Bone-membrane interface in aseptic loosening of total joint arthroplasties

In 19 patients who underwent revision arthroplasty for aseptic loosening of total joint arthroplasty, specimens were taken at the time of operation to include the bone-membrane interface. In 16 (84%) of the specimens, sufficient visualization of the interface was possible to allow histologic interpretation. In 13 of these cases, there was prominent evidence of classic bone remodeling with osteoclastmediated resorption and active new bone formation. These results suggest that the osteolysis in aseptic loosening is mediated through osteoclastic bone resorption and that the bone found in such areas is extremely active. The findings help to explain the efficacy of impacted morselized bone-graft in the treatment of bone lysis in aseptic loosening.     

Role of inflammatory mediators and adhesion molecules in the pathogenesis of aseptic loosening in total hip arthroplasties

Concentrations of prostaglandin E₂, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8 were determined in the hip joint synovial fluid of 20 patients undergoing primary (n = 12) and revision (n = 8) total hip arthroplasties. Levels of soluble adhesion molecules were also investigated in these patients. There was a significant and marked increase in levels of prostaglandin E₂ (P < .001), interleukin-6 (P < .011), interleukin-8 (P < .0002), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (P < .07), soluble vascular adhesion molecule 1 (P < .0006), and soluble endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 (P < .0003) in joint fluid of patients undergoing revision. On the basis of these observations, it is suggested that synovial fluid and its inflammatory contents could play a significant role in the pathogenesis of aseptic loosening in total hip arthroplasties.     

Increased urinary crosslink levels in aseptic loosening of total hip arthroplasty

The diagnosis of aseptic loosening in total hip arthroplasty is predominantly based on clinical and radiographic evaluation. Loosening is usually associated with increased bone resorption at the interface. In this study we wanted to evaluate the diagnostic value of bone markers in aseptic loosening. We compared 50 patients with proven component loosening during surgery with 50 age-, sex-, and implant-matched patients without clinical or radiological signs of loosening. We measured serum markers of bone formation (bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin [OC], procollagen type I propeptides) and bone resorption (collagen n-telopeptide [NTX], deoxypyridinoline [DPYD], pyridinoline [PYD]). We found significantly increased levels of NTX, DPYD, PYD, and OC in the loosening group. The other markers showed no significant difference between both groups. We conclude that determination of urinary crosslinks may offer a new and valuable diagnostic method in the detection of aseptic loosening in total hip arthroplasty.     

Human leukocyte antigen and aseptic loosening in Charnley total hip arthroplasty

Human leukocyte antigen phenotypes and radiographic course were studied in 70 Japanese patients (90 hips) who had Charnley low friction arthroplasty. Of the 28 hips diagnosed as radiographically loose less than 15 years after surgery, seven hips (25.0%) were in patients who had a positive human leukocyte antigen A31(19). Of the 62 hips that were radiographically stable more than 15 years, two hips (3.2%) were in patients who had a positive human leukocyte antigen A31(19). Of the nine hips in patients who were positive to human leukocyte antigen A31(19), seven hips were diagnosed as radiographically loose (loosening rate was 77.8%) 15 years after surgery. On the other hand, of the 81 hips in the patients who were negative to human leukocyte antigen A31(19), only 21 hips were diagnosed as radiographically loose (loosening rate was 25.9%) 15 years after surgery. These data suggest that individual immune response to implant materials, linked to human leukocyte antigen, may participate in the process of aseptic loosening in Charnley low friction arthroplasty.     

The role of cytokines in aseptic loosening of total hip prosthesis]

The aim of this study was estimation of the secretory activity of macrophages isolated from granulomatotic tissue in aseptic total hip prosthesis loosening (particularly in regard to IL-6, TNF-alpha and OSM secretion). A considerable increase of IL-6 and TNF-alpha (proosteolytic cytokines) content was noted. At the same time a prominent decrease in OSM (an osteoprotective cytokine) was noted. The obtained results seem to suggest that the changed immunobiology of macrophages consisting of increase osteolytic activity and decreased osteoprotective abilities could be responsible for the loosening of hip prosthesis.     

Application and survival curve of total hip arthroplasties: a systematic comparative analysis using worldwide hip arthroplasty registers

Purpose

The aim of the study was to compare primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) implantations between different countries in terms of THA number per inhabitant, age, and procedure type and to compare the survival curve including all THAs using hip arthroplasty registers.

Methods

THA registers were compared between different countries with respect to the number of primary implantations per inhabitant and age, procedure type and survival curve. We performed a literature search for all national hip arthroplasty registers providing annual reports for 2009 or, if not available, a more recent period. The data from these reports were analysed in terms of number, age distribution and procedure type of primary THAs and survival curves.

Results

We identified nine hip arthroplasty registers, which comprised sufficient data to be included. A large variation was found in the annual number of primary THA implantations per inhabitant. The procedure type varied greatly as well, e.g. in Sweden 67 % are cemented THAs whereas in Emilia-Romagna (Italy) 89 % are cementless THAs.

Conclusions

This study revealed large differences in terms of the annual number of primary THAs per inhabitant and primary THA procedure type across countries. These data can be used to rank local primary THA implantations within an international context.     

Characterization of macrophage polarizing cytokines in the aseptic loosening of total hip replacements

Aseptic loosening of hip replacements is driven by the macrophage reaction to wear particles. The extent of particle‐induced macrophage activation is dependent on the state of macrophage polarization, which is dictated by the local cytokine microenvironment. The aim of the study was to characterize cytokine microenvironment surrounding failed, loose hip replacements with an emphasis on identification of cytokines that regulate macrophage polarization. Using qRT‐PCR, the expression of interferon gamma (IFN‐γ), interleukin‐4 (IL‐4), granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF), IL‐13, and IL‐17A was low and similar to the expression in control synovial tissues of patients undergoing primary hip replacement. Using immunostaining, no definite source of IFN‐γ or IL‐4 could be identified. IL‐17A positive cells, identified as mast cells by double staining, were detected but their number was significantly reduced in interface tissues compared to the controls. Significant up‐regulation of IL‐10, M‐CSF, IL‐8, CCL2‐4, CXCL9‐10, CCL22, TRAP, cathepsin K, and down regulation of OPG was seen in the interface tissues, while expression of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and CD206 were similar between the conditions. It is concluded that at the time of the revision surgery the peri‐implant macrophage phenotype has both M1 and M2 characteristics and that the phenotype is regulated by other local and systemic factors than traditional macrophage polarizing cytokines. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:1241–1246, 2014.     

A histopathologic study of late aseptic loosening of cemented total hip prostheses.

Eighteen patients being treated for revision total hip arthroplasty for aseptic loosening an average of 9.5 years after primary cemented hip arthroplasty were studied. The patients were found to have been symptomatic an average of one year before revision. Review of the roentgenograms at the time of revision revealed that most patients had moderate to severe loosening of the prostheses by Charnley's criteria. These findings were confirmed at surgery. Study of the tissue surrounding the prostheses suggests that the prominent particles were methylmethacrylate "pearls" caused by cement fragmentation. These particles were surrounded by histiocytes that were actively synthesizing and releasing protein. Cement fragmentation and not polyethylene wear may be the major cause of late aseptic loosening of cemented hip prostheses.     

Survivorship analysis of 1,041 Charnley total hip arthroplasties

Survivorship analysis of 1,041 cemented Charnley total hip arthroplasties performed as a primary procedure revealed a probability of component survival at 10 years of 92%; the probability of acetabular cup survival was 99% and of femoral component survival was 96%. Three-zone acetabular demarcation was present in 16% of cases, as was migration of the cup greater than 5 mm. However, the acetabular revision rate was 1.65%, confirming the long-term clinical durability of the 22-mm internal diameter cup. Radiographic evidence of definite femoral component loosening was present in 9.6% and high-grade femoral bone-cement demarcation was present in 3.5%. The isolated femoral revision rate was 1.8%. Based on detailed survivorship analysis, a high-risk group of patients was identified for component failure and for femoral component loosening (radiographic). These patients were male, young (less than 50 years), heavy (greater than 170 pounds), and active (not Charnley class C). Given these findings, it is difficult to justify the widespread use of noncemented total hip systems, except in identifiable high-risk patients.     

Cementless revisions of failed aseptic cemented and cementless total hip arthroplasties. 284 cases

Over the past 13 years, 284 revisions of aseptic total hip arthroplasty failures have been performed with cementless implants. There were 213 cases involving cemented implant failures and 71 involving cementless ones. Considered as salvage procedures, these revisions provided a satisfactory result in about 70% of the reviewed patients after five years. A biologic fixation by bony ingrowth can be expected under certain conditions from decorticated living bone, a tight mechanical fitting, and a retentive corrugated surface of the implant. A prosthetic reimplantation, safely done without cement, appears more economical for the bone stock and prevents the long-term complications related with cement. Bone grafts are often required but cannot ensure the incoming osteogenic fixation of the implant. Long-term results and complications mandate harmless extractability of the revisional implant, a forged stem, an easy exchange of the plastic liner (in a two-part acetabular component), and an updated low-friction system (high-density polyethylene wear being a potential long-term problem).     

Radiographic loosening after revision with gentamicin-containing cement for deep infection in total hip arthroplasties

Seventy-two infected total hip arthroplasties were revised with cement containing gentamicin and were followed up with regular radiograms for periods of up to six years. The infection healed in 61 cases and persisted in 11. An analysis of the radiographic changes in regard to the signs of loosening showed that about half of the cases with a healed infection had a minimal demarcation between bone and cement. In about one-third of the patients, a radiolucent zone of up to 2 mm in thickness developed during the first one to two years and then seemed to remain stable. In the other cases, a progressive resorption, indicating true loosening, was observed. All the cases with remaining infection (except one patient who died of heart disease) exhibited progressively increasing resorption zones. Progress, however, was possibly slowed by the effects of the gentamicin cement and the systemic antibiotic treatment.     

人工髋关节置换术后假体无菌性松动的临床及影像学评估

人工髋关节置换术(THA)后假体无菌性松动问题始终是临床上存在并需要解决的问题。通过临床及放射学检查，观察分析假体松动的表现与过程，对于人工髋关节置换术后假体松动的及时临床处理及预防均有指导意义。本对人工髋关节置换术后假体无菌性松动的临床及影像学评估方法进行了回顾和分析，指出临床及各影像学评估方法的意义，提出正确的评估原则。     

Survival analysis of cementless grit-blasted titanium total hip arthroplasties

Although about 200000 cementless Zweymüller-Alloclassic total hip arthroplasties (THAs) were carried out worldwide in the last decade, the survival analysis of these prostheses was not available in the 2000 report of the Swedish national hip arthroplasty registry. We report a prospective survivorship analysis of 200 consecutive grit-blasted cementless Alloclassic primary THAs carried out since 1988. Using surgical, clinical and radiological endpoints for the stem and the threaded cup the ten-year survivorship was 91.5% for reoperation for any cause, 96.4% for hip pain (Merle d'Aubigné score < 5 points, clinical failure), 99.4% for definite aseptic loosening (radiological failure) and 99.3% for revision for aseptic loosening. Using the Swedish registry criteria of primary osteoarthritis and revision for aseptic loosening as the endpoint, the survival rate of 99.1% at ten years for the subgroup of 157 Alloclassic THAs in osteoarthritis compares favourably with that of the best modern cemented hip replacements reported in the Swedish arthroplasty registry.     

The role of hereditary hemochromatosis in aseptic loosening following primary total hip arthroplasty.

Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) results in increased iron absorption and subsequent deposition in tissue. This condition occurs predominantly in individuals of Northern European and Celtic origin with Ireland having one of the highest allele frequencies in the world. This study examines the hypothesis that homozygosity for either the C282Y or H63D mutations in the HFE gene may be associated with aseptic loosening following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Two groups of individuals were screened for the C282Y and H63D mutations associated with HH. Group 1 were individuals who had undergone primary hip arthroplasty and group 2 were individuals who had undergone revision hip arthroplasty for aseptic loosening. Exclusion criteria included rheumatoid or other inflammatory arthropathies and revision due to causes other than aseptic loosening. Significantly more patients in the revision THA group were homozygous for the C282Y genotype (P = 0.014). Aseptic loosening occurred earlier in these patients (P = 0.009), in particular in the patients who had clinical signs of hemochromatosis. No association was seen with the H63D mutation and revision THA. The incidence of HH in the group of primary THA patients was no higher than the background incidence. Patients who require primary THA and who are homozygous for the C282Y mutation have an increased risk of developing aseptic loosening, leading to revision THA. Moreover C282Y homozygosity appears to be associated with earlier aseptic loosening than in individuals without the C282Y mutation.     

Factors associated with early loosening of cemented total hip prostheses

Patient data and radiograms from a series of 237 consecutive total hip replacements were evaluated by means of a computer programme in an attempt to study factors correlated with early loosening. We found that the loosening rate was significantly influenced by several factors. The CAD-prosthesis (Computer Assisted Design, Howmedica) was found to be superior to the Charnley-Müller-prosthesis. The viscosity of the cement seemed to be an important factor in that low viscosity was positively correlated to loosening whereas high viscosity showed a negative correlation. Several technical details in the performance of the operations as well as loosening correlated with the surgeon. Males who preoperatively had fairly unrestricted physical activity and high body weight were more prone to early loosening. No correlation was found with the diagnosis, previous hip surgery, age, osteoporosis or cortisone treatment preoperatively. We wish to underline the importance of a thorough technique and suggest that total hip replacement should be performed by specialized surgeons.