Infected periprosthetic fractures around total hip arthroplasties are increasingly common and extremely challenging problem. The purpose of the study was to review the experience of two tertiary referral units managing infected periprosthetic femoral fractures using interlocking long-stem femoral prostheses either as temporary functional spacers or as definitive implants. A prospective review of 19 patients managed at two tertiary referral units between 2000 and 2011. Each patient was diagnosed and managed according to similar institutional protocols. Investigation through aspiration and biopsy of periprosthetic tissue supplemented haematological tests to confirm infection. The Cannulock uncoated stem was used in 14 cases, and the Kent hip prosthesis in 5 cases. Allograft struts were used in patients with deficient bone stock. The mean follow-up for the series was a 53 months (range, 24–99 months). 13 patients underwent definitive revision within 7.9 months (range, 6–10 months; SD, 2.2 months). In 6 cases we implanted an extensively porous-coated stem, in 4 cases a tapered distally fixed cementless stem was used, and in 3 cases a proximal femoral replacement was used. There were no reinfections after the second stage revisions in these patients. 2 patients were offered further staged surgery due to persistently raised inflammatory markers but being mobile and relatively painfree declined. They are being managed in the community on oral antibiotics. Satisfactory outcome was noted in all cases, and in 13 cases, revision to a definitive stem was undertaken after successful control of infection and fracture union. The average postoperative Harris Hip score was 83 (range 79–89). All patients returned to their low to moderate premorbid functional state after discharge.Methods
Results
In recent years, there has been a significant advancement in our understanding of femoro-acetabular impingement and associated labral and chondral pathology. Surgeons worldwide have demonstrated the successful treatment of these lesions via arthroscopic and open techniques. The aim of this study is to validate a simple and reproducible classification system for acetabular chondral lesions. In our classification system, the acetabulum is first divided into 6 zones as described by Ilizalithurri VM et al [Arthroscopy 24(5) 534-539]. The cartilage is then graded as 0 to 4 as follows: Grade 0 – normal articular cartilage lesions; Grade 1 softening or wave sign; Grade 2 - cleavage lesion; Grade 3 - delamination and Grade 4 –exposed bone. The site of the lesion is further typed as A, B or C based on whether the lesion is 1/3 distance from acetabular rim to cotyloid fossa, 1/3 to 2/3 distance from acetabular rim to cotyloid fossa and > 2/3 distance from acetabular rim to cotyloid fossa. For validating the classification system, six surgeons reviewed 14 hip arthroscopy video clips. All surgeons were provided with written explanation of our classification system. Each surgeon then individually graded the cartilage lesion. A single observer then compared results for observer variability using kappa statistics.Introduction
Methods
