Background. Antibiotic loaded bone cement (ALBC) is commonly used in cemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) in an attempt to reduce the risk of prosthetic joint infection (PJI). However, its role versus plain cement remains controversial due to the potential risk of developing resistant organisms and potential excess costs incurred from its usage. We investigated the relationship of ALBC and plain cement in affecting outcome of revision surgery after primary THA. Methodology. We conducted a retrospective study of data collected from National Joint Registry for England and Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man between 1. st. September 2005 until 31. st. August 2017. A logistic regression analysis model was used to investigate the association between ALBC versus plain cement and the odds ratio (OR) for revision, adjusting for age, ASA grade, bearing surfaces, head size and cup and stem fixation. Indications for revision recorded in NJR were considered in separate models. Results. We identified 418,925 THAs where bone cements were used (22,037 plain cement; 396,888 ALBC). After adjusting for confounding factors, the risk of revision for infection was lower with ALBC (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.62–0.95). There was also lower risk of revision for aseptic loosening of stem (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.39–0.72), aseptic loosening of socket (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.37– 0.58). When breaking down hips into fully cemented or hybrid fixation, the protective effect of ALBC against infection was only apparent in fully cemented (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.48–0.87) when compared against hybrid fixation (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.66–1.23). Discussion. Within the limits of registry analysis, this study has demonstrated an association between the use of ALBC and lower rates of revision for infection and aseptic loosening. Conclusion. This finding supports the current use of ABLC in cemented THAs

Aims. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the use of antibiotic-loaded bone cement influenced the risk of revision surgery after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) for osteoarthritis. Methods. The study involved data collected by the National Joint Registry (NJR) for England and Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man between 1 September 2005 and 31 August 2017. Cox proportional hazards were used to investigate the association between use of antibiotic-loaded bone cement and the risk of revision due to prosthetic joint infection (PJI), with adjustments made for the year of the initial procedure, age at the time of surgery, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, head size, and body mass index (BMI). We looked also at the association between use of antibiotic-loaded bone cement and the risk of revision due to aseptic loosening or osteolysis. Results. The cohort included 418,857 THAs of whom 397,896 had received antibiotic-loaded bone cement and 20,961 plain cement. After adjusting for putative confounding factors, the risk of revision for PJI was lower in those in whom antibiotic-loaded bone cement was used (hazard ration (HR) 0.79; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64 to 0.98). There was also a protective effect on the risk of revision due to aseptic loosening or osteolysis, in the period of > 4.1 years after primary THA, HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.45, 0.72. Conclusion. Within the limits of registry analysis, this study showed an association between the use of antibiotic-loaded bone cement and lower rates of revision due to PJI. The findings support the continued use of antibiotic-loaded bone cement in cemented THA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(8):997–1002

Of the 11 054 Charnley low-frictional torque arthroplasties carried out at our hospital between 1962 and 1977, 110 (94 patients) had a minimum follow-up of 30 years with a mean of 32.3 years (30.0 to 40.5). The mean age of the patients at operation was 43.3 years (17.0 to 65.0) and 75.7 years (51.0 to 97.0) at follow-up. Overall, 90% of hips (99) were free from pain and activity was reported as normal in 58% of the patients.

A total of 13 hips (11.8%) were revised at a mean follow-up of 32.3 years (30.0 to 39.5), with wear and loosening of the acetabular component as the main indications.

The clinical results did not reflect the mechanical state of the implant. Follow-up with sequential radiographs of good quality is essential. Revision for radiological changes alone must be accepted if gross loss of bone stock is to be avoided.

Improvements in the design, materials and operative technique, based on the long-term outcome, are highlighted.