Introduction. Dislocation after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a devastating and frequent postoperative complication. Many risk factors for dislocation have been identified, however, thus far there has been no consensus whether inflammatory arthritis is a risk factor for dislocation or not. We carried out a prospective study assessing the prevalence of dislocation within 2 years after primary total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthrosis and inflammatory arthritis. Patients and Methods. Between 1996 and 1999 312 patients (342 hips) with either a primary or a posttraumatic osteoarthrosis (OA group) and 59 patients (69 hips) with rheumatoid arthritis or other forms of inflammatory arthritis (IA group) were operated. One single type of prosthesis was implanted (EPF-PLUS. ®. cup and SL-PLUS. ®. stem) using an anterior approach. All dislocations in the two years following surgery were recorded. Both diagnostic groups were compared for known risk factors such as old age, female gender, prior hip surgery, and experience of the surgeon. Radiographs were examined for avulsion fractures of the tip of the trochanter and signs of loosening. The abduction and anteversion angles of the acetabular component were measured. Statistical analysis was performed with the Chi-square test and Student’s t-test. Results. The dislocation rate for inflammatory arthritis patients was significantly greater than that in patients with osteoarthrosis: 10. 1% (7 hips) in the IA group, 2. 9% (10 hips) in the OA group (p = 0. 006). There were no other differences in risk factors favouring dislocation in the IA group, such as old age, female gender, prior hip surgery, experience of the surgeon, trochanteric fractures or malposition of the prosthetic components. All dislocations in the IA group were posterior and occurred without any kind of trauma. In contrast, nearly half of the dislocations in the OA group were anterior and two were of traumatic origin. Discussion. Taking into account the fact that there are no differences in known risk factors for dislocation between our two groups and no differences in complication rate, except for dislocation, we can say that inflammatory arthritis has to be considered an independent risk-factor for dislocation after primary total hip arthroplasty. It may be that inferior quality of the (pseudo) capsule and the muscles stabilising the hip joint due to inflammatory arthritis leads to inadequate soft tissue tension. Another factor can be the concomitant impairments in rheumatoid patients, such as impairments of the upper extremity, ipsilateral knee or contralateral hip, leading to hyperflexion in the operated hip causing a posterior dislocation without trauma

Introduction. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is the only successful treatment for patients in whom the hip joint is destroyed by inflammatory arthritis. Due to the effects of both the disease and its treatment elevated rates of complications and of aseptic loosening have been described. Whether with modern uncemented hip prostheses the results can be improved is not fully known. Therefore, we decided to carry out a prospective study. Material and methods. At the introduction of a new press-fit acetabular component a prospective study on the results of uncemented THA was started. From 1995 to 1999 85 primary THAs were carried out in 72 patients (57 women, 15 men) suffering from inflammatory arthritis. Diagnosis: RA 76, adult-onset Still 4, JIA 3, miscellaneous 2. Mean age at operation was 60 years (SD 15. 9). Clinically, the Harris Hip Score was used for evaluation. Radiographically, the Larsen classification was used and at follow-up radiolucencies and signs of migration were registered. The implants used in this study were the EPF-PLUS® acetabular component and the SL-PLUS® femoral component (PLUS Endoprothetik AG, Rotkreuz-CH). The EPF-PLUS® acetabular component is a novel modular press-fit cup. Its shell has a triple radius profile on cross-section, thereby creating a gradual lowering of the polar part of the cup. This produces a small gap of about 2 mm. between the acetabulum and the pole of the cup. Therefore, forces are mainly transmitted to the peripheral part of the acetabulum, leading to an enhanced primary stability. Originally, the shell had a gritblasted surface for osseointegration. Since 1996, the outer surface of the cup has been coated with a ground layer of pure titanium and a superficial layer of a crystalline hydroxyapatite (Ti-HA). The gritblasted version was used in 14 hips (1995–1996), the Ti-HA coated version in 71 hips. In 68 hips the cup was implanted by press-fit fixation, in 17 screws were added. Results. Larsen classification was as follows: 0-1: 6; 3: 17; 4: 60; 5: 2. At follow-up, 5 patients (6 THAs) were deceased. Deep infection required revision in one hip. Another revision was carried out for recurrent dislocations. One grit-blasted cup developed late subsidence and was revised almost 4 years postoperatively. One Ti-HA coated cup failed early due to severe acetabular bone loss. Finally, one femoral component developed a varus tilt and became symptomatic 2 years after implantation, requiring revision. In all 62 patients with 74 THAs in follow-up cup and stem are functioning well, both clinically and radiographically. Harris Hip Score increased from 36. 6 (SD 17. 7) to 87. 9 (SD 11. 8). Discussion. The medium-term results of the EPF®-PLUS cup show that its primary stability is good and that, as the polar gap rapidly disappears, osseointegration is secure. Only severe acetabular deficiency appears to be a contra-indication for this implant. Also, the SL-PLUS® stem performs well in inflammatory arthritis

Introduction. Multiple factors contributing to an elevated risk for dislocation after total hip arthroplasty (THA) have been identified. Patient-related risk factors that have been identified are prior hip surgery, old age and female gender. However, there have been no prospective reports whether inflammatory arthritis (IA) is an independent risk factor. Material and methods. From January 1996 to December 1999 427 primary total hip arthroplasties were carried out using one type of uncemented prosthesis: a hydroxyapatite coated EPF-PLUS. ®. cup and a SL-PLUS. ®. stem (PLUS Endoprothetik AG, Rotkreuz-CH). A 28 mm. ball head was used in every hip. To evaluate whether IA is a risk factor for dislocation the incidence and cause of early (< 2 year post-surgery) dislocation in IA hips was compared with those carried out for osteoarthrosis (OA). There were 341 THAs in 311 patients with OA and 69 THAs in 59 patients with IA (mainly rheumatoid arthritis) included in this study. The remaining 17 THAs were for various other reasons and excluded from this study. Statistical analysis of the dichotomous variables was carried out by the chi-square test and the Fisher’s exact test, Student’s t-test was used for the analysis of continuous variables. Results and discussion. Both groups were comparable with respect to the following risk factors: gender, approach (either straight-lateral or anterolateral), position of the acetabular component and experience of the surgeon. Mean age was lower in the IA group than in the OA group: 61. 0 vs 68. 1 years. Furthermore, the incidence of prior hip surgery was higher in the OA group. The incidence of dislocation was 7 out of 69 (10. 1%) in IA hips and 10 out of 341 (2. 9%) in OA hips (p=0. 006). All dislocations in IA where posterior, in OA 5 were posterior and 4 were anterior (1 unknown). No other mechanical factors leading to an increased instability of the hip in IA, such as trochanteric fractures, could be identified. Due to the relatively small numbers a statistical difference in the direction of dislocation could be identified (p= 0. 088). So, IA has to be considered as an independent risk factor for dislocation after THA. Both the polyarticular impairments and the lower quality of the soft tissues in IA could explain this elevated risk. To reduce the incidence of dislocation in IA it therefore seems advisable to pay detailed attention the soft tissues and the position of the prosthetic components in IA at the time of surgery. Also, consideration should be given to the use of an acetabular component with an elevated rim

Aims. Contemporary outcomes of primary total hip arthroplasties (THAs) with highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) liners in patients with inflammatory arthritis have not been well studied. This study examined the implant survivorship, complications, radiological results, and clinical outcomes of THA in patients with inflammatory arthritis. Methods. We identified 418 hips (350 patients) with a primary diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis who underwent primary THA with HXLPE liners from January 2000 to December 2017. Of these hips, 68% had rheumatoid arthritis (n = 286), 13% ankylosing spondylitis (n = 53), 7% juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (n = 29), 6% psoriatic arthritis (n = 24), 5% systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 23), and 1% scleroderma (n = 3). Mean age was 58 years (SD 14.8), 66.3% were female (n = 277), and mean BMI was 29 kg/m. 2. (SD 7). Uncemented femoral components were used in 77% of cases (n = 320). Uncemented acetabular components were used in all patients. Competing risk analysis was used accounting for death. Mean follow-up was 4.5 years (2 to 18). Results. The ten-year cumulative incidence of any revision was 3%, and was highest in psoriatic arthritis patients (16%). The most common indications for the 15 revisions were dislocations (n = 8) and periprosthetic joint infections (PJI; n = 4, all on disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)). The ten-year cumulative incidence of reoperation was 6.1%, with the most common indications being wound infections (six cases, four on DMARDs) and postoperative periprosthetic femur fractures (two cases, both uncemented femoral components). The ten-year cumulative incidence of complications not requiring reoperation was 13.1%, with the most common being intraoperative periprosthetic femur fracture (15 cases, 14 uncemented femoral components; p = 0.13). Radiological evidence of early femoral component subsidence was observed in six cases (all uncemented). Only one femoral component ultimately developed aseptic loosening. Harris Hip Scores substantially improved (p < 0.001). Conclusion. Contemporary primary THAs with HXLPE in patients with inflammatory arthritis had excellent survivorship and good functional outcomes regardless of fixation method. Dislocation, PJI, and periprosthetic fracture were the most common complications in this cohort with inflammatory arthritis. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(7):768–774

Metal on metal hip resurfacing was introduced in 1992 by Derek McMinn initially using an all cementless device and then an all cemented device. A hybrid resurfacing with a cemented femoral component and a cementless acetabular component was introduced in 1994. The manufacturer of the hybrid hip resurfacing was changed in 1996. Since 1997 the Birmingham hip resurfacing has been in continuous use. The device is approved by NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) for use within the NHS in patients with Osteoarthritis of the hip. The device is not yet approved for use in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and other types of inflammatory arthritis. There are concerns regarding bone quality in rheumatoid patients, which may result in a high incidence of component loosening or femoral neck fracture. Conventional total hip replacement is a successful procedure in inflammatory arthritis however with modern treatments producing increased activity levels there are concerns about polyethylene wear. The author has performed metal on metal hip resurfacing in patients with inflammatory arthritis over the past 12 years. A total of 170 patients have been operated on with 198 resurfacings. 33% of patients have a diagnosis of some type of inflammatory arthritis. The outcomes have been assessed using Oxford hip scores and long term clinical and radiological review. Our results indicate that there is a minimal risk of femoral neck fracture and a minimal risk of component loosening when the device is used with this approach in patients with inflammatory arthritis

Aims. The purpose of this study was to validate our hypothesis that centrifugation may eliminate false-positive leucocyte esterase (LE) strip test results caused by autoimmune diseases in the diagnosis of knee infection. Methods. Between January 2016 and May 2019, 83 cases, including 33 cases of septic arthritis and 50 cases of aseptic arthritis, were enrolled in this study. To further validate our hypothesis, another 34 cases of inflammatory arthritis from the Department of Rheumatology of our institution were also included. After aspiration, one drop of synovial fluid was applied to LE strips before and after centrifugation. The results were recorded after approximately three minutes according to the different colour grades on the colour chart. The differences of LE results between each cohort were analyzed. Results. Before centrifugation, 46% (23/50) of the LE strip tests in the aseptic arthritis group were false-positives. Most of the false-positive results were due to inflammatory arthritis; after centrifugation, 78.3% (18/23) of the tests yielded negative results. Similar results were observed in cases from the Department of Rheumatology. The sensitivity of the centrifuged LE strip test was 0.818 (0.639 to 0.924), which is still an acceptable level compared with the uncentrifuged results, which yielded a sensitivity of 0.909 (0.745 to 0.976). However, the specificity was increased from 0.540 (0.395 to 0.679) to 0.900 (0.774 to 0.963) after centrifugation. Conclusion. Although inflammatory arthritis can yield a false-positive LE strip test result in the diagnosis of knee infection, centrifugation may eliminate these false-positive results. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res. 2020;9(5):236–241

We report a consecutive series of 16 revision total knee arthroplasties using the Total Condylar III system in 14 patients with inflammatory arthritis which were performed between 1994 and 2000. There were 11 women and three men with a mean age of 59 years (36 to 78). The patients were followed up for 74 months (44 to 122). The mean pre-operative Knee Society score of 37 points (0 to 77) improved to 88 (61 to 100) at follow-up (t-test, p < 0.001) indicating very good overall results. The mean range of flexion improved from 62° (0° to 120°) to 98° (0° to 145°) (t-test, p < 0.05) allowing the patients to stand from a sitting position. The mean Knee Society pain score improved from 22 (10 to 45) to 44 (20 to 50) (t-test, p < 0.05). No knee had definite loosening, although five showed asymptomatic radiolucent lines. Complications were seen in three cases, comprising patellar pain, patellar fracture and infection. These results suggest that the Total Condylar III system can be used successfully in revision total knee arthroplasty in inflammatory arthritis

Introduction: Hip Resurfacing has always been an attractive concept for the treatment of hip arthritis in young patients. Excellent early and medium-term results have been reported with the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) device in single and multi-surgeon all-diagnoses and OA series. In the present report we present the results of BHR in inflammatory arthritis. Methods: This is a single-surgeon consecutive series. There were 15 consecutive hips (12 patients) including 2 women (2 hips) with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) operated at a mean age of 41.7 years (range 29.5 to 54.3 years). Fortytwo hips (31 patients) with seronegative or rheumatoid (RA) arthritis treated with a BHR at a mean age of 40 (13 to 64) years and a follow-up of 2 to 9 (mean 5.9) years were also studied. One patient died 5 years later. Revision for any reason was the end-point and unrevised patients were assessed with Oxford hip scores and reviewed clinico-radiologically with AP and lateral radiographs. Results: In the RA group there was one failure from femoral neck fracture two months after operation giving a failure rate of 2.4%. There were no failures in this cohort at a follow-up of 1.8 to 8.8 (mean 4.9) years. As a combined group the failure rate of BHRs in inflammatory arthritis is 1.75% and the cumulative survivorship at 9 years is 98.2% (figure). Discussion: The good results of Birmingham Hip Resurfacing in inflammatory arthritis in this relatively young cohort of patients make this a viable treatment option for these patients. Selection of patients with a reason-able bone quality and adherence to precise operative technique are vital to the success of this procedure

Introduction. Serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), and synovial fluid white blood cell (WBC) count and differential are effective in diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection (PPJI); however their utility in patients with inflammatory arthritis is unknown. The purpose of this study is to determine the utility of these tests in patients with inflammatory arthritis. Methods. 934 Consecutive revision hip and knee arthroplasties were prospectively evaluated for PPJI. 202 Cases were excluded due to acute post-operative or hematogenous infection. 690 Patients had non-inflammatory and 42 had inflammatory arthritis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to establish optimal ESR, CRP, WBC, and % neutrophil values for diagnosis of PPJI, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to determine the overall accuracy. Results. The optimal thresholds for predicting PPJI were ESR 30mm/hr, CRP 17mg/L, WBC 2667, and differential 75% neutrophils in inflammatory arthritis, and ESR 32mm/hr, CRP 15mg/L, WBC 4000, and 78% neutrophils in non-inflammatory arthritis. The efficacy of these tests was similar in both populations (AUC for inflammatory ESR=86.2%, CRP=86.2%, WBC=93.8, 93.6% neutrophils; AUC for non-inflammatory ESR=85.2%, CRP=90.2%, WBC=94.5, 95% neutrophils); there was no significant difference between groups (ESR p = 0.861, CRP p= 0.549, WBC p=0.8315, % neutrophils p=0.7021). The rate of PPJI was significantly higher in patients with inflammatory (33.3%) than non-inflammatory (18.8%) arthritis (p-value=0.013). Conclusions. These results suggest that the ESR and CRP are useful in diagnosing PPJI in patients with inflammatory as well as non-inflammatory arthritis with similar optimal cut-off values

Introduction. Total knee replacement has been well-established form of treatment both for osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis. Both cemented and uncemented TKR have been used successfully. Since 1977 low contact stress (LCS) mobile bearing knee replacement has been in extensive use. Most of the intermediate and long term results reported are in osteoarthritis1–7. Though there are several studies reporting short term performance of TKR in rheumatoid arthritis8–19 there have been rare reports31 of intermediate to long-term performance of LCS uncemented TKR in rheumatoid arthritis. Methods. Retrospective, non-randomised and consecutive study. Case notes and radiological assessment done. Kaplan meyer survival analysis used. Radiological assessment between initial and final xrays done using T test statistics. Assessement done by two independent observer. Results. 108 knees in 67 patients are collected. 21 patients with 36 knees have died. Only 65 knees in 42 patients had both case notes and xrays which are included in this study. Of this 11 knees in 7 patients were dead. All 65 knees in 42 patients are sero-positive rheumatoid arthritis. Pre-operative bone loss was seen only in 4 knees. Bone loss was in the medial side in 3 knees (4,5 and 8mm respectively) and lateral in 1 knee (1 cm). None of these bone loss needed bone grafting or any special procedures. There was no subsidence in any of the 65 knees. Survival of uncemented LCS TKR in inflammatory arthritis patients is 100%. Aseptic failure is 0%. No infective failure. There is no significant change in the implant position. This is the longest follow for uncemented TKR in inflammatory arthritis ever reported in the literature. Conclusion and Discussion. In conclusion, our study has uniformity, as a single surgeon performed/supervised with senior trainees all the operations and all patients received the same level of post-operative care. Survival of LCS uncemented TKR in inflammatory arthritis patients is 100% up to 15years. This is the longest follow up in this patient population ever reported in the literature. Our study shows excellent survival and comparable to other cemented TKRs in this patient population reported in the literature. This study proves contrary to the general belief that uncemented TKR do poor in inflammatory arthritis due to osteoporotic bone

Aims: Patient-related risk factors of dislocation after total hip arthroplasty (THA) that have been identified are previous hip surgery, old age and female gender. However, there have been no prospective reports whether inflammatory arthritis (IA) is an independent risk factor. Methods: Prospective evaluation of the incidence of early (< 2 year post-surgery) dislocation in a consecutive series of primary THA. From January 1996 to December 1999 341 THAs in 311 patients with osteoarthrosis (OA) and 69 THAs in 59 patients with IA (mainly rheumatoid arthritis) were included in this study. One type of prosthesis having a 28 mm. ball head was implanted in every hip through an anterior appoach. Results: Both groups were comparable with respect to the following risk factors: gender, position of the acetabular component and experience of the surgeon. Average age was lower in the IA group than in the OA group: 61.0 vs 68.1 years. Furthermore, the incidence of previous hip surgery was higher in the OA group. Despite the presence of these risk factors in the OA group, the incidence of dislocation was higher in IA than in OA: 10.1% vs. 2.9% (p=0.006). All dislocations in IA where posterior, in OA 5 were posterior and 4 were anterior (1 unknown). No other mechanical factors leading to an increased instability of the hip in IA, such as trochanteric fractures, could be identified. Conclusions: Inflammatory arthritis is an independent risk factor of dislocation after THA. Both the polyarticular impairments and the lower quality of the soft tissues in IA could explain this increased risk

We divided 309 patients with an inflammatory arthritis who had undergone primary elbow replacement using the Souter-Strathclyde implant into two groups according to their age. The mean follow-up in the older group (mean age 64 years) was 7.3 years while in the younger patients (mean age 42 years) it was 12 years. Survivorship for three different failure end-points (revision, revision because of aseptic loosening of the humeral component, and gross loosening of the humeral implant), was compared in both groups. Our findings showed that there was no significant difference in the incidence of loosening when young rheumatoid patients were compared with an older age group

The purpose of this study is to assess the improvement in pain and function of the ankle when arthrodiastasis is used for end stage juvenile idiopathic arthritis [JIA] in the paediatric population. All patients treated with ankle arthrodiastasis, 2009–2013 were studied. Clinical, radiological and survivorship data were examined. The Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire for Children (OxAFQ-C) and Parents (OxAFQ-P), along with the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Clinical rating system for Ankle-Hindfoot were recorded pre-operatively and at 6 months. Eight patients (9 ankles) with severe tibiotalar JIA, refractory to medical management were treated. Average age at surgery was 14.5 years (range 8–19). Average length of arthrodiastasis was 3.5 months. Length of follow-up averaged 13 months (range 5–28 months). All scores showed an improvement at 6 months. OxAFQ-C scores (out of 60) improved on average from 23 to 43. OxAFQ-P scores also improved from19 to 39. The largest improvement was found for the physical subsection. AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot score (out of 100) averaged 34 pre-op and 74 at 6 months. Pain scored out of 10 decreased from an average of 7.4 to 4.3 at 6 months. All patients and parents were satisfied with the surgery and would have the procedure performed again. Radiological studies demonstrated cartilage regeneration, joint restoration and deformity correction with arthrodiastasis. Survivorship was good (75%) at 36 months, but 2 patients (3 ankles) had subsequent surgery in the adult sector for progression of disease despite initial improvement following arthrodiastasis. This case series demonstrates the efficacy of ankle arthrodiastasis as a surgical option in severe end-stage ankle inflammatory arthritis in paediatric patients in the short to midterm. It improved functional scores and pain scores which should delay the need for more radical joint fusion or replacement procedures in this challenging surgical condition

Introduction. Synovectomy in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and psoriatic arthritis (PSA) is still subject of controversial discussion. Our results of arthroscopic synovectomy of the knee in children with chronic inflammatory joint disease are presented. Material. From 1989–1997 27 synovectomies were performed in 27 children with inflammatory arthritis (15 JRA, 12 PSA). Average age at surgery was 12. 5 y (2. 9–17. 8 y). Mean follow-up was 4. 9 years. Methods. Onset of disease and conservative therapy was documented. Each patient was physically and radiologically examined preoperatively and 24 children postoperatively (mean follow-up 4. 9 years). For arthroscopic shaver-assisted synovectomy of the knee we used minimum 4 portals and normally 6 portals (2 anterior, 2 suprapatellar and 2 posterior portals). In addition to the physical examination we used a special clinical score (Laurin 1974). We compared the pre- and postoperative limits of active and passive knee movement. We performed sonographs and radiographs of the infected joint. Radiography was classified following the Larsen-Scale. Patient and parents gave their opinion whether the operation was successful. Before surgery all children had intensive drug and physical therapy for 8–62 months (42 month). In the course of conservative treatment, knees had local joint treatment with triamcinolonhex-acetomid (THA), normally for three times before surgery. Preoperative X-rays showed Larsen stage I in 3 knee joints and Larsen stage 0 in the other knees. Results. In 85% of the children, we found good or excellent surgical outcome. 2 joints achieved fair and 2 joints poor outcome. Concerning subjective outcome 22 (82%) children had been very satisfied (56%) or satisfied (26%). 25 of the children’s parents would agree in the same surgical procedure again. In 6 knee joints we found recurrent synovitis. 2 of these knee joints were reoperated (30 and 22 month postoperatively with satisfying result), the other 4 joints were treated with THA i. a.. The 2 reoperations were regarded as poor result. We had no postoperative complications and the normal hospitalisation was 15 days. Prior to surgery, 12 knee joints had an average deficit of active knee extension of 10° (5–20°). Postoperatively, no extension deficit was found anymore in 25 of the knees. Compared to the contralateral knees, a flexion deficit of 10° (5–15°) was obtained postoperatively. At sonography, no joint effusion could be revealed. Postoperative X-rays showed no progression in Larsen stage. Outcome in children with oligoarthritis was better than in those with polyarthritic disease. Discussion. Early arthroscopic synovectomy of the knee in children with chronic inflammatory joint disease is, in case of failure of conservative treatment, a useful method of treatment. We propose early synovectomy of the knee joint as an essential part of the treatment scheme for children with inflammatory joint disease

Aims. Insufficient treatment response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients requires novel treatment strategies to halt disease progression. The potential benefit of combination of cytokine-inhibitors in RA is still unclear and needs further investigation. To explore the impact of combined deficiency of two major cytokines, namely interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6, in this study double deficient mice for IL-1αβ and IL-6 were investigated in different tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-driven inflammatory bone disorders, namely peripheral arthritis and sacroiliitis, as well as systemic bone loss. Methods. Disease course, histopathological features of arthritis, and micro-CT (µCT) bone analysis of local and systemic bone loss were assessed in 15-week-old IL1-/-IL6-/-hTNFtg in comparison to IL1-/-hTNFtg, IL6-/-hTNFtg, and hTNFtg mice. µCT bone analysis of single deficient and wild-type mice was also performed. Results. Combined deficiency of IL-1/IL-6 markedly ameliorated TNF-mediated arthritis and bilateral sacroiliitis, but without additive benefits compared to single IL-1 deficiency. This finding confirms the important role of IL-1 and the marginal role of IL-6 in TNF-driven pathways of local joint damage, but questions the efficacy of potential combinatorial therapies of IL-1 and IL-6 in treatment of RA. In contrast, combined deficiency of IL-1/IL-6 led to an additive protective effect on TNF-driven systemic bone loss compared to single IL-1 and IL-6 deficiency. This finding clearly indicates a common contribution of both IL-1 and IL-6 in TNF-driven systemic bone loss, and points to a discrepancy of cytokine dependency in local and systemic TNF-driven mechanisms of inflammatory arthritis. Conclusion. Combinatorial treatments in RA might provide different benefits to inflammatory local arthritis and systemic comorbidities. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(7):484–493

The management of radial head fractures complicated by ligamentous disruption remains a matter of controversy. The use of a silicone radial head implant to provide temporary stability is thought to help to protect the ligaments during healing. The reported complications of long-term implantation of a silicone replacement include fracture, dislocation, synovitis, lymphadenitis and subchondral resorption. We now report one case in which an inflammatory process resulted in generalised cartilage degeneration. This has not previously been noted.

Aim of study

The thrust plate prosthesis is an implantat with metaphyseal fixation at the proximal femur, which leaves the diaphyseal bone untouched. Therefore this implant preferably is employed in younger patients. It is dependent on a good bone quality in the proximal femur. Because bone quality is reduced in patients with polyarthritis, this kind of endoprosthesis may have a higher failer rate than conventional stemmed endoprostheses in these patients. Therefore in patients with polyarthritis even short- end midterm results of the thrust plate prosthesis should be analyzed.

Material and Methods

47 thrust plate prostheses were implanted in 42 patients with polyarthritis (29 with rheumatoid arthritis, 6 with juvenile chronic arthritis and 7 patients with spondarthritis) and followed prospectively. The average age at the operation was 40. 8 ± 10. 7 years. Each patient was clinically and radiologically examined preoperative, 3 and 6 months after the operation and at the end of each postoperative year. The mean follow-up was 26. 1 ± 10. 7 months. The clinical findings were evaluated using the Harris-Hip-Score. Radiologically 8 different zones at the thrust plate prosthesis were analyzed for radiolucencies.

Results

During the first year the Harris-Hip-Score rose continuously from the preoperative average of 42. 4 ± 6. 5 points to 78. 8 ± 10. 3 points 3 months postoperatively, 82. 3 ± 9. 8 points 6 months postoperatively, and 86. 8 ± 10. 1 points 1 year after the operation. The following examinations showed Harris-Hip-Scores at the same level. 5 patients (5 joints, 10. 6%) had to undergo a revision of the thrust plate prosthesis due to aseptic loosening in 3 cases and septic loosening in 2 cases. 6 prostheses (12. 6 %) showed radiolucencies, mostly below the thrust plate in zone 1 and 2. 2 of these prostheses were certainly radiologically loose which raised the failure rate to 7 of 47 (14. 8 %).

Conclusion

The thrust plate prosthesis improves function and pain in patients with polyarthritis to a satisfactory degree. Concerning the failure rate this type seems to yield slightly worse results than cementless stemmed endoprostheses in the same patient group. Due to the preservation of the diaphysial bone of the femur and the possibility of an unproblematic change to a stemmed endoprosthesis the thrust plate prosthesis keeps its indication in younger patients with polyarthritis.

Aims: To evaluate the results of a novel modular press-þt acetabular cup in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) for osteoarthrosis (OA) and inßammatory arthritis (IA). Methods: From February 1996 to June 1999 in 324 patients (249 women, 75 men) 355 THA using a novel cup has been carried out. The shell is non-hemispherical on cross-section and has a hydroxyapatite coating on porous titanium for osseointegration. Diagnosis was: osteoarthrosis (OA) 236, developmental dysplasia (DDH) 21, post-traumatic arthrosis 27, avascular necrosis 6, IA 65 Ð mainly rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Average age at operation was 65.8 years. The patients were studied prospectively using Harris Hip Score (HHS), by measuring any radiolucency around the cup and by looking for signs of migration. Results: Median follow-up was 4.5 years. At follow-up, 21 patients had deceased. Revision for deep infection was carried out in 5 hips (3 low-grade infections). No septic loosening occurred with low-grade infection. Recurrent dislocations required revision of 1 cup and exchange of 2 inserts. Only 1 cup in a RA patient with severe superior bone loss became unstable after a fall 4 months postoperatively. Survival with aseptic loosening of the cup as endpoint was 1 in OA and 0.98 in IA. In all 290 patients with 318 THA in follow-up the cup was functioning well, both clinically and radiographically. HHS increased from 44.5 to 90.3. Conclusion: Press-þt þxation using a modern acetabular component is an excellent treatment option in primary total hip arthroplasty for all diagnostic groups.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that involves T and B cells and their reciprocal immune interactions with proinflammatory cytokines. T cells, an essential part of the immune system, play an important role in RA. T helper 1 (Th1) cells induce interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin (IL)-2, which are proinflammatory cytokines, leading to cartilage destruction and bone erosion. Th2 cells primarily secrete IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, which exert anti-inflammatory and anti-osteoclastogenic effects in inflammatory arthritis models. IL-22 secreted by Th17 cells promotes the proliferation of synovial fibroblasts through induction of the chemokine C-C chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2). T follicular helper (Tfh) cells produce IL-21, which is key for B cell stimulation by the C-X-C chemokine receptor 5 (CXCR5) and coexpression with programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and/or inducible T cell costimulator (ICOS). PD-1 inhibits T cell proliferation and cytokine production. In addition, there are many immunomodulatory agents that promote or inhibit the immunomodulatory role of T helper cells in RA to alleviate disease progression. These findings help to elucidate the aetiology and treatment of RA and point us toward the next steps. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(7):426–438

Aims

The aims of this study were to identify and evaluate the current literature examining the prognostic factors which are associated with failure of total elbow arthroplasty (TEA).