fall in which she landed
directly on her left hip (Figure ). Investigation of her pre-injury status revealed a functionally independent patient in bathing, dressing, using the lavatory,
feeding, and transferring with no walking aid. Medical evaluation detected congestive heart disease, chronic obstructive lung
disease, hypertension, and slightly deteriorated mental status.
Four days after admission, the patient underwent left hip bipolar hemiarthroplasty through a posterior approach with implantation
of a cemented polished collarless tapered stem and a bipolar socket designed with an external poly-ethylene locking ring.
Immediate postoperative radiographs revealed satisfactory positioning of both implants (Figures , !).
The patient was started on an accelerated rehabilitation program developed and validated at our institution
11
and had an uneventful recovery, walking with the aid of a walker 1 day postoperatively. On postoperative day 3, she was discharged
with a well-functioning prosthesis, satisfactory pain relief, and stable medical conditions. During the follow-up period,
she was evaluated on postoperative day 8 for suture removal and functional status. She presented with a walker gait, slight
pain at the surgical site, and well-functioning prosthesis.
Twenty-nine days postoperatively she was admitted with a painful and shortened leg after a fall from an 8-step staircase.
Radiographs of the left hip showed a bipolar-socket dislocation with no disassembly of the modular components, and associated
with femoral stem dislodgement out of the cement mantle at the cement/stem interface (Figure ).
The patient underwent open reduction. Intraoperative findings included a dislocated outer shell with undamaged polyethylene
external locking ring mechanism adequately assembled and placed securely on the metal femoral head. The proximal one-third
of the femoral stem protruded out of the femoral canal and the cement mantle appeared undamaged. The femoral implant was driven
back to the original cement mantle, and impacted with a heavy hammer with the aid of the original stem inserter. No additional
bone cement was inserted in the remnant cement mantle. Following reduction of the bipolar component dislocation, a small amount
of bone cement was placed over the shoulder of the femoral stem to prevent a new dislodgement episode (Figure ). The stability of the reconstruction was evaluated through limb traction and movements in all directions of the prosthetic
hip.
One day postoperatively, the patient was able to walk with the aid of a walker. On postoperative day 4, however, her clinical
and mental status progressively deteriorated due to cardiac arrhythmia, and subsequent stroke. She eventually died 15 days
postoperatively.
Discussion
Total hip arthroplasty is considered to be the most adequate procedure for the treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures
in elderly active patients.
2
However, bipolar hemiarthroplasty remains the most frequent procedure performed for less active patients with cognitive dysfunction,
mainly due to the lower prevalence of dislocation, which approaches rates 7 times less than that of dislocation after THA.
1
The clinical failure of bipolar hemiarthroplasty is associated with several implant-related complications, which include
acetabular erosion, dislocation, disassembly of the modular components, polyethylene debris-induced osteolysis, metallosis
from outer cup impingement and loosening of the femoral component.
3–5,12
Our patient developed an unreported complication following bipolar hemiarthroplasty manifested by dislodgement of the femoral
implant out of the cement mantle during traumatic dislocation. A literature search, conducted to identify reports of femoral
stem dislodgment or displacement from the cement mantle following total or partial prosthetic replacement of the hip, revealed
this complication to be associated only with attempted closed manipulation of THA dislocation
7–10
or, less frequently, during the acute episode of THA dislocation.
6
In such circumstances the pull-out forces transmitted to the stem may exceed the strength in axial direction at the level
of the stem/cement interface.
The fact that the rare cases of femoral stem dislodgement reported in the literature have been invariably associated with
cemented polished tapered stems suggests this complication to be strongly related to implant design features. Once the axial
stability of the femoral component depends on the strength of the stem/cement interface, the surface roughness of the implant
and the resulting coefficient of friction will ultimately determine its resistance to pull-out forces.
13
A rough surface creates mechanical interlocking between the implant and the apposed bone cement thus increasing the forces
required to disengage the stem out of the cement mantle.
The design conception for decreasing friction between the stem and the cement mantle constitutes the basis for the use of
polished tapered implant, which permits the distal migration of the tapered stem in the cement mantle, so creating a favorable
mechanical environment for load transmission.
14
Nevertheless, in this circumstance, the bone cement acts more as a grout than an adhesive and consequently produces a very
weak bond and very low friction between the cement and the stem which, in turn, makes the polished tapered stem susceptible
to easy disengagement when submitted to pull-out forces.
15,16
Such a mechanical behavior may also explain the occurrence of stem disengagement in association with undisturbed cement/bone
interface, adequate cement mantle and contemporary cement techniques as reported in the literature.
7–10
In our patient the injury was associated with significant energy, which caused a dislocation of the metallic outer shell.
The undamaged external ring transmitted traction forces to the femoral stem through the taper-lock mechanism of the modular
head, which remained intact. The lower resistance to pull-out forces of the polished tapered stem at the cement interface,
in relation to the metallic head-stem modular taper and the locking ring of the bipolar hemiarthroplasty, was responsible
for the femoral stem dislodgement in this patient. According to laboratory studies, the force required to disengage the femoral
polished tapered stem out of the cement mantle averages 2060 N and so, may be lower than the forces generated by a posterior
hip dislocation estimated by finite element analysis, which range from 1200 to 6000 N.
16,17
In fact, we
15
and other authors
16,18
reported, in clinical and experimental studies, the easy removal of tapered polished stems out of the cement mantle when
submitted to pull-out forces.
The decision to drive the stem back to the original cement mantle and to reduce the original bipolar implant was based on
the integrity of the stem surface, the cement-bone interface and the undamaged polyethylene external locking ring mechanism,
which was adequately assembled and securely fixed on the metal femoral head.
The reinsertion of collarless polished tapered stems into the original cement mantle is not a new procedure. Nabors et al
18
reported the removal and reinsertion of cemented femoral component into the original cement mantle, during isolated acetabular
revision, with excellent results in 42 hips, with no measurable detrimental effects during the first 2 to 10 years since revision.
In all but 8 patients the stems were tapped back into the cement mantle with no additional bone cement in the remaining cement
cavity.
More recently we conducted an experimental study in anatomical models of hip arthroplasty with 3 different designs of tapered
polished collarless stems to evaluate the mechanical safety of reinserting the femoral stems with no additional bone cement
inside the original mantle.
15
We found that reinsertion of same design and size polished tapered stems may not alter the pattern of load transmission and
stability at the interfaces between stem/cement, and to the outer surface of bone. This procedure may be used alternatively
to the cement-in-cement technique, once mechanical conditions at the interfaces are restored with no need for additional cement
during reinsertion if the cement envelope is preserved. The same mechanical principle that maintains the stability of the
stem during subsidence for “force-closed” fixation may also keep the stability of the interface following reinsertion.
13
For these reasons this procedure may not be applicable to designs with texturing or pre-coating, nor to cylindrical-collared
designs, because in such conditions of “shape-closed“ fixation the mechanics of stem/cement interface may not be restored.
These considerations may also explain the reason we could not find any reference to femoral stem disengagement or dislodgement
of cementless stems out of the femoral canal. The high friction of the stem/bone interface of such implants, which relies
on press-fit or scratch-fit fixation for immediate stability, increases the axial resistance of the implant to pull-out forces.
The design conception, for initial stability and biological fixation, also incorporates rough stem surfaces, which enhance
the interface resistance to axial forces. However, severe pull-out forces may theoretically disengage undersized loose uncemented
stems.
Covering the shoulder of the femoral stem with cement produces a statistically significant increment of the pull-out forces
required to dislodge the implant, which means a greater stability in the axial direction. The higher fracture toughness of
the bone cement in relation to the fracture toughness of the stem cement interface requires a higher peak force for stem displacement.
Although femoral stem dislodgement may be prevented by placing bone cement over the shoulder of the prosthesis, this is not
yet a common practice, and should be considered whenever a cemented polished tapered stem is implanted.
16
In the evaluation of the root causes for postoperative death in this patient, the 4-days delay for fracture treatment played
a role in the increased risk for mortality following the index procedure. Several articles and guidelines indicate that surgical
delay of hip fracture surgery in elderly patients has a major negative impact on in-hospital and 30-day mortality.
19,20
However, for this particular patient, recovery was uneventful, and she was active and walking with the aid of a cane by the
29th postoperative day.
Despite the fact that bipolar dislocation is a rare complication, approximately 60% of these episodes require open reduction.
1
Open reduction is also invariably required for dissociation of the locking ring and modular head disassembly, which may occur
during the traumatic event or as a consequence of limb traction during reduction maneuvers. A second operation is usually
risky for the elderly patient who sustains a femoral neck fracture. We hereby describe one more reason for compulsory open
reduction, which may endanger the patient’s life. The occurrence of femoral stem dislodgement during bipolar hemiarthroplasty
dislocation should be considered as a possible complication of such a procedure and may be prevented by routinely placing
bone cement over the shoulder of the femoral polished tapered implant.
References
- 1. Sierra RJ, Schleck CD, Cabanela ME. Dislocation of bipolar hemiarthroplasty. rate, contributing factors, and outcome.
Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2006; (442):230–238. doi: 10.1097/01.blo.0000183741.96610.c3
[CrossRef]
- 2. Jain NB, Losina E, Ward DM, Mitchel B, Harris MB, Katz JN. Trends in surgical management of femoral neck fractures in the United States [published online ahead of print July 22, 2008].
Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2008; (466):3116–3122. doi: 10.1007/s11999-008-0392-3
[CrossRef]
- 3. Cameron HU, Chao EY, Jung YB. An examination of factors contributing to failure of bipolar prostheses.
Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1989; (240):206–209.
- 4. Herzenberg JE, Harrelson JM, Campbell DC, IILachiewicz PF. Fractures of the polyethylene bearing insert in Bateman bipolar hip prostheses.
Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1988; (228):88–93.
- 5. Hasegawa M, Sudo A, Uchida A. Disassembly of bipolar cup with self-centering system: A report of seven cases.
Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2004; (425):163–167. doi: 10.1097/00003086-200408000-00022
[CrossRef]
- 6. Volpin G, Grimberg B, Daniel M. Complete displacement of the femoral stem during dislocation of a THR.
J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1997; 79(4):616–617 doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.79B4.7577
[CrossRef]
- 7. Holt MD. Prosthesis displacement as a complication of reduction of a dislocated total hip arthroplasty.
J Arthroplasty. 1996; 11(8):979–980. doi: 10.1016/S0883-5403(96)80145-8
[CrossRef]
- 8. Petracchi M, Della Valle AG, Buttaro M, Piccaluga F. Displacement of a cemented polished tapered stem during closed reduction of a dislocated total hip arthroplasty—a case report.
Acta Orthop Scand. 2002; 73(4):475–477. doi: 10.1080/00016470216309
[CrossRef]
- 9. Rai PK, Shrivastava RK, Reddy GK, Singh S. Femoral stem displacement as a complication of reduction of a dislocated total hip arthroplasty.
Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2007; 17(2):207–209. doi: 10.1007/s00590-006-0140-x
[CrossRef]
- 10. Staal HM, Heylinger IC, Sluijs V. Stem displacement during reduction of a dislocated cemented total hip arthroplasty with a polished tapered stem.
J Arthroplasty. 2000; 15(7):944–946. doi: 10.1054/arth.2000.8095
[CrossRef]
- 11. Gomes L, Ariyoshi A. Accelerated rehabilitation following total hip replacement is a safe, reproducible and unrestricted procedure. Presented at: The 10th Annual Meeting of EFFORT. ; Vienna, Austria. ; June 4, 2009. ; abstract P1878.
- 12. Wada M, Imura S, Baba H: Use of Osteonics UHR hemiarthroplasty for fractures of the femoral neck.
Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1997; (338):172–181. doi: 10.1097/00003086-199705000-00024
[CrossRef]
- 13. Verdonschot N, Huiskes R. Mechanical effects of stem cement interface characteristics in total hip replacement.
Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1996; (329):326–336. doi: 10.1097/00003086-199608000-00040
[CrossRef]
- 14. Shen G. Femoral stem fixation. An engineering interpretation of the long-term outcome of Charnley and Exeter Stems.
J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1998; 80(5):754–756. doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.80B5.8621
[CrossRef]
- 15. Gomes L, Griza S, Cervieri A, Strohaecker T. Is removal and reinsertion of cemented femoral stems during revision hip arthroplasty a mechanically safe procedure?
J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2010; 92(Suppl 4):516.
- 16. Subramanian KN, Temple AJ, Evans S, John A. Pull-out strength of a polished tapered stem is improved by placing bone cement over the shoulder of the implant [published
online ahead of print September 26, 2008].
J Arthroplasty. 2009; 24(1):139–143. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2008.05.029
[CrossRef]
- 17. Nadzadi ME, Pedersen DR, Yack HJ, Callaghan JJ, Brown TD. Kinematics, kinetics and finite element analysis of commonplace maneuvers at risk for total hip dislocation.
J Biomech. 2003; 36(4):577–591. doi: 10.1016/S0021-9290(02)00232-4
[CrossRef]
- 18. Nabors ED, Liebelt R, Mattingly DA, Bierbaum BE. Removal and reinsertion of cemented femoral components during acetabular revision.
J Arthroplasty. 1996; 11(2):146–152. doi: 10.1016/S0883-5403(05)80008-7
[CrossRef]
- 19. Flierl MA, Gerhardt DC, Hak DJ, Morgan SJ, Stahel PF. Key issues and controversies in the acute management of hip fractures.
Orthopedics. 2010; 33(2):102–110. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20100104-21
[CrossRef]
- 20. Carretta E, Bochicchio V, Rucci P, Fabbri G, Laus M, Fantini MP. Hip fracture: effectiveness of early surgery to prevent 30-day mortality [published online ahead of print April 8, 2010].
Int Orthop. 2011; 35(3):419–424. doi: 10.1007/s00264-010-1004-x
[CrossRef]