The use of allograft bone during the course of femoral reconstruction in hip revision arthroplasty

We have studied 61 patients who underwent femoral revision surgery requiring allograft reconstruction of the skeleton between 1987 and 1995. The group had a mean age of 68 years with a mean follow-up of 5.1 years. The preoperative Harris hip score was increased from 30 points to a postoperative score of 69 points. A rerevision rate of 20% was noted. Segmental anomalies were classified according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons system. Subgroups were analysed according to the classification and relative indications for the use of impaction allografting, corticocancellous strut grafting, anatomic specific allografts and calcar allografts were devised. This paper details the results of those subgroups and outlines pitfalls and problems associated with complex surgery of this type