Introduction

Osteotomy is a key step in distraction osteogenesis. Various techniques of osteotomy have been described with its own benefits and pitfalls. Percutaneous osteotomy using multiple drill holes is one of the most widely used osteotomy techniques. It still remains a challenge however to keep the drill holes aligned prior to the osteotomy. Moreover, the efficacy of percutaneous irrigation practice to keep the temperature low during drilling with this technique is also debatable. With an aim to overcome these challenges, we are introducing a device called the Double Barrel Drill Sleeve (DBDS) to perform percutaneous osteotomies. We attempted to compare this method to the conventional multiple drill holes technique using laboratory experiments and clinical data.

Introduction and aims. Robotic Assisted Arthroplasty (RAA) is increasingly proliferative in the international orthopaedic environment. Traditional bibliometric methods poorly assess the impact of surgical innovations such as robotic technology. Progressive Scholarly Acceptance (PSA) is a new model of bibliographic analysis which quantitatively evaluates the impact of robotic technology in the orthopaedic scientific community. Methods. A systematic literature search was conducted to retrieve all peer-reviewed, English language publications studying robotic assisted hip and knee arthroplasty between 1992 and 2017. Review articles were excluded. Articles were classified as either “initial investigations” or “refining studies” according to the PSA model, described by Schnurman and Kondziolka. The PSA end-point is defined as the point in time when the number of studies focussed on refining or improving a novel technique (RAA) outnumbers the number of initial studies assessing its efficacy. Results. The study identified 73 original studies published since 1992 in the field of RAA. The procedures reported were total hip and total knee replacement, and uni-compartmental knee replacement. Publications originated from 17 countries and 117 organisations. Fifty percent of studies identified were published in the last 5 years at an average of 7 publications per year, compared to an average of 2.7 publications per year from 1992 to 2012. Fifty-eight publications (79.4%) were classified as initial investigations and 15 (20.5%) were classified as refining studies. Conclusions. PSA model analysis of RAA is indicative of a significant increase in published research, particularly over the last 5 years. However, the majority of publications are efficacious rather than technique refining. This implies that RAA has not reached the threshold of general acceptance by the Orthopaedic community

Excessive resident duty hours (RDH) are a recognized issue with implications for physician well-being and patient safety. A major component of the RDH concern is on-call duty. While considerable work has been done to reduce resident call workload, there is a paucity of research in optimizing resident call scheduling. Call coverage is scheduled manually rather than demand-based, which generally leads to over-scheduling to prevent a service gap. Machine learning (ML) has been widely applied in other industries to prevent such issues of a supply-demand mismatch. However, the healthcare field has been slow to adopt these innovations. As such, the aim of this study was to use ML models to 1) predict demand on orthopaedic surgery residents at a level I trauma centre and 2) identify variables key to demand prediction. Daily surgical handover emails over an eight year (2012-2019) period at a level I trauma centre were collected. The following data was used to calculate demand: spine call coverage, date, and number of operating rooms (ORs), traumas, admissions and consults completed. Various ML models (linear, tree-based and neural networks) were trained to predict the workload, with their results compared to the current scheduling approach. Quality of models was determined by using the area under the receiver operator curve (AUC) and accuracy of the predictions. The top ten most important variables were extracted from the most successful model. During training, the model with the highest AUC and accuracy was the multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) model, with an AUC of 0.78±0.03 and accuracy of 71.7%±3.1%. During testing, the model with the highest AUC and accuracy was the neural network model, with an AUC of 0.81 and accuracy of 73.7%. All models were better than the current approach, which had an AUC of 0.50 and accuracy of 50.1%. Key variables used by the neural network model were (descending order): spine call duty, year, weekday/weekend, month, and day of the week. This was the first study attempting to use ML to predict the service demand on orthopaedic surgery residents at a major level I trauma centre. Multiple ML models were shown to be more appropriate and accurate at predicting the demand on surgical residents as compared to the current scheduling approach. Future work should look to incorporate predictive models with optimization strategies to match scheduling with demand in order to improve resident well being and patient care

Orthopaedics has been left behind in the worldwide drive towards diversity and inclusion. In the UK, only 7% of orthopaedic consultants are female. There is growing evidence that diversity increases innovation as well as patient outcomes. This paper has reviewed the literature to identify some of the common issues affecting female surgeons in orthopaedics, and ways in which we can address them: there is a wealth of evidence documenting the differences in the journey of men and women towards a consultant role. We also look at lessons learned from research in the business sector and the military. The ‘Hidden Curriculum’ is out of date and needs to enter the 21st century: microaggressions in the workplace must be challenged; we need to consider more flexible training options and support trainees who wish to become pregnant; mentors, both male and female, are imperative to provide support for trainees. The world has changed, and we need to consider how we can improve diversity to stay relevant and effective. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2-10:893–899

Recent innovations in total ankle replacement (TAR) have led to improvements in implant survivorship, accuracy of component positioning and sizing, and patient outcomes. CT-generated pre-operative plans and cutting guides show promising results in terms of placement enhancement and reproducibility in clinical studies. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of 1) implant sizes used and 2) alignment corrections obtained intraoperatively using the cutting guides provided, compared to what was predicted in the CT generated pre-operative plans. This is a retrospective study looking at 36 patients who underwent total ankle arthroplasty using a CT generated pre-operative planning system between July 2015 and December 2017. Personalized pre-operative planning data was obtained from the implant company. Two evaluators took measurements of the angle corrected using pre- and post-operative weight bearing ankle AP X-rays. All patients had a minimum three-month follow-up with weightbearing postoperative radiographs. The actual correction calculated from the radiographic assessment was compared with the predicted angles obtained from pre-operative plans. The predicted and predicted alternative component sizes and actual sizes used were also compared. If either a predicted or predicted alternative size was implanted, we considered it to be accurate. Average age for all patients was 64 years (range 40–83), with a body mass index of 28.2 ± 5.6. All surgeries were performed by two foot and ankle surgeons. The average total surgical time was 110 ± 23 minutes. Pre-operative alignment ranged from 36.7 degrees valgus to 20 degrees varus. Average predicted coronal alignment correction was 0.8 degrees varus ± 9.3 degrees (range, 18.2 degrees valgus to 29 degrees varus) and average correction obtained was 2.1 degrees valgus ± 11.1 degrees. Average post-op alignment was consistently within 5 degrees of neutral. There were no significant differences between the predicted alignments and the postoperative weightbearing alignments. The predicted tibia implant size was accurate in all cases. The predicted sizes were less accurate for talar implants and predicted the actual talar implant size used in 66% of cases. In all cases of predicted talar size mismatch, surgical plans predicted 1 implant size larger than used. Preliminary analyses of our data is comparable to previous studies looking at similar outcomes. However, our study had higher pre-operative deformities. Despite that, post-op alignments were consistently within 5 degress of neutral with no significant difference between the predicted and actual corrections. Tibial implant sizes are highly accurate while talar implant sizes had a trend of being one size smaller than predicted. Moreover, this effect seems to be more pronounced in the earlier cases likely reflective of increasing surgeon comfort with the implant with each subsequent case. These results confirm that pre-operative cutting guides are indeed helpful in intra-operative implant selection and positioning, however, there is still some room for innovation

Background. Aseptic loosening is the leading cause of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) failure in the long term, of which osteolysis from polyethylene wear debris remains a problem that can limit the lifetime of TKA past the second decade. To help speed up design innovations, our goal was to develop a computational framework that could efficiently predict the effect of many sources of variability on TKA wear—including design, surgical, and patient variability. Methods. We developed a computational framework for predicting TKA contact mechanics and wear. The framework accepts multiple forms of input data: patient-specific, population-specific, or standardized motions and forces. CAD models are used to create the FEA mesh. An analytical wear model, calibrated from materials testing (wheel-on-flat) experiments, is fully integrated into the FEA process. Isight execution engine runs a design of experiments (DOE) analysis with an outcome variable, such as volumetric wear, to guide statistical model output. We report two DOE applications to test the utility of the computational framework for performing large variable studies in an efficient manner: one to test the sensitivity of TKA wear to the femoral center of rotation, and the second to test the sensitivity of TKA wear to gait input perturbations. Results. Using this method, we demonstrated that choice of femoral center of rotation matters, and that although volumetric wear was most sensitive to variation in flexion/extension peaks, no one kinematic factor dominates TKA volumetric wear variability. Conclusion. The two DOE applications represent initial first attempts to study variability in component alignment and input waveforms across large solution spaces. The computational framework will be most useful if it can be used in a TKA design setting, where new innovations can be tested as soon as they are developed to see if they are worthy of further mechanical testing

Introduction. Innovations in orthopaedic technology and infrastructure growth often require significant funding. Although an increasing trend has been observed for third-party investments into medical startups and physician practices, no study has examined the role of this funding in orthopaedics, including the influence of venture capital (VC). Therefore, this study analyzed trends in VC investments related to the field of orthopaedic surgery, as well as the characteristics of companies receiving said investments. Methods. Venture capital investments into orthopaedic-related businesses were reviewed from 2000–2019 using Capital IQ, a proprietary market intelligence platform documenting financial transactions. The dataset was initially filtered to include healthcare-related venture capital transactions pertaining to the field of orthopaedic surgery. The final list of VC investments and their corresponding businesses were categorized by transaction year, amount (in USD), and orthopaedic subspecialty. The number and sum of VC investments was calculated both annually and cumulatively across the entire study period. Linear regression was used for trend analysis within two distinct, decade-long timeframes (2000–2009 and 2010–2019) and one-way analysis of variance was used to assess differences across orthopaedic subspecialties. Results. Over the course of two decades, 672 VC investments were made into orthopaedic-related businesses, representing a total of $3.5 billion. Both the number and dollar value of transactions were greater in the second decade (2010–19) (233, $1.9 billion), compared to the first decade (439, $1.6 billion). Linear regression revealed significant trends in both the quantity and dollar amount of VC transactions within the decade from 2000–09 (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.0143, respectively) but no such trend in the latter decade (Figure 1A-B, Figure 2A-B). Throughout both decades studied, the largest and most frequent VC investments took place within Spine and Adult Reconstruction (Figure 3). One-way analysis of variance revealed significant differences in the annual frequency and amount of investment across orthopaedic subspecialties (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Discussion and Conclusion. The present data suggest that an initially rising trend in VC investment in orthopaedic-related businesses may have plateaued over the past decade. These findings may have important implications for continued investment into orthopaedic innovations and collaboration between the surgical community and private sector, as well as the perceived profitability of orthopaedic industries by third-party interests. For any figures or tables, please contact the authors directly

Introduction. The ability to create patient-specific implants (PSI) at the point-of-care has become a desire for clinicians wanting to provide affordable and customized treatment. While some hospitals have already adopted extrusion-based 3D printing (fused filament fabrication; FFF) for creating non-implantable instruments, recent innovations have allowed for the printing of high-temperature implantable polymers including polyetheretherketone (PEEK). With interest in FFF PEEK implants growing, it is important to identify methods for printing favorable implant characteristics such as porosity for osseointegration. In this study, we assess the effect of porous geometry on the cell response and mechanical properties for FFF-printed porous PEEK. We also demonstrate the ability to design and print customized porous implants, specifically for a sheep tibial segmental defect model, based on CT images and using the geometry of triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS). Methods. Three porous constructs – a rectilinear pattern and gyroid/diamond TPMSs – were designed to mimic trabecular bone morphology and manufactured via PEEK FFF. TPMSs were designed by altering their respective equation approximations to achieve desired porous characteristics, and the meshes were solidified and shaped using a CAD workflow. Printed samples were mCT scanned to determine the resulting pore size and porosity, then seeded with pre-osteoblast cells for 7 and 14 days. Cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) were evaluated, and the samples were imaged via SEM. The structures were tested in compression, and stiffness and yield strength values were determined from resulting stress-strain plots. Roughness was determined using optical profilometry. Finally, our process of porous structure design/creation was modified to establish a proof-of-concept workflow for creating PSIs using geometry established from segmented sheep tibia CT images. Results. ALP activity measurements of the porous PEEK samples at 7 and 14 days were significantly greater than for solid controls (p < 0.001 for all three designs, 14 days). No difference between the porous geometries was found. SEM imaging revealed cells with flat, elongated morphology attached to the surface of the PEEK and into the pore openings, with filopodia and lamellipodia extensions apparent. mCT imaging showed average pore size to be 545 ± 43 µm (porosity 70%), 708 ± 64 µm (porosity 68%), and 596 ± 94 µm (porosity 69%) for the rectilinear, gyroid, and diamond structures, respectively. The average error between the theoretical and actual values was −16.3 µm (pore size) and −3.3 % (porosity). Compression testing revealed elastic moduli ranging from 210 to 268 MPa for the porous samples. Yield strengths were 6.6 ± 1.2 MPa for lattice, 14.8 ± 0.7 MPa for gyroid, and 17.1 ± 0.6 for diamond. Average roughness ranged from 0.8 to 3 µm. Finally, we demonstrated the ability to design and print a fully porous implant with the geometry of a sheep tibia segment. Assessments of implant geometrical accuracy and mechanical performance are ongoing. Discussion. We created porous PEEK with TPMS geometries via FFF and demonstrated a positive cellular response and mechanical characteristics similar to trabecular bone. Our work offers an innovative approach for advancing point-of-care 3D printing and PSI creation

The value of joint registries is to (1) provide large scale longitudinal follow-up of classes of implants and individual implants—thereby providing potential for improved performance—and (2) serve as a tripwire for unexpected problem implants which is well appreciated. The purpose of this talk is not to reiterate the value of joint arthroplasty registries, but rather to look at several key findings from joint registries around the world and discuss what these mean for orthopaedic surgery today. Observation #1: Registries can tell us where the biggest problems are so we can act on them: Example: Early failures—those occurring in the first two years—account for about half of all failures by ten years. Early failures consist of mainly technically related problems and infections. If we can reduce these problems, we can reduce the number of patients having a second surgery after joint replacement by almost half. For one type of early failure (infection), the registry data show rate of infection after THA and TKA has not declined substantially in the last 20 years. We need major innovation in this area to solve this problem. On the other hand, registry data show early failures in older patients after THA are often due to periprosthetic femur fracture: we can solve this problem now with choice of stem fixation or prophylactic wires in high risk patients. Observation #2: Innovation can and does work! It is not correct to suggest that no new implants have led to improved results. Example: Registry data demonstrate that cross-linked polyethylene bearings have reduced the risk of revision after THA dramatically, especially in younger patients. Observation #3: Gathering more detailed information, such as patient reported outcomes, at least on limited samples of patients, can provide further insights. Example: Registry data demonstrate much greater variability in clinical outcomes of TKA in younger patients compared to older patients. Observation #4: Having national registries from different countries provides synergistic information. Example: Combining data from several national registries provides information on performance of femoral heads of different diameter and material that are not available from just one source. Observation #5: Registries may provide unexpected information that opens unexpected avenues for study. Example: Several registries demonstrate men have a 1.5–2 times higher risk of infection after TKA. We did not know this before. Why is this? Can we reduce it?

Background. Additive manufacturing (AM) has created many new avenues for material and manufacturing innovation. In orthopaedics, metal additive manufacturing is now widely used for production of joint replacements, spinal fusion devices, and cranial maxillofacial reconstruction. Plastic additive manufacturing on the other hand, has mostly been utilized for pre-surgical planning models and surgical cutting guides. The addition of pharmaceuticals to additively manufactured plastics is novel, particularly when done at the raw material level. The purpose of this study was to prove the concept of antibiotic elution from additively manufactured polymeric articles and demonstrate feasibility of application in orthopaedics. Methods. Using patented processes, three heat-stable antibiotics commonly used in orthopaedics were combined with six biocompatible polymers (2 bioresorbable) into filament and powder base materials for fused deposition modeling (FDM) and selective laser sintering (SLS) AM processes. Raw materials of 1%, 2%, and 5% antibiotic concentrations (by mass) were produced as well as a blend of all three antibiotics each at 1% concentration. Thin disks of 25 mm diameter were manufactured of each polymer with each antibiotic at all concentrations. Disks were applied to the center of circular petri dishes inoculated with a bacterium as per a standard zone of inhibition, or Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion tests. After 72 hours incubation, the zone of inhibited bacterial growth was measured. Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) of the knee was selected as the proof-of-concept application in orthopaedics. A series of tibial inserts mimicking those of a common TKR system were manufactured via SLS using a bioresorbable base material (Figure 1). Three prototype inserts were tested on a knee wear simulator for 333,000 cycles following ISO 14242–1:2014 to approximate 2–4 months of in vivo use between surgeries of a 2-stage procedure for PJI. Gravimetric measurement and visual damage assessment was performed. Results. Bacterial growth was inhibited to a mean diameter of 32.3 mm (FDM) and 42.2 mm (SLS) for nearly all combinations of polymers and concentrations of antibiotics. Prototype tibial inserts experienced an average of 200 mg of wear during testing and demonstrated no evidence of cracking, delamination or significant deformation (Figure 2). Conclusion. Bench-level testing of these novel antibiotic-eluting polymers demonstrates feasibility for their application in orthopaedic medicine. In particular, treatment of stubborn PJI with potential for increased and sustained antibiotic elution, patient-specific cocktailing, and maintenance of knee joint structure and function compared to existing PJI products and practices. Subsequent testing for these novel polymers will determine static and dynamic (wear-induced) antibiotic elution rates. For any figures or tables, please contact the authors directly

The advantages of modularity in both primary and revision hip surgery are well documented, and have been at the heart of innovation in hip implant design over the last two decades. There have been significant developments in modularity proximally at the head-neck junction, more distally with modular necks and at mid-stem level, notable for complex revisions. Modularity allows us to address version, length and offset issues and to restore optimal hip biomechanics. There are, however, increasing clinical concerns associated with the failure of taper junctions. The use of large femoral heads and modular stems are now considered major risk factors for taper corrosion. Recent studies have shown an 8–9% early revision rate of one modular neck design due to pain and adverse local tissue reaction. I will summarise our laboratory and retrieval data on taper design and tribology in order to put in perspective the clinical use of modularity in hip arthroplasty. Modular junctions rely on a frictional interlock. The engagement obtained and resulting micromotion is strongly influenced by taper size, taper length/engagement, material, surface finish, neck length and offset. In our quest for thinner femoral necks, greater offsets and bigger femoral heads, we have inadvertently created an environment that can generate fretting corrosion at modular junctions and leads to premature implant failure. Our work demonstrates that increasing torque and bending moment leads to increased susceptibility to fretting corrosion at the modular taper interface of total hip replacements. This is particularly relevant with the increasing use of larger diameter femoral heads that produce higher torques. It also identifies surface area and surface finish as important factors in wear and corrosion at the modular interface of total hip replacements. Critically, the combination of these factors can lead to extensive corrosion at the interface. Surgical technique is also important. Higher impaction loads on clean, dry surfaces result in greater contact length and extraction forces, which may influence micromotion. It is critical in future that all innovation is introduced in a systematic gradual fashion so that we do not fall into similar traps again. The unintended consequences of minor changes in design may have a massive effect on outcomes. Our findings suggest that it may be possible to continue to employ the advantages of modularity in hip surgery whilst avoiding some of the pitfalls that have led to the failure of some modular systems. Understanding the key design and surgical factors that drive the performance of taper junctions is vital for the surgical community. There is a body of knowledge that supports appropriate taper use / modularity to help surgeons deal with complex situations. We must be careful not throw the baby out with the bathwater

Despite the vast quantities of published artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms that target trauma and orthopaedic applications, very few progress to inform clinical practice. One key reason for this is the lack of a clear pathway from development to deployment. In order to assist with this process, we have developed the Clinical Practice Integration of Artificial Intelligence (CPI-AI) framework – a five-stage approach to the clinical practice adoption of AI in the setting of trauma and orthopaedics, based on the IDEAL principles (https://www.ideal-collaboration.net/). Adherence to the framework would provide a robust evidence-based mechanism for developing trust in AI applications, where the underlying algorithms are unlikely to be fully understood by clinical teams.

Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2024;13(9):507–512.

Introduction and aims. The International Orthopaedic community is eagerly adopting Robotic Assisted Arthroplasty (RAA) technology. However, the evidence for the benefits of this technology are unproven and at best equivocal. This study is a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of all published research in the field of RAA. Methods. A systematic literature search was conducted to retrieve all peer-reviewed, English language, publications studying robot- assisted hip and knee arthroplasty between 1992 and 2017. Review articles were excluded. Articles were classified by type of study and level of evidence according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine (OCEBM) Levels of Evidence System. The number of citations, authorship, year of publication, journal of publication, and country and institution of origin were also recorded for each publication. Results. We identified 73 original studies published since 1992 in the field of RAA. The procedures reported were total hip and total knee replacement, and uni-compartmental knee replacement. Publications originated from 17 countries and 117 organisations. Fifty percent of studies identified were published in the last 5 years at an average of 7 publications per year, compared to an average of 2.7 publications per year from 1992 to 2012. Thirty-six percent of original studies were of level 5 evidence or below, with a preponderance of biomechanical and cadaveric studies. The most cited paper was Bargar, Bauer and Borner's original RCT proving efficacy and safety of the Robodoc system for total hip replacement. Most publications originated in the US (36.9%) and more than 15% were published in the Journal of Arthroplasty. Conclusions. Analysis of publication patterns in robotic orthopaedic surgery allow us a unique insight into the qualities, characteristics, clinical innovations and advances in the evolution of RAA research

Introduction. The ability to manufacture implants at the point-of-care has become a desire for clinicians wanting to provide efficient patient-specific treatment. While some hospitals have adopted extrusion-based 3D printing (fused filament fabrication; FFF) for creating non-implantable instruments with low-temperature plastics, recent innovations have allowed for the printing of high-temperature polymers such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK). Due to its low modulus of elasticity, high yield strength, and radiolucency, PEEK is an attractive biomaterial for implantable devices. Though concerns exist regarding PEEK for orthopaedic implants due to its bioinertness, the creation of porous networks has shown promising results for bone ingrowth. In this study, we endeavor to manufacture porous PEEK constructs via clinically-used FFF. We assess the effect of porous geometry on cell response and hypothesize that porous PEEK will exhibit greater preosteoblast viability and activity compared to solid PEEK. The work represents an innovative approach to advancing point-of-care 3D printing, cementless fixation for total joint arthroplasty, and additional applications typically reserved for porous metal. Methods. Three porous constructs – a rectilinear pattern and two triply period minimal surface (TPMSs) - were designed to mimic the morphology of trabecular bone. The structures, along with solid PEEK samples for use as a control, were manufactured via FFF using PEEK. The samples were mCT scanned to determine the resulting pore size and porosity. The PEEK constructs were then seeded with pre-osteoblast cells for 7 and 14 days. Cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) were evaluated at each time point, and the samples were imaged via SEM. Results. mCT imaging showed the pores in the PEEK constructs to be open and interconnected. The average pore size was 535 ± 92 µm for the rectilinear, 484 ± 237 µm for the diamond, and 669 ± 216 µm for the gyroid. Porosity was 71% for the rectilinear, 76% for the diamond, and 68% for the gyroid. The average error between the theoretical and actual values was −37.3 µm for pore size and −2.3 % for porosity. Normalized ALP activity of the three porous PEEK samples at 7 days were found to be significantly greater than the solid sample (p < 0.05 rectilinear, p < 0.005 gyroid, p < 0.001 diamond). At 14 days, the same relationships were observed (p < 0.001 for all three designs). No difference between the three geometries was found. SEM imaging revealed cells with flat, elongated morphology attached to the surface of the PEEK. The 14-day samples appeared to have proliferated well and spread along the PEEK pores. Extensions of filopodia and lamellipodia were observed along with large blankets of cells covering the PEEK surface. Discussion. We demonstrated the ability of FFF printed porous PEEK surfaces to promote cellular processes necessary for bone-implant fixation. While all porous structures showed promising results, more investigation into their material characteristics and osteogenic potential are necessary to determine which geometry may be suitable for orthopaedic use. Our work offers an innovative approach to advancing point-of-care 3D printing, cementless implant fixation, and additional applications typically reserved for porous metal

Total hip replacement procedures are among the most frequent surgical interventions in all industrialized countries. Although it is a routine operationliterature reports that important parameters regarding for example cup orientation and leg length discrepancy often turn out to be not satisfying after surgery. This paper presents a novel concept to improve the reproducibility and accuracy for implantation of cup and stem prosthesis at exactly the desired locations. Existing computer- based commercial products either offer software solutions for just pre-operative planning, or imageless navigation systems that are only used during surgery in the operating theatre. The innovation of our approach is based on an integrated computer-assisted solution that combines pre-operative planning and intra-operative navigation to support THR procedures. The software for pre-operative planning can process both, 3D CT images and standard 2D x-ray images. A custom-built navigation system using optical 3D localizing technology has been developed to transfer planning results to the OR. The main objective of our approach is to implant the artificial joint in a way to restore the natural anatomy of the joint before surgery as close as possible, or with exactly planned modifications. In particular, cup inclination, cumulative anteversion of cup and stem, CCD angle and lateral offset, centre of rotation, leg length discrepancy, and joint range of motion are considered. It is not necessary to determine numerical values for all of these parameters because our approach uses a unique procedure to record the natural anatomical situation by combining pre-operative planning and intra-operative navigation, and subsequently supports implantation of the prosthesis components by surgical navigation in order to restore this situation. In case planar 2D x-ray images are used for pre-operative planning accurate scaling of these images is a prerequisite for exact determination of relevant parameters. The patient-specific scaling factor depends on the distance of the hip joint rotation centre from the x-ray detector or film. We have designed a low-cost localization system to be mounted close to the x-ray apparatus. It localizes the 3D position of the rotation centre by small motions of the leg and eliminates uncertainties of conventional methods that are caused by improper positioning of a calibration body. Easy and robust setup and application have been key objectives for the development of our custom-built navigation system. Acquisition of intraoperative parameters for example includes the determination of the acetabular centre axis by localizing selected landmarks at the acetabular rim. Intra-operative parameters are combined with pre-operative parameters without needing sophisticated matching procedures with the pre-operative images. A preliminary surgical workflow that will be detailed in the conference presentation has been designed for evaluation of the concept using sawbones models. Based on the promising results of our laboratory tests we have started to prepare first clinical experiments in close cooperation with surgeons

The treatment of extensive bone loss and massive acetabular defects is a challenging procedure, especially the concomitant pelvic discontinuity (PD) can be compounded by several challenges and pitfalls. The appropriate treatment strategy is to restore a stable continuity between the ischium and the ilium and to reconstruct the anatomical hip center. Antiprotrusio cages, metal augments, reconstruction cages with screw fixation, structural allograft with plating, jumbo cups, oblong cups and custom-made triflange acetabular components have been reported as possible treatment options. Nevertheless, the survivorship following acetabular revision with extensive bone loss is still unsatisfactory. The innovation of three-dimensional printing (3DP) has become already revolutionary in engineering and product design. Nowadays, the technology is becoming part of surgical practice and suitable for the production of precise and bespoke implants. The technique of a 3D-printed custom acetabular component in the management of extensive acetabular defect is presented

The advent of modern anatomic shoulder arthroplasty occurred in the 1990's with the revelation that the humeral head dimensions had a fixed ratio between the head diameter and height. As surgeons moved from the concept of balancing soft tissue tension by using variable neck lengths for a given humeral head diameter, a flawed concept based on lower extremity reconstruction, improvements in range of motion and function were immediately observed. Long term outcome has validated this guiding principle for anatomic shoulder replacement with improved longevity of implants, improved patient and surgeon expectations and satisfaction with results. Once the ideal humeral head prosthesis is identified, and its position prepared, the surgeon must use a method to fix the position of the head that is correct in three dimensions and has the security to withstand patient activities and provide maximal longevity. Based again on lower extremity concepts, long stems were the standard of care, initially with cement, and now, almost universally without cement for a primary shoulder replacement. The incredibly low revision rates for humeral stem aseptic loosening shifted much of the attempted innovation to the challenges on the glenoid side of the reconstruction. However, glenoid problems including revision surgery, infections, periprosthetic fractures, and other complications often required the removal of the humeral stem. And, in many cases, the overall results of the procedure and the patient's long-term outcome was affected by the difficulty in removing the stem, leading surgeons to compromise the revision procedure, avoid revision surgery, or add to the overall morbidity with humeral fractures and substantial bone loss. With improved technology, including bone ingrowth methods, better matching of the proximal stem geometry to the humerus, and an understanding that the center of rotation (torque) on the humeral component is at the level of the humeral osteotomy, shorter stems and stemless humeral components were developed, now more than 10 years ago, primarily in Europe. With more than a decade of experience, our European colleagues have shown us that stemless humeral component replacement with a device that has both cortical and cancellous fixation is as effective as a stemmed device, easier to implant as well as revise when needed. The short-term results of the cancellous fixation stemless devices are acceptable, but longer follow-up is needed. Currently, the most widely used humeral components in the USA are short stem components, although the recent FDA approval of numerous stemless devices has initiated a shift from short stems to stemless devices. The truth is, short stem devices have a firm position in the USA surgeons' armamentarium today due to regulatory restrictions. A decade ago, without a predicate on the market, it was not conceivable that a stemless device that was already gaining popularity in Europe would be able to get 510K approval, and therefore would require a lengthy and expensive FDA IDE process. However, shorter stems had already been approved in the USA, as long as the stem length was 7 centimeters, matching the market predicate. Now, in 2018, based on evidence and outcomes, stemless humeral components should be the first choice when treating primary osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint. Short stem or longer stem devices should be reserved for those cases where stemless fixation is not possible, which is less than 10% of patients with primary OA of the shoulder

Key Points:. Historically, 22.25, 26, 28, or 32 mm metal femoral heads were used in primary total hip arthroplasty, but innovations in materials now permit head sizes 36 mm or larger. Stability and wear of primary total hip arthroplasty are related to the diameter and material of the femoral head. Larger diameter femoral heads are associated with increased joint stability through increases in arc range of motion and excursion distance prior to dislocation. Fixation of the acetabular component may be related to the size of the femoral head, with increased frictional torque associated with large diameter heads and certain polyethylene. Linear wear of highly crosslinked polyethylenes seems unrelated to femoral head diameter, but larger heads have been reported to have higher volumetric wear. Mechanically assisted crevice corrosion at the connection between the modular femoral head and neck may be associated with the femoral head size and material. Cobalt chromium alloy, alumina ceramic composite, or oxidised zirconium femoral heads on highly crosslinked polyethylene are the most commonly used bearing surfaces, but each may have unique risks and benefits. Conclusions. At present, there is a wave of enthusiasm for the routine use of “large” (32, 36 mm, or larger) femoral heads with highly crosslinked polyethylene for the vast majority of patients having a primary THA. It may be reasonable to consider the “graduated femoral head-outer acetabular diameter system”, using 28 mm femoral heads with “smaller” acetabular components (<50 mm), 32 mm femoral heads with acetabular components 50 – 56 mm outer diameter, and 36 mm or larger femoral heads with acetabular components 58 mm or larger in diameter, to minimise both the risk of dislocation and the frictional torque. Although the linear wear of highly crosslinked polyethylene appears to be independent of head size, the reported increase in volumetric wear with large femoral heads and highly crosslinked polyethylene requires further study, and should temper the use of femoral heads 36 mm or larger in younger and more active patients. With its long and successful history, it is difficult to recommend the complete abandonment of the cobalt chromium alloy femoral head in all patients having a primary THA. Alumina ceramic or oxidised zirconium heads may be considered for younger, heavier, and more active patients, who seem to have the highest risk of trunnion corrosion. Surgeons and patients should be aware of the unique possible complications of these two newer femoral head materials

For learning any new technique the main principle to follow is: learn the technique thoroughly from start to finish and adopt it as taught, without attempting to modify it until you are very familiar with it. Orthopaedic table enhanced anterior approach THA (ATHA) is at this point a well-established teachable and repeatable technique though its safety and efficacy depends on adherence to details. These technical details have evolved to become part of the technique since I first taught it at a course in 2003. The technical details and innovations have utilised the invaluable input from high volume expert surgeons as well as from less experienced surgeons taking on the challenges of learning. Considering anterior approach (AA), three technical aspects can be a “mental block” for the uninitiated surgeon: 1) supine position, 2) the orthopaedic table, 3) checking cup position, leg length and offset with the image intensifier/C-arm. Keep in mind that though you may have been initially trained and experienced with lateral position, a flat table and no x-ray checks, these three technical aspects greatly facilitate Anterior Approach and enhance its repeatability, safety, accuracy and overall “ease of use”. Anterior approach technical instruction is available at a number of venues and the preceding is consistent with the surgeon developed technique taught at courses. Visiting a surgeon who is expert in AA can also provide an effective supplemental educational experience

Introduction. Although total hip arthroplasty is a very successful operation, complications such as: dislocation, aseptic loosening, and periprosthetic fracture do occur. These aspects have been studied in large populations for traditional stem designs, but not for more recent short stems. The design rationale of short stems is to preserve bone stock, without compromising stability. However, due to their smaller bone contact area, high peak stresses and areas of stress shielding could appear in the proximal femur, especially in the presence of atypical bone geometries. In order to evaluate this aspect, we quantified the stress distribution in atypical proximal femurs implanted with a commercially available calcar guided short stem. Methods. Geometrical shape variations in neck-shaft angle (NSA), neck-length (NL) and anteversion (AV), were determined three-dimensionally in the Mimics Innovation Suite (Materialise N.V., Leuven, Belgium) from a CT dataset of 96 segmented femurs. For each shape variation, the femurs that had the two lowest, two average and two highest values were included (18 femurs). Using scripting functionality in Mimics, CAD design files of the calcar guided Optimys short stem (Mathys, Bettlach, Switzerland) were automatically sized and aligned to restore the anatomical hip rotation center. Stem size and position were manually corrected by an orthopedic surgeon before finite element (FE) models were constructed using a non-manifold assembly approach (Figure 1). Material properties were estimated from the CT dataset and loads representing walking and stair climbing were applied [1]. Stress-shielding was evaluated by the change in average strain energy density pre- and post-operatively in three different regions (calcar, midstem, tip) each being subdivided in four quarters (medial, lateral, anterior, posterior) (Figure 2). Results. Stress shielding in the proximal femur was seen in all models, especially in the calcar-medial region. In that region, the largest variation in stress shielding was observed for the models with an atypical NSA, ranging from 57% to 96%. The lowest amount was found in a patient with an average NSA (124°), and the highest amount was found in a patient with a small NSA (109°) (Figure 2). In the models selected for their varying neck lengths, calcar-medial stress shielding increased from 69% (NL 53 mm) to 97% (NL 66 mm). Stress shielding was least sensitive to variations in AV, ranging from 79% to 92%. Similar patterns were observed for walking and stair climbing loads. Discussion. Stress shielding was smallest in femurs where the load-transfer between implant and bone was located more proximally, while higher levels of stress shielding occurred when the load transfer was more pronounced at the tip of the stem (Figure 3). Two femurs with an average NSA and NL showed substantially lower stress shielding than the 16 other femurs. This may suggest that the calcar guided Optimys short stem prevents stress shielding especially in average femurs, but less so in atypical femurs. Hence, a larger study population should be investigated to support this hypothesis. For any figures or tables, please contact the authors directly