The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a prophylactic cable fixation for prevention of femoral fractures in cementless bipolar hemiarthoplasties.

Forty-eight cementless bipolar hemiarthroplasties with prophylactic cable fixations on the femur were performed in patients >65 years of age between January 2004 and August 2008 (group 1). The control group which did not undergo prophylactic cable fixation included 48 cases (group 2). The mean age was 75.4 years (group 1) and 73.6 years (group 2). The patients were followed up for an average of 19.1 (group 1) and 18.3 months (group 2). The intra-operative fracture rates were compared. Additionally, operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL), and length of hospital stay were compared. Radiologic assessment for stem stability was performed. Clinical assessment was evaluated by the thigh pain and Jensen's functional score, and Parker & Palmer's mobility score.

There was no fractures in the cabled group (1), and 4 fractures (8.3%) in the control group (2; p=0.041). The mean operative time was 172 minutes (1) and 162 minutes (2), the EBL was 866 cc (1) and 855 cc (2), and the duration of admission was 36 (1) and 35 days (2), respectively. Radiologically, subsidence was 1.59 mm (1) and 1.67 mm (2). Clinically, one (1) and two (2) thigh pains were recorded and the functional score of Jensen was 2 (1) and 2.2 points (2), and the mobility score of Parker and Palmer was 5.2 (1) and 5.3 points (2), respectively.

Prophylactic cable fixation is effective for reducing intra-operative femoral fractures.