This is a retrospective study of fifty nine hips in fourty nine patients with a previous total hip replacement for developmental dysplasia of the hip who underwent a revision arthroplasty of the hip. Fifty three patients were available for follow up. Radiographs and charts were reviewed and functional outcome scores were obtained in order to determine if a correlation existed between cup position and functional outcome and survivorship. Cup height was found to be a statistically significant predictor for functional outcome and cup survivorship.

To determine if cup height, lateralization or angle are correlated with functional outcome or survivorship in revision total hip replacement (THR) in patients with a previous THR for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH).

There is a paucity of literature correlating functional outcome with cup position in revision THR.

Cup height was found to have a statistically significant (p< 0.05) correlation with Harris Hip, SF36, and WOMAC functional scores. High hip centers correlated with worse scores. In addition, patients with hip centers less than 3.5 cm above the radiographic tear drop had a statistically significant improvement in cup survivorship compared to those with higher hip centers.

A retrospective investigation of forty-nine sequential patients (fifty-nine hips) previously diagnosed with DDH who underwent revision THR at our center between 1984 and 2000 was performed. Forty-three patients (fifty-three hips) were available for survivorship analysis and thirty-five patients (forty-five hips) were available for functional analysis. The mean follow up was one hundred and eighteen months (range 36–230). Three independent variables identified apriori as possible correlates were cup height, lateralization and angle as measured on the AP radiographs. Functional outcome measurement consisted of the Harris Hip, SF36 and WOMAC questionnaires. Linear regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier curves were used to determine if any of the variables correlated with functional outcome or survivorship.

Restoration of hip center height to as close to the radiographic tear drop as possible improves functional outcome. Placement of the cup to within 3.5 cm of the tear drop improves cup survivorship.

We reviewed and discussed the results of thirteen distal femoral allografts in conjunction with revision total knee arthroplasty for the treatment of periprosthetic femoral supracondylar fractures associated with poor bone stock. The mean follow up time was six years. We looked at graft survivorship, functional outcome, radiographic assessment, and complications. We concluded that this is a viable salvage procedure for this type of injury.

The incidence of periprosthetic supracondylar fractures of the femur is rising due to the aging population, and the increased number of total knee arthroplasties (TKA) being performed. One option for the treatment of severe fractures, associated with poor bone stock, is the use of a distal femoral allograft (DFA) in conjunction with revision TKA. The purpose of this study was to review and discuss the results of thirteen consecutive patients who were treated at our center between 1990 and 2001.

Data was obtained from a prospective database. Ten of the thirteen patients were available for follow up. The average age was sixty-five years (range twenty-four to ninety-three) and the mean length of follow up was six years (range one to twelve). A chart review was performed to identify complications and graft survivorship. Functional assessment was made on the basis of the modified Hospital for Special Surgery knee score (HSS) and the MOS 36-ITEM Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Patients were evaluated radiographically by two independent observers (kappa = 0.75, P = 0.02) in an attempt to determine union between the graft and host bone, graft resorption, and component loosening. The average postoperative HSS score and SF-36 were seventy-five and eighty-eight respectively. Mean flexion was 100°. One had an amputation due to the recurrence of infection. X-rays showed no migration, no loosening, good interface union in nine cases and mild to moderate resorption in three cases. We concluded that this is a viable salvage procedure for this type of injury.

Periprosthetic fracture management after hip arthroplasty is complicated by poor bone stock and loose femoral components. Using a prospective database, thirty-five fractures treated by proximal femoral allograft reconstruction were identified. Patients treated between 1989–2000 with minimum two- year results, were reviewed at a mean of 3.8 years. Twenty-six fractures were acute, and nine had failed previous treatment. Union of the PFA was achieved in all but five cases (83%). In twenty-eight cases (78%) no further surgery was required and patient ambulation was pain free. When conventional treatment is not possible, the use of a PFA provides encouraging results.

Periprosthetic femoral fracture treatment is complicated by comminution, bone loss, and potentially loose femoral components. Treatment can include cast-braces, internal fixation, revision arthroplasty or the use of proximal femoral allograft composites (PFA). This study reports on thirty-five fractures treated with a PFA between 1989–2000. Five patients were lost and twelve patients (33%) were deceased. Follow-up averaged 3.8 years (range 0.1–11.3) with minimum two-year results in surviving patients. Six patients had either Rheumatoid arthritis or DDH with very narrow femoral canals.

There were twenty-three acute fractures, five failures of non-operative management, four failures of ORIF and two fractured femoral stems. Fractures were classified by the Vancouver system with: B1–7%, B2–30%, B3–43% and C-20%. Prefracture functional scores revealed that 30% of patients had significant functional impairment and were awaiting revision arthroplasty. Patients had had an average of two previous surgical procedures (range 1–4).

The mean length of the PFA was 14cm and union between graft and host bone was achieved in all but five cases (83%). Resorption of the graft was seen in eight cases (27%), lucent lines in six cases (20%) and implant migration in four cases (13%). Post revision arthroplasty Harris Hip and SF-36 scores revealed substantial disability in this patient group.

Twenty-eight cases (73%) were deemed successful with patients not requiring further surgery and enjoying pain free ambulation. In fractures with unstable femoral components and inadequate bone stock or very narrow femoral canals few options are available. This technique provides encouraging results and a viable option when conventional treatment is not possible.

Periprosthetic fracture management after hip arthroplasty is complicated by poor bone stock and loose femoral components. Using a prospective database, thirty-five fractures treated by proximal femoral allograft reconstruction were identified. Patients treated between 1989–2000 with minimum two- year results, were reviewed at a mean of 3.8 years. Twenty-six fractures were acute, and nine had failed previous treatment. Union of the PFA was achieved in all but five cases (83%). In twenty-eight cases (78%) no further surgery was required and patient ambulation was pain free. When conventional treatment is not possible, the use of a PFA provides encouraging results.

Periprosthetic femoral fracture treatment is complicated by comminution, bone loss, and potentially loose femoral components. Treatment can include cast-braces, internal fixation, revision arthroplasty or the use of proximal femoral allograft composites (PFA). This study reports on thirty-five fractures treated with a PFA between 1989–2000. Five patients were lost and twelve patients (33%) were deceased. Follow-up averaged 3.8 years (range 0.1–11.3) with minimum two-year results in surviving patients. Six patients had either Rheumatoid arthritis or DDH with very narrow femoral canals.

There were twenty-three acute fractures, five failures of non-operative management, four failures of ORIF and two fractured femoral stems. Fractures were classified by the Vancouver system with: B1–7%, B2–30%, B3–43% and C-20%. Prefracture functional scores revealed that 30% of patients had significant functional impairment and were awaiting revision arthroplasty. Patients had had an average of two previous surgical procedures (range 1–4).

The mean length of the PFA was 14cm and union between graft and host bone was achieved in all but five cases (83%). Resorption of the graft was seen in eight cases (27%), lucent lines in six cases (20%) and implant migration in four cases (13%). Post revision arthroplasty Harris Hip and SF-36 scores revealed substantial disability in this patient group.

Twenty-eight cases (73%) were deemed successful with patients not requiring further surgery and enjoying pain free ambulation. In fractures with unstable femoral components and inadequate bone stock or very narrow femoral canals few options are available. This technique provides encouraging results and a viable option when conventional treatment is not possible.

Purpose: Many surgeons are now performing hip arthroplasty using a minimally invasive technique with the aim of reducing muscle damage and improving rehabilitation. We compared the learning curve of two MIS THA approaches: the two-incision mini and a modified Watson-Jones (G3) approach.

Methods: A retrospective review of 47 consecutive patients who underwent a THA using an MIS approach was conducted. All patients received an uncemented acetabular cup (Trilogy–Zimmer) fixed with 1 or 2 screws, and an uncemented femoral stem (ML taper, fiber metal taper, fully porous coated–Zimmer). Note was made of BMI, surgical time, incision length, blood loss, component positioning, hospital stay and perioperative complications.

Results: Twenty-one patients received a G3 and 26 received a 2 incision mini approach. The average BMI was 29.7 and 26.1 respectively. Average acetabular inclination was 37 for the G3 and 42 for the 2-incision mini. On average, the femoral component was positioned in neutral in the coronal plane for both approaches. Average surgical time was 121minutes for the G3 and 166 minutes for the 2-incision which also includes fluoros-copy time. Hospital stay averaged 5.4 and 6.8 days respectively. The skin incision averaged 8.9 cm for G3 a total of 9.8cm for 2-incision. Perioperative complications for the G3 included 1 lateral femoral cutaneous nerve palsy, 1 DVT, 1 PE and 1undisplaced intraoperative acetabular fracture. Complications for the 2-incision mini included 5 intraoperative fractures, 7 nerve injuries, 1 wound infection, 1 infection requiring revision and 1 PE.

Conclusions: The G3 minimally invasive approach for THA has advantages over the 2-incision mini: shorter operative time, no need for fluoroscopy, fewer days in hospital, shorter total incision length and lower complication rate. The G3 approach also offers the opportunity to bail out to a traditional approach, by extending the incision, should this be necessary.

Lymph node metastasis in soft tissue sarcoma is considered to be a rare event (1.6–8.2%), From 1986 to 2001 1066 patients with extremity soft tissue sarcoma were treated surgically (+/− adjuvant therapy) at our institution.

Thirty-nine patients (3.6%) were identified with lymph node metastasis, most common histological subtypes were: Epitheliod sarcoma (3/15), rhabdomyosarcoma (4/21), clear cell sarcoma (2/18), and angiosarcoma (2/18).

Comparing expected five- year survivorship, we found that surprisingly in this study, extremity soft tissue sarcoma patients initially presenting with lymph node metastases had survival comparable to patients with high grade soft tissue sarcoma and no metastases.

To determine the outcome in patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS) of the limbs that presented with lymph node metastasis (LNM) at diagnosis or developed them after it, comparing to all STS of limbs population that was treated at our center.

LNM in soft tissue sarcoma is considered to be a rare event (1.6–8.2%) with a devastating effect on the outcome,our study represent one of the largest reported cohorts, and suggest that agressive approach to LNM might contribute to survivorship.

Thirty-nine patients (3.6%) were identified with LNM along their course of disease

Thirteen patients presented with both lymphatic and systemic disease while twenty-six had isolated LNM at time of diagnosis. The mean follow-up from diagnosis of the primary tumor was 46.3 months (range zero to one hundred and forty-eight), and from diagnosis of lymph node involvement was 29.9 months (range zero to one hundred and twenty).

Expected five year survival in patients initially presenting with LNM was comparable to patients with high grade soft tissue sarcoma and no metastases.

From Jan’ 1986 to Dec’ 2001 1066 patients with extremity STS were treated at our institution.

Fifteen patients presented with LNM at time of first diagnosis, and twenty-four subsequently developed LNM after it.

Linear regression analysis and Kaplan-meier curves were used to compare expected survivorship in all patients with STS of limbs.

Comparing expected five- year survivorship, we found that Surprisingly in this study, extremity STS patients initially presenting with LNM had survival comparable to patients with high grade soft tissue sarcoma and no metastases.

Background: Revision total hip replacement in patients with a previous diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) can be a challenging and technically demanding procedure. Two of the major concerns are deficient acetabular bone stock and the position of the acetabular implant, particularly if the hip centre was not restored during the primary procedure. The purpose of this study was to determine if cup height, lateralization or abduction angle are correlated with functional outcome or survivorship in revision total hip replacement (THR) in patients with a previous diagnosis of DDH.

Methods: A retrospective investigation of 51 sequential patients (63 hips) previously diagnosed with DDH who underwent revision THR at our center between 1984 and 2000 was performed. The mean duration of follow up was 119 months (range 36 to 238 months). Forty-one patients (52 hips) were available for functional outcome and survivorship analysis. The remaining ten patients (11 hips) were available only for survivorship analysis. Three independent variables identified apriori as possible correlates were cup height, lateralization and angle as measured on the AP radiographs. Functional outcome measurement consisted of the Harris Hip, SF36 and WOMAC questionnaires. Linear regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier curves were used to determine if any of the variables correlated with functional outcome or survivorship.

Results: Cup height was found to have a statistically significant (p< 0.05) correlation with Harris Hip, SF36, and WOMAC functional scores. High hip centers correlated with worse scores. In addition, patients with hip centers less than 3.5 cm above the radiographic tear drop had a statistically significant improvement in cup survivorship compared to those with higher hip centers.

Conclusion: Restoration of hip center height to as close to the radiographic teardrop as possible improves functional outcome and cup survivorship.

Purpose: Prevalence of supracondylar fractures above a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is increasing due to the increasing age of treated patients and the larger number of implants. We report the functional results in a series of thirteen patients treated with a distal femoral graft (DFG) associated with revision TKA.

Material and methods: Between 1990 and 2001, thirteen patients (twelve women and one man), mean age 65 years (24–93) were treated with DFG associated with revision TKA. All fractures were type III using the Lewis classification and involved severe osteoporotic bone associated with loosening of the femoral piece. Before fracture, the patients had had two operations on average (1–4). The fracture occurred as a result of a fall in nine patients, low-energy trauma in three, and during mobilisation under general anaesthesia in one. The functional results were noted prospectively using the modified HSS score and the SF-36 quality-of-life questionnaire. Radiographic assessment of bone healing and implant stability was performed by two independent observers (kappa=0.75, p=0.02).

Results: At mean follow-up of 60 months (12–144), the mean HSS score was 75 (64–86). Mean knee flexion was 100° (50–115°). One patient required subsequent amputation due to infection. Using our classification, functional outcome was good or excellent in seven patients, fair in four and poor in two. For nine patients, x-rays showed no sign of loosening. In three patients, there was minimal to moderate periprosthetic bone resorption.

Discussion: Treatment of periprosthetic fractures of the knee is a therapeutic challenge. Osteoporosis and comminution is a complex association making stable osteo-synthesis difficult with conventional methods. Massive knee prosthesis using a DFG and a standard TKA is an attractive alternative. This technique allows restoration of the bone stock by bone healing and constitutes a less aggressive therapeutic solution.

Conclusion: Despite the risk of infection, we believe that composite prostheses can be an attractive option for the treatment of periprosthetic supracondylar fractures of the knee.

Introduction: Septic arthritis of the hip joint in the pediatric age group is considered as an indication for surgical drainage of the joint. The commonly accepted treatment is arthrotomy of the hip joint, and continuous lavage and drainage. The child is treated with intravenous antibiotic therapy and is sometimes placed in a cast.

Because of repeated technical problems with the drains, the senior author developed a method of treatment by repeated aspirations of the hip joint under ultra-sound guidance. We report the results of the first group of these patients, followed up for at least 2 years.

Methods: Hip aspiration is performed when a child is suspected to have septic arthritis of the hip joint based on clinical, radiographic, ultrasonic and laboratory examinations. When hip effusion is found, aspiration is performed under ultrasound guidance, using topical anesthesia and strict sterile technique. If the aspirated fluid is visibly purulent, the joins is irrigated with sterile saline until clear fluid is aspirated. The patient is admitted to the hospital and intravenous antibiotic therapy is initiated. Repeated ultrasound examinations are performed daily, and the joint is decompressed and irrigated again. The procedure is continued until no effusion is demonstrated.

Results: Twenty-four patients were treated for septic arthritis of the hip joint at our institution between January 1st 1990 and December 31st 1998. The first 3 patients were operated and then aspirated when the drains were clogged during the first post operative day. Twenty-one patients were treated by repeated aspirations. Four of those patients were operated when the aspiration failed or when the clinical course did not improve, all of them during the first 4 years of the study. Seventeen patients were treated by repeated aspirations only. The mean number of aspirations was 4, and the children tolerated them well. No complications were seen on follow-up, and all patients went back to full activities. No cases of avascular necrosis of the femoral head were identified.

Discussion and Conclusions: Arthrotomy and drainage of hip joint is an emergency procedure for the treatment of septic arthritis of the hip joint. Possible complications of the procedure are dislocation of the hip joint, avascu-lar necrosis of the hip joint and technical problems with drains. We describe a reliable and safe procedure, that does not necessitate general anesthesia and surgery. The 4 patients who did have to undergo surgery represent a learning curve, and were all treated during the first four years. No complications or late sequelae were seen in our patients.