Valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy with single-angled 130° plate fixation for fractures and non-unions of the femoral neck

Non-union of femoral neck fractures may occur due to mechanical and biological factors. Valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy (VITO) alters hip biomechanics and enhances fracture union. The double-angled 120° plate is usually used for internal fixation of the osteotomy. It allows the osteotomy to heal with medialisation and verticalisation of the femoral shaft. This deformity causes medial ligament strain of the knee joint, genu valgum and ultimately osteoarthritis. This work presents our experience in treating vertical fractures and non-unions of the femoral neck by VITO and fixation by a single-angled 130o plate. Thirty-six patients presented with 19 recent vertical femoral neck fractures, and 17 non-unions were included. They were 26 men and ten women, and their ages averaged 37 years. Preoperative planning and VITO technique are described. Union was achieved in 35 patients (97%), and one recent fracture failed to unite (3%). Time to fracture union averaged four months in recent fractures and eight months in un-united fractures. All patients with united fractures had an almost normal configuration of the upper femur. Avascular necrosis of the femoral head was reported in five patients. Twenty-two patients (61%) were pain free, nine (25%) had hip pain on lengthy walks and the remaining five (14%) had persistent pain. Preoperative limb shortening averaged 2.5 cm, and post-operative shortening averaged 0.5 cm. We recommend VITO and fixation by a single-angled 130o plate for vertical femoral neck fractures and non-unions in relatively young adult patients.     

Prosthetic replacement in treatment of subcapital femoral neck fractures in the elderly

OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of femoral head replacement (FHR) and total hip replacement (THR) in treatment of subcapital femoral neck fractures (SFNF). METHODS: Between May 1987 and July 1998, 56 elderly patients (6 5-90 years; average 73.5 years) with SFNF were treated with prosthetic replacement. Six cases were treated with unipolar FHR, 18 cases with Bateman bipolar FHR, and 32 cases with Bateman bipolar THR. All domestic prostheses were installed with cement. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in operating time and blood transfusion. Forty-nine patients were followed-up for an average of 5 years and 10 months. No wound infection or death was related to surgery. Complications in Group FHR were significantly higher than that i n Group THR. CONCLUSIONS: Since FHR is difficult to fit the bony acetabulum, it is only indicated for senile cases with poor conditions. However, the bi polar THR installed with cement is indicated for most elderly patients. Since th e femoral head and acetabulum can fit each other completely, it is more stable for taking weight-bearing earlier with less complications.     

The femoral neck fracture in the elderly patient - cemented or cementless hip arthroplasty?

This is a report on the treatment results of femoral neck fractures with a cemented (group 1) and cementless (group 2) type of hip prosthesis, resp. 72 patients were enrolled. 35 patients were treated with a cemented hip prosthesis (mean age: 78 years), and 37 patients with a cementless modular hip prosthesis (mean age: 77 years). In the cemented group we observed 5 cases of hypotension during insertion of the prosthesis in the femoral shaft. One of these patients required mechanical resuscitation during surgery. In the second group 3 cases of proximal femur fissure and one case of distal femoral fracture were recorded. One year after surgery 43 patients presented for follow up evaluation (cemented group: n = 24; cementless group: n = 19). Both groups revealed comparable results according to the Harris Hip Score (75 versus 78,3 points). No prosthesis loosening was observed in either group. In our view the cemented hip prosthesis is the treatment of choice for femoral neck fractures among the old and very old, if no stabile osteosynthesis can be performed. Patients with cardiopulmonary risk factors, however, may profit from cementless hip arthroplasty to avoid the well known cardiodepression during surgery.     

Review of total hip resurfacing and total hip arthroplasty in young patients who had Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease

Patients with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease can often be successfully treated with femoral head-preserving measures, such as bracing, or containment procedures with osteotomies. However, in some cases, after resolution of the disease, the femoral head may proceed to collapse or progress to severe arthritis at a young age. If nonoperative methods have failed, the only treatment options available for these adolescents or young adults may be a total hip resurfacing or a total hip arthroplasty (THA). This article focuses on the results and unique technical considerations of resurfacing and THA for patients who have severe hip osteoarthritis after resolved Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease.     

Displaced intracapsular neck of femur fractures in mobile independent patients: total hip replacement or hemiarthroplasty?

The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of total hip replacement (THR) with hemiarthroplasty in mobile and socially independent patients with displaced intracapsular fractured neck of femur. Thirty-two patients who had been treated by THR were reviewed after a mean of 3.7 years and compared with 42 patients who had been treated by hemiarthroplasty who were reviewed at 3.9 years. At follow-up none of the THRs had required revision whereas 38% of the hemiarthroplasties had required conversion to THR. Six percent of THRs had dislocated. The modified Harris Hip score rated 86% of THRs as 'good' or 'excellent,' whereas only 12% of the remaining hemiarthroplasties achieved a similar rating. Seventy-seven percent of the patients who had received a THR estimated that they could walk more than a mile compared to 27% of the remaining hemiarthroplasties. THR gave a vastly superior functional outcome compared to hemiarthroplasty in this group of patients.     

Treatment of intertrochanteric femur fractures with 95° fixed-angle blade plate in elderly patients

Purpose  

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the results of treatment of intertrochanteric femur fractures fixation with a 95° fixed-angle blade plate in elderly patients.     

Unipolar or bipolar hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fractures in the elderly?

This prospective randomized trial compared the efficacy of unipolar versus bipolar hemiarthroplasty in elderly patients (> or = 65 years) with displaced femoral neck fractures in terms of quality of life and functional outcomes. One hundred fifteen patients with a mean age of 82.1 years were enrolled in this study and randomized to either unipolar or bipolar hemiarthroplasty. Quality of life and functional outcomes were assessed using the Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment instrument and Short Form-36 health survey. Seventy-eight patients completed 1 year of followup. There were no differences between the groups in estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, mortality rate, number of dislocations, postoperative complications, or ambulatory status at 1 year. There also were no significant differences between the two groups at either point in postoperative Short Form-36 or Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment instrument scores. Results of this prospective randomized study suggest that the bipolar endoprosthesis provides no advantage in the treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures in elderly patients regarding quality of life and functional outcomes.     

Distal femoral shortening osteotomy for treatment of sciatic nerve palsy after total hip arthroplasty — a report of 3 cases

Background and purpose Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for hip replacement is thought to minimize soft tissue damage. We determined the damage caused by 4 different MIS approaches as compared to a conventional lateral transgluteal approach.

Methods 5 surgeons each performed a total hip arthroplasty on 5 fresh frozen cadaver hips, using either a MIS anterior, MIS anterolateral, MIS 2-incision, MIS posterior, or lateral transgluteal approach. Postoperatively, the hips were dissected and muscle damage color-stained. We measured proportional muscle damage relative to the midsubstance cross-sectional surface area (MCSA) using computerized color detection. The integrity of external rotator muscles, nerves, and ligaments was assessed by direct observation.

Results None of the other MIS approaches resulted in less gluteus medius muscle damage than the lateral transgluteal approach. However, the MIS anterior approach completely preserved the gluteus medius muscle in 4 cases while partial damage occurred in 1 case. Furthermore, the superior gluteal nerve was transected in 4 cases after a MIS anterolateral approach and in 1 after the lateral transgluteal approach. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve was transected once after both the MIS anterior approach and the MIS 2-incision approach.

Interpretation The MIS anterior approach may preserve the gluteus medius muscle during total hip arthroplasty, but with a risk of damaging the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.     

Posterior multifragmentation of the femoral neck: Does it portend a poor outcome in internally fixed intracapsular hip fractures?

Aim

To establish whether posterior multifragmentation of intracapsular proximal femoral fractures leads to an increased incidence of non-union and avascular necrosis following internal fixation by contemporary methods.

Methods

After preoperative radiography which was evaluated for posterior fragmentation, 1042 intracapsular hip fractures (471 undisplaced and 571 displaced) were treated with reduction and internal fixation. The rates of non-union and avascular necrosis in the presence or absence of fragmentation were compared in both undisplaced and displaced groups.

Results

The undisplaced cases comprised 460 non-fragmented and 11 fragmented fractures. The complication rates were 14% and 18%, respectively. Displaced fractures consisted of 489 non-fragmented and 82 fragmented cases. In this group, complication rates were 43% and 40%, respectively. No difference was statistically significant.

Conclusions

Using current methods of internal fixation of intracapsular hip fractures, there is no significant association between the posterior multifragmentation of the femoral neck observed on preoperative radiography and the later development of fracture healing complications.     

Total hip arthroplasty in patients with Down��s syndrome

Patients with Down’s syndrome (DS) have an increased incidence of coxarthrosis which may become symptomatic with prolonged life expectancy. We present seven consecutive patients (nine hips) with DS who had primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). Average clinical and radiological follow-up was 9.9 ± 6.4 years (range 2–22.25). Harris hip scores (HHS) improved significantly (p < 0.01) from 41.1 (range 18.5–65) to 80.2 (range 67.5–91) at latest follow-up. Two patients required revision arthroplasty for stem loosening at 16 (osteolysis) and six years (trauma) following THA, respectively. Six of the THAs required a constrained liner. No dislocations or deep infections were encountered. We contend that THA is a reliable surgical intervention in patients with DS and may be performed in symptomatic patients.     

A review of plain radiographic methods for measuring femoral version after total hip arthroplasty and validation of modified Budin’s method in Indian population

BackgroundMultiple plain radiographic methods; cross table radiographic method, modified Budin method, projected neck-shaft angle method, and trans lateral decubitus view method using Ogata-Goldsand formula, have been described in literature for measurement of femoral stem version (FSV) after total hip arthroplasty (THA).PurposeTo review these multiple radiographic methods and also determine validity and accuracy of modified Budin method in Indian population.Patients and methodsA literature search for different methods described for FSV measurement was performed and these methods were reviewed. In addition, for validation of modified Budin method in Indian population, data was collected for 36 THAs prospectively. A posteroanterior radiograph with patient sitting in 90° hip flexion and 30° abduction was taken 3 weeks and 6 weeks after surgery for calculating the FSV using modified Budin method. At 3 weeks, a CT scan was also done for version measurement. Intra and interobserver reliability, and reproducibility of radiographic FSV measurement, and the correlation between CT scan and radiographic FSV measurement were statistically calculated.ResultsAll the reviewed studies demonstrated that their method is comparable to CT method for FSV measurement, except FSV measured on cross table radiographic view. However, there were only one or at most two studies of every method described except for modified Budin technique. The mean FSV in our prospective case series using ‘modified Budin’ method was 11.6° which was comparable to the mean of CT scan version measurement (12.3°). The mean difference was 0.7° which was not statistically significant (p value > 0.05). In addition, there was high intra-class correlation coefficient in radiographic FSV for both intra- and inter-observer reliability.ConclusionMultiple methods have been described and validated in literature, however, the ‘modified Budin’ view have proved multiple times to have excellent reliability and validity for easy measurement of FSV.     

Does surgeon volume for total hip arthroplasty affect outcomes after hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fracture?

We conducted a study to compare complication rates in patients treated with hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fracture by surgeons with variable experience in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and revision THA. A cohort of Medicare beneficiaries (N = 115,352) was identified from Medicare part A claims from 1994 and 1995. All patients had undergone hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fracture. Patients were grouped according to surgeon procedure volume (how many primary and revision THAs surgeon performed per year): 0 (no volume), 1-5 (low volume), 6-24 (mid volume), and 25+ (high volume). Claims were evaluated up to 5 years after surgery to identify patient encounters for complications, such as mortality, dislocation, and infection. Compared with patients treated by no-volume surgeons, patients treated by high-volume surgeons had significantly lower rates of mortality, prosthetic dislocation, and superficial infection. The difference was significant for mortality at 30 days (5.6% vs 6.5%), 90 days (10.8% vs 12.8%), and 1 year (22.3% vs 23.8%); for prosthetic dislocation at 1 year (1.2% vs 1.7%); and for superficial infection at 90 days (1.1% vs 1.6%), 1 year (1.4% vs 1.9%), and 5 years (1.5% vs 2.0%). Revision surgery rates, however, were statistically higher for the high-volume group than for the no-volume group at 90 days (0.9% vs 0.7%), 1 year (3.3% vs 2.9%), and 5 years (8.4% vs 7.7%). There were no differences in rates of venous thromboembolism or deep infection between the groups. Surgical experience in primary and revision THA has a significant effect on patient outcomes after hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fracture.     

Radiographic and clinical analysis of cementless acetabular fixation in total hip arthroplasty

Tofruetancloc nthisoitpnru sac.rttih oOrnorpig ltaiensctahylln y(i,qTuH emAa)jfoo irrs a Td HweteAelrli-o etrseatctaehbdnliiqs huheeidpsutilized bone cement for fixation,but loosening rate ofthe acetabular component was very high because ofbone cement tec…     

Should we use ceramic-on-ceramic coupling with large head in total hip arthroplasty done for displaced femoral neck fracture?

Intracapsular femoral neck fractures are very common orthopedic injuries; total hip arthroplasty has been demonstrated to be an optimal option, but one of the major concerns remains the fact that it may dislocate. The aim of this study is to retrospectively review patients with a displaced intracapsular femoral neck fracture who underwent total hip arthroplasty to realize whether the use of large-diameter ceramic-on-ceramic coupling has the potential to substantially reduce the risk of such a complication. Among 690 hip replacements performed in a period of 8 years, we have selected 86 total hip arthroplasties done for displaced intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck in 64 women and 22 men with a mean age at operation of 67.9 years. Ceramic-on-ceramic coupling was chosen in 38 cases, a 36-mm head was used in 36 cases. At the latest follow-up, there were no cases requiring revision surgery and periprosthetic osteolysis was undetectable. There were no cases of dislocations. New-generation ceramic-on-ceramic bearings with heads of large diameter should therefore be considered to address the problem of dislocation after total hip replacement is done for displaced femoral neck fracture.     

Is decreasing mortality in total hip and knee arthroplasty patients dependent on patients’ comorbidity?

Background and purpose — Mortality after primary total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA and TKA) has declined, and the proportion of THA and TKA patients with comorbid conditions has increased. We therefore wanted to examine changes in comorbidity burden over time and the impact of comorbid on mortality following primary total hip and knee arthroplasty in patients with osteoarthritis.

Patients and methods — We used the Danish arthroplasty registers to identify THA and TKA patients from 1996 through 2013. From administrative databases, we collected data on pre-surgery hospital history for all patients, which were used to calculate the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). Patients were divided into 4 groups: CCI-none, CCI-low, CCI-moderate, and CCI-high. We calculated the relative risk (RR) of mortality within 90 days after surgery with a 95% confidence interval (CI), with stratification according to CCI group and year of surgery.

Results — 99,962 THAs and 63,718 TKAs were included. The proportion of THAs with comorbidity increased by 3–4% in CCI-low, CCI-moderate, and CCI-high patients, from 1996–1999 to 2010–2013. The overall 90-day mortality risk declined for both procedures. Compared to CCI-none, THA patients with low, moderate, and high comorbidity burdens had an RR of 90-day mortality of 1.9 (95% CI: 1.6–2.4), 1.9 (CI: 1.5–2.5), and 3.3 (CI: 2.6–4.2), respectively. Similar increases in proportions and RRs were observed in TKAs.

Interpretation — Despite the fact that the proportion of THA and TKA patients with comorbidities has increased over the past 18 years, the overall mortality has declined. The mortality risk depended on the comorbidity burden and did not decline during the study period for THA and TKA patients with a moderate or high comorbidity burden at the time of surgery.