For 3D kinematic analysis of total knee arthroplasty (TKA), 2D/3D registration techniques which use X-ray fluoroscopic images and computer-aided design model of the knee implants, have been applied to clinical cases. These techniques are highly valuable for dynamic 3D kinematic analysis, but have needed time-consuming and labor-intensive manual operations in some process. In previous study, we reported a robust method to reduce manual operations to remove spurious edges and noises in edge detection process of X-ray images. In this study, we address another manual operations problem occurred when setting initial pose of TKA implants model for 2D/3D registration. To set appropriate initial pose of the model with manual operations for each X-ray image is important to obtain the good registration results. However, the number of X-ray images for a knee performance is very large, and thus to set initial pose with manual operations is very time-consuming and a problem for practical clinical applications. Therefore, this study proposes an initial pose estimation method for automated 3D kinematic analysis of TKA. 3D pose of an implant model is estimated using a 2D/3D registration technique based on a robust feature-based algorithm. To reduce labor-intensive manual operations of initial pose setting for large number of X-ray images, we utilize an interpolation technique with an approximate function. First, for some X-ray images (key frames), initial poses are manually adjusted to be as close as possible, and 3D poses of the model are accurately estimated for each key frame. These key frames were appropriately selected from the 2D feature point of knee motion in the X-ray images. Next, the 3D pose data estimated for each key frame are interpolated with an approximate function. In this study, we employed a multilevel B-spline function. Thus, we semi-automatically estimate the initial 3D pose of the implant model in X-ray images except for key frames. Fig. 1 shows the algorithm of initial pose estimation, and Fig. 2 shows the scheme of the data interpolation with an approximate function.Purpose
Methods
Various postoperative evaluations using fluoroscopy have reported in vivo knee flexion kinematics under weight bearing conditions. This method has been used to investigate which design features are more important for restoring normal knee function. The objective of this study is to evaluate the kinematics of a Low Contact Stress total knee arthroplasty (LCS TKA) in weight bearing deep knee flexion using 2D/3D registration technique. We investigated the in vivo knee kinematics of 6 knees (4 patients) implanted with the LCS meniscal bearing TKA (LCS Mobile-Bearing Knee System, Depuy, Warsaw, IN). Mean period between operation and surveillance was 170.7±14.2 months. Under fluoroscopic surveillance, each patient did a deep knee flexion under weight-bearing condition. Femorotibial motion was analyzed using 2D/3D registration technique, which uses computer-assisted design (CAD) models to reproduce the spatial position of the femoral, tibial components from single-view fluoroscopic images. We evaluated the knee flexion angle, femoral axial rotation, and antero-posterior translation of contact positions.Background
Patients and methods
The in vivo kinematics of squatting after total hip arthroplasty (THA) has remained unclear. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate range of motion (ROM) of the hip joint and the incidence of prosthetic impingement during heels-down squatting after THA. 23 primary cementless THAs using a computed tomography-based navigation system (CT-HIP, Stryker Navigation, Freiberg, Germany) were investigated using fluoroscopy. An acetabular component with concavities around the rim (TriAD HA PSL, Stryker Orthopaedics, Mahwah, NJ) and a femoral component with reduced neck geometry (CentPiller, Stryker Orthopaedics), which provided a large oscillation angle, were used. The femoral head size was 28mm (8 hips), 32mm (10 hips), and 36mm (5 hips). Post-operative analysis was performed within 6 months in 6 hips, and at 6 months to 2 years in 17 hips. Successive hip motion during heels-down squatting was recorded as serial digital radiographic images in a DICOM format using a flat panel detector. The coordinate system of the acetabular and femoral components based on the neutral standing position was defined. The images of the hip joint were matched to three-dimensional computer aided design models of the acetabular and femoral components using a two-dimensional to three-dimensional (2D/3D) registration technique. In the previous computer simulation study of THA, the root mean square errors of rotation was less than 1.3°, and that of translation was less than 2.3 mm. We estimated changes in the relative angle of the femoral component to the acetabular component, which represented the hip ROM, and investigated the incidence of prosthetic impingement during squatting. We also estimated changes in the flexion angle of the acetabular component, which represented the pelvic posterior tilting angle (PA), and the flexion angle of the femoral component, which represented the femoral flexion angle (FA). The contribution of the PA to the FA at maximum squatting was evaluated as the pelvic posterior tilting ratio (PA/FA). In addition, when both components were positioned most closely during squatting, we estimated the minimum angle (MA) up to theoretical prosthetic impingement. No prosthetic impingement occurred in any hips. The maximum hip flexion ROM was mean 92.7° (SD; 15.7°, range; 55.1°–119.1°) and was not always consisted with the maximum squatting. The maximum pelvic posterior tilting angle (PA) was mean 27.3° (SD; 11.0°, range; 5.5°–46.5°). The pelvis began to tilt posteriorly at 50°–70° of the hip flexion ROM. The maximum femoral flexion angle (FA) was mean 118.9° (SD; 10.4°, range; 86.4°–136.7°). At the maximum squatting, the ratio of the pelvic posterior tilting angle to the femoral flexion angle (pelvic posterior tilting ratio, PA/FA) was mean 22.9% (SD; 10.4%, range; 3.8%–45.7%). The minimum angle up to the theoretical prosthetic impingement was mean 22.7° (SD; 7.5°, range; 10.0°–37.9°). The maximum hip flexion of ROM in 36 mm head cases was larger than that in 32 mm or 28 mm head cases, while the minimum angle up to the prosthetic impingement in 36 mm head cases was also larger than that in 32 mm or 28 mm head cases. Three-dimensional assessment of dynamic squatting motion after THA using the 2D/3D registration technique enabled us to elucidate hip ROM, and to assess the prosthetic impingement, the contribution of the pelvic posterior tilting, and the minimum angle up to theoretical prosthetic impingement during squatting.
There are concerns of soft-tissue reactions such as metal hypersensitivity or pseudotumors for metal-on-metal (MoM) bearings in hip arthroplasty, however, such reactions around ceramic or polyethylene bearings are incompletely understood. The present study was conducted to examine the capabilities of ultrasound screening and to compare the prevalence of periarticular soft-tissue lesions among various types of bearings. Ultrasound examinations were conducted in 163 hips (153 patients) with arthroplasty after mean a follow-up of 8.1 years (range, 1–22 years). This included 39 MoM hip resurfacings (M-HR) including 30 Birmingham hip resurfacings (BHR) and 9 ADEPT resurfacings; 36 MoM total hip arthroplasties (M-THA) with a large femoral head including 26 BHR and 10 ADEPT bearings; 21 ceramic-on-ceramic THAs (C-THA) of Biolox forte alumina bearings; 24 THAs with a conventional polyethylene liner (cPE-THA) including 19 Lubeck and 5 Omnifit systems; and 43 THAs with a highly cross-linked polyethylene liner (hxPE-THA) including 28 Crossfire and 15 Longevity liners. All procedures were performed in the lateral position through the posterior approach without trochanteric osteotomy. The M-HR group had a significantly higher frequency of male patients than the C-THA, cPE-THA, and hxPE-THA groups, and the patients in the M-HR group were younger than those in the other four groups. Ultrasound images were acquired as a still picture and in video format as the hip moved in flexion and rotation, and 4 qualitative classifications for periarticular soft-tissue reactions were determined as normal pattern, joint-expansion pattern (marked hypoechoic space between the anterior capsule and the anterior surface of the femoral component), cystic pattern (irregularly shaped hypoechoic lesions), and mass pattern (a large mass extending anterior to the femoral component). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was subsequently performed in 45 hips with high-frequency encoding bandwidths. For the reliability of ultrasound screening, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and the accuracy of the presence of abnormal patterns on ultrasound were calculated using the abnormal lesions on MRI as a reference.Purpose
Methods
To achieve 3D kinematic analysis of total knee arthroplasty (TKA), 2D/3D registration techniques, which use X-ray fluoroscopic images and computer-aided design model of the knee implants, have been applied to clinical cases. In previous feature-based registration methods, only edge contours originated from knee implants are assumed to be extracted from X-ray images before 2D/3D registration. Due to the influence of bone and bone-cement close to knee implants, however, edge detection methods extract unwanted spurious edges and noises in clinical images. Thus, time-consuming and labor-intensive manual operations are often necessary to remove the unwanted edges. It has been a serious problem for clinical applications, and there is a strong demand for development of improved method. The purpose of this study was to develop a pose estimation method to perform accurate 2D/3D registration even if spurious edges and noises exist in knee images. Our 2D/3D registration technique is based on a feature-based algorithm, and contour points from X-ray images are extracted by Gaussian Laplacian filter and zero crossing methods. The basic principle of the algorithm is that the 3D pose of a model can be determined by projecting rays from contour points in an image back to the X-ray focus and noting that all of these rays are tangential to the model surface. Therefore, 3D poses are estimated by minimizing the sum of Euclidean distances between all projected rays and the model surface. Additionally, we introduce robust statistics into the 3D pose estimation method to perform accurate 2D/3D registration even if spurious edges and noises exist in knee images. The robust estimation method employs weight functions to reduce the influence of spurious edges and noises. The weight functions are defined for each contour point, and optimization is performed after the weight functions are multiplied to a cost function.Purpose
Methods
Ceramic-on-ceramic bearings in total hip arthroplasty (CoC THA) have theoretical advantages of wear resistance and favorable biocompatibility of ceramic particles to the surrounding bony and soft tissue. Long-time durability of CoC THA has been expected, however, clinical results over 10 years after operation were scarcely reported. In the present study, clinical results at follow of 10 years were examined for CoC THAs with a changeable femoral neck which allowed correction of anteversion of the femoral component in cases with abnormal femoral anteversion in dysplastic hips. During 1997 and 2000, 203 cementless CoC THAs in 158 patients were conducted in our hospital. Six patients died because of unrelated causes and 5 patients were lost to followup, and the remaining 188 hips in 147 patients were analyzed at the mean followup period of 10.8 years (3.7 to 13.5). There were 24 men and 123 women, and the average age at operation was 54 years (26 to 73). The hip diseases for operation were osteoarthritis in 165 hips, osteonecrosis of the femoral head in 21 hips and failure of hemiarthroplasty in 2 hips. The operation was performed in the lateral position through the posterior approach without trochanteric osteotomy. The articulation was composed of Biolox forte alumina liner fitted into beads-coated hiemispherical titanium shell, and a 28-mm Biolox forte alumina femoral head (Cremascoli). The femoral component was either AnCA stem or custom-designed stem, coupled with a modular neck allowing selection of 5 variable offsets and anteversions (Cremascoli). Clinical and radiological findings, and complications during the followup period were analyzed.Purpose
Methods
Lesion location and volume are critical factors to select patients with osteonecrosis for whom resurfacing arthroplasty is appropriate. However, no reliable surgical planning system which can assess relationship between necrotic lesions and the femoral component has been established. We have developed a 3D-MRI-based planning system for resurfacing arthroplasty. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate its feasibility. The subjects included five patients with osteonecrosis of ARCO stage 3 or 4 who had undergone resurfacing THA at our institute. All patients had an MRI before surgery using 3D-SPGR sequences and fat suppression 3D-SPGR sequencea. In cases where it was difficult to distinguish bone marrow edema and reparative zone on 3D-SPGR images, fat suppression 3D-SPGR sequences were used. Simulation of resurfacing arthroplasty was performed on image analysis software where multidirectional oblique views could be reconstructed. The femoral neck axis was determined by drawing line through centers of two spheres which were fitted to the normal portion of the femoral head and the mid-portion of femoral neck. A femoral component was virtually implanted to align the femoral neck axis and match the implant center and femoral head center.Introduction
Methods
In osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), progression of collapse is influenced by a repair reaction, especially bone resorptive activity, around the necrotic bone. Alendronate is a potent inhibitor of bone resorption by inhibiting osteoclast activity. We performed a clinical study to test if systemic alendronate treatment would prevent the development of collapse in patients with ONFH. Thirty-three hips in 22 ONFH patients with initial ARCO Stage 1 to 3 were included. Fourteen patients (20 hips) received daily administration of oral alendronate 5mg/day (alendronate group) and 8 patients (13 hips) did not receive alendronate administration (Control group). Baseline investigations included anteroposterior and lateral plain radiographs, T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and biochemical markers (urinary NTX and serum BAP). Examination of the biochemical markers were repeated at 3, 6, and 12 months, and MRI imaging was repeated at 12 months. At 3 years, clinical symptoms and findings on plain radiographs were compared between the 2 groups. Advancement of ARCO stages or increase of collapse by more than 2 mm were considered as development of collapse.Introduction
Methods
Femoral neck fracture (FNF) is a common trauma in the elderly individuals. When the blood supply to the femoral head is impaired with a fracture event, the reduction or disruption of blood supply to the bone, hypoxia, leads to death of the bone marrow and trabecular bone, and eventual late segmental collapse. In the reparative process, osteoblasts and osteoclasts perform the important function of repairing the fracture site at the femoral neck. However, the reparative reaction including angiogenesis and osteogenesis remains unknown. In order to investigate the reparative reaction in patients with FNF, the distribution of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive cells and expression of HIF-1 alpha, VEGF, and FGF-2 were observed in 36 hips in 35 patients. There were 6 men and 30 women who had a mean age of 79 years (range, 58 to 94 years). There were 10 hips with Garden stage 3, and 26 hips with Garden stage 4. The mean duration from onset to the surgery was 12 days (range: 1 to 82 days). Hematoxylin eosin staining, TRAP staining, immunohistochemistry using anti HIF-1 alpha, anti VEGF, and anti FGF-2 antibodies were performed for retrieved whole femoral heads. As a control, one femoral head in a patient who underwent wide resection for metastatic acetabular tumor was used.Introduction
Methods
Using a larger diameter femoral head in total hip arthroplasty (THA) has advantages in terms of the increased joint stability and range of motion. And the wear resistance of highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) even combined with a larger head has already been demonstrated by in vitro studies. The purpose of this study was to compare the in vivo wear of Longevity HXLPE sockets against 32 mm and 26 mm heads at a 5-year follow-up. From November 2000 to November 2001, 51 primary cementless THAs were performed with a 26 mm cobalt-chromium head and a Longevity HXLPE socket (Zimmer). A cohort of 32 mm cobalt-chromium heads was comprised of 51 THAs with the same prosthesis performed from December 2001 to December 2003. No significant differences between the groups were observed in gender, age, and BMI, however, polyethylene liners with 32 mm heads were significantly thinner than those with 26 mm heads. Two-dimensional linear wear was measured using PolyWare software on annual x-rays, and total head penetration rates at postoperative 5-year and steady state wear rates were calculated. In addition, periprosthetic osteolysis was evaluated. At the 5-year follow-up, the total head penetration rates were 0.047±0.022 mm/year with 26 mm heads and 0.048±0.026 mm/year with 32 mm heads. The steady state wear rates were −0.008 mm/year with 26 mm heads and 0.001 mm/year with 32 mm heads. No significant differences were seen between the two groups (p=0.82 and p=0.24). Osteolysis was not observed around pros-theses in any hips. At the 5-year follow-up, the wear rate of Longevity HXLPE was very low. A Longevity HXLPE socket will undergo the same level of wear whether with a 32 mm head or a 26 mm head.
Mobile-bearing (MB) total knee prostheses have been developed to achieve lower contact stress and higher conformity than fixed-bearing total knee prostheses. However, little is known about the in vivo kinematics of MB prostheses especially about the motion of polyethylene insert (PE). And the in vivo motion of PE during squat motion has not been clarified. The objective of this study is to clarify the in vivo motion of MB total knee arthroplasty including PE during squat motion. Patients and methods: We investigated the in vivo knee kinematics of 11 knees (10 patients) implanted with PFC-Sigma RPF (DePuy). Under fluoroscopic surveillance, each patient did a wight-bearing deep knee bending motion. And motion between each component was analyzed using two-to three-dimensional registration technique, which uses computer-assisted design (CAD) models to reproduce the spatial position of the femoral, tibial components, and PE (implanted with four tantalum beads intra-operatively) from single-view fluoroscopic images. We evaluated the range of motion between the femoral and tibial components, axial rotation between the femoral component and PE, the femoral and tibial component, and the PE and tibial component, and AP translation of the nearest point between the femoral and tibial component and between the femoral component and PE.
Recently mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has become more popular. However, the advantages of mobile bearing (MB) PS TKA still remain unclear especially from a kinematic point of view. The objective of this study was to investigate the difference and advantage in kinematics of mobile baring PS TKA compared with fixed bearing (FB) PS TKA. Femorotibial nearest positions for 19 subjects (20 knees), 10 knees implanted with NexGen Legacy flex (Zimmer, Warsaw, IN)with mobile bearing PS TKA, and 10 knees implanted with NexGen Legacy flex (Zimmer, Warsaw, IN)with fixed bearing PS TKA were analyzed using the sagittal plane fluoroscopic images. All the knees were implanted by a single surgeon. All the subjects performed weight bearing deep knee bending motion. We evaluated range of motion, axial rotation of the femoral component, AP translation of medial and lateral sides. The average range of motion between femoral component and tibial component was 119°±18° in MB and 122°±10 ° in FB. The axial rotation of the femoral component was 11.8°±6.2° in MB and 11.8°±4.9° in FB. There was no significant difference both in range of motion and axial rotation between MB and FB. The AP translation of MB and FB showed same patterns. They were rollback in early flexion, the lateral pivot pattern (the medial condyle moved forward significantly compared with the lesser amount of AP translation for the lateral condyle) at mid flexion, and bicondylar rollback at deep flexion. The rollback in early flexion was 3.4mm in MB and 1.8mm in FB at medial side, 4.2mm in MB and 4.8mm in FB at lateral side. There was no significant difference. The lateral pivot pattern, which moved anteriorly, was 7.8mm in MB and 7.0mm in FB at medial side, 3.0mm in MB and 2.4mm in FB at lateral side. There was no significant difference. The bicondylar rollback at deep flexion was 6.4mm in MB and 7.7mm in FB at medial side, 6.9mm in MB and 4.8mm in FB at lateral side. In four subjects, more than 12°axial rotation was observed in knees implanted with FB TKA which allows only 12°axial rotation. The results in this study demonstrate that there was no significant difference in kinematics of weight bearing deep knee bending motion between MB and FB. The advantage of MB is allowance of axial rotation which restricted until 12° in FB NexGen Legacy flex PS TKA.
Ceramic heads and highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) as bearing surface materials have been introduced to reduce the production of polyethylene wear particles. The present study hypothesized that the wear rate of HXLPE could be further reduced when combined with a ceramic head. The purpose of this study was to compare the in vivo wear of Longevity HXLPE against cobalt-chromium and zirconia heads after a minimum 5-year follow-up. A prospective cohort study was performed in 102 cementless total hip arthroplasties (THAs) with the Longevity HXLPE socket (Zimmer) between June 2000 and October 2001. Same prostheses were used in all cases both acetabular cups (Trilogy; Zimmer) and femoral stems (Versys Fiber Metal Taper; Zimmer). 26-mm zirconia heads (NGK) or 26-mm cobalt-chromium heads (Zimmer) were randomly used in 51 hips each. A minimum 5-year follow-up was completed for 47 hips with zirconia heads and 46 hips with cobalt-chromium heads. Two-dimensional linear wear of Longevity HXLPE was measured using computer-assisted methods (PolyWare) on annual x-rays, and total head penetration rates and steady state wear rates were calculated. In addition, periprosthetic osteolysis was evaluated. At a mean 6-year follow-up, the total head penetration rates were 0.034±0.016 mm/year (zirconia) and 0.031±0.015 mm/year (cobalt-chromium). The steady state wear rates were −0.01 mm/year (zirconia) and −0.01 mm/year (cobalt-chromium). No significant difference was seen between the two groups (p=0.4 and p=0.91). Osteolysis was not observed around prostheses in any hips. In conclusion, no advantage was seen for the zirconia head compared with the cobalt-chromium head in this time period.
We evaluated 30 patients with cervical myelopathy before and after decompressive surgery and compared them with 42 healthy controls. All were asked to grip and release their fingers as rapidly as possible for 15 seconds. Films recorded with a digital camera were divided into three files of five seconds each. Three doctors independently counted the number of grip and release cycles in a blinded manner (N1 represents the number of cycles for the first five-second segment, N2 for the second and N3 for the third). N2 and N3 of the pre-operative group were significantly fewer than those of the control group, and the postoperative group’s results were significantly greater than those of the pre-operative group. In the control group, the numbers decreased significantly with each succeeding five-second interval (fatigue phenomenon). In the pre-operative myelopathy group there was no significant difference between N1 and N2 (freezing phenomenon). The 15-second test is shown to be reliable in the quantitative evaluation of cervical myelopathy. Although it requires a camera and animation files, it can detect small changes in neurological status because of its precise and objective nature.
While numerous studies have examined dislocation caused by basic everyday movements, no objective studies have investigated body positions to minimize risk of dislocation during intercourse. We therefore used a four-dimensional motion analysis system to assess sexual activities in patients who had undergone total hip arthroplasty (THA), to identify body positions displaying less risk of dislocation. Five body-surface infrared sensors were placed on five healthy female volunteers, and maximum hip joint angle was measured. Subjects were asked to take the following three body positions: supine (missionary); top (woman on top); and kneeling (doggy-style). Angle data obtained using body surface markers were combined with three-dimensional skeletal models extracted using CT images obtained from the 24 joints of 16 patients who had undergone THA, to ascertain angles at which collision with the artificial joint or skeleton would occur. Collision angle for: supine position at maximum abduction in flexion was 77±16° in flexion and 82±57° in medial rotation; top position at maximum extension was 36±16° in flexion and 68±53° in medial rotation; top position at maximum flexion was 12±9° in flexion and 14±11° in medial rotation; kneeling position at maximum extension was 115±1° in flexion and 127±44° in medial rotation; and kneeling position at maximum flex-ion was 14±8° in flexion and 17±11° in medial rotation. The present study only assessed risk for dislocation caused by collision with the artificial joint or skeleton, and did not take into account the effects of soft tissue. However, we were able to quantitatively assess angle of the hip joint for some leg positions involved with various common coital positions. The results showed that the supine position at maximum abduction in flexion is relatively safe, since the range of motion before collision would occur was relatively wide. In addition, top and kneeling positions at maximum extension were relatively safe, but caution must be exercised at maximum flexion, as not much extra angle was available in flexion and medial rotation.
We have developed a novel system of 4-dimensional motion analysis after total hip arthroplasty (THA) that can aid in preventing dislocation by assessing safe range of motion for patients in several daily activities. This system uses skeletal structure data from CT and motion capture data from an infrared position sensor. A 3-D model reconstructed from CT data is combined with the motion capture data. Using this system, we analyzed hip motion when getting up from and sitting down in a chair or picking up an object while sitting in a chair in 17 patients (26 hips) who underwent THA. To assess the accuracy of this system’s measurements, open MRI was used to evaluate positions of skin markers against bones in 5 healthy volunteers in various postures. No impingement between bones and/or implants was found in any subjects during any activities. However, mean angle at the point of maximum hip flexion was different for each patient. The open MRI results indicated that average error in hip angle of the present system was within 5 degrees for each static posture. The functional position of the pelvis during daily activities must be taken into account when assessing the real risk of dislocation. The present system enables dynamic analysis involving not only alignment of components and bones of each patient, but also individual differences in characteristics of daily motions. Further investigation using this system can help determine safe ranges of motion for preventing hip dislocation, improving the accuracy of individualized guidance for patients regarding postoperative activities.
Alendronate is a potent inhibitor of bone resorptive activity, and has been shown to prevent and restore periprosthetic osteolysis in experimental models. A preliminary study was conducted to examine clinical usefulness of a lendronate treatment. Twenty-five patients (27 hips) with radiological evidence of osteolysis after cemented total hip arthroplasty were included. Of these, 14 patients (15 hips) were administered 5 mg of alendronate daily (alendronate group), and 11 patients (12 hips) did not receive alendronate treatment (control group). The subjects were followed up for 12 months, using radiological examinations and biochemical markers. The radiological analysis was evaluated blindly by 2 joint arthroplasty experts, each with more than 10 years of experience, without knowledge of alendronate administration. In the alendronate group, average serum bone alkaline phosphatase and urinary excretion of the N-telopep-tide of type I collagen values decreased from the baseline values after administration of alendronate, to 71% and 76% of baseline at the 3-month examination, and 57% and 62% at the 1-year examination, respectively. In the control group, expansion of osteolysis was found in 5 hips (42%) and no hip showed restoration of osteolysis. In the alendronate group, expansion of osteolysiswas found in 2 hips (13%), and restoration of osteolysis was found in 5 hips (33%). There was a statistically significant difference in ratio of hips with osteolysis restoration between the 2 groups (p<
0.05). In the alendronate group, there was no significant difference in age, average linear wear rate of polyethylene, and the biochemical markers, between the hips with and without diminishment of osteolysis.
