Objectives. The Precice nail is the latest intramedullary lengthening nail with excellent early outcomes. Implant complications have led to modification of the nail design. The aim of this study was to perform a retrieval study of Precice nails following lower-limb lengthening and to assess macroscopical and microscopical changes to the implants and evaluate differences following design modification, with the aim of identifying potential surgical, implant, and patient risk factors. Methods. A total of 15 nails were retrieved from 13 patients following lower-limb lengthening. Macroscopical and microscopical surface damage to the nails were identified. Further analysis included radiology and micro-CT prior to sectioning. The internal mechanism was then analyzed with scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy to identify corrosion. Results. Seven male and three female patients underwent 12 femoral lengthenings. Three female patients underwent tibial lengthening. All patients obtained the desired length with no implant failure. Surface degradation was noted on the telescopic part of every nail design, less on the latest implants. Microscopical analysis confirmed fretting and pitting corrosion. Following sectioning, black debris was noted in all implants. The early designs were found to have fractured actuator pins and the pin and bearings showed evidence of corrosive debris. The latest designs showed evidence of biological deposits suggestive of fluid ingress within the nail but no corrosion. Conclusion. This study confirms less internal corrosion following modification, but evidence of titanium debris remains. We recommend no change to current clinical practice. However, potential reuse of the Precice nail, for secondary limb lengthening in the same patient, should be undertaken with caution. Cite this article: V. C. Panagiotopoulou, K. Davda, H. S. Hothi, J. Henckel, A. Cerquiglini, W. D. Goodier, J. Skinner, A. Hart, P. R. Calder. A retrieval analysis of the Precice intramedullary limb lengthening system. Bone Joint Res 2018;7:476–484. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.77.BJR-2017-0359.R1

Background. One of the potential complications of polyethylene liner (PL) is its dissociation from the metal shell. This is a rare but catastrophic complication of total hip replacement (THR). Objective. was to analyze the retrieved dissociated components (PL and shell) (Depuy Pinnacle, Warsaw, IN, USA) to evaluate the mechanism of failure. All these components were dissociated within four years of implantation. Methods. Components were retrieved from three different centers in Canada over the period from January 2011 to October 2016. The analysis was done at the Orthopaedic Innovation Centre (OIC) in Winnipeg Canada. Nine PLs were retrieved at the time of revision THR. Assessment using optical and scanning electron microscopies at magnification between 25× and 150× was performed. The following questions were asked: 1) were the liners correctly seated at the primary surgery? 2) Are there signs of impingement present which could have caused the liner to become dissociated? 3) Does the wear pattern indicate that the liner was failing prior to dissociation?. Results. All PLs dissociated in the inferior direction. Five PL were believed to have been seated properly at the time of indexed surgery. All PL displayed signs of post dissociation impingement. Only 1 PL had fractured resulting in failure prior to dissociation. Other PL showed signs of wear, however none of them reached thinness that would be a cause for concern. Eight PLs demonstrated shearing of the anti rotation tabs. Assessment of the anti rotation tabs revealed that a couple had sheared off suddenly while remaining anti rotation tabs sheared off in progressive fatigue resulting in the failure of the locking mechanism. Conclusions. Retrieval analysis was useful in identifying common patterns of failure such as anti-rotation tab damage. This was suggestive that the locking mechanism of the acetabular components has probably failed in 8 out of 9 of the retrieved liners

Introduction. The use of Additive Manufacturing (AM) to 3D print titanium implants is becoming widespread in orthopaedics, particularly in producing cementless porous acetabular components that are either custom-made or off-the-shelf; the primary design rationale for this is enhanced bony fixation by matching the porosity of bone. Analysis of these retrieved components can help us understand their performance; in this study we introduce a non-destructive method of the retrieval analysis of 3D printed implants. Material and methods. We examined 11 retrieved 3D printed acetabular cups divided into two groups: “custom-made” (n = 4) and “off-the-shelf” (n = 7). A macroscopic visual analysis was initially performed to measure the area of tissue ongrowth. High resolution imaging of each component was captured using a micro-CT scanner and 3D reconstructed models were used to assess clinically relevant morphometric features of the porous structure: porosity, porous structure thickness, pore size and strut thickness. Optical microscopy was also used as a comparison with microCT results. Surface morphology and elemental composition of the implants were investigated with a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) coupled with an Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscope (EDS). Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate possible differences between the two groups. Results. We found a spread of tissue coverage, median of 81% (23 – 95), with a trend with time in situ. Custom implants showed a higher spread of porosity, with median value of 74.11% (67.94 – 81.01), due to the presence of differently designed porous areas. Off-the-shelf cups had median porosity of 72.49% (66.67 – 73.07), but there was no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.164). There was a significant difference in the thickness of the porous structure of the two groups, which were 3.918 mm (3.688 – 4.102) and 1.289 mm (1.235 – 1.364), respectively (p = 0.006). SEM output showed specific morphological features of 3D printed object; EDS analysis suggested that no chemical modifications occurred in vivo, with elemental ratios (Ti/Al = 14; Ti/V = 21; Al/V = 1.51) comparable to previously published results. Conclusion. This is one of the first retrieval studies of 3D printed orthopaedic implants. We introduced a method for the investigation of these components and micro-CT scanning enabled the non-destructive assessment of the porous structure. This work represents the first step in understanding the performance of 3D printed implants

Four low-cost hip prostheses, explanted because of clinical failure within three years, were subjected to a retrieval analysis study to determine the cause of the early failure. The study aimed to determine whether the low-cost prosthesis was substandard and had consequently contributed to the need for early revision. The retrieval analysis included a photographic record, a fractographic examination, an analysis of the material composition of the components, and a mechanical property analysis. These investigations were done in accordance with the ASTM F561 standards. Results demonstrated substandard qualities in respect of all parameters analysed. We conclude that the inferior quality of these low-cost hip prostheses contributed appreciably to their early failure and revision

Objectives. The use of ceramic femoral heads in total hip arthroplasty (THA) has increased due to their proven low bearing wear characteristics. Ceramic femoral heads are also thought to reduce wear and corrosion at the head-stem junction with titanium (Ti) stems when compared with metal heads. We sought to evaluate taper damage of ceramic compared with metal heads when paired with cobalt chromium (CoCr) alloy stems in a single stem design. Methods. This retrieval study involved 48 total hip arthroplasties (THAs) with CoCr V40 trunnions paired with either CoCr (n = 21) or ceramic (n = 27) heads. The taper junction of all hips was evaluated for fretting/corrosion damage and volumetric material loss using a roundness-measuring machine. We used linear regression analysis to investigate taper damage differences after adjusting for potential confounding variables. Results. We measured median taper material loss rates of 0.210 mm. 3. /year (0.030 to 0.448) for the metal head group and 0.084 mm. 3. /year (0.059 to 0.108) for the ceramic group. The difference was not significant (p = 0.58). Moreover, no significant correlation between material loss and implant or patient factors (p > 0.05) was found. Conclusions. Metal heads did not increase taper damage on CoCr trunnions compared with ceramic heads from the same hip design. The amount of material released at the taper junctions was very low when compared with available data regarding CoCr/Ti coupling in metal-on-metal bearings. Cite this article: A. Di Laura, H. Hothi, J. Henckel, I. Swiatkowska, M. H. L. Liow, Y-M. Kwon, J. A. Skinner, A. J. Hart. Retrieval analysis of metal and ceramic femoral heads on a single CoCr stem design. Bone Joint Res 2017;6:–350. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.65.BJR-2016-0325.R1

Clinical implantation represents the ultimate experiment of any component and often demonstrates areas of strengths and weaknesses not predicted from in vitro testing. Mobile bearing knees incorporate an additional articulating interface between the flat distal PE insert and a highly polished metal tibial tray. This can allow the proximal interface to retain high conformity whilst leading to reduced stresses at the bone – prosthesis interface by permitting complex distal interface compensatory motion to occur (rotation and/or translation). Retrieval reports on many of the new generation of mobile bearing implants remains scarce. This study presented a retrieval analysis of 9 mobile bearing inserts that had be in situ for less than 24 months. Nine cemented mobile bearing implants (6 AP Glide, 1 LCS, 1 MBK and 1TRAK) were received into our Implant Retrieval Program. The femoral component, tibial tray and PE insert were macroscopically examined under a stereo-zoom microscope for evidence of damage. The PE inserts were graded for wear based on optical and SEM assessments. The proximal and distal surfaces of the PE inserts were subsequently assessed for surface roughness following ISO 97 (Ra and Rp) using a Surfanalyzer 5400 (Federal Products, Providence, RI). Virgin, unused PE inserts were analysed and served as a comparison to the retrieved implants. Time in situ time for these implants ranged from 6 months to 24 months (mean 18.6). The implants were revised for instability and pain (AP glide) or dislocation (TRAK). Damage to the femoral components, in general, was minimal with some evidence of a transfer film of PE. The proximal surface of the tibial trays presented evidence of PE transfer as well as some scratches but in general were intact. The proximal PE and distal PE articulating surfaces demonstrated significant areas of damage due to third body wear which was identified on EDAX to be PMMA. Areas of burnishing were also present at the proximal and distal interface. The damage, in part, correlated with the complex kinematics of each design

Good short-term results with Mt Blanc uncemented acetabular cups have been previously reported. However, in the medium term, we have observed acetabular loosening related to large granulomatous lytic lesions. To determine the cause of the polyethylene load causing the granulomatous lytic lesions, we subjected six explanted Mt Blanc acetabular cups to retrieval analysis. We also reviewed the literature on polyethylene locking mechanisms in uncemented metal-backed cups and on the deformability of metal-backed cups. We subjected the retrieved cups to stereo-photographic analysis and to dye penetration and surface scanning electron microscopy techniques. We demonstrated severe polyethylene wear and particle generation on the back surface of the polyethylene insert. This was due both to two-body sliding wear, as characterised by surface deformation and delamination of the polyethylene, and to three-body abrasive wear, as characterised by surface roughness and embedded titanium particles. The literature confirmed that the locking mechanism of the Mt Blanc cup was particularly poor and the deformability greater than in other cups tested. This confirmed the wear patterns on the back-surface of the polyethylene liner. We caution against the use of uncemented cups that have poor locking mechanisms for the polyethylene liners and those that deform excessively. The combination of poor locking mechanisms and titanium shells is especially dangerous

Dual Mobility (DM) Total Hip Replacements (THRs) were introduced to reduce dislocation risk, which is the most common cause of early revision. The in-vivo mechanics of these implants is not well understood, despite their increased use in both elective and trauma settings. Therefore, the aim of this study was to comprehensively assess retrieved DM polyethylene liners for signs of damage using visual inspection and semi-quantitative geometric assessment techniques.

Retrieved DM liners (n=20) were visually inspected for the presence of seven established modes of polyethylene damage. If embedded debris was identified on the external surface, its material composition was characterised using energy-dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX). Additionally, each liner was geometrically assessed for signs of wear/deformation using a validated methodology.

Visual inspection of the liners revealed that scratching and pitting were the most common damage modes on either surface. Burnishing was observed on 50% and 15% of the internal and external surfaces, respectively. In addition, embedded debris was identified on 25% of the internal and 65% of the external surfaces. EDX analysis of the debris identified several materials including iron, titanium, cobalt-chrome, and tantalum. Geometric analysis demonstrated highly variable damage patterns across the liners.

The results of this study provide insight into the in-vivo mechanics of DM bearings. For example, the results suggest that the internal bearing (i.e., between the head and liner) acts as the primary articulation site for DM-THRs as evidenced by a higher incidence of burnishing and larger, more concentrated regions of penetration across the liners’ internal surfaces. Furthermore, circumferential, and crescent-shaped damage patterns were identified on the articulating surfaces of the liners thus providing evidence that these components can rotate within the acetabular shell with varying degrees of mobility. The mechanics of DM bearings are complex and may be influenced by several factors (e.g., soft tissue fibrosis, patient activities) and thus further investigation is warranted.

Finally, the results of this study suggest that DM liners may be susceptible to ex-vivo surface damage and thus caution is advised when handling and/or assessing these types of components.

Dual mobility (DM) total hip replacements (THRs) were introduced to reduce dislocation risk, which is the most common cause of early revision. Although DM THRs have shown good overall survivorship and low dislocation rates, the mechanisms which describe how these bearings function in-vivo are not fully understood. Therefore, the study aim was to comprehensively assess retrieved DM polyethylene liners for signs of damage using visual inspection and semi-quantitative geometric assessment methods.

Retrieved DM liners (n=18) were visually inspected for the presence of surface damage, whereby the internal and external surfaces were independently assigned a score of one (present) or zero (not present) for seven damage modes. The severity of damage was not assessed. The material composition of embedded debris was characterised using energy-dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX). Additionally, each liner was geometrically assessed for signs of wear/deformation [1].

Scratching and pitting were the most common damage modes on either surface. Additionally, burnishing was observed on 50% of the internal surfaces and embedded debris was identified on 67% of the external surfaces. EDX analysis of the debris identified several materials including titanium, cobalt-chrome, iron, and tantalum. Geometric analysis demonstrated highly variable damage patterns across the liners.

The incidence of burnishing was three times greater for the internal surfaces, suggesting that this acts as the primary articulation site. The external surfaces sustained more observable damage as evidenced by a higher incidence of embedded debris, abrasion, delamination, and deformation. In conjunction with the highly variable damage patterns observed, these results suggest that DM kinematics are complex and may be influenced by several factors (e.g., soft tissue fibrosis, patient activities) and thus further investigation is warranted.

3D printing acetabular cups offers the theoretical advantage of enhanced bony fixation due to greater design control of the porous implant surfaces. Analysing retrieved 3D printed implants can help determine whether this design intent has been achieved.

We sectioned 14 off-the-shelf retrieved acetabular cups for histological analysis; 7 cups had been 3D printed and 7 had been conventionally manufactured. Some of the most commonly used contemporary designs were represented in both groups, which were removed due to either aseptic loosening, unexplained pain, infection or dislocation. Clinical data was collected for all implants, including their age, gender, and time to revision.

Bone ingrowth was evaluated using microscopic assessment and two primary outcome measures: 1) bone area fraction and 2) extent of bone ingrowth.

The additively manufactured cups were revised after a median (IQR) time of 24.9 months (20.5 to 45.6) from patients with a median (IQR) age of 61.1 years (48.4 to 71.9), while the conventional cups had a median (IQR) time to revision of 46.3 months (34.7 to 49.1, p = 0.366) and had been retrieved from patients with a median age of 66.0 years (56.9 to 68.9, p = 0.999).

The additively and conventionally manufactured implants had a median (IQR) bone area fraction of 65.7% (36.4 to 90.6) and 33.9% (21.9 to 50.0), respectively (p < 0.001).

A significantly greater amount of bone ingrowth was measured into the backside of the additively manufactured acetabular cups, compared to their conventional counterparts (p < 0.001). Bone occupied a median of 60.0% and 5.7% of the porous depth in the additively manufactured and conventional cups, respectively.

3D printed components were found to achieve a greater amount of bone ingrowth than their conventionally manufactured counterparts, suggesting that the complex porous structures generated through this manufacturing technique may encourage greater osteointegration.

Background. Skeletal stem cells can be combined with human allograft, and impacted to produce a mechanically stable living bone composite. This strategy has been used for the treatment of femoral head avascular necrosis, and has been translated to four patients, of which three remain asymptomatic at up to three year follow-up. In one patient collapse occurred in both hips due to widely distributed and advanced AVN disease, necessitating bilateral hip arthroplasty. However this has provided the opportunity to retrieve the femoral heads and analyse human tissue engineered bone. Aims. Analysis of retrieved human tissue-engineered bone in conjunction with clinical follow-up of this translational case series. Methods. A parallel in vitro culture of the implanted cell-graft constructs was set up at the time of surgery, with serial cell viability stains performed up to six weeks. Patient follow-up was by serial clinical and radiological examination. Tissue engineered bone from the two retrieved femoral heads was analysed histologically by Alcian blue & Sirius red stain and bi-refringence, by micro computed tomography (microCT) for both bone density and morphology, and by compression testing for mechanical strength. Normal trabecular and cortical bone from the femoral heads was used as controls. Results. Parallel in vitro analysis demonstrated sustained cell growth and viability on the allograft. Histologically, the retrieved tissue engineered specimens demonstrated a mature trabecular micro-architecture and organization identical to normal trabecular bone. MicroCT revealed trabecular morphology within the tissue-engineered bone, with bone density of 1400 Grey scale units (compared to 1200 for natural trabecular bone and 1800 for cortical bone). Axial compression testing showed no difference in strength between engineered and trabecular bone. Conclusions. Widespread residual necrosis in the femoral heads of one patient resulted in collapse requiring hip arthroplasty, but analysis of the tissue engineered bone sections has demonstrated the translational potential of a living bone composite to restore both the biological and mechanical characteristics of bone defects. Clinical follow-up shows this to be an effective new treatment for focal early stage avascular necrosis of the femoral head, and this unique retrieval analysis data confirms the potential of cell-based strategies for clinical treatment of bone defects

Introduction. Thermally treated 1st generation highly crosslinked polyethylenes (HXLPE) have demonstrated reduced penetration and osteolysis rates, however, concerns still remain with respect to oxidative stability and mechanical properties of these materials. To address these concerns, manufacturers have introduced the use of antioxidants to quench free radicals while maintaining the mechanical properties of the HXLPE. Two common antioxidants are α-tocopherol (Vitamin-E) and pentaerythritol tetrakis (PBHP). These may be either mixed prior to consolidation, or diffused throughout the polymer after consolidation and irradiation. In vitrostudies have shown that these materials are oxidatively stable and have improved mechanical properties compared to 1st generation HXLPEs; however, few studies have investigated the in vivo performance of anti-oxidant stabilized HXLPE. The purpose of this study was to investigate the revision reasons, oxidation, and mechanical properties of retrieved short-term anti-oxidant HXLPE. Methods. Between 2010 and 2015, 73 anti-oxidant HXLPE components were collected as a part of an IRB approved, multi-institutional retrieval analysis program during routine revision surgery. Of the seventy-three components, 30 (41%) were acetabular liners, whereas, 43 were tibial inserts. The components were fabricated from three different materials: Vitamin-E Diffused HXLPE (n=30; E1, Biomet), Vitamin-E Blended (n = 41; Vivacit-E, Zimmer) and PBHP blended (n = 2, AOX, DePuy). The hip and knee components were implanted for 0.7 ± 0.8 years (Range: 0.0–2.25 years) and 0.8 ± 1.1 years (Range: 0.0–4.5 years), respectively. Implantation time, patient weight, age, gender, and activity levels were similar between hip and knee components (Table 1). For oxidation analysis, thin slices (∼200μm) were taken from medial condyle and central eminence of the tibial inserts or the superior/inferior axis from hip components. The slices were boiled in heptane for six hours to extract lipids absorbed in vivo. 3-millimeter FTIR line scans were taken perpendicular to the surface of interest, according to the ASTM F2102. Mechanical properties were assessed using the small punch test (ASTM F2183). Forty-three explants were available for destructive testing. Results. The predominant revision reasons were loosening, instability, and infection (Figure 1). Oxidation was low in both the hip and knee components (Mean OI≤0.1; Figure 2). For both tibial inserts and acetabular liners, there was no correlation between implantation time and oxidation indices (p>0.05). In the tibial inserts, the AP face had slightly higher oxidation indices than the articulating surface (Mean difference = 0.04; p=0.03). There was no difference in ultimate load between hips and knees at the surface (p=0.14) or the subsurface (p=0.38). Discussion. This study analyzed the revision reasons, oxidative stability, and mechanical properties of short-term retrieved 2nd generation HXLPE. The observations of this study show that anti-oxidant infused HXLPE exhibited low oxidative indices (Mean OI<0.1). There was no difference observed in the mechanical properties of these materials between hip and knee applications. However, this study is limited by short implantation times. This is unavoidable because the materials have only recently become clinically available. The data presented serves as a benchmark for future studies when longer-term retrieved implants become available

Background:. Polyethylene wear in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is influenced by patient, surgeon and implant factors. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of limb alignment, implant position and joint line position on the pattern of wear in posterior stabilized (PS) tibial inserts. Methods:. This was a retrieval analysis of 83 PS liners collected from patients who underwent revision surgery from 1999 to 2011. Inserts were divided into 16 zones and a microscopic analysis of surface damage was carried out. We determined overall damage with a scoring system. Pre-revisions radiographs were reviewed and analyzed for correlation with the wear profile. Results:. The mean age was 73 years old (range 45 to 96 years old) and the mean duration of implantation was 3.5 years (range 0.1 to 10.6 years). The most common reason for revision was infection (71%, 59 of 83 liners), followed by aseptic loosening (6%, 5 of 83 liners) and instability (6%, 5 of 83 liners). The most common mode of wear was burnishing, followed by abrasion and pitting. The total damage score was significantly higher in knees with postoperative varus alignment more than 3 degrees (p = 0.03). Postoperative varus alignment was associated with significantly more wear in the medial compartment (p = 0.03). The total damage score to the post was significantly more in knees with joint line elevation more than 5 mm (9.7 ± 3.9, compared to 6.5 ± 3.7 in knees with less joint line elevation) (p = 0.05). The most commonly affected compartment was the medial compartment. Conclusion:. Limb malalignment and implant malposition resulted in more wear in PS TKA

Retrieval analysis has been valuable in the assessment of in-vivo surface damage of orthopedic devices. Historically, subjective techniques were used to grade damage on the implant's surface. Microscopy improved the ability to localize and quantify damage, but cannot measure volumetric wear due to this damage. Laser scanning provides volumetric wear, but lacks image data. Recent techniques superimpose image data on laser scan data (photorendering) and combine the strengths of both methods. Our goal is to use such methods to improve our damage assessment and potentially correlate this assessment to volumetric wear. This project focused on two areas: image-stitching and photorendering. Image-stitching registers multiple images into large-scale high-resolution composites. Six total disc replacement components were imaged with a digital microscope (Moticam 2, Motic). Three sets were taken of each component: a single template at 10x zoom (1×1), a 4-image composite at 18x zoom (2×2), and a 9-image composite at 18x zoom (3×3). The 2×2 and 3×3 sets were image-stitched to resemble their template counterpart. Measurement error was defined using common pixels identified between the composite and template images for comparison with a semi-automated feature detection algorithm (Figure 1). For photorendering, a pilot study was performed on a single retrieved tibial bearing. The component was imaged with a digital microscope (VHX-2000, Keyence) under a 3D image-stitching setting, providing a high-resolution photo embedded with height values. MATLAB was used to convert the image into a photo-rendered point cloud approximating the surfaces. The component was then laser scanned, creating a 3D point cloud with resolution 0.127 mm. The photo-rendered point cloud data was registered to the laser scan data using an iterative closest point algorithm (Geomagic Studio, Geomagic). An analysis of all composite images showed a mean error of 0.221 mm. Figure 2 compares regions of images for the template, 2×2, and 3×3 composites. Zooming in shows the effect of the increased resolution contained in the composite. The 2×2 and 3×3 composites had mean errors of 0.231 mm and 0.209 mm, respectively; these were not significantly different. Comparisons among image types showed that components with less features exhibited larger errors during image-stitching. Figure 3 shows images resulting from each step of the photorendering process. The final image of the figure shows a qualitative result of our ability to photorender the tibial bearing surface of the component. While combining microscopy and laser scan data works anecdotally, further analyses must be performed to assure the robustness of the technique. The digital microscope's embedded image-stitching software is limited in its maximum field of view; we look to extend this by taking multiple scans and using in-house software to generate a composite of a whole implant. The improved resolution provided by microscopy offer an opportunity to automate damage assessment, yielding damage mapped images which can also be overlaid on laser scan data. This may provide a means to better quantify observed damage and yield meaningful correlations with volumetric loss due to wear

Hip implant retrieval analysis is the most important source of insight into the performance of new materials and designs of hip arthroplasties. Even the most rigorous in vitro testing will not accurately simulate the behavior of implant materials and new designs of prosthetic arthroplasties. Retrieval analysis has revealed such factors as the effects of gamma-in-air sterilisation of polyethylene, fatigue failure mechanisms of polymethylmethacrylate bone cement, fretting corrosion of Morse taper junctions, third body wear effects of both hard-on-hard and hard-on-soft bearing couples, and the effects of impingement of components on the full spectrum of bearing surfaces, none of which was predicted by pre-implantation in vitro testing of these materials and combinations. The temporal sequence of the retrieval process is approximately six years from first implantation through retrieval analysis, laboratory investigation, and publication of results, and thus, in addition to rigorous clinical evaluation, represents the true development and insight cycle for new designs and materials

This study reports the mid-term results of a large bearing hybrid metal on metal total hip replacement (MOMHTHR) in 199 hips (185 patients) with mean follow up of 62 months. Clinical, radiological, metal ion and retrieval analysis were performed. Seventeen patients (8.6%) had undergone revision, and a further fourteen are awaiting surgery (defined in combination as failures). Twenty one (68%) failures were females. All revisions and ten (71%) awaiting revision were symptomatic. Twenty four failures (86%) showed progressive radiological changes. Fourteen revision cases showed evidence of adverse reactions to metal debris (ARMD). The failure cohort had significantly higher whole blood cobalt ion levels (p=0.001), but no significant difference in cup size (p=0.77), inclination (p=0.38) or cup version (p=0.12) compared to the non revised cohort. Female gender was associated with increased risk of failure (p=0.04). Multifactorial analysis demonstrated isolated raised Co levels in the absence of symptoms or XR changes were not predictive of failure (p=0.675). However the presence of pain (p<0.001) and XR changes (p<0.001) in isolation were significant predictors of failure. Wear analysis (n=5) demonstrated increased wear at the trunnion/head interface (mean out of roundness measurements 34.5 microns (normal range 8–10 microns) with normal wear levels at the articulating surfaces. Macroscopically corrosion was evident at the proximal and distal stem surfaces. Cumulative survival rate, with revision for any reason was 92.4% (95%CI: 87.4–95.4) at 5 years. Including those awaiting surgery, the revision rate would be 15.1% with 89.6% (95% CI: 83.9–93.4). Cumulative survival at 5 years. This MOMHTHR series has demonstrated unacceptable high failure rates with evidence of high wear at the head/trunnion interface and passive corrosion to the stem surface. Female gender was an independent risk factor of failure. Metal ion levels remain a useful aspect of the investigation work up but in isolation are not predictive of failure

This study reports the mid-term results of a large bearing hybrid metal on metal total hip replacement (MOMHTHR) in 199 hips (185 patients) with mean follow up of 62 months. Clinical, radiological outcome, metal ion levels and retrieval analysis were performed. Seventeen patients (8.6%) had undergone revision, and a further fourteen are awaiting surgery (defined in combination as failures). Twenty one (68%) failures were females. All revisions and ten (71%) of those awaiting revision were symptomatic. Twenty four failures (86%) showed progressive radiological changes. Fourteen revision cases showed evidence of adverse reactions to metal debris (ARMD). The failure cohort had significantly higher whole blood cobalt ion levels (p=0.001), but no significant difference in cup size (p=0.77), inclination (p=0.38) or cup version (p=0.12) in comparison to the non revised cohort. Female gender was associated with an increased risk of failure (chi squared p=0.04). Multifactorial analysis demonstrated isolated raised Co levels in the absence of either symptoms or XR changes was not predictive of failure (p=0.675). However both the presence of pain (p<0.001) and XR changes (p<0.001) in isolation were both significant predictors of failure. Wear analysis (n=5) demonstrated increased wear at the trunnion/head interface (mean out of roundness measurements of 34.5 microns +/−13.3 (+/−2SD, normal range 8-10 microns) with normal levels of wear at the articulating surfaces. There was evidence of corrosion at the proximal and distal stem surfaces. The cumulative survival rate, with revision for any reason was 92.4% (95%CI: 87.4-95.4) at 5 years. Including those awaiting surgery, the revision rate would be 15.1% with cumulative survival at 5 years of 89.6% (95% CI: 83.9-93.4). This MOMHTHR series has demonstrated unacceptable high failure rates with evidence of high wear at the head/trunnion interface and passive corrosion to the stem surface. This raises concern with the use of large heads on conventional 12/14 tapers. Female gender was an independent risk factor of failure. Metal ion levels remain a useful aspect of the investigation work up but in isolation are not predictive of failure

Introduction. Antibiotic loaded polymethyle methacrylate spacers are commonly used in the management of septic hip replacements. Aim. The aim of this study was to determine wear patterns on the articulating surfaces of these spacers, as well as to determine the extent of PMMA particulate debris generation. Method. We took tissue specimens around the acetabulae in 12 cases at the time of the second stage procedure for septic total hip revisions. These were subjected to histological analysis to determine the extent of PMMA particulate debris contamination. We also performed a basic explant retrieval analysis of the articulating surfaces of the PMMA spacers to determine any specific wear patterns. Results. We found numerous PMMA particles in the acetabular soft tissues biopsied. The particle concentration was highest in the area of the acetabular fovea. We could also demonstrate specific wear patterns on the spacers that could be correlated with the generally mismatched articulating couple between the spacer and the bony acetabulum. We could also demonstrate some boney destruction present in the acetabulum with long-term spacer use. Conclusions. We concluded that significant amounts of PMMA particulate debris are generated by these articulating antibiotic spacers. The total volume of this debris may be determined by specific wear patterns on the spacers’ surfaces. We recommend a thorough debridement to decrease the PMMA particle load generated. Consideration in respect of the bearing surface implanted after the explantation of the PMMA spacer should take into account the effect of the debris on the bearing surfaces. We also make recommendations in respect of the design of these PMMA spacers

Objective

We explanted NeuFlex metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint prostheses to identify common features, such as position of fracture, and thus better understand the reasons for implant failure.

In total hip arthroplasty (THA), one of concerned issues is osteolysis due to wear debris of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (PE) which often leads to aseptic loosening. Reduction of PE wear debris is essential to prevent osteolysis, and different bearing combination as well as improvement of the bearing material itself have been attempted. Hence alumina ceramics was introduced for THA, aiming to reduce PE wear debris. Ceramic on PE couple showed good results in clinical wear compared with metal on PE couples. Highly cross-linked PE (HXLPE) with gamma-ray or electron-beam irradiation followed by thermal treatment has also demonstrated a remarkably low wear in the previous in vitro studies. In in vivo studies, the wear of HXLPE acetabular cups against alumina ceramic femoral head was evaluated to compare with that of conventional PE cups against alumina ceramic femoral head. The in vivo wear of 61 HXLPE cups (Aeonian; Kyocera Corp., Kyoto, Japan, currently Japan Medical Materials Corp., Osaka, Japan) against alumina ceramic femoral head of 28 mm in diameter with clinical use for 2.1–7.1 years (mean 5.6 years) and eight conventional PE cups against an alumina ceramic femoral head of 28 mm in diameter used for 18.7–23.3 years (mean 20.4 years) were examined by radiographic analysis with Vector Works 10.5. The in vivo wear of eight retrieved HXLPE cups with clinical use for 0.9–6.7 years (mean 2.9 years) and 14 retrieved conventional PE cups used for 16.0–28.0 years (mean 22.0 years) were examined by using a three-dimensional coordinate measuring machine. The worn surfaces of retrieved HXLPE and conventional PE cups were observed by a scanning electron microscope. In the radiographic study, penetration rate of alumina head into HXLPE and conventional PE for the first 1 year were 0.24 mm/year and 0.34 mm/year respectively. One year later, the HXLPE showed significant lower penetration rate of 0.001 mm/year than the conventional PE penetration rate of 0.12 mm/year (p< 0.01). By the retrieval analysis, the mean penetration of retrieved HXLPE and conventional PE cups were 0.11 and 2.97 mm, and they were similar to the results by radiographic analysis. In the worn surface of the retrieved HXLPE cups used for around 1 year, machine marks were observed. In contrast, the worn surface of the retrieved HXLPE cups used for more than five years were smooth, and furthermore, in high magnification observation they had wear morphology different from conventional PE. These findings from this retrieval study suggest the penetration in the first 1 year detected by radiographic measurement was probably caused by creep deformation in bedding-in stage; and 1 year after, the penetration was probably caused mainly by wear. By the radiographic analysis, HXLPE cups against alumina ceramic femoral head has a 99 % lower wear rate compared with conventional PE cups. Also, retrieved HXLPE cups against alumina ceramic femoral head exhibited lower wear compared with conventional PE cups. In conclusion, we expect that the HXLPE cup used with alumina ceramic femoral head has favorable wear properties in long-term clinical use