Functional and Radiological Outcome Analysis of Bipolar Prosthesis Used in Femur Neck Fracture through Inter-Prosthetic Joint Movement: A Study Protocol

Background: Fracture neck of femur is the commonest fracture in old aged individuals because of osteoporosis and advancing age causing more brittleness of bone. Blood to neck and head of femur is rich and complicated. A hip operation is successful only when it provide a stable hip which is pain free and has a good range of movement.

The Austin – Moore and Thompson prostheses have been used successfully for treating fracture NOF. Excruciating pain and erosion of acetabulum are very common complications after the use of the Austin- Moore prosthesis. The bipolar prosthesis was developed by James E Bateman in 1974, which had the great advantage of second joint, below the acetabulum. So hip motion is to occur at two surfaces thus reducing the articular erosion. Studies have shown that over an increasing period of time the bipolar prosthesis will become more of a unipolar prosthesis functionally due to stiffening up of the inter-prosthetic joint. By this study we will be able to assess whether bipolar prosthesis really functions as it’s name suggests or vice versa.

Objectives:

Analysis of Inter – prosthetic joint movement in Bipolar prosthesis by radiological means.

Co-relating the inter-prosthetic joint motion with functional outcome of Bipolar prosthesis using Oxford hip score.

Methodology: By appropriate and easy sampling method, the patients undergoing Bipolar hemiarthroplasty for NOF fracture will be assessed radiologically for amount of inter-prosthetic joint motion during post-operative period.

Results: Results would be assessed on basis of clinical evaluation, functional evaluation and radiological evaluation and statistical analysis would be done to conclude the findings.

Conclusion: That over an increasing period of time the bipolar prosthesis will become more of a unipolar prosthesis functionally due to stiffening up of the inter-prosthetic joint.