Introduction

Since 2005, we have performed implantation of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells for osteonecrosis of the femoral head in order to improve vascularization and bone repair. This study focused on early bone repair of osteonecrosis of the femoral head after transplantation of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (BMMNC).

Background: A retroverted acetabulum has been hypothesized as a cause of osteoarthritis. This study was performed to evaluate whether radiographical cross-over sign influence the painful femoro-acetabular impingement or the radiographical progression of osteoarhritis after rotational acetabular osteotomy (RAO) for dysplastic hip.

Methods: Between 1987 and 1999, 104 patients (115 hips) who had pre- or early stage osteoarthritis of the hip due to dysplasia underwent a RAO. There were 99 women and five men; their mean age at the time of surgery was 34.7 years. The mean follow-up period was 13 years. Clinical follow-up was performed with use of the system of Merle d’Aubigne and the impingement sign was evaluated. Radiographical analyses included measurements of the center-edge angle, acetabular roof angle, head lateralization index, joint congruency, cross-over sign, posterior wall sign, acetabular index of depth to width, pistol grip deformity and femoral head-femoral neck ratio.

Results: The mean clinical score improved significantly from 14.6 preoperatively to 17.0 at follow-up. The impingement sign at the follow-up was observed in 14 hips (12.2%). The center-edge angle improved significantly from mean −0.6 degrees to a postoperative mean of 34 degrees. The acetabular roof angle improved from 30 degrees to 2.2 degrees, and head lateralization index from 0.64 to 0.60. The cross-over sign was observed in 8 hips (7.0%) preoperatively and in 49 hips (42.6%) postoperatively. The posterior wall sign was observed in 70 hips (60.9%) preoperatively and observed in 73 hips (63.5%) postoperatively. The mean preoperative acetabular index of depth to width was 35.5% and the mean preoperative femoral head to femoral neck ratio was 1.49. The pistol grip deformity was observed in only 4 hips (3.5%) preoperatively. The impingement sign after the RAO was positive significantly in the postoperative cross-over sign positive hips (p=0.0074). Radiographical progression of osteoarthritis was observed in 11 hips (cross over sign positive; 7 hips, cross over sign negative; 4 hips). The Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis predicted a survival rate of 84.6 % at 15 years. The only factors significantly associated with radiographic signs of progression of osteoarthritis after RAO were fair (rather than excellent and good) postoperative joint congruency (p< 0.0001) and age at surgery (p=0.0042). Presence of postoperative cross-over sign had no effect on the outcome (p=0.2073).

Conclusions: Although there was no significant radiographical progression of osteoarthritis despite a significant retroversion in most cases, the goal of RAO should be a correct alignment of the acetabulum including a correct version with a negative cross-over sign.

We have investigated the effectiveness of the transplantation of bone-marrow-derived mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) with interconnected porous calcium hydroxyapatite (IP-CHA) on early bone repair for osteonecrosis of the femoral head. We studied 22 patients (30 hips) who had osteonecrosis with a minimum follow-up of one year after implantation of BMMNCs. The mean age at surgery was 41 years (18 to 64) and the mean period of follow-up was 29 months (19 to 48). In a control group, cell-free IP-CHA was implanted into a further eight patients (9 hips) with osteonecrosis of the femoral head and the outcomes were compared.

A reduction in the size of the osteonecrotic lesion was observed subsequent to hypertrophy of the bone in the transition zone in the BMMNC group. In three patients in the treatment group progression to extensive collapse was detected. In the control group subtle bone hypertrophy was observed, but severe collapse of the femoral head occurred in six of eight hips.

In this limited study the implantation of BMMNCs and IP-CHA appears to confer benefit in the repair of osteonecrosis and in the prevention of collapse.