Subtrochanteric nonunion after intramedullary nailing due to pathological fracture: proximal femoral replacement as a salvage approach

Purpose To assess proximal femoral replacement as a treatment solution for nonunion of pathologic subtrochanteric fractures after cephalomedullary nailing in patients with pathological fracture and previously irradiated bone. Methods Retrospective review of five patients with pathological subtrochanteric femoral fractures that were treated with cephalomedullary nailing and developed a nonunion, which was revised with conversion to a proximal endoprosthetic replacement. Results All five patients had previously been treated with radiation. One patient had the latest follow-up at 2 months postoperatively. At that time, the patient was walking with a walker for assistance, with no evidence of hardware failure or loosening on imaging. The remaining four patients had the latest follow-up ranging from 9 to 20 months after surgery. At their latest follow-up, three of the four patients were ambulatory with no pain, using only a cane for assistance with longer distances. The other patient demonstrated pain in his affected thigh, utilizing a walker for assistance with ambulation at latest follow-up, but not requiring further surgical interventions. There were no hardware failures or implant loosening through the follow-up period. None of the patients required revision, and there were no postoperative complications observed at their last follow-up. Conclusions In patients with pathological fractures in the subtrochanteric region that is treated with cephalomedullary nailing and developed a nonunion, treatment with conversion to a proximal femoral replacement with a mega prosthesis is a valuable treatment with good functional results and low risk for complications. Level of evidence Therapeutic level IV.