OBJECTIVETo retrospective analysis the mid-term follow-up effect of hip joint replacement in elderly patients with failure of intertrochanteric fractures of the hip joint internal fixation.

METHODSFrom December 2008 to December 2011, 32 elderly patients underwent arthroplasty after intertrochanteric fracture fixation failure, of which, 4 death cases were excluded from the study, and the remaining 28 cases were in the study group. The age of patients ranged from 69 to 83 years old with a mean of 75 years old. The time from the internal fixation to the hip replacement were 8 to 72 months. Among them, 6 patients were Evans I type, 11 patients were Evans II type, 9 patients were Evans III type, and 2 patients were Evans IV type. Nine cases showed fracture of the lateral plate before operation, while 15 cases were femoral head screw cut-out and 4 cases were screw loosening. Harris score was used to compare the changes of hip function before operation with the final follow-up. Imaging results(X-ray) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR) were performed during the follow-up.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 4 to 7 years with an average of 5.3 years. Pain was significantly reduced or disappeared in patients compared with pre-operation. And hip function was significantly improved. Two cases had moderate pain after the physical activity and 4 cases had mild pain after the physical activity. At the final follow-up, 19 patients resumed free walking, 8 patients required walking with walking sticks, and 1 patient needed walking aid. The Harris scores improved from preoperative 34.9±2.4 to 83.4±5.7 at the final follow-up, among them, 15 cases were classified as excellent, 10 as good, 2 as fair, and 1 as poor. X-ray examination showed no prosthesis loosening and sinking fracture.

CONCLUSIONSSalvage THA surgery could improve the hip function and the quality of life for old patients with intertrochanteric fracture fixation failure, and the middle-term follow-up results support that.