The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the results of modular distal fixation stem for the proximal femoral deficiency in revision total hip arthroplasty.

Thirty five patients (36 hips) were followed for more than 24 months after the revision total hip arthroplasty using modular distal fixation stem between December 1998 and May 2002. The preoperative diagnoses included 27 cases of aseptic loosening, 7 cases of septic loosening, and 2 periprosthetic fractures. The femoral deficiencies classified according to Paprosky classification: Type II 3 cases, Type IIIA 14 cases, Type IIIB 8 cases, and Type IV 11 cases.

The average Harris hip score improved from 39.5 points to 89.4 points. The average subsidence of the femoral component was 1.3 mm (range, 0-10 mm). All 36 hips had stable fixations, which were 30 cases by bony ingrowth and 6 cases by stable fibrous ingrowth. Postoperative complications included 3 cases of posterior dislocation, 1 case of heterotopic ossification, 1 case of deep vein thrombosis, and 1 case of reactivated infection.

Cementless revision total hip arthroplasty using modular distal fixation stem showed good short-term results in the face of the deficient proximal bony support, and it appears to be a effective surgical option in this difficult revisional total hip cases.