Dual mobility cup reduces dislocation and re-operation when used to treat displaced femoral neck fractures

Purpose

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) as primary treatment for displaced femoral neck fractures is controversial as THA is associated with higher rates of dislocation but lower rates of re-operation compared to hemiarthroplasty (HA). A dual mobility cup (DMC) design is associated with lower dislocation and re-operation rates in elective surgery. Is this also the case when used to treat displaced femoral neck fractures? The aim of this study is to compare rates of dislocation and re-operation of any kind following treatment for displaced femoral neck fractures with either bipolar HA or THA with DMC.

Methods

Two consecutive groups of patients treated for displaced femoral neck fractures at the Regional Hospital in Viborg in Denmark were included. In 2007–2008 171 patients (mean age 84.1 years) were treated with bipolar HA. In 2009–2010 175 patients (mean age 75.2 years) were treated with THA with DMC. Data regarding rates of dislocation and re-operation were obtained by retrospective review of medical records.

Results

We found a statistically significant difference regarding rates of dislocation and re-operation of any kind in favour of THA with DMC. Dislocation occurred in 25/171 patients [95 % confidence interval (CI) 9.3–19.9 %] treated with bipolar HA and 8/175 patients (95 % CI 1.5–7.7 %) treated with THA with DMC (p = 0.002). Re-operations were required in 32/171 patients (95 % CI 12.9–24.6 %) treated with bipolar HA and 16/175 patients (95 % CI 4.8–13.4 %) treated with THA with DMC (p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that THA with DMC is superior to bipolar HA following treatment for displaced femoral neck fractures in regard to rates of dislocation and re-operation.     

Distal tibia fractures and medial plating: factors influencing re-operation

Purpose

We compared types of complications leading to re-operations in open and closed distal tibia fractures treated by locking or nonlocking medial plates.

Methods

Ninety-three patients from 2002 to 2012 who underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) and medial plating for distal extra-articular or partial articular tibia fractures were identified. Charts were retrospectively reviewed to determine the incidence of re-operation based on the type of complication that developed. Fisher’s exact and chi-square tests were performed to analyze the incidence of complications based on injury and type of plate used.

Results

Thirty-three (35.5 %) patients required re-operations: 28.6 % (n = 16) with closed injuries had complications leading to re-operations compared with 45.9 % (n = 17) of patients with open injuries (p = 0.12). Patients with closed injuries were more likely to require re-operation due to hardware pain/prominence (p = 0.03), whereas patients with open injuries were more likely to require re-operation due to nonunion (p = 0.04). There were no significant differences in infection (p = 0.66) or malunion (p = 0.99) between groups. Locking plates showed higher costs but were not associated with decreased risk of re-operation.

Conclusions

There was a high re-operation rate associated with distal tibia medial plating, with significant differences in the reason for re-operation between open versus closed groups. Complication rates were not influenced by the use of locking plates. Results of this study suggest that methods be considered to reduce re-operation based on type of fracture, such as early bone grafting or the use of alternate implants for open fractures.     

Total knee arthroplasty at 15–17 years: Does implant design affect outcome?

Purpose

A study was conducted to compare minimum 15-year survivorship and outcome of the Genesis I and II implants for total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 245 consecutive TKA implanted between January 1995 and October 1997. Genesis I was implanted in 156 knees and Genesis II in 89 knees.

Results

At 15–17 years, 75 patients (31 %) had died, 28 patients (11 %) were lost to follow-up and 11 TKA were revised (4.6 %), including ten Genesis I (6.4 %) and one Genesis II (1.1 %); 131 TKA (53 %) were available for follow-up. Cumulative survivorship was 92.4 % at 15.7 years. Survival in patients <69 years at surgery was lower (88.0 %) compared with patients ≥69 years (98.5 %; p = 0.023). In patients <69 years, Genesis I survival (84.3 %) was worse compared with Genesis II (97.1 %) (p = 0.018). Polyethylene (PE) Insert thickness ≤11 mm had significantly better survivorship (97.1 %) compared with PE >11 mm (56.7 %) (p < 0.0001)

Conclusions

At a minimum of 15 years, the overall (92.4 %) survivorship of Genesis TKA was good, with excellent (98.1 %) survivorship of the Genesis II design. Revision rates were higher with Genesis I in the younger age group and with insert thickness >11 mm, possibly due to longer shelf life of less frequently used sizes.     

Poorer survival after a primary implant during revision total knee arthroplasty

Purpose

Revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) is a complex procedure. Depending on the degree of ligament and bone damage, either primary or revision implants are used. The purpose of this study was to compare survival rates of primary implants with revision implants when used during rTKA.

Methods

A retrospective comparative study was conducted between 1998 and 2009 during which 69 rTKAs were performed on 65 patients. Most common indications for revision were infection (30 %), aseptic loosening (25 %) and wear/osteolysis (25 %). During rTKA, a primary implant was used in nine knees and a revision implant in 60.

Results

Survival of primary implants was 100 % at one year, 73 % [95 % confidence interval (CI) 41–100] at two years and 44 % (95 % CI 7–81) at five years. Survival of revision implants was 95 % (95 % CI 89–100) at one year, 92 % (95 % CI 84–99) at two years and 92 % (95 % CI 84–99) at five years. Primary implants had a significantly worse survival rate than revision implants when implanted during rTKA [P = 0.039 (hazard ratio = 4.56, 95 % CI 1.08–19.27)].

Conclusions

Based on these results, it has to be considered whether primary implants are even an option during rTKA.     

Effect of Pelvic Osteotomy in the Skeletally Immature on Acetabular Coverage

Background

Although pelvic osteotomy in children has been effective in re-establishing containment of the hip joint, its impact on hip joint development with respect to acetabular coverage is ill defined.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of acetabular overcoverage in patients who had pelvic osteotomy during childhood and its impact on patient function.

Patients and Methods

Between 1980 and 2008, all patients who had a pelvic osteotomy done at our institution for non-neuropathic hip dysplasia (DDH) or secondary to Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease (LCP) prior to skeletal maturity were reviewed. A clinical assessment and the WOMAC, UCLA Activity Score, Marx activity score, and SF-36 quality-of-life questionnaires were completed. A standardized AP pelvic X-ray was performed to determine the acetabular coverage, signs of retroversion, and degenerative changes.

Results

Twenty-eight patients (32 hips) were identified, of which 14 (9 DDH, 5 LCP) agreed to participate. Impingement sign was positive in eight patients (six DDH, two LCP). Crossover and ischial spine signs were each present in ten hips. Tonnis grades were: 0 in 1 hip, 1 in 10 hips, 2 in 2 hips, and 3 in 1 hip. The mean Tonnis angle was 11.6 ± 8.6°. The mean CE angle was 24.0 ± 15.9° with six hips having a CE angle <20° and one hip with a CE angle >40°. There was no correlation between crossover sign or ischial sign and Tonnis grade (p = 0.739), hip pain (p = 0.520), or impingement sign (p = 1.00).

Conclusions

Acetabular overcoverage is common in patients who underwent pelvic osteotomy during childhood. No correlation was identified between retroversion and hip pain in our patient cohort.     

A comparative and retrospective study of three hundred and twenty primary Charnley type hip replacements with a minimum follow up of ten years to assess wether a dual mobility cup has a decreased dislocation risk

Purpose

Mid- and long-term follow-up of Charnley total hip arthroplasty (THA) demonstrated good functional results with 85 % survivorship at 25-year follow-up. However, dislocation still remains an unsolved problem. Dislocation may occur throughout the patient’s and implant’s life. The aim of this study is to answer the question: does a dual mobility cup (DMC) decrease the dislocation risk?

Methods

We report comparative results at ten years of follow-up of two groups of primary cemented Charnley-type THA, one with a standard polyethylene cup (group 1, n = 215) and the other one with a DMC (group 2, n = 105).

Results

In group 1, 26 dislocations (12.9 %) occurred. In group 2 only one dislocation (0.9 %) occurred. This dislocation was successfully reduced by closed reduction, without any recurrence. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.0018). In group 1, the reason for revision was recurrent dislocation in 21 cases. Five patients were revised for other reasons. The global revision rate was 12.9 %. In group 2, two patients needed revision surgery for aseptic loosening. The global revision rate was 2.1 %. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.054). The goal was reached for the patients of group 2 who had more risks factors for dislocation (age, aetiology, American Society of Anesthesiologists and Devane scores) than those of group 1.

Conclusions

When using a DMC, we observed a low rate of dislocation in primary THA (0.9 %). This surgical choice seems to be a safe and effective technique in Charnley-type THA, especially in a high-risk population.     

Long-term follow-up and metal ion trend of patients with metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty

Purpose

Long-term studies are required to support the use of metal-on-metal (MoM) bearings in total hip arthroplasty (THA) given the concern about systemic metal ion release and reports of adverse local soft tissue reactions. The purpose of this study was to report the seven to 13-year clinical, radiographic, and metal ion results in patients following MoM THA.

Methods

We studied 163 prostheses after second-generation MoM THA between July 1997 and November 2003. Cobalt and chromium metal ions were collected using whole and analysed by inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.

Results

The mean follow-up was 8.87 years (range, 7–13 years). Four hips (2.5 %) were revised. The Kaplan-Meier survivorship was 91.3 % for revision for all causes, and 97.5 % when excluding the hips revised for a manufacturer’s defect. Median whole blood cobalt levels peaked at a value of 2.87 μg/L at four years (p < 0.0001 vs. pre-operative) and subsequently decreased to 2.0 μg/L after nine years (p = 0.002 vs. four years). Median chromium levels maximally increased up to 0.75 μg/L after five years (p < 0.0001 vs. pre-operative) and tended to decrease thereafter to values of 0.56 μg/L after seven years.

Conclusions

This seven to 13-year follow-up study indicates that the clinical and radiological results following MoM THA are satisfactory with low revision rates. Cobalt and chromium ion levels peaked at four and five years, respectively, and gradually decreased thereafter.     

Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials comparing unipolar with bipolar hemiarthroplasty for displaced femoral-neck fractures

Purpose

Unipolar and bipolar hemiarthroplasty (HA) are used to treat displaced femoral-neck fractures. However, which type is best for treating displaced femoral-neck fractures in elderly patients remains a subject for debate. Our aim was to review randomised controlled trials to establish which type provides superior clinical outcome for this patient population.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials databases and Web of Science for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing unipolar with bipolar HA to treat femoral-neck fracture in the elderly. Risk ratios (RRs) and mean differences (MDs) from each trial were pooled using random-effects or fixed-effects models depending on study heterogeneity. Analysis was performed using RevMan5.2 from the Cochrane Collaboration.

Results

A total of 1,100 patients from nine studies were assessed in this meta-analysis. Results showed no significant differences in function score [MD = −0.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) −2.42–2.13], mortality (RR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.65–1.46), dislocation (RR = 1.33, 95 % CI 0.53–3.34), deep infection (RR = 0.79, 95 % CI 0.35–1.79), acetabular erosion (RR = 1.99, 95 % CI 0.61–6.52), operating time (MD = 2.14, 95 % CI −9.85 to14.14), blood loss (MD = 13.40, 95 % CI −49.60 to 76.39) and length of hospital stay (MD = 0.12, 95 % CI −0.49to0.73) between unipolar and bipolar HA.

Conclusions

Unipolar and bipolar HA achieved similar clinical outcomes in patients with displaced femoral-neck fractures.     

Combined anteversion technique reduced the dislocation in cementless total hip arthroplasty

Purpose

The combined anteversion (CA) technique is a method in which the cup is placed according to the stem anteversion in total hip arthroplasty (THA). We examined whether the CA technique reduced the dislocation rate, and the distribution of CA with the manual placement of the cup.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 634 hips in 579 patients with primary cementless THA. In 230 hips using the CA technique [CA(+)], a CA of 50 ± 10° was the aim. In the remaining 404 hips [CA(−)], the cup was first placed targeting 20° of anteversion. The post-operative CA was measured using the computed tomography (CT) images in 111 hips.

Results

One hip (0.4 %) had a dislocation in the CA(+) group, whereas ten hips (2.5 %) had a dislocation in the CA(−) group. A multivariate analysis showed that primary diagnosis, head size and CA technique significantly influenced the dislocation rate. Patients in the CA(−) group were 5.8 times more likely to have a dislocation compared to the CA(+) group. In the 111 hips with CT images, 81 hips (73.0 %) achieved the intended CA.

Conclusions

Although the manual placement of the cup resulted in 27 % of outliers from the intended CA, the CA technique significantly reduced the dislocation after primary THA.     

Genetic polymorphisms of interleukin-1 beta and osteosarcoma risk

Purpose

Osteosarcoma is the most common childhood bone cancer. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1B) is crucially involved in osteosarcoma carcinogenesis. Whether genetic polymorphisms of IL-1B also influence osteosarcoma risk is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between IL-1B gene polymorphisms and osteosarcoma risk in Chinese Han patients.

Methods

A hospital-based case–control study involving 120 osteosarcoma patients and 120 controls was conducted. Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis was performed to detect three IL-1B gene polymorphisms (−31 T/C, −511 C/T and +3954 C/T) in these patients.

Results

Patients with osteosarcoma had a significantly lower frequency of −31 CC genotype [odds ratio (OR) = 0.40, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 0.17–0.92; P = 0.03] and −31 C allele (OR = 0.67, 95 % CI = 0.46–0.99; P = 0.04) than controls. Patients with osteosarcoma had a significantly lower frequency of −511 TT genotype (OR = 0.40, 95 % CI = 0.17–0.95; P = 0.04) than controls. The +3954 C/T gene polymorphisms were not associated with a risk of osteosarcoma. When stratified by Enneking stage, tumour location, histological type, tumour metastasis of osteosarcoma and family history of cancer, no statistically significant results were found.

Conclusions

This is the first study to provide evidence for an association of IL-1B gene polymorphisms with osteosarcoma risk.     

Dual mobility acetabular component in revision total hip arthroplasty for persistent dislocation: no dislocations in 50 hips after 1–5 years

Background

A dual mobility cup has the theoretic potential to improve stability in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and mid-term cohort results are favorable. We hypothesized that use of a new-generation dual mobility cup in revision arthroplasty prevents dislocation in patients with a history of recurrent dislocation of the THA.

Materials and methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients receiving an isolated acetabular revision with a dual mobility cup for recurrent dislocation of the prosthesis with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Kaplan–Meier survival analyses were performed with dislocation as a primary endpoint and re-revision for any reason as a secondary endpoint.

Results

Forty-nine consecutive patients (50 hips) were included; none of the patients was lost to follow-up. The median follow-up was 29 months (range 12–66 months). Two patients died from unrelated causes. Survival after 56 months was 100 % based on dislocation and 93 % (95 % CI 79–98 %) based on re-revision for any reason. Radiologic analysis revealed no osteolysis or radiolucent lines around the acetabular component during the follow-up period.

Conclusion

The dual mobility cup is an efficient solution for instability of THA with a favorable implant survival at 56 months.

Level of evidence

Level 4, retrospective case series.     

Total hip arthroplasty with acetabular reconstruction using a bulk autograft for patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip results in high loosening rates at mid-term follow-up

Purpose

Managing a deficient acetabulum in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) can be challenging. The purpose of the study was to determine the mid-term results of total hip arthroplasty (THA) using a bulk structural autograft for reconstruction of the acetabular roof in patients with DDH.

Methods

Between 1982 and 1999, 112 patients underwent THA with acetabular roof-plasty using a bulk structural autograft for secondary osteoarthritis related to DDH. A total of 106 patients (115 hips) met inclusion criteria and were followed for an average of 11.6 years (seven to 24 years). The mean age was 52.5 years at the index operation. Clinical and radiological evaluations were performed according to the methods of Merle d’Aubigné and Postel, Johnston et al. and DeLee and Charnley.

Results

The overall Merle d’Aubigné hip score significantly improved (3.7 vs 10.4, p < 0.01). The limb length discrepancy decreased from 30 to 6 mm (p < 0.01). The average distance that the hip centre was distalised was 22.3 mm (0–56 mm). However, radiolucent lines were observed in 27 % of patients at final follow-up, and the overall rate of revision for aseptic loosening was 16 %. Further, Kaplan-Meier survivorship curves predicted a rapid increase in the failure rate at 15 years.

Conclusions

The mid-term functional outcome of THA with an acetabular roof-plasty using a bulk autograft is satisfactory; however, the long-term results are questionable.     

The safety and efficacy of minimally invasive discectomy: a meta-analysis of prospective randomised controlled trials

Purpose

The objective of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of minimally invasive discectomy (MID) with standard discectomy (SD) and determine whether the use of the MID technique could decrease the recurrence of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) after the surgery.

Methods

In February 2014, a comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and the Chinese Biological Medicine Database. Only randomised controlled trials (RCT) that compared MID with SD for the surgical management of LDH were included. These trials were carefully picked out following the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Using the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines, two authors independently extracted data and assessed these trials’ quality. The age of the patients, size of incision, surgical time, blood loss, visual analogue scale (VAS) score after the surgery, hospital stay, disc herniation recurrence, X-ray exposure and surgical costs in these studies were abstracted and synthesised by a meta-analysis with RevMan 5.2.0 software, and the main results (VAS score after the surgery and disc herniation recurrence) of publication bias were examined by Stata 12.0.

Results

Overall, 16 trials involving 2,139 patients meeting our criteria were included and analysed. Comparing MID and SD, the former was more likely to increase disc herniation recurrence [relative risk (RR) = 1.95, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.19–3.19, p = 0.008], and it involved a smaller size of incision [mean difference (MD) = −1.91, 95 % CI −3.33 to −0.50, p = 0.008], shorter hospital stay, longer operating time (MD = 11.03, 95 %C I 6.62–15.44, p < 0.00001) and less blood loss (MD = −13.56, 95 % CI −22.26 to −4.87, p = 0.002), while no statistical difference appeared with regard to the age of the patients, VAS score after the surgery, X-ray exposure, hospital stay and surgical costs.

Conclusions

Based on available evidence, MID results in less suffering for patients during the hospital course with a similar clinical efficacy compared to SD. This makes MID a promising procedure for patients with LDH; however, to popularise it greater effort is required to reduce disc herniation recurrence.     

Dorsal versus transgluteal approach for hip hemiarthroplasty: an analysis of early complications in seven hundred and four consecutive cases

Purpose

Hemiarthroplasty (HA) is an established treatment for femoral neck fractures of the elderly. Several surgical approaches are currently used including dorsal and transgluteal. It is still unclear whether one approach may be advantageous. We compared early complication rates after dorsal and transgluteal approaches.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed a cohort including 704 consecutive patients who received HA for femoral neck fracture; 212 male and 492 female patients were included, and the mean age was 80.4 years (SD 9.8 years). In 487 patients a dorsal and in 217 a transgluteal approach was chosen. In all patients an Excia® stem with self-centring bipolar head manufactured by Aesculap (Tuttlingen, Germany) was used. We evaluated early postoperative complications including dislocation, infection, haematoma, seroma and perioperative fracture. Complication rates after dorsal and transgluteal approaches were calculated and compared by the chi-square test.

Results

After a dorsal approach 10.5 % [confidence interval (CI) 7.7–13.2 %] of the patients suffered one or more early complications. Following a transgluteal approach this proportion was 9.7 % (CI 5.7–13.6 %), which was not significantly different (p = 0.75). The predominant complication after a dorsal approach was dislocation (3.9 %; CI 2.2–5.6 %). The dislocation rate after a transgluteal approach was significantly lower (0.5 %; CI 0–1.4 %). Postoperative haematoma however was seen after a transgluteal approach in 5.5 % (CI 2.5–8.6 %), which was significantly more frequent than after a dorsal approach (1.2 %; CI 0.2–2.2 %). The frequency of the other types of complications did not significantly differ.

Conclusions

The rate of early surgical complications after dorsal and transgluteal approaches is not significantly different. However, the dorsal approach predisposed to dislocation, whereas the transgluteal approach predisposed to haematoma.     

Lumbar spine fusion surgery and stroke: a national cohort study

Purpose

To investigate the incidence and risk of stroke after lumbar spinal fusion surgery.

Method

Study subjects were identified from a nationwide cohort of 1 million people from 2000 to 2005 and were divided into the lumbar spinal fusion group (n = 2,015), who received posterior lumbar spinal fusion surgery, and the comparison group (n = 16,120) composed of age-, sex-, and propensity score-matched control subjects. The matching process was intended to adjust for demographics, comorbidities, and other immeasurable covariates to minimize selection bias. All subjects were followed up for 3 years for stroke, including hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes. Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed.

Results

The overall incidence rate of stroke in the cohort was 9.99 per 1,000 person-year. The lumbar spinal fusion group was less likely to have any stroke (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 0.83, p = 0.293), hemorrhagic stroke (adjusted HR = 0.74, p = 0.739) and ischemic stroke (adjusted HR = 0.81, p = 0.250) than the comparison group, but without significance.

Conclusions

Three years post-operatively, patients who received lumbar spinal fusion had stroke incidence rates similar to those without surgery. Posterior lumbar spinal fusion surgery is not associated with increased risks for any kind of stroke.     

Late dislocation is associated with recurrence after total hip arthroplasty

Purpose

This study was conducted to examine the risk factors for recurrent dislocation after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and test the hypothesis that late dislocations are associated with recurrence.

Methods

A total of 1,250 hips in 1,017 patients were retrospectively reviewed. All operations were performed through the posterolateral approach with posterior soft tissue repair. An early or late dislocation was defined as a dislocation occurring before or after one year postoperatively, respectively.

Results

Dislocation occurred in 36 hips (2.9 %) and 20 of them experienced recurrence. Recurrent dislocations were observed in ten out of 25 hips (40.0 %) with early dislocation; however, ten out of 11 hips (90.9 %) with late dislocation experienced recurrence (p = 0.0046). Multivariate analysis revealed that late dislocation was significantly associated with recurrence with odds ratio of 5.94 per year. Seven in 20 hips with recurrent dislocation required surgical treatment.

Conclusion

Late dislocation significantly contributed to the development of recurrent dislocations.     

Radiographic quantification of dynamic hip screw migration

Purpose

This study aimed to propose a technique to quantify dynamic hip screw (DHS®) migration on serial anteroposterior (AP) radiographs by accounting for femoral rotation and flexion.

Methods

Femoral rotation and flexion were estimated using radiographic projections of the DHS® plate thickness and length, respectively. The method accuracy was evaluated using a synthetic femur fixed with a DHS® and positioned at pre-defined rotation and flexion settings. Standardised measurements of DHS® migration were trigonometrically adjusted for femoral rotation and flexion, and compared with unadjusted estimates in 34 patients.

Results

The mean difference between the estimated and true femoral rotation and flexion values was 1.3° (95 % CI 0.9–1.7°) and −3.0° (95 % CI – 4.2° to −1.9°), respectively. Adjusted measurements of DHS® migration were significantly larger than unadjusted measurements (p = 0.045).

Conclusion

The presented method allows quantification of DHS® migration with adequate bias correction due to femoral rotation and flexion.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00264-013-2146-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorised users.     

Ultrasonographic Graf type IIa hip needs more consideration in newborn girls

Purpose

According to hip ultrasonography by Graf’s method, the type IIa hip has a certain degree of physiological delay in ossification of the bony acetabular roof. The aim of this case–control study was to evaluate the natural history of the type IIa hip.

Methods

Four hundred and thirty-one type IIa hips were identified in 312 of 1,690 ultrasonographically screened newborns with a mean age of 27 days. Parents were accurately informed about the prognosis of such a hip condition and invited for ultrasonographic re-examination at 6–7 weeks of age.

Results

Type IIa hip was more common in newborn girls than in boys (P < 0.001). Among 431 type IIa hips, 146 (34 %) missed the follow-up examination at 6–7 weeks of age. Among the completely followed 285 hips, 225 (79 %) developed into a normal hip at 6–7 weeks of age. Newborn boys’ hips had a higher rate of spontaneous normalization than girls’ hips at 6–7 weeks of age (P = 0.006). All but one type IIa(+) hip became type I without any treatment. According to our management protocol, 35 type IIa(−) hips and one type IIa(+) hip, which later became type IIb, underwent treatment. The rate of treatment was higher in newborn girls’ hips than in boys’ hips (P = 0.019).

Conclusions

As Graf type IIa hip is more common, has a lower rate of spontaneous normalization and higher rate of treatment in newborn girls than in boys, we recommend paying more attention the type IIa hip in newborn girls. The rate of missing the required follow-up is unacceptably high due to parents’ insensitivity regarding the type IIa hip.     

The effect of a collar and surface finish on cemented femoral stems: a prospective randomised trial of four stem designs

Purpose

The optimal design for a cemented femoral stem remains a matter of debate. Over time, the shape, surface finish and collar have all been modified in various ways. A clear consensus has not yet emerged regarding the relative merits of even the most basic design features of the stem. We undertook a prospective randomised trial comparing surface finish and the effect of a collar on cemented femoral component subsidence, survivorship and clinical function.

Methods

One hundred and sixty three primary total hip replacement patients were recruited prospectively and randomised to one of four groups to receive a cemented femoral stem with either a matt or polished finish, and with or without a collar.

Results

At two years, although there was a trend for increased subsidence in the matt collarless group, this was not statistically significant (p = 0.18). At a mean of 10.1 years follow-up, WOMAC scores for the surviving implants were good, (Range of means 89–93) without significant differences. Using revision or radiographic loosening as the endpoint, survivorship of the entire cohort was 93 % at 11 yrs, (CI 87–97 %). There were no significant differences in survivorship between the two groups with polished stems or the two groups with matt stems. A comparison of the two collarless stems demonstrated a statistically significant difference in survivorship between polished (100 %) and matt (88 %) finishes (p = 0.02).

Conclusions

In the presence of a collar, surface finish did not significantly affect survivorship or function. Between the two collarless groups a polished surface conferred an improved survivorship.     

Kapandji pinning and tuberosities fixation of three- and four-part fractures of the proximal humerus

Purpose

The Kapandji pinning was initially described for the treatment of surgical neck fractures of the humerus in young patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate functional and radiological outcomes of the Kapandji modified technique in displaced complex three- and four-part fractures.

Methods

From 2005 to 2009, 32 patients (23 three-part and nine four-part fractures) were included retrospectively. The mean age was 63 years old (range, 22–86), and the dominant shoulder was involved in 40 % of the cases.

Results

At a mean follow up of 25 months (12–72), the mean absolute Constant score achieved 68 points (35–98) and adjusted score 80 % (47–100). Patients had an average forward elevation of the shoulder of 132° (80°–180°), an average external rotation of 36° (0°–90°), and an average internal rotation to the level of L1 (sacrum to the level of T6). The older the patients were the worst was the active anterior elevation recovery (r = −0.3; p = 0.01). Reduction and fixation of initial varus-displaced fractures was not as reliable as in valgus. In eight cases (25 %), K-wire migrations were observed and were correlated with age over 70 years old (p = 0.001). Two partial osteolysis of the greater tuberosity and two avascular necrosis of the humeral head (one was associated with a non-union) were identified. Moreover, three patients developed adhesive capsulitis.

Conclusion

The Kapandji technique with fixation of tuberosities provides satisfactory results for the treatment of complex proximal fractures of the humerus. However, we do not recommend this technique for patients older than 70 years and in cases of varus displaced fractures.