Introduction. Acetabular component orientation is an important determinant of outcome following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Although surgeons aim to achieve optimal cup orientation, many studies demonstrate their inability to consistently achieve this. Factors that contribute are pelvic orientation and the surgeon's ability to correctly orient the cup at implantation. The goal of this study was to determine the accuracy with which surgeons can achieve cup orientation angles. Methods. In this in vitro study using a calibrated left and right sawbone hemipelvis model, participants (n=10) were asked to place a cup mounted on its introducer giving different targets. Measurements of cup orientation were made using a stereophotogrammetry protocol to measure radiographic inclination and operative anteversion (OA). A digital inclinometer was used to measure the intra-operative inclination (IOI) which is the angle of the cup introducer relative to the floor. First, the participant stated his or her preferred IOI and OA and positioned the cup accordingly. Second, the participant had to position the cup parallel to the anteversion of the transverse acetabular ligament (TAL). Third, the participant had to position the cup at IOI angles of 35°, 40° and 45°. Fourth, the participant used the mechanical alignment guide (45° of IOI and 30° of OA) to orient the cup. Each task was analysed separately and subgroup analysis included left versus right side and hip surgeons versus non-hip surgeons. Results. For the first task, hip surgeons preferred smaller IOI and larger OA than non-hip surgeons, but there was no significant difference in accuracy between both groups. When aiming for TAL, both surgeon groups performed similar, but accuracy on the non-dominant side was significantly better compared with the dominant side (mean deviation 0.6° SD 2.4 versus −2.6° SD 2.3) (p=0.004). When aiming for a specific IOI target of 35°, 40° or 45°, non-hip surgeons outperformed hip surgeons (mean deviation form target IOI 1.9° SD 2.7 versus −3.1° SD 3.8) (p<0.0001) with less variance (p=0.03). Contrary to version, accuracy on the dominant side was significantly better compared with the non-dominant side (mean deviation −0.4° SD 3.4 versus −2.1° SD 4.8). When using a mechanical guide, surgeons performed similar (0.6° SD 1.2 versus −0.4° SD 2.1 for inclination p=0.11 and −0.5° SD 2.6 versus −1.8° SD 3.3 for version p=0.22) and these values did not differ significantly from the actual IOI and OA of the mechanical guide. When using a mechanical guide, there was no difference in accuracy between the dominant and non-dominant side. Conclusion. There was no difference in accuracy between hip surgeons and non-hip surgeons when they aimed for their preferred IOI and OA or used a mechanical guide. When aiming for a specific IOI target, non-hip surgeons outperformed hip surgeons. Hip surgeons overestimate IOI and underestimate OA, presumably because this helps to achieve the desired radiographic cup orientation. Regarding accuracy, the non-dominant side was better for version and the dominant side for inclination. When aiming for a specific IOI and OA target, using a mechanical guide is significantly better than freehand cup orientation

Extracellular matrix (ECM) mechanical cues guide healing in tendons. Yet, the molecular mechanisms orchestrating the healing processes remain elusive. Appropriate tissue tension is essential for tendon homeostasis and tissue health. By mapping the attainment of tensional homeostasis, we aim to understand how ECM tension regulates healing. We hypothesize that diseased tendon returns to homeostasis only after the cells reach a mechanically gated exit from wound healing. We engineered a 3D mechano-culture system to create tendon-like constructs by embedding patient-derived tendon cells into a collagen I hydrogel. Casting the hydrogel between posts anchored in silicone allowed adjusting the post stiffness. Under this static mechanical stimulation, cells remodel the (unorganized) collagen representing wound healing mechanisms. We quantified tissue-level forces using post deflection measurements. Secreted ECM was visualized by metabolic labelling with non-canonical amino acids, click chemistry and confocal microscopy. We blocked cell-mediated actin-myosin contractility using a ROCK inhibitor (Y27632) to explore the involvement of the Rho/ROCK pathway in tension regulation. Tissue tension forces reached the same homeostatic level at day 21 independent of post compliance (p = 0.9456). While minimal matrix was synthesized in early phases of tissue formation (d3-d5), cell-deposited ECM was present in later stages (d7-d9). More ECM was deposited by tendon constructs cultured on compliant (1Nm) compared to rigid posts (p = 0.0017). Matrix synthesized by constructs cultured on compliant posts was less aligned (greater fiber dispersion, p = 0.0021). ROCK inhibition significantly decreased tissue-level tensional forces (p < 0.0001). Our results indicate that tendon cells balance matrix remodeling and synthesis during tissue repair to reach an intrinsically defined “mechanostat setpoint” guiding tension-mediated exit from wound healing towards homeostasis. We are identifying specific molecular mechanosensors governing tension-regulated healing in tendon and investigate the Rho/ROCK system as their possible downstream pathway

Summary. A specialised 3D- printed scaffold, combined with fillers and bioactive molecules, can be designed and characterised to demonstrate the efficacy of synthetic, off-the-shelf and custom fabricated scaffolds for the repair of long bone defects. Introduction. Using specialised three-dimensional (3-D) printing technology, combined with fillers and bioactive molecules, 3-D scaffolds for bone repair of sizable defects can be manufactured with a level of design customization that other methods lack. Hydroxyapatite (HA)/Beta-Tri-Calcium Phosphate (β -TCP) scaffold components may be created that provide mechanical strength, guide osseo- conduction and integration, and remodel over time. Additionally, research suggests that bone morphogenic protein (BMP) stimulates growth and differentiation of new bone. Therefore, we hypothesise that with the addition of BMP, HA- β -TCP scaffolds will show improved regeneration of bone over critical sized bone defects in an in vivo model. Patients & Methods. Scaffolds were implanted in six New Zealand White rabbits with a 10mm radial defect for 2 and 8 weeks. The scaffolds, made from 15% HA: 85% β-TCP, were designed using ROBOCAD design software and fabricated using a 3-D printing Robocast machine. Scaffolds were sintered at 1100°C for 4 hours with a final composition of 5% HA: ∼95% β-TCP. Micro-CT, histological analysis, and nanoindentation were conducted to determine the degree of new bone formation and remodeling. Results. Reconstructed microCT images show increased bone formation, remodeling, and integration in HA/ β -TCP-BMP scaffolds compared to virgin HA/ β -TCP scaffolds. Histological analysis showed increased bone formation but decreased osteoconduction in HA/ β -TCP-BMP scaffolds. Nanoindentation showed no effect of BMP on hardness nor elastic modulus of bone formed on the scaffolds. Discussion/Conclusions. HA/ β -TCP scaffolds with/without BMP are highly biocompatible and can successfully augment and accelerate the regeneration and remodeling of bone in critically sized long bone defects in a rabbit model. However, the data in this study show both improvement and detriment with the addition of BMP. Therefore, further studies must be performed. Ideally, eventual translation of this research to humans would eliminate the need for allograft and/or autograft in large bony defects and allow for a customizable 3D scaffold material relative to patient needs

We have evaluated in vitro the accuracy of percutaneous and ultrasound registration as measured in terms of errors in rotation and version relative to the bony anterior pelvic plane in computer-assisted total hip replacement, and analysed the intra- and inter-observer reliability of manual or ultrasound registration.

Four clinicians were asked to perform registration of the landmarks of the anterior pelvic plane on two cadavers. Registration was performed under four different conditions of acquisition. Errors in rotation were not significant. Version errors were significant with percutaneous methods (16.2°; p < 0.001 and 19.25° with surgical draping; p < 0.001), but not with the ultrasound acquisition (6.2°, p = 0.13). Intra-observer repeatability was achieved for all the methods. Inter-observer analysis showed acceptable agreement in the sagittal but not in the frontal plane.

Ultrasound acquisition of the anterior pelvic plane was more reliable in vitro than the cutaneous digitisation currently used.