To evaluate the effects of 6 and 18 months of abaloparatide (ABL) compared with placebo (PBO) on bone mineral density (BMD) in the acetabular regions of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (OP).

Acetabular bone loss, as may occur in OP, increases risk of acetabular fragility fractures^a. In total hip arthroplasty (THA), low acetabular BMD adversely affects primary stability, osseointegration, and migration of acetabular cups.^c ABL is an osteoanabolic agent for the treatment of men and postmenopausal women with OP at high risk for fracture. Effects of ABL on acetabular BMD are unknown.

Hip DXA scans were obtained at baseline, 6, and 18 months from a random subgroup of postmenopausal women (aged 49–86 y) from the phase 3 ACTIVE trial randomized to either ABL 80 µg/d or PBO (n=250/group). Anatomical landmarks were identified in each DXA scan to virtually place a hemispherical shell model of an acetabular cup and define regions of interest corresponding to DeLee & Charnley zones 1 (R1), 2 (R2), and 3 (R3). BMD changes compared to baseline were calculated for each zone. Statistical P values were based on a repeated mixed measures model.

BMD in all zones were similar at baseline in the ABL and PBO groups. BMD significantly increased in the ABL group at 6 and 18 months compared with PBO (all P<0.0001 vs PBO). BMD in the PBO group was relatively stable over time.

ABL treatment resulted in rapid and progressive increases in BMD of all 3 acetabular zones. Increasing acetabular BMD has the potential to improve acetabular strength, which may reduce risk of acetabular fragility fractures. In bone health optimization prior to THA, increased acetabular BMD via ABL may provide better primary stability and longevity of acetabular cups in postmenopausal women with OP.

The advent of trabecular metal (TM) augments has revolutionized the management of severe bone defects during acetabular reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patients undergoing revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) with the use of TM augments for reconstruction of Paprosky 3A, 3B defects and defects associated with pelvic discontinuity.

A retrospective study was conducted of the cases performed at four centers between August 2007 and January 2015. Patients treated with TM augments for Paprosky 3A, 3B or chronic pelvic discontinuity were included in the study. All surgeries were performed through a posterior approach. A total of 57 patients (Male 34 (69%), Female 23(31%)), mean age 54 years (range, 28–94 years), with minimum follow up of one-year were included and evaluated using intention to treat analysis. There were 44 (77%) patients with a 3A defect, 11(19%) patients with a 3B defect (6 had an associated pelvic discontinuity), and 2 (3.5%) with a 2C defect and associated pelvic discontinuity. The mean follow-up was 37 months (range, 12–96 months). One (2%) patient died after 8 years of unrelated causes. Three (5.5%) patients had acetabular component loosening requiring revision; Two failures were (3.5%) due to aseptic loosening and one (2%) due to septic loosening. Fifty-four patients had a radiologically stable integration of the components at latest follow-up - survivorship was 94.7%.

The results of this multi-center study demonstrate encouraging short and mid-term results for the use of TM augments in the management of Grade 3A and 3B defects, and defects associated with a chronic pelvic discontinuity.

The treatment of severe acetabular bone loss is challenging, especially in the setting of an associated chronic pelvic discontinuity. There are several available treatment options for chronic pelvic discontinuity, each of which has its own disadvantages. One of the major difficulties with this entity, regardless of the reconstructive technique chosen, is the inability to obtain reproducible healing of the discontinuity. We evaluated the use of acetabular distraction, a technique which achieves peripheral or lateral distraction and central or medial compression across the discontinuity. We recommend acetabular distraction to allow for implantation of a stable construct, achieve biologic fixation and increase the likelihood of discontinuity healing.

In this multi-center trial, 32 patients that underwent acetabular revision for a chronic pelvic discontinuity using acetabular distraction were radiographically evaluated at a minimum of 25 months (range, 25 to 160 months). The study cohort was categorized according to the Paprosky acetabular bone loss classification: seven (22%) type IIC, five (16%) type IIIA, and 20 (62%) type IIIB defects. Fourteen (70%) of the 20 patients with a type IIIB acetabular bone loss pattern required use of augments for acetabular reconstruction.

Of the 32 patients, 1 (3%) patient required a revision for aseptic loosening, 2 (6%) patients had evidence of radiographic loosening but were not revised, and 3 (9%) patients had migration of the acetabular component into a more stable position. Radiographically, 22 (69%) of the cohort demonstrated healing of the discontinuity. The Kaplan-Meier construct survivorship was 83.3% when using aseptic acetabular loosening as an end-point.

During this study, the authors created a new pelvic discontinuity classification based on the type of reconstruction required. The classification mirrors the Paprosky acetabular bone loss classification. A Type I chronic pelvic discontinuity required jumbo cup reconstruction without augments. A type II discontinuity required the use of an augment for an extracavitary defect. A type III discontinuity required an augment for an intracavitary defect.

Type III defects were further subdivided into type IIIA and IIIB discontinuity. Type IIIA discontinuities utilized an augment to reconstruct the anterosuperior and/or posteroinferior column defect for primary stability of the overall construct. Type IIIB discontinuities utilized augments to reconstruct the anterosuperior and/or posteroinferior column defect for primary stability as well as a posterosuperior augment for supplemental fixation. All augments were unitized to the cup with cement. Type IV defects were massive defects that required the use of two orange-slice augments, secured together with screws and placed centrally to restore the defect, and a cup implanted and unitized to the augments with cement.

According to this new classification, the discontinuity reconstructions in our study were classified as follows: 12 (38%) type I, 8 (25%) type II, 6 (19%) type IIIA, 6 (19%) type IIIB, and 0 as type IV. Acetabular distraction technique demonstrates favorable radiographic outcomes with reproducible discontinuity healing in a majority of cases. This alternative technique allows for biologic fixation and intra-operative customization of the construct to be implanted based on the bone loss pattern present following component removal.