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The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 101-B, Issue 6_Supple_B | Pages 91 - 96
1 Jun 2019
Smith A Denehy K Ong KL Lau E Hagan D Malkani A

Aims

Cephalomedullary nails (CMNs) are commonly used for the treatment of intertrochanteric hip fractures. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) may be used as a salvage procedure when fixation fails in these patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the complications of THA following failed intertrochanteric hip fracture fixation using a CMN.

Patients and Methods

Patients who underwent THA were identified from the 5% subset of Medicare Parts A/B between 2002 and 2015. A subgroup involving those with an intertrochanteric fracture that was treated using a CMN during the previous five years was identified and compared with the remaining patients who underwent THA. The length of stay (LOS) was compared using both univariate and multivariate analysis. The incidence of infection, dislocation, revision, and re-admission was compared between the two groups, using multivariate analysis adjusted for demographic, hospital, and clinical factors.


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 101-B, Issue 5 | Pages 610 - 614
1 May 2019
Aibinder WR Bartels DW Sperling JW Sanchez-Sotelo J

Aims

Shoulder arthroplasty using short humeral components is becoming increasingly popular. Some such components have been associated with relatively high rates of adverse radiological findings. The aim of this retrospective review was to evaluate the radiological humeral bone changes and mechanical failure rates with implantation of a short cementless humeral component in anatomical (TSA) and reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA).

Patients and Methods

A total of 100 shoulder arthroplasties (35 TSA and 65 RSA) were evaluated at a mean of 3.8 years (3 to 8.3). The mean age at the time of surgery was 68 years (31 to 90). The mean body mass index was 32.7 kg/m2 (17.3 to 66.4).


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 101-B, Issue 6_Supple_B | Pages 31 - 36
1 Jun 2019
Nam D Nunley RM Clohisy JC Lombardi AV Berend KR Barrack RL

Aims

Whether patient-reported pain differs among surgical approaches in total hip arthroplasty (THA) remains unclear. This study’s purposes were to determine differences in pain based on surgical approach (direct anterior (DA) vs posterolateral (PL)) and PL approach incision length.

Patients and Methods

This was a retrospective investigation from two centres and seven surgeons (three DA, three PL, one both) of primary THAs. PL patients were categorized for incision length (6 cm to 8 cm, 8 cm to 12 cm, 12 cm to 15 cm). All patients had cementless femoral and acetabular fixation, at least one year’s follow-up, and well-fixed components. Patients completed a pain-drawing questionnaire identifying the location and intensity of pain on an anatomical diagram. Power analysis indicated 800 patients in each cohort for adequate power to detect a 4% difference in pain (alpha = 0.05, beta = 0.80).


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 99-B, Issue 5 | Pages 601 - 606
1 May 2017
Narkbunnam R Amanatullah DF Electricwala AJ Huddleston III JI Maloney WJ Goodman SB

Aims. The stability of cementless acetabular components is an important factor for surgical planning in the treatment of patients with pelvic osteolysis after total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, the methods for determining the stability of the acetabular component from pre-operative radiographs remain controversial. Our aim was to develop a scoring system to help in the assessment of the stability of the acetabular component under these circumstances. Patients and Methods. The new scoring system is based on the mechanism of failure of these components and the location of the osteolytic lesion, according to the DeLee and Charnley classification. Each zone is evaluated and scored separately. The sum of the individual scores from the three zones is reported as a total score with a maximum of 10 points. The study involved 96 revision procedures which were undertaken for wear or osteolysis in 91 patients between July 2002 and December 2012. Pre-operative anteroposterior pelvic radiographs and Judet views were reviewed. The stability of the acetabular component was confirmed intra-operatively. Results. Intra-operatively, it was found that 64 components were well-fixed and 32 were loose. Mean total scores in the well-fixed and loose components were 2.9 (0 to 7) and 7.2 (1 to 10), respectively (p < 0.001). In hips with a low score (0 to 2), the component was only loose in one of 33 hips (3%). The incidence of loosening increased with increasing scores: in those with scores of 3 and 4, two of 19 components (10.5%) were loose; in hips with scores of 5 and 6, eight of 19 components (44.5%) were loose; in hips with scores of 7 or 8, 13 of 17 components (70.6%) were loose; and for hips with scores of 9 and 10, nine of nine components (100%) were loose. Receiver-operating-characteristic curve analysis demonstrated very good accuracy (area under the curve = 0.90, p < 0.001). The optimal cutoff point was a score of ≥ 5 with a sensitivity of 0.79, and a specificity of 0.87. Conclusion. There was a strong correlation between the scoring system and the probability of loosening of a cementless acetabular component. This scoring system provides a clinically useful tool for pre-operative planning, and the evaluation of the outcome of revision surgery for patients with loosening of a cementless acetabular component in the presence of osteolysis. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:601–6


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 101-B, Issue 6 | Pages 708 - 714
1 Jun 2019
Metcalfe D Costa ML Parsons NR Achten J Masters J Png ME Lamb SE Griffin XL

Aims

This study sought to determine the proportion of older adults with hip fractures captured by a multicentre prospective cohort, the World Hip Trauma Evaluation (WHiTE), whether there was evidence of selection bias during WHiTE recruitment, and the extent to which the WHiTE cohort is representative of the broader population of older adults with hip fractures.

Patients and Methods

The characteristics of patients recruited into the WHiTE cohort study were compared with those treated at WHiTE hospitals during the same timeframe and submitted to the National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD).


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 98-B, Issue 11 | Pages 1436 - 1440
1 Nov 2016
Abdel MP Roth PV Harmsen WS Berry DJ

Aims. The purpose of this study was to determine the lifetime risk of revision surgery for patients undergoing Charnley cemented total hip arthroplasty (THA), with 40-year follow up, using death as a competing risk. . Materials and Methods. We retrospectively reviewed 2000 cemented Charnley THAs, with 51 living hips available at 40 years. . Results. The cumulative risk of revision or removal for any reason was 13% (95% confidence interval (CI) 12 to 15). Patients aged under 50 years at the time of surgery had a 35% (95% CI 28 to 42) risk of revision or removal for any reason (Hazard Ratio (HR) 3.6; 95% CI 2.5 to 5.2; p <  0.001), patients 50 to 59 years old had a 20% risk (95% CI 16 to 24) (HR 2.1; 95% CI 1.5 to 2.8; p < 0.0001), patients aged 60 to 69 years had a 9% risk (95% CI 7 to 11) (reference point), and patients ≥ 70 years old had a 5% risk (95% CI 4 to 7) (HR 0.96; 95% CI 0.6 to 1.5; p = 0.86) during their lifetime. Men had a higher risk of revision or removal for any reason (HR 2.1; 95% CI 1.7 to 2.7; p < 0.001). . Conclusion. With almost all the patients in this series followed up till either death or revision, we have been able to develop a ‘rule of thumb’ for lifetime likelihood of revision or implant removal for the Charnley THA: one in three for patients < 50 years, one in five for patients 50 to 59 years, one in ten for patients 60 to 69 years, and one in 20 for patients ≥ 70 years. The results provide a benchmark for comparison of outcomes, for the newer designs of THA. . Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:1436–40


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 101-B, Issue 5 | Pages 589 - 595
1 May 2019
Theil C Schmidt-Braekling T Gosheger G Idelevich EA Moellenbeck B Dieckmann R

Aims

Fungal prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) are rare and account for about 1% of total PJIs. Our aim was to present clinical and microbiological results in treating these patients with a two-stage approach and antifungal spacers.

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed our institutional database and identified 26 patients with positive fungal cultures and positive Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria for PJI who were treated between 2009 and 2017. We identified 18 patients with total hip arthroplasty (THA) and eight patients with total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The surgical and antifungal treatment, clinical and demographic patient data, complications, relapses, and survival were recorded and analyzed.


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 98-B, Issue 11 | Pages 1521 - 1525
1 Nov 2016
Su Y Nan G

Aims. Cubitus varus is the most common late complication of a supracondylar fracture of the humerus in children. Correction can be performed using one of a number of techniques of osteotomy but each has disadvantages. We describe a new technique for correcting post-traumatic cubitus varus using a lateral closing wedge isosceles triangular osteotomy. Patients and Methods. A lateral closing wedge isosceles triangular osteotomy was performed in 25 patients (15 male and ten female with a mean age of 9.5 years (6 to 12)) between May 2010 and April 2013. All patients had cubitus varus secondary to malunion of a supracondylar fracture, with good function of the elbow and a full range of movement. The osteotomy lines were marked on the bone with an isosceles triangular template made before surgery, after which the osteotomy was performed leaving the medial cortex intact. Fixation was performed using two lateral 2 mm Kirschner (K)-wires and patients were immobilised in an above-elbow plaster. By six to eight weeks callus was present and the wires and cast were removed. Patients were reviewed at four and six weeks, three, six and 12 months and then every two years until skeletal maturity. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were categorised as excellent, good or poor. Results. A total of 23 patients had an excellent and two had a good outcome at a mean final follow-up of 3.4 years (two to four). The mean post-operative carrying angle in the corrected elbow was 11.7° (7° to 18°). One patient fell, displacing the osteotomy, and needed revision of the fixation. No patient had a nerve injury. Conclusion. A lateral isosceles triangular osteotomy and with K-wire fixation is a practical, effective, reliable, safe and simple method of correcting post-traumatic cubitus varus in children. It has inherent stability and excellent cosmesis without prominence of the lateral condyle. . Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:1521–5


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 101-B, Issue 6_Supple_B | Pages 68 - 76
1 Jun 2019
Jones CW Choi DS Sun P Chiu Y Lipman JD Lyman S Bostrom MPG Sculco PK

Aims

Custom flange acetabular components (CFACs) are a patient-specific option for addressing large acetabular defects at revision total hip arthroplasty (THA), but patient and implant characteristics that affect survivorship remain unknown. This study aimed to identify patient and design factors related to survivorship.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective review of 91 patients who underwent revision THA using 96 CFACs was undertaken, comparing features between radiologically failed and successful cases. Patient characteristics (demographic, clinical, and radiological) and implant features (design characteristics and intraoperative features) were collected. There were 74 women and 22 men; their mean age was 62 years (31 to 85). The mean follow-up was 24.9 months (sd 27.6; 0 to 116). Two sets of statistical analyses were performed: 1) univariate analyses (Pearson’s chi-squared and independent-samples Student’s t-tests) for each feature; and 2) bivariable logistic regressions using features identified from a random forest analysis.


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 99-B, Issue 3 | Pages 295 - 302
1 Mar 2017
Koh A Guerado E Giannoudis PV

Aims. Treatment guidelines for atypical femoral fractures associated with bisphosphonates have not been established. We conducted a systematic review of the treatment of atypical femoral fractures first, to evaluate the outcomes of surgical fixation of complete atypical fractures and secondly, to assess whether prophylactic surgery is necessary for incomplete atypical fractures. Materials and Methods. Case reports and series were identified from the PubMed database and were included if they described the treatment of atypical femoral fractures. In total, 77 publications met our inclusion criteria and 733 patients with 834 atypical complete or incomplete femoral fractures were identified. Results. For complete fractures, internal fixation was predominantly achieved by intramedullary nailing. The mean time to healing post-operatively was 7.3 months (2 to 31). Revision surgery for nonunion or implant failure was needed in 77 fractures (12.6%). A greater percentage of fractures treated with plate fixation (31.3%) required revision surgery than those treated with intramedullary nailing (12.9%) (p < 0.01). Non-operative treatment of incomplete fractures failed and surgery was eventually needed in nearly half of the patients (47%), whereas prophylactic surgery was successful and achieved a 97% rate of healing. Conclusion. Intramedullary nailing is the first-line treatment for a complete fracture, although the risk of delayed healing and revision surgery seems to be higher than with a typical femoral fracture. Non-operative treatment does not appear to be a reliable way of treating an incomplete fracture: prophylactic intramedullary nailing should be considered if the patient is in intractable pain. Radiographs of the opposite side should be obtained routinely looking for an asymptomatic fracture. Bisphosphonates must be discontinued but ongoing metabolic management in the form of calcium and/or vitamin D supplements is advisable. Teriparatide therapy can be considered as an alternative treatment. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:295–302


The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery British Volume
Vol. 94-B, Issue 4 | Pages 549 - 555
1 Apr 2012
Lefaivre KA Slobogean GP Valeriote J O’Brien PJ Macadam SA

We performed a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the use and interpretation of generic and disease-specific functional outcome instruments in the reporting of outcome after the surgical treatment of disruptions of the pelvic ring. A total of 28 papers met our inclusion criteria, with eight reporting only generic outcome instruments, 13 reporting only pelvis-specific outcome instruments, and six reporting both. The Short-Form 36 (SF-36) was by far the most commonly used generic outcome instrument, used in 12 papers, with widely variable reporting of scores. The pelvis-specific outcome instruments were used in 19 studies; the Majeed score in ten, Iowa pelvic score in six, Hannover pelvic score in two and the Orlando pelvic score in one. Four sets of authors, all testing construct validity based on correlation with the SF-36, performed psychometric testing of three pelvis-specific instruments (Majeed, IPS and Orlando scores). No testing of responsiveness, content validity, criterion validity, internal consistency or reproducibility was performed. The existing literature in this area is inadequate to inform surgeons or patients in a meaningful way about the functional outcomes of these fractures after fixation


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 98-B, Issue 9 | Pages 1227 - 1233
1 Sep 2016
Bao H Yan P Qiu Y Liu Z Zhu F

Aims. There is a paucity of information on the pre-operative coronal imbalance in patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) and its influence on surgical outcomes. Patients and Methods. A total of 284 DLS patients were recruited into this study, among whom 69 patients were treated surgically and the remaining 215 patients conservatively Patients were classified based on the coronal balance distance (CBD): Type A, CBD < 3 cm; Type B, CBD > 3 cm and C7 Plumb Line (C7PL) shifted to the concave side of the curve; Type C, CBD > 3 cm and C7PL shifted to the convex side. Results. A total of 99 of the 284 (34.8%) patient presented with a pre-operative coronal imbalance (mean CBD: 48.5, standard deviation 18.7 mm). More patients with a Type B malalignment were observed than with a Type C malalignment (62 versus 37). A total of 21 pf the 69 (30.4%) surgically treated patients had a post-operative coronal imbalance, which was found to be more prevalent in Type C patients (p < 0.001). At follow-up, less improvement was observed in terms of Short Form-36 Physical Component Score and visual analogue score for back pain (p = 0.034 and 0.025, respectively) in Type C patients. Conclusion. This study shows that patients with Type C coronal malalignment may be at greater risk of post-operative coronal imbalance following posterior osteotomy. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:1227–33


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 8, Issue 6 | Pages 253 - 254
1 Jun 2019
de Steiger R


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 97-B, Issue 1 | Pages 56 - 63
1 Jan 2015
Abane L Anract P Boisgard S Descamps S Courpied JP Hamadouche M

In this study we randomised 140 patients who were due to undergo primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to have the procedure performed using either patient-specific cutting guides (PSCG) or conventional instrumentation (CI). . The primary outcome measure was the mechanical axis, as measured at three months on a standing long-leg radiograph by the hip–knee–ankle (HKA) angle. This was undertaken by an independent observer who was blinded to the instrumentation. Secondary outcome measures were component positioning, operating time, Knee Society and Oxford knee scores, blood loss and length of hospital stay. A total of 126 patients (67 in the CI group and 59 in the PSCG group) had complete clinical and radiological data. There were 88 females and 52 males with a mean age of 69.3 years (47 to 84) and a mean BMI of 28.6 kg/m. 2. (20.2 to 40.8). The mean HKA angle was 178.9° (172.5 to 183.4) in the CI group and 178.2° (172.4 to 183.4) in the PSCG group (p = 0.34). Outliers were identified in 22 of 67 knees (32.8%) in the CI group and 19 of 59 knees (32.2%) in the PSCG group (p = 0.99). There was no significant difference in the clinical results (p = 0.95 and 0.59, respectively). Operating time, blood loss and length of hospital stay were not significantly reduced (p = 0.09, 0.58 and 0.50, respectively) when using PSCG. . The use of PSCG in primary TKA did not reduce the proportion of outliers as measured by post-operative coronal alignment. . Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:56–63


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 8, Issue 5 | Pages 207 - 215
1 May 2019
Key S Scott G Stammers JG Freeman MAR Pinskerova V Field RE Skinner J Banks SA

Objectives

The medially spherical GMK Sphere (Medacta International AG, Castel San Pietro, Switzerland) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was previously shown to accommodate lateral rollback while pivoting around a stable medial compartment, aiming to replicate native knee kinematics in which some coronal laxity, especially laterally, is also present. We assess coronal plane kinematics of the GMK Sphere and explore the occurrence and pattern of articular separation during static and dynamic activities.

Methods

Using pulsed fluoroscopy and image matching, the coronal kinematics and articular surface separation of 16 well-functioning TKAs were studied during weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing, static, and dynamic activities. The closest distances between the modelled articular surfaces were examined with respect to knee position, and proportions of joint poses exhibiting separation were computed.


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 95-B, Issue 9 | Pages 1222 - 1226
1 Sep 2013
Faber FWM van Kampen PM Bloembergen MW

As it remains unproven that hypermobility of the first tarsometatarsal joint (TMTJ-1) is a significant factor in hallux valgus deformity, the necessity for including arthrodesis of TMTJ-1 as part of a surgical correction of a hallux valgus is questionable. In order to evaluate the role of this arthrodesis on the long-term outcome of hallux valgus surgery, a prospective, blinded, randomised study with long-term follow-up was performed, comparing the Lapidus procedure (which includes such an arthrodesis) with a simple Hohmann distal closing wedge metatarsal osteotomy. The study cohort comprised 101 feet in 87 patients: 50 feet were treated with a Hohmann procedure and 51 with a Lapidus procedure. Hypermobility of TMTJ-1 was assessed pre-operatively by clinical examination. After a mean of 9.25 years (7.25 to 11.42), 91 feet in 77 patients were available for follow-up. There was no difference in clinical or radiological outcome between the two procedures. Also, there was no difference in outcome between the two procedures in the subgroup clinically assessed as hypermobile. This study does not support the theory that a hallux valgus deformity in a patient with a clinically assessed hypermobile TMTJ-1 joint requires fusion of the first tarso-metatarsal joint. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1222–6


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 96-B, Issue 10 | Pages 1419 - 1423
1 Oct 2014
Kaneko H Kitoh H Mishima K Matsushita M Kadono I Ishiguro N Hattori T

Salter innominate osteotomy is an effective reconstructive procedure for the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), but some children have a poor outcome at skeletal maturity. In order to investigate factors associated with an unfavourable outcome, we assessed the development of the contralateral hip. We retrospectively reviewed 46 patients who underwent a unilateral Salter osteotomy at between five and seven years of age, with a mean follow-up of 10.3 years (7 to 20). The patients were divided into three groups according to the centre–edge angle (CEA) of the contralateral hip at skeletal maturity: normal (> 25°, 22 patients), borderline (20° to 25°, 17 patients) and dysplastic (<  20°, 7 patients). The CEA of the affected hip was measured pre-operatively, at eight to nine years of age, at 11 to 12 years of age and at skeletal maturity. The CEA of the affected hip was significantly smaller in the borderline and dysplastic groups at 11 and 12 years of age (p = 0.012) and at skeletal maturity (p = 0.017) than in the normal group. Severin group III was seen in two (11.8%) and four hips (57.1%) of the borderline and dysplastic groups, respectively (p < 0.001). . Limited individual development of the acetabulum was associated with an unfavourable outcome following Salter osteotomy. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1419–23


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 101-B, Issue 6_Supple_B | Pages 123 - 126
1 Jun 2019
El-Husseiny M Masri B Duncan C Garbuz DS

Aims

We investigated the long-term performance of the Tripolar Trident acetabular component used for recurrent dislocation in revision total hip arthroplasty. We assessed: 1) rate of re-dislocation; 2) incidence of complications requiring re-operation; and 3) Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) pain and functional scores.

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively identified 111 patients who had 113 revision tripolar constrained liners between 1994 and 2008. All patients had undergone revision hip arthroplasty before the constrained liner was used: 13 after the first revision, 17 after the second, 38 after the third, and 45 after more than three revisions. A total of 75 hips (73 patients) were treated with Tripolar liners due to recurrent instability with abductor deficiency, In addition, six patients had associated cerebral palsy, four had poliomyelitis, two had multiple sclerosis, two had spina bifida, two had spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, one had previous reversal of an arthrodesis, and 21 had proximal femoral replacements. The mean age of patients at time of Tripolar insertions was 72 years (53 to 89); there were 69 female patients (two bilateral) and 42 male patients. All patients were followed up for a mean of 15 years (10 to 24). Overall, 55 patients (57 hips) died between April 2011 and February 2018, at a mean of 167 months (122 to 217) following their tripolar liner implantation. We extracted demographics, implant data, rate of dislocations, and incidence of other complications.


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 101-B, Issue 6_Supple_B | Pages 45 - 50
1 Jun 2019
Schloemann DT Edelstein AI Barrack RL

Aims

The aims of this study were to determine the change in pelvic sagittal alignment before, during, and after total hip arthroplasty (THA) undertaken with the patient in the lateral decubitus position, and to determine the impact of these changes on acetabular component position.

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively compared the radiological pelvic ratio among 91 patients undergoing THA. In total, 41 patients (46%) were female. The mean age was 61.6 years (sd 10.7) and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 20.0 kg/m2 (sd 5.5). Anteroposterior radiographs were obtained: in the standing position preoperatively and at six weeks postoperatively; in the lateral decubitus position after trial reduction intraoperatively; and in the supine position in the post-anaesthesia care unit. Pelvic ratio was defined as the ratio between the vertical distance from the inferior aspect of the sacroiliac (SI) joints to the superior pubic symphysis and the horizontal distance between the inferior aspect of the SI joints. Changes in the apparent component position based on changes in pelvic ratio were determined, with a change of > 5° considered clinically significant. Analyses were performed using Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test, with p < 0.05 considered significant.


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 8, Issue 6 | Pages 246 - 252
1 Jun 2019
Liddle A Webb M Clement N Green S Liddle J German M Holland J

Objectives

Previous studies have evidenced cement-in-cement techniques as reliable in revision arthroplasty. Commonly, the original cement mantle is reshaped, aiding accurate placement of the new stem. Ultrasonic devices selectively remove cement, preserve host bone, and have lower cortical perforation rates than other techniques. As far as the authors are aware, the impact of ultrasonic devices on final cement-in-cement bonds has not been investigated. This study assessed the impact of cement removal using the Orthosonics System for Cemented Arthroplasty Revision (OSCAR; Orthosonics) on final cement-in-cement bonds.

Methods

A total of 24 specimens were manufactured by pouring cement (Simplex P Bone Cement; Stryker) into stainless steel moulds, with a central rod polished to Stryker Exeter V40 specifications. After cement curing, the rods were removed and eight specimens were allocated to each of three internal surface preparation groups: 1) burr; 2) OSCAR; and 3) no treatment. Internal holes were recemented, and each specimen was cut into 5 mm discs. Shear testing of discs was completed by a technician blinded to the original grouping, recording ultimate shear strengths. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was completed, inspecting surfaces of shear-tested specimens.