Trochanteric union in revision hip arthroplasty.

Abstract

A total of 69 patients undergoing revision hip arthroplasty using a transtrochanteric approach who all had at least 1 previous transtrochanteric surgical approach. In 6 patients, it was the third time the trochanter was taken down, and in 2 patients, it was the fourth time. We believe this is the first review of trochanteric union in such a subgroup of patients. The mean age was 66 years (range, 46-82 years). Before revision, 49 of 69 patients (71%) had a united trochanter, whereas 20 of 69 (29%) had a pseudarthrosis. The overall pseudarthrosis rate decreased from 20 patients (29%) to 10 patients (14%) after revision surgery. The mean Harris hip score was 86 (range, 29-100). Repeated transtrochanteric osteotomy was not associated with any significant morbidity and did not affect the clinical outcome.