Introduction. The Vancouver Classification System presents a systematic approach to classification of periprosthetic fractures of the proximal femur (PFPFs) that has been validated in previous studies. However, with the introduction of tapered fluted stems and cable plates since the introduction of the Vancouver System, the connection between fracture class and the preferred method of treatment is often unclear. The present study was undertaken to identify fracture patterns surrounding contemporary femoral stems and the relationship between the current method of treatment and the Vancouver Class of the periprosthetic fracture. Methods. Three experienced joint surgeons collected plain radiographs (AP and lateral) and CT/MR scans (n=40) from 72 cases of Vancouver A or B periprosthetic fractures performed over the period 2016–2018. We identified the mode of primary stem fixation and the Vancouver grade of the fracture (A, B1, B2 or B3). Two independent investigators examined all imaging studies and the intraoperative records and recorded: (i) and the location and distribution of the fracture surfaces, and (ii) the presence of incomplete cortical fractures that had initiated within the femoral cortex without completing propagation and (iii) the method of operative treatment. These data were analyzed to examine the incidence of fractures within more than one femoral zone and differences in the fracture patterns corresponding to each Vancouver class. Results. One fifth (21%) of fractures were Type A with the remainder consisting predominantly of Type B2 (39%), with approximately equal proportions of Type B1 (22%) and B3 (18%) fractures. In almost half of Type B2 fractures (a loose femoral stem and a fracture adjacent to the prosthesis), fractures were also present within the metaphysis (ie. Type A+B). In the presence of a cementless femoral stem, fractures often occurred adjacent to the uncoated surface of the stem distal to the proximal ingrowth surface. Type B2 and B3 femurs had similar fracture patterns and degrees of comminution, though their method of treatment differed significantly. Incomplete fractures were identified in every Vancouver class (entire sample: 22%), especially in association with loose stems in poor quality bone (Type B3; 38% of cases). Conclusions. Approximately two-thirds of periprosthetic femoral fractures involve a loose femoral component (ie Types B2 and B3), though bone quality impacts operative treatment. In cementless stems, Vancouver Type B fractures often occur in the unbonded diaphysis between the distal edge of the ingrowth surface and immediately below the stem tip. Incomplete fractures are present in a surprising proportion of cases, suggesting that careful examination of imaging studies is needed to prevent fracture propagation due to inadequate fixation. CT scans are a useful adjunct to supplement plain radiographs. For any tables or figures, please contact the authors directly

Aims

This study reports the results of 38 total hip arthroplasties (THAs) in 33 patients aged less than 50 years, using the JRI Furlong hydroxyapatite ceramic (HAC)-coated femoral component.

Conventional uncemented femoral implants provide dependable long-term fixation in patients with a wide range of functional requirements. Yet challenges associated with proximal–distal femoral dimensional mismatch, preservation of bone stock, and minimally invasive approaches have led to exploration into alternative implant designs. Short stem designs focusing on a stable metaphyseal fit have emerged to address these issues in total hip replacement (THR). Uncemented metaphyseal-engaging short stem implants are stable and are associated with proximal bone remodeling closer to the metaphysis when compared with conventional stems and they also have comparable clinical performances. Short stem metaphyseal-engaging implants can meet the goals of a successful THR, including tolerating a high level of patient function, as well as durable fixation. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B, Supple A:57–62

Introduction. Undersizing of an uncemented femoral stem is a post-operative description of a radiograph with unclear clinical importance. It may not always translate into a suboptimal clinical outcome. Aim. To describe a novel classification system of undersizing in a fully hydroxyapatite coated femoral implant, assess if it could be reliably reported between observers, and describe a simple way to assess the degree of undersizing on an AP radiograph. Methods. A retrospective review of 1000 consecutive total hip arthroplasties was conducted. Two investigators reviewed post-operative radiographs independently for stem undersizing. The data was tested for inter and intra-observer agreement using the Kappa method. Results. Undersizing was classified as:. Varus - Stem in contact proximally with medial calcar, and distally with lateral cortex. Valgus - Stem in contact proximally with lateral cortex, and distally with medial cortex. Uniform - Continuous margin around the stem of at least one-half tip width of the stem throughout. Champagne flute - Distal stem fills the narrow diaphysis with insufficient bony contact at the wide metaphysis. If varus or valgus undersizing was present we described the formation of two triangles of excess cancellous space around the implant, each having overlapping apices signifying undersizing by at least two sizes. 32% of the stems were undersized with Kappa demonstrating very good (89%) to good (86%) inter and intra observer agreement respectively. 50% of undersized stems were uniformly undersized, 36% were varus, 6% valgus, and 8% were in a champagne fluted shaped femur. A higher percentage of the lateralised (KLA) stems were undersized compared to other neck configurations (40%). 54% of these were varus undersized and this increased the offset up to 2cm. Conclusion. We describe a classification system for undersizing in hip arthroplasty. KLA stems have an increased tendency to be undersized in varus, thereby increasing the overall offset

Conventional treatment of mild slipped capital femoral epiphysis consists of fixation in situ with wires or screws. Recent contributions to the literature suggest that even a mild slip may lead to early damage of the acetabular labrum and adjacent cartilage by abutment of a prominent femoral metaphysis. It has been suggested that the appropriate treatment in mild slipped capital femoral epiphysis should not only prevent further slipping of the epiphysis, but also address potential femoroacetabular impingement by restoring the anatomy of the proximal femur. Between October 1984 and December 1995 we treated 16 patients for unilateral mild slipped capital femoral epiphysis by fixation in situ with Kirschner wires. In this study we have reviewed these patients for clinical and radiological evidence of femoroacetabular impingement. There was little clinical indication of impingement but radiological evaluation assessing the femoral head-neck ratio and measuring the Nötzli α angle on the anteroposterior and cross-table radiographs showed significant alterations in the proximal femur. None of the affected hips had a normal head-neck ratio and the mean α angle was 86° (55° to 99°) and 55° (40° to 94°) on the anteroposterior and lateral cross-table radiographs, respectively. While our clinical data favours conventional treatment, our radiological findings are in support of restoring the anatomy of the proximal femur to avoid or delay the development of femoroacetabular impingement following mild slipped capital femoral epiphysis

Introduction. Limb Length discrepancy after total hip replacement has been reported to happen in 1–27% of cases with differences up to 70mm. Occasionally revision THR has been used to achieve limb length equalisation, especially when patients are symptomatic with hip/back pain, neurologic symptoms or instability. However, in presence of a well-functioning, pain free hip without hip symptoms, revision THR for shortening can lead to problems with decrease in offset or stability. An option in these cases would be a distal shortening osteotomy of femur. Materials and Methods. From 2005 to 2014 five shortening osteotomies were done for LLD with limb lengthening of ipsilateral side following THR. All patients had well-functioning THRs with and no complications as dislocations or nerve symptoms. A distal metaphyseal shortening osteotomy, fixed using a 95 degree blade plate, was chosen for better healing at this level and ease of surgery. Results. Cause of LLD – Patient 1 had ‘neck preserving’ Hip replacement and post-operative lengthening. Patient 2 had Bilateral DDH with B/L THR, but with sub-trochanteric shortening on one side and not the other. Patient 3 had Bilateral DDH treated with THR with high hip centre on one side and at site of native cup on the other. Further two patients had total hip replacements for DDH. The average lengthening was 28mm (25 – 32mm). No patients had neuro-vascular compromise. All achieved radiological and clinical union by 3 months. At one year all patients were weight bearing without pain or discomfort and had full range of movement at knee. One patient required removal of plate due to discomfort that resolved following plate removal. Conclusion. Our series of patients demonstrate that in cases with symptomatic limb lengthening in presence of an otherwise well-functioning THR, shortening osteotomy of distal metaphysis of femur is a viable option

Aims

The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) has demonstrated faster administration, lower burden of data capture and reduced floor and ceiling effects compared to traditional Patient Reported Outcomes Measurements (PROMs). We investigated the suitability of PROMIS Mobility score in assessing physical function in the sequelae of childhood hip disease.

Aims

Improvements in functional results and long-term survival are variable following conversion of hip fusion to total hip arthroplasty (THA) and complications are high. The aim of the study was to analyze the clinical and functional results in patients who underwent conversion of hip fusion to THA using a consistent technique and uncemented implants.

Aims

Aseptic loosening is a leading cause of uncemented arthroplasty failure, often accompanied by fibrotic tissue at the bone-implant interface. A biological target, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), was investigated as a crucial connection between the innate immune system’s response to injury, fibrotic tissue development, and proper bone healing. Prevalence of NETs in peri-implant fibrotic tissue from aseptic loosening patients was assessed. A murine model of osseointegration failure was used to test the hypothesis that inhibition (through Pad4^-/- mice that display defects in peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PAD4), an essential protein required for NETs) or resolution (via DNase 1 treatment, an enzyme that degrades the cytotoxic DNA matrix) of NETs can prevent osseointegration failure and formation of peri-implant fibrotic tissue.

Aims

We evaluated a large database with mechanical failure of a single uncemented modular femoral component, used in revision hip arthroplasty, as the end point and compared them to a control group treated with the same implant. Patient- and implant-specific risk factors for implant failure were analyzed.

Aims

The processes linking long-term bisphosphonate treatment to atypical fracture remain elusive. To establish a means of exploring this link, we have examined how long-term bisphosphonate treatment with prior ovariectomy modifies femur fracture behaviour and tibia mass and shape in murine bones.

Aims

We compared implant and patient survival following intraoperative periprosthetic femoral fractures (IOPFFs) during primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) with matched controls.

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine the stability of a new short femoral stem compared with a conventional femoral stem in patients undergoing cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA), in a prospective randomized controlled trial using radiostereometric analysis (RSA).

Aims

Cementless femoral stems must be correctly sized and well-seated to obtain satisfactory biological fixation. The change in sound that occurs during impaction of the femoral broach is said to indicate good fit, but this has not been widely studied. We set out to find whether the presence or absence of these sound changes could predict correct sizing.

Aims

Modular or custom-made femoral components have been preferred for total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with a history of Perthes’ disease because of the distortion in the anatomy of the proximal femur. However, it has not been established whether a monobloc cementless stem will fit the distorted proximal femur or whether the results of the procedure are satisfactory in this group of patients.

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) may lead to symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). We report our experience of arthroscopic treatment, including osteochondroplasty, for the sequelae of SCFE.

Data were prospectively collected on patients undergoing arthroscopy of the hip for the sequelae of SCFE between March 2007 and February 2013, including demographic data, radiological assessment of the deformity and other factors that may influence outcome, such as the presence of established avascular necrosis. Patients completed the modified Harris hip score (mHHS) and the non-arthritic hip score (NAHS) before and after surgery.

In total, 18 patients with a mean age of 19 years (13 to 42), were included in the study. All patients presented with pain in the hip and mechanical symptoms, and had evidence of FAI (cam or mixed impingement) on plain radiographs.

The patients underwent arthroscopic osteoplasty of the femoral neck. The mean follow-up was 29 months (23 to 56).

The mean mHHS and NAHS scores improved from 56.2 (27.5 to 100.1) and 52.1 (12.5 to 97.5) pre-operatively to 75.1 (33.8 to 96.8, p = 0.01) and 73.6 (18.8 to 100, p = 0.02) at final follow-up, respectively. Linear regression analysis demonstrated a significant association between poorer outcome scores and increased time to surgery following SCFE (p < 0.05 for all parameters except baseline MHHS).

Symptomatic FAI following (SCFE) may be addressed using arthroscopic techniques, and should be treated promptly to minimise progressive functional impairment and chondrolabral degeneration.

Take home message: Arthroscopy of the hip can be used to treat femoroacetabular impingement successfully following SCFE. However, this should be performed promptly after presentation in order to prevent irreversible progression and poorer clinical outcomes.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:21–7.

Aims

We aimed to quantify the relative contributions of the medial femoral circumflex artery (MFCA) and lateral femoral circumflex artery (LFCA) to the arterial supply of the head and neck of the femur.

The use of joint-preserving surgery of the hip has been largely abandoned since the introduction of total hip replacement. However, with the modification of such techniques as pelvic osteotomy, and the introduction of intracapsular procedures such as surgical hip dislocation and arthroscopy, previously unexpected options for the surgical treatment of sequelae of childhood conditions, including developmental dysplasia of the hip, slipped upper femoral epiphysis and Perthes’ disease, have become available. Moreover, femoroacetabular impingement has been identified as a significant aetiological factor in the development of osteoarthritis in many hips previously considered to suffer from primary osteoarthritis.

As mechanical causes of degenerative joint disease are now recognised earlier in the disease process, these techniques may be used to decelerate or even prevent progression to osteoarthritis. We review the recent development of these concepts and the associated surgical techniques.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:5–18.

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is relatively common in adolescents and results in a complex deformity of the hip that can lead to femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). FAI may be symptomatic and lead to the premature development of osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip. Current techniques for managing the deformity include arthroscopic femoral neck osteochondroplasty, an arthroscopically assisted limited anterior approach to the hip, surgical dislocation, and proximal femoral osteotomy. Although not a routine procedure to treat FAI secondary to SCFE deformity, peri-acetabular osteotomy has been successfully used to treat FAI caused by acetabular over-coverage. These procedures should be considered for patients with symptoms due to a deformity of the hip secondary to SCFE.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:445–51.

The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to identify any difference in femoral offset as measured on pre-operative anteroposterior (AP) radiographs of the pelvis, AP radiographs of the hip and corresponding CT scans in a consecutive series of 100 patients with primary end-stage osteoarthritis of the hip (43 men and 57 women with a mean age of 61 years (45 to 74) and a mean body mass index of 28 kg/m² (20 to 45)).

Patients were positioned according to a standardised protocol to achieve reproducible projection and all images were calibrated. Inter- and intra-observer reliability was evaluated and agreement between methods was assessed using Bland-Altman plots.

In the entire cohort, the mean femoral offset was 39.0 mm (95% confidence interval (CI) 37.4 to 40.6) on radiographs of the pelvis, 44.0 mm (95% CI 42.4 to 45.6) on radiographs of the hip and 44.7 mm (95% CI 43.5 to 45.9) on CT scans. AP radiographs of the pelvis underestimated femoral offset by 13% when compared with CT (p < 0.001). No difference in mean femoral offset was seen between AP radiographs of the hip and CT (p = 0.191).

Our results suggest that femoral offset is significantly underestimated on AP radiographs of the pelvis but can be reliably and accurately assessed on AP radiographs of the hip in patients with primary end-stage hip osteoarthritis.

We, therefore, recommend that additional AP radiographs of the hip are obtained routinely for the pre-operative assessment of femoral offset when templating before total hip replacement.