Hemiarthroplasty
is a common method of treating displaced femoral neck fractures,
especially among elderly non-active patients with frailty syndrome.
Complications arising from the use of a modern, modular
hemiendoprosthesis via a posterior approach have been poorly reported in
this population. The aim of this study was to evaluate complications
and mortality associated with the use of Lubinus sp II cemented,
unipolar hemiarthroplasty prosthesis and posterior approach during a
9-year follow-up.

All
patients (244) who received hemiarthroplasty due to an acute fracture
of the femoral neck in Central Finland Hospital, Jyvaskyla, Finland,
during 2007 and 2008 were included. Patient records were retrospectively
reviewed for intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Women
composed 70% (n = 171) of the study population. Mean age was 83 years
for women and 80 years for men. A total of 31 (12%) complications were
found in 30 patients. These were 12 dislocations (5% of all patients), 5
(2%) periprosthetic fractures, 2 (0.8%) superficial and 5 (2%) deep
infections, 1 (0.4%) protrusion of the prosthesis, 2 (0.8%)
intraoperative fractures, and 2 (0.8%) partial sciatic nerve palsies.
Conversion to total hip replacement was performed in 9 cases (4%) and a
reoperation was required in 15 (6%) cases. Mortality rate at 9 years was
78% (95% confidence interval = 72%–83%). The overall rate of
complications was acceptable although mortality was high in this
comorbid patient population. The need for conversion to total hip
arthroplasty and reoperation is low.