Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is considered the preferred treatment for displaced proximal femoral neck fractures. However, in many countries this option is economically unviable. To improve outcomes in financially disadvantaged populations, we studied the technique of concomitant valgus hip osteotomy and operative fixation (VOOF). This prospective serial study compares two treatment groups: VOOF versus operative fixation alone with cannulated compression screws (CCSs). In the first series, 98 hip fixation procedures were performed using CCS. After fluoroscopic reduction of the fracture, three CCSs were placed. In the second series, 105 VOOF procedures were performed using a closing wedge intertrochanteric osteotomy with a compression lag screw and lateral femoral plate. The alignment goal was to create a modified Pauwel’s fracture angle of 30°. After fluoroscopic reduction of fracture, lag screw was placed to achieve the calculated correction angle, followed by inter-trochanteric osteotomy and placement of barrel plate. Patients were followed for a minimum of two years.Aims
Methods
Large acetabular bone defects encountered in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) are challenging to restore. Metal constructs for structural support are combined with bone graft materials for restoration. Autograft is restricted due to limited volume, and allogenic grafts have downsides including cost, availability, and operative processing. Bone graft substitutes (BGS) are an attractive alternative if they can demonstrate positive remodelling. One potential product is a biphasic injectable mixture (Cerament) that combines a fast-resorbing material (calcium sulphate) with the highly osteoconductive material hydroxyapatite. This study reviews the application of this biomaterial in large acetabular defects. We performed a retrospective review at a single institution of patients undergoing revision THA by a single surgeon. We identified 49 consecutive patients with large acetabular defects where the biphasic BGS was applied, with no other products added to the BGS. After placement of metallic acetabular implants, the BGS was injected into the remaining bone defects surrounding the new implants. Patients were followed and monitored for functional outcome scores, implant fixation, radiological graft site remodelling, and revision failures.Aims
Methods
Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a difficult complication requiring a comprehensive eradication protocol. Cure rates have essentially stalled in the last two decades, using methods of antimicrobial cement joint spacers and parenteral antimicrobial agents. Functional spacers with higher-dose antimicrobial-loaded cement and antimicrobial-loaded calcium sulphate beads have emphasized local antimicrobial delivery on the premise that high-dose local antimicrobial delivery will enhance eradication. However, with increasing antimicrobial pressures, microbiota have responded with adaptive mechanisms beyond traditional antimicrobial resistance genes. In this review we describe adaptive resistance mechanisms that are relevant to the treatment of PJI. Some mechanisms are well known, but others are new. The objective of this review is to inform clinicians of the known adaptive resistance mechanisms of microbes relevant to PJI. We also discuss the implications of these adaptive mechanisms in the future treatment of PJI. Cite this article:
We outline a treatment protocol for subjects with chronic periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) who elected not to have surgery. We developed a method of serial “fluid-depleting” aspirations with intra-articular gentamycin injections to affect the population of the biofilm community. We have experienced many treatment failures, as expected, but have also had a group of subjects who responded exceptionally well, requiring no surgical intervention. Our longest follow-up is 10 years. From June 2009 to December 2018, 372 clinical cases of chronic PJI involving primary and revision TKA and THA were treated. Of these, 25 subjects were treated with an active suppression protocol, in lieu of surgery. The protocol entailed frequent aspirations and intra-articular antibiotic injections to quell the PJI inflammatory response. All aspirations were performed by the treating surgeon in the orthopaedic clinic without fluoroscopic guidance. Based on a subject's response to the protocol, he/she was identified as 1 of 3 classifications: 1) Ongoing Treatment – Biofilm Trained (OTBT), 2) Ongoing Treatment – Biofilm Untrained (OTBU), and 3) Treatment Failure (TF). OTBT subjects showed no clinical signs of infection. Serum biomarkers (CRP, ESR) remained consistently normal and subjects were not on oral suppressive antibiotics. Aspiration analysis and cultures remained negative. Maintenance treatment consisted of a fluid-depleting aspiration with an intra-articular gentamycin injection every 12–16 weeks. OTBU subjects showed improved clinical symptoms, lowered serum biomarkers, and lowered WBC counts, but still demonstrated objective signs of infection. TF subjects did not respond to the protocol and showed unchanged/worsening clinical symptoms.Aim
Method
Infection rates after revision THA vary widely, up to 12%. In countries that use antibiotic-loaded cemented stems in combination with perioperative IV antibiotics, infection rates in registry studies are lower. In many countries, however, cementless revision implants are preferred. Our aim was to apply an antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate coating to cementless revision stems to reduce periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). This study sought to answer two questions: 1) Does the coating of cementless revision stems with calcium sulfate inhibit osteointegration in THA? 2) Does the antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate coating of revision stems reduce the incidence of PJI? From Dec. 2010 to Dec. 2015, 111 consecutive revision femoral stems were coated with commercially pure calcium sulfate. 10cc of calcium sulfate was mixed with 1g of vancomycin powder and 240mg of tobramycin liquid and applied to the stem in a semi-firm liquid state immediately prior to stem insertion. The results are compared to a designated control cohort (N=104) performed across the previous 5 years. The surgical methods were comparable, but for the stem coating. All patients were staged preoperatively using the Musculoskeletal Infection Society Staging System and followed for at least 1 year.Aim
Method
The Signature system has been hailed as a new way to perform arthroplasty of the knee. It combines the accuracy in restoring mechanical axes of navigation with the convenience and familiarity of classical surgical techniques. With this comes the expectation that they should produce better functional results. In the literature, thus far, there is little data to corroborate this. The aim of this paper is to compare the early functional outcomes of this with the cemented AGC knee replacement system. Since April 2010, based on requirement, 25 patients underwent Signature knee replacements during this period for symptomatic degenerative or inflammatory arthritis with varying levels of deformity. Oxford functional scores were taken pre-operatively, at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. These were then matched to an equal number of patients that had undergone an AGC knee replacement by the same surgeon. They were matched by pre-operative functional Oxford scores, age and gender.Introduction
Methods
To evaluate the results of using external fixation to stabilise femoral derotation osteotomy involved in DDH surgery. A retrospective analysis was performed on 44 patients undergoing 48 femoral osteotomies for DDH surgery between the years 2001 and 2009 by a single surgeon (senior author MC). The external fixator was used either during the primary procedure involving femoral shortening to aid in hip reduction (4 patients) or to correct femoral malrotation in a reduced hip as a secondary procedure(40 patients). As the external fixator frame was within the hip spica it was not a cause of concern to the parents or the child. There was no evidence of any pin tract infection and all patients eventually progressed to satisfactory bony union. One patient had delayed union which was treated successfully with conservative management and one patient had a malunion requiring a further osteotomy and extended treatment with the external fixator.Purpose of Study
Methods and results
Management of hip osteoarthritis in young active patients is made more challenging by the longevity required of the prostheses used and the level of activity they must endure. The aim of this study was to compare the functional outcomes and activity levels following hip resurfacing (HR) and uncemented total hip arthroplasty (UTHA) in young active patients matched for age, gender and activity levels. 255 consecutive hip arthroplasties performed in a teaching hospital were retrospectively reviewed from which were identified 58 UTHA patients and 58 HR patients, matched for age, gender and pre-operative activity level. Mean age of patients within UTHA was 58.5 years (34 – 65) and in HR was 57.9 years (43 – 68). No patients within the study were lost to follow-up. Mean follow-up was five years. Within each group there was a statistically significant improvement in the mean UCLA score following surgery (p=0.00). In the HR Group, mean UCLA score improved from 4.2 (1–8) to 6.7 (3–10) while in the UTHA group the mean UCLA score improved from 3.4 (1–7) to 5.8 (3–10). Mean OHS improved from 44.4 (31–57) to 16.6 (12–31) in the HR group and from 46.1 (16–60) to 18.8 (12–45) in the UTHA group, p = 0.00 each group. This study found no statistically significant difference in the levels of function (p= 0.82) or activity pursued (p= 0.60) after surgery between UTHA and HR in a population of patients matched for age, gender and pre-operative activity levels. This study has shown comparable outcomes with hip resurfacing and uncemented THA in terms of both functional outcomes and activity levels in a group of young active patients. The potential complications unique to hip resurfacing may be avoided by the use of uncemented THA. In addition, uncemented THA has a longer track record.
The management of osteoarthritis of the hip in young active patients has always been challenging. This can be made more difficult because of the longevity required of the prostheses used and the level of activity they must endure. The aim of this study was to compare the functional outcomes and activity levels following hip resurfacing and uncemented THA in young active patients matched for age, gender and activity levels. A retrospective review of 255 consecutive hip arthroplasties performed in a teaching hospital was carried out. From this series we identified 58 patients who had undergone uncemented THA (Group A) and 58 patients who underwent hip resurfacing (Group B), matched for age, gender and pre-operative activity level. The mean age of patients within Group A was 58.5 years (34–65) and in Group B was 57.9 years (43–68). Mean pre-operative University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score in Group A was 3.4 (1–7) and in Group B was 4.2 (1–8). The mean pre-operative Oxford Hip Score (OHS) was 46.1 (16–60) and 44.4 (31–57) in Groups A and B respectively. Mean follow-up period was five years (4–7 years). In the hip resurfacing group, the mean UCLA score improved from 4.2 (1–8) to 6.7 (3–10), while in the uncemented THA group this improved from 3.4 (1–7) to 5.8 (3–10). Similarly, the mean OHS improved from 44.4 (31–57) to 16.6 (12–31) in the hip resurfacing group and from 46.1 (16–60) to 18.8 (12–45) in the uncemented THA group. This study found no statistically significant difference in the levels of function (p= 0.82) or activity pursued (p= 0.60) after surgery between uncemented THA and hip resurfacing in a population of patients matched for age, gender and pre-operative activity levels. Although there was statistically significant improvement in UCLA and OHS within each group, it was found that no group was better than the other. This study has shown comparable outcomes with hip resurfacing and uncemented THA in terms of both functional outcomes and activity levels in a group of young active patients. The potential complications unique to hip resurfacing may be avoided by the use of uncemented THA. In addition, uncemented THA has a longer track record.
Malignant tumours of the radius compose only 3% of all upper limb tumours. Owing to their rarity they are often difficult to manage satisfactorily. Of the options for fixation available, endoprosthetic replacements have been scarcely utilized despite their success in limb preservation with malignant tumours in other parts of the body. At our centre we have used these when biological solutions (eg fibula graft) were not indicated due to extensive disease or the need for radiotherapy. We performed four endoprosthetic replacements of the distal radius in three males and one female with ages ranging from 19–66 years (average= 42.25 years of age). Two were performed for varieties of osteosarcoma (parosteal and osteoblastic osteosarcomas), one for a large destructive giant cell tumour (GCT) and one for destructive renal metastases. Three were right sided (75%) and one left sided (25%). Medical records were evaluated for information on local recurrence, metastases, complications and functional outcome using the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS). Follow up ranged from 22 to 205 months (average= 116.5 months). The average TESS score was 58.1% (range= 44.6–74.5%). Neither case of osteosarcoma recurred. The GCT recurred twice and the patient with renal metastases had nodules removed from his affected wrist on two further occasions. There were no cases of infection, but the two earlier cases had problems with metacarpal stems cutting out and jointsubluxatinos. The two earlier cases have since died at 205 (parosteal osteosarcoma) and 189 months (GCT) respectively of other disease. We conclude that although this is a very small series of endoprosthetic replacement of the distal radius, the technique is a useful addition to the surgical options, with acceptable postoperative functional results and complication rates when a biological solution or preservation of the wrist joint is not indicated.
We identified eight patients of 2900 with a primary malignant bone tumour who had coexisting neurofibromatosis type 1. This was a much higher incidence than would be expected by chance. The patients had a mean age of 22.4 years (9 to 54): five were male. Two patients subsequently developed a second bone sarcoma, one of which was radiation induced. Four of the primary tumours were osteosarcomas, four were spindle-cell sarcomas and one a Ewing’s sarcoma. All the patients were treated with chemotherapy and surgery: six of the eight appear to be cured. This study suggests a possible relationship between neurofibromatosis type 1 and the development of a bone sarcoma, the increased risk being estimated at eight times that of the normal population. We recommend that further research into this possible link should be considered.
