Cemented Broken Stem

Re: Cemented Broken Stem

by David Siew-Kit Choon -
Number of replies: 0

We have to consider 

  1. Obvious implant loosening.  The distal end of the implant is fixed and movement occurs at the junction of stable versus unstable leading to eventual stress fracture. 
  2. Removal of the proximal end of the implant is easy. But the distal end may be problematic. Extended trochanteric osteotomy or windowing the femoral shaft my assist
  3. This may cause shaft weakness that will need to be reinforced either with a plate or strut graft
  4. The weak area can be bypassed by a longer stem which may be cemented (my preference) or cementless. Cement in cement means that total cement removal is not necessary 
  5. Proximal impaction grafting would help to reconstitute the proximal femur.