Femur head reimplantation in the reconstruction of dysplastic acetabula

: Problems encountered in implanting prostheses in severely dysplastic hip joints are attributable on the one hand to deficient formation of the acetabulum, on the other to restricted medullary space for the shaft. The latter problem may be regarded as largely resolved thanks to the development of special dysplasia shafts adapted to these anatomical conditions. For reliable anchoring of the artificial acetabulum, an adequate lateral and anterior roof covering is required to support the implant. With reference to a study covering 16 patients who underwent surgery over a period of 3.5 years, the authors report on their experience with a surgical procedure in which the removed femoral head is used in the construction of the acetabulum. The surgical technique - which has now been standardized - and the indications are described. The advantages of this procedure are that the use of additional alloplastic material is reduced and that if the acetabulum has to be replaced at some later date a well-developed bony structure is available for fixing the new prosthesis.