Dislocation following total hip arthroplasty is one of the most common complications, occurring in 1% to 5% of all cases. Several causes for dislocation have been suggested that
Mismatching of cup positioning and stem anteversion Impingement between cup and neck of stem prosthesis. Most often positioning of the stem is anatomically predetermined, while the orientation of the cup is much more flexible. Since July 2005, stem first method has been applied for all cases. During this method, canal preparation and stem trial was done first, and then cup orientation was determined according to the stem direction and impingement. For the bigger cups 34mm or 38mm heads were applied in this series. In the present study dislocation ratio was compared to cup first method. In the stem fist group (SF), the following procedures were done consequently.
Canal was prepared for the stem. Revelation lateral flare high proximal load transfer stem (DJO) was mainly selected. But for the case with high anteversion over 50 degrees, Modulas; conical distal load transfer stem with modular neck (Lima) was selected. According to the stem anteversion and neck length, cup position and orientation were determined. (For the cases with higher anteversion, less cup anteversion was selected, and for some cases higher cup position was selected. According to the cup size 28, 34, or 38 mm diameter neck was selected. From October 2002 to July 2008, there were 191 THA cases. There were 81 hips in Standard group and 109 hips in SF group. There were 63 females and 18 males in Standard group and 90 females and 19 males in SF group (p=0.41). Average age was 61.0(22–81) in Standard group and 60.2(29–89) in SF group (p=0.53). In Standard group, 64 were replaced for osteoarthritis, 15 for rheumatoid arthritis and two for avascular necrosis. In SF group, 86 were replaced for osteoarthritis, 17 for rheumatoid arthritis and six for avascular necrosis (p=0.53). As for Crowe’s classification, 61 type I, 18 type II and 2 type III were included in Standard group. And 88 type I, 15type II, 4 type III and 2 type IV were included in SF group (p=0.29). Average anteversion of femoral neck were 23.1(−2 to 70) degree in Standard group and 26.2(−4 to 65) degree in SF group measured with CAT scan (p=0.274). MoM bearing surfaces were used with 71 hips (87.7%) in Standard group and 100 hips (91.7%) in SF group (p=0.35). Only in SF group, big metal head were used in 24hips(22%) with 34mm and in 12hips(11%) as 38mm diameter. Average leg length difference between pre and post operation was 11.5mm(0 to 36) in Standard group and 8.0mm(−18 to 30) in SF group (p<
0.05). Average cup inclination was 43.2(25 to 84) degree in Standard group and 40.9 (22 to 66) degree in SF group (p<
0.05). Average cup anteversion was 8.2 degree (0 to 22.8) in Standard group and 7.1 degree (−12 to 30.5) in SF group (p<
0.05). Average operating time was 111.9min (67–150) in Standard group and 97.5min(60–162) in SF group (p<
0.05). Average intra operative hemorrhage was 744ml(10–2757) in Standard group and 487ml(10–1374) in SF group (p<
0.05). The dislocation rate was decreased from 3.7% (3/81 cases) in Standard group to 0.0% (0/109) in SF group. In conclusion our study suggested that Stem first method and utilization of big metal head would decrease the dislocation rate in primary cases. More bleeding from canal during accetabular reaming was expected. However less bleeding was observed in SF group.
In Far East, including Japan and the Middle East, daily activities are frequently carried out on the floor. Deep flexion of the knee joint is therefore very important in these societies. Some patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in these countries often perform deep flexion activity, such as squatting, cross-leg sitting and kneeling. However it is still unknown that deep flexion activity affects long term durability after TKA. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between deep flexion and long term durability. Between December 1989 and May 1997, 507 total knee arthroplasties were carried out in 371 patients using the Bi-Surface Knee System (Japan Medical Material, Osaka, Japan) at two institutions and routine rehabilitation program continued for one to two months after TKA. One patient who underwent simultaneous bilateral TKA was excluded because of pulmonary embolism within one month. The other 505 knees (370 patients) were divided into two groups according to the range of flexion after our routine rehabilitation program; one group (Group A: 207 knees) consisted of more than 135 degrees flexion knees and the other group (Group B: 298 knees) consists of less than 135 degrees flexion knees. Patients whose follow-up period was less than 10 years were excluded from this clinical evaluation. Range of flexion was measured preoperatively, at the time after routine rehabilitation program, and at the latest follow-up. Knee function was evaluated on the basis of Knee Society knee score and functional score preoperatively and at the latest follow-up. Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis was performed with revision for any operation as the end point. In Group A, the mean preoperative range of flexion was 133.0±16.3 degrees, and at the time after routine rehabilitation program, this improved to 139.7±5.1 degrees. This angle maintained to 136.2±14.3 at the latest follow-up. In Group B, the mean preoperative range of flexion was 111.6±20.4 degrees, and at the time after routine rehabilitation program, this improved to 114.5±13.6 degrees. This angle maintained to 118.2±17.8 at the latest follow-up. The Knee Society knee score and functional score was improved from 43.0±16.9 points and 39.0±20.2 points preoperatively to 95.1±5.8 points and 51.8±21.2 points at the latest follow-up, respectively in Group A. The Knee Society knee score and functional score was improved from 37.1±16.7 points and 31.9±18.4 points preoperatively to 92.5±8.7 points and 53.1±26.1 points at the latest follow-up, respectively in Group B. Kaplan-Meier survivorship at 10-year was 95.5% in Group A and 96.2% in Group B with any operation as the end point. The survivorship between Group A and Group B was not statistically significant. Good range of flexion was maintained and Knee society score was excellent after a long time follow-up for the patients who achieved deep flexion after TKA. Deep flexion was proved not to affect long term durability in this Bi-Surface Knee System.
Canal Flare Index, defined as the ratio of the intracortical width of the femur at a point 20mm proximal to the lesser trochanter and at the canal isthmus by Noble et al,; is considered to express the proximal femoral geometory, but it is usually measured by a plain A-P X-ray. Then it is thought the index is influenced by rotational position of the femur, so we made 3-D femoral model based on CAT scans and measured the canal flare index three dimensionally. Then the effect of observation from rotated direction was evaluated. CAT scans of 49 femurs (18 male, 31 female) were obtained from the pelvis to the feet. The average age was 60.4 years old ranging from 25 to 82. Forty nine femurs contained 22 osteoarthritis of hip joint, 12 trauma, 9 knee arthritis, 3 avascular necrosis of femoral head, 3 normal candetes. From those data, 3-D models of normal side were individually made for measuring the parameters. 3-D models were made using CAD software. We measured the canal flare index at which the femur posterior condyles were parallel to the plane, reproducing the situation to take A-P X-ray. After that, those 3-D models were rotated and investigated the difference of the value to study the effect of femur position. The canal flare index was between 2.8 and 6.6 with the average value at 4.65. The stovepipe (canal flare index<
3), the normal range (3~canal flare index<
4.7), the champagne flute (4.7~canal flare index), included 2%(1 femur), 61.2%(30 femurs), 36.7%(18 femurs), respectively. About the effect of rotation, we found the value of canal flare index was more sensitive to proximal femur rotation than the canal isthmus. The results of the canal flare index at the plane parallel to the posterior condyle line varied widely compared with the results at the position considering the anteversion. So it was suggested that the canal flare index at the patella front position does not represent the canal characteristics. It should be argued in 3-D space.
One of the most important characteristic of the developmental dysplastic hip (DDH) is high anteversion in femoral neck. Neck-shaft angle is also understood to be higher (i.e. coxa-valga) in DDH femora. From this understanding many DDH intended stems were designed having larger neck shaft angle. According to the result of our prior study; reported in ISTA 2005 etc.; using computer 3-D virtual surgery of high fit-and-fill lateral flare stem into high anteversion patients, it was revealed that the geometry of proximal femur itself does not have big difference from normal femora but they are only rotated blow lessertrochanter. It is very important to know what anteversion is, and where anteversion is located, to design a better stem and to decide more proper surgical procedures for DDH cases with high anteversion. In the present study, the geometry of 57 femora was assessed in detail to reveal the geometry of anteversion and its location in the DDH femora. Fifty seven CAT scan data with many causes were analyzed. Thirty-two DDH, 3 Rheumatic Arthritis (RA), 2 metastatic bone tumors, 4 avascular necrosis (AVN), 1 knee arthritis, 12 injuries, and 3 normal candidates were included. Whole femoral geometries were obtained from CAT scan DICOM data and transferred to CAD geometry data format. All the following landmarks were measured its direction by the angle from posterior condylar line. The assessed landmarks were
anteversion, lesser trochanter, linea aspera at the middle of the femur, and two more (upper 1/6, 2/6 level of aspera) linea aspera directions were assessed between ii) and iii). All the directions were measured by the angle from the medial of the femur. The direction of anteversion and lesser trochanter were well correlated, (R=0.55, Y=0.56X−35) i.e. femoral head and lesser trochanter were rotated together. The direction of lesser trochanter and aspera in upper 1/6 section had no relation even they are located very close with only several cm distance, (R=−0.03, Y=−0.02X−88) i.e. however the lesser trochanter was rotated, the upper most aspera was located almost at the same direction (−87.5+/−7.58 degree). The direction of aspera at upper 1/6 and middle femur were strongly correlated. (R=0.63, Y=0.81X-22) i.e. they stay at the same direction. The results mean that the anteversion is a twist between normal proximal femur (from femoral head and lesser trochanter) and normal distal femur. The twist was located just blow lesser trochanter within several centimeter. The anteversion has been understood as the abnormal mutual position between femoral neck and femoral shaft. In high anteversion hips the neck shaft angle was also believed to be higher, so several DDH oriented stems have higher neck shaft angle i.e. coxa-valga geometries. It has been believed that the location of the anteversion was around neck part. This study revealed that the deformity was located in the very narrow part just below lesser trochanter. It has been discussed that DDH oriented stems should have fit to different canal geometries, but understanding the biomechanics of abnormal anteversion and its treatment should be more important.
Since 1993, we have been developing preoperative planning system based on CAT scan data. In early period it was used to decide cup diameter and orientation for Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA). It was done using hemisphere object locating proper position and orientation. According to our progress, we have started using it for custom stem designing, stem selection and stem size planning too since 1995. Since 2001, we have been using it for almost all THA cases. We also have started use it for any case we have question about 3D geometries. Since 2005 we started computer planed 2 staged THA after leg elongation for high riding hips and reported at ISTA 2007 too. Now our policy became that every tiny question we have, we shall analyze and plan preoperatively. In our population, the incidence of the developmental dysplastic hips is higher. The necks often have bigger anteversion, and less acetabular coverage. So we often use screws for cup fixation. The screw direction allowed in thin shell thickness is limited and less bone coverage makes good cup fixation difficult. With highly defected cases and with revision cases the situation is more difficult. In the present study, we have developed acetabular 3D preoperative planning method with screw direction, length, and for the cases with defect, cup supporter pre-shaping with models and prediction of the allograft volume. For the less defect cases, geometries of cup with screw holes were requested to the maker and were provided for us. Screws were attached perpendicular to each screw hole. Screw geometries have marks at every 5mm to plan proper length. The cup was located as much as closer to the original acetabular edge, keeping in the limit to avoid dislocation. Small space above the cup was accepted if anterior and posterior cup edge could be supported by original bone. Then the cup was rotated until we can obtain proper screw fixation. For the cases with severe defects, we use cup supporters and allografts. Cup supporters are designed to be bent and fit to the pelvis during the surgery. But to shape it a properly; for good coverage and strong support; is very difficult and takes long through the limited window with fatty gloves. And mean while we get more bleeding. The geometries were obtained by CAT scan of the devices. Then proper size was determined as cup size. Chemiwood model was made and proper size supporter was opened and bent preoperatively using the model. It was scanned again and compared to the pelvic geometry again. Using cluster cups, no dangerous screw was found as long as normal cup orientation was decided and screws were less than 30mm. Posterior screws were often too short then rotated anterior and found to have good fixation. Pre-bending could reduce surgical time remarkably. As long as we could know, no navigation system can control the cup rotation. But acetabular preoperative planning was very useful and could reduce operative invasion. It could be done easily without using navigation system.