Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is known to lead to a reduction in periprosthetic bone mineral density (BMD). In theory, this may lead to migration, instability and aseptic loosening of the prosthetic components. Bisphosphonates inhibit bone resorption and may reduce this loss in BMD. We hypothesised that treatment with bisphosphonates and calcium would lead to improved BMD and clinical outcomes compared with treatment with calcium supplementation alone following TKA. A total of 26 patients, (nine male and 17 female, mean age 67 years) were prospectively randomised into two study groups: alendronate and calcium (bisphosphonate group, n = 14) or calcium only (control group, n = 12). Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) measurements were performed post-operatively, and at three months, six months, one, two, four, and seven years post-operatively.

Mean femoral metaphyseal BMD was significantly higher in the bisphosphonate group compared with controls, up to four years following surgery in some areas of the femur (p = 0.045). BMD was observed to increase in the lateral tibial metaphysis in the bisphosphonate group until seven years (p = 0.002), and was significantly higher than that observed in the control group throughout (p = 0.024). There were no significant differences between the groups in the central femoral metaphyseal, tibial medial metaphyseal or diaphyseal regions of interest (ROI) of either the femur or tibia.

Bisphosphonate treatment after TKA may be of benefit for patients with poor bone quality. However, further studies with a larger number of patients are necessary to assess whether this is clinically beneficial.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:337–45.

Aims. The aim of this study was to compare the pattern of initial fixation and changes in periprosthetic bone mineral density (BMD) between patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) using a traditional fully hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated stem (T-HA group) and those with a newly introduced fully HA-coated stem (N-HA group). Methods. The study included 36 patients with T-HA stems and 30 with N-HA stems. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure the change in periprosthetic BMD, one and two years postoperatively. The 3D contact between the stem and femoral cortical bone was evaluated using a density-mapping system, and clinical assessment, including patient-reported outcome measurements, was recorded. Results. There were significantly larger contact areas in Gruen zones 3, 5, and 6 in the N-HA group than in the T-HA group. At two years postoperatively, there was a significant decrease in BMD around the proximal-medial femur (zone 6) in the N-HA group and a significant increase in the T-HA group. BMD changes in both groups correlated with BMI or preoperative lumbar BMD rather than with the extent of contact with the femoral cortical bone. Conclusion. The N-HA-coated stem showed a significantly larger contact area, indicating a distal fixation pattern, compared with the traditional fully HA-coated stem. The T-HA-coated stem showed better preservation of periprosthetic BMD, two years postoperatively. Surgeons should consider these patterns of fixation and differences in BMD when selecting fully HA-coated stems for THA, to improve the long-term outcomes. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(6):548–554

Aims. Dual mobility (DM) implants have been shown to reduce the dislocation rate after total hip arthroplasty (THA), but there remain concerns about the use of cobalt chrome liners inserted into titanium shells. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical outcomes, metal ion levels, and periprosthetic femoral bone mineral density (BMD) at mid-term follow-up in young, active patients receiving a modular DM THA. Methods. This was a prospective study involving patients aged < 65 years, with a BMI of < 35 kg/m. 2. , and University of California, Los Angeles activity score of > 6 who underwent primary THA with a modular cobalt chrome acetabular liner, highly cross-linked polyethylene mobile bearing, and a cementless titanium femoral stem. Patient-reported outcome measures, whole blood metal ion levels (μg/l), and periprosthetic femoral BMD were measured at baseline and at one, two, and five years postoperatively. The results two years postoperatively for this cohort have been previously reported. Results. A total of 43 patients were enrolled. At minimum follow-up of five years, 23 (53.4%) returned for clinical and radiological review, 25 (58.1%) had metal ion analysis performed, 19 (44.2%) underwent dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scans, and 25 (58%) completed a pain-drawing questionnaire. The mean modified Harris Hip Scores improved significantly from 54.8 (SD 19) preoperatively to 93.08 (SD 10.5) five years postoperatively (p < 0.001). One patient was revised for aseptic acetabular loosening. The mean cobalt levels increased from 0.065 μg/l (SD 0.03) to 0.08 (SD 0.05) and the mean titanium levels increased from 0.35 (SD 0.13) to 0.78 (SD 0.29). The femoral BMD ratio decreased in Gruen Zone 1 (91.9%) at five years postoperatively compared with the baseline scores at six weeks potoperatively. The femoral BMD ratio was maintained in Gruen zones 2 to 7. Conclusion. The use of a modular DM component and a cementless, tapered femoral stem shows excellent mid-term survivorship with minimal concerns for corrosion and metal ion release in a cohort of young, active patients undergoing primary THA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(7 Supple B):73–77

Aims. Modular dual mobility (DM) prostheses in which a cobalt-chromium liner is inserted into a titanium acetabular shell (vs a monoblock acetabular component) have the advantage of allowing supplementary screw fixation, but the potential for corrosion between the liner and acetabulum has raised concerns. While DM prostheses have shown improved stability in patients deemed ‘high-risk’ for dislocation undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA), their performance in young, active patients has not been reported. This study’s purpose was to assess clinical outcomes, metal ion levels, and periprosthetic femoral bone mineral density (BMD) in young, active patients receiving a modular DM acetabulum and recently introduced titanium, proximally coated, tapered femoral stem design. Patients and Methods. This was a prospective study of patients between 18 and 65 years of age, with a body mass index (BMI) < 35 kg/m. 2. and University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) activity score > 6, who received a modular cobalt-chromium acetabular liner, highly crosslinked polyethylene mobile bearing, and cementless titanium femoral stem for their primary THA. Patients with a history of renal disease and metal hardware elsewhere in the body were excluded. A total of 43 patients (30 male, 13 female; mean age 52.6 years (. sd. 6.5)) were enrolled. All patients had a minimum of two years’ clinical follow-up. Patient-reported outcome measures, whole blood metal ion levels (ug/l), and periprosthetic femoral BMD were measured at baseline, as well as at one and two years postoperatively. Power analysis indicated 40 patients necessary to demonstrate a five-fold increase in cobalt levels from baseline (alpha = 0.05, beta = 0.80). A mixed model with repeated measures was used for statistical analysis. Results. Mean Harris Hip Scores improved from 54.1 (. sd. 20.5) to 91.2 (. sd. 10.8) at two years postoperatively (p < 0.001). All patients had radiologically well-fixed components, no patients experienced any instability, and no patients required any further intervention. Mean cobalt levels increased from 0.065 ug/l (. sd. 0.03) preoperatively to 0.30 ug/l (. sd. 0.51) at one year postoperatively (p = 0.01) but decreased at two years postoperatively to 0.16 ug/l (. sd. 0.23; p = 0.2). Four patients (9.3%) had a cobalt level outside the reference range (0.03 ug/l to 0.29 ug/l) at two years postoperatively, with values from 0.32 ug/l to 0.94 ug/l. The mean femoral BMD ratio was maintained in Gruen zones 2 to 7 at both one and two years postoperatively using this stem design. At two years postoperatively, mean BMD in the medial calcar was 101.5% of the baseline value. Conclusion. Use of a modular DM prosthesis and cementless, tapered femoral stem has shown encouraging results in young, active patients undergoing primary THA. Elevation in mean cobalt levels and the presence of four patients outside the reference range at two years postoperatively demonstrates the necessity of continued surveillance in this cohort. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:365–371

We measured bone mineral density (BMD) in the proximal femur by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in 20 patients after cemented total hip arthroplasty over a period of one year. We found a statistically significant reduction in periprosthetic BMD after six months on the medial side and on the lateral side adjacent to the mid and distal thirds of the prosthesis. At one year after operation there was a mean 6.7% reduction in BMD in the region of the calcar and a mean 5.3% increase in BMD in the femoral shaft distal to the tip of the implant. These changes reflect a pattern of reduced stress in the proximal femur and increased stress around the tip of the prosthesis. They support current concepts of bone remodelling in the proximal femur in response to prosthetic implantation

We investigated prospectively the bone mineral density (BMD) of the proximal femur after implantation of a tapered rectangular cementless stem in 100 patients with a mean age of 60 years (16 to 87). It was determined using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, performed one week after surgery and then every six months until the end-point of five years. The BMD increased significantly in Gruen zones 2, 4 and 5 by 11%, 3% and 11% respectively, and decreased significantly in Gruen zones 1, 6 and 7 by 3%, 6% and 14% respectively, over the five-year period. The net mean BMD did not change over this time period. The changes in the BMD were not confined to the first 12 months after surgery. This investigation revealed no change in the overall periprosthetic BMD, but demonstrated a regional redistribution of bone mass from the proximal to distal zones

We investigated the effect of the Birmingham hip resurfacing (BHR) arthroplasty on the bone mineral density (BMD) of the femur. A comparative study was carried out on 26 hips in 25 patients. Group A consisted of 13 patients (13 hips) who had undergone resurfacing hip arthroplasty with the BHR system and group B of 12 patients (13 hips) who had had cementless total hip arthroplasty with a proximal circumferential plasma-spray titanium-coated anatomic Ti6A14V stem. Patients were matched for gender, state of disease and age at the time of surgery. The periprosthetic BMD of the femur was measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiomentry of the Gruen zones at two years in patients in groups A and B. The median values of the BMD in zones 1 and 7 were 99% and 111%, respectively. The post-operative loss of the BMD in the proximal femur was significantly greater in group B than in group A. These findings show that the BHR system preserves the bone stock of the proximal femur after surgery

Aims

To analyze the short-term outcome of two types of total wrist arthroplasty (TWA) in terms of wrist function, migration, and periprosthetic bone behaviour.

We aimed to evaluate the precision and longitudinal sensitivity of measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) in the pelvis and to determine the effect of bone cement on the measurement of BMD in femoral regions of interest (ROI) after total hip arthroplasty (THA). A series of 29 patients had duplicate dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans of the hip within 13 months of THA. Pelvic analyses using 3- and 4-ROI models gave a coefficient of variation (CV) of 2.5% to 3.6% and of 2.5% to 4.8%, respectively. Repeat scans in 17 subjects one year later showed a significant change in BMD in three regions using the 4-ROI model, compared with change in only one region with the 3-ROI model (p < 0.05). Manual exclusion of cement from femoral ROIs increased the net CV from 1.6% to 3.6% (p = 0.001), and decreased the measured BMD by 20% (t = 12.1, p < 0.001). Studies of two cement phantoms in vitro showed a small downward drift in bone cement BMD giving a measurement error of less than 0.03 g/cm. 2. /year associated with inclusion of cement in femoral ROIs. Changes in pelvic periprosthetic BMD are best detected using a 4-ROI model. Analysis of femoral ROI is more precise without exclusion of cement although an awareness of its effect on the measurement of the BMD is needed

Our aim was to determine the precision of the measurements of bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in the proximal femur before and after implantation of an uncemented implant, with particular regard to the significance of retro- and prospective studies. We examined 60 patients to determine the difference in preoperative BMD between osteoarthritic and healthy hips. The results showed a preoperative BMD of the affected hip which was lower by a mean of 4% and by a maximum of 9% compared with the opposite side. In addition, measurements were made in the operated hip before and at ten days after operation to determine the effect of the implantation of an uncemented custom-made femoral stem. The mean increase in the BMD was 8% and the maximum was 24%. Previous retrospective studies have reported a marked loss of BMD on the operated side. The precision of double measurements using a special foot jig showed a modified coefficient of variation of 0.6% for the non-operated side in 15 patients and of 0.6% for the operated femur in 20 patients. The effect of rotation on the precision of the measurements after implantation of an uncemented femoral stem was determined in ten explanted femora and for the operated side in ten patients at 10° rotation and in 20 patients at 30° rotation. Rotation within 30° influenced the precision in studies in vivo and in vitro by a mean of 3% and in single cases in up to 60%. Precise prediction of the degree of loss of BMD is thus only possible in prospective cross-sectional measurements, since the effect of the difference in preoperative BMD, as well as the apparent increase in BMD after implantation of an uncemented stem, is not known from retrospective studies. The DEXA method is a reliable procedure for determining periprosthetic BMD when positioning and rotation are strictly controlled

The relationship between post-operative bone density and subsequent failure of total knee replacement (TKR) is not known. This retrospective study aimed to determine the relationship between bone density and failure, both overall and according to failure mechanism. All 54 aseptic failures occurring in 50 patients from 7760 consecutive primary cemented TKRs between 1983 and 2004 were matched with non-failing TKRs, and 47 failures in 44 patients involved tibial failures with the matching characteristics of age (65.1 for failed and 69.8 for non-failed), gender (70.2% female), diagnosis (93.6% OA), date of operation, bilaterality, pre-operative alignment (0.4 and 0.3 respectively), and body mass index (30.2 and 30.0 respectively). In each case, the density of bone beneath the tibial component was assessed at each follow-up interval using standardised, calibrated radiographs. Failing knees were compared with controls both overall and, as a subgroup analysis, by failure mechanism. Knees were compared with controls using univariable linear regression.

Significant and continuous elevation in tibial density was found in knees that eventually failed by medial collapse (p < 0.001) and progressive radiolucency (p < 0.001) compared with controls, particularly in the medial region of the tibia. Knees failing due to ligamentous instability demonstrated an initial decline in density (p = 0.0152) followed by a non-decreasing density over time (p = 0.034 for equivalence). Non-failing knees reported a decline in density similar to that reported previously using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Differences between failing and non-failing knees were observable as early as two months following surgery. This tool may be used to identify patients at risk of failure following TKR, but more validation work is needed.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1503–9.

We undertook a randomised prospective follow-up study of changes in peri-prosthetic bone mineral density (BMD) after hip resurfacing and compared them with the results after total hip replacement. A total of 59 patients were allocated to receive a hip resurfacing (n = 29) or an uncemented distally fixed total hip replacement (n = 30). The BMD was prospectively determined in four separate regions of interest of the femoral neck and in the calcar region corresponding to Gruen zone 7 for the hip resurfacing group and compared only to the calcar region in the total hip replacement group. Standardised measurements were performed pre-operatively and after three, six and 12 months. The groups were well matched in terms of gender distribution and mean age.

The mean BMD in the calcar region increased after one year to 105.2% of baseline levels in the resurfaced group compared with a significant decrease to 82.1% in the total hip replacement group (p < 0.001) by 12 months. For the resurfaced group, there was a decrease in bone density in all four regions of the femoral neck at three months which did not reach statistical significance and was followed by recovery to baseline levels after 12 months.

Hip resurfacing did indeed preserve BMD in the inferior femoral neck. In contrast, a decrease in the mean BMD in Gruen zone 7 followed uncemented distally fixed total hip replacement. Long term follow-up studies are necessary to see whether this benefit in preservation of BMD will be clinically relevant at future revision surgery.

Our aim in this prospective study was to compare the bone mineral density (BMD) around cementless acetabular and femoral components which were identical in geometry and had the same alumina modular femoral head, but differed in regard to the material of the acetabular liners (alumina ceramic or polyethylene) in 50 patients (100 hips) who had undergone bilateral simultaneous primary total hip replacement. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scans of the pelvis and proximal femur were obtained at one week, at one year, and annually thereafter during the five-year period of the study.

At the final follow-up, the mean BMD had increased significantly in each group in acetabular zone I of DeLee and Charnley (20% (15% to 26%), p = 0.003), but had decreased in acetabular zone II (24% (18% to 36%) in the alumina group and 25% (17% to 31%) in the polyethylene group, p = 0.001). There was an increase in the mean BMD in zone III of 2% (0.8% to 3.2%) in the alumina group and 1% (0.6% to 2.2%) in the polyethylene group (p = 0.315). There was a decrease in the mean BMD in the calcar region (femoral zone 7) of 15% (8% to 24%) in the alumina group and 14% (6% to 23%) in the polyethylene group (p < 0.001). The mean bone loss in femoral zone 1 of Gruen et al was 2% (1.1% to 3.1%) in the alumina group and 3% (1.3% to 4.3%) in the polyethylene group (p = 0.03), and in femoral zone 6, the mean bone loss was 15% (9% to 27%) in the alumina group and 14% (11% to 29%) in the polyethylene group compared with baseline values. There was an increase in the mean BMD on the final scans in femoral zones 2 (p = 0.04), 3 (p = 0.04), 4 (p = 0.12) and 5 (p = 0.049) in both groups.

There was thus no significant difference in the bone remodelling of the acetabulum and femur five years after total hip replacement in those two groups where the only difference was in the acetabular liner.