In total hip arthroplasty (THA), the femoral component influences leg length inequality and gait, and is associated with poor muscle strength and other unsatisfactory long-term results. We have therefore used intraoperative radiographs to acquire accurate measurements of femoral component size and position. At the last meeting of this society, we reported that accurate positioning was successfully achieved in 68 cases (87.2%) as a consequence of taking intraoperative radiographs. However, we have little understanding as regards to the accuracy of X-ray measurements. We accordingly undertook an examination of the accuracy of such measurements. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference between leg length discrepancy (LLD) measured using X-ray and computed tomography (CT). The study group comprised 48 primary THAs performed between October 2010 and April 2012. Using 2D template software (JMM Corporation), we measured LLD using pre-operative anteroposterior (AP) radiographs of the pelvis. On the basis of both teardrop lines, we measured LLD of the lesser trochanter top (Fig. 1), lesser trochanter direct top (Fig. 2), and trochanteric top (Fig. 3). Furthermore, using Aquarius NET software, we measured LLD using AP and lateral scout views of the pelvis and bilateral femurs. This data was defined as the true LLD. The difference between the X-ray data (lesser trochanter top, lesser trochanter direct top, and trochanteric top) and the CT data was defined as accuracy. Additionally, we measured the size of the lesser trochanter and examined the association.Objective
Materials and Methods
Hip resurfacing arthroplasty has been surgical options in younger and more active patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and osteonecrosis (ON) of the femoral head. Although excellent midterm results of this procedure have been reported, there is a concern about postoperative impingement between the preserved femoral neck and the acetabular component. There were few reports about kinematics after hip resurfacing. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the postoperative motion analysis after hip resurfacing using a noble dynamic flat-panel detector (FPD) system by which clear sequential images were obtained with low dose radiation exposure. 11 patients (mean age: 47.8 ± 7.4), 15 hips were included in this study. There were ten men and one woman. The preoperative diagnoses were ON of the femoral head in 10 hips, OA in 3 hips, and others in 2 hips. Mean postoperative follow-up period was 25.1 ± 21.6 months. Femoral anteversion, cup inclination and cup anteversion were measured on computed tomography and plain radiograph. Impingement signs such as the reactive osteophyte formation and divot around the femoral neck were also investigated on the anteroposterior (AP) and lateral radiographs. Sequential images of active and passive flexion motion in 45-degrees semilateral position, and active abduction motion in a supine position were obtained using a noble dynamic FPD system.Introduction
Materials and methods
The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of aligning the cup with the transverse acetabular ligament (TAL) in total hip arthroplasty (THA) and the reproducibility of this procedure by using computer-assisted navigation. Between January 2011 and March 2012, 75 patients (81 hips) underwent primary THA using the posterolateral approach at our hospital. We excluded 4 hips with a history of pelvic osteotomy; thus, the study included 77 hips. We measured the anatomical anteversion of the TAL intraoperatively by aligning the inferomedial rim of the cup trial with the TAL using computer-assisted navigation. We set the abduction to 45° at measure of the anteversion of the TAL. Measurements for each hip were independently performed thrice by 2 surgeons chosen among 1 expert and 6 non-experts. The surgeon performing the measurement was blinded during this process; the navigation screen was turned away from the surgeon's field of view. Anatomical inclination and anteversion were measured with reference to the functional pelvic plane. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess intra- and inter-observer reliability. The mean value of all 6 measurements was used to determine the anteversion of the TAL in each hip.Introduction
Methods
Intramedullary femoral alignment guide is mostly used in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Accurate preoperative plan is critical to get good alignments when we use intramedullary femoral guide, because the center of femoral head cannot be looked directly during operation. Commonly, the planning is carried out using preoperative anteroposterior radiographs of the femur. The angles formed between mechanical axes of the femur and distal femoral anatomic axes (AMA) are measured as reference angles of resection of distal femur, and the entry points of intramedullary femoral guide are also planned. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of femoral position on radiographic planning in TKA. We examined 20 knees of 20 female patients who received TKA. Fourteen patients suffered from primary osteoarthritis of the knees, and 6 suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. Fifteen patients have varus knee deformities and 5 patients have valgus knee deformities. Long leg computed topography scans were performed in all cases before operations, and all images were stored in DICOM file format. The analyses were performed with computer software (3D template, JMM, Osaka, Japan) using DICOM formatted data. The planes containing the center of femoral head and transepicondylar axes were defined as reference planes, and the reference planes were fixed all through analyses. At first, to assess the influence of femoral rotation, the femur was rotated from 30 degrees external rotation to 30 degrees internal rotation in 5 degrees increments in full extension. After that, to examine the influence of knee flexion, the knee was bended from full extension to 30 degrees flexion in 5 degrees increments in neutral rotation. Reconstructed coronal planes parallel to the reference planes were made, the angles between mechanical axes of the femur and distal femoral anatomic axes (AMA) and the distance from entry points to the center of femoral intercondylar notch were measured in each position. The distal anatomic axes were made by connecting the center of femoral canal at 8 centimeters proximal to joint line and that at 16 centimeters proximal to joint line. The entry points of intramedullary femoral guide were defined the points where distal anatomic axes meets intercondylar notch.Introduction
Materials and Methods
Rotational acetabular osteotomy (RAO) is an effective treatment option for symptomatic acetabular dysplasia. However, excessive lateral and anterior correction during the periacetabular osteotomy may lead to femoroacetabular impingement. We used preoperative planning software for total hip arthroplasty to perform femoroacetabular impingement simulations before and after rotational acetabular osteotomies. We evaluated 11 hips in 11 patients with available computed tomography taken before and after RAO. All cases were female and mean age at the time of surgery was 35.9 years. All cases were early stage osteoarthritis without obvious osteophytes or joint space narrowing. Radiographic analysis included the center-edge (CE) angle, Sharp's acetabular angle, the acetabular roof angle, the acetabular head index (AHI), cross-over sign, and posterior wall sign. Acetabular anteversion was measured at every 5 mm slice level in the femoral head using preoperative and postoperative computed tomography. Impingement simulations were performed using the preoperative planning software ZedHip (LEXI, Tokyo, Japan). In brief, we created a three-dimensional model. The range of motion which causes bone-to-bone impingement was evaluated in flexion (flex), abduction (abd), external rotation in flex 0°, and internal rotation in flex 90°. The lesions caused by impingement were evaluated.Background
Methods
Alumina-on-alumina bearings exhibit low wear rates in vitro and one commonly used ceramic implant is the Trident system (Stryker, Mahwah, NJ). There are some reports of incomplete seating of the ceramic liner in the Trident acetabular shell. However, it is often difficult to detect incomplete seating intraoperatively. We sought to prevent incomplete seating using intraoperative radiography. We retrospectively reviewed 19 hips in 17 patients who had undergone primary total hip arthroplasty using a Trident shell with a metal-backed alumina liner between 2007 and 2010. There were 16 women and 1 man, with an average age of 45.7 years. Preoperative diagnosis revealed 14 cases of osteoarthritis and 5 cases of osteonecrosis. All procedures were performed using a posterolateral approach with PSL cups. The minimum follow-up time was 12 months (average 28 months). All procedures included an intraoperative anteroposterior view radiograph to evaluate cup seating. If incomplete seating was recognized we reinserted the liner. Postoperatively, radiographs (supine anteroposterior and cross table lateral views) and computed tomography were performed in all cases in order to assess any residual incomplete seating. We investigated whether it was possible to avoid incomplete seating using intraoperative radiography.Introduction
Materials and Methods
Correction and arthrodesis for cervical kyphosis associated with atetoid cerebral palsy has been considered to be difficult because of their involuntary neck movements and severe deformity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the surgical outcome of midline T-saw laminoplasty and posterior arthrodesis using pedicle screws. 15 patients were retrospectively reviewed. There were 6 women and 9 men, with a mean age 52.9 years (range 31–71 years). Mean follow-up period was 43 months (range 24–84 months). For clinical evaluation, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and Barthel index (BI) which shows independence in ADL were used. For radiographic evaluation, change of C2–C7 Cobb angle of sagittal alignment, adjacent segment instability after the surgery were evaluated.Introduction
Methods
We evaluated the possible induction of a systemic immune response to increase anti-tumour activity by the re-implantation of destructive tumour tissue treated by liquid nitrogen in a murine osteosarcoma (LM8) model. The tumours were randomised to treatment by excision alone or by cryotreatment after excision. Tissue from the tumour was frozen in liquid nitrogen, thawed in distilled water and then re-implanted in the same animal. In addition, some mice received an immunological response modifier of OK-432 after treatment. We measured the levels of interferon-gamma and interleukin-12 cytokines and the cytotoxicity activity of splenocytes against murine LM8 osteosarcoma cells. The number of lung and the size of abdominal metastases were also measured. Re-implantation of tumour tissue after cryotreatment activated immune responses and inhibited metastatic tumour growth. OK-432 synergistically enhanced the anti-tumour effect. Our results suggest that the treatment of malignant bone tumours by reconstruction using autografts containing tumours which have been treated by liquid nitrogen may be of clinical value.
We studied the safety of external fixation during post-operative chemotherapy in 28 patients who had undergone distraction osteogenesis (17, group A) or vascularised fibular grafting (11, group B) after resection of a tumour. Four cycles of multi-agent post-operative chemotherapy were administered over a mean period of 14 weeks (6 to 27). The mean duration of external fixation for all patients was 350 days (91 to 828). In total 204 wires and 240 half pins were used. During the period of post-operative chemotherapy, 14 patients (11 in group A, 3 in group B) developed wire- and pin-track infection. A total of ten wires (4.9%) and 11 half pins (4.6%) became infected. Seven of the ten infected wires were in periarticular locations. External fixation during post-operative chemotherapy was used safely and successfully for fixation of a vascularised fibular graft and distraction osteogenesis in 27 of 28 patients. Post-operative chemotherapy for malignant bone tumours did not adversely affect the ability to achieve union or cause hypertrophy of the vascularised fibular graft and had a minimal effect on distraction osteogenesis. Only one patient developed osteomyelitis which required further surgery.
The feasibility of bone transport with bone substitute and the factors which are essential for a successful bone transport are unknown. We studied six groups of 12 Japanese white rabbits. Groups A to D received cylindrical autologous bone segments and groups E and F hydroxyapatite prostheses. The periosteum was preserved in group A so that its segments had a blood supply, cells, proteins and scaffold. Group B had no blood supply. Group C had proteins and scaffold and group D had only scaffold. Group E received hydroxyapatite loaded with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 and group F had hydroxyapatite alone. Distraction osteogenesis occurred in groups A to C and E which had osteo-conductive transport segments loaded with osteo-inductive proteins. We conclude that scaffold and proteins are essential for successful bone transport, and that bone substitute can be used to regenerate bone.
We present a retrospective study of patients suffering from a variety of benign tumours in whom external fixators were used to treat deformity and limb-length discrepancy, and for the reconstruction of bone defects. A total of 43 limbs in 31 patients (12 male and 19 female) with a mean age of 14 years (2 to 54) were treated. The diagnosis was Ollier’s disease in 12 limbs, fibrous dysplasia in 11, osteochondroma in eight, giant cell tumour in five, osteofibrous dysplasia in five and non-ossifying fibroma in two. The lesions were treated in the tibia in 19 limbs, in the femur in 16, and in the forearm in eight. The Ilizarov frame was used in 25 limbs, the Taylor Spatial Frame in seven, the Orthofix fixator in six, the Monotube in four and the Heidelberg fixator in one. The mean follow-up was 72 months (22 to 221). The mean external fixation period was 168 days (71 to 352). The mean external fixation index was 42 days/cm (22.2 to 102.0) in the 22 patients who required limb lengthening. The mean correction angle for those with angular deformity was 23° (7° to 45°). At final follow-up all patients had returned to normal activities. Four patients required a second operation for recurrent deformity of further limb lengthening. Local recurrence occurred in one patient, requiring further surgery.
We describe a method of reconstruction using tumour-bearing autograft treated by liquid nitrogen in 28 patients. The operative technique consisted of The limb function was rated as excellent in 20 patients (71.4%), good in three (10.7%), fair in three (10.7%), and poor in two (7.1%). At the final follow-up six patients had died at a mean of 19.8 months after the operation, while 21 remained free from disease with a mean follow-up of 28.1 months (10 to 54). One patient is alive with disease. Bony union was seen at a mean of 6.7 months after the operation in 26 patients. Complications were encountered in seven patients, including three deep infections, two fractures, and two local recurrences. All were managed successfully. Our results suggest that this is a simple and effective method of biological reconstruction.
In 11 patients juxta-articular osteosarcoma around the knee was treated by intraepiphyseal excision of the tumour and reconstruction of the bone defect by distraction osteogenesis. Preoperative and postoperative chemotherapy was given to eight patients with high-grade tumours. The articular cartilage of the epiphysis and a maximum of healthy soft tissues were preserved. Distraction osteogenesis was then carried out. The mean gain in length was 9.7 cm. Full function of the limb was preserved in all except one patient, with a mean follow-up of 53.8 months. Treatment of juxta-articular osteosarcomas around the knee with joint preservation and biological reconstruction using distraction osteogenesis can give excellent functional results.
We describe a consecutive series of 26 patients with simple bone cysts who were treated by curettage, multiple drilling and continuous decompression by the insertion of either a cannulated screw or a pin. In the first 15 patients we used titanium cannulated screws (group 1) and in the next 11 a cannulated hydroxyapatite pin (group 2). Satisfactory healing was achieved in 12 patients in group 1 (80%) and in all in group 2. This technique seems to be a promising option for the treatment of simple bone cysts. The cannulated hydroxyapatite pin is recommended because of its higher success rate and the fact that it does not need to be removed.
We carried out limb lengthening in rabbits and then transplanted osteoblast-like cells derived from the tibial periosteum to the centres of distracted callus immediately after distraction had been terminated. Two weeks later the transaxial area ratio at the centre of the distracted callus and the bone mineral density (BMD) were significantly higher in the transplanted group, by 21% and 42%, respectively, than in the non-injected group or the group injected with physiological saline (p <
0.05). Callus BMD as a percentage of density in uninvolved bone was also significantly higher in the transplanted group (p <
0.05) than in the other two groups, by 27% and 20% in the second and fourth weeks, respectively (p <
0.05). Mechanically, the callus in the transplanted group tended to be stronger as shown by the three-point bending test although the difference in fracture strength was not statistically significant. Our results show that transplantation of osteoblast-like cells promotes maturity of the distracted callus as observed at the second and fourth weeks after lengthening. The method appears promising as a means of shortening the consolidation period of callus distraction and decreasing complications during limb lengthening with an external fixator.
We report the results of distraction osteogenesis (callotasis) for the reconstruction of extensive defects after the excision of skeletal tumours in the limbs. Bone transport was performed in ten patients (five osteosarcomas and five giant-cell tumours), shortening-distraction in three (two osteosarcomas and one Ewing’s sarcoma), and distraction osteogenesis combined with an intramedullary nail to reduce the time of external fixation in six (three osteosarcomas, two chondro-sarcomas, and one malignant fibrous histiocytoma). The mean length of the defects after excision of the lesion was 8.4 cm. The mean external fixation index was 39.5 days/cm for the group treated by bone transport, 34.1 days/cm for the shortening-distraction group, and 24.0 days/cm for the group treated by distraction and an intramedullary nail. Functional evaluation gave excellent results in 12 patients, good in five and fair in two. There were ten complications in 19 patients, all of which were successfully treated. We also classified reconstruction using distraction osteogenesis into five types based on the location of the defects after resection of the tumour: type 1, diaphyseal; type 2, metaphyseal; type 3, epiphyseal; type 4, subarticular reconstruction; and type 5, arthrodesis. Our results suggest that reconstruction using distraction osteogenesis provides bone which will develop sufficient biomechanical strength and durability. It is beneficial in patients with an expectation of long-term survival and in growing children.
We have used the Ilizarov technique for the management of subarticular defects after the excision of giant-cell tumours in the proximal tibia in five patients. The defect was reconstructed with a segment of 5 to 6 cm obtained from the diaphysis of the affected tibia and by autogenous bone graft from the iliac crest. The newly developed defect in the diaphysis was reconstructed by distraction using the Ilizarov apparatus. Bone grafting at the docking site was performed soon after positioning the bone segments. The mean length of the bone defect was 5.7 cm and the mean duration of external fixation was 233 days. The relative blood flow in the leg measured by 99mTc angiography increased by 1.7 to 2.3 times that of the control level during distraction and consolidation. When seen at a mean of 43 months all patients showed a normal range of motion in the knee and ankle with no collapse of the articular surfaces.
