Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a potentially devastating complication of joint replacement surgery. Osteocytes comprise 90–95% of all cells in hard bone tissue, are long-lived and are becoming increasingly recognised as a critical cell type in the regulation of bone and systemic physiology. The purpose of this study was to examine role of these cells in PJI pathophysiology and aetiology, with the rationale that their involvement could contribute to the difficulty in detecting and clearing PJI. This study examined the ability of human osteocytes to become infected by Staphylococcus aureus and the responses of both the host cell and pathogen in this scenario. Several S. aureus (MRSA) strains were tested for their ability to infect human primary osteocyte-like cells in vitro and human bone samples ex vivo. Bone biopsies were retrieved from patients undergoing revision total hip arthroplasty for either aseptic loosening associated with osteolysis, or for PJI. Retrieved bacterial colony number from cell lysates and colony morphology were determined. Gene expression was measured by microarray/bioinformatics analysis and/or real-time RT-PCR. Exposure to planktonic S. aureus (approx. 100 CFU/cell) resulted in intracellular infection of human osteocyte-like cells. We found no evidence of increased rates of osteocyte cell death in bacteria exposed cultures. Microarray analysis of osteocyte gene expression 24h following exposure revealed more than 1,500 differentially expressed genes (fold-change more than 2, false discovery rate p < 0.01). The gene expression patterns were consistent with a strong innate immune response and altered functionality of the osteocytes. Consistent patterns of host gene expression were observed between experimentally infected osteocyte-like cultures and human bone, and in PJI patient bone samples. Internalised bacteria switched to the quasi-dormant small colony variant (SCV) form over a period of 5d, and the ensuing infection appeared to reach a stable state. S. aureus infection of viable osteocytes was also identified in bone taken from PJI patients. We have demonstrated [1] that human osteocytes can become infected by S. aureus and respond robustly by producing immune mediators. The bony location of the infected osteocyte may render them refractory to clearance by immune cells, and osteocytes may therefore be an immune-privileged cell type. The phenotypic switch of S. aureus to SCV, a form less sensitive to most antibiotics and one associated with intracellular survival, suggests that infection of osteocytes may contribute to a chronic disease state. The osteocyte may therefore serve as a reservoir of bacteria for reinfection, perhaps explaining the high prevalence of infections that only become apparent after long periods of time or recur following surgical/medical treatment. Our findings also provide a biological rationale for the recognised need for aggressive bone debridement in the surgical management of PJI.
Only a small number of studies exist that report the results of EBM-produced porous coated trabecular titanium cups in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). This study aims to investigate the patient satisfaction level, clinical function and radiographic outcomes of the patients who underwent THA using an EBM-produced porous coated titanium cup. A total of 32 patients who underwent primary THA with using an EBM-produced porous coated titanium cup from five hospitals between May and December, 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Five patients were lost prior to the minimum 6-year follow-up. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were analyzed with an average follow-up of 81.48 (range: 77.00–87.00) months.Aims
Patients and Methods
Core decompression (CD) is effective to relieve pain and delay the advent of total hip arthroplasty (THA) for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). However, the influence of CD on the subsequent THA has not been determined yet. Literatures published up to and including November 2018 were searched in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane library databases with predetermined terms. Comparative studies of the clinical outcomes between conversion to THA with prior CD (the Prior CD group) and primary THA (the Control group) for ONFH were included. Data was extracted systematically and a meta- analysis was performed.Background
Methods
The incidence of thigh pain with the short stem varies widely across different studies. We aimed to evaluate the incidence and characteristics of post-operative thigh pain after using a particular bladed short stem and its potential risk factors. We respectively reviewed 199 consecutive patients who underwent unilateral total hip replacement using the Tri-lock stem from 2013–2016, of which 168 patients were successfully followed up with minimum two year clinical follow-up. All information about thigh pain and pre- and postoperative HHS score were gathered and all preoperative and immediate postoperative radiographs were available for review. Any complications were recorded.Aims
Patients and Methods
Failed ingrowth and subsequent separation of revision acetabular components from the inferior hemi-pelvis constitutes a primary mode of failure in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). Few studies have highlighted other techniques than multiple screws and an ischial flange or hook of cages to reinforce the ischiopubic fixation of the acetabular components, nor did any authors report the use of porous metal augments in the ischium and/or pubis to reinforce ischiopubic fixation of the acetabular cup. The aims of this study were to introduce the concept of extended ischiopubic fixation into the ischium and/or pubis during revision total hip arthroplasty [Fig. 2], and to determine the early clinical outcomes and the radiographic outcomes of hips revised with inferior extended fixation. Patients who underwent revision THA utilizing the surgical technique of extended ischiopubic fixation with porous metal augments secured in the ischium and/or pubis in a single institution from 2014 to 2016 were reviewed. 16 patients were included based on the criteria of minimum 24 months clinical and radiographic follow-up. No patients were lost to follow-up. The median duration of follow-up for the overall population was 37.43 months. The patients' clinical results were assessed using the Harris Hip Score (HHS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) index and Short form (SF)-12 score and satisfaction level based on a scale with five levels at each office visit. All inpatient and outpatient records were examined for complications, including infection, intraoperative fracture, dislocation, postoperative nerve palsy, hematoma, wound complication and/or any subsequent reoperation(s). The vertical and horizontal distances of the center of rotation to the anatomic femoral head and the inclination and anteversion angle of the cup were measured on the preoperative and postoperative radiographs. All the postoperative plain radiographs were reviewed to assess the stability of the components.Background
Methods
Soft tissue tension and intra-articular pressure distribution plays a crucial role in postoperative function and survivorship of TKA prosthesis. Although posterior stabilized (PS) and cruciate retaining (CR) knees have both been successful in relieving pain and restore function, it is reported that the joint gaps were significantly distinct between the two designs during flexion. The aim of this study is to find out what is the difference in intra-articular pressure distribution between PS and CR knees. We prospectively included 45 consecutive patients (50 knees) scheduled for total knee arthroplasty between August, 2013 and April, 2014 in our hospital. 23 patients (25 osteoarthritic knees) received a Genesis II CR TKA (Smith & Nephew, Memphis, USA), and the other 22 patients (25 osteoarthritic knees) received Genesis II PS TKA (Smith & Nephew, Memphis, USA). During operation, after the bone osteotomy and soft tissue balance were completed, we measured and compared the intra-articular pressure distribution at 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°, and 120° flexion with a previously validated “Wireless Force Measurement System (WFMS)”. Joint gaps were measured at extension and 90° flexion. The soft tissue was not considered balanced until the medial and lateral joint gap difference ≤ 2mm at extension and 90° flexion. There are no significant differences in age, gender, BMI, varus angle and flexion deformity, and preoperative range of motion between the two groups. The medial-lateral pressure distribution and total pressure were compared at different angles between CR and PS knees.Background
Methods
The development of T-smart tomosynthesis has greatly improved the imaging quality of THA by reducing the peri-implant artifacts. In order to find out whether these improvements could lead to diagnostic advantages on stability of cementless THA arthroplasty components, we conducted a diagnostic research by comparing T-smart tomosynthesis, X-ray, and computed tomography. We retrospectively included 48 patients who undergone THA revisions in our center between Aug, 2013 and Mar, 2014. For patients with hybrid fixation as their primary prosthesis, the femoral or acetabular components with cement fixation were excluded. There were 41 cementless femoral stems and 35 cementless acetabular cups remained for evaluation. All patients took anterior-posterior and lateral view x-ray examination, anterior-posterior T-smart tomosynthesis scan, and computed tomography before revision surgery. As the gold standard, intraoperative pull-out tests and twisting tests were done for every patient to examine the stability of all implants. 7 orthopedic surgeons evaluated the preoperative images independently, who were divided into the senior group (3 doctors with 6∼13 years’ clinical experience) and the junior group (4 doctors with 2∼4 years’ clinical experience). The x-rays were evaluated first, followed by computed tomography 4 weeks later, and after another 4 weeks’ interval the T-smart tomosynthesis were assessed. All doctors used the same criteria for diagnosis. Diagnostic accuracy for each imaging examination was calculated by comparing with the results of intraoperative tests. The diagnostic accuracy, kappa values between 3 imaging techniques were calculated, and chi-square tests were conducted to examine the difference between the senior and junior groups for each technique.Background
Methods
