Clinical experience of the ICLH method of resurfacing the hip now spans 10 years. The first 36 arthroplasties, performed between 1972 and 1974, have been previously reported. This review covers in detail 204 such arthroplasties performed between 1975 and 1979 using a standard operative technique and prosthesis; these hips were consecutive and entirely unselected. Follow-up averaged 3.2 years (range two to six years). Successful hips are comparable to hips successfully replaced with stemmed prostheses. The rates of perioperative complications and failure due to infection, ectopic ossification, fracture of the femoral neck, and dislocation are favourably comparable to rates reported for stemmed total hip arthroplasties. The rate of aseptic loosening (17 per cent) greatly exceeded that found for stemmed total hip arthroplasties. Errors of patient selection, operative technique and prosthetic design have been identified. It is concluded that, although resurfacing arthroplasty of the hip may be an appealing procedure with theoretical advantages in certain instances, patient selection is essential, operative technique is demanding and changes in the design of the prosthesis are required. The procedure is still in evolution and therefore it should not yet be generally employed

Long-term regular haemodialysis for chronic renal failure is associated with amyloidosis. In this condition excess amounts of the unexcretable plasma protein beta-microglobulin are laid down in tendons, joints and bones. Amyloidosis presents with various musculoskeletal disorders only after several years of dialysis. We reviewed 83 patients who had been dialysed for at least 10 years. The commonest complaint was severe joint pain in the absence of radiological changes of arthritis (41%), the shoulders usually being the most affected (33%). Carpal tunnel syndrome had developed in 26 patients, and was bilateral in 14 of them; at operation the presence of amyloid was confirmed. Six of these patients had recurrent symptoms after a further two to three years and required another decompression. Other manifestations of amyloidosis included trigger finger, flexor tendon contracture, spontaneous tendon rupture and pathological fracture through amyloid bone cysts. The frequency of symptoms was proportional to the duration of dialysis: all 13 patients on dialysis for over 20 years were affected. Symptoms developed earlier in older patients

We have reviewed 61 children treated for septic arthritis from 1972 to 1981. The diagnosis in all cases was confirmed by bacteriology or by radiographic changes. Routine arthrotomy was not performed, but most patients had a joint aspiration. The management and outcome are described. We suggest that arthrotomy should be selective rather than mandatory. Septic arthritis of the hip in infants requires arthrotomy, but in the older child an infected hip can be treated by aspiration if the duration of symptoms is less than four days; arthrotomy may be needed if there has been more delay. Infected joints other than the hip can be satisfactorily managed by aspiration.

We report the findings of an independent review of 230 consecutive Birmingham hip resurfacings (BHRs) in 213 patients (230 hips) at a mean follow-up of 10.4 years (9.6 to 11.7). A total of 11 hips underwent revision; six patients (six hips) died from unrelated causes; and 13 patients (16 hips) were lost to follow-up. The survival rate for the whole cohort was 94.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) 90.1 to 96.9). The survival rate in women was 89.1% (95% CI 79.2 to 94.4) and in men was 97.5% (95% CI 92.4 to 99.2). Women were 1.4 times more likely to suffer failure than men. For each millimetre increase in component size there was a 19% lower chance of a failure. The mean Oxford hip score was 45.0 (median 47.0, 28 to 48); mean University of California, Los Angeles activity score was 7.4 (median 8.0, 3 to 9); mean patient satisfaction score was 1.4 (median 1.0, 0 to 9). A total of eight hips had lysis in the femoral neck and two hips had acetabular lysis. One hip had progressive radiological changes around the peg of the femoral component. There was no evidence of progressive neck narrowing between five and ten years. Our results confirm that BHR provides good functional outcome and durability for men, at a mean follow-up of ten years. We are now reluctant to undertake hip resurfacing in women with this implant

The Exeter femoral stem is a double-tapered highly polished collarless cemented implant with good long-term clinical results. In order to determine why the stem functions well we have undertaken a long-term radiostereometric analysis (RSA) study.

A total of 20 patients undergoing primary Exeter total hip replacement for osteoarthritis using the Hardinge approach were recruited and followed with RSA for ten years. The stems progressively subsided and internally rotated with posterior head migration. The mean subsidence was 0.7 mm (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5 to 0.9) at two years and 1.3 mm (95% CI 1.0 to 1.6) at ten years. The mean posterior migration of the head was 0.7 mm (95% CI 0.5 to 0.9) at two years and 1.2 mm (95% CI 1.0 to 1.4) at ten years. There was no significant cement restrictor migration.

The Exeter stem continues to subside slowly into the cement mantle in the long term. This appears to compress the cement and the cement bone interface, contributing to secure fixation in the long term.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:605–8.

Aims. Hyaline cartilage has a low capacity for regeneration. Untreated osteochondral lesions of the femoral head can lead to progressive and symptomatic osteoarthritis of the hip. The purpose of this study is to analyze the clinical and radiological long-term outcome of patients treated with osteochondral autograft transfer. To our knowledge, this study represents a series of osteochondral autograft transfer of the hip with the longest follow-up. Methods. We retrospectively evaluated 11 hips in 11 patients who underwent osteochondral autograft transfer in our institution between 1996 and 2012. The mean age at the time of surgery was 28.6 years (8 to 45). Outcome measurement included standardized scores and conventional radiographs. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to determine the failure of the procedures, with conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA) defined as the endpoint. Results. The mean follow-up of patients treated with osteochondral autograft transfer was 18.5 years (9.3 to 24.7). Six patients developed osteoarthritis and had a THA at a mean of 10.3 years (1.1 to 17.3). The cumulative survivorship of the native hips was 91% (95% confidence interval (CI) 74 to 100) at five years, 62% (95% CI 33 to 92) at ten years, and 37% (95% CI 6 to 70) at 20 years. Conclusion. This is the first study analyzing the long-term results of osteochondral autograft transfer of the femoral head. Although most patients underwent conversion to THA in the long term, over half of them survived more than ten years. Osteochondral autograft transfer could be a time-saving procedure for young patients with devastating hip conditions who have virtually no other surgical options. A larger series or a similar matched cohort would be necessary to confirm these results which, in view of the heterogeneity of our series, seems difficult to achieve. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(7):523–531

Aims. Our primary aim was to establish the proportion of female orthopaedic consultants who perform arthroplasty via cases submitted to the National Joint Registry (NJR), which covers England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, and Guernsey. Secondary aims included comparing time since specialist registration, private practice participation, and number of hospitals worked in between male and female surgeons. Methods. Publicly available data from the NJR was extracted on the types of arthroplasty performed by each surgeon, and the number of procedures of each type undertaken. Each surgeon was cross-referenced with the General Medical Council (GMC) website, using GMC number to extract surgeon demographic data. These included sex, region of practice, and dates of full and specialist registration. Results. Of 2,895 surgeons contributing to the NJR in 2023, 102 (4%) were female. The highest proportions of female surgeons were among those who performed elbow (n = 25; 5%), shoulder (n = 24; 4%), and ankle (n = 8; 4%) arthroplasty. Hip (n = 66; 3%) and knee arthroplasty (n = 39; 2%) had the lowest female representation. Female surgeons had been practising for a median of 10.4 years since specialist registration compared to 13.7 years for males (p < 0.001). Northern Ireland was the region with the highest proportion of female arthroplasty surgeons (8%). A greater proportion of male surgeons worked in private practice (63% vs 24%; p < 0.001) and in multiple hospitals (74% vs 40%; p < 0.001). Conclusion. Only 4% of surgeons currently contributing cases to the NJR are female, with the highest proportion performing elbow arthroplasty (5%). Female orthopaedic surgeons in the NJR are earlier in their careers than male surgeons, and are less involved in private practice. There is a wide geographical variation in the proportion of female arthroplasty surgeons. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(8):637–643

Aims. In 2015, we published the results of our ceramic-on-metal (CoM) total hip arthroplasties (THAs) performed between October 2007 and July 2009 with a mean follow-up of 34 months (23 to 45) and a revision rate of 3.1%. The aim of this paper is to present the longer-term outcomes. Methods. A total of 264 patients were reviewed at a mean of 5.8 years (4.6 to 7.2) and 10.1 years (9.2 to 10.6) to determine revision rate, pain, outcome scores, radiological analysis, and blood ion levels. Those who were unwilling or unable to travel were contacted by telephone. Results. The all-cause revision rate at six years was 3.1% (eight THAs), increasing to 8.8% (18 THAs) at ten years. Of these, there were four and then seven bearing-related revisions at six and ten years, respectively. There was a statistically significant deterioration in the visual analogue scale pain score and Oxford Hip Score (OHS) between six and ten years. There were 18 CoM THAs in 17 patients who had a cobalt or chromium level over 4 ppb and ten CoM THAs in nine patients who had a cobalt or chromium level higher than 7 ppb with a statistically significant increase in chromium levels only between the two timepoints. Overall, 84 stems (39.1%) had significant radiolucent lines at ten years compared to 65 (25.5%) at six years. Conclusion. When compared to the original review, there has been a significant deterioration in pain score, OHS, radiograph appearance, and, most critically, survival has fallen to 91.2%, which does not meet the Orthopaedic Data Evaluation Panel (ODEP) 10 A* 95% threshold. Although this bearing is no longer on the market, 2.5% were bearing-related revisions, which have relevance to the discussion around modular dual-mobility implants that have a similar metal interface

Aims. The duration of systemic antibiotic treatment following first-stage revision surgery for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after total hip arthroplasty (THA) is contentious. Our philosophy is to perform an aggressive debridement, and to use a high local concentration of targeted antibiotics in cement beads and systemic prophylactic antibiotics alone. The aim of this study was to assess the success of this philosophy in the management of PJI of the hip using our two-stage protocol. Methods. The study involved a retrospective review of our prospectively collected database from which we identified all patients who underwent an intended two-stage revision for PJI of the hip. All patients had a diagnosis of PJI according to the major criteria of the Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) 2013, a minimum five-year follow-up, and were assessed using the MSIS working group outcome-reporting tool. The outcomes were grouped into ‘successful’ or ‘unsuccessful’. Results. A total of 299 two-stage revision THAs in 289 patients met the inclusion criteria, of whom 258 (86%) proceeded to second-stage surgery. Their mean age was 68.1 years (28 to 92). The median follow-up was 10.7 years (interquartile range (IQR) 6.3 to 15.0). A 91% success rate was seen in those patients who underwent reimplantation, decreasing to 86% when including those who did not proceed to reimplantation. The median duration of postoperative systemic antibiotics following the first stage was five days (IQR 5 to 9). There was no significant difference in outcome between those patients who were treated with antibiotics for ≤ 48 hours (p = 0.961) or ≤ five days (p = 0.376) compared with those who were treated with longer courses. Greater success rates were seen for Gram-positive PJIs (87%) than for Gram-negative (84%) and mixed-Gram PJIs (72%; p = 0.098). Conclusion. Aggressive surgical debridement with a high local concentration of targeted antibiotics at the time of first-stage revision surgery for PJI of the hip, without prolonged systemic antibiotics, provides a high rate of success, responsible antibiotic stewardship, and reduced hospital costs. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(5):511–517

Aims. The first aim of this study was to evaluate whether preoperative renal function is associated with postoperative changes in whole blood levels of metal ions in patients who have undergone a Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) arthroplasty with a metal-on-metal bearing. The second aim was to evaluate whether exposure to increased cobalt (Co) and chromium (Cr) levels for ten years adversely affected renal function. Methods. As part of a multicentre, prospective post-approval study, whole blood samples were sent to a single specialized laboratory to determine Co and Cr levels, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The study included patients with 117 unrevised unilateral BHRs. There were 36 females (31%). The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery of 51.3 years (SD 6.5), and they all had preoperative one-, four-, five-, and ten-year laboratory data. The mean follow-up was 10.1 years (SD 0.2). Results. Median Co levels at one year postoperatively increased significantly compared with the preoperative values, by a factor of 9.7, from 0.13 to 1.26 ppb (p < 0.001), and the median Cr levels increased significantly by a factor of 2.5, from 0.60 to 1.50 ppb (p < 0.001). Lower preoperative eGFRs were associated with significantly larger increases in Co at one year compared with the preoperative levels (ρ = -0.26; p = 0.005), but there was no relationship between preoperative eGFRs and changes in Cr at one year (ρ = -0.13; p = 0.153). Metal levels remained relatively constant with the passage of time, with a median ten-year value of 1.12 ppb for Co and 1.29 ppb for Cr. There was no significant relationship between the Co and Cr levels at ten-year follow-up and the change in eGFR from the preoperative level to that at ten years (ρ = -0.02; p = 0.827 for Co; ρ = -0.008; p = 0.933 for Cr). Conclusion. Although patients with lower preoperative eGFRs tended to have larger increases in Co levels at one year, increased metal levels for patients who underwent unilateral BHR did not adversely affect renal function during the first ten postoperative years. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(3 Supple A):44–50

Aims. This study aims to assess the relationship between history of pseudotumour formation secondary to metal-on-metal (MoM) implants and periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) rate, as well as establish ESR and CRP thresholds that are suggestive of infection in these patients. We hypothesized that patients with a pseudotumour were at increased risk of infection. Methods. A total of 1,171 total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients with MoM articulations from August 2000 to March 2014 were retrospectively identified. Of those, 328 patients underwent metal artefact reduction sequence MRI and had minimum two years’ clinical follow-up, and met our inclusion criteria. Data collected included demographic details, surgical indication, laterality, implants used, history of pseudotumour, and their corresponding preoperative ESR (mm/hr) and CRP (mg/dl) levels. Multivariate logistic regression modelling was used to evaluate PJI and history of pseudotumour, and receiver operating characteristic curves were created to assess the diagnostic capabilities of ESR and CRP to determine the presence of infection in patients undergoing revision surgery. Results. The rate of PJI for all identified MoM THAs was 3.5% (41/1,171), with a mean follow-up of 10.9 years (2.0 to 20.4). Of the patients included in the final cohort, 8.2% (27/328) had PJI, with a mean follow-up of 12.2 years (2.3 to 20.4). Among this cohort, 31.1% (102/328) had a history of pseudotumour. The rate of PJI in these patients was 14.7% (15/102), which was greater than those without pseudotumour, 5.3% (12/226) (p = 0.008). Additionally, logistic regression analysis showed an association between history of pseudotumour and PJI (odds ratio 4.36 (95% confidence interval 1.77 to 11.3); p = 0.002). Optimal diagnostic cutoffs for PJI in patients with history of pseudotumour versus those without were 33.1 mm/hr and 24.5 mm/hr for ESR and 7.37 mg/dl and 1.88 mg/dl for CRP, respectively. Conclusion. Patients with history of pseudotumour secondary to MoM THA had a higher likelihood of infection than those without. While suspicion of infection should be high for these patients, ESR and CRP cutoffs published by the European Bone and Joint Infection Society may not be appropriate for patients with a history of pseudotumour, as ESR and CRP levels suggestive of PJI are likely to be higher than for those without a pseudotumour. Additional investigation, such as aspiration, is highly recommended for these patients unless clinical suspicion and laboratory markers are low. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(6):555–564

Aims. Head-taper corrosion is a cause of failure in total hip arthroplasty (THA). Recent reports have described an increasing number of V40 taper failures with adverse local tissue reaction (ALTR). However, the real incidence of V40 taper damage and its cause remain unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term incidence of ALTR in a consecutive series of THAs using a V40 taper and identify potentially related factors. Methods. Between January 2006 and June 2007, a total of 121 patients underwent THA using either an uncemented (Accolade I, made of Ti. 12. Mo. 6. Zr. 2. Fe; Stryker, USA) or a cemented (ABG II, made of cobalt-chrome-molybdenum (CoCrMo); Stryker) femoral component, both with a V40 taper (Stryker). Uncemented acetabular components (Trident; Stryker) with crosslinked polyethylene liners and CoCr femoral heads of 36 mm diameter were used in all patients. At a mean folllow-up of 10.8 years (SD 1.1), 94 patients (79%) were eligible for follow-up (six patients had already undergone a revision, 15 had died, and six were lost to follow-up). A total of 85 THAs in 80 patients (mean age 61 years (24 to 75); 47 (56%) were female) underwent clinical and radiological evaluation, including the measurement of whole blood levels of cobalt and chrome. Metal artifact reduction sequence MRI scans of the hip were performed in 71 patients. Results. A total of 20 ALTRs were identified on MRI, with an incidence of 26%. Patients with ALTR had significantly higher median Co levels compared with those without ALTR (2.96 μg/l (interquartile range (IQR) 1.35 to 4.98) vs 1.44 μg/l (IQR 0.79 to 2.5); p = 0.019). Radiological evidence of osteolysis was also significantly associated with ALTR (p = 0.014). Median Cr levels were not significantly higher in those with ALTR compared with those without one (0.97 μg/l (IQR 0.72 to 1.9) v 0.67 μg/l (IQR 0.5 to 1.19; p = 0.080). BMI, sex, age, type of femoral component, head length, the inclination of the acetabular component, and heterotopic ossification formation showed no significant relationship with ALTR. Conclusion. Due to the high incidence of local ALTR in our cohort after more than ten years postoperatively, we recommend regular follow-up investigation even in asymptomatic patients with V40 taper and metal heads. As cobalt levels correlate with ALTR occurrence, routine metal ion screening and consecutive MRI investigation upon elevation could be discussed. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(7):852–858

Aims. Large-diameter metal-on-metal (MoM) total hip arthroplasty (THA) has demonstrated unexpected high failure rates and pseudotumour formation. The purpose of this prospective cohort study is to report ten-year results in order to establish revision rate, prevalence of pseudotumour formation, and relation with whole blood cobalt levels. Methods. All patients were recalled according to the guidelines of the Dutch Orthopaedic Association. They underwent clinical and radiographical assessments (radiograph and CT scan) of the hip prosthesis and whole blood cobalt ion measurements. Overall, 94 patients (95 hips) fulfilled our requirements for a minimum ten-year follow-up. Results. Mean follow-up was 10.9 years (10 to 12), with a cumulative survival rate of 82.4%. Reason for revision was predominantly pseudotumour formation (68%), apart from loosening, pain, infection, and osteolysis. The prevalence of pseudotumour formation around the prostheses was 41%, while our previous report of this cohort (with a mean follow-up of 3.6 years) revealed a 39% prevalence. The ten-year revision-free survival with pseudotumour was 66.7% and without pseudotumour 92.4% (p < 0.05). There was poor discriminatory ability for cobalt for pseudotumour formation. Conclusion. This prospective study reports a minimum ten-year follow-up of large-head MoM THA. Revision rates are high, with the main reason being the sequelae of pseudotumour formation, which were rarely observed after five years of implantation. Blood ion measurements show limited discriminatory capacity in diagnosing pseudotumour formation. Our results evidence that an early comprehensive follow-up strategy is essential for MoM THA to promptly identify and manage early complications and revise on time. After ten years follow-up, we do not recommend continuing routine CT scanning or whole cobalt blood measurements, but instead enrolling these patients in routine follow-up protocols for THA. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(1):61–67

Aims. Open reduction and plate fixation (ORPF) for displaced proximal humerus fractures can achieve reliably good long-term outcomes. However, a minority of patients have persistent pain and stiffness after surgery and may benefit from open arthrolysis, subacromial decompression, and removal of metalwork (ADROM). The long-term results of ADROM remain unknown; we aimed to assess outcomes of patients undergoing this procedure for stiffness following ORPF, and assess predictors of poor outcome. Methods. Between 1998 and 2018, 424 consecutive patients were treated with primary ORPF for proximal humerus fracture. ADROM was offered to symptomatic patients with a healed fracture at six months postoperatively. Patients were followed up retrospectively with demographic data, fracture characteristics, and complications recorded. Active range of motion (aROM), Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), and EuroQol five-dimension three-level questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L) were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively. Results. A total of 138 patients underwent ADROM; 111 patients were available for long-term follow-up at a mean of 10.9 years (range 1 to 20). Mean age was 50.8 years (18 to 75);79 (57.2%) were female. Mean time from primary ORPF to ADROM was 11.9 months (6 to 19). Five patients developed superficial wound infection; ten developed symptomatic osteonecrosis/post-traumatic arthrosis (ON/PTA); four underwent revision arthrolysis. Median OSS improved from 17 (interquartile range (IQR) 12.0 to 22.0) preoperatively to 40.0 (IQR 31.5 to 48.0) postoperatively, and 39.0 (IQR 31.5 to 46.5) at long-term follow-up (p < 0.001). Median EQ-5D-3L improved from 0.079 (IQR -0.057 to 0.215) to 0.691 (IQR 0.441 to 0.941) postoperatively, and 0.701 (IQR 0.570 to 0.832) at long-term follow-up (p < 0.001). We found that aROM improved in all planes (p < 0.001). Among the variables assessed on multivariable analysis, a manual occupation, worsening Charlson Comorbidity Index and increasing socioeconomic deprivation were most consistently predictive of worse patient-reported outcome scores. Patients who subsequently developed ON/PTA reported significantly worse one-year and late OSS. Conclusion. ADROM in patients with persistent symptomatic stiffness following ORPF can achieve excellent short- and long-term outcomes. More deprived patients, those in a manual occupation, and those with worsening comorbidities have worse outcomes following ADROM. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(1):157–167

Aims. Femoral bone preparation using compaction technique has been shown to preserve bone and improve implant fixation in animal models. No long-term clinical outcomes are available. There are no significant long-term differences between compaction and broaching techniques for primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) in terms of migration, clinical, and radiological outcomes. Methods. A total of 28 patients received one-stage bilateral primary THA with cementless femoral stems (56 hips). They were randomized to compaction on one femur and broaching on the contralateral femur. Overall, 13 patients were lost to the ten-year follow-up leaving 30 hips to be evaluated in terms of stem migration (using radiostereometry), radiological changes, Harris Hip Score, Oxford Hip Score, and complications. Results. Over a mean follow-up period of 10.6 years, the mean stem subsidence was similar between groups, with a mean of -1.20 mm (95% confidence interval (CI) -2.28 to -0.12) in the broaching group and a mean of -0.73 mm (95% CI -1.65 to 0.20) in the compaction group (p = 0.07). The long-term migration patterns of all stems were similar. The clinical and radiological outcomes were similar between groups. There were two intraoperative fractures in the compaction group that were fixed with cable wire and healed without complications. No stems were revised. Conclusion. Similar stem subsidence and radiological and clinical outcomes were identified after the use of compaction and broaching techniques of the femur at long-term follow-up. Only the compaction group had intraoperative periprosthetic femur fractures, but there were no long-term consequences of these. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(12):1035–1042

Aims

This prospective study reports longitudinal, within-patient, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) over a 15-year period following cemented single radius total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Secondary aims included reporting PROMs trajectory, 15-year implant survival, and patient attrition from follow-up.

The April 2024 Children’s orthopaedics Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Ultrasonography or radiography for suspected paediatric distal forearm fractures?; Implant density in scoliosis: an important variable?; Gait after paediatric femoral shaft fracture treated with intramedullary nail fixation: a longitudinal prospective study; The opioid dilemma: navigating pain management for children’s bone fractures; 12- to 20-year follow-up of Dega acetabuloplasty in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip; Physeal fractures of the distal ulna: incidence and risk factors for premature growth arrest; Analysis of growth after transphyseal anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in children; Management of lateral condyle humeral fracture associated with elbow dislocation in children: a retrospective international multicentre cohort study.

Aims

Paediatric fractures are highly prevalent and are most often treated with plaster. The application and removal of plaster is often an anxiety-inducing experience for children. Decreasing the anxiety level may improve the patients’ satisfaction and the quality of healthcare. Virtual reality (VR) has proven to effectively distract children and reduce their anxiety in other clinical settings, and it seems to have a similar effect during plaster treatment. This study aims to further investigate the effect of VR on the anxiety level of children with fractures who undergo plaster removal or replacement in the plaster room.

Aims

Posterior malleolar (PM) fractures are commonly associated with ankle fractures, pilon fractures, and to a lesser extent tibial shaft fractures. The tibialis posterior (TP) tendon entrapment is a rare complication associated with PM fractures. If undiagnosed, TP entrapment is associated with complications, ranging from reduced range of ankle movement to instability and pes planus deformities, which require further surgeries including radical treatments such as arthrodesis.

The February 2023 Oncology Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Is the number of national database research studies in musculoskeletal sarcoma increasing, and are these studies reliable?; Re-excision after unplanned excision of soft-tissue sarcoma is associated with high morbidity; Adjuvant radiation in atypical lipomatous tumours; The oncological outcomes of isolated limb perfusion and neoadjuvant radiotherapy in soft-tissue sarcoma patients - a nationwide multicentre study; Can low-grade chondrosarcoma be treated with intralesional curettage and cryotherapy?; Efficacy and safety of carbon ion radiotherapy for bone sarcomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis; Doxorubicin-polymeric meshes prevent local recurrence after sarcoma resection while avoiding cardiotoxicity; How important are skip lesions in Ewing’s sarcoma?; Improving outcomes for amputees: the health-related quality of life and cost utility analysis of osseointegration prosthetics in transfemoral amputees.

Aims

The standard of surgical treatment for lower limb neoplasms had been characterized by highly interventional techniques, leading to severe kinetic impairment of the patients and incidences of phantom pain. Rotationplasty had arisen as a potent limb salvage treatment option for young cancer patients with lower limb bone tumours, but its impact on the gait through comparative studies still remains unclear several years after the introduction of the procedure. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of rotationplasty on gait parameters measured by gait analysis compared to healthy individuals.

The February 2023 Children’s orthopaedics Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Trends in management of paediatric distal radius buckle fractures; Pelvic osteotomy in patients with previous sacral-alar-iliac fixation; Sacral-alar-iliac fixation in patients with previous pelvic osteotomy; Idiopathic toe walking: an update on natural history, diagnosis, and treatment; A prediction model for treatment decisions in distal radial physeal injuries: a multicentre retrospective study; Angular deformities after percutaneous epiphysiodesis for leg length discrepancy; MRI assessment of anterior coverage is predictive of future radiological coverage; Predictive scoring for recurrent patellar instability after a first-time patellar dislocation.

Aims

The Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) arthroplasty has been used as a surgical treatment of coxarthrosis since 1997. We present 20-year results of 234 consecutive BHRs performed in our unit.

The April 2023 Shoulder & Elbow Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Arthroscopic Bankart repair in athletes: in it for the long run?; Functional outcomes and the Wrightington classification of elbow fracture-dislocations; Hemiarthroplasty or ORIF intra-articular distal humerus fractures in older patients; Return to sport after total shoulder arthroplasty and hemiarthroplasty; Readmissions after shoulder arthroplasty; Arthroscopic Bankart repair in the longer term; Bankart repair with(out) remplissage or the Latarjet procedure? A systematic review and meta-analysis; Regaining motion among patients with shoulder pathology: are all exercises equal?

Aims

Distal femoral osteotomies (DFOs) are commonly used for the correction of valgus deformities and lateral compartment osteoarthritis. However, the impact of a DFO on subsequent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) function remains a subject of debate. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a unilateral DFO on subsequent TKA function in patients with bilateral TKAs, using the contralateral knee as a self-matched control group.

Aims

Perthes’ disease is an idiopathic avascular necrosis of the developing femoral head, often causing deformity that impairs physical function. Current treatments aim to optimize the joint reaction force across the hip by enhancing congruency between the acetabulum and femoral head. Despite a century of research, there is no consensus regarding the optimal treatment. The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of children, their families, and clinicians when considering the treatment of Perthes’ disease.

Aims

Current diagnostic tools are not always able to effectively identify periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs). Recent studies suggest that circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) undergo changes under pathological conditions such as infection. The aim of this study was to analyze miRNA expression in hip arthroplasty PJI patients.

Aims

In metal-on-polyethylene (MoP) total hip arthroplasty (THA), large metal femoral heads have been used to increase stability and reduce the risk of dislocation. The increased size of the femoral head can, however, lead to increased taper corrosion, with the release of metal ions and adverse reactions. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the size of the femoral head and the levels of metal ions in the blood in these patients.

Aims

To systematically review the predominant complication rates and changes to patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) following osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation for shoulder instability.

Aims. Previous studies have reported an increased risk for postoperative complications in the Medicaid population undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA). These studies have not controlled for the surgeon’s practice or patient care setting. This study aims to evaluate whether patient point of entry and Medicaid status plays a role in quality outcomes and discharge disposition following THA. Methods. The electronic medical record at our institution was retrospectively reviewed for all primary, unilateral THA between January 2016 and January 2018. THA recipients were categorized as either Medicaid or non-Medicaid patients based on a visit to our institution’s Hospital Ambulatory Care Center (HACC) within the six months prior to surgery. Only patients who had been operated on by surgeons (CML, JV, JDS, RS) with at least ten Medicaid and ten non-Medicaid patients were included in the study. The patients included in this study were 56.33% female, had a mean age of 60.85 years, and had a mean BMI of 29.14. The average length of follow-up was 343.73 days. Results. A total of 426 hips in 403 patients were included in this study, with 114 Medicaid patients and 312 non-Medicaid patients. Medicaid patients had a significantly lower mean age (54.68 years (SD 12.33) vs 63.10 years (SD 12.38); p < 0.001), more likely to be black or ‘other’ race (27.19% vs 13.46% black; 26.32% vs 12.82% other; p < 0.001), and more likely to be a current smoker (19.30% vs 9.29%; p = 0.001). After adjusting for patient risk factors, there was a significant Medicaid effect on length of stay (LOS) (rate ratio 1.129, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.048 to 1.216; p = 0.001) and facility discharge (odds ratio 2.010, 95% CI 1.398 to 2.890; p < 0.001). There was no Medicaid effect on surgical time (exponentiated β coefficient 1.015, 95% CI 0.995 to 1.036; p = 0.136). There was no difference in 30-day readmission, 90-day readmission, 30-day infections, 90-day infections, and 90-day mortality between the two groups. Conclusion. After controlling for patient variables, there was a statistically significant Medicaid effect on LOS and facility discharge. These results indicate that clinically similar outcomes can be achieved for Medicaid patients; however, further work is needed on maximizing social support and preoperative patient education with a focus on successful home discharge. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(7 Supple B):78–84

Aims. There is no consensus on the treatment of proximal humeral fractures. Hemiarthroplasty has been widely used in patients when non-surgical treatment is not possible. There is, despite extensive use, limited information about the long-term outcome. Our primary aim was to report ten-year patient-reported outcome after hemiarthroplasty for acute proximal humeral fractures. The secondary aims were to report the cumulative revision rate and risk factors for an inferior patient-reported outcome. Methods. We obtained data on 1,371 hemiarthroplasties for acute proximal humeral fractures from the Danish Shoulder Arthroplasty Registry between 2006 and 2010. Of these, 549 patients (40%) were alive and available for follow-up. The Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder (WOOS) questionnaire was sent to all patients at nine to 14 years after primary surgery. Revision rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Risk factors for an inferior WOOS score were analyzed using the linear regression model. Results. Mean age at surgery was 67 years (24 to 90) and 445 (81%) patients were female. A complete questionnaire was returned by 364 (66%) patients at a mean follow-up of 10.6 years (8.8 to 13.8). Mean WOOS score was 64 (4.3 to 100.0). There was no correlation between WOOS scores and age, sex, arthroplasty brand, or year of surgery. The 14-year cumulative revision rate was 5.7% (confidence interval 4.1 to 7.2). Patients aged younger than 55 years and patients aged between 55 to 74 years had 5.6-times (2.0 to 9.3) and 4.3-times (1.9 to 16.7) higher risk of revision than patients aged older than 75 years, respectively. Conclusion. This is the largest long-term follow-up study of acute proximal humeral fractures treated with hemiarthroplasty. We found a low revision rate and an acceptable ten-year patient-reported outcome. The patient-reported outcome should be interpreted with caution as we have no information about the patients who died or did not return a complete WOOS score. The long-term outcome and revision rate suggest that hemiarthroplasty offers a valid alternative when non-surgical treatment is not possible. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(6):1063–1069

Aims

The aim of this study is to report the long-term outcomes of instrumented femoral revisions with impaction allograft bone grafting (IBG) using the X-change femoral revision system at 30 years after introduction of the technique.

Aims

The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of guided growth and varus osteotomy in treating Kalamchi type II avascular necrosis (AVN) after open reduction and Pemberton acetabuloplasty for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH).

Aims. Eight-plates are used to correct varus-valgus deformity (VVD) or limb-length discrepancy (LLD) in children and adolescents. It was reported that these implants might create a bony deformity within the knee joint by change of the roof angle (RA) after epiphysiodesis of the proximal tibia following a radiological assessment limited to anteroposterior (AP) radiographs. The aim of this study was to analyze the RA, complemented with lateral knee radiographs, with focus on the tibial slope (TS) and the degree of deformity correction. Methods. A retrospective, single-centre study was conducted. The treatment group (n = 64 knees in 44 patients) was subclassified according to the implant location in two groups: 1) medial hemiepiphysiodesis; and 2) lateral hemiepiphysiodesis. A third control group consisted of 25 untreated knees. The limb axes and RA were measured on long standing AP leg radiographs. Lateral radiographs of 40 knees were available for TS analysis. The mean age of the patients was 10.6 years (4 to 15) in the treatment group and 8.4 years (4 to 14) in the control group. Implants were removed after a mean 1.2 years (0.5 to 3). Results. No significant differences in RA (p = 0.174) and TS (p = 0.787) were observed. The limb axes were significantly corrected in patients with VVD (p < 0.001). The change in tibial slope (∆TS) did not correlate (r = -0.026; p = 0.885) to the plate’s position on the physis when assessed by lateral radiographs. Conclusion. We were not able to confirm the reported change in the bony morphology of the proximal tibia on AP radiographs in our patient population. In addition, no significant change in TS was detected on the lateral radiographs. A significant correction of the VVD in the lower limb axes was evident. Position of the implant did not correlate with TS change. Therefore, eight-plate epiphysiodesis is a safe and effective procedure for correcting VVD in children without disturbing the knee joint morphology. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(10):1412–1418

Aims

Access to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is sometimes restricted for patients with severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m²). This study compares the cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) associated with TKA in patients with a BMI above and below 40 kg/m² to examine whether this is supported.

Aims

The aim of this study was to conduct a cross-sectional, observational cohort study of patients presenting for revision of a total hip, or total or unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, to understand current routes to revision surgery and explore differences in symptoms, healthcare use, reason for revision, and the revision surgery (surgical time, components, length of stay) between patients having regular follow-up and those without.

Aims. The purpose of this study was to report the long-term results of extendable endoprostheses of the humerus in children after the resection of a bone sarcoma. Methods. A total of 35 consecutive patients treated with extendable endoprosthetic replacement of the humerus in children were included. There were 17 boys and 18 girls in the series with a median age at the time of initial surgery of nine years (interquartile range (IQR) 7 to 11). Results. The median follow-up time was 10.6 years (IQR 3.9 to 20.4). The overall implant survival at ten years was 75%. Complications occurred in 13 patients (37%). Subluxation at the proximal humerus occurred in 19 patients (54%) but only six (17%) were symptomatic. Subluxation was seen more commonly in children under the age of nine years (86%) than in those aged nine years or more (33%) (p = 0.002). Implant failure occurred in nine patients (26%): the most common cause was aseptic loosening (four patients, 11%). Lengthening of the implant was carried out in 23 patients (66%). At final follow up, three patients had a limb that was shortened by 5 cm or more. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) functional score was 79% (73% to 90%). Conclusion. Extendable endoprosthetic replacement is a reliable method of reconstructing humerus after excision of a bone sarcoma. Children who are less than nine years old have a high risk of subluxation. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(1):64–71

One hundred and fifty patients in Hong Kong with a diagnosis of tuberculosis of the thoracic, thoracolumbar or lumbar spine were allocated a random to the "Hong Kong" radical resection of the lesion and the insertion of autologous bone grafts (Rad. series) or to debridement of the spinal focus without bone grafting (Deb. series). All patients received daily chemotherapy with para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS) plus isoniazid for 18 months, with streptomycin for the first three months. After exclusions, the main analyses of this report concern 119 patients (58 Rad., 61 Deb.) followed up for 10 years. During the first five years the allocated regimen was modified because of the spinal lesion in 14 patients, but there were no further modifications between five and 10 years. No patient developed a sinus or clinically evident abscess or a neurological abnormality between five and 10 years. Bony fusion occurred earlier and in a higher proportion of patients in the Rad, series but at five and 10 years there was vary little difference between the series. Over the period of 10 years there was a mean increase in vertebral loss of 0.05 of a vertebral body in the Rad. series and 0.23 in the Deb. series. In both series most of this loss occurred in the first 18 months, with very little subsequent change in the next eight and a half years. Over the 10 years there was a mean reduction in the angle of kyphosis in the Rad. series of 1.4 degrees for patients with thoracic and thoracolumbar lesions and 0.5 degrees for those with lumbar lesions. By contrast, in the Deb. series there were mean increases in the angle of 9.8 degrees and 7.6 degrees respectively. In both series most of the changes had occurred early, and persisted subsequently. At 10 years 57 of 58 Rad. and all 61 Deb. patients had a favourable status, 50 (86 per cent) and 54 (89 per cent) respectively on the allocated regimen without modification

Aims

The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of asymmetric crosslinked polyethylene liner use on the risk of revision of cementless and hybrid total hip arthroplasties (THAs).

Aims. The aim of this study was to clarify the factors that predict the development of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head in children with a fracture of the femoral neck. Patients and Methods. We retrospectively reviewed 239 children with a mean age of 10.0 years (. sd. 3.9) who underwent surgical treatment for a femoral neck fracture. Risk factors were recorded, including age, sex, laterality, mechanism of injury, initial displacement, the type of fracture, the time to reduction, and the method and quality of reduction. AVN of the femoral head was assessed on radiographs. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the independent risk factors for AVN. Chi-squared tests and Student’s t-tests were used for subgroup analyses to determine the risk factors for AVN. Results. We found that age (p = 0.006) and initial displacement (p = 0.001) were significant independent risk factors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that 12 years of age was the cut-off for increasing the rate of AVN. Severe initial displacement (p = 0.021) and poor quality of reduction (p = 0.022) significantly increased the rate of AVN in patients aged 12 years or greater, while in those aged less than 12 years, the rate of AVN significantly increased only with initial displacement (p = 0.048). A poor reduction significantly increased the rate of AVN in patients treated by closed reduction (p = 0.026); screw and plate fixation was preferable to cannulated screw or Kirschner wire (K-wire) fixation for decreasing the rate of AVN in patients treated by open reduction (p = 0.034). Conclusion. The rate of AVN increases with age, especially in patients aged 12 years or greater, and with the severity of displacement. In patients treated by closed reduction, anatomical reduction helps to decrease the rate of AVN, while in those treated by open reduction, screw and plate fixation was preferable to fixation using cannulated screws or K-wires. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:1160–1167

Elevated levels of circulating cobalt ions have been linked with a wide range of systemic complications including neurological, endocrine, and cardiovascular symptoms. Case reports of patients with elevated blood cobalt ions have described significant cardiovascular complications including cardiomyopathy. However, correlation between the actual level of circulating cobalt and extent of cardiovascular injury has not previously been performed. This review examines evidence from the literature for a link between elevated blood cobalt levels secondary to metal-on-metal (MoM) hip arthroplasties and cardiomyopathy. Correlation between low, moderate, and high blood cobalt with cardiovascular complications has been considered. Elevated blood cobalt at levels over 250 µg/l have been shown to be a risk factor for developing systemic complications and published case reports document cardiomyopathy, cardiac transplantation, and death in patients with severely elevated blood cobalt ions. However, it is not clear that there is a hard cut-off value and cardiac dysfunction may occur at lower levels. Clinical and laboratory research has found conflicting evidence of cobalt-induced cardiomyopathy in patients with MoM hips. Further work needs to be done to clarify the link between severely elevated blood cobalt ions and cardiomyopathy.

Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2021;10(6):340–347.

Aims

This study aimed to determine outcomes of isolated tibial insert exchange (ITIE) during revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Limb alignment in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) influences periarticular soft-tissue tension, biomechanics through knee flexion, and implant survival. Despite this, there is no uniform consensus on the optimal alignment technique for TKA. Neutral mechanical alignment facilitates knee flexion and symmetrical component wear but forces the limb into an unnatural position that alters native knee kinematics through the arc of knee flexion. Kinematic alignment aims to restore native limb alignment, but the safe ranges with this technique remain uncertain and the effects of this alignment technique on component survivorship remain unknown. Anatomical alignment aims to restore predisease limb alignment and knee geometry, but existing studies using this technique are based on cadaveric specimens or clinical trials with limited follow-up times. Functional alignment aims to restore the native plane and obliquity of the joint by manipulating implant positioning while limiting soft tissue releases, but the results of high-quality studies with long-term outcomes are still awaited. The drawbacks of existing studies on alignment include the use of surgical techniques with limited accuracy and reproducibility of achieving the planned alignment, poor correlation of intraoperative data to long-term functional outcomes and implant survivorship, and a paucity of studies on the safe ranges of limb alignment. Further studies on alignment in TKA should use surgical adjuncts (e.g. robotic technology) to help execute the planned alignment with improved accuracy, include intraoperative assessments of knee biomechanics and periarticular soft-tissue tension, and correlate alignment to long-term functional outcomes and survivorship.

Two hundred and eighty-three patients with tuberculosis of the thoracic and/or lumbar spine have been followed for 10 years from the start of treatment. All patients received PAS plus isoniazid daily for 18 months, either with streptomycin for the first three months (SPH) or no streptomycin (PH), by random allocation. There was also a second random allocation for all patients: in Masan to inpatient rest in bed (IP) for six months followed by outpatient treatment or to ambulatory outpatient treatment from the start (OP), and in Pusan to outpatient treatment with a plaster-of-Paris jacket (J) for nine months or to ambulatory treatment without any support (No J). A favourable status was achieved on their allocated regimen by 88% of patients at 10 years. Some of the remaining patients also attained a favourable status after additional chemotherapy and/or operation, and if these are included the proportion achieving such a status increases to 96%. There were five patients whose deaths were attributed to their spinal disease. A sinus or clinically evident abscess was present on at least one occasion in the 10-year period in 42% of the patients. Residual sinuses persisted at 10 years in two patients, at death at seven years in a third and at default in the seventh year in a fourth. Thirty-five patients had paraparesis at some time during the 10-year period, including two who died with paraplegia before five years. Complete resolution occurred in 26 patients (in six after additional chemotherapy and/or surgery). At 10 years two patients had severe paraplegia and one a moderate paraparesis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aims. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prosthesis characteristics and associated conditions that may modify the survival of total femoral endoprosthetic replacements (TFEPR). Patients and Methods. In all, 81 patients treated with TFEPR from 1976 to 2017 were retrospectively evaluated and failures were categorized according to the Henderson classification. There were 38 female patients (47%) and 43 male patients (53%) with a mean age at diagnosis of 43 years (12 to 86). The mean follow-up time was 10.3 years (0 to 31.7). A survival analysis was performed followed by univariate and multivariate Cox regression to identify independent implant survival factors. Results. The revision-free survival of the implant was 71% at five years and 63.3% at ten years. Three prostheses reached 15 years without revision. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score in the group was 26 (23 to 28). The mechanisms of failure were infection in 18%, structural failures in 6%, tumour progression in 5%, aseptic loosening in 2%, and soft-tissue failures in 1%. Prostheses used for primary reconstruction after oncological resections had lower infection rates than revision implants (8% vs 25%; p = 0.001). The rates of infection in silver-coated and non-silver-coated prosthesis were similar (17.4% vs 19.%; p = 0.869). The incidence of hip dislocation was 10%. Rotating hinge prosthesis had a lower failure rate than fixed hinge prosthesis (5.3% vs 11%). After Cox regression, the independent factors associated with failures were the history of previous operations (hazard ratio (HR) 3.7; p = 0.041), and the associated arthroplasty of the proximal tibia (HR 3.8; p = 0.034). At last follow-up, 11 patients (13%) required amputation. Conclusion. TFEPR offers a reliable reconstruction option for massive bone loss of the femur, with a good survival when the prosthesis is used as a primary implant. The use of a rotating hinge at the knee and dual mobility bearing at the hip may be adequate to reduce the risk of mechanical and soft-tissue failures. Infection remains the main concern and there is insufficient evidence to support the routine use of silver-coated endoprosthesis. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:522–528