Aims. This study evaluates the association between consultant and hospital volume and the risk of re-revision and 90-day mortality following first-time revision of primary hip arthroplasty for aseptic loosening. Methods. We conducted a cohort study of first-time, single-stage revision hip arthroplasties (RHAs) performed for aseptic loosening and recorded in the National Joint Registry (NJR) data for England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Isle of Man between 2003 and 2019. Patient identifiers were used to link records to national mortality data, and to NJR data to identify subsequent re-revision procedures. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models with restricted cubic splines were used to define associations between volume and outcome. Results. Among 12,961 RHAs there were 513 re-revisions within two years, and 95 deaths within 90 days of surgery. The risk of re-revision was highest for a consultant’s first RHA (hazard ratio (HR) 1.56 (95% CI 1.15 to 2.12)) and remained significantly elevated for their first 24 cases (HR 1.26 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.58)). Annual consultant volumes of five/year were associated with an almost 30% greater risk of re-revision (HR 1.28 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.64)) and 80% greater risk of 90-day mortality (HR 1.81 (95% CI 1.02 to 3.21)) compared to volumes of 20/year. RHAs performed at hospitals which had cumulatively undertaken fewer than 167 RHAs were at up to 70% greater risk of re-revision (HR 1.70 (95% CI 1.12 to 2.59)), and those having undertaken fewer than 307 RHAs were at up to three times greater risk of 90-day mortality (HR 3.05 (95% CI 1.19 to 7.82)). Conclusion. This study found a significantly higher risk of re-revision and early postoperative mortality following first-time single-stage RHA for aseptic loosening when performed by lower-volume consultants and at lower-volume institutions, supporting the move towards the centralization of such cases towards higher-volume units and surgeons. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(10):1050–1058

Aims. To determine if primary cemented acetabular component geometry (long posterior wall (LPW), hooded, or offset reorientating) influences the risk of revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) for instability or loosening. Methods. The National Joint Registry (NJR) dataset was analyzed for primary THAs performed between 2003 and 2017. A cohort of 224,874 cemented acetabular components were included. The effect of acetabular component geometry on the risk of revision for instability or for loosening was investigated using log-binomial regression adjusting for age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, indication, side, institution type, operating surgeon grade, surgical approach, polyethylene crosslinking, and prosthetic head size. A competing risk survival analysis was performed with the competing risks being revision for other indications or death. Results. The distribution of acetabular component geometries was: LPW 81.2%; hooded 18.7%; and offset reorientating 0.1%. There were 3,313 (1.5%) revision THAs performed, of which 815 (0.4%) were for instability and 838 (0.4%) were for loosening. Compared to the LPW group, the adjusted subhazard ratio of revision for instability in the hooded group was 2.31 (p < 0.001) and 4.12 (p = 0.047) in the offset reorientating group. Likewise, the subhazard ratio of revision for loosening was 2.65 (p < 0.001) in the hooded group and 13.61 (p < 0.001) in the offset reorientating group. A time-varying subhazard ratio of revision for instability (hooded vs LPW) was found, being greatest within the first three months. Conclusion. This registry-based study confirms a significantly higher risk of revision after cemented THA for instability and for loosening when a hooded or offset reorientating acetabular component is used, compared to a LPW component. Further research is required to clarify if certain patients benefit from the use of hooded or offset reorientating components, but we recommend caution when using such components in routine clinical practice. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(11):1669–1677

Aims. The aim of this study was to determine if uncemented acetabular polyethylene (PE) liner geometry, and lip size, influenced the risk of revision for instability or loosening. Methods. A total of 202,511 primary total hip arthroplasties (THAs) with uncemented acetabular components were identified from the National Joint Registry (NJR) dataset between 2003 and 2017. The effect of liner geometry on the risk of revision for instability or loosening was investigated using competing risk regression analyses adjusting for age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, indication, side, institution type, surgeon grade, surgical approach, head size, and polyethylene crosslinking. Stratified analyses by surgical approach were performed, including pairwise comparisons of liner geometries. Results. The distribution of liner geometries were neutral (39.4%; 79,822), 10° (34.5%; 69,894), 15° (21.6%; 43,722), offset reorientating (2.8%; 5705), offset neutral (0.9%; 1,767), and 20° (0.8%; 1,601). There were 690 (0.34%) revisions for instability. Compared to neutral liners, the adjusted subhazard ratios of revision for instability were: 10°, 0.64 (p < 0.001); 15°, 0.48 (p < 0.001); and offset reorientating, 1.6 (p = 0.010). No association was found with other geometries. 10° and 15° liners had a time-dependent lower risk of revision for instability within the first 1.2 years. In posterior approaches, 10° and 15° liners had a lower risk of revision for instability, with no significant difference between them. The protective effect of lipped over neutral liners was not observed in laterally approached THAs. There were 604 (0.3%) revisions for loosening, but no association between liner geometry and revision for loosening was found. Conclusion. This registry-based study confirms a lower risk of revision for instability in posterior approach THAs with 10° or 15° lipped liners compared to neutral liners, but no significant difference between these lip sizes. A higher revision risk is seen with offset reorientating liners. The benefit of lipped geometries against revision for instability was not seen in laterally approached THAs. Liner geometry does not seem to influence the risk of revision for loosening. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(12):1774–1782

Aims. The purpose of this study was to evaluate unexpected positive cultures in total hip arthroplasty (THA) revisions for presumed aseptic loosening, to assess the prevalence of low-grade infection using two definition criteria, and to analyze its impact on implant survival after revision. Methods. A total of 274 THA revisions performed for presumed aseptic loosening from 2012 to 2016 were reviewed. In addition to obtaining intraoperative tissue cultures from all patients, synovial and sonication fluid samples of the removed implant were obtained in 215 cases (79%) and 101 cases (37%), respectively. Histopathological analysis was performed in 250 cases (91%). Patients were classified as having low-grade infections according to institutional criteria and Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) International Consensus Meeting (ICM) 2013 criteria. Low-grade infections according to institutional criteria were treated with targeted antibiotics for six weeks postoperatively. Implant failure was defined as the need for re-revision resulting from periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and aseptic reasons. The mean follow-up was 68 months (26 to 95). Results. Unexpected positive intraoperative samples were found in 77 revisions (28%). Low-grade infection was diagnosed in 36 cases (13%) using institutional criteria and in nine cases (3%) using MSIS ICM 2013 criteria. In all, 41 patients (15%) had single specimen growth of a low-virulent pathogen and were deemed contaminated. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and anaerobes were the most commonly isolated bacteria. Implant failure for PJI was higher in revisions with presumed contaminants (5/41, 12%) compared to those with low-grade infections (2/36, 6%) and those with negative samples (5/197, 3%) (p = 0.021). The rate of all-cause re-revision was similar in patients diagnosed with low-grade infections (5/36, 14%) and those with presumed contaminants (6/41, 15%) and negative samples (21/197, 11%) (p = 0.699). Conclusion. Our findings suggest that the presumption of culture contamination in aseptic revision hip arthroplasty may increase the detection of PJI. In this cohort, the presence of low-grade infection did not increase the risk of re-revision. Further studies are needed to assess the relevance of single specimen growth and the benefits of specific postoperative antibiotic regimens. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(6):1070–1077

Aims. To investigate the effect of polyethylene manufacturing characteristics and irradiation dose on the survival of cemented and reverse hybrid total hip arthroplasties (THAs). Methods. In this registry study, data from the National Joint Registry of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man (NJR) were linked with manufacturing data supplied by manufacturers. The primary endpoint was revision of any component. Cox proportional hazard regression was a primary analytic approach adjusting for competing risk of death, patient characteristics, head composition, and stem fixation. Results. A total of 290,770 primary THAs were successfully linked with manufacturing characteristics. Overall 4,708 revisions were analyzed, 1,260 of which were due to aseptic loosening. Total radiation dose was identified as a risk factor and included in the Cox model. For statistical modelling of aseptic loosening, THAs were grouped into three categories: G1 (no radiation); G2 ( > 0 to < 5 Mrad); and G3 ( ≥ 5 Mrad). G1 had the worst survivorship. The Cox regression hazard ratio for revision due to aseptic loosening for G2 was 0.7 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58 to 0.83), and for G3 0.4 (95% CI 0.30 to 0.53). Male sex and uncemented stem fixation were associated with higher risk of revision and ceramic heads with lower risk. Conclusion. Polyethylene irradiation was associated with reduced risk of revision for aseptic loosening. Radiation doses of ≥ 5 Mrad were associated with a further reduction in risk. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2020;9(9):563–571

The original forged Müller straight stem (CoNiCr) has shown excellent ten- to 15-year results. We undertook a long-term survival analysis with special emphasis on radiological changes within a 20-year period of follow-up. In all, 165 primary total hip replacements, undertaken between July 1984 and June 1987 were followed prospectively. Clinical follow-up included a standardised clinical examination, and radiological assessment was based on a standardised anteroposterior radiograph of the pelvis, which was studied for the presence of osteolysis, debonding and cortical atrophy. Survival of the stem with revision for any reason was 81% (95% confidence interval (CI), 76 to 86) at 20 years and for aseptic loosening 87% (95% CI, 82 to 90). At the 20-year follow-up, 15 of the surviving 36 stems showed no radiological changes. Debonding (p = 0.005), osteolysis (p = 0.003) and linear polyethylene wear (p = 0.016) were associated with aseptic loosening, whereas cortical atrophy was not associated with failure (p = 0.008). The 20-year results of the Müller straight stem are comparable to those of other successful cemented systems with similar follow-up. Radiological changes are frequently observed, but with a low incidence of progression, and rarely result in revision. Cortical atrophy appears to be an effect of ageing and not a sign of loosening of the femoral component

Aims. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic performance of radiographic criteria to detect aseptic acetabular loosening after revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). Secondary aims were to determine the predictive values of different thresholds of migration and to determine the predictive values of radiolucency criteria. Patients and Methods. Acetabular component migration to re-revision was measured retrospectively using Ein-Bild-Rontgen-Analyse (EBRA-Cup) and manual measurements (Sutherland method) in two groups: Group A, 52 components (48 patients) found not loose at re-revision and Group B, 42 components (36 patients) found loose at re-revision between 1980 and 2015. The presence and extent of radiolucent lines was also assessed. Results. Using EBRA, both proximal translation and sagittal rotation were excellent diagnostic tests for detecting aseptic loosening. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves was 0.94 and 0.93, respectively. The thresholds of 2.5 mm proximal translation or 2° sagittal rotation (EBRA) in combination with radiolucency criteria had a sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 88% to detect aseptic loosening. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value (NPV) of radiolucency criteria were 41%, 100%, 100% and 68% respectively. Manual measurements of both proximal translation and sagittal rotation were very good diagnostic tests. The area under the ROC curve was 0.86 and 0.92 respectively. However, manual measurements had a decreased specificity compared with EBRA. Radiolucency criteria had a poor sensitivity and NPV of 41% and 68% respectively. Conclusion. This study shows that EBRA and manual migration measurements can be used as accurate diagnostic tools to detect aseptic loosening of cementless acetabular components used at revision THA. Radiolucency criteria should not be used in isolation to exclude loosening of cementless acetabular components used at revision THA given their poor sensitivity and NPV. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:458–64

We matched 78 patients with a loose cemented Charnley Elite Plus total hip replacement (THR) by age, gender, race, prosthesis and time from surgery with 49 patients with a well-fixed stable hip replacement, to determine if poor bone quality predisposes to loosening. Clinical, radiological, biomechanical and bone mineral density indicators of bone quality were assessed. Patients with loose replacements had more pain, were more likely to have presented with atrophic arthritis and to have a history of fragility fracture, narrower femoral cortices and lower peri-prosthetic or lumbar spine bone mineral density (all t-test, p < 0.01). They also tended to be smokers (chi-squared test, p = 0.08). Vitamin-D deficiency was common, but not significantly different between the two groups (t-test, p = 0.31). In this series of cemented hip replacements performed between 1994 and 1998, aseptic loosening was associated with poor bone quality. Patients with a THR should be screened for osteoporosis and have regular radiological surveillance

In this study of 41 patients, we used proteomic, Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses to show that several reactive oxygen species scavenging enzymes are expressed differentially in patients with primary osteoarthritis and those with non-loosening and aseptic loosening after total hip replacement (THR). The patients were grouped as A (n = 16, primary THR), B (n = 10, fixed THR but requiring revision for polyethylene wear) and C (n = 15, requiring revision due to aseptic loosening) to verify the involvement of the identified targets in aseptic loosening. When compared with Groups A and B, Group C patients exhibited significant up-regulation of transthyretin and superoxide dismutase 3, but down-regulation of glutathione peroxidase 2 in their hip synovial fluids. Also, higher levels of superoxide dismutase 2 and peroxiredoxin 2, but not superoxide dismutase 1, catalase and glutathione perioxidase 1, were consistently detected in the hip capsules of Group C patients. We propose that dysregulated reactive oxygen species-related enzymes may play an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of aseptic loosening after THR

We used a trochanteric slide osteotomy (TSO) in 94 consecutive revision total hip arthroplasties (90 with replacement of both the cup and stem). This technique proved to be adequate for removing the components, with few complications (two minor fractures), and for implanting acetabular allografts (18%) and reinforcement devices (23%). Trochanteric union was obtained in most patients (96%), even in those with septic loosening (18/19), major femoral osteolysis (32/32), or previous trochanteric osteotomy (17/18). TSO is versatile, since it can be extended by a femoral flap (four cases) or a distal femoral window (eight cases). Despite significant bone loss, in 24% of the femora and 57% of the acetabula, favourable midterm results were achieved and only six reoperations were required, including two for trochanteric nonunion and two for loosening. It leaves the lateral femoral cortex intact so that a stem longer than 200 mm was needed in only 25% of patients. This is a considerable advantage compared with the extended trochanteric osteotomy in which the long lateral flap (12 to 14 cm) requires an average length of stem of 220 mm beyond the calcar. TSO provides an approach similar in size to the standard trochanteric osteotomy but with a rate of nonunion of 4% versus 15%. It reduces the risk of difficulties with removal of the stem, and removes the need for routine distal anchoring of long revision stems. The limited distal femoral compromise is very important in patients with a long life expectancy

We analysed follow-up data from 18 486 primary total hip arthroplasties performed between 1967 and 2001 to assess the validity of clinical procedures in diagnosing loosening of prosthetic components. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were estimated with the radiological definition of loose or not loose as the ‘gold standard’. The prevalence of acetabular loosening increased from 0.6% to 13.9% during the period of the study and that of femoral loosening from 0.9% to 12.1%. Sensitivities and positive predictive values were low, suggesting that clinical procedures could not replace radiological assessment in the identification of loose prostheses. Specificities and negative predictive values were constantly above 0.86. The possibility of there being a prosthesis which is not loose in asymptomatic patients was consequently very high, particularly during the first five to six years after operation. The necessity of periodic clinical and radiological follow-up examinations of asymptomatic patients during the first five to six years after operation remains questionable. Symptomatic patients, however, require radiological assessment

We have assessed the long-term results of 292 cemented total hip replacements which were performed for developmental dysplasia of the hip in 206 patients. The mean age of the patients at operation was 42.6 years (15.9 to 79.5) and most (202) were women. The severity of dysplasia was graded according to both the Crowe and the Hartofilakidis classifications. A 22.25-mm Charnley head was always used and the acetabular components were inserted with cement into the true acetabulum. Bone grafting of the acetabulum, using the patient’s own femoral head, was performed on 48 occasions. At a mean follow-up of 15.7 years (2.2 to 31.2) the overall survival of the acetabular component was 78%. The main cause of revision was aseptic loosening (88.3%). The rate of survival at 20 years based on the Hartofilakidis classification was 76% in the dysplastic, 55% in the low-dislocation and 12% in the high-dislocation groups and on the Crowe classification, 72.7% for group I, 70.7% for group II, 36.7% for group III and 15.6% for group IV. There was no statistical correlation between bone grafting of the acetabulum and survival of the acetabular component. This study has shown a higher rate of failure of the acetabular component with increasing severity of hip dysplasia

We assessed differences in the incidence and appearance of the radiological signs of loosening of the cup for various types of design. This was an observational study based on hip registry data of 15 340 patients with 17 951 total hip arthroplasties collected over a period of 33 years in 49 hospitals in Central Europe. The threaded and the press-fit titanium cups showed significantly less aseptic loosening than the other systems. The direction of migration and the frequency of the radiological signs of loosening differed between the cup systems and were time-dependent. Our findings indicate the superiority of uncemented threaded cups and press-fit titanium cups over other designs of cup

The radiological features of the cement mantle around total hip replacements (THRs) have been used to assess aseptic loosening. In this case-control study we investigated the risk of failure of THR as predictable by a range of such features using data from patients recruited to the Trent Regional Arthroplasty Study (TRAS). An independent radiological assessment was undertaken on Charnley THRs with aseptic loosening within five years of surgery and on a control group from the TRAS database. Chi-squared tests were used to test the probability of obtaining the observed data by chance, and odds ratios were calculated to estimate the strength of association for different features. Several features were associated with a clinically important increase (> twofold) in the risk of loosening, which was statistically significant for four features (p < 0.01). Inadequate cementation (Barrack C and D grades) was the most significant feature, with an estimated odds ratio of 9.5 (95% confidence interval 3.2 to 28.4, p < 0.0001) for failure

In this meta-analysis we included 32 English-language articles published between January 1975 and June 2004 on the diagnostic performance of plain radiography, subtraction arthrography, nuclear arthrography and bone scintigraphy in detecting aseptic loosening of the femoral component, using criteria based on the Cochrane systematic review of screening and diagnostic tests. The mean sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 82% (95% confidence interval (CI) 76 to 87) and 81% (95% CI 73 to 87) for plain radiography and 85% (95% CI 75 to 91) and 83% (95% CI 75 to 89) for nuclear arthrography. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 86% (95% CI 74 to 93) and 85% (95% CI 77 to 91) for subtraction arthrography and 85% (95% CI 79 to 89) and 72% (95% CI 64 to 79) for bone scintigraphy. Although the diagnostic performance of the imaging techniques was not significantly different, plain radiography and bone scintigraphy are preferred for the assessment of a femoral component because of their efficacy and lower risk of patient morbidity

We have followed up for a period of seven to nine years 100 consecutive arthroplasties of the hip in which an entirely HA-coated implant had been used. The clinical results were excellent and bony incorporation was extensive in all components. No stem became loose or subsided but five cups were revised because of loosening after 3.8 to 5.5 years, having functioned painlessly and shown radiological ingrowth. Revision procedures because of excessive polyethylene wear have been performed on 18 hips and are planned for six more. Two eroded metal backings with worn-through polyethylene were exchanged; six hips showed metallosis without polyethylene wear-through. There were two cases of granulomatous cysts in the groin and 66 hips had osteolysis located periarticularly, in the greater trochanter or in the acetabulum

A 65-year-old man presented with a painful hip five years after a cemented replacement. Histological examination of a biopsy taken from tissue surrounding the femoral implant showed infiltration of a squamous-cell carcinoma. Further investigation revealed a primary growth in the left lung. This rare example of a metastasis in relation to a joint replacement illustrates the necessity for histological examination of the tissue adjacent to a loose prosthesis.

Aims. The aim of this study is to report the long-term outcomes of instrumented femoral revisions with impaction allograft bone grafting (IBG) using the X-change femoral revision system at 30 years after introduction of the technique. Methods. We updated the outcomes of our previous study, based on 208 consecutive revisions using IBG and the X-change femoral revision system in combination with a cemented polished stem, performed in our tertiary care institute between 1991 and 2007. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were used to determine the survival rate of the revisions with endpoint revision for any reason and aseptic loosening. Secondary outcomes were radiological loosening and patient-reported outcome measures. Results. Mean age at revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) was 64.9 years (30 to 86). The most prevalent diagnosis for the femoral revision was aseptic loosening. At review in May 2021, 81 patients (85 hips) were still alive and 118 patients (120 hips; 58%) had died. Three patients (3 hips; 1%) were lost to follow-up at 11, 15, and 16 years after surgery, respectively. Data of all deceased and lost patients were included until final follow-up. The mean follow-up was 13.4 years (0 to 28). During the follow-up, 22 re-revisions were performed. The most common reason for re-revision was infection (n = 12; 54%). The survival with endpoint re-revision for any reason was 86% (95% confidence interval (CI) 79 to 91) at 20 years and 74% (95% CI 43 to 89) at 25 years after surgery. The survival for endpoint re-revision for aseptic loosening was 97% (95% CI 91 to 99) after both 20 and 25 years. Conclusion. We conclude that femoral IBG is a valuable technique that can reconstitute femoral bone loss in the long term. After 25 years of follow-up, few re-revisions for aseptic loosening were required. Also, the overall revision rate is very acceptable at a long follow-up. This technique is especially attractive for younger patients facing femoral revisions with extensive bone loss. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(9):1039–1046

There remains concern with the use of constrained liners (CL) implanted at the time of acetabular cup revision in revision total hip replacement (rTHA). The aim of this study was to determine the implant survival in rTHA when a CL was implanted at the same time as acetabular cup revision. We reviewed our institutional database to identify all consecutive rTHAs where a CL was implanted simultaneously at the time acetabular cup revision from 2001 to 2021. One-hundred and seventy-four revisions (173 patients) were included in the study. Mean follow-up of 8.7 years (range two – 21.7). The most common indications for rTHA were instability (35%), second-stage periprosthetic joint infection (26.4%), and aseptic loosening (17.2%). Kaplan Meier Analysis was used to determine survival with all-cause re-revision and revision for cup aseptic loosening (fixation failure) as the endpoints. A total of 32 (18.3%) patients underwent re-revision at a mean time of 2.9 years (range 0.1 – 14.1). The most common reasons for re-revision were instability (14), periprosthetic joint infection (seven), and loosening of the femoral component (four). Three (1.7%) required re-revision due to aseptic loosening of the acetabular component (fixation failure) at a mean of two years (0.1 – 5.1). Acetabular component survival free from re-revision due to aseptic loosening was 98.9% (95% CI 97.3 – 100) at five-years and 98.1% (95% CI 95.8 – 100) at 10-years. There were no acetabular component fixation failures in modern highly porous shells. CLs implanted at the time acetabular cup revision in rTHA have a 98.1% 10-year survival free from acetabular cup aseptic loosening (fixation failure). There were no cup fixation failures in modern highly porous shells. Thus, when necessary, implanting a CL during revision of an acetabular component with stable screw fixation is safe with an extremely low risk of cup fixation failure

Aims. The purpose of this study is to report our updated results at a minimum follow-up of 30 years using a first generation uncemented tapered femoral component in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods. The original cohort consisted of 145 consecutive THAs performed by a single surgeon in 138 patients. A total of 37 patients (40 hips) survived a minimum of 30 years, and are the focus of this review. The femoral component used in all cases was a first-generation Taperloc with a non-modular 28 mm femoral head. Clinical follow-up at a minimum of 30 years was obtained on every living patient. Radiological follow-up at 30 years was obtained on all but four. Results. Seven femoral components (18%) required revision, and none for septic loosening. Four well fixed stems were removed during acetabular revision and three were revised for late infection. One femoral component (3%) was loose by radiological criteria. The mean Harris Hip Score improved from 47 points (SD 4.62) preoperatively to 83 points (SD 9.27) at final follow-up. With revision for any reason as the endpoint, survival of the femoral component was 80% (95% confidence interval (CI) 61% to 90%) at 32 years. With revision for aseptic loosing femoral component, survival was 99% (95% CI 93% to 99%). Conclusion. With regards to aseptic loosening, the Taperloc femoral component provides excellent fixation at a mean follow-up of 32 years. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(2):79–86