Bipolar versus total hip arthroplasty for hip osteonecrosis in the same patient

The authors studied 28 patients with bilateral avascular necrosis of the femoral head who were treated with a cementless bipolar endoprosthesis in one hip and cementless total hip arthroplasty in the other. All the hips selected for bipolar endoprostheses were classified as having avascular necrosis of the femoral head Ficat Stage III, and all the hips selected for total hip arthroplasty were classified as having Ficat Stage IV avascular necrosis. After a midterm followup of an average of 6.4 years (range, 4-12 years), 24 of 28 hips that received bipolar endoprostheses were considered satisfactory, whereas 23 of 28 hips in which an arthroplasty was done were considered satisfactory. After a followup of more than 6 years, the cartilaginous space of the acetabulum could be preserved in 25 hips (89.3%) that received a bipolar endoprosthesis. There were no statistical differences in both groups in terms of clinical result, thigh pain, groin pain, osteolysis, dislocation, and revision rate. Total hip arthroplasty is not the preferred treatment for all patients with hip osteonecrosis. In young patients with Ficat Stage III osteonecrosis with Grade 0 or Grade I cartilage, the use of a cementless bipolar endoprosthesis with a bone ingrowth stem may be considered as an alternative to total hip arthroplasty.     

Comparison between bipolar hemiarthroplasty and THA for osteonecrosis of the femoral head

It is controversial whether bipolar hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty should be done for Ficat Stage III osteonecrosis of the femoral head. A prospective comparative study was done using the same cementless femoral components for both procedures. Forty cementless bipolar hemiarthroplasties and 31 cementless total hip arthroplasties were done in 54 patients with Ficat Stage III osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Age, gender, and followup were matched between patients having bipolar hemiarthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty. Treatment with total hip arthroplasty increased the total hip score more than treatment with bipolar hemiarthroplasty. The final pain score especially showed a significant difference between patients who had a bipolar hemiarthroplasty (5.5) and patients who had a total hip arthroplasty (5.9). Thigh pain occurred in four patients (four hips) from the bipolar hemiarthroplasty group and in six patients (six hips) from the total hip arthroplasty group. In the bipolar hemiarthroplasty group, gluteal pain occurred in six patients (six hips, 15%) and groin pain occurred in eight patients (eight hips, 20%). Dislocation occurred in two hips (two patients) in each group. The outer head migrated superiorly in nine hips (nine patients) (23%) from the bipolar hemiarthroplasty group. Because of the incidence of gluteal and groin pain and migration, total hip arthroplasty is a better procedure than bipolar hemiarthroplasty for patients with Ficat Stage III osteonecrosis of the femoral head.     

Cementation for femoral head osteonecrosis: a preliminary clinic study

Treatment for femoral head osteonecrosis has been less successful in late stages of the disease, after progression to collapse. The current authors treated 21 patients (22 hips) with Stage III osteonecrosis by a technique of open reduction and fixation with methylmethacrylate cement (cementation). The followup ranged from 1 to 3 years (average, 1.7 years). Patient progress was followed using preoperative and postoperative Harris hip scores, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and a health status questionnaire (Short Form-36). Patients were staged preoperatively using the Association Research Circulation Osseous international classification system and radiographic evaluation was done intraoperatively and postoperatively. The Harris hip score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and Short Form-36 physical health scores improved significantly from 53.5 to 78.0, 66.0 to 48.1, and 27.0 to 40.0, respectively. The outcome was worse for patients with more advanced disease. Six patients, all with severe disease, had total hip arthroplasty. Cementation is technically simple, enables patients' immediate postoperative pain relief and improvement in mobility, and has the potential to restore and maintain the sphericity of the femoral head after collapse. The high failure rate (27%) at short-term followup, although comparable with other reported techniques, does not support generalized use for Stage III disease. Currently the use of this procedure is restricted to symptomatic, young patients (younger than 40 years), preferably with mild to moderate Stage III disease (degree of head involvement < 30% and degree of collapse < 4 mm).     

Contemporary total hip arthroplasty with and without cement in patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head

BACKGROUND: The rate of failure of primary total hip arthroplasty in patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head is higher than that in patients with osteoarthritis. The purpose of this prospective study was to document the clinical and radiographic results of arthroplasty with so-called third-generation cementing and the results of second-generation cementless total hip arthroplasty in ninety-eight consecutive patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head. METHODS: Fifty patients who had had simultaneous bilateral total hip arthroplasty with a cemented stem in one hip and a cementless stem in the other and forty-eight patients who had had a unilateral total hip arthroplasty with a cementless stem were included in the study. A cementless acetabular component was used in all hips. The presumed cause of the osteonecrosis was ethanol abuse in fifty-seven patients, unknown in twenty-seven, fracture of the femoral neck in nine, and steroid use in five. There were eighty men and eighteen women. The mean age at the time of the arthroplasty was 47.3 years (range, twenty-six to fifty-eight years). Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed preoperatively; at six weeks; at three, six, and twelve months; and yearly thereafter. The average duration of follow-up was 9.3 years. RESULTS: The average Harris hip scores in the group treated with unilateral arthroplasty (97 points) and the group treated with bilateral arthroplasty (94 points) were similar at the time of final follow-up. They were also similar between the group treated with cement (mean, 96 points) and that treated without cement (95 points). No component had aseptic loosening in either group. In one hip, a cemented femoral stem (2%) and a cementless cup were revised because of infection. Two cementless stems (2%) were revised because of fracture of the proximal part of the femur with loosening of the stem. Annual wear of the polyethylene liner averaged 0.22 mm in the group treated with cement (a zirconia head) and 0.14 mm in the group treated without cement (a cobalt-chromium head). The prevalence of osteolysis in zones 1 and 7 of the femur was 16% in the group treated with cement and 24% in the group treated without cement. CONCLUSIONS: Advancements in surgical technique and better designs have greatly improved the long-term survival of cemented and cementless implants in young patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Although there was no aseptic loosening of the components, a high rate of linear wear of the polyethylene liner and a high rate of osteolysis in these high-risk young patients remain challenging problems.     

Treatment of osteonecrosis in the hip of pediatric patients by free vascularized fibular graft

The purpose of the current study was to review the demographics and etiologies of symptomatic femoral head osteonecrosis in the pediatric and adolescent population and to assess the results of treatment using free vascularized fibular grafting. A group of patients with femoral head osteonecrosis who were treated with free vascularized fibular grafting was reviewed. Patients who were studied were 18 years of age or younger at the time of surgery. Records were examined for demographic data, etiology of osteonecrosis, stage of the disease at time of surgery, and results of treatment including preoperative and postoperative Harris hip scores. Eighty-two pediatric and adolescent patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head underwent 90 free vascularized fibular grafting procedures. Fifty patients (54 hips) who have been followed up at least 2 or more years (average, 4.3 years) constituted the study group. At the last followup, total hip arthroplasty was performed in seven hips (seven patients) and hip fusion was performed in one hip (one patient). The average Harris hip scores in patients who did not undergo total hip arthroplasty improved from a preoperative average of 55.3 points to 90.2 points at the latest followup. Treatment of patients with osteonecrosis with free vascularized fibular grafting resulted in a lower rate of conversion to total hip arthroplasty or fusion (16%) in pediatric and adolescent patients when compared with conversion to total hip arthroplasty in adults (25%). The quality of life as evidenced by the increased Harris hip scores was improved significantly in this group of pediatric and adolescent patients.     

Modified Transtrochanteric Rotational Osteotomy for Femoral Head Osteonecrosis

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is a disabling condition affecting young patients and treatment of the disease in these patients is variable. We retrospectively reviewed 39 patients (43 hips) in whom a modified transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy was performed for osteonecrosis. The minimum followup was 24 months (mean, 36.6 months; range, 24-52 months). The mean patient age was 34.3 years (range, 20-51 years). Based on the ARCO classification, 17 hips were classified as Stage II and 26 as Stage III. We performed rotational osteotomy alone in 15 cases, in combination with simple bone grafting in three, and in combination with muscle-pedicle-bone grafting in 25. Sixteen of 17 ARCO Stage II cases and 24 of 26 ARCO Stage III cases had no progression of collapse or lesion size; three hips progressively collapsed. Of the 40 hips without progression the Harris hip score improved from a mean 70 to 92 points at final followup, as did the range of motion of the hip. Modified transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy is an effective method for delaying the progression of collapse in the treatment of selected cases of osteonecrosis of the femoral head.     

双极人工股骨头与全髋关节置换术在老年患者股骨头缺血性坏死FicatⅢ期的中远期随访比较

目的比较生物型双极人工股骨头置换与全髋置换术治疗老年FicatⅢ期股骨头缺血性坏死患者的中远期疗效。方法对获得随访的61例（64髋）FicatⅢ期股骨头缺血性坏死患者,其中23例（24髋）行生物型双极人工股骨头置换、38例（40髋）行全髋关节置换术对其行回顾分析比较,观察手术前后Harris评分和术后髋部疼痛、影像学变化等情况。结果术后随访5～13年（平均8年）,末次随访Harris评分全髋置换组（88.5±8.9）分,较股骨头置换组（73.5±8.3）分高,差异有统计学意义（t=6.69,P〈0.05）。在疼痛发生率及翻修率上股骨头置换组分别为37.5%（9/24）、29.2%（7/24）,均较全髋置换组10%（4/40）、7.5%（2/40）高,差异有统计学意义（2=5.41、2=5.39,P均〈0.05）。随访X线检查假体位置,股骨头置换组9例出现髋臼磨损,发生率为37.5%;全髋置换组髋臼松动率为2.5%（1/40）,假体柄松动率为5%（2/40）;股骨头置换组5例出现股骨柄松动,发生率为20.8%（5/24）,两组在股骨柄松动发生率上差异无统计学意义（2=2.41,P〉0.05）;在股骨侧骨溶解发生率上股骨头置换组20.8%（5/24）与全髋关节置换组22.5%（9/40）间的差异无统计学意义（2=2.44,P〉0.05）。结论治疗老年FicatⅢ期股骨头缺血性坏死选择双极股骨头置换术应慎重,对于大多数患者,应积极选用生物型全髋置换术。     

Bipolar hemiarthroplasty for osteonecrosis of the femoral head. A 7- to 18-year followup

This study evaluated clinical and radiographic results of bipolar hemiarthroplasties for the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Forty-eight hips in 35 patients with a mean age of 37 years who underwent primary bipolar hemiarthroplasties were observed for an average of 11.4 years. Osteonecrosis was associated with corticosteroid use (21 patients), alcohol (six patients), idiopathic (four patients), and other conditions (four patients). The average Harris hip score was 46 before surgery and 86 at the time of the final followup. Twenty (42%) hips were radiographic failures, and 12 (25%) hips were revised. Groin symptoms were present in 20 (42%) hips. Radiographic proximal migration greater than 4 mm and osteoarthritic signs of the acetabulum indicated a high risk of groin symptoms. The results were inferior to those previously reported for total hip arthroplasty. Thus, for the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head in which necrotic lesions are wide, the authors no longer use this system and currently use total hip arthroplasty.     

Horizontal platform supported hip replacement

The cementless horizontal platform supported femoral component for hip replacement was designed to provide physiologic stress loading of the proximal femur after hip replacement. The goal is to extend pain-free implant survival by reducing periprosthetic bone resorption and to provide improved hip function and many years of relief from hip pain. A total hip replacement using this prosthesis was done in 334 consecutive nonselective hips in 322 patients. The mean age of the patients at the time of total hip replacement was 69 years (range, 29-89 years). Thirty-two patients (34 hips) were lost to followup and 81 patients (83 hips) died less than 10 years postoperatively. The remaining 209 patients (217 hips) were followed up for a minimum of 10 years (maximum, 14 years). There were six revisions of the femoral prosthesis. Three (1.8%) were revised for loosening, two were revised for femoral fracture, and one was revised for unexplained pain. The rate of stem survival was 0.97 +/- 0.02 (mean and standard error). There were 209 (96%) hips with excellent or good results. Seven (3%) patients had osteolytic changes develop. Radiographic evidence of diminished bone density in the proximal femur was seen in 34 hips (16%). The clinical results are comparable with other reported results for cementless hip replacements at 10 years.     

Treatment of femoral head osteonecrosis using bone impaction grafting

Even in extensive osteonecrosis of the femoral head in younger patients, a femoral head-preserving method is preferable. We developed a new technique using the lateral approach as used in traditional core biopsy; the osteonecrotic lesion was removed and impacted bone grafts were used to regain sphericity and prevent collapse. In this prospective one surgeon study, we included 28 consecutive hips in 27 patients with extensive osteonecrotic lesions (ARCO classification Stage 2 [11 hips], Stage 3 [14 hips]; and Stage 4 [three hips]); 14 hips had preoperative collapse. The mean age of the patients was 33 years (range, 15-55 years). At a mean followup of 42 months (range, 24-119 months), eight hips (29%) were converted to a total hip arthroplasty (THA). Of the 20 reconstructions that were in situ, 18 were clinically successful (90%) and 70% were radiologically successful. Patients who were younger than 30 years at surgery had a radiologically significant better outcome, even patients with higher stages of osteonecrosis. Patients with preoperative collapse and use of corticosteroids had disappointing results. This method is attractive as a salvage procedure, is relatively simple and quick, and it does not interfere with an eventual future hip arthroplasty.     

Partial resurfacing arthroplasty of the femoral head in avascular necrosis. Methods, indications, and results

The current study reports results using a partial surface replacement for osteonecrosis of the femoral head. The surgical technique, implant design, and instrumentation cause minor soft tissue disruption and require little bony resection. Thirty-seven prostheses were placed in 33 patients during the past 7 years. The mean age of the patients was 43 years (range, 24-59 years), and the preoperative Ficat classification was Stage III in 26 hips, Stage IV in 10, and Stage II in one hip. For the surviving prostheses, the mean followup was 49 months (range, 24-89 months). Of the 28 surviving implants, 24 continue to function well and the patients have excellent or good hip scores according to the Merle d'Aubigne system. There were nine failures, mainly attributable to the extension of the osteonecrosis. In comparison with alternative techniques, the operative surgery for partial surface replacement is straightforward, requiring little preoperative planning and immediate weightbearing postoperatively. Should failure occur, little bone stock loss is incurred and revision to a total hip replacement is as simple as primary hip arthroplasty.     

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head treated with cementless total hip arthroplasty

BACKGROUND: The treatment of young patients who have osteonecrosis of the femoral head associated with collapse or substantial secondary degeneration remains a therapeutic challenge, with total hip arthroplasty being a treatment of choice. However, concerns about the durability of the results of hip arthroplasty in this population necessitate long-term evaluation of this treatment option. To determine its advantages and limitations, we evaluated the results of cementless total hip arthroplasty in a consecutive series of young patients with advanced osteonecrosis. METHODS: We reviewed the results of fifty-five consecutive primary total hip arthroplasties, after an average of 117 months of follow-up, in forty-five patients with a preoperative diagnosis of advanced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (Ficat and Arlet stage III or IV). The average age was thirty-one years (range, twenty-one to forty years) at the time of the operation. We collected data prospectively with the use of patient questionnaires and radiographs. RESULTS: Five patients died and one patient was lost to follow-up before the time of the minimum five-year follow-up; this left forty-eight hips in thirty-nine patients for inclusion in the study. Ten (21 percent) of the forty-eight hips required revision. No revisions were due to aseptic failure of the femoral component. Of the remaining twenty-nine patients (thirty-eight hips), twenty-seven (93 percent) reported few or no functional limitations and twenty-three (79 percent) could walk an unlimited distance at the time of the latest follow-up. Pain was absent or mild in twenty-five patients (86 percent). Twenty-three patients (79 percent) were employed full-time. Radiographically, thirty-seven femoral components (97 percent) were bone-ingrown and the remaining component was judged to be fibrous stable. All thirty-eight acetabular components were bone-ingrown. CONCLUSIONS: Cementless total hip arthroplasty remains a reasonable treatment option for advanced osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Wear of the bearing surface continues to limit the long-term success rate, but we are encouraged by the predictable long-term stability of the bone-implant interface achieved with cementless fixation. These results compare favorably with those of published reports of total hip arthroplasty with cement in younger patients with osteonecrosis.     

Bipolar hip arthroplasty for avascular necrosis of femoral head in young adults

Background:Bipolar hip arthroplasty (BHA) is one of the options for treatment of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head. Acetabular erosion and groin pain are the most allowing for gross motion between the common complications. We propose that these complications are secondary to improper acetabular preparation allowing for motion between the BHA head and the acetabulum.Results:The mean followup was 7.52 years (range 4-16 years). The HHS significantly improved from a preoperative value of 39.3 (range, 54-30) to a postoperative value of 89.12 (range 74-96). According to HHS grades, the final outcome was excellent in 52 hips, good in 28 and fair in 16 hips. Hip and groin pain was reported in four hips (5%), but did not limit activity. Subsidence (less than 5 mm) of the femoral component was seen in 8 cases. Subgroup analysis showed patients with Ficat Stage 3 having better range of motion, but similar HHS as compared to Ficat Stage 4 patients.Conclusion:Bipolar hip arthroplasty (BHA) using tight fitting cup and acetabular reaming in AVN hip has a low incidence of groin pain, acetabular erosion and revision in midterm followup. Good outcome and mid term survival can be achieved irrespective of the Ficat Stage.     

Minimum 10-year-results of extensively porous-coated stems in revision hip arthroplasty

Obtaining predictable, stable fixation of revision femoral implants is important for the long-term success of revision hip arthroplasty. The authors report on minimum 10 years clinical and radiographic followup of 170 patients with extensively coated cementless revision femoral components. With a range of followup of 10 to 16 years and a mean of 13.2 years, a survivorship of greater than 95% was reported. Clinically, the average Postel-D'Aubigne pain and walking score improved from a preoperative score of 5.4 points to 10.8 points postoperatively. Eighty-two percent of the hips had radiographic evidence of a bone-ingrown prosthesis and 13.9% had evidence of stable fibrous fixation. Four percent of stems were unstable as seen on radiographs. Six stems were revised to larger extensively coated stems and one stem is causing pain and is unstable but has yet to be revised. The overall mechanical failure rate was 4.1%. Stress shielding was greatest in patients with stems larger than 16.5 mm and in osteoporotic bone (Dorr Type C). Nine percent of patients had significant thigh pain including all of the patients with unstable stems. In the presence of bone loss in the proximal metaphyseal region of the femur, fixation of the femoral component is predictable when optimizing prosthetic-bone fit in the diaphyseal region of the femur using an extensively coated femoral component.     

No increased stem subsidence after arthroplasty in young patients with femoral head osteonecrosis: 41 patients followed for 1-9 years

BACKGROUND: Poor bone stock in patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head may be a reason for poor outcome after hip replacement. One way of studying bone quality is to measure implant migration. We thus investigated the clinical and radiographic results of cementless THR in younger patients with femoral head osteonecrosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied hips in 41 patients (mean age 48 (25-63) years) with a cementless hip arthroplasty after late stage osteonecrosis. Clinical evaluation was by the Harris hip score, the WOMAC score and the SF-36 score. Stem subsidence was measured with the Ein Bild Roentgen Analyse femoral component analysis (EBRA-FCA) at 3, 12, 24, 60, and 72 months after operation. The average duration of follow-up was 7(1-9) years, with less than 2 years for 2 patients. RESULTS: There was no revision of any hip. No radiographic or clinical stem loosening was seen. After 60 months, the cementless stems showed a median subsidence of -0.7 mm (95% CI: -0.9 to -0.2). No femoral osteolysis occurred. Femoral radiolucent lines, all < 1 mm, were seen in 10 hips. At the latest follow-up the Harris hip score was 83 (23-100) points. INTERPRETATION: Our findings for porous-coated stems in patients with femoral osteonecrosis indicate no greater risk of stem subsidence and rate of osteolysis after an average of 7 years follow-up. Thus, we continue to use uncemented stems in younger patients with femoral osteonecrosis. However, continued follow-up will be necessary to evaluate the long-term outcome.     

Treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head in lymphoma patients by free vascularised fibular grafting

The purpose of this study was to assess the outcomes of treatment of femoral head osteonecrosis using free vascularised fibular grafting in patients with Hodgkin’s disease and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. We retrospectively reviewed seven patients (14 hips) with lymphoma who underwent free vascularised fibular grafting for osteonecrosis of the femoral head, evaluating pre- and postoperative Harris hip scores, visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, hip range of motion and radiographs. Patients were followed up for a minimum of 1.5 years (mean, 3.3 years). All these patients exhibited good recovery without severe life-threatening complications. The mean Harris hip score improved from 69 to 88, while average VAS pain score decreased from 54 to 18. At the latest follow-up, we found improvement or unchanged radiographs in all three hips with initial Steinberg stage II osteonecrosis and in nine of 11 hips with stage III or IV osteonecrosis. No hips failed treatment and underwent total hip arthroplasty. The clinical data demonstrated that free vascularised fibular grafting can slow or even halt progression of necrosis, and improve the function of the hip and quality of life in lymphoma patients.     

Degeneration of the acetabular cartilage in osteonecrosis of the femoral head: histopathologic examination of 15 hips

Acetabular cartilage with subchondral bone was taken from the superior dome from 15 hips of 13 patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty due to osteonecrosis of the femoral head. The mean age of the patients was 40 years. There were 10 hips ARCO stage IIIA, and 5 hips stage IIIB. 3 of the cases were mild, 12 moderate, and 1 had severe arthrosis. The degree of collapse of the femoral head was significantly related to the degeneration of the acetabular cartilage on histological examination. Our observations support the view that patients with an ARCO Stage III hip do not benefit from head-preserving procedures. They may also explain why bipolar prosthesis gives poorer results than total hip arthroplasty, in cases of osteonecrosis of the femoral head.     

Third-generation ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty in patients younger than 30 years with osteonecrosis of femoral head

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional and radiographic results of patients younger than 30 years who underwent cementless third-generation ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty for osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Forty-one patients (56 hips) with a minimum follow-up of 6 years were included. In all cases, third-generation ceramic-on-ceramic articulation was used. Average Harris Hip Scores improved from 52.9 preoperatively to 98.2, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score, from 95.2 to 25.2. Thirty-nine patients returned to their normal occupations. No aseptic loosening or osteolysis was observed. Total hip arthroplasty performed using third-generation ceramic-on-ceramic bearings for osteonecrosis of femoral head was found to provide satisfactory clinical and radiologic results, especially in active, young patients.     

Cementless Modular Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients Younger than Fifty with Femoral Head Osteonecrosis: Minimum Fifteen-Year Follow-Up

This study aimed to report the outcome of total hip arthroplasty (THA) with a modular femoral component in patients younger than fifty years with osteonecrosis of femoral head. Sixty-four osteonecrotic hips in fifty-five patients were available for clinical and radiographic analyses at minimum follow-up of fifteen-years. The mean Harris hip score improved from 36 points preoperatively to 92.7 points at final follow-up. Sixty-two (95.3%) hips demonstrated stable bone ingrowth. No hips showed loosening or required revision for aseptic loosening. Survivorship with an end point of stem revision for any reason was 93.8% and for aseptic loosening was 100% at 16.8 years. We believe that cementless THA with a modular stem is a promising procedure for young and active patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head.