Original Research
Mechanical Evaluation of Unipolar Hip Spacer Constructs
Am J Orthop. 2008 October;37(10):517-518
Author and Disclosure Information
Frederick J. Kummer, PhD, Eric Strauss, MD, Kevin Wright, MD, Erik N. Kubiak, MD, and Paul E. Di Cesare, MD
Dr. Kummer is Associate Director, Musculoskeletal Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, New York.
Dr. Strauss, Dr. Wright, and Dr. Kubiak are Orthopaedic Residents, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, New York.
Dr. Di Cesare is Chair, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California-Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California.
The strengths of 3 hip spacer constructs—Steinmann pins, a short intramedullary nail (both cement-incorporated), and a Charnley prosthesis—were determined and compared with the strength of a commercially available hip spacer. The hip prosthesis construct was more than twice as strong as the other 2 constructs and was equivalent in strength to the commercial spacer. For spacer applications in which limited weight-bearing is anticipated, the hip prosthesis construct appears more efficacious, but its pros and cons should be compared with those of the commercial product.