Background Destructive bony acetabular metastases cause pain, pathological fractures, and loss of mobility. Although multiple fixation options are available, we have favored a rigid stainless steel partial pelvic cage for acetabular fixation in these patients; however, little is known about the durability of this approach. Question/purposes (1) How common was loss of fixation in a small series of metastatic acetabular defects treated with an acetabular cage and cemented total hip replacement? (2) What is the implant survival free from reoperation or revision at 2 and 4 years using a competing-risks survivorship estimator in patients thus treated? (3) What complications were associated with the treatment? (4) What level of postoperative mobility was achieved? Methods Between 2006 and 2017, we treated all acetabular metastases that needed surgical intervention, not amenable to conventional cemented THA alone with our single technique of acetabular partial pelvic cage and cemented total hip replacement. We treated 47 hips in 46 patients whose acetabular metastasis led to acetabular collapse or who were unresponsive to nonoperative measures of radiation therapy and analgesia. Routine followup occurred at 3 and 12 months; 17 of 46 patients (37%) died before 1 year, and all other patients were followed beyond 1 year. Only one patient who remains alive has not been seen in the past 5 years. Loss of fixation was determined by radiological or clinical signs of cage loosening. Survivorship free from reoperation or revision at 2 and 4 years was determined using competing-risks analysis. We did not assess patient-reported outcomes, but we did have data on the proportion of patients who were able to ambulate in the community and if so, what assistive devices they used, which we obtained by chart review. Results One patient experienced cage loosening identified 8 years postoperatively as a result of local disease progression and has been managed with observation. No patients underwent revision for loss of acetabular fixation. The cumulative incidence of reoperation or revision was 8% at 2 years (95% CI, 3.6–12.6) and 16% at 4 years (95% CI, 9.2–23.2). Four patients had postoperative dislocations, of which three underwent reoperation. One patient developed a postoperative deep infection and underwent reoperation. One patient died within 30 days of surgery. Only one patient did not ambulate in the community postoperatively; 23 ambulated independently, 10 with the use of a walking stick and 12 using a walker. Conclusions In this small series, we found this approach sufficiently durable to continue its use for patients with acetabular metastases with collapse or those not responding to nonoperative measures. However, comparison studies are needed to determine whether it is superior or inferior to other available alternatives. Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic study.

We found that the orthopaedic telepaedriatic consultation service at the Royal Children's Hospital reviewed a large proportion of patients with a known disability. We believe there is a role for telehealth medicine for all patients; however, we propose that even greater benefit can be obtained from telehealth consultation in patients with a disability where the cost and inconvenience of patient transport is considerably increased.

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Background The advantages of distal femoral replacement prostheses for reconstructions after tumors are well known; one such implant, the Global Modular Replacement System (GMRS), has been widely used since 2003. Although implant breakage has been reported, the frequency of this event has varied across different studies. Questions/purposes (1) What percentage of patients who underwent distal femur resection and replacement using the GMRS for primary bone tumors at one center experienced stem breakage? (2) At what timepoints did these breakages occur, and what factors were common among the stems that broke? Methods We performed a retrospective study of all patients who underwent distal femur resection and replacement using the GMRS for a diagnosis of primary bone sarcoma by the Queensland Bone and Soft-tissue Tumor service from 2003 to 2020 who had a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. Standard follow-up for primary bone sarcoma involves radiographic imaging of the femur at 6 weeks and 3 months postoperatively and yearly thereafter. From a chart review, we identified patients with femoral stem breakage. Patient and implant details were recorded and analyzed. A total of 116 patients had undergone a distal femoral replacement with the GMRS prosthesis for primary bone sarcoma; however, 6.9% (eight of 116 patients) died before completing the 2-year follow-up period and were excluded. Of the remaining 108 patients, 15% (16 patients) had died at the time of this review; however, given that they completed the 2-year follow‐up period and did not experience stem breakage, they were included. Furthermore, 15% (16 patients) were considered lost to follow-up and excluded because they have not been seen in the past 5 years but were not known to have died or experienced stem breakage. This left 92 patients for analysis. Results Stem breakages were identified in 5.4% (five of 92) of patients. All stem breakages occurred in stem diameters 11 mm or less with a porous body construct; the percentage of patients with breakage in this group was 16% (five of 31). All patients with stem fracture demonstrated minimal ongrowth to the porous coated body. The median time to stem fracture was 10 years (range 2 to 12 years); however, two of the five stems broke within 3 years. Conclusion We recommend the use of a larger-diameter GMRS cemented stem (> 11 mm), and either the line-to-line cementing method or an uncemented stem from an alternative company should be considered in order to achieve this larger stem in smaller canals. If a stem less than 12 mm in diameter must be used or there is evidence of minimal ongrowth, then close follow-up and prompt investigation of new symptoms should occur. Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic study.

Background and ObjectivesBone resection and endoprosthetic reconstruction (EPR) in the setting of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) management is rare and incurs unique challenges. We aim to report on the surgical and oncological outcomes of this relatively previously undocumented cohort.MethodsThis is a single‐center retrospective review of prospectively collected data for patients who required EPRs following resection of STSs of the lower extremity. Following inclusion criteria, we assessed 29 cases of EPR for primary STS of the lower limb.ResultsThe mean age was 54 years (range 18–84). Of the 29 patients, there were 6 total femur, 11 proximal femur, 4 intercalary, and 8 distal femur EPRs. Fourteen of 29 patients (48%) underwent re‐operations for surgical complications, with 9 relating to infection (31%). When a matched cohort analysis was performed comparing our cohort to STSs that did not necessitate EPR, a reduced rate of overall survival and metastasis‐free survival was found in those requiring EPR.ConclusionThis series identifies a high rate of complication from EPRs performed for STS. Patients should be cautioned about the high rate of infection, surgical complications, and lower overall survival in this setting.