Hip Arthroplasty Femoral Stem Designs and Their Association With Early Postoperative Periprosthetic Femoral Fractures

Abstract

Background

Periprosthetic femoral fractures (PFFs) in total hip arthroplasty (THA), especially those in contact with the diaphyseal stem, carry high morbidity. This study evaluated how stem design influences the risk of early Vancouver B PFF or other PFF requiring operative intervention after THA.

Methods

A multicenter, retrospective study of 3,433 primary cementless THAs performed from 2014 to 2021 included 2,302 single-taper (micro M/L [n = 1,169]; M/L [n = 1,133]) and 1,131 double-taper (fit-and-fill [n = 420]; compaction-collared [n = 711]) stems. Mean follow-up was 2.2 years (range, 0.3 to 6.5 years). Primary outcomes were Vancouver B and surgically treated postoperative PFFs among differing femoral stems. Secondary outcomes included rates of intraoperative and postoperative Vancouver A and C PFFs.

Results

Forty five postoperative PFFs (1.3%) occurred within 8.8 weeks (median), 25 of which were Vancouver B (0.7%) and 20 total PFFs that required operative intervention (0.6%). Compaction-collared stems had a decreased risk of Vancouver B (hazard ratio 0.18, 95% confidence interval: 0.03-0.97 P = .044) and any surgically treated PFF (hazard ratio 0.10, 95% confidence interval: 0.01-0.95; P = .037). Intraoperative PFFs were most common with fit-and-fill stems (3.6%, P < .001) and Vancouver A with compaction-collared stems (1.8%, P < .001). The cohort with PFF had a higher Charlson comorbidity index (P = .004), more women (P = .001), more Dorr A or C femora (P = .013), and more posterior or lateral surgical approaches compared to those without PFF (P ≤ .001).

Conclusion

After controlling for confounding variables, compaction-collared stems had a significantly lower risk of postoperative Vancouver B and PFF requiring operative treatment than single-taper and double-taper stems.