Introduction

Knee joint should be aligned for reconstruction of the function in Total Knee Replacement(TKR). Although a surgeon try to correct the alignment of a knee joint, sometimes varus/valgus alignment has been tried in order to reconstruct function of knee joint. As a result, the varus or valgus alignment affects to ligaments and soft tissue, and the contact condition is changed between femoral component and tibial insert. One of important factor, wear characteristics of an implant can be changed due to the contact condition. In this study, we performed static contact tests from extension to flexion in varus and valgus to define the effect to contact condition when the alignment is varus or valgus.

This prospective multicentre study was undertaken to determine whether the timing of the post-operative administration of bisphosphonate affects fracture healing and the rate of complication following an intertrochanteric fracture. Between August 2008 and December 2009, 90 patients with an intertrochanteric fracture who underwent internal fixation were randomised to three groups according to the timing of the commencement of risedronate treatment after surgery: Group A (from one week after surgery), Group B (from one month after surgery), and Group C (from three months after surgery). The radiological time to fracture healing was assessed as the primary endpoint, and the incidence of complications, including excessive displacement or any complication requiring revision surgery, as the secondary endpoint. The mean time to fracture healing post-operatively in groups A, B and C was 10.7 weeks (sd 4.4), 12.9 weeks (sd 6.2) and 12.3 weeks (sd 7.1), respectively (p = 0.420). At 24 weeks after surgery, all fractures had united, except six that had a loss of fixation. Functional outcomes at one year after surgery according to the Koval classification (p = 0.948) and the incidence of complications (p = 0.386) were similar in the three groups.

This study demonstrates that the timing of the post-operative administration of bisphosphonates does not appear to affect the rate of healing of an intertrochanteric fracture or the incidence of complications.

Introduction: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head occurs in young patients. The preservation of the hip joint is vitally important because hip replacement arthroplasty is associated with high rates of failure in young and active patients. Curved intertrochanteric varus osteotomy is one of several joint preserving procedures used to treat these patients.

Methods: Between June 2003 and June 2006, 46 patients (49 hips) who had osteonecrosis of the femoral head were treated with curved intertrochanteric varus osteotomy. There were 23 men and 23 women who had a mean age at the time of osteotomy was 33 years (range, 17 to 51 years). The osteotomy was fixed with a 120 degree compression hip screw in the first 34 hips and with a 95 degree dynamic condylar screw in the remaining 15 hips. Clinical evaluation was performed using the scoring system of Merle d’Aubigne et al. Radiological failure of the operation was defined as further collapse of the femoral head by more than 2 mm or progressive narrowing of the joint space compared with the immediate postoperative radiograph.

Results: The mean duration of follow-up was 22 months (range, 12 to 48 months). One patient (one hip) required a total hip arthroplasty due to loss of fixation and penetration of the lag screw into the joint space. In two patients (two hips), the plate fractured at 3 and 4 months after the operation, which was changed to a new plate. Thus, 48 of the 49 hips survived at a mean follow-up 22 months. In these 48 hips, the mean Merle d’Aubigne hip score was 17.2 points at latest evaluation and there was no instance of radiologic failure.

Discussion: Curved intertrochanteric varus osteotomy is a satisfactory joint preserving method to treat osteonecrosis of the femoral head.