Purpose of the study: We conducted a prospective randomized study to compare use of macroporous biphasic calcium phosphate ceramic and bone autografts for filling medial open wedge osteotomies of the proximal tibia.

Material and methods: This phase III pragmatic clinical trial was designed for direct patient benefit. Randomization was performed in the operating room after completing the osteotomy. Twenty-six men and 14 women, mean age 51 years (range 19–75 years) were included. A biomaterial implant was used for 22 patients and an autograft for 18. Mean correction was 10 mm (range 6–15). One patient was excluded from the analysis, no patient was lost to follow-up. All patients were reviewed at minimum two years follow-up.

Results: At three months, knees were less painful with less subjective functional impact after filling with an autograft (pain VAS 3.1 versus 2.1 and function VAS 3.4 versus 2.5). These results were more balanced at six months (pain 1.6 versus 1.8 and function 1.8 versus 2.1) and remained stable at one and two years. The IKS knee scores were symmetrical at one at two years for both groups (IKS1 93 versus 86 and IKS2 90 versus 90). Bone healing was achieved within the usual delay. Axial alignment was stable at two years in both groups. There were eleven complications (28%), nine requiring revision: infected hematoma (n=1), intraoperative vascular injury without serious consequences (n=1), loss of correction (n=2), nonunion after filling with biomaterial (n=1), iliac abscess after filling with autograft (n=2) and painful calcification of the iliac region requiring resection (n=1).

Discussion: We observed three factors which can favor mechanical failure after filling with a ceramic material: intraoperative rupture of the lateral hinge, obesity, and excessively early unprepared weight bearing.

Conclusion: Although the difference did not reach significance, the risk of mechanical complications appears greater with macroporous en bloc ceramic filling. This material is less tolerant to comorbid conditions (obesity) and requires very precise technique as well as careful observance of postoperative care (no early weight bearing). Nevertheless, this method does have the advantage of avoiding painful sequelae and complications related to harvesting the iliac graft.

Purpose of the study: Labrum lesions can be an important source of hip pain. Besides the classical causes, certain morophological anomalies can be associated with labrum lesions. The purpose of this work was to study the contribution of plain x-rays to the search for morphological anomalies of the hip in patients with labrum lesions.

Materials and methods: Twenty-six patients with labrum lesions were included in this study. The plain x-rays protocol included an anteroposterior view of the pelvis in the standing position, a Lequesne oblique view and a lateral view of the neck in the hip flexion position. Patients with severe hip dysplasia (VCA or VCI < 15° or THE > 15°) were excluded. Measurements were made after digitalization using a dedicated software. Measures were: neck-shaft angle, acetabular cover, lateral alpha (neck axis, center of the head, most lateral point of the head sphere), lateral offset, acetabular version. Femoral data in flexion were compared with 20 controls.

Results: Acetabular cover was considered moderately insufficient in five patients (VCA and/or VCE 15–25°). These patients had the same alpha angle as the control population (56°), i.e. no anomaly of the neck-head junction. The 21 patients with non-dysplastic hips exhibited a significantly greater alpha angle (64±9° versus 54.6±8°, p< 0.01) than the controls. All controls presented an alpha angle ≤ 69°. Among the 21 non-dysplastic patients, five presented coxa vara (< 125°), five acetabular retroversion, nine an alpha angle > 69°. In all, 77% of patients presented morphological anomalies of the hip. Among the six «normal» hips using these measures, three presented a pistol-grip aspect which could not be quantified with these measures.

Discussion: This analysis confirms the association between morphological anomalies detectable on plain x-rays and labrum lesions in patients who do no present severely insufficient acetabular coverage. We were unable to detect any difference in femoral offset compared with the control population.

Conclusion: A standard x-ray protocol can, in the majority of cases, detect morphological anomalies of the hip, an important etiological diagnostic element for understanding pathogenic mechanisms.