We have assessed the relative value of various outcome measures after THR, by the analysis of follow-up data from over 2000 patients. They had been reviewed clinically and radiologically six months after operation, at one year, and then every two years, some for 16 years. At each review their pain level, stiffness and opinion of progress were scored and a radiograph taken. We found that pain level was the most informative outcome as a predictor of revision and correlated well with the patients’ opinions. We made a comparison between the six types of implant in the series, using survival analysis and log-rank testing with different pain levels as endpoints. This analysis revealed differences which were not detected by survival analysis using the traditional endpoint of revision. We therefore recommend the use of different levels of pain as the main outcome measures after total hip replacement.
We reviewed the records of the long-term outcome of 208 Charnley and 982 Stanmore total hip replacements (THR) performed by or under the supervision of one surgeon from 1973 to 1987. The Stanmore implant had a better survival rate before revision at 14 years (86% to 79%, p = 0.004), but the difference only became apparent at ten years. The later Stanmore implants did better than the early ones (97% to 92% at ten years, p = 0.005), the improvement coinciding with the introduction of a new cementing technique using a gun. Most of the Charnley implants were done before most of the Stanmore implants so that the difference between the results may in part be explained by improved methods, but this is not the complete explanation since a difference persisted for implants carried out during the same period of time. We conclude that improved techniques have reduced failure rates substantially. This improvement was much greater than that observed between these two designs of implant. Proof of the difference would require a very large randomised controlled trial over a ten-year period.
1. A series of 298 unstable ankle fractures treated during the last ten years is reviewed. 2. Open reduction and rigid fixation with two screws, with early mobilisation after operation and avoidance of plaster, achieved a high percentage of satisfactory results. Accurate reduction diminishes the incidence of traumatic arthritis and pain.
Two hundred and thirty-two ankle fractures were treated in the orthopaedic department of the Royal Portsmouth Hospital between 1959 and 1960. Seventy-one fractures treated by internal fixation with screws have been seen at follow-up examination. Results show that open reduction, secure and accurate internal fixation and early movement without plaster or other splintage is a treatment which in most cases has been followed by a short convalescence, few post-operative complications, and a painless ankle and with good function.
1. The hip joint usually acts as the fulcrum of a lever system. 2. The centre of gravity of supported parts, which is usually medial to the hip joint, exerts a rotational effect upon the pelvis. If pelvic position is to be maintained this force must be counterbalanced by hip muscles. 3. The force transmitted by the hip joint is the sum of the supported body weight and the tension in the balancing muscles. This force often exceeds the total weight of the body. 4. In some circumstances the loss of one pound of body weight relieves the hip joint of three pounds pressure. 5. A long femoral neck is an advantage to hip function, but in arthroplasty this must not lead to mechanical failure such as breaking or loosening of the prosthesis, or fracture of the bone. 6. Medial displacement of the femoral head upon the pelvis may cause a great decrease in joint pressure, but medial displacement alone of the shaft upon the head and neck does not influence the mechanics of the joint. 7. The position of the centre of gravity of supported parts is easily altered by slight variations in spinal position. Great changes in hip joint pressure are caused by small coronal spinal movements, but the advantage to man of being able to walk with the eyes steady outweighs the mechanical disadvantage to which his hip is subjected. 8. A femoral abduction osteotomy improves the mechanics of a hip joint deformed in adduction. 9. A walking stick or a crutch is most helpful in relieving joint pressure and reducing the work done by hip muscles.
1. Two hundred and eleven cases of arthroplasty of the hip have been studied in an attempt to establish the causes of success and failure by comparing the excellent, good and bad results. 2. The findings suggest that the result of an arthroplasty depends largely upon four factors: the surgical approach to the hip joint, the acetabular roof, the interposition substance, and the early post-operative complications. 3. Some important points in the technique of operation and in the post-operative management are described.
1. Arthrodesis of the hip is satisfactory provided a good range of knee flexion is preserved. 2. The hip is best arthrodesed in its deformed position, and the deformity corrected by a high femoral osteotomy. Knee range can readily be retained by treating the patient on traction for the first six weeks instead of using plaster. 3. Thirty-three arthrodeses were attempted without osteotomy. Only thirteen were satisfactory. Even our best method without osteotomy gave sound fusion in only seven out of ten cases. 4. In a series of twenty-three unselected cases in which osteotomy was performed in addition to other methods, fusion occurred in twenty-two.
