Thirty one patients were treated with salvage total hip arthroplasty (THA) for failed internal fixation of intertrochanteric fracture. After a mean follow-up of 47.5 months, all patients reported remarkable pain relief and return to ambulation. Twenty five patients had no pain, and 6 patients complained of residual trochanteric low-grade pain without compromise of activities. The Harris Hip score increased from a preoperative average of 28.4 points to a postoperative average of 85.6 points. All patients demonstrated successful bony union and five had Brooker I or II heterotopic ossification. Seven patients had intraoperative or early complications and were treated successfully. There was no infection, re-fracture, loosening, or revision for any reason. Salvage THA using non-modular cementless long-stem prosthesis represents an effective procedure after failed intertrochanteric fixation.
Keywords: internal fixation failure; intertrochanteric fracture; non-modular stem; nonunion; total hip arthroplasty.
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