Osteonecrosis of the femoral head can be caused by a variety of disorders and affects the relatively young patient. Most studies have concentrated on the femoral changes; the sites of early lesions of the labrum and acetabular cartilage have not been recorded. We studied 17 hips with osteonecrosis and a wide congruent joint space on radiographs and by direct inspection of the femoral head, labrum and acetabular cartilage during surgery. All of the femoral heads had some anterosuperior flattening which reduced the head-neck ratio in this area. A consistent pattern of damage to the labrum and the acetabular cartilage was seen in all hips. Intraoperatively, impingement and the cam-effect with its spatial correlation with lesions of the labrum and acetabular cartilage were observed. These findings could be helpful when undertaking conservative surgery for osteonecrosis, since the recognition of early radiologically undetectable acetabular lesions may require modification of the surgical technique

Recently, femoroacetabular impingement has been recognised as a cause of early osteoarthritis. There are two mechanisms of impingement: 1) cam impingement caused by a non-spherical head and 2) pincer impingement caused by excessive acetabular cover. We hypothesised that both mechanisms result in different patterns of articular damage. Of 302 analysed hips only 26 had an isolated cam and 16 an isolated pincer impingement. Cam impingement caused damage to the anterosuperior acetabular cartilage with separation between the labrum and cartilage. During flexion, the cartilage was sheared off the bone by the non-spherical femoral head while the labrum remained untouched. In pincer impingement, the cartilage damage was located circumferentially and included only a narrow strip. During movement the labrum is crushed between the acetabular rim and the femoral neck causing degeneration and ossification. Both cam and pincer impingement lead to osteoarthritis of the hip. Labral damage indicates ongoing impingement and rarely occurs alone

We investigated differences in the location and mode of labral tears between dysplastic hips and hips with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). We also investigated the relationship between labral tear and adjacent cartilage damage. We retrospectively studied 72 symptomatic hips (in 68 patients: 19 men and 49 women) with radiological evidence of dysplasia or FAI on high-resolution CT arthrography. The incidence and location of labral tears and modes of tear associated with the base of the labrum (Mode 1) or body of the labrum (Mode 2) were compared among FAI, mildly dysplastic and severely dysplastic hips. The locations predominantly involved with labral tears were different in FAI and mild dysplastic hips (anterior and anterosuperior zones) and in severely dysplastic hips (anterosuperior and superior zones) around the acetabulum. Significant differences were observed in the prevalence of Mode 1 versus Mode 2 tears in FAI hips (72% (n = 13) vs 28% (n = 5)) and severe dysplastic hips (25% (n = 2) vs 75% (n = 6)). The frequency of cartilage damage adjacent to Mode 1 tears was significantly higher (42% (n = 14)) than that adjacent to Mode 2 tears (14% (n = 3)). Hip pathology is significantly related to the locations and modes of labral tears. Mode 1 tears may be a risk factor for the development of adjacent acetabular cartilage damage. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1320–5

Four patients with injuries of the acetabular triradiate cartilage are presented. In three of them premature fusion of the cartilage occurred; two of these developed acetabular deformity and subluxation of the hip. In all patients the sacroiliac joint also was injured; in two, the joint was completely disrupted, leading to fusion and growth disturbance of the ilium. As injury of the triradiate cartilage is easily missed on the initial radiograph, it is advised that all patients with pelvic trauma should be followed clinically and radiographically for at least one year

Damage to and repair of the acetabular labral-chondral complex are areas of clinical interest in the treatment of young adults with pain in the hip and in the prevention of degenerative arthritis of the hip. There are varying theories as to why most acetabular tears are located anterosuperiorly. We have studied the prenatal development of the human acetabular labral-chondral complex in 11 fetal hips, aged from eight weeks of gestation to term. There were consistent differences between the anterior and posterior acetabular labral-chondral complex throughout all ages of gestation. The anterior labrum had a somewhat marginal attachment to the acetabular cartilage with an intra-articular projection. The posterior labrum was attached and continuous with the acetabular cartilage. Anteriorly, the labral-chondral transition zone was sharp and abrupt, but posteriorly it was gradual and interdigitated. The collagen fibres of the anterior labrum were arranged parallel to the labral-chondral junction, but at the posterior labrum they were aligned perpendicular to the junction. We believe that in the anterior labrum the marginal attachment and the orientation of the collagen fibres parallel to the labral-chondral junction may render it more prone to damage than the posterior labrum in which the collagen fibres are anchored in the acetabular cartilage. The anterior intra-articular projection of the labrum should not be considered to be a pathological feature

Aims. Several studies have reported the safety and efficacy of subcapital re-alignment for patients with slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) using surgical dislocation of the hip and an extended retinacular flap. Instability of the hip and dislocation as a consequence of this surgery has only recently gained attention. We discuss this problem with some illustrative cases. Materials and Methods. We explored the literature on the possible pathophysiological causes and surgical steps associated with the risk of post-operative instability and articular damage. In addition, we describe supplementary steps that could be used to avoid these problems. Results. The causes of instability may be divided into three main groups: the first includes causes directly related to SCFE (acetabular labral damage, severe abrasion of the acetabular cartilage, flattening of the acetabular roof and a bell-shaped deformity of the epiphysis); the second, causes not related to the SCFE (acetabular orientation and poor quality of the soft tissues); the third, causes directly related to the surgery (capsulotomy, division of the ligamentum teres, shortening of the femoral neck, pelvi-trochanteric impingement, previous proximal femoral osteotomy and post-operative positioning of the leg). Conclusion. We present examples drawn from our clinical practice, as well as possible ways of reducing the risks of these complications, and of correcting them if they happen. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:16–21

We describe a technique to salvage a painful hemiarthroplasty due to erosion of the acetabular cartilage in the absence of loosening of the femoral component. A press-fit metallic acetabular component which matched the femoral component was used as a metal-on-metal articulation. The procedure offered a shorter operation time with less blood loss and no risk of femoral fracture as might have occurred during conventional revision to a total hip replacement. The patient made an unremarkable recovery with a good outcome at follow-up of 15 months

Aims

Eccentric reductions may become concentric through femoral head ‘docking’ (FHD) following closed reduction (CR) for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). However, changes regarding position and morphology through FHD are not well understood. We aimed to assess these changes using serial MRI.

Aims

To clarify the mid-term results of transposition osteotomy of the acetabulum (TOA), a type of spherical periacetabular osteotomy, combined with structural allograft bone grafting for severe hip dysplasia.

Aims

Although periacetabular osteotomies are widely used for the treatment of symptomatic dysplastic hips, long-term surgical outcomes and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are still unclear. Accordingly, we assessed hip survival and PROMs at 20 years after transpositional osteotomy of the acetabulum (TOA).

Aims

Rotational acetabular osteotomy (RAO) has been reported to be effective in improving symptoms and preventing osteoarthritis (OA) progression in patients with mild to severe develomental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). However, some patients develop secondary OA even when the preoperative joint space is normal; determining who will progress to OA is difficult. We evaluated whether the preoperative cartilage condition may predict OA progression following surgery using T2 mapping MRI.

Aims

The aim of this study was to inform the epidemiology and treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE).

There have been considerable recent advances in the understanding and management of femoroacetabular impingement and associated labral and chondral pathology. We have developed a classification system for acetabular chondral lesions. In our system, we use the six acetabular zones previously described by Ilizaliturri et al. The cartilage is then graded on a scale of 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 classed as A, B or C based on whether the lesion is less than one-third of the distance from the acetabular rim to the cotyloid fossa, one-third to two-thirds of the same distance and greater than two-thirds of the distance, respectively. In order to validate the classification system, six surgeons graded ten video recordings of hip arthroscopy. Our findings showed a high intra-observer reliability of the classification system with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.81 and a high interobserver reliability with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.88. We have developed a simple reproducible classification system for lesions of the acetabular cartilage, which it is hoped will allow standardised documentation to be made of damage to the articular cartilage, particularly that associated with femoroacetabular impingement

A method for direct measurement of the local pressures in the acetabular cartilage is described. Pressure transducers were introduced into the subchondral bone and positioned there in contrast with the cartilage: the transducers were calibrated in situ. Twelve cadaveric hips were prepared in this way and the pressures were measured with the joint loaded in flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and in lateral and medial rotation. The highest pressures were recorded in the anterior and posterior segments of the acetabulum; the lowest pressures were constantly found at the zenith of the joint. The relationship of these findings to the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis is considered

We have investigated the changes in the interposed capsule after a Chiari pelvic osteotomy, in an experimental study on dysplastic hips in 20 adolescent rabbits. Radiographic, macroscopic and microscopic observations were made up to 12 months after operation. The new acetabular roof had incorporated the interposed capsule and remodelled completely by six months. By 12 months there was a new, stable hip with continuity between the capsule and the original acetabular cartilage. Histologically, the capsule underwent metaplastic change to fibrocartilaginous tissue after six months, with some hyaline-like cartilage near the joint surface. These changes in the interposed capsule play an important role in the formation of a new joint after a Chiari pelvic osteotomy

Hemiarthroplasty of the hip and some other joints has been used for many years with satisfactory results, but the fate of articular cartilage when weight-bearing against metal has not been reported. Replacement of the head of the femur was carried out in one hip of each of 26 dogs, and the changes in acetabular cartilage studied at intervals of up to 24 weeks. There was early loss of proteoglycan, followed by surface damage to the cartilage, progressive degenerative changes, and growth of pannus from the articular margins. At 24 weeks after operation there was little remaining articular cartilage, while intense subchondral activity suggested that the bony skeleton was being remodelled to conform to the shape of the prosthesis. This study is not intended to suggest that hemiarthroplasty does not help patients

The use of a composite osteochondral device for simulating partial hemiarthroplasty was examined. The device was composed of a polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel and a titanium fibre mesh, acting as artificial cartilage and as porous artificial bone, respectively. The titanium fibre mesh was designed to act as an interface material, allowing firm attachment to both the polyvinyl alcohol gel (through injection moulding) and the femoral joint surface (through bony ingrowth). We implanted 22 of these devices into canine femoral heads. Histological findings from the acetabular cartilage and synovial membrane, as well as the attachment of the prosthesis to bone, were examined up until one year after operation. No marked pathological changes were found and firm attachment of the device to the underlying bone was confirmed. The main potential application for this device is for partial surface replacement of the femoral head after osteonecrosis. Other applications could include articular resurfacing and the replacement of intervertebral discs

During the 11-year-period from 1970 to 1980, 799 total hip arthroplasties with metal-on-plastic prostheses were performed for primary osteoarthritis. In all cases high viscosity cement was used, but not under pressure; acetabular cartilage was removed, but the femoral canal was not plugged. The rate of revision and risk factors were evaluated by survivorship analysis. The overall cumulative revision rates were 11%, 14% and 19% after 8, 10, and 14 years respectively. When prophylactic antibiotics were not used, there was a significant risk of revision for infection. The risk of revision for mechanical loosening of both the acetabular and femoral components was significantly increased for men, younger patients, and if a snap-fit prosthesis with a 35 mm head and short wedged stem was used. The survivorship findings were validated by multivariate statistical analysis

Cemented Ti-6Al-4V components were used to resurface ten femoral heads in nine young adult patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (average age 32 years; range 20 to 51). There were eight hips at Ficat stage III and two at stage IV. Five hips have maintained satisfactory function for an average period of 11.2 years (10 to 12.2) with no radiographic evidence of component loosening or osteolysis; five have been revised after an average period of 7.8 years (3.3 to 10.3) for pain caused by deterioration of the acetabular cartilage. No component required revision for loosening and the specimens retrieved at revision showed no evidence of osteolysis despite burnishing of the titanium bearing surface and the presence of particulate titanium debris in the tissues