Aims

Orthopaedic surgeries are complex, frequently performed procedures associated with significant haemorrhage and perioperative blood transfusion. Given refinements in surgical techniques and changes to transfusion practices, we aim to describe contemporary transfusion practices in orthopaedic surgery in order to inform perioperative planning and blood banking requirements.

Introduction

Modern cementless press fit stems rely on early fixation and stability for osteointegration and longterm success with early migration increasing the risk of failure. The Ein Bild Roentegen Analyse Femoral Component Analysis (EBRA-FCA) methods allow accurate measurement of femoral stem subsidence without the need for Tantalum markers. The degree of subsidence of femoral stems in the first two years has been shown to be highly predictive of failure when using the cut off value of 1.5 mm. We aimed to measure the early migration pattern of a titanium alloy, tapered, plasma and hydroxyapatite coated femoral stem and any factors associated with subsidence.

Purpose: We aimed to measure the early migration pattern of a titanium alloy, tapered, plasma and hydroxyapatite coated femoral stem and any factors associated with subsidence.

Method: Between January 2005–June 2007, 387 Accolade cementless femoral stems (Stryker, Allendale NJ) were implanted at our institution. Seventy-seven had a minimum of two years post operative follow up and a complete set of pre and postoperative radiographs for analysis. Our group inlcuded 45 females with a mean age of 71.4 years, and 32 males with a mean age of 68.5 years. The primary diagnosis was degenerative osteoarthritis in 71 patients, avascular necrosis in two, and post fracture in four patients. The average BMI was 27.1. We measured the canal index to assess bone quality and the canal calcar index to assess the proximal femoral morphology. Immediate postoperative radiographs were assessed for canal fill of the prosthesis and implantation varus/valgus angles. The EBRA-FCA software was used to obtain migration curves for each stem. Best fit curve of subsidence over time was calculated and the data was analysed using a Kaplan Meier survivorship with 1.5 mm of subsidence as an endpoint. We then performed a multivariate and univariate regression analysis for predictors of subsidence.

Results: The mean follow up was 29.3months (24–48). The mean canal index was 0.55 (0.36–0.68) with a mean canal calcar index of 0.54 (0.39–0.79). The average canal fill index at the midpoint of the stem was 80 in 40 stems. A total of 414 radiographs were analysed for the EBRA measurements. Of these 21 (5%) were discarded by the software as they did not meet the criteria for comparability. This led to the exclusion of seven patients, leaving the final study group of 77. All remaining patients had a minimum of four radiographs with an average of 4.6 for analysis. The average subsidence at 24 months was 2 mm and this had risen to 2.4 mm by 36 months postoperatively. When analysed using a Kaplan Meier curve using 1.5 mm as an end point we found a survivorship of 63.4% (52.3–74.5) at 24 months and this had worsened to 41.6% (26.6–56.5) by 36 months. Multivariate and univariate regression analysis of measured variables did not reveal any significant hazard for any factor other than the larger stem sizes doing worse.

Conclusion: Although several cementless tapered stem designs have had an excellent track record, our migration analysis of the Accolade stem is somewhat concerning. Thirty three percent of stems had reached the 1.5 mm subsidence point by two years. This is of concern as work has previously shown this to predict failure of stems with aseptic loosening at ten years with an accuracy of 79%. If these stems go on to fail at the predicted rate this would represent an unacceptably high level of failure. Our data raises serious concerns about the overall clinical performance of this stem design due to poor initial stability and integration.

Purpose: Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) has recently been described as a cause of adult hip pain and a precursor of hip osteoarthritis. Pincer type is secondary to acetabular retroversion or coxa profunda and Cam type is secondary to lack of concavity/offset of the antero-lateral femoral head-neck junction. Purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of bilateral deformity in patients with cam type FAI as well as the presence of associated acetabular abnormalities.

Method: One hundred and thirteen patients with symptomatic cam impingement (alpha (α) angle of Notzli > 55.5°) of at least one hip were evaluated. Eighty-two males, 31 females with an average age of 37.9 yrs (16–55). Standardized AP pelvis and bilateral Dunn views were reviewed. Alpha angle of Notzli was measured on Dunn views. Cam impingement was defined by α angle > 55.5 on the Dunn view and Pincer impingement was defined by the presence of either acetabular retroversion or coxa profunda. Statistical analysis was done using the two tailed paired t-test, chi-square test and intra-class correlation coefficient. Odds Ratios were calculated using conditional logistic regression.

Results: Eighty-eight patients (77.8%) had bilateral deformity and 27% had symptoms in both hips. Mean α angles were higher for bilateral impingement deformity than for the impingement side only when unilateral deformity was present (72.10 versus 64.50, p< 0.001). Forty-four percent of hips with an impingement deformity also had a pincer deformity, either acetabular retroversion or coxa profunda. Painful hips had a statistically significant higher mean alpha angle than asymptomatic ones (69.70 versus 63.10, p< 0.001)). Comparing hips with α angles of 61–70 with those < 60 found an odds ratio of being painful of 2.59 (95% CI: 1.32–5.08, p=0.006). Hips with α angles > 71 had an odds ratio of being painful of 2.54 (95% CI: 1.3–4.96, p=0.007).

Conclusion: The majority of patients with cam type FAI have bilateral deformities and an associated acetabular deformity less commonly. The severity of the deformity at the femoral head neck junction is a significant determining factor for the development of hip symptoms. This information is important as we better define the natural history of this deformity as well as devise effective treatment strategies.