The Corail® stem for the treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures - a viable alternative?

Cementless hemiarthroplasty in hip fracture surgery has been associated with poorer outcomes and more pain than cemented hemiarthroplasty. The aim was to investigate clinical and radiographic outcomes for a cementless tapered titanium fully hydroyxapatite-coated (Corail (R) System) stem in this consecutive cohort of hip fracture patients. We retrospectively evaluated the results of 68 consecutive elderly patients with displaced intracapsular hip fractures, treated with this implant. Mean clinical follow-up was 4.3 years (2-6 years). One-year mortality was 24%. 95% of patients had no/occasional/mild mid-thigh pain, with moderate pain in 5%. 39% achieved independent or walking-stick mobility. 36 patients had follow-up radiography. Osseointegration was noted in 34, with a mixed bony/fibrous in-growth in 2. One patient had revision for subsidence of an undersized implant, with no conversions to total hip arthroplasty. The Corail (R) stem can be used effectively for the treatment of femoral neck fractures in the elderly.