First-time revision acetabular components have a 36% re-revision rate at 10 years in Australia, with subsequent revisions known to have even worse results. Acetabular component migration >1mm at two years following revision THA is a surrogate for long term loosening. This study aimed to measure the migration of porous tantalum components used at revision surgery and investigate the effect of achieving press-fit and/or three-point fixation within acetabular bone.

Between May 2011 and March 2018, 55 patients (56 hips; 30 female, 25 male) underwent acetabular revision THR with a porous tantalum component, with a post-operative CT scan to assess implant to host bone contact achieved and Radiostereometric Analysis (RSA) examinations on day 2, 3 months, 1 and 2 years. A porous tantalum component was used because the defects treated (Paprosky IIa:IIb:IIc:IIIa:IIIb; 2:6:8:22:18; 13 with pelvic discontinuity) were either deemed too large or in a position preventing screw fixation of an implant with low coefficient of friction. Press-fit and three-point fixation of the implant was assessed intra-operatively and on postoperative imaging.

Three-point acetabular fixation was achieved in 51 hips (92%), 34 (62%) of which were press-fit. The mean implant to host bone contact achieved was 36% (range 9-71%). The majority (52/56, 93%) of components demonstrated acceptable early stability. Four components migrated >1mm proximally at two years (1.1, 3.2, 3.6 and 16.4mm). Three of these were in hips with Paprosky IIIB defects, including 2 with pelvic discontinuity. Neither press-fit nor three-point fixation was achieved for these three components and the cup to host bone contact achieved was low (30, 32 and 59%).

The majority of porous tantalum components had acceptable stability at two years following revision surgery despite treating large acetabular defects and poor bone quality. Components without press-fit or three-point fixation were associated with unacceptable amounts of early migration.

First-time revision acetabular components have a 36% re-revision rate at 10 years in Australia, with subsequent revisions known to have even worse results. Acetabular component migration >1mm at two years following revision THA is a surrogate for long term loosening. This study aimed to measure the migration of porous tantalum components used at revision surgery and investigate the effect of achieving press-fit and/or three-point fixation within acetabular bone.

Between May 2011 and March 2018, 55 patients (56 hips; 30 female, 25 male) underwent acetabular revision THR with a porous tantalum component, with a post-operative CT scan to assess implant to host bone contact achieved and Radiostereometric Analysis (RSA) examinations on day 2, 3 months, 1 and 2 years. A porous tantalum component was used because the defects treated (Paprosky IIa:IIb:IIc:IIIa:IIIb; 2:6:8:22:18; 13 with pelvic discontinuity) were either deemed too large or in a position preventing screw fixation of an implant with low coefficient of friction. Press-fit and three-point fixation of the implant was assessed intra-operatively and on postoperative imaging.

Three-point acetabular fixation was achieved in 51 hips (92%), 34 (62%) of which were press-fit. The mean implant to host bone contact achieved was 36% (range 9–71%). The majority (52/56, 93%) of components demonstrated acceptable early stability. Four components migrated >1mm proximally at two years (1.1, 3.2, 3.6 and 16.4mm). Three of these were in hips with Paprosky IIIB defects, including 2 with pelvic discontinuity. Neither press-fit nor three-point fixation was achieved for these three components and the cup to host bone contact achieved was low (30, 32 and 59%).

The majority of porous tantalum components had acceptable stability at two years following revision surgery despite treating large acetabular defects and poor bone quality. Components without press-fit or three-point fixation were associated with unacceptable amounts of early migration.

Femoral impaction bone grafting (IBG) may be used to restore bone stock in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) and allow use of a shorter, than otherwise, length prosthesis. This is most beneficial in young patients who are more likely to require further revision surgery. This study aimed to assess the results of femoral IBG for staged revision THA for infection. A prospective cohort of 29 patients who underwent staged revision THA for infection with femoral IBG and a cemented polished double-tapered (CPDT) stem at the final reconstruction was investigated.

The minimum follow-up was two years (2 – 10 years, median 6 years). Stem subsidence was measured with radiostereometric analysis. Clinical outcomes were assessed with the Harris Hip, Harris Pain, and and Société Internationale de Chirurgie Orthopédique et de Traumatologie Activity (SICOT) Scores. The original infection was eradicated in 28 patients. One patient required a repeat staged revision due to re-infection with the same organism. At two-year follow-up, the median subsidence at the stem-bone interface was −1.70 mm (−0.31 to −4.98mm). The median Harris Hip Score improved from 51 pre-operatively to 80 at two years (p=0.000), the Harris Pain Score from 20 to 44 (p=0.000) and the SICOT Score from 2.5 to 3 (p=0.003).

As successful eradication of infection was achieved in the majority of patients and the stem migration was similar to that of a primary CPDT stem, this study supports the use of femoral IBG during the final reconstruction of the femur after staged revision THA for infection.

Introduction

Severely comminuted, displaced acetabular fractures with articular impaction in the elderly population present significant treatment challenges. To allow early post-operative rehabilitation and limit the sequelae of immobility, treatment with acute total hip replacement (THA) has been advocated in selected patients. Achieving primary stability of the acetabular cup without early migration is challenging and there is no current consensus on the optimum method of acetabular reconstruction. We present clinical results and radiostereometric analysis of trabecular metal (TM) cup cage construct reconstruction in immediate THA without acetabular fracture fixation.

This paper reports the clinical outcomes and survivorship of a prospective series of Advantim cementless TKR performed at the RAH between 1993 and 2005. There were 210 knees in 176 patients. All procedures were performed or supervised by a single surgeon.

All patients were followed up at regular intervals, up to 15 years later, with Knee Society Cinical Rating System and X-Rays. No patients were lost to follow-up. The knee rating improved from a median of 47 to 90. The median range of motion was 0–100. At 11 years the survivorship of the tibial component was 95.5% and femur was 93.7%. There were two major revisions and three minor revisions for polyethelene exchange. There was no deep sepsis. There was no knee stiffness requiring arhrolysis or manipulation. No screw osteolysis observed. Advantim was the best perfoming TKR in the AOA registry in 2008 with 0.3 revisions per 100 observed component years.

Background: Good results have been reported for cemented femoral total hip arthroplasty in young patients from centres with expert surgeons but what is unknown are the results when surgeries are performed by a group of surgeons with varying experience in total hip replacement. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of primary total hip arthroplasty using a polished cemented polished collarless double tapered stem in young patients aged less than 55 years performed by a group of surgeons with varying experience in total hip replacement.

Methods: One hundred and ninety seven arthroplasties in 169 patients were performed between 1988 to 2005. The procedures were performed by surgeons with varying arthroplasty experience. Follow-up was 2 to 19 years (median 8 years). Clinical outcomes, radiographic evaluations and survivorship analyses were undertaken.

Results: Of the 197 femoral stems, eight were revised, but none for aseptic loosening. Four stems underwent cement within cement revision for recurrent dislocation, leg length discrepancy, infection and to assist cup revision. Two stems were revised for periprosthetic fractures. Two stems were revised for infection. No stems were classified as probably or possibly loose. Median stem within cement subsidence was 1.0mm. Two stems have more than 5mm vertical subsidence and in the absence of radiolucent lines or associated pain they were not considered loose. At long term follow-up the overall incidence of femoral osteolysis was 7% (n=13 hips). At latest patient follow-up the median Harris Hip and pain scores were respectively 81 (range 34 to 100) and 40 (range 10 to 44). Survivorship of the polished collarless double tapered stems at 13 years using the endpoint revision for aseptic loosening was 100% (worst case analysis 96.5%).

Conclusion: This study confirms that good results of cemented polished collarless double tapered stems in the younger patient can be achieved by a group of surgeons with varying experience in total hip replacement. The ability to perform a minor stem revision, cement within cement, for other reasons than aseptic loosening further strengthens the indications for these type of implants in young patients.

Introduction: Periacetabular osteotomy is a complex procedure which is associated with significant complications during the learning period and difficult to maintain such expertise when it is undertaken infrequently. Results were reviewed to determine if this difficult PAO procedure can be safely learnt by a process of mentoring and review.

Methods: A structured mentoring program was adopted by the senior author. A double approach was used in the first 11 cases to enhance exposure and minimise the risk of complications. Fifteen osteotomies have subsequently been undertaken using a single approach. The median patient age was 28 years (13–41 years). The median follow-up was 5 years (2–14 years). The clinical and radiographic results were examined.

Results: Two cases in the double approach series progressed to total hip replacement and there were two other major reoperations. Two cases in the single approach series had an ischial non-union not requiring reoperation. The median Harris hip score at latest review was 82 (35–100) and 80 (26–100) for the double and single approach series respectively. All radiographic indices indicated correction of the acetabulum for both series.

Discussion and Conclusion: A structured program of mentoring and review has allowed a complex surgical procedure to be learnt and surgical expertise maintained at a distant centre while avoiding the complications previously associated with the learning curve and achieving the acetabular correction similar to the originator of the procedure.

While computed tomography (CT) provides an accurate measure of osteolysis volume, it would be advantageous in general clinical practice if plain radiographs could be used to monitor osteolysis. This study determined the ability of plain radiographs to detect the presence of and determine the progression in size of osteolytic lesions around cementless acetabular components.

Nineteen acetabular components were diagnosed with osteolysis using a high-resolution multi-slice CT scanner with metal artefact suppression. Mean duration since arthroplasty was 14 years (range 10–15 years) at initial CT. Repeat CT scans were undertaken over a five year period to determine osteolysis progression. On anteroposterior pelvis (AP) radiographs and oblique radiographs of the acetabulum seen on the rolled lateral hip view, which were taken at the same time as the CT scans, area of osteolysis was measured manually correcting for magnification.

Osteolysis was detected on the AP radiographs in 8 of 19 hips (42%), on the oblique radiographs in 6 of 19 hips (32%) and on the combined AP and oblique radiographs in 8 of 19 hips (42%). Throughout the study period, osteolysis was detected on 31 of 76 AP radiographs (41%) and 22 of 75 oblique radiographs (29%). Osteolysis was more likely to be detected on plain radiographs if the lesion volume was greater than 10cm3 in size (p=0.005). On CT, osteolysis progressed by more than 1cm3/yr in 10 of 19 hips (55%). In these ten hips, osteolysis progression was detected on AP radiographs in six hips and on oblique radiographs in three hips. No correlation was found between osteolysis progression measured by CT and that measured on AP (r2=0.16, p=0.37) or oblique (r2=0.37, p=0.15) or AP and oblique radiographs (r2=0.34, p=0.17).

Plain radiographs are poor in monitoring progression in size of periacetabular osteolytic lesions. Plain radiographs may detect lesions more than 10cm3 in size, but are unreliable.

Computed tomography (CT) provides a sensitive and accurate measure of periacetabular osteolytic lesion volume, however, there may remain a role for plain radiographs in monitoring osteolysis. This study aimed to compare CT and plain radiographs for determining the progression in size of osteolytic lesions around cementless acetabular components.

A high-resolution multi-slice CT scanner with metal artefact suppression was used to determine the volume and progression of osteolysis around 19 cementless Harris Galante-1 and PCA acetabular components. The mean duration since arthroplasty was 14 years (range 10–15 years) at initial CT. Repeat scans of the hip were undertaken over a five year period to determine the progression in size of osteolytic lesions over time. A second blinded observer manually measured the area of osteolytic lesions off anteroposterior pelvis radiographs and oblique radiographs of the acetabulum that were taken at the same time as the CT scan.

All 19 hips had CT detected osteolysis. Osteolysis was detected on one or both of the anteroposterior pelvis or oblique radiographs from at least one time point in eight of 19 hips (42%). Osteolysis was detected on 31 of 76 anteroposterior pelvis radiographs (41%) and on 22 of 75 oblique radiographs (29%) (p=0.140). Osteolysis was more likely to be detected on plain radiographs if the lesion volume was greater than 10cm3 in size compared to those 5–10cm3 and less than 5cm3 in size (p=0.009). In 10 of 19 hips (55%), CT determined that osteolytic lesions progressed in size by more than 1cm3/yr. The mean volume of osteolysis progression was 3.2cm3/yr (range 1.1–7.5cm3/yr). Progression in size of osteolytic lesions was significantly associated with hips with larger osteolytic lesions at the initial CT (p=0.0004). Radiographic measurements detected progression of osteolytic lesions in 5 of the 10 hips (50%) that progressed. No correlation was found between progression in size of osteolytic lesions as measured by CT and progression in size of osteolytic lesions as measured off the anteroposterior pelvis (r2 = 0.16, p=0.37), oblique (r2=0.37, p=0.15) and combined anteroposterior pelvis and oblique radiographs (r2=0.34, p=0.17).

Periacetabular osteolytic lesions are more likely to be detected on plain radiographs if they are more than 10cm3 in size. Plain radiographs may therefore provide some monitoring value as lesions more than 10cm3 are more likely to be progressive. However, plain radiographs should not be relied upon to monitor the progression of these lesions.

Periprosthetic osteolysis is a serious medium to long-term complication of total hip arthroplasty. Interobserver reliability of detecting osteolysis around cementless ace-tabular components is reported to be poor using plain radiographs. Quantitative computed tomography (CT) provides sensitive and accurate measures of osteolytic lesion volume, however, there may remain a role for plain radiographs in monitoring progression of osteolysis. The aim of this study was to use quantitative CT to monitor the progression of osteolytic lesions around cementless acetabular components and to compare plain radiographs and CT in determining the progression of osteolysis.

A high-resolution multi-slice quantitative CT scanner with metal artefact suppression was used to determine the volume of osteolysis around 18 cementless acetabular components. The mean time since arthroplasty was 14 years (range 10–15 years) at the initial CT. Repeat scans of the hip were undertaken over a five-year period to determine progression of osteolysis with time. A second blinded observer examined anteroposterior and lateral plain radiographs taken at the same time as the CT scans and measured the location and area of osteolytic lesions.

CT measurements determined that in ten of 18 hips (56%), osteolytic lesions progressed by more than 1cm3/yr. Progression in size of osteolytic lesions was significantly associated with hips with larger osteolytic lesions at the initial CT (p=0.0005). The mean volume of osteolysis progression was 4.9cm3/year (range 2.8–7.5cm3/yr) for cases with osteolysis volumes greater than 10cm3 at the initial CT, and 0.7cm3/yr (range 0–2.3cm3/yr) for cases with osteolysis volumes smaller than or equal to 10cm3 at the initial CT (p=0.002). Importantly, the rate of osteolysis progression between CT scans varied greatly in some hips. In contrast, using plain radiograph assessment, progression in the area of osteolytic lesions was only detected in 10% of hips.

In conclusion, quantitative CT provides new insights into the natural history of periacetabular osteolysis. Total osteolysis volume greater than 10cm3 is associated with a high risk of progression and progress, on average, at a greater rate than those less than 10cm3. Plain radiographs, including a lateral view, are an unreliable clinical diagnostic tool to predict substantial progression of periacetabular osteolytic lesions.

Introduction and Aims: This paper presents a treatment plan for femoral stem revision that has been developed based on long-term studies of revision total hip replacement (THR) using cemented stems, cementless proximal fixation stems, cemented stems with impaction grafting and modular titanium long stems.

Method: The clinical and radiographic results of femoral stem revision were compared using the following techniques: 1) a standard or long cemented collarless double taper Exeter or CPT stems (CCDT stems) [n=190]; 2) a proximally porous coated mid to long cementless stem [n=56]; 3) two series of CCDT stems with impaction grafting n=34]; and 4) a modular grit-blasted titanium taper stem [n=13] used for severe cortical damage. Treatment decisions were made based on the age of the patient, the appearance of the pre-operative radiograph and the extent of bone deficiency at surgery. Follow-up was from 17 to two years.

Results: Only one hip was lost to follow-up. In the CCDT group, at a median follow-up of five years (range 2–17 years), two standard length stems and one long stem had been re-revised for loosening (1.5%) and seven stems had been re-revised for other reasons. Survivorship to re-revision for loosening at eight years was 95% (95%CI=85–100%) for both standard and long stems. There was a trend for better longer-term results for long stems. The extent of pre-operative bone loss did not influence results. For the cementless proximal fixation group, at a median follow-up of 10 years, re-revision of the stem for loosening occurred in 20%. Importantly, these poor results could have been predicted from short-term results. The initial series of femoral impaction grafting with CCDT stems and irradiated bone had a small incidence of stem loosening and periprosthetic fracture. The majority of stems subsided, but at a median follow-up of eight years there were no further re-revisions. In the second series, usually with non-irradiated allograft with mesh containment, there was minimal stem subsidence and no re-revision. The grit blasted titanium taper stem has dealt with periprosthetic fratures and severe proximal cortical loss, but with some cases of subsidence and femoral fracture.

Conclusion: Based on these results, our treatment plan for routine femoral revision in middle-aged and elderly patients without severe proximal deficiency is a polished CCDT long stem. In younger patients, impaction grafting is recommended, provided deficient bone is protected. Cementless modular stems are reserved for femurs with severe proximal cortical deficiency.

Introduction: Accelerated rehabilitation programs following ACL reconstruction require adequate fixation strength. Staple fixation of grafts outside the tibial tunnel has been shown to have fixation strength comparable to interference screws. The use of bioresorbable polymer implants has potentially significant advantages especially if revision is required. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new bioresorbable fixation staple using an ovine model.

Materials and Methods: Forty-eight mature sheep underwent unilateral cranial cruciate ligament (CrCl) reconstruction. The reconstruction comprised a loop of superficial digital flexor tendon (autograft) joined to a prosthetic ligament (LK-15). Femoral fixation was by endobutton. Tibial fixation of the LK-15 was with either a new Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) staple (Zimmer Japan/Gunze Ltd.) or a Cobalt-chrome (CoCr) staple. Biomechanical and histological responses were evaluated at 0, 6, 12 and 24 weeks.

Results: At all times post-reconstruction there were no significant differences between staple types for construct strength or stiffness (p> 0.05). The staple was not the site of reconstruction failure, and there were no adverse tissue reactions, for either staple type. Fibrous tissue was more often found at the interface of the CoCr staple.

Conclusions: The PLLA staple performed biomechanically as well as the metal staple for tibial fixation of cruciate ligament reconstructions. There were no significant observable adverse histological responses over the time intervals examined.

The purpose of health outcomes monitoring is to assess the benefits and risks of health care processes, to enable benchmarking and to allow comparative studies of new technologies and variations in clinical practice. This paper critically reviews the discipline of health outcomes monitoring in joint replacement surgery. We reviewed over 250 papers published over the last 20 years in the major English speaking journals were reviewed. We conclude that there are considerable shortcomings of clinical studies which make it difficult to determine the results of different joint replacement designs. The shortcomings include inadequate study design and the lack of comparative data. Despite repeated calls for standardisation of outcome measures, this has yet to be achieved. Considerable resources are often invested in outcomes monitoring programs.It is therefore important that instruments are selected based on them meeting strict psychometric criteria, that adequate follow-up is achieved and that appropriate data analysis techniques are utilised, otherwise interpretation of results is difficult. We have found that patients’ reporting of symptoms and outcomes after hip arthroplasty were found to be consistent with those reported by their reviewing doctor. We therefore suggest that for uncomplicated joint arthroplasty cases, the marginal costs of their regular review in outpatients probably outweighs the marginal benefits and important resources and doctors time would be made available for other patient care activity if these patients were reviewed by patient self-administered questionnaires. Our studies have shown that SF-36 health survey and the WOMAC instruments are useful when administered by mailed survey, however, the cost-benefits of using these outcomes instruments is an important consideration. The lack of comparable outcomes data should encourage greater orthopaedic participation in multi-centre outcomes studies including randomised trials.

Aim: To compare the outcomes of cemented and uncemented primary total hip arthroplasty and to report the radiological features of 41 Exeter polished tapered stems which demonstrate good clinical scores at long-term review.

Methods: We set up a randomised trial, involving two surgeons, Twenty stems were modular and 21 were monoblock. The radiographic measurements, made using templates adjusted for magnification, included vertical subsidence of the stem, scoring of cement mantle thickness, analysis of the p-c and cement-bone (c-b) radiolucencies, and cement fracture in each of the Gruen zones on AP and lateral views.

Loosening was classified as possible if there was between 50 and 99 percent c-b radiolucency, probable when there was complete radiolucency, or definite when vertical subsidence was more than 5mm. The presence and type of radiological features analysed according to surgeon and whether a centraliser was utilised.

Results: There were no failures of the polished stems with 100% survival at 11 years. At the latest review, none of the polished cemented stems demonstrated definite or possible loosening. Osteolysis was found proximally in two cases and more distally in one case and each of these stems was implanted without a centraliser. Incomplete cement mantles and the presence of radiolucencies were more common around stems without centralisers, however the differences in results according to surgeon is a potential confounder and requires investigation in a larger series.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated excellent radiological results of the polished Exeter stem at mid to long-term follow-up.

Introduction: New biological approaches to reconstruction of major bone deficiency such as the use of bone substitutes and growth factors are being developed. This paper reports on the adverse response to the Bioglass in comparison to allograft alone.

Aim: To compare the biological response to femoral impaction grafting and a cemented femoral stem when using allograft bone versus allograft bone plus a synthetic bone graft substitute, Bioactive glass.

Methods: Eighteen merino wethers underwent a left cemented hemi-arthroplasty and were randomised to have impaction allografting of the femur using either allograft alone (allograft group) or a 50:50 mix of allograft and Bioactive glass (Bioglass group). After sacrifice at 12 weeks, histological analysis of the femora at the levels of the proximal, mid and distal femoral stem and distal to the stem was undertaken.

Results: In the allograft group, there was a consistent response with bone graft incorporation being greatest in the proximal femur and occurring progressively less, more distally. Mineralised bone apposition in the graft occurred post-operatively after eight weeks. In contrast, in the Bioglass group, the response was inconsistent. Bone graft incorporation was either minimal, or there was partial or complete resorption of the bone graft with replacement by particulate-laden fibrous tissue and resorption of endocortical bone. Inflammation of the capsule tissue was noted in some cases.

Conclusion: In comparison to allograft alone, the use of Bioglass to supplement allograft for use in impaction grafting in ovine hip arthroplasty gave inferior results.

There is a lack of properly undertaken comparative studies of total hip replacement (THR). A randomised trial was established to examine the hypothesis that there are no important differences in clinical outcome at 2 years and at long-term follow-up between cemented and uncemented primary THR in middle aged patients.Eighty-three patients with 90 osteoarthritic hips were randomised to a cemented Exeter THR involving a matte or polished tapered stem (n=47, median age 68yrs) or an uncemented PCA proximally porous-coated cobalt-chrome stem and porous coated press fit cup (n=43, median age 66yrs). Patients underwent immediate full weight bearing post-operatively. The follow-up period is 8 to 16 years. The median Harris hip scores for the cemented and uncemented groups respectively were 92 and 95 at 2 years and 89 and 96 at long-term follow-up. Four cemented hips have been revised for aseptic loosening. There have been no failures of the polished stems. An analysis of a larger series of matt versus polished cemented stems also found that the results of the polished stems were superior. Four uncemented hips have been revised, two more recently for acetabular wear and osteolysis. There was a high rate of radiographic demarcation of the cemented cups. There were no important differences in the clinical scores between cemented and uncemented THR. Some matte surfaced femoral stems failed and this trend was confirmed by analysis of a larger series. Osteolysis around the uncemented acetabular components is a concern. Importantly immediate weight bearing was associated with good results of uncemented stems.