In this RCT the primary aim was to assess whether a short (125mm) Exeter V40 stem offered an equivalent hip specific function compared to the standard (150mm) stem when used for cemented total hip arthroplasty (THA). Secondary aims were to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL), patient satisfaction, stem height and alignment, radiographic loosening, and complications between the two stems.

A prospective multicentre double-blind randomised control trial was conducted. During a 15-month period, 220 patients undergoing THA were randomised to either a standard (n=110) or short (n=110) stem Exeter. There were no significant (p≥0.065) differences in preoperative variables between the groups. Functional outcomes and radiographic assessment were undertaken at 1- and 2-years.

There were no differences (p=0.428) in hip specific function according to the Oxford hip score at 1-year (primary endpoint) or at 2-years (p=0.767) between the groups. The short stem group had greater varus angulation (0.9 degrees, p=0.003) when compared to the standard group and were more likely (odds ratio 2.42, p=0.002) to have varus stem alignment beyond one standard deviation from the mean. There were no significant (p≥0.083) differences in the Forgotten joint scores, EuroQol-5-Dimension, EuroQol-VAS, Short form 12, patient satisfaction, complications, stem height or radiolucent zones at 1 or 2-years between the groups.

The Exeter short stem offers equivalent hip specific function, HRQoL, patient satisfaction, and limb length when compared to the standard stem at 2-years post-operation. However, the short stem was associated with a greater rate of varus malalignment which may influence future implant survival.

Aims

The primary aim of this study was to compare the hip-specific functional outcome of robotic assisted total hip arthroplasty (rTHA) with manual total hip arthroplasty (mTHA) in patients with osteoarthritis (OA). Secondary aims were to compare general health improvement, patient satisfaction, and radiological component position and restoration of leg length between rTHA and mTHA.

Aims

Responsiveness and ceiling effects are key properties of an outcome score. No such data have been reported for the original English version of the International Hip Outcome Tool 12 (iHOT-12) at a follow-up of more than four months. The aim of this study was to identify the responsiveness and ceiling effects of the English version iHOT-12 in a series of patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for intra-articular hip pathology at a minimum of one year postoperatively.

Aims

The aims of the study were to review and analyse the reported series of debridement, antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR) in the management of infected total hip arthroplasties (THAs) to establish the overall success and the influencing factors.

The aims of the study were primarily to establish the overall success of debridement, antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR) in the management of infected total hip replacements (THRs) and secondarily to identify risk factors for failure.

Using a standardised and recognised study protocol (“Meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines) a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature was performed. The primary outcome measure of interest was treatment success. The search strategy and inclusion criteria plus quality assessment yielded 39 articles eligible for analysis.

The proportion of success from the literature following DAIR in the management of infected THRs is improving over time – the pooled mean proportion of success is 84.5% in studies from 2011–15. There was improved success with early debridement (75.7%) compared with delayed debridement (48.1%) (p=0.006).

The reported outcomes following DAIR appear to be improving with time. One of the most influential determinants of outcome is timing of debridement from onset of symptoms.

Surgeons should have a low threshold for investigating deep infection when presented with an acutely symptomatic THR and be aware of the updated reported outcomes associated with DAIR when considering management options.

Arthroscopic procedures are increasingly performed for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). The Non-Arthroplasty Hip Register (NAHR) collects data including the iHOT12 and EQ5D. However there is currently little evidence of its usefulness in assessing hip arthroscopy outcomes. This study aims to assess minimum 1-year outcomes of hip arthroscopy for FAI using the minimum data set (MDS) of the NAHR by comparing these to a patient satisfaction questionnaire.

Pre-operative scores for 78 consecutive hips in 76 patients (43F/33M, mean age at surgery 31.76±10.02 years) undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAI at our institution between February 2013-June 2015 were entered into the NAHR. Insufficient post-operative data was available from the registry. Therefore we collected iHOT12, EQ5D and satisfaction data by postal survey.

Preoperative mean iHOT-12 score was 32.67±14.23, median EQ5D Index score 0.653 (IQR 0.277) and median EQ5D Visual Analogue Scale 70 (IQR 25). Postoperative scores were available for 56 cases (55 patients, 71.8%) at median 18.9 months (IQR 13.77). There was a significant postoperative improvement in self-reported outcome as measured by iHOT-12 (mean improvement 35.7 points, p<0.001) and EQ5DIndex scores (median improvement 0.127, p=0.001). 24 patients were very satisfied, 19 satisfied, 6 neutral, 4 dissatisfied and 1 very dissatisfied. Satisfied patients exhibited greater improvement in iHOT-12 (mean 41.64±19.29 vs 2.8±24.08, p<0.001) and EQ5D index scores (p=0.013) but no difference in EQ5D VAS (p=0.15). Improvement in iHOT12 correlated with improvement in EQ5DIndex (r=0.676, p<0.001) and EQ5DVAS(r=0.552, p<0.001).

Hip arthroscopy for FAI yielded significant improvements in iHOT-12 and EQ5D index scores and 80% of responders were satisfied/very satisfied at a minimum one year postop. iHOT12 and EQ5DIndex correlated with patient satisfaction and improvements in iHOT12 correlated with improvements in general quality of life. Our findings suggest that the MDS of the NAHR is useful for assessing the outcome in these patients.

Total hip replacement (THR) has been shown to be a cost-effective procedure. However, it is not risk-free. Certain conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, are thought to increase the risk of complications. In this study we have evaluated the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in patients undergoing THR and the associated risk of adverse operative outcomes. A meta-analysis and systematic review were conducted according to the guidelines of the meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology. Inclusion criteria were observational studies reporting the prevalence of diabetes in the study population, accompanied by reports of at least one of the following outcomes: venous thromboembolic events; acute coronary events; infections of the urinary tract, lower respiratory tract or surgical site; or requirement for revision arthroplasty. Altman and Bland’s methods were used to calculate differences in relative risks. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was found to be 5.0% among patients undergoing THR, and was associated with an increased risk of established surgical site infection (odds ratio (OR) 2.04 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.52 to 2.76)), urinary infection (OR 1.43 (95% CI 1.33 to 1.55)) and lower respiratory tract infections (OR 1.95 (95% CI 1.61 to 2.26)). Diabetes mellitus is a relatively common comorbidity encountered in THR. Diabetic patients have a higher rate of developing both surgical site and non-surgical site infections following THR.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1474–9.