Short-Term Clinical Results with an Elliptical Femoral Prosthesis

Abstract

The biomechanics of an elliptical-head femoral prosthesis, considered in relation to the physiology of the coxo-femoral joint, can be taken as the rationale for its use in the treatment of medial fractures of the neck of the femur. Short-term results based on clinical variables (Harris's evaluation method) and X-ray findings show a functional joint and good preservation of radiographic relations between the prosthetic epiphysis and the acetabulum, and between the stem and femoral metadiaphysis. These findings confirm the validity of the biomechanical concepts underlying the design of the elliptical-head femoral prosthesis. It is an “etiological” solution for patients with medial fractures of the neck of the femur since it fits in with the coxo-femoral physiology without interfering with the normal anatomical/biomechanical relations between the two joint components.