We matched 78 patients with a loose cemented Charnley Elite Plus total hip replacement (THR) by age, gender, race, prosthesis and time from surgery with 49 patients with a well-fixed stable hip replacement, to determine if poor bone quality predisposes to loosening. Clinical, radiological, biomechanical and bone mineral density indicators of bone quality were assessed. Patients with loose replacements had more pain, were more likely to have presented with atrophic arthritis and to have a history of fragility fracture, narrower femoral cortices and lower peri-prosthetic or lumbar spine bone mineral density (all t-test, p < 0.01). They also tended to be smokers (chi-squared test, p = 0.08). Vitamin-D deficiency was common, but not significantly different between the two groups (t-test, p = 0.31). In this series of cemented hip replacements performed between 1994 and 1998, aseptic loosening was associated with poor bone quality. Patients with a THR should be screened for osteoporosis and have regular radiological surveillance

We investigated 219 revisions of total hip replacement (THR) in 211 patients using a collarless double-taper cemented femoral component. The mean age of the patients was 72 years (30 to 90). The 137 long and 82 standard length stems were analysed separately. The mean follow-up was six years (2 to 18), and no patient was lost to follow-up. Survival of the long stems to re-revision for aseptic loosening at nine years was 98% (95% confidence interval (CI) 94 to 100), and for the standard stems was 93% (95% CI 85 to 100). At five years, one long stem was definitely loose radiologically and one standard stem was probably loose. Pre-operative femoral bone deficiency did not influence the results for the long stems, and corrective femoral osteotomy was avoided, as were significant subsidence, major stress shielding and persistent thigh pain. Because of these reliable results, cemented long collarless double-taper femoral components are recommended for routine revision THR in older patients

After total hip (THR) or knee replacement (TKR), there is still an appreciable risk of developing deep-vein thrombosis despite prophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). In a prospective, randomised study we examined the efficacy of LMWH in combination with intermittent pneumatic compression in patients undergoing primary unilateral THR or TKR. We administered 40 mg of enoxaparin daily to 131 patients combined with either the use of intermittent pneumatic compression or the wearing of graduated compression stockings. Compression ultrasonography showed no evidence of thrombosis after LMWH and intermittent pneumatic compression. In the group with LMWH and compression stockings the prevalence of thrombosis was 28.6% (40% after TKR, 14% after THR). This difference was significant (p < 0.0001). In the early post-operative phase after THR and TKR, combined prophylaxis with LMWH and intermittent pneumatic compression is more effective than LMWH used with graduated compression stockings

We made a study of 49 total hip arthroplasties at five years, comparing the Charnley hip score, the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) score and the appearance on serial radiographs. Each of the three investigations was performed by an independent observer with no knowledge of the results of the other two studies. The eight patients with radiographic signs of prosthetic loosening had significant reductions in function and quality of life as measured by the NHP questionnaire, but no differences in the mean Charnley hip scores. None of the eight patients had clinical signs of prosthetic loosening sufficient to recommend revision of their THR. The NHP is a relatively low-cost method of providing long-term follow-up of THR

We studied 50 patients before and after unilateral total hip replacement, and compared them, using gait analysis, with 22 having staged bilateral operations. The average age of the patients was 65 years at the first operation. The mean follow-up was 53 months for the unilateral cases and 27 months, after the second THR, for the bilateral cases. The average interval between first and second THR was 24 months. Patients with bilateral hip disease did not gain optimal function, even on the first side, until both hips had been replaced. Unilateral replacement gave better gait analysis results than did either side after bilateral procedures

Injuries to the sciatic nerve are an occasional complication of surgery to the hip and acetabulum, and traction is frequently the causative mechanism. In vitro and animal experiments have shown that increased tensile strain on peripheral nerves, when applied for prolonged periods, impairs nerve function. We have used video-extensometry to measure strain on the human sciatic nerve during total hip replacement (THR). Ten consecutive patients with a mean age of 72 years undergoing primary THR by the posterior approach were recruited, and strains in the sciatic nerve were measured in different combinations of flexion and extension of the hip and knee, before dislocation of the hip. Significant increases (p = 0.02) in strain in the sciatic nerve were observed in flexion of the hip and extension of the knee. The mean increase was 26% (19% to 30%). In animal studies increases of this magnitude have been shown to impair electrophysiological function in peripheral nerves. Our results suggest that excessive flexion of the hip and extension of the knee should be avoided during THR

Femoroacetabular cam impingement is thought to be a cause of premature osteoarthritis of the hip. The presence of cam malformation was determined in 2803 standardised anteroposterior (AP) pelvic radiographs from the Copenhagen Osteoarthritis Study by measuring the alpha (α) angle and the triangular index, a new measure of asphericity of the femoral head. In addition, the α-angle and the triangular index were assessed on the AP and lateral hip radiographs of 82 men and 82 women randomly selected from patients scheduled for total hip replacement (THR). The influence of varying femoral rotation on the α angle and the triangular index was also determined in femoral specimens under experimental conditions. From the 2803 radiographs the mean AP α-angle was 55° (30° to 100°) in men and 45° (34° to 108°) in women. Approximately 6% of men and 2% of women had cam malformation. The α-angle and triangular index were highly inter-related. Of those patients scheduled for THR, 36 men (44%) and 28 women (35%) had cam malformation identifiable on the AP radiographs. The triangular index proved to be more reliable in detecting cam malformation when the hip was held in varying degrees of rotation. The combination of the α-angle and the triangular index will allow examination of historical radiographs for epidemiological purposes in following the natural history of the cam deformity

Between 1988 and 1998 we implanted 318 total hip replacements (THRs) in 287 patients using the Plasmacup (B. Braun Ltd, Sheffield, United Kingdom) and a conventional metal-on-polyethylene articulation. The main indications for THR were primary or secondary osteoarthritis. At follow-up after a mean 11.6 years (7.6 to 18.4) 17 patients had died and 20 could not be traced leaving a final series of 280 THRs in 250 patients. There were 62 revisions (22.1%) in 59 patients. A total of 43 acetabular shells (15.4%) had been revised and 13 (4.6%) had undergone exchange of the liner. The most frequent indications for revision were osteolysis and aseptic loosening, followed by polyethylene wear. The mean Kaplan-Meier survival of the Plasmacup was 91% at ten years and 58% at 14 years. Osteolysis was found around 36 (17.1%) of the 211 surviving shells. The median annual rate of linear wear in the surviving shells was 0.12 mm/year and 0.25 mm/year in those which had been revised (p < 0.001). Polyethylene wear was a strong independent risk factor for osteolysis and aseptic loosening. The percentage of patients with osteolysis increased proportionately with each quintile of wear-rate. There is a high late rate of failure of the Plasmacup. Patients with the combination of this prosthesis and bearing should be closely monitored after ten years

From a prospective, cross-sectional survey of 402 patients who had a total hip (THR) or a total knee (TKR) replacement for idiopathic osteoarthritis (OA) at a major centre, we determined the prevalence of these replacements for idiopathic OA in their 1171 siblings and 376 spouses. Using spouses as controls, the relative risk of THR in siblings was 1.86 (95% CI 0.93 to 3.69). The relative risk for TKR in siblings v spouses was 4.8 (95% CI 0.64 to 36.4) whereas the risk for the combined outcome measure of THR or TKR was 2.32 (95% CI 1.22 to 4.43) when siblings and spouses over 64 years of age were compared. Using a threshold liability model (Falconer), the heritability of end-stage OA of the hip was estimated at 27%. The increased risks of joint replacement for severe, idiopathic OA which we found in siblings suggest that genetic influences are important in end-stage OA of the hip and knee

Untreated acetabular dysplasia following treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) leads to early degenerative joint disease. Clinicians must accurately and reliably recognise dysplasia in order to intervene appropriately with secondary acetabular or femoral procedures. This study sought early predictors of residual dysplasia in order to establish empirically-based indications for treatment. DDH treated by closed or open reduction alone was reviewed. Residual hip dysplasia was defined according to the Severin classification at skeletal maturity. Future hip replacement in a subset of these patients was compared with the Severin classification. Serial measurements of acetabular development and subluxation of the femoral head were collected, as were the age at reduction, type of reduction, and Tonnis grade prior to reduction. These variables were used to predict the Severin classification. The mean age at reduction in 72 hips was 16 months (1 to 46). On the final radiograph, 47 hips (65%) were classified as Severin I/II, and 25 as Severin III/IV (35%). At 40 years after reduction, five of 43 hips (21%) had had a total hip replacement (THR). The Severin grade was predictive for THR. Early measurements of the acetabular index (AI) were predictive for Severin grade. For example, an AI of 35° or more at two years after reduction was associated with an 80% probability of becoming a Severin grade III/IV hip. This study links early acetabular remodelling, residual dysplasia at skeletal maturity and the long-term risk of THR. It presents evidence describing the diagnostic value of early predictors of residual dysplasia, and therefore, of the long-term risk of degenerative change

Routine prophylaxis for venous thromboembolic disease after total hip replacement (THR) is recommended. Pneumatic compression with foot pumps seems to provide an alternative to chemical agents. However, the overall number of patients investigated in randomised clinical trials has been too small to draw evidence-based conclusions. This randomised clinical trial was carried out to compare the effectiveness and safety of mechanical versus chemical prophylaxis of DVT in patients after THR. Inclusion criteria were osteoarthritis of the hip and age less than 80 years. Exclusion criteria included a history of thromboembolic disease, heart disease, and bleeding diatheses. There were 216 consecutive patients considered for inclusion in the trial who were randomised either for management with the A-V Impulse System foot pump. We excluded 16 patients who did not tolerate continuous use of the foot pump or with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). Patients were monitored for DVT using serial duplex sonography at 3, 10 and 45 days after surgery. DVT was detected in three of 100 patients in the foot-pump group and with six of 100 patients in the LMWH group (p < 0.05). The mean post-operative drainage was 259 ml in the foot-pump group and 328 ml in the LMWH group (p < 0.05). Patients in the foot-pump group had less swelling of the thigh (10 mm compared with 15 mm; p < 0.05). One patient developed heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. This study confirms the effectiveness and safety of mechanical prophylaxis of DVT in THR. Some patients cannot tolerate the foot pump

Recent events have highlighted the importance of implant design for survival and wear-related complications following metal-on-metal hip resurfacing arthroplasty. The mid-term survival of the most widely used implant, the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR), has been described by its designers. The aim of this study was to report the ten-year survival and patient-reported functional outcome of the BHR from an independent centre. In this cohort of 554 patients (646 BHRs) with a mean age of 51.9 years (16.5 to 81.5) followed for a mean of eight years (1 to 12), the survival and patient-reported functional outcome depended on gender and the size of the implant. In female hips (n = 267) the ten-year survival was 74% (95% confidence interval (CI) 83 to 91), the ten-year revision rate for pseudotumour was 7%, the mean Oxford hip score (OHS) was 43 (. sd. 8) and the mean UCLA activity score was 6.4 (. sd. 2). In male hips (n = 379) the ten-year survival was 95% (95% CI 92.0 to 97.4), the ten-year revision rate for pseudotumour was 1.7%, the mean OHS was 45 (. sd. 6) and the mean UCLA score was 7.6 (. sd. 2). In the most demanding subgroup, comprising male patients aged < 50 years treated for primary osteoarthritis, the survival was 99% (95% CI 97 to 100). This study supports the ongoing use of resurfacing in young active men, who are a subgroup of patients who tend to have problems with conventional THR. In contrast, the results in women have been poor and we do not recommend metal-on-metal resurfacing in women. Continuous follow-up is recommended because of the increasing incidence of pseudotumour with the passage of time

Aims

Hip fracture patients are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness, and admission into hospital puts them at further risk. We implemented a two-site orthopaedic trauma service, with ‘COVID’ and ‘COVID-free’ hubs, to deliver urgent and infection-controlled trauma care for hip fracture patients, while increasing bed capacity for medical patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aims

Our rural orthopaedic service has undergone service restructure during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to sustain hip fracture care. All adult trauma care has been centralised to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for assessment and medical input, before transferring those requiring operative intervention to the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital. We aim to review the impact of COVID-19 on hip fracture workload and service changes upon management of hip fractures.

Aims

Elective operating was halted during the COVID-19 pandemic to increase the capacity to provide care to an unprecedented volume of critically unwell patients. During the pandemic, the orthopaedic department at the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board restructured the trauma service, relocating semi-urgent ambulatory trauma operating to the isolated clean elective centre (St. Woolos’ Hospital) from the main hospital receiving COVID-19 patients (Royal Gwent Hospital). This study presents our experience of providing semi-urgent trauma care in a COVID-19-free surgical unit as a safe way to treat trauma patients during the pandemic and a potential model for restarting an elective orthopaedic service.

The optimal method of prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism after total hip replacement (THR) remains uncertain. Most surgeons use some form of pharmacological prophylaxis, most commonly heparin. The precise balance of the benefits and risks is unclear, and serious complications can occur. We describe a case of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis syndrome in a 62-year-old woman after THR

Our study has determined the response of C-reactive protein (CRP) after total knee replacement (TKR). The peak level occurs on the second postoperative day and is significantly greater than that after total hip replacement (THR). The level returns to normal at similar times after both procedures. The physiological response to TKR as measured by the area under the CRP/ time curve is significantly greater than that after THR. Rising CRP levels after the third postoperative day may indicate a complication of surgery such as infection

The Wroblewski golf ball acetabular cup was introduced by surgeons using the trochanteric osteotomy approach for revision total hip replacement (THR) in order to reduce the rate of dislocation. We have routinely used the Ogee long posterior wall (Ogee LPW) and the Wroblewski angle bore cups in THR. Although the new Wroblewski golf ball cup performed well there was a significant early rate of dislocation of 20%. Our rate of dislocation over a period of ten years using the Ogee LPW and Wroblewski angle bore cups had been 0.52%. We present our findings and an investigation as to why the new cup has such a high rate of dislocation when used with the posterior approach. We show that a relatively small change in the design of the acetabular component resulted in significant adverse clinical results

We have assessed the usefulness of a regional hip register in the assessment of the outcome of primary total hip replacement (THR). Over 97% of THRs performed in the Trent region in 1990 were captured onto the register and the inaccuracies recorded were less than 1.8%. In an independent assessment of 2111 patients five years after THR, 85.9% of those available for assessment responded, and 66.8% agreed to an assessment. The cost of this independent assessment at five years, utilising a regional hip register, was approximately £50 per implant. This is a reasonable outlay to identify problems early. Some form of registration and outcome assessment should be performed on a national level