Replacing a fused or ankylosed hip with a prosthesis has several advantages. It reduces the pain in the lumbar-sacral spine and the ipsilateral knee. It gives a better range of movement and leg length is restored.

In this study we present our experience of 50 cases of total hip arthroplasty in fused or ankylosed hips. Aetio-pathogenesis was rhizomelic spondylitis in 35 cases, sequelae of cox it is in 2, posttraumatic in 4, Ankylosis in 6, and fusion in 3. For clinical assessment we used the Merle D’Aubignè score, and for radiographic evaluation we used the Gruen method of area subdivision

Of the 50 prosthesis implanted, 3 were removed due to aseptic loosening. The other were the radiographically stable after an average follow-up of 12 years. Preoperative clinical scores were: pain (2.9), range of motion (2.5), and walking (2.1). At the latest exam the scores were: pain (5.5), motion (4.6), walking (4.5). Preoperative leg shortening was 3.5 cm, whereas at the latest exam it was 0.9 cm. Lumbalgia decreased notably in 62%.

Total hip arthroplasty may have advantages over fusion on one hand, but on the other it is technically more difficult and gives results that are inferior to common indications. It is therefore important to assess patients (time of fusion, age of patient, residual muscular function) preoperatively to obtain good results.

Aim: to assess the effect of lyophilized bone grafts, autologous platelet gel and autologous medullary cells on bone repair processes after tibial osteotomy for genu varum

Preliminary results confirmed that the use of platelet gel and packed medullary cells as adjuvant for the lyophilized bone aid bone repair and graft integration. Morphological and morphometric tests showed that at six week the newly formed bone of group 3 had better mechanical properties.

This study shows that the use of platelet gel and packed autologous medullary cells combined with lyophilized bone chips produces a faster and mechanically stronger recovery of bone stock in the treatment of bone defects.

Girdlestone’s arthroplasty is often used to treat septic loosening of hip prostheses. Although this operation provides goodresults with regards to pain and loosening, it causes instability and in the hip and limb shortening that force the patient to use walking aids.

From 1990 to 1999 we treated ten cases of revisionhip arthroplasty after Girdlestone’s arthroplasty. Girdleston e’sarthroplasty was carried out in all cases due to sepsis in the previousimplant. Preoperatively all patients underwent granulocyte-labeledscintigraphy. For clinical evaluation we used the Merle D’Aubignè score.

From 1990 to 1999 we treated ten cases of revisionhip arthroplasty after Girdlestone’s arthroplasty. Girdleston e’sarthroplasty was carried out in all cases due to sepsis in the previousimplant. Preoperatively all patients underwent granulocyte-labeledscintigraphy. For clinical evaluation we used the Merle D’Aubignè score.

Girdlestone’s arthroplasty is very effective for treating septic loosening of hip prostheses, but it causes severe walking impediment. Revision surgery restores limb length and walking. Patients that undergo this treatment should be checked for residual sepsis, which may jeopardize the operation. Currently we are experimenting with spacers with antibiotics and our initial results are promising.

Introduction Total hip arthroplasty in patients affected by major dysplasia poses great surgical difficulties due to insufficient primary acetabulum, small femoral canal, excessive anteversion of the femoral neck, traction on the neurovascular structures, muscular imbalance that is difficult to restore, and marked epiphyseal rising. In this study we present our experience in lowering and arthroplasty in major hip dysplasia, obtained by shortening osteotomy achieved in a single stage, using techniques designed to diminish possible risks.

Materials and methods From 1989 to 2000 we treated 20 patients (27 operations, 7 bilateral) at our institute who were affected by the sequela (lowering of the prosthesis) of Eftekhar Grade-C (11 cases) or Grade-D (16 cases) congenital luxation of the hip. Mean follow-up was 63 months. Clinical results were assessed before and after surgery according to the Merle D’Aubigné method. We also evaluated the presence and degree of Trendelenburg position and the possible use of shoe lifts. The radiographic results of the hip prosthesis were assessed by the Gruen and Dee Lee methods for the stem and cup respectively.

Results The mean preoperative clinical score according to the Merle D’Aubigné classification was 3 ± 1 for pain, 3 ± 1 for walking, and 4 ± 2 for movement. The preoperative Trendelemburg position was very marked in all patients. In 18 cases out of 27 a shoe lift was used with a mean height of 60 mm ± 10. We performed a “Z” osteotomy in 14 cases and an oblique osteotomy in 13 cases. The postoperative mean clinical score was 6 ± 1 for pain, 6 ± 1 for walking, and 5 ± 1 for movement. Postoperative Trendelemburg position was present in 19 cases, and 9 cases out of 27 still used a shoe lift with a mean height of 30 mm ± 10. Movement of the cup and stem was observed at 84 months and 112 months’ follow-up respectively, which required revision surgery.

Conclusions The choice between oblique and Z osteotomy depends on two parameters: the surgeon’s experience and the extent of femoral resection. Z osteotomy may be more difficult to perform technically, but it enables better adaptation of the prosthesis to the femoral segments for resections over 35 mm. No significant differences in time to unite were observed between oblique and Z osteotomies.

Aim Although converting a loosened fixation of the proximal femur into a total hip arthroplasty restores the joint, it is a technically complex operation and often requires steps that are not usually performed in arthroplasty for common diseases. The aim of this study was to assess clinical and radiographic results of 127 total hip arthroplasties due to loosening of proximal femur fixation, performed at our institute.

Materials and methods From 1987 to 2001 we performed 127 total hip arthroplasties (THA) in patients with loosened facture fixation of the proximal femur. Patients treated by endoprosthesis were excluded from this study.

The patients were divided into two groups according to the fracture site. Group 1 included 71 patients with medial fracture, and Group 2 contained 56 patients pertrochanteric or subtrochanteric fracture. All patients were assessed by the Merle d’Aubignè clinical evaluation method. Radiographically, the bone-implant interface was assessed by the presence of radiolucency lines according to the DeLee-Charnley method modified by Martell

Results The mean time lapse between fixation and conversion was 31 months for Group 1 and 10 months for Group 2 patients. In 12 cases of Group 2 bone grafts were used and surgery time was on average 20′ longer than that of Group 1. Furthermore, in Group 2, we had 4 dislocations compared to none in Group 1. In Group 2 long-stem prostheses with diaphyseal conical anchorage were more frequently used, whereas in Group 1 standard prostheses were used in all cases. Patients of Group 2 had a lower clinical score for the three parameters assessed (pain, walking and ROM) than those of Group 1. The final clinical results were also better for Group 1 patients.

Conclusions This study shows how THA in fixation loosening of proximal femur fractures can provide good results. Especially in patients with medial fractures of the femur, since the anatomy is not altered, THA does not pose any particular difficulties and ensures excellent results. In fractures of the trochanteric mass, where non-union or malunion alter markedly the anatomy of the bone segment, the site for the implant, results are certainly inferior However, careful planning of the operation, the use of special prostheses, and bone grafts enable satisfactory results to be achieved in these patients too.

Introduction: Replacing a fused or ankylosed hip with a prosthesis has several advantages. It reduces the pain in the lumbar-sacral spine and the ipsilateral knee. It gives a better range of movement and leg length is restored.

Methods: In this study we present our experience of 50 cases of total hip arthroplasty in fused or ankylosed hips. Aetiopathogenesis was rhizomelic spondylitis in 35 cases, sequelae of coxitis in 2, posttraumatic in 4, Ankylosis in 6, and fusion in 3. For clinical assessment we used the Merle D’Aubignè score, and for radiographic evaluation we used the Gruen method of area subdivision.

Results: Of the 50 prosthesis implanted, 3 were removed due to aseptic loosening. The other were radiographically stable after an average follow-up of 12 years. Preoperative clinical scores were: pain (2.9), range of motion (2.5), and walking (2.1). At the latest exam the scores were: pain (5.5), motion (4.6), walking (4.5). Preoperative leg shortening was 3.5 cm, whereas at the latest exam it was 0.9 cm. Lumbalgia decreased notably in 62%.

Conclusions: Total hip arthroplasty may have advantages over fusion on one hand, but on the other it is technically more difficult and gives results that are inferior to common indications. It is therefore important to assess patients (time of fusion, age of patient, residual muscular function) preoperatively to obtain good results