Improvements in function after THA can be evaluated using validated health outcome surveys but studies have shown that PROMs are unreliable in following the progress of individuals. Formal gait lab analysis is expensive, time consuming and fixed in terms of location. Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) containing accelerometers and gyroscopes can determine aspects of gait kinematics in a portable package and can be used in the outpatient setting (Figure 1). In this study multiple metrics describing gait were evaluated pre- and post THA and comparisons made with the normal population The gait of 55 patients with monarthrodial hip arthrosis was measured pre-operatively and at one year post-surgery. Patients with medical co-morbidity or other condition affecting their gait were excluded. Six IMUs aligned in the sagittal plane were attached at the level of the anterior superior iliac spines, mid-thigh and mid-shank. Data was analysed using proprietary software (Figure 2). Each patient underwent a conventional THA using a posterolateral approach. An identical test was performed one year after surgery. 92 healthy individuals with a normal observed gait were used as controls.Introduction
Methods
Wound closure following orthopaedic surgery is an important step requiring careful technique and suitable suture material. The use of subcuticular sutures has been advocated following use in animal models and has also been reported in the literature having been used in specialities such as Orthopaedic Surgery, Plastic Surgery and Obstetrics. The aim of this study is to assess the use of absorbable subcuticular INSORB® sutures in THR when compared with the standard AutosutureTM SignetTM metal skin staples. Patient satisfaction with wound appearance was measured at the six week review stage. Wound healing was also noted in the initial stages of recovery and at the six week review stage.Introduction
Aims
Revision of the femoral component during revision hip arthroplasty may pose significant technical challenges, most notably femoral fracture and bone perforation. The in-cementing technique allows use of the original bone-cement interface which has been proven to be biomechanically stronger than recementing after complete removal of the original cement mantle. This study reviews a series of 54 consecutive revision hip arthroplasty procedures carried out by the senior author using the in-cementing technique from November 1999 to March 2003. Patients were followed up clinically and radiologically with serial outpatient reviews and their functional outcome was assessed using the Harris hip scoring system, the Oxford hip scoring system and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) activity profile. Their physical and mental well-being was also assessed using the SF-36 self-questionnaire. Fifty-four procedures were performed on 51 patients. There were 31 males and 20 females. The average age was 70.3+/-8.1 years (range: 45-83 years). The average time to revision from the original procedure was 132.8+/-59.0 months (range: 26-286 months). The average length of follow-up was 29.2+/-13.4 months (range: 6-51 months) post revision arthroplasty. Two patients suffered dislocations, one of which was recurrent and was revised with a Girdlestone's procedure. No patient displayed any evidence of radiographical loosening. The average Harris hip score of the study group was 85.2+/-11.6 (range: 51.9-98.5). The average Oxford hip score recorded was 19.6+/-7.7 (range: 12-41) and the average UCLA activity profile score was 5.9+/-1.6 (range: 3-8). The SF-36 questionnaire had an average value of 78.0+/-18.3 (range: 31.6-100). In conclusion, the results of this study show excellent clinical and radiological results of the in-cementing technique with high patient satisfaction in terms of functional outcome. This technique merits consideration where possible in revision hip arthroplasty.
