Aims. To investigate the correlations among cytokines and regulatory T cells (T-regs) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients, and their changes after anti-tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) treatment. Methods. We included 72 AS patients with detailed medical records, disease activity score (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index), functional index (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index), and laboratory data (interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10, TNF-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, ESR, and CRP). Their peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were marked with anti-CD4, anti-CD25, and anti-FoxP3 antibodies, and triple positive T cells were gated by flow cytometry as T-regs. Their correlations were calculated and the changes after anti-TNF-α therapy were compared. Results. The frequency of T-regs in PBMCs was positively correlated to ESR and CRP in AS (r = 0.35 and 0.43; p = 0.032 and 0.027, respectively), and there was also a significant correlation between serum level of TNF-α and CRP (p = 0.041). The frequency of T-regs in PBMCs positively correlated to serum levels of TNF-α, IL-10, and TGF-β, while IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-γ showed opposite results. After anti-TNF-α treatment, there were significantly lower serum levels of TNF-α, IL-10, TGF-β, and frequency of T-regs in PBMCs among these AS patients (p = 0.026, 0.032, 0.029, and 0.037, respectively). Conclusion. In AS patients, proinflammatory cytokine may give positive feedback to induce more T-reg production and anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion to suppress this inflammatory status, and they can be reversed by anti-TNF-α therapy. However, the detailed interactions among T-regs and complex cytokine networks in autoinflammatory diseases still need more studies and further functional assay. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2023;12(2):133–137

To investigate the effect of bilateral total hip replacement for patients with ankylosed hip joints caused by late ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to discuss its related pre- and post-operation rehabilitation problems. Data of 20 patients with ankylosed hip joints caused by late AS undergone total hip replacement (40 hips) were reviewed. Among the total 14 patients (28 hips) undergone bilateral total hip replacement, other 6 patients (12 hips) undergone twice operations. We used Harris score, assessment of the joint pain, range of motion to make sure the curative effect of the operative strategy. The mean duration of follow-up was 3. 8 years, all hip joints function was improved, and the flexion deformity of the involved hips were disappeared. The range of hip flexion were 75°–105°(average 86. 2°), and the range of hip extension were 5°–15°(average 8. 7°), the average Harris score was from 32.8 pre-operation improved to 88.2 post-operation, the patients experienced no pain on their hips, the pain of the knee and the lower back complained before the treatment were obviously relieved. Bilateral total hip replacement is an effective treatment for ankylosed hip joint caused by late ankylosing spondylitis, early rehabilitation intervention is useful for the functional recovery of the joints. Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty Using Non-cemented Femoral Stem in Non-traumatic Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head Nine to Nineteen years Follow-up

Purpose. Patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are vulnerable to cervical spine injury following relatively minor trauma. The authors present a retrospective review to determine the characteristics, treatment and outcome following cervical spine injury in these patients. Methods. Retrospective analysis of case notes and images of patients with AS admitted to the Spinal Injury Unit over a 10-year period. Results. Thirty-nine patients were identified. Records were available for 31 patients at the time of this analysis. The median age was 62 years (range 37-84). The male:female ratio was 7:1. Mechanisms of injury included falls (72%) and RTAs (7%), while 14% were unable to recall an injury. Alcohol was involved in 20% of the cases. Fracture through an ankylosed disc in the mid to low cervical spine was the commonest injury. Concomitant non-contiguous bony injury was seen in 2 patients. More than half (55%) were Grade E on ASIA impairment scale (AIS), while 14% were Grade A and 31% Grade D. Two patients required skull traction. Most patients were successfully treated by external immobilisation. Halo crown and jacket was the most common orthosis used. Twelve patients underwent surgical stabilisation. The mean duration of external immobilisation in the non-surgical group was 13 weeks (range 10-32), whereas following surgery it was 6 weeks (range 2-8). Adequate radiological evidence of fusion was seen in all 22 patients for whom this information was available at a median of 22 weeks (range 12-32). Patients with AIS Grade A and E were unchanged at discharge, while 4 patients in AIS Grade D improved to E. Conclusion. External immobilisation with halo in an effective first-line therapy in achieving fusion and stability. Surgical stabilisation can be reserved as a second-line treatment

Purpose. Patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are vulnerable to cervical spine injury following relatively minor trauma. The authors present a retrospective review to determine the characteristics, treatment and outcome following cervical spine injury in these patients. Methods. Retrospective analysis of case notes and images of patients with AS admitted to the Spinal Injury Unit over a 10-year period. Results. Thirty-nine patients were identified. Records were available for 31 patients at the time of this analysis. The median age was 62 years (range 37-84). The male:female ratio was 7:1. Mechanisms of injury included falls (72%) and RTAs (7%), while 14% were unable to recall an injury. Alcohol was involved in 20% of the cases. Fracture through an ankylosed disc in the mid to low cervical spine was the commonest injury. Concomitant non-contiguous bony injury was seen in 2 patients. More than half (55%) were Grade E on ASIA impairment scale (AIS), while 14% were Grade A and 31% Grade D. Two patients required skull traction. Most patients were successfully treated by external immobilisation. Halo crown and jacket was the most common orthosis used. Twelve patients underwent surgical stabilisation. The mean duration of external immobilisation in the non-surgical group was 13 weeks (range 10-32), whereas following surgery it was 6 weeks (range 2-8). Adequate radiological evidence of fusion was seen in all 22 patients for whom this information was available at a median of 22 weeks (range 12-32). Patients with AIS Grade A and E were unchanged at discharge, while 4 patients in AIS Grade D improved to E. Conclusion. External immobilisation with halo in an effective first-line therapy in achieving fusion and stability. Surgical stabilisation can be reserved as a second-line treatment

Introduction: Hip Resurfacing has always been an attractive concept for the treatment of hip arthritis in young patients. Excellent early and medium-term results have been reported with the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) device in single and multi-surgeon all-diagnoses and OA series. In the present report we present the results of BHR in inflammatory arthritis. Methods: This is a single-surgeon consecutive series. There were 15 consecutive hips (12 patients) including 2 women (2 hips) with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) operated at a mean age of 41.7 years (range 29.5 to 54.3 years). Fortytwo hips (31 patients) with seronegative or rheumatoid (RA) arthritis treated with a BHR at a mean age of 40 (13 to 64) years and a follow-up of 2 to 9 (mean 5.9) years were also studied. One patient died 5 years later. Revision for any reason was the end-point and unrevised patients were assessed with Oxford hip scores and reviewed clinico-radiologically with AP and lateral radiographs. Results: In the RA group there was one failure from femoral neck fracture two months after operation giving a failure rate of 2.4%. There were no failures in this cohort at a follow-up of 1.8 to 8.8 (mean 4.9) years. As a combined group the failure rate of BHRs in inflammatory arthritis is 1.75% and the cumulative survivorship at 9 years is 98.2% (figure). Discussion: The good results of Birmingham Hip Resurfacing in inflammatory arthritis in this relatively young cohort of patients make this a viable treatment option for these patients. Selection of patients with a reason-able bone quality and adherence to precise operative technique are vital to the success of this procedure

Introduction: The occurrence of bony ankylosis in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is not precisely known. Bony ankylosis, especially in stiff spine may present several exclusive challenges in its management. The current study is an endeavor to evaluate the clinical and the radiological results of cementless THA in patients with bony ankylosis of hip due to ankylosing spondylitis. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 54 patients (92 hips) who underwent cementless total hip arthroplasty for bony ankylosis in ankylosing spondylitis between September 1988 and 2002. Clinical assessment was done at follow-up, which envisages assessment of the pain, function, deformities and range of motion using the Harris Hip Score. Radiographic analysis was done. Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis was done at 5 and 8.5 years using the revision for the removal of femoral component, acetabular component or both due to any cause as the end point. Results: The mean age of the patients was 25.5 years. The mean duration of follow up was 8.5 years. The average preoperative Harris Hip Score of 49.5 improved to 82.6 post operatively. Post operatively 10 hips had mild to moderate pain. Anterior dislocation occurred in four hips (4.3 %) and sciatic nerve palsy in one hip. Heterotopic ossification was seen in 12 patients, reankylosis rate was 0%. Thirteen arthroplasties were revised due to aseptic loosening. Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis with revision as end point revealed 98.8% survival at 5 years and 85.8% survival at 8.5 years 11 follow up. Discussion: Cementless THA in osseous ankylosis in ankylosing spondylitis is a worthwhile surgical intervention in bony ankylosis. Newfound mobility, maneuverability and improved ability to sit comfortably were the outcomes, which alleviated the patients’ daunted morale. However, the technically demanding nature of the procedure should not be underestimated

Introduction: Correction of lumbar spine deformity in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) can be achieved by pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO), polysegmental osteotomy (PO) or Smith-Petersen osteotomy (SPO). We report our results with these three techniques. Methods: 26 males and 5 females with AS and average age of 54.7 years (range 40–74 years) underwent surgery for loss of sagittal balance, horizontal gaze and back pain. 12 patients underwent PSO, 10 SPO, and 9 PO. Osteotomy was carried out at L3 in PSO and SPO with pedicle fixation from T11 to S1. 9 patients with PO had osteotomy from L2–5 and fixation from T10-S1. Sagittal translation during corrective manoeuvre was controlled in 21 patients by application of temporary malleable rods, which were substituted with permanent rods. TLSO was used post-operatively for average period of three months. Mean follow-up was 4.2 years (range 1–9 years). Radiographic and clinical outcomes (ODI, VAS, SRS-22) were analysed. Results: Mean kyphotic correction in PSO was 380 (range 250–490), in PO was 300 (range 280–400) and in SPO was 280 (range 240–380). The sacrohorizontal angle improved by 190(range 50–300) in PSO, 210 (range 80–280) in PO and 150 (range 50–180) in SPO. Outcome scores were better in PSO and PO as compared to SPO. Blood loss and transient nerve root palsy was slightly higher in PSO group. One patient with SPO had fatal bleeding as a result of aortic injury. Conclusions: Regular use of temporary malleable rods is recommended to prevent sagittal translation during correction reducing the risk of neurological injury. Better correction of deformity was achieved with PSO and PO at the expense of increased blood loss. SPO can increase the risk of vascular injury, therefore we recommend PSO and PO for correction of deformity in Ankylosing Spondylitis

Aims

Complex total hip arthroplasty (THA) with subtrochanteric shortening osteotomy is necessary in conditions other than developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and septic arthritis sequelae with significant proximal femur migration. Our aim was to evaluate the hip centre restoration with THAs in these hips.

Aims

The purpose of this study was to validate our hypothesis that centrifugation may eliminate false-positive leucocyte esterase (LE) strip test results caused by autoimmune diseases in the diagnosis of knee infection.

Aims

Metabolic profiling is a top-down method of analysis looking at metabolites, which are the intermediate or end products of various cellular pathways. Our primary objective was to perform a systematic review of the published literature to identify metabolites in human synovial fluid (HSF), which have been categorized by metabolic profiling techniques. A secondary objective was to identify any metabolites that may represent potential biomarkers of orthopaedic disease processes.

Objectives

Normal sagittal spine-pelvis-lower extremity alignment is crucial in humans for maintaining an ergonomic upright standing posture, and pathogenesis in any segment leads to poor balance. The present study aimed to investigate how this sagittal alignment can be affected by severe knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and whether associated changes corresponded with symptoms of lower back pain (LBP) in this patient population.