Cement-less femoral fixation in revision hip arthroplasty offers advantages over cemented femoral revision with evidence of lower rates of both revision and impending prosthesis failure. Intermediate-term data suggests that extensively-coated stems provide reliable fixation by obtaining in-growth and stability in the healthier bone located more distally in the femoral shaft. We report the results of femoral stem revisions performed by a single surgeon at our institution using an extensively-coated, cement-less femoral component. A retrospective review of notes and radiology was performed on all patients who underwent femoral revision by a single surgeon between January 1994 and March 2004, with a minimum follow up of 24 months. Patients were identified using a dedicated database and the New Zealand National Joint Registry. All patients were operated on using the same technique and received a Solution femoral stem (De Puy, USA). Each patient’s level of function was assessed using the Oxford Hip Score. Radiographic assessment was performed using Engh criteria for fixation and stability of porous coated implants. 67 Solution stems were inserted into 64 patients. Thirty-six patients (52%) were male. Mean age was 70.5 years (47–86). Mean follow up was 57 months (24–145). The most common indication for revision was osteolysis and/or polyethylene wear (75%). There were no failures of the femoral component requiring re-revision. 65 stems (97%) showed definite or suspected bony in-growth on radiographic review. The mean Oxford Hip Score was 27.3 (12–44). Five cases (7.5%) developed significant complications requiring return to the operating theatre: one deep wound infection, two recurrent dislocations and two loose or mal-positioned acetabular components. The latter four cases required acetabular revision. Previous reports have shown good results from the use of extensively porous coated cylindrical stems in revision hip arthroplasty. Our results show the Solution stem to be a reliable femoral revision stem with good medium-term results and a low rate of complications.
