The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Vol 62, Issue 7 1065-1073, Copyright © 1980 by Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc
Bone-grafting in total hip replacement for acetabular protrusion
DE McCollum, JA Nunley and JM Harrelson
Since 1971 we have used homologous and autogenous bone grafts to reinforce
the medial acetabular wall when doing a total hip replacement in patients
with painful protrusio acetabuli. Thirty-two patients have been followed
for a minimum of two years, the longest follow-up being eight years. All
grafts appeared to have united roentgeno-graphically within three months,
and the protrusion did not progress. In seven patients with a completely
absent medial acetabular wall, a protrusio acetabuli ring was used to
provide support until the bone graft had healed. Complications included one
late dislocation, one pulmonary embolus, two trochanteric non-unins, two
fractured trochanters, and one case of loosening of the femoral component.
The results of this study suggest that bone-grafting is effective in
arresting the progression of acetabular protrusion.