Background

Metastatic bone patients who require surgery needs to be evaluated in order to maximise quality of life and avoiding functional impairment, minimising the risks connected to the surgical procedures. The best surgical procedure needs to be tailored on survival estimation. There are no current available tool or method to evaluate survival estimation with accuracy in patients with bone metastasis. We recently developed a clinical decision support tool, capable of estimating the likelihood of survival at 3 and 12 months following surgery for patients with operable skeletal metastases. After making it publicly available on www.PATHFx.org, we attempted to externally validate it using independent, international data.

Disease modifying approaches are commonly applied in OA patients. An aging society with better life expectancies is increasing in Europe and the globe. Orthobiologics cover intraarticular hyaluronan injections and also cellular therapies. Cellular therapies range from platelet rich plasma (PRP) applications to exosomes. Short term follow-up of limited number of patients revealed favorable results in clinical cellular therapies. Most of these studies evaluated decrease of pain and increase in function. Recent basic science studies focused on the action mechanism of orthobiologic therapies however patient perspective is less studied. Our research team has recently performed a qualitative study on the patient perspective of hyaluronan injection of the knee joint. Findings of that study will be shared and future patient knowledge based options on orthobiologics will be discussed

Abstract. Introduction. In general the life expectancy of population is improving. This is causing to increase case load of peri-prosthesis fractures after joint replacements. We present our results of peri-prosthesis fracture around hip managed by revision arthroplasty. Methods. A retrospective analysis of 24 consecutive patients of periprosthetic hip fracture treated with a revision arthroplasty at Major Trauma Centre between February 2021 and January 2022. Results. 12 male and 12 female patients, average age 78 years. 3 fractures around BHR prosthesis, 2 type A, 15 type B and 3 of type C (Vancouver). The surgery was done in an average 6 days after injury (range 1–14). 6 patients died in follow up, 1 patient contracted infection, 2 developed LLD and 1 patient had multiple dislocations. 6 patients had revision using endo-prosthesis. Advanced age with peri-prosthesis fracture has increased risk of mortality (average age 84.5 years). Conclusion. Endo-prosthesis replacement had higher risk of dislocation, infection and mortality. Overall patients do well after a revision arthroplasty for periprosthetic hip fracture. Declaration of Interest. (b) declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported:I declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project

Introduction. Tendon ruptures represent one of the most common acute tendon injuries in adults worldwide, affecting millions of people anually and becoming more prevalent due to longer life expectancies and sports activities. Current clinical treatments for full tears are unable to completely restore the torn tendons to their native composition, structure and mechanical properties. To address this clinical challenge, tissue-engineered substitutes will be developed to serve as functional replacements for total tendon ruptures that closely resemble the original tissue, restoring functionality. Method. Water borne polyurethanes (WBPU) containing acrylate groups, specifically polyethylene glycol methacrylate (PEGMA) or 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), were combined with mouse mesenchymal stem cells (MoMSCs) and heparin sodium to formulate bioinks for the fabrication of scaffolds via extrusion-based 3D bioprinting. Result. The biocompatibility of acrylated-WBPUs was confirmed in 2D with MoMSCs using lactate dehydrogenase assay, DNA assay and live/dead assays. Cell-laden scaffolds were 3D-bioprinted by encapsulating MoMSCs at varying cell densities within the acrylated WBPUs. The resulting 3D structures support cell viability and proliferation within the scaffolds, as confirmed by live/dead assay, lactate dehydrogenase assay and DNA assays. Differentiation studies in the 3D-bioprinted scaffolds demonstrated the phenotype transition of MoMSCs toward tenocytes through gene expression and protein deposition analysis. The inclusion of sodium heparin in the bioinks revealed increased synthesis of matrix assembly proteins within the 3D-bioprinted constructs. Conclusion. The developed bioinks were biocompatible and printable, supporting cell viability within the 3D-bioprinted scaffold. The fabricated cell-laden constructs sustained cell proliferation, differentiation, and tissue formation. The addition of heparin sodium enhanced tissue formation and organization, showing promising results for the regeneration of tendon total ruptures. Principio del formularioThis work was supported by the Spanish State Research Agency (AEI) under grant No CPP2021-008754. The authors would like to thank their partners in the project, which are in charge of the synthesis of heparin sodium and acrylated-WBPUs

Due to the increasing life expectancy the incidence of gonarthrosis, the degeneration of articular cartilage and bone in the knee joint, is increasing worldwide. Although the success rate of knee arthroplasties is high, complications like the loosening of the implant necessitate subsequent treatments. Moreover, the morphology and microstructure of the knee joint varies considerably between patients, therefore the anatomical expertise of orthopedic surgeons is essential. In this analysis we therefore investigate the variation and micro-architectural alterations in subchondral bone in osteoarthritis (OA) patients undergoing a knee replacement surgery. We investigate OA bone degenerations using clinical X-rays and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Tibial bone samples are collected from 100 patients undergoing a total knee arthroplasty at the Klinikum Wels-Grieskirchen. Images are obtained using an industrial micro-CT scanner RayScan 250E. Microstructural parameters include bone volume fraction and cortical thickness of the subcondral bone and are obtained from micro-CT images with isometric voxel sizes of 50 µm. Using micro-CT, we show a high morphological variation in relation to cortical thickness, both within the respective condyle as well as between the medial and lateral condyle. Cortical thickness seems to correlate with cartilage thickness and knee joint alignment. The results are incorporated into a gonarthrosis database that integrates microstructural parameters via a combined analysis of X-ray and micro-CT data. This database aims to facilitate the assessment of osteoarthritis, i.e. in relation to cartilage degeneration, in future patients on the basis of the investigated patient collective

Total knee arthroplasty is a well established treatment for degenerative joint disease with good clinical results. However, complications may occur due to a biological response to polyethylene wear particles, leading to osteolysis and aseptic loosening, as well as local and systemic hypersensitivity reactions triggered by metal ions and particles such as chromium, cobalt and molybdenum. Moreover, there is an increasing demand on the performance of these implants, as this treatment is also performed in heavier, younger and middle-aged adults who have a significant physical activity and higher life expectancy. The purpose of the following study was to compare the wear characteristics and performance of a zirconium nitride (ZrN) coated knee implant, designed for patients with metal ion hypersensitivity, against the clinically established cobalt-chromium (CoCr) version under a high demanding activities wear simulation. Medium size AS Columbus® DD (Aesculap AG, Tuttlingen, Germany) femoral and tibial components with a ZrN surface were tested in comparison with the cobalt-chromium version Columbus® DD. For both groups, ultra-high-molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) gliding surfaces (size T3, high 10 mm) were used. Wear simulation was performed on a load controlled 4 station knee wear simulator (EndoLab GmbH, Thansau, Germany) capable of reproducing loads and movement of daily activities measured in vivo (Bergmann et al, 2014) on 8 patients and normalized to a patient weight of 100 kg (Schwiesau et al, 2014). The load profiles were applied for 5 million cycles in a combination of 40% stairs up, 40% stairs down, 10% level walking, 8% chair raising and 2% deep squatting. Test serum was changed every 0.5 million cycles and all the components were cleaned and analyzed according to ISO 14243-2:2009(E). The gliding surfaces were evaluated for gravimetric wear and wear patterns, femur components analyzed for scratches and the test medium analyzed for metal ion concentration (cobalt, chromium, molybdenum and zirconium) using ICP-MS according to ISO 17294-2. The present study showed a wear rate reduction for the ZrN group (1.01 ± 0.29 mg/million) in comparison with the CoCr group (2.40 ± 1.18 mg/million cycles). The articulation surface of the ZrN coated femurs remained polished after the testing period, whereas the uncoated femurs showed wear scratches. Furthermore, the metal ion release from the ZrN coated implants was reduced orders of magnitude in comparison with the CoCr implants through the entire test. These results demonstrate the efficiency of ZrN coated knee implants to reduce wear as well as to prevent metal ion release in the knee joint

Background. Despite an ageing population and a rise in the number of joint replacements being performed, the mean age of patients undergoing surgery remains static. One explanation for this is continued concern over the risks of performing surgery on the very elderly. We aim to investigate the outcome of Total Knee Replacement (TKR) in a nonagenarian population. Methods. The Elective Orthopaedic Centre, Epsom has an established patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) programme into which all patients are routinely enrolled. We retrospectively reviewed our data set for a cohort of nonagenarians undergoing primary TKR, between April 2008 and October 2011. Post-operative complications, mortality rates and functional outcomes were compared to those of a time matched 70–79 year old cohort. Only patients with a primary diagnosis of osteoarthritis were included whereas an exclusion criterion consisted of patients undergoing revision surgery, simultaneous bilateral replacements or conversion from a Unicompartmental Knee replacement. Results. We identified 31 nonagenarian patients, with a mean age of 91.0 (90–96) and the control group consisted of 36 patients, with a mean age of 74.5 (70–79). Following a TKR, the nonagenarian cohort achieved a lower mean Oxford Knee Score (OKS) at 1 year (31.7+/−9.5) (p=0.15), but no difference existed by 2 years (p=0.157), and a mean outcome satisfaction of 85.2% (+/− 22.75) at 1 year, which was similar to the younger group. The nonagenarians had a greater risk of requiring a blood transfusion following a TKR (p=0.0373; CI 1.08 to 16.65), and a longer length of stay than their younger counterparts (p=0.001). Mortality rates were higher in the nonagenarian cohort, but these were in keeping with the life expectancy projections identified by the Office for National Statistics. Conclusion. In conclusion, we identified that over a 2 year period, nonagenarians achieved the same functional outcome and satisfaction rates following a TKR as 70–79 year olds. Level of Evidence IV

Summary Statement. Using current analysis/methodology, new implant technology is unlikely to demonstrate a large enough change in patient function to impact on the cost-effectiveness of the procedure. Purpose. Cost effectiveness is an increasingly important metric in today's healthcare environment, and decisions surrounding which arthroplasty prosthesis to implant are not exempt from such health economic concerns. Quality adjusted life years (QALYs) are the typical assessment tool for this type of evaluation. Using this methodology, joint arthroplasty has been shown to be cost effective, however studies directly comparing the QALY achieved by differing prostheses are lacking. Methods. Data was gathered in a single centre prospective double-blind randomised controlled trial comparing the outcome a modern implant, the Triathlon total knee replacement, with its traditionally designed predecessor the Kinemax, using the Short Form 6 dimensional (SF-6D) score and quality adjusted life year (QALY) methodology. The study cohort consisted of 64 patients that were randomised to a Triathlon and 60 randomised to a Kinemax. Results. There was a significant improvement in the SF-6D score for both groups at one year compared with pre-operative scores (p<0.0001). The calculated overall life expectancy for the study cohort was 15.1 years, which resulted in an overall QALY gain of 2.144 (95% CI 1.752–2.507). The modern implant group demonstrated only a small improvement in the SF-6D score compared to the traditional design at one year (0.141 versus 0.143, p=0.94). This difference in health gain resulted in the modern implant costing £298 less per QALY at one year, however this saving diminished to less than £30 per year over the lifetime of the cohort. Discussion. This study demonstrates that despite comparing 2nd and 4th generation design, modern implant technology does not influence the cost-effectiveness of TKA using the SF-6D and QALY methodology. As most implants demonstrate similar longevity, differences in patient function will likely carry the greatest influence on QALY. This type of analysis however assesses health status, and is not sensitive to joint specific function. Dramatic differences in patient outcome would be required to influence QALY score. Evolutionary design changes in implant technology are thus unlikely to influence QALY analysis following joint replacement, which has important implication for implant procurement

This review is aimed at clinicians appraising preclinical trauma studies and researchers investigating compromised bone healing or novel treatments for fractures. It categorises the clinical scenarios of poor healing of fractures and attempts to match them with the appropriate animal models in the literature.

We performed an extensive literature search of animal models of long bone fracture repair/nonunion and grouped the resulting studies according to the clinical scenario they were attempting to reflect; we then scrutinised them for their reliability and accuracy in reproducing that clinical scenario.

Models for normal fracture repair (primary and secondary), delayed union, nonunion (atrophic and hypertrophic), segmental defects and fractures at risk of impaired healing were identified. Their accuracy in reflecting the clinical scenario ranged greatly and the reliability of reproducing the scenario ranged from 100% to 40%.

It is vital to know the limitations and success of each model when considering its application.

Impacted morsellised allografts have been used successfully to address the problem of poor bone stock in revision surgery. However, there are concerns about the transmission of pathogens, the high cost and the shortage of supply of donor bone. Bone-graft extenders, such as tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and hydroxyapatite (HA), have been developed to minimise the use of donor bone. In a human cadaver model we have evaluated the surgical and mechanical feasibility of a TCP/HA bone-graft extender during impaction grafting revision surgery.

A TCP/HA allograft mix increased the risk of producing a fissure in the femur during the impaction procedure, but provided a higher initial mechanical stability when compared with bone graft alone. The implications of the use of this type of graft extender in impaction grafting revision surgery are discussed.