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Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 92-B, Issue SUPP_I | Pages 44 - 44
1 Mar 2010
Bunn J Bartlett J
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Introduction: Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) remains a cost effective option for treatment of medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee. In carefully selected patients survival rates exceed 90% survivorship at ten years. Main indications for revision include progressive osteoarthritis in other compartments, component loosening and polyethylene bearing failure. However, within those patients who have been revised, there is a cohort of patients who are revised early, usually under seven years. Mechanical mal-alignment has been cited recently as a reason for early failure and revision. The introduction of computer assisted surgery (CAS) has allowed us to more accurately restore the normal mechanical axis of the limb in UKA. Aims and Hypothesis: The aim of this study was to identify whether, within our cohort of early failures, the failure mechanism differed from patients in the late revision group and specifically to examine whether mechanical mal-alignment contributed to the mechanism of early failure. Materials and Methods: We undertook this retrospective review of a single surgeon series of 87 revised unicompartmental knee replacements carried out over 15 years. We collated the indications for revision, mechanisms of failure, and methods of revision from medical notes and compared the early and late revisions by mechanism of failure. We considered an early failure to be any UKA revised before seven years. Results: There were 50 late failure UKAs and 37 early failures. We found no significant differences between groups in age, activity or demographics at time of primary UKA. The main implants in the late failure group were 19 (38%) Miller Galante, 22 (44%) PCA Duracon, and 9 (18%) others while the early failures consisted 21 (57%) Miller Galante, 5 (14%) Oxford, 3 (8%) PCA Duracon, and 8 (22%) others. 60% of late failures were cemented while 89% of early failures were cemented. Mechanism of late failure was 46% bearing wear, 22% progression of OA, 14% malalignment and 14% loosening, while mechanism of early failure was 41% loosening, 27% bearing wear and 14% malalignment. Discussion: Many historical bearing failures were due to oxidised polyethylene following sterilization. These should now have been eliminated by modern polyethylene and sterilization techniques. Mechanical mal-alignment is also now measurable and preventable by the use of CAS. We believe that avoidance of these two pitfalls will have an impact on the rate of early revision of UKA. Conclusion: We conclude that patients who underwent early UKA revision had a different failure mechanism from late UKA revisions. In the early failure group the main mechanisms were mechanical loosening and bearing wear. In the late revision group, bearing failures, progressive osteoarthritis and component loosening were the main reasons for failure. Mechanical malalignment failed to differ between the groups


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 85-B, Issue SUPP_III | Pages 203 - 203
1 Mar 2003
Newman E
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The purpose of the study was to review and present a series of early failures of the Miller Galante unicom-partmental knee replacement (UKR). Following several early failures all Miller Galante UKR’s inserted by the author (60 patients, 72 knees) were recalled for clinical and radiological review including assessment using the American Knee Society Score and the Oxford Knee Score. All knees with effusions were aspirated and specimens sent for histological analysis. There were 22 females and 38 males with a mean age of 67 years. The mean follow up was 3.4 years. Six failures were noted with follow up from 10 months to 4 years. These 6 cases will be discussed in more detail including operative findings at revision and possible reasons for failure. Early failure of this arthroplasty is unacceptable and caution should be exercised if contemplating using this implant unless more definite causative factors are identified


The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery British Volume
Vol. 92-B, Issue 1 | Pages 38 - 46
1 Jan 2010
Langton DJ Jameson SS Joyce TJ Hallab NJ Natu S Nargol AVF

Early failure associated with adverse reactions to metal debris is an emerging problem after hip resurfacing but the exact mechanism is unclear. We analysed our entire series of 660 metal-on-metal resurfacings (Articular Surface Replacement (ASR) and Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR)) and large-bearing ASR total hip replacements, to establish associations with metal debris-related failures. Clinical and radiological outcomes, metal ion levels, explant studies and lymphocyte transformation tests were performed. A total of 17 patients (3.4%) were identified (all ASR bearings) with adverse reactions to metal debris, for which revision was required. This group had significantly smaller components, significantly higher acetabular component anteversion, and significantly higher whole concentrations of blood and joint chromium and cobalt ions than asymptomatic patients did (all p < 0.001). Post-revision lymphocyte transformation tests on this group showed no reactivity to chromium or cobalt ions. Explants from these revisions had greater surface wear than retrievals for uncomplicated fractures. The absence of adverse reactions to metal debris in patients with well-positioned implants usually implies high component wear. Surgeons must consider implant design, expected component size and acetabular component positioning in order to reduce early failures when performing large-bearing metal-on-metal hip resurfacing and replacement


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 105-B, Issue SUPP_7 | Pages 120 - 120
4 Apr 2023
Joumah A Cowling P
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Though retear rates following rotator cuff repair are well established, we set out to review current literature to determine when early retears occurred (defined as <12m following surgery), and examine which pre- and post-operative variables might affect outcome.

Pubmed, Medline, and CINAHL were searched for literature published from 2011 to 2021 using specific search terms. The inclusion criteria were studies reporting retear rates within 12 months of initial surgical repair. Exclusionary criteria were studies that included partial thickness tears, and studies that did not use imaging modalities within 12 months to assess for retears. PRISMA guidelines were followed, identifying a total of 10 papers.

A combined total of 3372 shoulders included (Mean age 56 −67 years). The most common modality used to identify early retears were ultrasound scan and MRI. 6 of the 10 studies completed imaging at 0-3 months, 6 studies imaged at 3-6 months and 6 studies imaged at 6-12 months. Across all studies, there was a 17% early retear rate (574 patients). Of these, 13% occurred by 3 months, whilst the peak for retears occurred at 3-6 months (82%) and 5% occurred at 6-12 months. The risk of retear was higher in larger tears and extensive tendon degeneration. All studies apart from one documented a return to work/sport at 6 months post-operatively. Postoperative rehabilitation does not appear to alter retear rate, although data is limited with only 1 of 10 studies allowing active range of movement before 6 weeks. Retorn tendons had poorer functional outcomes compared to intact tendons at 12m following initial repair.

The majority of early retears occur at 3-6 months and this time period should be prioritised both in rehabilitation protocols and future research. Age, tear size, and tendon degeneration were found to influence likelihood of early retears.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 94-B, Issue SUPP_XXXIII | Pages 12 - 12
1 Jul 2012
Waterson H Brenkel I Cook R
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The Oxford medial unicompartmental knee replacement has been shown to provide good long-tern results in numerous studies with survivorship at 10 years ranging from 82% to 100%. This prospective study describes the survival of 265 Oxford unicompartmental knee replacements implanted in one centre from 1995-2009. 8 were lost to follow up. 40 of the 265 knees were revised. For operation performed from1995-1999 the risk of revision at 5 years was 10%, operations from 2000-2004 the risk of revision was 15% and from 2005-2009 the risk of revision at 5 years was 36%. This study demonstrates that since 2005 there has been a significant increase in early failure of the Oxford unicompartmental knee at this institution and discusses the possible reasons for this


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 94-B, Issue SUPP_XXXV | Pages 3 - 3
1 Jul 2012
Kothari A Goulios V Buckingham R Wainwright A Theologis T
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Purpose of study. To assess the risk of early re—dislocation following closed reduction (CR) of the hip for idiopathic developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Methods. Review of case notes and radiographs of all who underwent CR for DDH between January 2005 and January 2010 was undertaken. Parameters recorded included sex, side of dysplasia, age at the time of attempted reduction and concomitant complications. The main outcome measure was clinical and radiographic evidence of successful reduction. Early failure of reduction was regarded as loss of concentric reduction requiring an open procedure within a year of CR. CR was performed via a standardised protocol under general anaesthetic, with arthrographic control, adductor tenotomy as required and hip spica application. Post procedure reduction was confirmed with MRI and the spica was maintained for 12 weeks. Results. 45 patients with 52 dysplastic hips treated with CR were identified. Teratological hips were excluded and 5 patients were lost to follow-up, thereby leaving 36 patients with 40 dysplastic hips. Male to female ratio was 4:32, 4 patients had bilateral dysplasia, 11 right and 21 left. Successful CR was achieved in 29 hips and early failure observed in 11 hips (27.5%). The mean age of CR in the failed group was 1.65 years as compared to 0.90 years in the successful group. T-test analysis demonstrated this difference to be significant (p=0.0063). In the successful CR group 3 from 29 hips developed AVN (10%), as compared 3 from 11 hips (27%) in the failed group. Conclusion. CR of the dysplastic hip using our current protocol yields similar results to several previously published studies, and we suggest that our results are set as a benchmark by which future practice can be audited against. We stress the significant rate of early re-dislocation and urge vigilance in those practicing this technique; especially in the older child


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 92-B, Issue SUPP_I | Pages 44 - 44
1 Mar 2010
Oduwole K Sayana M Onayemi F McCarthy T O’Byrne J
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Background: Unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA) are being expanded to include younger patients with more active lifestyles because of its minimally invasive nature. Prior to expanding this role, it is important to examine mode of failure and implication of conversion to TKA in the low demand elderly patients. Aim: To ascertain the modes of early failure of unicondylar knee Arthroplasty and assess whether the conversion to TKA improved the functional scores, range of motion, pain, and patient satisfaction. Method: A retrospective study to evaluate the results of 14 revision procedures after failed unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Patients’ operative charts were reviewed. Details of modes of failure, technical difficulty of revision including exposure, component removal, and management of bone loss were noted. Post operative functional outcome was assessed using WOMAC osteoarthritis index and SF-36. Result: Total of 106 primary unicondylar knee arthroplasty procedures was performed between 2003 and 2007 in our institution. Oxford unicondylar implant was used in all patients. 13.21% of these were revised to total knee replacement. Revisions were performed 4 months to 36 months after the primary procedure; 86% of these were required within the first 12 months. The average time to failure was 15.6 months. The modes of failure were aseptic loosening (4), progression of osteoarthritis (2), instability (3), infection (2), dislocated insert (1) and persistent pain after UKA (2). Tibia insert exchange was done in one patient and the rest were converted to primary Scorpio and PFC components. Three of the patients had significant defect in femoral condyle. Fourteen percent of cases required femoral stem extension or metal wedge augmentation. Nine of the 14 knees (64%) were followed up for an average of 15 months. The mean WOMAC and SF-36 scores at latest follow up were 33.33 and 63.79 respectively. Conclusion: Despite the advantage of minimally invasive UKA, early failure can occur in the face of good surgical technique. The higher long-term success rate claimed by implant manufacturer is challengeable and patient should be informed during consent


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 84-B, Issue SUPP_III | Pages 260 - 260
1 Nov 2002
Mohan R Gross M
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Introduction: The Gemini stem (DePuy) is a titanium femoral stem with a modular cobalt chrome femoral head. It has a roughened proximal surface finish to enhance cement bonding and a distal centraliser. Purpose of the study: A retrospective assessment of the performance of the titanium cemented Gemini femoral component. Patients and Methods: 196 patients underwent a 204 total hip replacements using a titanium cemented Gemini stem and an uncemented cup. All the operations were performed by a lateral approach using modern cementing technique. Patients were assessed clinically (Harris hip score) and radiologically (standard AP and lateral x-rays). Results: 11 patients with incomplete clinical and radiological follow-up were excluded from the study, leaving 185 patients (193 hips). 36 patients died with their total hip prosthesis in situ. The average age was 71 years and primary diagnosis was OA in the majority. The average follow-up was 70 months (range 35– 121). 29 of the hips have been revised. A further 11 were recognized as radiological failures. In 24, aseptic loosening or a broken stem was an indication for the revision. Mean time to revision was 3.1 years (range 1.5 to 7). Discussion: Our results indicate that there is a high incidence of early failure associated with these titanium cemented stems, a cumulative failure of approximately 20%. The rough surface finish, titanium alloy and a fixed distal centraliser may all contribute to the early failure by increasing the stresses in the cement. Based on our experience, the continued use of this cemented stem is no longer justified


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 94-B, Issue SUPP_XXXVI | Pages 91 - 91
1 Aug 2012
Joyce T Lord J Langton D Nargol A
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Introduction. Total hip prostheses which use a ceramic head within a metal liner are a relatively recent introduction. As such, survivorship rates from independent centres alongside explant analysis are rare. The early experience with this novel ceramic-on-metal (CoM) bearing couple is reported. Methods and Materials. All CoM hips implanted between 2008 and 2009 at a single hospital by a single surgeon were reviewed. Radiographs were analysed using EBRA software to determine acetabular cup inclination and anteversion angles. Blood metal ion concentrations were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICPMS). Explants were measured for bearing surface and taper wear using a high precision co-ordinate measuring machine. The roughness of the articulating surfaces was measured with a non-contact profilometer. Results. In 54 patients 56 CoM hips were implanted. Mean (range) age was 64 years (34-87). There were 41 females and 15 males. Patients were followed-up for a mean of 1.5 years. Three hips were revised at mean of 1.2 years (2 female, 1 male) with a further 3 listed for revision under 1.5 years giving an overall failure rate of 10.7%. All these patients reported with pain. X-rays of failed devices showed a characteristic pattern of femoral stem loosening. Serum cobalt and chromium were less than 2 micrograms/L. Explant analysis of the three revised hips showed wear at the liner rim in each case. In two of these cases the wear extended completely around the circumference. The wear volumes were 4.1, 2.0 and 2.3mm3 respectively. The ceramic heads were unworn but some transfer of metal could be seen visually. There was no significant wear or deformation at the taper junctions. Typical ceramic head roughness values were 3nm Ra and so most of the surface area of the heads remained in a pristine condition. Discussion. The very high early failure rate using COM is concerning. Explant analysis suggests equatorial contacts with propagation of high frictional forces distally. These forces may have caused early loosening of the femoral stems. Orthopaedic surgeons need to be aware of this new mechanism of failure which is associated with low metal ions


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 96-B, Issue SUPP_2 | Pages 38 - 38
1 Jan 2014
Gadd R Barwick T Paling E Davies M Blundell C
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Introduction:. Prompted by the success of hip and knee arthroplasty, total ankle replacement (TAR) has become increasingly popular as a treatment for end stage arthritic complaints of the ankle. Glazebrook et al proposed a three grade classification of complications to assist prediction of early implant failure. We have compared the experience of a tertiary referral centre in the UK to Glazebrook's proposed system. Method:. A retrospective review of the Sheffield Foot and Ankle Unit TAR database was performed from 1995 to 2010. All complications were recorded and categorised using Glazebrook's proposed system. Glazebrook described eight main complications of increasing severity. Low grade complications; Post operative bone fracture, Intra-operative bone fracture and wound healing problems were very unlikely to lead to revision. Medium grade complications; technical error and subsidence, lead to failure < 50% of the time. High grade complications; deep infection, aseptic loosening and implant failure lead to revision > 50% of the time. Results:. 217 TAR were implanted in 198 patients with a minimum follow up of 30 months. The complication rate was 23% with a revision rate of 17%. All complications recorded in our study except intraoperative bone fracture and wound healing had a failure rate of at least 50%. Conclusion:. The proposed classification system of Glazebrook et al was the first step towards an international system of classifying TAR complications. Most complications associated with TAR have a significant impact on the lifespan of a TAR. Glazebrook et al's proposed three tier system did not reliably reflect our experience. We would categorise complications as either high or low risk for early failure of TAR


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 97-B, Issue SUPP_15 | Pages 23 - 23
1 Dec 2015
Tornero E Morata L Angulo S García-Velez D Martínez-Pastor J Bori G García-Ramiro S Bosch J Soriano A
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Open debridement, irrigation with implant retention and antibiotic treatment (DAIR) is an accepted approach for early prosthetic joint infections (PJI). Our aim was to design a score to predict patients with a higher risk of failure. From 1999 to 2014 early (<90 days) PJIs without signs of loosening of the prosthesis were treated with DAIR and were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed. The primary end-point was early failure defined as: 1) the need of an unscheduled surgery, 2) death-related infection within the first 60 days after debridement or 3) the need for suppressive antibiotic treatment. A score was built-up according to the logistic regression coefficients of variables available before debridement. A total of 222 patients met the inclusion criteria. The most frequently isolated microorganisms were coagulase-negative staphylococci (95 cases, 42.8%) and Staphylococcus aureus (81 cases, 36.5%). Fifty-two (23.4%) cases failed. Independent predictors of failure were: chronic renal failure (OR:5.92, 95%CI:1.47–23.85), liver cirrhosis (OR:4.46, 95%CI:1.15–17.24), revision surgery (OR:4.34, 95%CI:1.34–14.04) or femoral neck fracture (OR:4.39, 95%CI:1.16–16.62) compared to primary arthroplasty, CRP >11.5 mg/dL (OR:12.308, 95%CI:4.56–33.19), cemented prosthesis (OR:8.71, 95%CI:1.95–38.97) and when all intraoperative cultures were positive (OR:6.30, 95%CI:1.84–21.53). Furthermore, CRP showed a direct relationship with the percentage of positive cultures (Linear equation, R2=0,046, P=0.002) and an inverse association with the time between the debridement and failure (Logarithmic equation, R2=0.179, P=0.003). A score for predicting the risk of failure was done using pre-operative factors (KLIC-score, figure 1) and it ranged between 0–9.5 points. Patients with a score ≤2, >2–3.5, 4–5, >5–6.5 and ≥7 had a failure rate of 4.5%, 19.4%, 55%, 71.4% and 100%, respectively. The KLIC-score was highly predictive of early failure after debridement. In the future, it would be necessary to validate our score using cohorts from other institutions


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 88-B, Issue SUPP_II | Pages 317 - 317
1 May 2006
Tregonning R
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The aim was to identify frequency and pattern of early UKR failure in New Zealand. We analysed data from the New Zealand National Joint Register in a 44 month period of 2000–2003. Thirty-five percent of the 1790 registered UKRs were performed in the last 8 months [ie. in 18% of the total time period]. The ratio of UKRs to TKRs performed was 1:6.25. Fifty two revisions meant a failure rate of 2.9% for UKR (n=1790) compared with 1.6% for TKR (n=11243). The most commonly used implants were the Oxford P3 (68% of total with 2.2% revision rate), MG uni (14.6% with 4.6% revision rate) and Preservation (7% with 5.6 revision rate). The most common reasons for revision (n=52) were aseptic loosening (28%), bearing dislocation or impingement (19%), and unexplained pain (13%). The deep sepsis rate for UKR was 0.33% compared to 0.43% for TKR. UKR usage is rapidly increasing in NZ. The revision rate for UKR was 1.8 x that for TKR. The revision rate for deep sepsis was 77% that for TKR. Unexplained pain in apparently technically normal UKR was the 3rd most common reason for revision. Bearing impingement was as common as bearing dislocation as a cause for failure in the Oxford P3 UKR. Early polythene wear was the reason for revision only in the 8mm MG prosthesis


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 90-B, Issue SUPP_I | Pages 166 - 166
1 Mar 2008
Hauptfleisch J Glyn-Jones S Gill H McLardy-Smith P Murray D
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The Charnley Elite femoral component was first introduced in 1992 as a new design variant of the original Charnley femoral component (De Puy, Leeds, UK) with modified neck and stem geometry. The original component had undergone few changes in nearly forty years and has excellent long-term results. Early migration of the new stem design was determined by Roentgen Stereophotogrammetric Analysis (RSA)1. Rapid early migration of a component relative to the bone, measured by RSA, is predictive of subsequent aseptic loosening for a number of femoral stems. As there was rapid early migration and rotation of the Charnley Elite stem, we predicted that the long-term results would be poor. An outcome assessment is indicated as stems of this type are still being implanted. One hundred Charnley Elite stems, implanted in our centre between 1994 and 1997 were included in a prospective, cross-sectional follow-up study. Outcome measures include validated clinical scores (Charnley hip score, Harris hip score and Oxford hip score) and radiological scores (Gruen classification) as well as revision rates over the past 10 years. The clinical follow-up supports the RSA predictions of early failure of the Charnley Elite femoral stem


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 94-B, Issue SUPP_XXIII | Pages 61 - 61
1 May 2012
Collopy D McNeil E
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Over the past ten years we have seen a move to less invasive surgical approaches and simplification of OR procedures; hence, there has been a renewed interest in the use of rectangular wedge-taper design hip stems. I present a personal series of over five hundred Accolade (Stryker) stems with a high (6%) early failure rate. Cases are drawn from a personal database. These patients presented with either pain or difficulty with stair-climbing. Several remain asymptomatic, but radiographs are early identical in all cases. Impressive radio-lucent and sclerotic lines are seen on the lateral radiograph in Gruen zones VIII and XIV at between three and six months, and later appear in Gruen I. Most occurred in type A or AA bone. These failures are interesting as they are due to rotational loosening, not axial subsidence. To date, 6 of 12 have been revised, all showing complete lack of ingrowth to proximal porous coating. Rectangular wedge-taper design stems have enjoyed high success rates in several published series. However, the author believes that the use of this stem in Type A or AA bone leads to preferential distal (diaphyseal) taper engagement, which negates proximal (meta-diaphyseal) taper engagement, and predisposes the stem to rotational micromotion, failure of ingrowth, and subsequent loosening. To our knowledge, this is the first paper to recognise this mode of failure. The authors strongly believe stems of this type should be used with caution in males with type A or AA bone


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 92-B, Issue SUPP_III | Pages 407 - 407
1 Jul 2010
Wu J Augustine A Deehan D Holland J Reay E
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The Kinemax Plus knee replacement has a reported 10 year survival of around 96%. However we found the survival rate of this implant in our cohort to be 75% at 9 years. No abnormalities were found for clinical and radiological parameters. At reoperation the most striking feature was that of significant ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) failure. Oxidative and structural analysis of the polyethylene components was therefore undertaken. Ten Kinemax Plus tibial inserts were analysed; one was a shelf-aged unused implant, the others were explants. An FTIR analysis of the data showed that oxidation is present in all samples. The degree of oxidation however varied with depth and location. Except for a sharp oxidative peak approximately half way into the sample, the shelf aged samples had a fairly constant level of oxidation. The retrieved implants had an overall higher level of oxidation in both bearing and non-bearing regions. The latter had less of a variation in oxidation which implies that in vivo loading exaggerates the degree of oxidation. In the non-articulating regions oxidation of the explants was found to peak often at the region of about 40% from the bottom surface in all retrieved samples. By contrast, most articulating region had two oxidative peaks; one occurring at approximately 1–1.5mm from the surface, which is consistent with findings on subsurface oxidation, and another occurring about 2–3mm from the bottom surface. SEM imaging provided evidence for the presence of fusion defects by indicating grain boundaries through-out the explants. This indicates a compromised material which is more susceptible to damage. Fatigue loading of the implant has also been seen to produce a subsurface stress maximum at approximately 1 to 2mm below the articulating surface. It is thought that maximum contact stresses within this region cause Type 1 and Type 2 defects to open or become more pronounced. This in turn will increase the local concentration of oxygenating material as it will be present in these defects and voids where surface areas are greater for oxidative reaction. We therefore hypothesise that these fusion defects are the cause for the early failure of the Kinemax implants


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 87-B, Issue SUPP_III | Pages 260 - 260
1 Sep 2005
Clasper JC Phillips SL
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Objective The aim of this study was to prospectively study the effectiveness of external fixation for war injuries during the recent Gulf conflict. Patients and Methods We studied all patients seen at 202 Field Hospital, which received the majority of patients who had external fixators applied by the British Armed Forces. Results Fifteen patients had external fixators applied with follow-up available for 14 (15 external fixators). Of the 15, 13 (87%) required early revision or removal due to complications of the injury or the fixator. Seven required early removal at a mean of 9.1 days (range 1–19). Six required early revision at a mean of 5.9 days (range 1–22). Instability was a problem with 10 fixators (67%). Seven fixators were revised and 3 were removed. Pin loosening was noted with 5 fixators (33%) involving twelve pins. The cause was multifactorial, but was related to injury severity and frame design. A significant pin track infection developed at 14 pin sites (3 fixators – 20%). All 3 fixators were removed after a mean of 15.5 days (range 14–19). Only 2 fixators did not require early removal or revision. Conclusion We have demonstrated a high early failure rate with the use of external fixation and would caution against its universal acceptance. For many fractures plaster or skeletal traction provide an alternative option. When external fixation is required, stability must be achieved. Even with this there is likely to be a high complication rate due to pin track infection and loosening, and amputation must still be considered as a possible outcome for military injuries


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 88-B, Issue SUPP_I | Pages 73 - 73
1 Mar 2006
Hauptfleisch J Glyn-Jones S Beard D Gill H McLardy-Smith P Murray D
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Introduction: The Charnley Elite femoral component was first introduced in 1992 as a new design variant of the original Charnley femoral component (De Puy, Leeds, UK) with modified neck and stem geometry. The original component had undergone few changes in nearly forty years and has excellent long-term results. Early migration of the new stem design was determined by Roentgen Stereophotogrammetric Analysis (RSA). Rapid early migration of a component relative to the bone, measured by RSA, is predictive of subsequent aseptic loosening for a number of femoral stems. As there was rapid early migration and rotation of the Charnley Elite stem, we predicted that the long-term results would be poor. An outcome assessment is required as stems of this type are still being implanted. Materials and method: One hundred Charnley Elite stems, implanted in our centre between 1994 and 1997 were included in a prospective, cross-sectional follow-up study. Outcome measures include validated clinical scores (Charnley hip score, Harris hip score and Oxford hip score) and radiological scores (Gruen classification) as well as revision rates over the past 10 years. Results: The preliminary analysis results are given. The mean time to follow-up was 8.28 years. 20 patients have died due to causes unrelated to their operations. 10 patients had stem revisions: 9 for aseptic loosening and 1 for a peri-prosthetic fracture. This indicates a significant 10% failure rate of the prosthesis in less than 10 years. Preliminary clinical scores in the patients who had not undergone any subsequent surgery were adequate (Oxford Hip Score mean average of 23.9). Thirteen percent of radiographs analysed had evidence of loosening, giving an overall loosening rate of 14% at 8 years. Discussion and conclusion: The clinical follow-up supports the RSA predictions of early failure of the Charnley Elite femoral stem


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 86-B, Issue SUPP_III | Pages 352 - 352
1 Mar 2004
LŸem M MŸller U Ochsner P
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Aims: We have been alerted due to a high and early failure rate in total hip arthroplasties using metal-on-metal (Metasul?) bearings. Investigation on retrieved bearings at revision surgery should lead us to causes for early failures. Methods: 135 primary total hip arthroplasties in 118 patients (28 women and 90 men) with Metasul¨ bearing were implanted between 1992 and 1998. The mean age at implantation was 55 years (range, 29 to 84). In 105 cases a cementless MŸller SL cup and in 30 cases a MŸller Reinforcement Ring was used. Twelve out of 105 cases with a þne blasted SL cup needed a revision surgery after 34.9 months (range, 13 to 59). Qualitative histology was performed in all cases, quantitative metal analysis took place in two cases. The wear rate of the heads and their insert was measured and compared to former studies. Bony cylinders taken from the acetabular roof prior to primary implantation were histologically analyzed and compared to cup migration studies (EBRA). Results: Four cups and seven cemented titanium stems with tight cups were loose. In one case with polyarthritis both components had to be replaced. In one patient with cup loosening an impingement between neck and cup was found. In two patients histology showed diminution of bone-stock and in two cases no bony integration was observed. Conclusions: From twelve revision cases, we found only one where the metal-metal bearing is clearly responsible for the revision surgery. Metal-on-metal articulation seems to be promising if the component orientation is correct


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 93-B, Issue SUPP_IV | Pages 435 - 435
1 Nov 2011
Grimes JB
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A higher than expected failure rate of the Zimmer Durom acetabular component has been reported. A study by Zimmer did not reveal a design defect. This study investigated impaction deformation of two cup designs. Eleven Durom cups and modular heads (Zimmer, Warsaw, IN) were retrieved at an average of 13.9 months. The Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (Smith & Nephew, Memphis, TN) served as a control. Cups were impacted into a two-point acetabular loading model made of 30 grade urethane foam (Sawbones, Vashon, WA). A coordinate measuring machine with 2 micron (um) accuracy was used to map the inside diameters of the cups before, during and after impaction. Machinist’s dye was used to check head-cup contact. The Durom porous coating was essentially devoid of tissue ingrowth. Two heads used with size 62/56 Duroms had equatorial wear stripes. The outside diameter of the Durom was 2.93±0.03mm larger than the nominal diameter. Dome wall thickness was 3.23±0.07mm for the Durom and 6.08±0.65mm for the BHR (n=11). Inside diameters of all cups had less than 10um deviation from roundness before impaction and after removal from the model. The mean diametral deformation of the Durom was 89.8±14.8um, significantly greater than the BHR, 57.2±25.0um (p< 0.002). Non-impacted cups exhibited polar contact—circular areas of dye at the dome with no contact near the rim. Duroms with greater deformation exhibited linear contact—a 2cm band of dye extending from rim to rim with no contact on either side of the band. The Durom is a relatively thin-walled acetabular component with low clearance and an aggressive rim flare. Impaction of this cup into an acetabular model resulted in deformation which approached the diametral clearance. Maximal deformation with larger cups and warping of the articular surface correlated with observed wear stripes. The absence of residual cup deformation indicated deformation is a dynamic phenomenon which can be detected only under conditions simulating in vivo use. It is likely that impaction deformation, with consequent friction and wear, contributed to the early failure of the Durom acetabular component


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 86-B, Issue SUPP_III | Pages 366 - 366
1 Mar 2004
Harding I Little C Ruiz A Murray D McLardy-Smith P Athanasou N
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Aims: To determine the pathological changes in the femur following resurfacing hip arthroplasty and identify possible causes of early failure. Methods: Bone samples from 8 femoral heads at several levels were examined histologically following removal of cemented femoral head surface replacement following aseptic early failure: 4 neck fractures (no history of fall), 3 persistent severe pain and 1 cup loosening. Intra-operatively no obvious macroscopic causes of failure (including notching the neck) were noted. In all patients, the initial diagnosis had been osteoarthritis. None had known risk factors for osteonecrosis. Results: In the patients who had recent fracture, the bony changes were suggestive of relatively longstanding osteonecrosis with degenerative, necrotic and þbrotic changes in the bone marrow and loss of osteocyte nuclei in the trabeculae. There was appositional new bone formation at the surface of the necrotic bone trabeculae. The changes were consistent with osteonecrosis of more than 2 weeks duration and probably preceded the fracture in all cases. In the patients who underwent revision for non-fracture, some osteonecrosis was seen, but this was a lot less than when a fracture had occurred. Conclusion: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is seen following resurfacing hip arthroplasty and may be a predisposing factor in patients who subsequently fracture