We evaluated the long-term survival and patient reported outcome of the Copeland mark III humeral resurfacing hemi-arthroplasty (Biomet, Warsaw, Indiana). At a UK District General Hospital 95 shoulder replacements in 85 patients were performed from 1994 to 2003 (mean age 68.9). At the time of follow-up (mean of 12 years, range 8.7–18.0) 49 patients had survived. This study group were posted Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) and SF-12 questionnaires and their case notes were reviewed. There was an 82% response rate. The responders comprised 46 shoulders in 40 patients. 40 shoulders had a pre-operative diagnosis of osteoarthritis and 6 had other pathologies. The median OSS was 36. The median functional score was 24 (IQR: 9.5), where 32 is the best. The median pain score was 13 (IQR: 7) with 16 being the best score. There was a median SF 12 score of 31 (IQR: 3), where the maximum score is 47. There were 3 revision operations and 95% survivorship at 18 years, according to Kaplan Meier survival analysis. The Copeland mark III hemi-arthroplasty prosthesis has a good long term survival, few post-operative complications and a good functional outcome in an elderly population. We would advocate its use in this patient group

[Background]

Bipolar hemiarthroplasty (following BHA) have historically had poor results in patients with idiopathic osteonecrosis of femoral head (OFNH). However, most recent report have shown excellent results with new generation BHA designs that incorporate advances in bearing technology. These optimal outcomes with bipolar hemiarthroplasty will be more attractive procedure for young patients who need bone stock for future total arthroplasty. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic finding of this procedure for the treatment of OFNH at our institution after 7-to 21years follow-up.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The objective of this study is to establish the short-term and medium-term clinical and radiological results with the cementless three-dimensional Vektor-Titan stem (Figure 1). This three-dimensional tapered stem has been given to evaluate the extent to which the implant design achieves an optimal proximal anchoring property, thus reducing bone atrophy and avoiding stress shielding in the proximal femur.

One of the most important sequelae to ageing is osteoporosis and subsequently hip fractures. Hip fractures are associated with major morbidity, mortality and costs. Most patients require surgery to restore mobility. Provision of surgery and its complications is poorly understood in South Africa. Our aim was to collect and report current hip fracture care at four centres in South Africa, as well as reporting surgical and general patient outcomes. A three year retrospective cohort at four centres will be described, focussing on provision of surgical care, mortality, types of surgery and complications. We identified 562 patients who had surgical intervention for fragility fractures, 66% were females. Forty nine percent had open reduction and internal fixation, 28% had hemi-arthroplasty replacement whilst 23% had total hip replacements. Twenty percent of patients had operative intervention within 36 hours of presentation to the emergency department. Mortality was 9% at 30 days. The most common complications were lower respiratory infections (29%), urinary tract infections (21%) and surgical site infections (9%). This is the largest cohort of surgically treated hip fracture from South Africa. Proportions of patients receiving different surgical interventions such as THR are comparable to the broader literature. However a number of key performance indicators such as surgery within 36 hours are challenging to meet. Given the changing demographics of South Africa, this study provides an early insight to contemporary care and may help provide direction for broader national strategies for reporting and improving hip fracture care

Displaced femoral neck fractures can have devastating impacts on quality of life and patient function. Evidence for optimal surgical approach is far from definitive. The Hip Fracture Evaluation with Alternatives of Total Hip Arthroplasty versus Hemi-Arthroplasty (HEALTH) trial aimed to evaluate unplanned secondary procedures following total hip arthroplasty (THA) versus hemi-arthroplasty (HA) within two years of initial surgery for displaced femoral neck fractures. Secondary objectives evaluated differences in patient function, health-related quality of life, mortality, and hip-related complications HEALTH is a large randomized controlled trial that included 1,495 patients across 81 centers in 10 countries. Patients aged 50 years or older with displaced femoral neck fractures received either THA or HA. Participants were followed for 24 months post-fracture and a Central Adjudication Committee adjudicated fracture eligibility, technical placement of prosthesis, additional surgical procedures, hip-related complications, and mortality. The primary analyses were a Cox proportional hazards model with time to the primary study endpoint as the outcome and THA versus HA as the independent variable. Using multi-level linear models with three levels (centre, patient, and time), with patient and centre entered as random effects, the effect of THA versus HA on quality of life (Short Form-12 (SF-12) and EQ-5D), function (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC)), and mobility (Timed Up and Go Test (TUG)) were estimated separately. The majority of patients were female (70.1%), 70 years of age or older (80.2%), and able to ambulate without the aid of an assistive device before their fracture (74.4%), and the injury in the majority of the patients was a subcapital femoral neck fracture (61.9%). The primary end point occurred in 57 of 718 patients (7.9%) who were randomly assigned to THA and 60 of 723 patients (8.3%) who were randomly assigned to HA (hazard ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64 to 1.40; p=0.79). Hip instability or dislocation occurred in 34 patients (4.7%) assigned to total hip arthroplasty and 17 patients (2.4%) assigned to hemi- arthroplasty (hazard ratio, 2.00; 99% CI, 0.97 to 4.09). Function, as measured with the total WOMAC total score, pain score, stiffness score, and function score, modestly favored THA over HA. Mortality was similar in the two treatment groups (14.3% among the patients assigned to THA and 13.1% among those assigned to HA, p=0.48). Serious adverse events occurred in 300 patients (41.8%) assigned to THA and in 265 patients (36.7%) assigned to HA. Among independently ambulating patients with displaced femoral neck fractures, the incidence of secondary procedures did not differ significantly between patients who were randomly assigned to undergo THA and those who were assigned to undergo HA, and THA provided a clinically unimportant improvement over HA in function and quality of life over 24 months

Over the past decade there has been a shift in the approach to management of many femoral neck fractures. As noted by Miller et al. those trends are reflected in the practice patterns of surgeons applying for board certification through the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons. From 1999 to 2011 there was a trend toward total hip arthroplasty and corresponding small decreases in the use of hemi-arthroplasty and internal fixation for treatment of femoral neck fractures. For many years the treatment approach has been a simple diagnosis-related algorithm predicated upon classification of the fracture as displaced (historically treated with hemi-arthroplasty) or non-displaced (historically treated with internal fixation). More recently, however, the focus has shifted to a patient-centered approach. In the patient-centered approach factors such as age, functional demands, pre-existent hip disease and bone quality should all be considered. In the contemporary setting it is still important to distinguish between displaced and non-displaced fracture patterns. Non-displaced femoral neck fractures, regardless of patient age or activity, are well-suited to closed reduction and internal fixation, most commonly with three cannulated screws. The union rate is high in non-displaced fractures treated with internal fixation and the benefits of preserving the native hip joint are substantial. Displaced femoral neck fractures in younger active patients, particularly those without pre-existent hip arthritis, are best treated with early anatomic reduction and internal fixation. While a subgroup of young, active patients who undergo ORIF may fail, the benefits of native hip preservation in that group are again substantial. Displaced femoral neck fractures in older patients or those with substantial pre-existing hip arthritis are best treated with arthroplasty. The biggest practice change has been the trend to total hip arthroplasty as opposed to hemi-arthroplasty for a subgroup of patients. Total hip arthroplasty is now favored in almost all active, cognitively well-functioning patients as the degree of pain relief is better and the risk of reoperation is lower in the current era (32mm and 36mm femoral heads). Hemi-arthroplasty, either uni-polar or bi-polar, remains an appropriate treatment for cognitively impaired patients who also have limited functional demands in whom the risk of dislocation is particularly high

Introduction. Dislocation is one of the most common orthopaedic complications after primary total hip replacement (THR). The reported dislocation rate in elective THR is 5–8%. This number increases up to 22% for THR done for neck of femur fractures. Due to the reported increase in dislocation for trauma, some surgeons prefer to do a hemi-arthroplasty or open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Hemi-arthroplasty is known to have poorer functional outcomes. Failure of ORIF is as high as 43%, and revision of failed ORIF to THR has reported dislocation rates of up to 42%. Materials and methods. A retrospective review of all THR done for neck of femur fractures during 2006–2011 was undertaken. The patients in our institution who are considered for a THR must have an active life-style. Records were reviewed for delay to surgery, surgical approaches, articulations, bearing surfaces, follow up periods and cemented versus uncemented implants. We excluded all pathological fractures, extra-capsular fractures, failed ORIF, patients with incomplete data and patients with a follow-up period less than 3 months. Hip dislocation was the end-point of the review and we did not study other causes of revision e.g. loosening of components or infection. Results. A total of 115 cases were identified as suitable for analysis. Average age at surgery was 73.2 years (range 30–81). Delay to surgery was 5.3 days (range 1–63). Average follow up period was 18.3 months (range 3 months-4,3years). Four patients (3.4%) had a confirmed dislocation. Three of these patients had successful closed reduction and one patient required revision surgery and change of component orientation. Conclusion. Our early dislocation rate of 3.4% is within the published results and shows that primary THR is an acceptable and safe option for displaced intracapsular NOF in active patients. Most recent studies have shown superior functional outcomes of THR compared to hemi-arthroplasty or poorly performed ORIF. NO DISCLOSURES

To properly care for femoral neck fractures, the surgeon must decide which fractures are to be fixed and which fractures will require a prosthesis. In addition, the type of prosthesis, hemiarthroplasty versus total hip arthroplasty must be selected. Total hip arthroplasty is an option in the active elderly. The literature supports internal fixation in non-displaced fractures. Current literature supports the fact that ORIF of displaced femoral neck fractures results in failure and re-operation of 20% to 30%. By considering arthroplasty when the patient has multiple co-morbidities including renal disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and severe osteoporosis the re-operation rate can be reduced significantly. The single most important factor in preventing failure with fixation is an anatomic reduction. A femoral neck fracture left in varus is doomed to failure and re-operation. A prosthesis should be used in most displaced femoral neck fractures in patients physiologically older than 65. In active elderly patients total hip replacement should be considered. In elderly patients with multiple co-morbidities who are relatively inactive in a nursing home or lower level community ambulators, a hemi-prosthesis should be considered. The decision-making process is always shared with the patient. When a prosthetic replacement is performed, the low level nursing home or community ambulator who is not expected to live longer than six to seven years is a candidate for a cemented hemi-arthroplasty. Studies report a 25% – 30% re-operation rate in hemi-arthroplasty if the patient survives greater than six to seven years. In the active elderly with little co-morbidity, a total hip replacement should be used. This is not only cost effective but provides the best pain relief of any of the options for treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures. Treatment of femoral neck fractures remains a challenge but the surgeon must select the proper treatment based on fracture displacement, physiologic age of the patient as well as co-morbidities of the patient

Background:. A shoulder dislocation is defined as chronic when it has been unreduced for more than one week. Chronic anterior shoulder dislocations are commonly encountered in Kwazulu-Natal for various reasons. Different surgical options exist to treat chronic anterior shoulder dislocations. However the outcome of surgically treated chronic shoulder dislocations has not been favourable in all studies. Methods:. We report on a combined case series of chronic anterior shoulder dislocations previously treated at Edendale Hospital (EDH), Pietermaritzburg and Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH), Durban. Patients were identified retrospectively using departmental databases and their case files were retrieved. Patient demographics, duration of dislocation, mechanism of injury and reason for delayed treatment were recorded. When available, X-rays, CT scans and MRI scans were retrieved to identify associated bony and soft tissue pathology. Surgical outcome was assessed using range of movement (ROM), change in pain severity, patient satisfaction, as well as Oxford Shoulder Instability Score (OIS) and Rowe and Zarins score. Post-operative complications including redislocations were also identified. Results:. Twenty-six patients with chronic anterior shoulder dislocations were surgically treated. The average duration of dislocation was 9 months (range 2 weeks to 7 years). The most common reason for chronicity was delayed presentation to clinic or hospital (9 patients). A Hill Sachs lesion was present in 20 patients, and a pseudo-glenoid was often encountered in dislocations present for more than 4 weeks (14 of 23 patients). Three supraspinatus ruptures and 4 biceps tears were encountered while neurological injury was uncommon (2 patients). Surgical treatment included open reduction (1 patient), open reduction and Latarjet (15 patients), hemi-arthroplasty (2 patients), hemi-arthroplasty and Latarjet (3 patients) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (5 patients). Eighteen patients were available for follow-up. Most patients (16 out of 18 patients) were satisfied with their outcome. This was due to improvement in pain. Regardless of the type of surgery done, post-operative range of motion and surgical outcome scores were generally poor. Two patients were unsatisfied, due to redislocations. Conclusion:. Surgical treatment of chronic anterior shoulder dislocations resulted in satisfactory pain relief but marginal improvement in range of motion and overall shoulder function

Most studies about hemi-arthroplasty of hip have focused on clinical aspects. Design features of various implants of hemi-arthroplasty have not been studied extensively. The aim was to investigate the relationships between radiological variables and possible mode of failure in various hemiarthroplasty implants in intracapsular neck of femur fractures. A retrospective review of 42 hemi hip arthroplasties, Austin Moore and Thompson prosthesis by Biomet, Medical Product Service (Tipsan) and Smit Medimed (SMPL) used in our hospital. Controversy exists between indication for a particular design in an unselected series of patients once excluding the choice of cementing or uncementing the prosthesis. In monoblock prosthesis not only the head-neck region affects the stability but also the stem fit in proximal femur. Surgeon preference to technique and approach excluded. Premorbidly all patients were mobilising independently. 5 criteria reviewed. 1) head size of prosthesis 2) neck length 3) prosthesis stem shaft angle 4) stem-cortical distance ratio and 5) shape of the femoral canal as classified by Dorr. Head size compared in AP views of involved hip and normal head size compared with that of prosthesis. A difference <2 mm or >3 mm indicative of incorrect size. Neck length measured by the vertical distance from center of head to superior aspect greater trochanter was zero. A range of +/− 5 mm was acceptable. Neck shaft angle with a difference of >5 degrees was indicative of varus position of the stem. Canals of the proximal femoral categorized as a) stove pipe b) champagne c) fluted varieties radiologically. X-ray magnification corrected. All measurements were done on immediate postoperative radiographs. Stability of various design features of straight stemmed and curved implants are dependant on the anterior bowing angle and canal ratio of femur to prosthesis. A prospective study with CT from selected shapes of the proximal femoral is being carried out. Inappropriate head size as reported by Thompson or neck length was related to incidence of dislocation resulting in failure. Our findings emphasise importance of careful selection of a particular implant design towards the morphology of the femoral canal

Hip fracture is associated with highest mortality following trauma in the elderly. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between duration of anaesthesia and duration of surgery with 30 days mortality following hip fracture surgery. This retrospective cohort study reviewed patients underwent surgery following hip fracture in a district general hospital. Patients less than 65 years, periprosthetic and pathological fractures were excluded. Totally 254 patients were included in the study, who had surgery between February 2005 and September 2008 (20 months period). Mortality details retrieved through National Statistics database. Chi Square tests and Logistic regression analyses were performed to check the relationship between 30 days mortality and all independent variables including duration of anaesthesia and duration of surgery. The incidence of 30 days mortality following hip fracture surgery was 9.4%. The commonest reason of death was cardiac failure and chest infection. Patients who had General anesthesia (GA) had more complications and mortality in comparison with those who had regional anaesthesia. GA increases the odds of 30 days mortality to 2.5 times. Patients under American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) II had decreased odds of 30 days mortality than ASA III & IV (odds Ratio 0.16). However duration of anesthesia up to 120 minutes and duration of surgery up to 90 minutes were not associated with 30 days mortality (P>0.05). The 30 days mortality following dynamic hip screw fixation surgery was 14.6% and intra medullary nail was 12.5%. The 30 days mortality in cemented hemi-arthroplasty was 6.9% and uncemented hemi-arthroplasty was 6%. The 30 days mortality was nil in the group of patients who had undergone cannulated hip screw fixation. In elderly people following hip fracture surgery 30 days mortality was not affected by duration of anaesthesia and duration of surgery. However 30 days mortality was related with GA, ASA III & IV and post-operative complications mainly cardiac failure and chest infection. These patients need specialist medical care

Introduction. Success rate after Debridement-Irrigation, Antibiotic Therapy and Implant Retention (DAIR) for treatment of Acute Haematogenous (AH) and Early Post-surgical (EP) periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) varies widely among published studies. Prosthesis exchange is recommended to treat PJI after a failed DAIR. However, no early postoperative prognostic factors permitting to identify future failures have been described. Aim. Identify early prognostic factor of failure after DAIR in order to propose efficient treatment before onset of chronic PJI. Hypothesis. Positive suction drainage fluid culture is a strong early predictive factor of failure. Methods. We conducted a retrospective study, with a minimum 2 years follow-up. Twenty-two consecutive patients (78 years-old +/-10) with EPPJI: i.e. infection within 1 month after joint replacement (n=12; 55%) or AHPJI: i.e. acute haematogenous infection with less than 2 weeks evolution (n=10; 45%) were included. The involved prostheses were: Total Knee Arthroplasty (n=12; 55%), Total Hip Arthroplasty (n=7; 32%) and Hip Hemi-Arthroplasty (n=3; 14%). DAIR was indicated for each patient. Suction drainage fluid was systematically analysed at day 1, 3 and 5 postoperative. Failure of the procedure was defined as: need for iterative surgery to control PJI or suppressive antibiotherapy to control PJI or death related to PJI. Results. At 2 years follow-up, failure rate after DAIR was 55%. Only positive suction drainage fluid culture was statistically associated with treatment failure (p=0,039). Neither type of prosthesis: knee prosthesis vs hip prosthesis (Odds Ratio (OR)=1; IC95%[0.14; 7.21]) nor type of fixation : cemented vs uncemented prothesis (OR=4,39; IC95%[0.29; 269]) were associated with treatment failure. In addition, type of bacteria causing PJI and especially S. aureus (OR=3,1; IC95%[0.42; 28.61]), type of infection (OR= 1,47; IC95%[0.21; 11.37]), delay between onset of symptoms and DAIR (OR= 1,63; IC95% [0.21; 14.85]) or retaining of modular component (OR= 1.32; IC95% [0.17; 10.59)) were not associated with a higher rate of failure. Conclusion. Positive suction drainage fluid culture could be an early postoperative predictive factor of failure after open Irrigation-Debridement, Antibiotic Therapy and Implant Retention for EPPJI and AHPJI

Aim. Prosthetic joint infections (PJI) are devastating complications after hip arthroplasty and infection rates varies internationally between 0.76% to 1.24%. Hemi-arthroplasty (HA) is the gold standard treatment for dislocated femoral neck fractures. Recently, total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been suggested to generate even better outcomes. However, little is known about PJIs after hip fractures. The purpose of this study was to investigate PJIs after femoral neck fracture in a population-based sample. Methods. Clinical databases were harvested for all THA or HA procedures done for the treatment of femoral neck fractures at our hospital district (HUS) of 1.6 million inhabitants. Altogether, 3693 arthroplasty procedures for hip fractures were performed between 2011 to 2015. The original patient records of each case were reviewed. Complication(s) leading to readmission(s), the microbe(s), and the treatment protocol of each infection was recorded until the closing date (31.12.2016). The definition of PJI according to Musculosceletal Infection Society modified at the International Consensus meeting was used. Results. We detected 111 infections (10 THAs;101 HAs):42 superficial infections (1.1%) and 69 PJIs (1.9%). The PJI rate after THA was 3.7% (8/219) and 1.8% after HA (61/3474) (p=0.04;OR 2.12, 95%CI 1.00–4.49). Most PJIs in THA group (6/8) were treated by debridement, antimicrobials, and implant retention (DAIR) and two by 2-stage exchange. In the HA group the DAIR was the first surgical treatment for 51 PJIs (84%). Other treatment options used were girdlestone (n=3), one-stage exchange (n=2), lavation (n=2), and conservative treatment (n=3). The bacteria cultured at THA group were: Staphylococcus epidermidis (n=4), Staphylococcus aureus (n=3), Streptococcus agalactiae (n=2), and Staphylococcus haemolyticus and at the HA group Staphylococcus aureus (n=25, including 1 MRSA), Staphylococcus epidermidis (n=11), other coagulase negative staphylococci (n=7), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=6), Enterococcus faecalis (n=6), Escherichia coli (n=2), and streptococci (n=2). Multiple bacteria were cultured from seven PJIs. The causative microbe was unknown in five PJIs. Conclusion. THA patients had higher rate of PJIs compared to HA, however, the small sample size of the THA group may limit the statistical power of this study. The PJIs after hip fractures were usually treated by DAIR, which is also main PJI treatment after elective THAs. The overall PJI rate was higher among hip fracture than after elective THAs in the literature. The existing trend of treating more dislocated hip fractures with THA may thus lead to increased rated of PJIs in the future

Introduction. Upper femoral fractures include intra and extra-capsular fracture (ECF). For intra-capsular fracture (ICF), hemi-arthroplasty (HA) is the most commonly used treatment. Interest in total hip arthroplasty (THA) is growing because THA yields less revision (4% versus 7%) associated to better functional results despite higher dislocation rate (9% versus 3%). Regarding ECF, internal fixation is the reference treatment. THA could represent a relevant alternative. This study evaluates the efficiency of THA using dual mobility cup (THA-DMC) as treatment of these fractures specially in elderly patients. Material and method. 70 patients were operated on for upper femoral fractures with Quattro THA-DMC between May 2012 and October 2013. Minimum follow-up is one year. Seven surgeons in 4 institutions were involved. Data collected were: age, gender, type of fracture, surgical approach, mortality, revision rate and dislocation rate. Results. Seventy patients were included. 83.3 % were women. Mean age was 82.8 (51–99). 43% were ECF and 57% ICF. Postero-lateral approach represented 51% of cases, trans-trochanteric 43% and Hardinge 6%. Mortality rate was 10%. One dislocation (1.4%) occurred at one month postoperative treated by closed reduction. No revision was performed. Discussion. Even though THA is widely used to treat ICF, two recent meta-analyses concluded that THAs bring better survivorship as well as better functional results despite a higher dislocation rates. THA-DMC is a way to decrease dislocation risk as confirmed by our study. There is a lack of studies published on the treatment of ECF, precluding a proper assessment. Conclusion. Given the studies identified, the gold standard in the treatment of ICF is moving toward THA. THA-DMC could overcome the higher dislocation rate observed with standard THA

Introduction. A recent meta-analysis published in the British Medical Journal suggested an increased risk of infection, but none of the studies were large enough to reach statistical significance. A prospective, randomised trial was designed at our institution to investigate the wound healing and complications related to surgery following fracture neck of femur in the elderly. Objectives. The primary aim was to compare the wound problems and infection following two different methods of skin closure: Subcuticular monocryl suture to metal clips for closure of skin. The secondary aim was to look at the duration of surgery after both types of closure. We received ethical approval for this study. We screened and recruited all eligible patients admitted with acute hip fracture undergoing hemi-arthroplasty or dynamic hip screw. We recruited 541 patients in the study over the period of 3.5 years at our institution. Methods. The study was approved by ethics committee. Inclusion Criteria: Age 18 years and above undergoing DHS/ Hemiarthroplasty and with full mental capacity. Exclusion criteria: Patients with no capacity or undergoing Total Hip Replacement or Nailing of femur. The randomisation was done by using the sealed envelopes. The wound review was done on post op days 2, 5, 7, 10 & 14. Results. 516 patients were included in the study. They were divided in to two groups, 252 Hemiarthroplasty and 264 DHS. Average age was 79.48 yrs. (range 31–100 yrs.), 357 Females and 159 males. Total 196 patients were followed up till day 14 and rest of the patients were discharged by the 10. th. post op day. Out of 516 patients, 278 patients had clips and 238 patients had sub cut monocryl suture for the wound closure. The average score was 1.20 (range 1–3) for the wounds (the group of 278 patients) closed with clips mainly due to bruising and oozing. The average score was 0.71(range 0–1) for the wounds (the 238 group of patients) closed with sub cut monocryl mainly due to bruising. We did not find any significant wound infection in either of these groups. Conclusion. The final review of our study showed that the wounds closed with sub cut monocryl had less wound healing issues (average score 0.71) as compared to the wounds closed with clips (average score 1.20)

Introduction. Clione Anchored Replacement Prosthesis (CARP-H system) is a novel femoral implant for cementless fixation at the metaphysis of the proximal femur and preservation of cancellous bone of the femoral diaphysis is expected (Fig.1). We developed CARP-H system and started to use the prosthesis after the approval by Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency in 2012. This study examines the efficacy and short-term outcome of CARP-H system in a series of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) or bipolar hemi-arthroplasty (BHA). Patients and Methods. Seventeen patients (17 hips) of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ON) or osteoarthritis of the hip (OA) were included. The diagnoses were OA in 10 patients, and ON in 7 patients. The mean age at surgery was 55 years (35–62 years). The mean follow-up was 12 months (6–19 months). THA using CARP-H system was performed in 11 hips and BHA in 6 hips. Results. The mean clinical score with the Merle d'Aubigne and Postel system was improved from 8 points preoperatively to 16 points at follow-up. No complications such as infection, dislocation, intraoperative fracture, or pulmonary infarction were identified. No radiolucent line around the prosthesis was observed postoperatively. Discussion and Conclusion. We used to perform THA using the thrust plate hip prosthesis (TPP) which is an outstanding prosthesis for young patients in terms of bone preservation and biological fixation. Our mid- or long-term outcome of TPP was satisfactory provided the indication was appropriate. However, TPP has been kicked out in our country since 2006. The structural concept of CARP-H system is derived from TPP, and the design of the prosthesis is modified in order to adapt to Japanese patients. CARP-H system could be a beneficial prosthesis from the viewpoint of bone-preservation at the proximal femur

Aim. To describe the epidemiology, clinical features and outcomes of native joint septic arthritis in adults admitted to Middlemore Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand. Method. Single-centre retrospective cohort study from 2009 to 2014. Patients ≥16 years of age were identified using ICD-10AM coding data. Electronic records were reviewed for demographic, clinical, laboratory, treatment and outcome data. Total and hemi-arthroplasty infections were excluded. Results. 543 episodes in 521 patients were included, with 90% fulfilling Modified Newman's criteria. Septic arthritis incidence was 26/100,000 patient years and was unchanged over the study period. Incidence correlated strongly with age (R. 2. =0.79) and socioeconomic deprivation (R. 2. =0.76). Median age was 49 years, and gender 70% male. Ethnicity was Pacific Island in 36% (22.8% of catchment population). The most commonly involved joints were hand interphalangeal (19%), knee (19%), metacarpophalangeal (17%) and glenohumeral (11%). Arthritis was monoarticular in 93%. Underlying conditions included current smoking (42%), osteoarthritis (29%), diabetes (22%) and gout (15%). Rheumatoid and seronegative arthritis were uncommon (each 2%). Skin/soft tissue infection occurred within 3 months prior in 38%. Osteomyelitis occurred in 26%. Sources of infection included haematogenous (42%), traumatic (34%), and iatrogenic (17%). Causative organism(s) were isolated in 80% of episodes, most commonly Staphylococcus aureus (53%, 13% of which were MRSA) then Streptococcus pyogenes (15%). 28% of culture-positive episodes were polymicrobial. Median antibiotic duration was 4 weeks, with 38% having definitive therapy orally. A median of 1 surgical procedure was undertaken during treatment. Mortality at 30 days was 3%, at 90 days 5% and treatment failure (defined as any of: death <90 days; relapse; reinfection; or ongoing joint infection leading to readmission, amputation, arthrodesis or excision arthroplasty) occurred in 17%. Treatment failure was significantly more common in cases involving large joints (23%, (69/302) vs. 11%, (26/241), p=0.0002) and in haematogenous episodes versus traumatic episodes (21% (47/229) vs. 10% (19/168), p=0.0045). Conclusions. This is the largest series of adult native joint septic arthritis currently available. The extremely high observed septic arthritis incidence (26/100,000 person years) may relate to high rates of skin and soft tissue infection in Auckland, particularly among Pacific people. Small joint infection, often excluded from previous studies, is associated with significantly better outcomes than large-joint infection. Mortality is lower in this cohort than previously reported, possibly due to the inclusion of small joint infections and exclusion of prosthetic joint infections. Acknowledgements. No additional funding was received for this work

From 1998 to July 2003 admissions for elective arthroplasty surgery in Derriford Hospital were nursed alongside other orthopaedic and general medical patients. Since August 2003 a policy of pre-operative MRSA screening and a unit reserved exclusively for MRSA-free joint replacement patients have been used. No transfers from other wards were allowed. Patients positive on screening underwent eradication and were admitted to a different ward where they received teicoplanin on induction (in addition to standard policy cephradine). All post-operative wound infections following THR & TKR were monitored (NINSS surveillance system). Infections within 3 months were recorded. A control of non-screened hip hemi-arthroplasty patients was used to ensure a departmental wide reduction in MRSA was not occurring. 1.9% MRSA carriage rate was detected over the study. Before screening, 0.59% of 3386 cases were acutely infected with MRSA. After institution of screening and a dedicated MRSA free unit, 0.10% of 1034 were acutely infected. This was a 6-fold decrease (p<0.05). The infection noted was in a patient treated outside the ringfenced unit on High Dependency. In fact the infection rate on the ringfenced unit was zero. MRSA infection in the control was statistically unchanged during this period. Conclusion. A policy of MRSA screening and an MRSA free joint replacement ward reduces the incidence of acute MRSA infections

Purpose. The coronoid process is an integral component for elbow stability. In the setting of a comminuted coronoid fracture, where repair is not possible, a prosthetic device may be beneficial in restoring elbow stability. The hypothesis of this in-vitro biomechanical study was that an anatomic coronoid prosthesis would restore stability to the coronoid deficient elbow. Method. A metal coronoid prosthesis was designed and developed based on CT-derived images adjusted for cartilage thickness. The kinematics and stability of eight fresh-frozen male cadaveric arms (mean age 77.4 years, range 69–92 years) were quantified in the intact state; after collateral ligament sectioning and repair (control state); after a simulated 40% transverse coronoid fracture; and after implantation of a coronoid prosthesis. Elbow flexion was simulated passively with the arm oriented in the varus position and the forearm in pronation. Varus-valgus angulation (VV) and internal-external rotation (IE) of the ulna relative to the humerus were quantified with an electromagnetic tracking system (Flock of Birds, Ascension Technologies, Burlington, VT, static accuracy: 1.8mm position, 0.5 orientation). Results. No significant difference was found between the intact elbow and the native coronoid control state with collateral ligament repair (mean standard deviation) (VV=0.13.1, p=0.9; IE=0.82.59, p=0.4). A significant decrease in stability was observed following the 40% coronoid fracture (VV=5.73.4, p<0.01; IE=10.93.35, p<0.001). Following coronoid hemi-arthroplasty, no significant difference in stability was found between the coronoid prosthesis and the control state (VV=0.22.7, p=1.0; IE=1.33.0, p=0.8). Conclusion. An anatomic coronoid prosthesis restores the stability of the coronoid deficient elbow similar to the intact state. Further studies are needed to determine the optimum fixation method of this device and to determine the range of sizes which would be required for the successful commercialization of this device for patient use. Clinical trials will be required to confirm the favourable findings of this in-vitro investigation

The quality of bone in the skeleton depends on the amount of bone, geometry, microarchitecture and material properties, and the molecular and cellular regulation of bone turnover and repair. This study aimed to identify material and structural factors that alter in fragility hip fracture patients treated with antiresorption therapies (FxAr) compared to fragility hip fracture patients not on treatment (Fx). Bone from the intertrochanteric site, femoral head (FH: FxAr = 5, Fx = 8), compression screw cores and box chisel were obtained from patients undergoing hemi-arthroplasty surgery, FxAr (6f, 2m, mean 79 and range [64–89] years), and Fx (7f, 1m, age 85 [75–93] years). Control bone was obtained at autopsy (9f, 4m, 77 [65–88] years). Treated patients were on various bisphosphonates. Samples were resin-embedded, for quantitative backscattered electron imaging of the degree of mineralisation and assessment of bone architecture. Trabecular bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and architectural parameters were not significantly different between FxAr and Fx groups. Both groups showed normal distributions of weight (wt) % Ca; however, the FxAr was less mineralised than the Fx and the control group (mean wt % Ca: FxAr = 24.3%, Fx = 24.8%, Control = 24.9%). When comparing the FH specimens only, we found that BV/TV in the FxAr was greater than the Fx group (18% vs 15%). All other parameters were not significantly different. In addition, the mineralisation was greater in the FxAr group compared to the Fx group (25.5 % vs 25.0%) but was not significantly different. Collectively, these data suggest the effect on bone of antiresorptives may be different for patients on antiresorptive treatment that do not subsequently fracture. Assessment of bone material property data together with other bone quality measures may hold the key to better understanding of antiresorptive treatment efficacy