Aims

Nonunion occurs when a fracture fails to heal permanently, often necessitating surgical intervention to stimulate the bone healing response. Current animal models of long-bone nonunion do not adequately replicate human pathological conditions. This study was intended as a preliminary investigation of a novel rat nonunion model using a two-stage surgical intervention, and to evaluate the efficacy of a selective prostaglandin E2 receptor 4 agonist (AKDS001) as a novel nonunion therapeutic agent compared with existing treatments.

Aims. The risk of mortality after a hip fracture has been extensively investigated, but there is little high-quality information available dealing with the overall risk of complications. The aim of this study was to report the risk of complications in the first 120 days after a hip fracture. Methods. This was a multicentre, prospective cohort study of patients aged > 60 years with a hip fracture, involving 77 hospitals in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, between January 2015 and 2022. The primary outcomes of interest were mortality and surgery-specific and general complications, at 120 days postoperatively. Results. A total of 24,523 patients with a hip fracture were enrolled. The 120-day risk of mortality was 12.4% (95% CI 12.0 to 12.8). The 120-day risks of surgery-specific complications were: for dislocation, 1.5% (95% CI 1.3 to 1.7); failure of fixation, 1.0% (95% CI 0.8 to 1.2); for peri-implant or periprosthetic fracture, 0.3% (95% CI 0.3 to 0.4); for reoperation for any indication, 2.7% (95% CI 2.5 to 2.9); and for surgical site infection, 3.4% (95% CI 3.2 to 3.6). The 120-day risks of general complications were: for acute kidney injury, 3.4% (95% CI 3.1 to 3.6); for the requirement of a blood transfusion, 7.0% (95% CI 6.7 to 7.3); for lower respiratory tract infection, 9.1% (95% CI 8.7 to 9.4); for urinary tract infection, 7.0% (95% CI 6.7 to 7.3); for cerebrovascular accident, 0.7% (95% CI 0.6 to 0.8); for myocardial infarction, 0.7% (95% CI 0.6 to 0.9); and for venous thromboembolism, 1.8% (95% CI 1.6 to 2.0). Conclusions. Although the risk of mortality has declined in recent years, older patients with a hip fracture remain at a high risk of surgery-specific and general complications. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2025;107-B(3):362–367

Aims. To evaluate patient-reported outcomes three months after treatment of metacarpal and phalangeal fractures or dislocations, and to identify factors that are associated with worse patient-reported outcomes. Methods. This cross-sectional, multicentre snapshot study included all adult patients with metacarpal and phalangeal fractures or dislocations during a three-month period between August and October 2020. The primary outcome was the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) three months after injury. The MHQ scores were compared to normative MHQ scores of 90 points of the affected hand of patients who sustained unilateral trauma derived from a previous study. Subgroup analyses were performed for the most common injury types. Multivariable linear regression was used to study associations between patient characteristics and worse MHQ scores. Results. The MHQ scores of 512 patients were analyzed. The median MHQ score was 80 (IQR 65 to 91) for nonoperatively treated patients (n = 398) and 78 (IQR 66 to 85) for operatively treated patients (n = 114). After nonoperative treatment, 104/398 patients (26%) reached a MHQ score equal to or better than the normative MHQ score, ranging between 11% (1/9) and 42% (13/31) among the nine most common injury types. After operative treatment, this was 11% (13/114), ranging between 10% (3/29) and 31% (5/16) among the three most common injury types. No significant differences in MHQ scores were found between common injury types. Older age, the presence of hand comorbidities, and referral to hand therapy were associated with a worse MHQ score after nonoperative treatment. Conclusion. These results suggest that most patients have not returned to a normal hand function within three months following metacarpal and phalangeal fractures or dislocations. Older age, the presence of hand comorbidities, and referral for hand therapy were associated with worse hand functioning after nonoperative treatment. The findings are relevant for clinicians to evaluate recovery and for patients to manage their expectations. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2025;6(2):227–236

Aims. The conversion of previous hip fracture surgery to total hip arthroplasty (CTHA) can be surgically challenging with unpredictable outcomes; reported complication rates vary significantly. This study aimed to establish the medium-term survival and outcomes of CTHA performed following a previous hip fracture surgery. Methods. All CTHAs performed at our tertiary orthopaedic institution between January 2008 and January 2020 following previous ipsilateral hip fracture surgery were included. Patients were followed up clinically using Oxford Hip Scores (OHS), and radiologically until death or revision surgery. Postoperative complications, radiological implant failure, and indications for revision surgery were reviewed. Results. A total of 166 patients (167 hips) were included in the study, with a mean age of 71 years (42 to 99). Of these, 113 patients (67.7%) were female. CTHA followed cannulated screw fixation in 75 cases, hemiarthroplasty in 18, dynamic hip screw fixation in 47, and cephalomedullary nail in 27 cases. Patients were followed up for a mean of four years (0.1 to 9.3). During the follow-up period, 32 patients (19.2%) died. Overall, 14 patients (8.4%) suffered a complication of surgery, with intraoperative fractures (4.2%) and dislocations (3.6%) predominating. The survival probability was 96% at 9.53 years in the cemented group and 88% at 9.42 years in the uncemented group (p = 0.317). The median OHS improved from 13 (IQR 7.75 to 21.25) preoperatively to 39 (IQR 31 to 45) postoperatively in the uncemented group, and from 14 (IQR 10.5 to 22) to 38 (IQR 27 to 45) in the cemented group. Conclusion. This study highlights that CTHA from hip fracture surgery is associated with higher complication rates than conventional THA, but good medium-term results can be achieved. Their classification within the NJR requires review, acknowledging the increased potential for complications. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2025;6(2):195–205

Aims. Revision hip arthroplasty for femoral stem loosening remains challenging due to significant bone loss and deformities requiring specialized revision stems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes, and survival, of a consecutive series of femoral revisions performed using a primary cementless stem with tapered geometry and rectangular cross-section at medium-term follow-up. Methods. We retrospectively evaluated 113 patients (115 hips) with intraoperative Paprosky type I (n = 86) or II (n = 29) defects, who underwent femoral revision with Alloclassic Zweymüller SL stem for one-stage aseptic revision or two-stage septic revision from January 2011 to December 2020. The mean follow-up was 77.9 months (SD 33.8). Nine patients were lost to follow-up (deceased or not available), leaving 104 patients (106 hips) for the clinical and radiological analysis. Clinical assessment was performed with Harris Hip Score (HHS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) before surgery and at final follow-up. Results. There were 60 males and 53 females with a mean age at time of surgery of 71.2 years (SD 12.6). The mean HHS and VAS significantly improved at final follow-up, from 33.7 (SD 13.0) and 5.8 (SD 1.8) preoperatively to 66.4 (SD 16.8) and 2.1 (SD 1.8) postoperatively, respectively (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001). Overall, 28 patients (25%) showed non-progressive radiolucent lines at the level of proximal femur without radiological or clinical signs of loosening. One patient had a recurrence of periprosthetic joint infection after a two-stage procedure requiring re-revision surgery. One patient underwent exchange of modular components for recurrent dislocation, and another case of dislocation was treated conservatively. The survival with aseptic loosening as endpoint was 100%, while stem revision for any reason was 99.1% at up to 152 months’ follow-up. Conclusion. Alloclassic Zweymüller SL primary stem showed favourable medium-term results and survival for revision total hip arthroplasty in Paprosky type I and II defects. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2025;6(2):186–194

Aims

Valgus subsidence of uncemented tibial components following medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) poses a challenge in the early postoperative phase, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of its prevalence, risk factors, and impact on patient outcomes.

Aims

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is associated with an accelerated recovery, improved functional outcomes, and retention of anatomical knee kinematics when compared to manual total knee arthroplasty (mTKA). UKA is not universally employed by all surgeons as there is a higher revision risk when compared to mTKA. Robotic arm-assisted (ra) UKA enables the surgeon to position the prosthesis more accurately when compared to manual UKA, and is associated with improved functional outcomes and a lower early revision risk. Non-randomized data suggests that, when compared to mTKA, raUKA has a clinically meaningful greater functional benefit. This protocol describes a randomized controlled trial that aims to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of raUKA compared to mTKA for individuals with isolated medial compartment osteoarthritis (OA).

Aims. This study aimed to investigate whether the use of CT-based navigation enhances: 1) the accuracy of cup placement; and 2) the achievement rate of required range of motion (ROM). Additionally, we investigated the impact of using a large femoral head and dual-mobility liner on the achievement rates. Methods. This retrospective study analyzed 60 manual and 51 CT-based navigated primary total hip arthroplasties performed at a single facility. Postoperative CT scans and CT-based simulation software were employed to measure the cup orientation and to simulate the ROM. We compared the absolute errors for radiological inclination (RI) and radiological anteversion (RA) between the two groups. We also examined whether the simulated ROM met the required ROM criteria, defined as flexion > 110°, internal rotation > 30°, extension > 30°, and external rotation > 30°. Furthermore, we performed simulations with 36 mm femoral head and dual-mobility liner. Results. The absolute errors of RI and RA from the preoperative plan were significantly smaller in the CT-based navigation group (3.7° (SD 3.5°) vs 5.1° (SD 3.5°); p = 0.022, and 3.9° (SD 3.5°) vs 6.8° (SD 5.0°); p = 0.001, respectively). The proportion of cases achieving the required ROM in all directions was significantly higher in the CT-based navigation group (42% vs 63%; p = 0.036). The achievement rates of the required ROM were significantly higher with the use of a 36 mm ball or dual-mobility liner compared to the use of a 32 mm ball (65% vs 51%; p = 0.040 and 77% vs 51%; p ≤ 0.001, respectively). Conclusion. CT-based navigation enhanced required ROM achievement rates by > 20%, regardless of the ball diameter. The improved accuracy of cup placement through CT-based navigation likely contributed to the enhancement. Furthermore, the use of large femoral heads and dual-mobility liners also improved the required ROM achievement rates. In cases with a high risk of dislocation, use of these devices is preferred. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2025;6(2):155–163

Aims

Machine learning (ML) holds significant promise in optimizing various aspects of total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), potentially improving patient outcomes and enhancing surgical decision-making. The aim of this systematic review was to identify ML algorithms and evaluate their effectiveness, including those for predicting clinical outcomes and those used in image analysis.

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Sagittal lumbar pelvic alignment alters with posterior pelvic tilt (PT) following total hip arthroplasty (THA) for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The individual value of pelvic sagittal inclination (PSI) following rebalancing of lumbar-pelvic alignment is unknown. In different populations, PT regresses in a linear relationship with pelvic incidence (PI). PSI and PT have a direct relationship to each other via a fixed individual angle ∠γ. This study aimed to investigate whether the new PI created by acetabular component positioning during THA also has a linear regression relationship with PT/PSI when lumbar-pelvic alignment rebalances postoperatively in patients with Crowe type III/IV DDH.

Aims. Older adults with hip fractures are at high risk of experiencing complications after surgery, but estimates of the rate of specific complications vary by study design and follow-up period. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the prevalence of complications in older adults after hip fracture surgery. Methods. MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and CENTRAL databases were searched from inception until 30 June 2023. Studies were included if they reported prevalence data of complications in an unselected, consecutive population of older adults (aged ≥ 60 years) undergoing hip fracture surgery. Results. A total of 95 studies representing 2,521,300 patients were included. For surgery-specific complications, the 30-day prevalence of reoperation was 2.31%, surgical site infection 1.69%, and deep surgical site infection 0.98%; the 365-day prevalence of prosthesis dislocation was 1.11%, fixation failure 1.77%, and periprosthetic or peri-implant fracture 2.23%. For general complications, the 30-day prevalence of acute kidney injury was 1.21%, blood transfusion 25.55%, cerebrovascular accident 0.79%, lower respiratory tract infection 4.08%, myocardial infarction 1.98%, urinary tract infection 7.01%, and venous thromboembolism 2.15%. Conclusion. Complications are prevalent in older adults who have had surgery for a hip fracture. Studies reporting complications after hip fracture surgery varied widely in terms of quality, and we advocate for the routine monitoring of complications in registries and clinical trials to improve the quality of evidence. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2025;107-B(2):139–148

Aims

While cementless fixation offers potential advantages over cemented fixation, such as a shorter operating time, concerns linger over its higher cost and increased risk of periprosthetic fractures. If the risk of fracture can be forecasted, it would aid the shared decision-making process related to cementless stems. Our study aimed to develop and validate predictive models of periprosthetic femoral fracture (PPFF) necessitating revision and reoperation after elective total hip arthroplasty (THA).

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The aim of this study was to report long-term clinical outcomes of a modern convertible metal-backed glenoid (MBG) in total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA).

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We estimated the prevalence of people living with at least one hip, knee, or shoulder arthroplasty in the Netherlands.

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The primary aim of this study is to compare mobility status of patients receiving oral oxycodone with those receiving subcutaneous alfentanil as analgesic methods prior to mobilization to help physiotherapy compliance after hip fracture surgery. The secondary aims are to assess postoperative pain, health-related quality of life, in-hospital length of stay, total use of analgesia over postoperative days 1 and 2 (POD 1 and POD 2), complication rates within 30 days, and 30-day mortality rates.

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The Peri-Implant and PeriProsthetic Survival AnalysiS (PIPPAS) study aimed to investigate the risk factors for one-year mortality of femoral peri-implant fractures (FPIFs).

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This study aims to define a set of family-centred core outcomes for infants undergoing brace treatment to facilitate consistent reporting for future high-quality research.

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The primary aims of this study were to determine the time to sonographic correction of decentred hips during treatment with Pavlik harness for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and investigate potential risk factors for a delayed response to treatment.

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Excellent outcomes have been reported following CT-based robotic arm-assisted total hip arthroplasty (rTHA) compared with manual THA; however, its superiority over CT-based navigation THA (nTHA) remains unclear. This study aimed to determine whether a CT-based robotic arm-assisted system helps surgeons perform accurate cup placement, minimizes leg length, and offsets discrepancies more than a CT-based navigation system.

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The transepicondylar axis is a well-established reference for the determination of femoral component rotation in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, when severe bone loss is present in the femoral condyles, rotational alignment can be more complicated. There is a lack of validated landmarks in the supracondylar region of the distal femur. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between the surgical transepicondylar axis (sTEA) and the suggested dorsal cortex line (DCL) in the coronal plane and the inter- and intraobserver reliability of its CT scan measurement.