Are leg length and hip offset comparable after hip resurfacing and cementless total hip arthroplasty?

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to determine if hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA) and cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) were comparable in correcting leg length and hip offset in patients with primary osteoarthritis.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed of 80 patients who underwent either HRA or cementless THA for primary osteoarthritis (40 in each group) between 2006 and 2008. Standardised anteroposterior radiographs taken pre-operatively and at one year following surgery were used to calculate the total offset and leg length in both hips.

RESULTS

At one year following surgery, no leg length discrepancy was identified in either group. A difference of 0.39cm (p=0.046) remained between the mean total offset of the operated hip and the contralateral non-operated hip in the HRA group. No difference in offset was observed between the two hips after surgery in the THA group (p=0.875).

CONCLUSIONS

Leg length is restored by HRA and THA. A difference remains in offset after HRA although we attribute this to intentional medialisation of the acetabular cup.     

Can ischemic hip disease cause rapidly destructive hip osteoarthritis? A case report

Avascular osteonecrosis of the femoral head (AONFH) usually goes through the four stages described by Arlet and Ficat: normal radiographs, heterogeneity and sclerosis of the femoral head, subchondral fracture with an individualized sequestrum, and secondary osteoarthritis. Arlet and Ficat individualized a specific pattern of AONFH which they called ischemic hip disease, in which cartilage damage seen as concentric joint space loss precedes the bony alterations. Although radiological and pathological studies of ischemic hip disease have been published, no clinical data are available. We report the case of a 65-year-old man admitted for a 1-month history of severe hip symptoms with concentric joint space loss but no osteophytes. Laboratory tests and examination of fluid aspirated from the hip ruled out septic arthritis and inflammatory hip disease. Two magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies done 1 month apart showed diffuse edema involving not only the femoral head but also the neck and trochanter, as well as major synovial hypertrophy. This atypical MRI appearance prompted synovial membrane and pertrochanteric core biopsies, which showed reactive synovitis and stage IV osteonecrosis, respectively. The pain, disability, and joint space loss worsened. Total hip arthroplasty was performed 1 month after the biopsy. Histological examination of the femoral head showed diffuse necrosis; no evidence of another condition was found on histological sections of the entire synovial membrane. This case corroborates the hypotheses put forward by Lequesne that some cases of rapidly destructive hip osteoarthritis may be ascribable to ischemia.     

Can radiographs of hip fractures predict subsequent hip fractures? A shape modelling analysis

IntroductionThe geometrical shape of the proximal femur has previously been shown to predict primary hip fractures. Hip fractures are routinely diagnosed on plain radiographs of the pelvis, and these have both hips viewable. We have investigated if statistical shape modelling of the uninvolved hip on plain radiographs, at the time of the first hip fracture episode, could predict a subsequent ‘second fracture’ on that (uninvolved) side.Materials and methods60 radiographs taken at the time of the index hip fracture were blinded and separated into two arms; patients sustaining one hip fracture only (n = 30), and those who went on to sustain a second fracture (n = 30), over the three-year follow-up period. Two separate shape models were used for these groups and compared using t-tests or Mann–Whitney U-tests, along with Cohen's d to measure the effect size of each measure.ResultsWe found no statistically significant difference in the shape of the femur between the first fracture and second fracture group (p > 0.05) and no results reached a “medium” effect size (Cohen's d <0.5).ConclusionsShape modelling is feasible and can be applied in the routine clinical setting. However, we were unable to elucidate any predictive value in this relatively small sample. A reliable radiograph-based method of identifying patients at risk of second fracture would be of value in planning prevention, service provision, and cost analysis. Further work is required and a study with more patients might exclude the type 2 error in our work.     

Does unilateral total hip arthroplasty improve pain and function in the non-operative hip joint?

European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology - Some reports suggested that the status of the opposite-side hip affects clinical outcomes of unilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA) for...     

Total hip arthroplasty after prior surgical treatment of hip fracture is it always challenging?

Salvage total hip arthroplasty (THA) presents a viable solution for failed open reduction internal fixation. This study compares salvage THA in patients with prior femoral neck fractures vs patients with prior intertrochanteric fractures. One hundred fifty-four hips in 152 patients underwent conversion from open reduction internal fixation to THA. Eighty-three patients had previous femoral neck fractures, and 69 patients (71 hips) had prior intertrochanteric fractures. Salvage THA in patients with prior intertrochanteric fractures presented a more technically demanding procedure with longer operative times and larger amounts of blood loss. Although conversion THA presents a technically challenging procedure, it is safe and yields relatively few orthopedic complications.     

Are hip protectors cost effective?

The purpose of this study is to assess the cost effectiveness of hip protectors in preventing proximal femoral or 'hip' fractures in the elderly. The incidence of 'hip' fractures within the different age groups and the number of patients admitted from institutional care was determined from a prospective audit of all 'hip' fractures over a four year period at our hospital. Compliance and estimation of the effectiveness of hip protectors was taken from data from the five randomised trials of hip protectors. The cost of using hip protectors was obtained from the manufacturers. There was long term compliance in 36% of population. There was a reduction of 'hip' fractures from 6.5 to 2.3%. The cost of using hip protectors was pound113/person/year. For those aged over 80 years and for institutional care patients the wearing of hip protectors appears to be cost effective.     

24 hours stay after hip replacement

Background and purpose — The length of stay after total hip arthroplasty has been reduced to 2–4 days after implementing fast-track surgery. We investigated whether a new time-based patient-centered primary direct anterior approach (DAA) total hip arthroplasty (THA) treatment protocol in a specialized clinic, with a planned length of stay of about 24?hours, could be achieved in all patients or only in a selected group of patients.

Patients and methods — We analyzed prospectively collected data in a cohort of 378 consecutive patients who underwent a primary direct anterior THA as a patient-centered time-based procedure between March 1, 2012 and December 31, 2015. Patients with complicated medical comorbidity and those over the age of 85 were excluded from the study. The average length of stay was recorded and all complications, re-admissions, and reoperations were registered and analyzed. The primary outcome measures were length of stay and complication rate, at discharge and 90 days postoperatively.

Results — The average length of stay for all patients was 26?hours. All patients were discharged from the clinic on the day after the operation and were able to continue their recovery at home or in a rehabilitation facility. The overall complication rate within 3 months of surgery was 6%. The 3-month re-admission rate and the 3-month reoperation rate were both 2%.

Interpretation — Performing a time-based, patient-centered fast-track program for DAA total hip arthroplasty can result in a standardized length of stay of about 24?hours and a high level of patient satisfaction with few complications, re-admissions, and reoperations.     

Does previous hip arthroscopy negatively influence the short term clinical result of total hip replacement?

Introduction  

The risk that hip preserving surgery may negatively influence the performance and outcome of subsequent total hip replacement (THR) remains a concern. The aim of this study was to identify any negative impact of previous hip arthroscopy on THR.     

Is the Harris hip score system useful to study the outcome of total hip replacement?

Although the Harris hip score frequently is used to assess the outcome of total hip replacement, only a few minor validity tests have been presented. The aim of this study was to perform a validity test of the Harris hip score and to test its reliability. Two cohorts were studied. First, 58 patients who had undergone total hip replacement 2 to 10 years earlier were evaluated by an orthopaedic surgeon and an experienced physiotherapist using the Harris hip score. The patients also answered the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. Second, 1,056 patients answered the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey questionnaires. The results were compared with those of a subcohort of 344 patients who were evaluated using the Harris hip score. The following items were tested: content validity, convergent and divergent construct validity, criterion validity, test and retest reliability, internal consistency reliability, and interobserver reliability. The Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index, and the Harris hip score showed high validity and reliability. The Harris hip score can be used by a physician or a physiotherapist to study the clinical outcome of hip replacement.     

No clinical difference between large metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty and 28-mm-head total hip arthroplasty?

Purpose  

We aimed to test the claim of greater range of motion (ROM) with large femoral head metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty.     

When does hip fracture surgery fail?

Introduction

Hip fractures remain the most common orthopaedic injury requiring hospital admission. Failed surgery for any cause carries a higher morbidity, mortality, and healthcare-related cost. The aims of this study were to determine risk factors for surgical complications of hip fracture surgery, when they occurred and their effect on mortality.

Patients and methods

From a prospectively collected consecutive database of 795 hip fractures admitted between July 2007 and June 2008, all surgical and non-surgical complications were identified as well as re-operation for any cause and mortality in the 4 years since surgery.

Results

Fifty-five (6.9%) patients were found to have developed a surgical complication requiring further intervention. Risk factors included younger age, smoking and cannulated screw fixation. Cannulated screw fixation was associated with a 30.9% rate of re-operation. Post-operative medical complication occurred in 21.8%. It was associated with a 78.5% mortality at 4 years with a median time to mortality of 58 days (95% CI 0–120 days).

Conclusions

Mechanical failure was the most common reason for cannulated screw re-operation. Hip hemiarthroplasty most commonly failed by infection. Inter-trochanteric and sub-trochanteric fracture fixation had very low failure rates. Post-operative medical complications, but not surgical complications, were associated with a higher mortality rate.     

Primary total hip arthroplasty for acetabular fracture

Objective:To explore the operative indications and operative methods of primary total hip arthroplasty for acetabular fracture and to observe the clinical curative effect. Methods:We retrospectively summarized and analyzed the traumatic conditions, fracture types, complications, operative time, operative techniques, and short-term curative effect of 11 patients(10 males and 1 female, with a mean age of 42. 4 years) with acetabular fracture who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty. Results: The patients were followed up for 6-45 months (mean = 28 months). Their average Harris score of postoperative hip joint was 78. Conclusion:Under strict mastery of indications, patients with acetabular fracture may undergo primary total hip arthroplasty, but stable acetabular components should be made.     

The management of intracapsular hip fractures in the 'young elderly' internal fixation or total hip replacement?

There is a lack of consensus about how to treat intracapsular hip fractures in the 'young elderly' (50-75 years). Evidence for older more mobile patients seems to point towards Internal Fixation (IF) for undisplaced fractures and Total Hip Replacement (THR) for displaced fractures. Radiographs of 263 patients from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, who have suffered an intracapsular hip fracture between 2000-2009 were reviewed. The complication and mortality rates were noted. A Hip function questionnaire (Oxford hip score (OHS)) and Numeric pain score (NPS) were sent out to patients, then methods of treatment (IF and THR) were compared. In displaced fractures THR compared favourably to IF, OHS (16.0 vs. 20.0 p 0.029), NPS (2.0 vs. 4.0 p 0.007), complications (Odds Ratio (OR) 2.90; p 0.006) and death rate (OR 3.61; p 0.007). Although not statistically significant when stratified for age, the youngest age group (50-60) still achieved better function with a THR (13.0 vs. 18.0 ; p 0.129). There was little difference in the results for undisplaced fractures. This retrospective cross-sectional study showed IF is associated with a much higher complication rate than THR for patients who sustained a displaced hip fracture. THR also showed a better functional outcome and reduced pain. IF should be used in undisplaced fractures as there was no difference in functional outcome or complication rate. A large randomised controlled trial is needed to confirm these results.     

Total hip arthroplasty with cementless cups and femoral head autografts for patients with hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of total hip arthroplasty (THA) with cementless cups and femoral head autografts for patients with hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis. Methods: Between 1995 and 2002, we implanted 23 cementless cups and femoral head autografts in 20 patients with hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis. In this study, a retrospective study was made on 21 hips in 20 patients (18 females and 2 males, aged 50 years on an average) with developmental hip dysplasia treated by THA with a cementless cup and femoral head autograft. The acetabular cup was placed at the level of the true acetabulum and all the patients required autogenous femoral head grafts due to acetabular deficiency. The average rate of the acetabular cup covered by the femoral head autograft was 31% ( ranging from 10 % to 45 % ). Eight hips had less than 25 % cup coverage and thirteen between 25% and 50%. The average follow-up period was 4.7 years (range, 1-8 years). The replacing outcome was evaluated by modified Harri ship score. Preoperative and follow-up radiographs were made. Results: All the autografts were united to the host bones. No autograft was collapsed or no component from the hip was loosed in all the patients. According to the modified Harris hip score, the average hip score increased from 46 before operation to 89 at the final review. Before operation, the leg-length discrepancy was greater than 2 cm in all the patients except one with bilateral hip dysplasia. After operation, only 2 out of 20 patients had a leg-length discrepancy greater than 1 cm. Three hips showed minor bone resorption in the lateral portion of the graft, which did not support the cup. Three hips developed Grade 1 Brooker heterotopic ossification and one developed Grade 2. Conclusions: THA with a cementless cup and a femoral head autograft for patients with osteoarthritis resulted from hip dysplasia can result in favorable outcomes. This method can provide reliable acetabnlar fixation and restore the aeetabular bone stock in patients with developmental hip dysplasia when the cementless cup covered by the graft does not exceed 50 %.     

What's new in total hip replacement?]

The authors present special types of stems and acetabulum components. Analyzing the available the authors try to assess which parameters of the prosthesis influence long-term outcomes. "Wear and tear" of the implants was also analysed. Cemented and cementless acetabular components where also analysed. Capoplasties neck-sparing procedures and MIS techniques were also taken into consideration with special attention given to the dangers related to these new techniques.     

Developmental dysplasia of the hip: impact of sonographic newborn hip screening on the outcome of early treated decentered hip joints—a single center retrospective comparative cohort study based on Graf’s method of hip ultrasonography

Purpose/Background/Introduction  

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the impact of neonatal sonographic hip screening using Graf’s method for the management and outcome of orthopaedic treatment of decentered hip joints with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), using three decades (1978–2007) of clinical information compiled in a medical database.     

Does hip strength analysis explain the lower incidence of hip fracture in the People's Republic of China?

To explore whether there are ethnic differences in calculated hip strength that might explain the low incidence of hip fracture in China, we used Lunar DPX 'beta' version of hip strength analysis (HAS) and hip axis length (HAL) programs to compare hip geometry, calculated strength and densitometric values from Chinese subjects in Shenyang to those of Caucasian subjects in Oslo and Leuven participating in the European Prospective Osteoporosis Study (EPOS). Subjects were 210 Chinese and 403 Caucasian men and women aged 53-77 years. Parameters investigated included bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), bone area (BA), cross-sectional moment of inertia (CSMI) and section modulus (both indicating strength and rigidity of the femoral neck), HAL, neck length (NL), neck diameter, tensile stress (Tstress) and compressive stress (Cstress) (indicating the stress in the femoral neck at its weakest cross section arising from walking or a standard fall, respectively), safety factor (SF, indicating the resistance to fracture for forces generated during walking) and fall index (FI, indicating the resistance to fracture from force generated during a fall in the greater trochanter). The Chinese men and women were significantly shorter and lighter than their Caucasian counterparts (P<0.01) and had significantly lower BMD, BMC and BA of the femoral neck (P<0.01). After adjusting for BA, weight and height, there was no significant ethnic difference in either gender in BMC. CSMI and section modulus were significantly lower, and HAL, NL and neck diameter were significantly shorter in the Chinese men and women (P<0.01). These differences all remained after adjusting for weight and height. There were no significant differences in Tstress, Cstress, SF and FI between ethnic groups in either gender. Most of the parameters of calculated hip strength in the Chinese subjects were similar to or poorer than those in the Caucasian subjects. There was no evidence to indicate that Shenyang Chinese have superior BMD or BMC or better calculated hip strength. The short HAL and NL of the population, however, could be an independent factor contributing to the low incidence of hip fracture.