Revision of a Tronzo Total Hip Arthroplasty

Revision total hip arthroplasty presents many challenges in regards to reconstructing or managing large amounts of bone loss and soft-tissue damage. Modern revision components, as well as techniques, have helped to address these challenges; however, the goal of any surgery is to provide the least amount of surgery with the most successful outcome. This case highlights a 74-year-old man with a Tronzo total hip arthroplasty placed over 50 years prior. He presented with subjective hip instability and radiographs demonstrating disassociation of the modular component. In an attempt to avoid more extensive and costly surgery, a custom-made all-polyethylene femoral head was used. This case illustrates the revision of likely one of the few Tronzo total hips remaining and the utility of obtaining a compassionate-use clearance from the Food and Drug Administration to create a custom piece, to minimize potential morbidity and mortality from extensive hip revision surgery.