Can An Iliac Crest Implant Be Used As A Bony Anchor For Hip Implants?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am following up the concept of the iliac crest implant as a bony anchor for hip implants. Would an implant like something in the photos be feasible? My thought is to use the interlocking mechanism as a way to prevent migration as well as an anchoring point for slightly larger implants.

A: The biggest advantage of using iliac crest anchorage for any form of a hip implant is this would be the best method for the symmetry of placement. There usually is not any significant concerns about hip implant migrations given their size and location. Technically, the larger the hip implant is the less likely it can really migrate or change position after surgery. (actually I have never seen a hip implant ‘migrate’). But the concerns of hip implant size is not really about their migration but about the increased risk of complications particularly seromas, inferior implant bending and implant edging. This is where there is another benefit of the titanium plate on the iliac crest as it would support the implant better and would likely eliminate the inferior implant bending concerns. It may or may not help with implant edging. it would have no impact on the risk of chronic seromas.

As I look at your hip  implant design I could see that it is of a very significant size in terms of surface area coverage. This is exactly the type of hip implant that does have the highest rate of complications. While the iliac crest plate may help with some of them it does not eliminate all of them and still makes it a higher risk implant.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon