Early micromotion of hip implants measured with radiostereometric analysis (RSA) is a predictor for late aseptic loosening. Computed Tomography Radiostereometric Analysis (CT-RSA) can be used to determine implant micro-movements using low-dose CT scans. CT-RSA enables a non-invasive measurement of implants. We evaluated the precision of CT-RSA in measuring early stem migration. Standard marker-based RSA was used as reference. We hypothesised that CT-RSA can be used as an alternative to RSA in assessing implant micromotions. We included 31 patients undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA). Distal femoral stem migration at 1 year was measured with both RSA and CT-RSA. Comparison of the two methods was performed with paired-analysis and Bland-Altman plots. Furthermore, the inter- and intraobserver reliability of the CT-RSA method was evaluated. No statistical difference was found between RSA and CTMA measurements. The Bland-Altman plots showed good agreement between marker-based RSA and CT-RSA. The intra- and interobserver reliability of the CT-RSA method was found to be excellent (≥0.992). CT-RSA is comparable to marker-based RSA in measuring distal femoral stem migration. CTMA can be used as an alternative method to detect early implant migration

Radiostereometric analysis (RSA) can detect early micromovement in unstable implant designs which are likely subsequently to have a high failure rate. In 2010, the Articular Surface Replacement (ASR) was withdrawn because of a high failure rate. In 19 ASR femoral components, the mean micromovement over the first two years after implantation was 0.107 mm (sd 0.513) laterally, 0.055 mm (sd 0.204) distally and 0.150 mm (sd 0.413) anteriorly. The mean backward tilt around the x-axis was -0.08° (sd 1.088), mean internal rotation was 0.165° (sd 0.924) and mean varus tilt 0.238° (sd 0.420). The baseline to two-year varus tilt was statistically significant from zero movement, but there was no significant movement from one year onwards.

We conclude that the ASR femoral component achieves initial stability and that early migration is not the mode of failure for this resurfacing arthroplasty.

Aims. The aim of this study was to determine the stability of a new short femoral stem compared with a conventional femoral stem in patients undergoing cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA), in a prospective randomized controlled trial using radiostereometric analysis (RSA). Patients and Methods. A total of 53 patients were randomized to receive cementless THA with either a short femoral stem (MiniHip, 26 patients, mean age: 52 years, nine male) or a conventional length femoral stem (MetaFix, 23 patients, mean age: 53 years, 11 male). All patients received the same cementless acetabular component. Two-year follow-up was available on 38 patients. Stability was assessed through migration and dynamically inducible micromotion. Radiographs for RSA were taken postoperatively and at three, six, 12, 18, and 24 months. Results. At two years, there was significantly less subsidence (inferior migration) of the short femoral stem (head, 0.26 mm, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.08 to 0.43, . sd. 0.38; tip, 0.11 mm, 95% CI -0.08 to 0.31, . sd. 0.42) compared with the conventional stem (head, 0.62 mm, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.90, . sd. 0.56, p = 0.02; tip, 0.43 mm, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.65, . sd. 0.44, p = 0.03). There was no significant difference in dynamically inducible micromotion, rate of complications or functional outcome. Conclusion. This study demonstrates that the short femoral stem has a stable and predictable migration. However, longer-term survival analysis still needs to be determined. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:1148–56

The influence of the surgical process on implant loosening and periprosthetic fractures (PPF) as major complications in uncemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) have rarely been studied due to the difficult quantification. Meanwhile registry analyses have clearly shown a decrease in complications with increasing experience. The goal of this study was to determine the extent of variability in THA stem implantation between highly experienced surgeons with respect to implant-size, -position, press-fit, contact area, primary stability and the effect of using a powered impaction tool. Primary hip stems were implanted in 16 cadaveric femur pairs by three experienced surgeons using manual and powered impaction. Quantitative CTs were taken before and after each process step and stem tilt, canal-fill-ratio, pressfit and contact area between bone and implant determined. 11 femur pairs were additionally tested for primary stability under cyclic loading conditions. Higher variations in press-fit and contact area between the surgeons for manual impactions compared to powered were observed. Stem tilt and implant sizing varied between surgeons but not between impaction methods. Larger stems exhibited less micromotion compared to smaller stems. Larger implants may increase PPF risk, while smaller implants reduce primary stability. The reduced variation for powered impactions indicates that appropriate measures may promote a more standardized process. The observed variations between the experienced surgeons may represent the acceptable range for this specific stem design. Variability in the implantation process warrants further investigations since certain deviations e.g. a stem tilt towards varus, might increase bone stresses and PPF risk

Background. Short bone-conserving femoral stem implants were developed to achieve more physiological, proximal bone loading than conventional femoral stems. Concerns have arisen, however, that improved loading may be offset by lower primary stability because of the reduced potential area for bony contact. Aims. The aim of this study was to determine the primary stability of a novel short femoral stem compared with a conventional femoral stem following cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA), in a prospective, blinded, randomised, controlled trial using radiostereometric analysis. Methods. Fifty-three patients were randomised to receive cementless THA with either a short femoral stem or a conventional femoral stem. The CONSORT diagram is shown (Figure I). Surgery was performed at one institution by three surgeons. 26 patients received the short stem and 23 received the conventional stem. Complete follow-up was available on 40 patients (82%). All patients received the same cementless acetabular component. The primary outcomes were dynamically inducible micromotion and migration of the femoral stems at two years. Both were measured using radiostereometric analysis. Radiographs for radiostereometric analysis were taken post-operatively and at three, six, 12, 18 and 24 months. Validated geometric algorithms were used to determine the relative three-dimensional position of the prosthetic stem and host bone. Results. At two years, there was significantly less subsidence (inferior migration) of the short femoral stem (head: 0.28mm; 95% confidence interval [CI] +/−0.17; SD 0.38; tip: 0.10mm; 95% CI +/− 0.18; SD 0.41) compared with the conventional stem (head: 0.61mm, 95% CI +/−0.26, SD 0.55, P=0.03; tip: 0.44mm, 95% CI +/−0.21, SD 0.43, P=0.02) (Figure II). There was no significant difference in dynamically inducible micromotion. Conclusion. This study demonstrates that the short femoral stem has a stable and predictable migration. However, longer-term survival analysis remains important. For any figures and tables, please contact the authors directly

Aims

The primary aim of this trial was to compare the subsidence of two similar hydroxyapatite-coated titanium femoral components from different manufacturers. Secondary aims were to compare rotational migration (anteversion/retroversion and varus/valgus tilt) and patient-reported outcome measures between both femoral components.

Introduction. Enhanced stability using dual mobility has been demonstrated but concerns about potential for corrosion in modular versions have been raised. Case reports of corrosion with malseated inserts have heightened concerns over this modularity. Some have claimed that malseating is rare, the true frequency is unknown. The purpose of our investigation was to determine the incidence of liner malseating in dual mobility implants at our institution. Methods. 567 hips had primary modular dual mobility hip replacements (Biomet or Stryker) between 2016 and 2018. Post-operative radiographs were reviewed independently by two reviewers to identify malseating. Liners were considered malseated if there was a noticeable gap between the metal liner and acetabular shell(figure 1). All liners deemed to be malseated were independently assessed by 3 separate reviewers for confirmation. Results. 32 of the 567 (5.6%) of the liners were found to be malseated. There were no malseated liners in the Biomet group (n=46). There were 32 malseated liners in 521 (6.1%) Stryker cups using 3 different Stryker shells: 19 of 229 (8.23%) in the Trident I hemispherical group; 5 of 99 (5.05%) in in the Trident I PSL group and 8 of 193 (4.15%) in the Trident II group. Conclusions. Our observation of malseating in 5.6% of patients is clearly disconcerting. The etiology of malseating is unclear ranging from soft tissue interposition to possible shell deformation leading to a geometric mismatch between cup and liner. The clinical impact of this observation is unknown but speculation regarding risk of micromotion along the interface leading to fretting and corrosion appears plausible. Further clinical followup will be necessary to determine whether these radiographic finding will ultimately impact clinical outcome. For any tables or figures, please contact the authors directly

Aims

Manual impaction, with a mallet and introducer, remains the standard method of installing cementless acetabular cups during total hip arthroplasty (THA). This study aims to quantify the accuracy and precision of manual impaction strikes during the seating of an acetabular component. This understanding aims to help improve impaction surgical techniques and inform the development of future technologies.

Introduction. Improper seating during head/stem assembly can lead to unintended micromotion between the femoral head and stem taper—resulting in fretting corrosion and implant failure. 1. There is no consensus—either by manufacturers or by the surgical community—on what head/stem taper assembly method maximizes modular junction stability in total hip arthroplasty (THA). A 2018 clinical survey. 2. found that orthopedic surgeons prefer applying one strike or three, subsequent strikes when assembling head/stem taper. However, it has been suggested that additional strikes may lead to decreased interference strength. Additionally, the taper surface finish—micro-grooves—has been shown to affect taper interference strength and may be influenced by assembly method. The objective of this study was to employ a novel, micro-grooved finite element (FEA) model of the hip taper interface and assess the role of head/stem assembly method—one vs three strikes—on modular taper junction stability. Methods. A two-dimensional, axisymmetric FEA model representative of a CoCrMo femoral head taper and Ti6Al4V stem taper was created using median geometrical measurements taken from over 100 retrieved implants. 3. Surface finish—micro-grooves—of the head/stem taper were modeled using a sinusoidal function with amplitude and period corresponding to retrieval measurements of micro-groove height and spacing, respectively. Two stem taper micro-groove geometries— “rough” and “smooth”—were modeled corresponding to the median and 5. th. percentile height and spacing measurements from retrievals. All models had a 3' (0.05°), proximal-locked angular mismatch between the tapers. To simulate implant assembly during surgery, multiple dynamic loads (4kN, 8kN, and 12kN) were applied to the femoral head taper in a sequence of one or three strikes. The input load profile (Figure 1) used for both cases was collected from surgeons assembling an experimental setup with a three-dimensional load sensor. Models were assembled and meshed in ABAQUS Standard (v 6.17) using four-node linear hexahedral, reduced integration elements. Friction was modeled between the stem and head taper using surface-to-surface formulation with penalty contact (µ=0.2). A total of 12 implicit, dynamic simulations (3 loads × 2 assembly sequences × 2 stem taper surface finishes) were run, with 2 static simulations at 4kN for evaluating inertial effects. Outcome variables included contact area, contact pressure, equivalent plastic strain, and pull-off force. Results. As expected, increasing assembly load led to increased contact area, pressures, and plasticity for both taper finishes. Rough tapers exhibited less total contact area at each loading level as compared to the smooth taper. Contact pressures were relatively similar across the stem taper finishes, except the 3-strike smooth taper, which exhibited the lowest contact pressures (Figure 2) and pull-off forces. The models assembled with one strike exhibited the greatest contact pressures, pull-off forces, and micro-groove plastic deformation (Figure 3). Conclusion. Employing 1-strike loads led to greater contact areas, pressures, pull-off forces, and plastic deformation of the stem taper micro-grooves as compared to tapers assembled with three strikes. Residual energy may be lost with subsequent assembly strikes, suggesting that one, firm strike maximizes taper assembly mechanics. These models will be used to identify the optimal design factors and impaction method to maximize stability of modular taper junctions. For any tables or figures, please contact the authors directly

Aims

The primary objective of this study was to develop a validated classification system for assessing iatrogenic bone trauma and soft-tissue injury during total hip arthroplasty (THA). The secondary objective was to compare macroscopic bone trauma and soft-tissues injury in conventional THA (CO THA) versus robotic arm-assisted THA (RO THA) using this classification system.

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This study investigates head-neck taper corrosion with varying head size in a novel hip simulator instrumented to measure corrosion related electrical activity under torsional loads.

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The aim of this study was to compare the mid-term patient-reported outcome, bone remodelling, and migration of a short stem (Collum Femoris Preserving; CFP) with a conventional uncemented stem (Corail).

Aims

Dual mobility implants in total hip arthroplasty are designed to increase the functional head size, thus decreasing the potential for dislocation. Modular dual mobility (MDM) implants incorporate a metal liner (e.g. cobalt-chromium alloy) in a metal shell (e.g. titanium alloy), raising concern for mechanically assisted crevice corrosion at the modular liner-shell connection. We sought to examine fretting and corrosion on MDM liners, to analyze the corrosion products, and to examine histologically the periprosthetic tissues.

Aims

Aseptic loosening is a leading cause of uncemented arthroplasty failure, often accompanied by fibrotic tissue at the bone-implant interface. A biological target, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), was investigated as a crucial connection between the innate immune system’s response to injury, fibrotic tissue development, and proper bone healing. Prevalence of NETs in peri-implant fibrotic tissue from aseptic loosening patients was assessed. A murine model of osseointegration failure was used to test the hypothesis that inhibition (through Pad4^-/- mice that display defects in peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PAD4), an essential protein required for NETs) or resolution (via DNase 1 treatment, an enzyme that degrades the cytotoxic DNA matrix) of NETs can prevent osseointegration failure and formation of peri-implant fibrotic tissue.

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The main advantage of 3D-printed, off-the-shelf acetabular implants is the potential to promote enhanced bony fixation due to their controllable porous structure. In this study we investigated the extent of osseointegration in retrieved 3D-printed acetabular implants.

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The aim of this study was to develop a novel computational model for estimating head/stem taper mechanics during different simulated assembly conditions.

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The Exeter V40 cemented polished tapered stem system has demonstrated excellent long-term outcomes. This paper presents a systematic review of the existing literature and reports on a large case series comparing implant fractures between the Exeter V40 series; 125 mm and conventional length stem systems.

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The aim of this prospective cohort study was to evaluate the early migration of the TriFit cementless proximally coated tapered femoral stem using radiostereometric analysis (RSA).

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Periprosthetic femoral fractures (PPF) are a serious complication of total hip arthroplasty (THA) and are becoming an increasingly common indication for revision arthroplasty with the ageing population. This study aimed to identify potential risk factors for PPF based on an analysis of registry data.

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This combined clinical and in vitro study aimed to determine the incidence of liner malseating in modular dual mobility (MDM) constructs in primary total hip arthroplasties (THAs) from a large volume arthroplasty centre, and determine whether malseating increases the potential for fretting and corrosion at the modular metal interface in malseated MDM constructs using a simulated corrosion chamber.