Genetic skeletal disorders constitute a rare and heterogeneous bone diseases often leading to poor quality of life. Several surgical options are available. The surgeon must deal with specific features (bone deformity, previous procedures, abnormal bone quality, stiffness or instability, muscle weakness). The questions concern the feasibility of the procedures and the surgical strategy.

55 patients (26 W, 29 M) were reviewed between 2016 and 2022. The mean age of the patients was 35 years (17–71). The diagnosis included 9 hereditary multiple exostoses, 8 osteogenesis imperfecta, 6 multiple epiphyseal dysplasia congenita, 6 achondroplasia, 4 osteopetrosis, 3 pycnodysostosis, 3 hypophosphatemic rickets, 3 fibrous dysplasia, 2 mucopolysaccharidosis, and 10 miscellaneous. 25 patients were referred for hip problems (40 hips). 4 patients (7 hips) requiring a THA have not been operated (4 planned). 4 patients (6 hips) had a proximal femoral fixation (2 osteotomies, 4 fracture fixations). 17 patients (27 hips) sustained a THA (25 primary, 2 revisions). All of them were operated by one operator, using a posterolateral approach and standard implants (including 7 dysplastic and 2 short stems). No customized implant has been used.

As regard the 27 THAs, the mean follow up was 4.2 years (1–12). The early complications included 2 femoral cracks and 1 femur fracture. There were 2 revisions (1 cup loosening at 2 years, 1 stem loosening at 4 years). No infection nor dislocation occurred. All the patients were satisfied with their treatment and regain some autonomy. 3 THA were considered as unfeasible.

Constitutional bone diseases need a multidisciplinary program of care. The indication for surgery is based on a mutual trust patient/surgeon, a careful evaluation of benefits/risks, and an accurate imaging to anticipate the difficulties. The expected results are a better function and quality of life, and a stability over time.

Fracture risks are the most common argument against the use of Ceramic on ceramic (CoC) hip implants. Question: is ceramic material at risk in case of severe local trauma?

Over a long period, we tried to identify patients with a CoC prosthesis (Ceraver Osteal°)who did sustain a trauma. This was conducted in three different institutions.

Eleven patients were found: 9 males and 2 females aged 17 to 70 years at time of index surgery. Accident occurred 6 months to 15 years after index: one car accident, five motorcycle accident, five significant trauma after a fall, including one ski board accident. Consequences of these trauma were: six fractures of the acetabulum with socket loosening in 4 that needed revision, two femoral shaft fracture, one orifed and one stem exchanged, one traumatic hip dislocation associated to loosening of the socket revised at 10 years, and one traumatic loosening of the socket. Ten had no consequence on ceramic integrity. One experienced a fracture of the patella from a dashboard trauma, a liner shipping was discovered during socket revision 2 years later. This is the only case of possible relation between trauma and ceramic fracture. In a more recent longitudinal study on 1856 CoC prosthesis performed from 2010 to 2021, 29 severe traumas were identified with no consequence on Ceramic material.

From this limited case study, it can be assumed that Pure Alumina Ceramic well designed and manufactured, will not break after a significant trauma.

The goal of the study was to describe the features of the aseptic loosening of the cup in CoC THR and to determine factors that affect the time to revision.

It is a retrospective study including all patients who had a revision of CoC THR for aseptic failure fixation of the cup, between 2007 and 2017. 55 patients (27 women, 28 men) (56 hips) were included in the study. Eight hips (13 %) had also a stem exchange. At the primary T HR, the mean age of the patients was 47.9 years (17–72), 28 press fit cups had screws, the mean diameter of the cup was 51.2 mm (46–62) and the mean inclination was 52° (37–67). Clinical and radiological data were retrospectively recorded by an observer different to the initial operators.

The mean age of the patients at the revision was 55.4 years (26–84). The mean time to revision was 90.1 months (14–240), and was significantly greater in patients aged less than 52 years, in cups without screws and with a 28mm head. The trend curve of the time to cup revision showed a bimodal distribution at three and ten years. 20 cups had migrated (33%). Bone loss was rated type 1 in 41 hips (73.0%), type 2 in 12 hips and type 3 in three hips). The mean diameter of the new cup was 52.3 mm (46–64). It was inferior to that of the initial cup in 26 hips (46.4%). 31 cups were impacted (55.5%) and 25 needed to be cemented (45.5%). No macroscopic wear was detected on the ceramic implant.

Aseptic loosening of the cup in CoC THA does not appear to increase over time, supporting the fact that the failure is unrelated to wear and is not due to a biological mechanism. The occurrence of two peaks of frequency over time may suggest that different mechanisms occur.

Recent studies about hip stability after total hip arthroplasties (THA) concerned differences regarding bearings: ceramic on ceramic (CoC) presenting less dislocations on the long term compared to metal or ceramic on polyethylene. The hypothesis is a difference in the healing process of periarticular tissues, with a stronger fibrous tissue for the first one, and more foreign body reaction, joint effusion with the others.

NMR Imaging of the pelvis showing both hips using novel MR MAVRIC program for metal artefacts suppression, were performed in 10 patients, 15 THA and 2 non-pathological contralateral hips. Eight hips had CoC bearings, 3 of which were impacted cementless bulky ceramic implant, and 5 had a metal back. 7 hips had CoP bearings, 4 of which were cemented.

Native capsules showed a mean thickness of 6.6mm. For CoC bearings, capsule thickness ranged from 7mm to 9.6 mm with a mean thickness of 8mm. For CoP bearings, capsule thickness ranged from 3mm to 8.4mm, with a mean thickness of 6.1mm. Neocapsule appeared clearly in all COC bearings observed, while for CoP, sometimes it was less dense with fatty aspect, 3 hips out of 7 having a very thin capsule under 4mm.

It is possible to observe and quantify new capsule after THR and measure differences although not significant regarding bearings on limited number of samples. More patients might be included, but the tendencies observed here might explain better long term stability in vivo observed with Coc.

Ceramic on ceramic (CoC) Total Hip Replacement revisions give specific problems and no consensus is made on the way to perform it. The aim of this study was to report the results of THA CoC revisions and to identify the specific concerns.

Between April 2007 and May 2016, 50 consecutive revisions have been performed on average 2.8 years after the THA, in 46 patients (28 males, 18 females) at a mean age of 55 years. The main reasons for revision were loosening (34%), pain without loosening (20%), infection (12%), implant breakage (10%), and instability (8%). There were 41 implant revisions, five revisions without implant change (10%) and four revisions for head change (8%). Revisions were performed without bone reconstruction in 68% of hips and with a CoC couple in 83% of hips.

Three patients have died and three were lost to follow up. There were six intraoperative femoral fractures, one early and two late non−recurrent dislocations. Eight hips (16%) had re−revision with implant replacement. At a mean follow-up of 5.5 years, the mean PMA, Harris and WOMAC scores were 14.8, 72 and 23. 80% of patients were satisfied of the procedure and 89% were ready to re-do the surgery if necessary. 16% of hips experienced a noise. There were no complete lucent lines, no osteolysis, and no implant migration. Wear was not measurable. The 6-year survival rate was 82 % and 90 % if the end-point was implant revision for any cause and for fixation failure, respectively.

CoC THA failure mainly affects a young population and occurs early. Failure is not wear-related but possibly related to inadequate technique. It is often possible to perform THA revision without any bone graft, using standard implants and CoC couple, provided the implants are matched.

Purpose of the study: The Al/PE sandwich is a relatively new massive alumina insert for alumina-on-alumina prostheses using a meta-back press-fit cup. Theoretically, the advantages are a less rigid system and easier positioning and removal. The reliability is however still debated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the 7-year outcomes of a homogenous series of 53 Al/Al sandwich total hip arthroplasties (THA) implanted without cement.

Material and methods: The series included 48 consecutive patients (53 hips) implanted by the same surgeon from 1998 to 2004 using the posterolateral approach. There were 26 men and 22 women, mean age 58 years (42–69). The prosthesis used a metal back cup totally coated with HA, an Al/PE sandwich insert, a modular anatomic femoral head with partial HA coating, and an alumina head (28 mm). All patients were reviewed and assessed clinically using the Harris score (/100) and the PMA score (/18) and radiographically using the Engh and Gruen and Amstutz scores.

Results: None of the patients were lost to follow-up and none died. One patient underwent revision surgery at 84 months for fracture of the alumina insert: the sandwich insert and the head were changed, and the outcome was very good at three years. At mean 84 months follow-up (47–109), the PMA and Harris scores were, on average, 17.7 and 98 (versus 12.3 and 54 preoperatively, p< 0.05). None of the patients complained of squeaking. There was no acetabular migration or lucency and no osteolysis. A partial and isolated lucent line was observe in the Gruen and Amstutz zone 1 and 8 of the femur in 26% of the hips. Calcar atrophy was noted in 17%. Wear was note radiographically measurable.

Discussion: The clinical and radiographic results appear to be very encouraging at mid term, illustrating the excellent resistance to wear of the alumina-on-alumina bearing, particularly in young and active subjects. With the type of implant used, the improvements provided by the anchorage of the alumina insert in the PE and the increased thickness (minimal 4.5 mm), the high rate of insert fracture reported by certain series in the literature was not observed here.

Conclusion: The absence of wear and osteolysis, improved implant design, and potential advantages in terms of positioning should make this system an attractive alternative for alumina-on-alumina implants.

Purpose of the study: Infection is a rare complication of shoulder athroplasty (3% of reverted prostheses), potentially responsive to diverse therapeutic strategies. This work evaluated the clinical and infectious outcomes obtained after management of infectious complications of reverted total shoulder arthroplasty.

Material and methods: This series included 11 reverted shoulder arthroplasties reviewed at mean 39 months. The bacteriological analysis identified predominantly Pro-pionibacterium acnes (54%). Three patients presented an acute infection, five a subacute infection, and three a chronic infection. In this series, six patients underwent a wash-out debridement procedure, two a two-phase reimplantation, and three a one-phase reimplantation.

Results: At last follow-up, three patients died, eight were reviewed. In the wash-out debridement group, one patient developed recurrent infection and two had repeated dislocations; the mean Constant score was 62 points and the ASES score 16/30. In the two-phase reimplantation group, there was no recurrent infection, the spacer broke in one patient, and the mean Constant score was 45 and the ASES score 10/30. In the one-phase reimplantation group, there were no cases of recurrent infection; the mean Constant score was 51 and the ASES score 11.

Discussion: The therapeutic strategy remains a controversial issue for the infected shoulder arthroplasty. Experience with infected knee and hip prostheses is essential. For infected shoulder prostheses, resection was for a long time the advocated solution, allowing cure and pain relief at the cost of major loss of shoulder mobility. Recent series have reported the effect of wash-out, debridement and reimplantation, allowing restoration of function. In the series reported here, the objective was to restore shoulder function as best as possible while achieving cure of the infection.

Conclusion: Although techniques for surgical revision were inspired by experience with the hip and knee, the problems with shoulder infections are different. The unique goal of curing the infection must be revisited. Shoulder function, and in particular range of motion conditioning the functional outcome, should dictate the surgical strategy for these infections.

Introduction: diaphyseal bone defect is one of the most difficult challenge in Orthopaedic and Traumatologic Surgery. One of the techniques for reconstruction of bone defect described by Masquelet is a two-stage procedure: induction of a membrane around a ciment spacer and autologous cancellous bone graft with external fixator. The aim of the study is to evaluate a modified technique with intramedullary nailing for tibial bone defect.

Materials and Methods: between 2001 and 2006, 13 patients presented important tibial bone defect. On radiological examination, the mean size was 18,5 cm³ (12–30 cm³). Initially, there were 12 opened fractures (1 Gustilo 1, 2 Gustilo II, 9 fractures Gustilo III), and one osteomyelitis following a compartment syndrome. The mean age of the patients at the procedure was 41 years old (18–74). Our modified technique was as follows:

several debridment and stabilization of bone fragments with a temporary external fixator

10 patients had hyperbare oxygenotherapy. All patients were evaluated radiographically and by physical examination. using SF-36 questionnary.

Results: There was no amputation but 4 complications. There were 3 deep infections: one just between the 2 stages and one 2 years after the second stage: both were treated by nail exchange and adapted intra-venous anti-biotherapy. The third one was the complete bone graft resorption because of an infection just after the second stage (the only failure of the method). The fourth complication is the nonunion 13 months after the second stage: nails has broken and has been changed. Bone healing was obtained in 12 patients at mean follow-up was 32 months (12–69). They were able to walk 4,3 months after bone grafting. 8 patients answered to the SF-36 questionnary: overall function was limited with a mean score of 99.8.

Discussion: and conclusion: Our modified technique gave satisfactory results at medium term. Nailing, comparing to external fixator, offers a better stabilization of bone fragments, better control of axis and length of lower limb, and an easier access for plastic surgery and nurse care. Others bone reconstruction treatment like ilizarov bone transport, free vascularized fibula fiap or allograft are still possible if failure. However, the rate of deep infections are quite high (4/13) may be questionable. Sacrifice of intramedullary blood supply and the difficulties to confirm union on radiological exams are still problematics.

Introduction: The conventional treatment of humeral shaft nonunion is plating and cancellous bone grafting. This option is very efficient but not absolutly safe. In case of initial treatment by nailing, a secondary compression at the site of the fracture could be an alternative.

Materials and Method: Between January 2000 and december 2003, in a prospective study, 56 patients have been operated for an acute humeral shaft fracture using retrograde locking nailing (UHN^®, Synthes™). 4 patients (7%) had an aseptic and tight nonunion. All of them were treated by secondary closed compression without bone graft. The mean age of the patients was 42 years-old at the procedure (range 17 to 73). All the patients were reviewed with clinical and radiological exams, using the DASH and Rommens scores and standard radiographs.

Results: No per or post operative complication occurred. Bone healing was obtained in all cases within 4 months. At an average follow-up of 66 months (range 51 to 74), the average DASH score was 29.6/100 (range 8.3 to 60.8) and the Rommens score was excellent in 3 patients and moderate in one because of history of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

Discussion and Conclusion: One of the characteristics of the retrograde nailing with UHN is to permit an initial or secondary axial compression at the site of the fracture. Secondary compression in the treatment of non union offers the advantages of a closed procedure which avoids any radial nerve injury, and preserves the bone vascular supply. In the present preliminary series, the isolated secondary compression appeared as a simple and safe procedure which allowed bone healing in all cases.

Purpose of the study: The limitations of cemented fixation of alumina cups was demonstrated in 1983. At that time, a new metal-backed cup with a titanium ring for screw fixation and a massive alumina insert was introduced. Since the 1990s, the high rat of mobilization of screwed cups, confirmed by midterm studies, has led to the use of more stable cups. The purpose of this study was to follow the clinical and radiological course of screwed cups implanted for more than 20 years, evaluating the real need for surgical revision.

Material and methods: We reviewed independently a consecutive series of 117 prostheses implanted in 105 patients in 1984–1986. All patients had a screwed cup with an alumina insert, a cemented stem, and a 32 mm alumina head. We retained for study patients aged less than 65 years and excluded revision procedures or patients with prior infection. The clinical assessment was made with the Postel-Merle-d’Aubigné (PMA) score: for eight patients, all data were collected during a phone interview. Radiologically, cups were considered to be mobilized if the change in inclination was greater than 6° or the protrusion greater than 5 mm. Actuarial survival was calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results: Four prostheses in three patients were lost to follow-up before one year. Mean follow-up was 12.62±6.3 years (maximum 21 years). Fourteen patients had died, twelve had had revision and fifteen were lost to follow-up at more than one year. The mean PMA score improved from 11 preoperatively to 17 at last follow-up. Radiographically, 62% of the cups did not present any sign of mobilization. Four percent exhibited a periprosthetic lucent line around the stem. Considering all results together, four outcome categories could be distinguished: A: good clinical result and no radiological change (58.4%); B: good clinical result and presence of a radiological problem (15%); C: poor clinical result and no radiological unchanged; D: poor clinical result and radiological problem (n21.8%) (including revisions). For category B, the cups showed a 20° mobilization. For these patients, revision was not planned because of very satisfactory quality-of-life for age and activity level. All patients in category C had co-morbid conditions explaining the poor clinical result. Category D included revision procedures which had already been performed (73%) and symptomatic cup mobilizations (27%) measured at 13–31°: revision was planned for most of these patients. The 10-year survival was 82%, all revisions considered; at 15 years, the survival was 66.6%, warranting the change in acetabular fixation made in 1989. The decrease in survival from 82.5% at 10 to 66.6% at 15 years shows that this change was indeed necessity.

Conclusion: Good quality-of-life was achieved for 74% of patients at mean follow-up of 13 years. It would be useful to continue following the patients in category B to check whether cup mobilization has been arrested with a certain degree of adaptation. Furthermore, patients who had a revision were free of osteolysiss and the second operation was generally quite uneventful, usually with preservation of the stem and sometimes even the alumina head which was not deteriorated.

Effectiveness of total hip arthroplasty (THA) for acute fracture of the femoral neck is still debated. The purpose of this retrospective controlled study was to compare the results of THA done for fracture of the femoral neck with a similar group of matched THAs done for osteoarthritis (OA).

From 1993 to 2000, 25 patients (25 hips) had THA for displaced femoral neck fracture. There were 18 women and 7 men, with a mean age of 73+/− 8.5 years (range, 55 to 93 years). The control group was composed of 25 patients (27 hips) who had THA for primary OA. Patients were matched for age, sex, medical comorbidity, surgical approach, prosthesis, and surgeon. Cemented implants with a Me-PE couple were used in the great majority. All patients had radiographic assessment. Functional results were rated according to the grading system of Merle d’Aubigné.

One patient (one hip) was lost to follow-up in each group. The mean follow-up was 6 years (range, 3.5 to 10 years). No revision was performed in this series. Complications included one postoperative dislocation in both groups. At the last follow up evaluation, 21 hips and 23 hips were classified excellent or very good in the “fracture” group and in the control group respectively. No progressive radiolucent line and no osteolysis were recorded. Mean annual PE wear was 0.096 +/− 0.094 (range, 0 to 0.26 mm) in the studied group compared with 0.125+/− 0.095 (range, 0 to 0.24 mm) in the control (p=0.30).

THA for acute femoral neck fracture and THA for OA provided comparable mid to long term results in elderly patients.

Purpose: Total hip arthroplasty after failure of femoral osteotomy raises high risk of complications. Outcome has been controversial. The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the difficulties and results.

Material and methods: Between March 1974 and January 1995, 68 patients (82 hips), 51 women and 17 men, mean age 59±11.5 years (32–84) underwent surgery. Initial indications were mainly acetabular and/or femoral dysplasia (n=47 hips) or congenital dislocation (n=21 hips). Mean time between osteotomy and arthroplasty was 13.8±8.4 years (10 months-45 years). We used cemented titanium femoral stems (Ceraver Ostal) with an alumina (n=66) or polyethylene (n=16) cup. An alumina-alumina bearing was used in 67 hips (81%). Functional outcome was assessed with the Postel-Merle-d’Aubligné score. Radiological analysis searched for lucent lines and signs of wear. The actuarial survival was determined.

Results: One patient (1 hip) was lost to follow-up. Thirteen patients (14 hips) died of intercurrent causes. Six hips required revision for aseptic loosening (isolated cup loosening in five and bipolar loosening in one) at 8.5 years on average (4.5–12). There were 22 intraoperative complications (27%) including 18 fractures or femoral stem misalignments and four cases of damage to the acetabular fundus. Other complications included one postoperative dislocation, two sciatic nerve palsies with partial recovery, and one non-union of the greater trochanter. There were no infections. At maximum follow-up (11.8±4.7 years, ragne 5.4–20), the mean functional score was 16.5 (15–18) versus 9.9 (6–14) preoperatively (p< 0.05). There were no femoral lucent lines. A complete lucent line around the cup was observed in eleven hips including six with a massive cemented alumina cup. Considering revision for aseptic loosening as failure, cumulative survival at 12 years was 82% (95%IC 67–96%) for the cup and 98% (92–99.7%) for the femoral stem.

Discussion: These results confirm the high risk of intraoperative complications of total hip arthroplasty performed for failure of femoral osteotomy. Architectural changes expose these patients to technical problems. The survival of the implants appears to be relatively unaffected by the prior procedure but the functional results are slightly less satisfactory then for primary arthroplasties.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate quality-of-life (QoL) in patients undergoing bilateral hip arthroplasty implanted during the same operation.

Material and methods: Sixty-one patients (28 women and 33 men) underwent surgery between November 1989 and February 2002. Average age was 42±14 years (13–76). Indications were primary osteoarthritis (n=24), secondary osteoarthritis (n=31), aseptic osteonecrosis (n=25) and rheumatoid disease (n=6). The implants (Ceraver Osteal) were cemented (50 stems, 11 cups) or coated with hydroxyapatite (72 stems, 11 cups). An alumina-alumina bearing was used in all cases. The Postel-Merle-d’Aubigné score was noted to assess function. QoL was measured prospectively in 27 patients using the SF-36 and the WOMAC, preoperatively and every three months.

Results: None of the patients were lost to follow-up. Complications included two intraoperative femoral fractures treated by cerclage, one early dislocation, three thromboemoblic events (including one case of pulmonary embolism). Unipolar revision was required for one hip due to aseptic acetabular loosening at 6.5 years. Surgical cleansing was performed in one other hip for infection. Intraoperative blood loss was 1529±451 ml (540–2550). Mean hospital stay was 13±2.5 days (8–22). At mean follow-up of 49±33 months (12–162), the mean function score was 17.8±0.5 (16–18) versus 10±2.7 (3–14) preoperatively (p< 0.05). Clinical outcome was good or excellent in 98% of the hips. There were no radiological signs of wear. A complete lucent line developed around one cup. The quality of life scores improved significantly (p< 0.01) as soon as three months postoperatively for the items ‘social activity’, ‘physical activity’ and ‘pain’, particularly in men p< 0.05).

Discussion: Bilateral hip arthroplasty during the same operative time is not advocated by all authors. It is a difficult surgical situation requiring rigor and skill. The drawbacks include longer operative time, greater blood loss, and in some patients, higher morbidity. This approach however enables treating bilateral disease in one operation, particularly in younger subjects. Use of an alumina-alumina bearing and non-cemented implants is particularly indicated. The results of this series validate the efficacy of this technique which allows rapid improvement in the patients’ quality-of-life.

From 1979 to 2002, 131 total hip replacement were performed consecutively in patients less than 30 years of age (13 to 30,7 mean 24;2) in 75 patients (44 in males and 31 in females. Seventy six in 57 patients could have more than 2 years follow-up and will presented hereby. Regarding the type of prosthesis, 59 stem were cemented and 16 cementless. Five different socket were implanted: 6 screw-in metal back: 8 bulky cemented, 23 bulky cementless, 13 metalback press fit with titanium mesh and 26 HA covered.

Underlying diseases were Avascular necrosis in 46, 8 inflammatory disease, 6 after infected articulation, epiphysiolysis in 4 and acetabular fracture in 3.

48 were done primarily, 28 were a revision procedure and 10 had some past history of infection.

Mean follow up was 7,84 years (range 1,13-22,9). One patient (two hips deceased at 1,1 year. One hips was lost to follow-up. 73 had complete clinical and radiological evaluation.

Nine hips were revised from 2,97-18,64 years after the index procedure (mean 8,53). In 7 only the socket was revised, in two both components. Two of these were infected (secondary infection in one). Of the remaining: 45 had no pain, 18 slight uncommon pain, 10 were classified 5 and 8 had some limp.

Radiological evaluation: 56 had no lucent lines nor subsidence, 4 had some radiolucent line none progressive and 1 had a complete lucent line: and is considered as impending failure. In no case osteosysis was documented.

With the exception of socket loosening due to non optimal design of the initial system (bulky alumina cemented or cementless) the overall results are in favor of theis material in young and active patients.

Aim: The aim of the study was to analyze the results of hybrid alumina prothesis using a pressþt metal backed socket and a cemented stem in young and active patients. Methods: From 1990 to 1992, 71 hybrid alumina-onalumina hip replacements were performed in 62 consecutive patients under age 55, with a mean age of 46 years at surgery. There were 56 primary procedures and 15 revision procedures. The prostheses included a cemented Ti alloy stem, a 32-mm alumina head, and a press-þt metal backed socket with an alumina insert. Results: 3 patients (4 hips) died from unrelated causes. 4 hips had revision surgery for deep infection, unexplained persistant pain, fracture of alumina head, and socket aseptic loosening. The 9-year survival rate was 93.7% if revision for any cause was the end point, and 98.4% if revision for aseptic loosening was the end point. Results in surviving patients with a minimal 5-year followup and an average followup of 8 years (57 hips) were excellent in 47 hips (82.5%), very good in 8 hips (14%), good in 1 hip and fair in one hip. 38% of the sockets had a thin and partial lucent line and 1 socket had a complete lucency less than 1mm thick. One stem had isolated femoral osteolysis. There was no detectable component migration nor acetabular osteolysis. Conclusion: Hybrid alumina prosthesis gave satisfactory results at mid term in active patients. Press-þt metal backed socket appeared as a reliable method of acetabular þxation in alumina-alumina hip replacement. Excellent results of cemented stem þxation may be related to low wear debris production.

Purpose: Alumina resistance to wear is now well established. In the eighties, improvement in manufacturing processes and implant design led to a significant reduction in the risk of fracture but failure of acetabular fixation remained a cause leading to revision. The purpose of this work was to present our results with a consecutive series of press-fit cementless metal backed alumina-alumina THA implanted between 1990 and 1992 in patients aged less than 55 years.

Material and methods: The series included 62 patients and 71 hips. Mean age at surgery was 46 years (range 21 – 54). A cemented titanium femoral stem with a 32-mm alumina head was implanted with a press-fit metal-backed cup with an alumina insert. Three patients (4 hips) died. Four hips required revision for infection (n=1), unexplained pain (n=1), fracture of the alumina head (n=1), and aseptic cup loosening (n=1). At nine years the survival rate was 93.7% taking revision for all cause as the end point and 98.4% taking revision for aseptic loosening as the end point.

Results: Fifty patients (57 hips) were reviewed with at least five years follow-up (mean 8 years, range 6–11 years). According to the Postel-Merle d’Aubigné score, functional outcome was excellent or very good in 96% of the patients. A minimal partial lucent line was observed around 38% of the cups, mainly in zone III and one cup exhibited a complete line measuring < 1 mm. Isolated osteolysis of the femur was observed in one hip. There was no case with acetabular osteolysis or implant migration.

Discussion: Combining a cemented stem with a pressfit metal backed cup has provided very satisfactory mid-term results in these active patients. Use of a press-fit hemispheric cup has been found to be a reliable fixation method for alumina cups and improves results of Al-AL THA significantly. In light of the excellent resistance of the alumina cups against wear, these results can be expected to continue for a long period.

Purpose: Filling bone loss during revision total hip arthroplasty raises many problems related both to the surgical technique and to the type of bone substitute used. The purpose of this study was to report the clinical and radiographic results obtained in a series of femur reconstructions using impacted calcium phosphate ceramics.

Material and methods: The technique used here was derived from the method developed for impacted fragmentary grafts by Ling and Gie. Grains of macroporous biphasic calcium phosphate ceramic (MBCP) were impacted into the femoral shaft to obtain a stable sheath into which the stem could be cemented (Ceraver Osteal). This technique was used from March 1996 to october 2000 in 18 patients (20 hips) undergoing revision for femoral loosening in 11 (including septic loosening in eight), femoral osteolysis (one hip), pain (one hip), and instability (one hip). Mean age ate revision was 66 years (range 30–79). Most of the femoral bone defects were classed grade IV. The grains of MBCP were used alone in 13 cases, in a mixture with allografts in five cases, and in a mixture with autologous bone in two cases.

Results: Mean follow-up was 31 months (range 8–70). None of the patients were lost to follow-up. There were two intraoperative femur shaft fractures which healed without sequela. Two patients required a second revision for loosening (including one septic) 20 and 16 months after the first revision. At last follow-up, the mean PMA score had improved to 16 (12–18) (p< 0.05) and 67% of the patients achieved a good or excellent clinical result. Radiologically, there were 14 cases of good osteointegration of the MBCP grains without implant migration. Mean shortening was 3 mm (3–5) was observed in three cases and a stable incomplete lucent line was observed in one patient with no clinical impact.

Discussion: Calcium phosphate ceramic material can be useful to overcome the problem of major bone loss in RTHA. It provides an attractive alternative to the disadvantages of bone grafting and helps, in theory, improve primary implant stability. The original technique presented here has allowed us to achieve promising short-term results in young patients with an adequate femur.

Purpose: Fracture of alumina implants is a rare cause of total hip arthroplasty (THA) failure. Over the last twenty years, improvement in the design of ceramic implants has helped reduce this risk. We observed five cases of alumina implant fracture over the last year. The purpose of this work was to analyse these recent events and to examine our experience to search for an explanation.

Material and methods: Between 1976 and 2002, eleven patients, five women and six men, mean age 57 years (range 32–87 years) required revision surgery for fracture of an alumina component. The time interval from primary surgery to revision was 36.5 months (range 7 – 106 months). An alumina-alumina couple was involved in nine cases and an alumina-PE couple in two. The primary THA used a press-fit metal backed alumina cup for five hips, a cemented alumina cup for three hips and a massive press-fit alumina cup for one. The alumina head measured 32 mm for ten hips, 22.2 mm for one. The femoral stems were cemented in seven cases, and hydroxyapatite surfaced in four. The acetabular component was involved in four cases and the femoral head in seven.

Results: Identified causes of ceramic implant fracture were: high-power trauma (insert) (n=1), insufficient head diameter (n=1), and defective head match (n=1). For the eight other fractures, involving three insets and five heads, no triggering factor could be identified. The three insert fractures involved two 50-mm cups and one 52-mm cup. Insert design had been changed before these fractures. Mean time from insertion to fracture was 12 months (range 8.5–15 months) in these cases.

Discussion: To our knowledge, all reported cases of ceramic implant fracture have concerned the prosthetic head. The present series demonstrates a recent development, fracture of acetabular implants. It is hypothesised that these fractures could be explained by an insufficient cup diameter associated with a recent change in the design of the metal-backed flush ceramic insert. These inserts have been modified and now have an “overhang” design associated with a thicker layer of ceramic for the smaller cup diameters. These accidents remain rare but justify careful surveillance, particularly during the first postoperative year.

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to analyse different techniques and outcome of total hip arthroplasty for acetabular degeneration after orthopaedically or surgically treated fracture of the acetabulum.

Material and methods: This retrospective analysis of a consecutive series was conducted by an independent observer. Sixty-four arthroplasties in 63 patients performed between 1979 and 2000 were included. Twenty-eight acetabular fractures had been treated surgically and 36 orthopaedically. Five types of cups were implanted (25 cerafit, 3 cerapress, 17 cemented alumina, 11 screwed, 7 polyethylene). All patients were assessed preoperatively and at last follow-up with the Merle d’Aubigné clinical scale. The postoperative and last follow-up radiograms were assessed according to Charnley and De Lee. Operative difficulties were assessed in terms of operative time, blood loss, and analysis of the operation reports. Actuarial survival was calculated.

Results: Mean follow-up was five years two months. Six patients were lost to follow-up early. Clinical outcome was satisfactory with significant improvement in the Merle d’Aubigné score. The 10-year survival rate was 81% taking aseptic loosening as the endpoint and 74% taking surgical revision as the endpoint. Operative time and blood loss were significantly related to loss of ace-tabular bone stock and to operator experience (p < 0.05). Survival was significantly related to acetabular bone defect (p < 0.05). There was no difference between the treatment modes used for the initial acetabular fracture for peroperative difficulty or survival.

Discussion: Total hip arthroplasty for acetabular degeneration secondary to acetabular fracture has given good functional results. Long-term survival is below that for primary arthroplasty, the only unfavourable factor identified being loss of acetabular bone stock. The surgical procedure is more difficult and requires a certain experience. We did not find any difference related to the type of treatment (orthopaedic or surgical) used for the initial acetabular fracture. It was difficult to interpret the influence of cup type due to the wide range of cups used in this series.

Purpose: During revision of alumina-on-alumina prostheses, reimplantation of a ceramic head on the former stem raises the risk of head fracture. Furthermore, serious deformation of the metal head has been reported after failure of ceramic-on-ceramic prostheses. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the incidence of these complications and analyse clinical and radiological results of revision for alumina-on-alumina total hip arthroplasties.

Material and methods: This consectutive series included 107 patients (74 women and 33 men, mean age 65 years, age range 32–91 years) who underwent 118 revision arthroplasties from 1976 to 1997. The cause in the majority of the cases was isolated non-infected cup loosening (80%) or ceramic implant fracture (4%). There were 72 cemented alumina cups, 38 screwed cups, six press-fit metal-backed cups, and two massive alumina impacted cups. Cavitary acetabular osteolysis was present in 67% of the cases. The cup was replaced alone in 94 cases (80%). The implanted cup was a polyethylene cup in 93 cases and an alumina cup in 25. When the femoral stem was left in place, a new ceramic head was implanted in 49 cases (39 alumina, 10 zircone). The alumina head was replaced by a metal head in 18 cases.

Results: Four early dislocations and two infections were noted. Mean follow-up after revision surgery was 67 months. Fourteen patients were lost to follow-up. Sixteen patients required revision surgery, ten of them for repeated cup loosening. At last follow-up (mean 61 months), there were no failures among the 49 ceramic heads implanted on a stem left in place. No revisions were required for polyethylene cup wear or metal head wear. In all, 72 hips were evaluated at a minimum two years follow-up. The functional score at last follow-up was 15.2±3.5. Seven-year actuarial survival was 95.5% taking revision of non-infected revision as the endpoint.

Discussion and conclusion: Analysis of the results shows that acetabular loosening is the main cause of revision of alumina-on-alumina total hip arthroplasties. The femoral stem was loosened in only nine cases and could be preserved in 80% of the cases. Replacement of an alumina-on-alumina couple with a metal-on-polyethylene couple does not appear to be a contraindication in this series.