Background:

Removal of a well-fixed uncemented femoral component in revision hip arthroplasty is challenging. A modular head-neck adapter provides an option to optimise the femoral offset and anteversion, avoiding the need for femoral stem revision.

Aim:

To present the clinical results following revision arthroplasty with the Bioball head-neck adapter in the elderly American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) Grade II, III & IV patients.

Materials and methods:

A retrospective review of our database was performed, and all patients classed as ASA grades II, III, & IV treated with the Bioball Universal Adapter (BUA) for 10 years were included. The indication for revision, stem retention, type of adapter, and head size were identified. Patients were contacted by a research nurse to assess the Forgotten Joint Score (FJS), the Oxford Hip Score (OHS), and any symptoms of instability at a minimum of one year post revision surgery.

Results:

Our study included 47 patients. 5 (10.6%) were ASA II, 19 (40.4%) were ASA III and 23 (49%) were ASA IV. The mean age was 74 years. The mean follow up was 52 months ± 28.4 SD. The median FJS was 86 ± 11.6 SD. The median OHS was 43 ± 6.2 SD. One patient (2.1%) developed recurrent dislocation following lumbar spinal fusion. None of the other patients experienced instability. The survival rate for the adapter was 98%.

Conclusion:

The BUA gives good clinical outcomes with very low post revision instability. It is a valuable option for the elderly because it avoids the morbidity and risks associated with the removal of a well-fixed femoral stem.

Level of evidence:

Level IV.