Abstract
We present a unique case of a 56-year-old male patient who ambulated on a hip cement spacer for 11 years. After hemiarthroplasty after a motor vehicle accident, the patient developed periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) several years later, and underwent stage-1 revision. With the resolution of the infection after stage 1, the patient refused the second stage due to satisfaction with the cement spacer for nearly 11 years.
To our knowledge, this is the longest reported case of a cement spacer remaining in an ambulating patient. This case demonstrates the mechanical reliability of metal-reinforced cement spacers, which can remain for long periods in selected patients.
Keywords
arthroplasty, replacement, hip - bone cements - hip joint - hip prosthesis - prosthesis-related infections
