Aims

The ideal management of acute syndesmotic injuries in elite athletes is controversial. Among several treatment methods used to stabilize the syndesmosis and facilitate healing of the ligaments, the use of suture tape (InternalBrace) has previously been described. The purpose of this study was to analyze the functional outcome, including American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, knee-to-wall measurements, and the time to return to play in days, of unstable syndesmotic injuries treated with the use of the InternalBrace in elite athletes.

Aims

The aim of this study was to present the first retrieval analysis findings of PRECICE STRYDE intermedullary nails removed from patients, providing useful information in the post-market surveillance of these recently introduced devices.

We report 17 patients (20 hips) in whom metal-on-metal resurfacing had been performed and who presented with various symptoms and a soft-tissue mass which we termed a pseudotumour. Each patient underwent plain radiography and in some, CT, MRI and ultrasonography were also performed. In addition, histological examination of available samples was undertaken. All the patients were women and their presentation was variable. The most common symptom was discomfort in the region of the hip. Other symptoms included spontaneous dislocation, nerve palsy, a noticeable mass or a rash. The common histological features were extensive necrosis and lymphocytic infiltration. To date, 13 of the 20 hips have required revision to a conventional hip replacement. Two are awaiting revision. We estimate that approximately 1% of patients who have a metal-on-metal resurfacing develop a pseudotumour within five years. The cause is unknown and is probably multifactorial. There may be a toxic reaction to an excess of particulate metal wear debris or a hypersensitivity reaction to a normal amount of metal debris. We are concerned that with time the incidence of these pseudotumours may increase. Further investigation is required to define their cause

Aims

One-stage exchange for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in total hip arthroplasty (THA) is gaining popularity. The outcome for a repeat one-stage revision THA after a failed one-stage exchange for infection remains unknown. The aim of this study was to report the infection-free and all-cause revision-free survival of repeat one-stage exchange, and to investigate the association between the Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) staging system and further infection-related failure.

Aims

This study aims to enhance understanding of clinical and radiological consequences and involved mechanisms that led to corrosion of the Precice Stryde (Stryde) intramedullary lengthening nail in the post market surveillance era of the device. Between 2018 and 2021 more than 2,000 Stryde nails have been implanted worldwide. However, the outcome of treatment with the Stryde system is insufficiently reported.

Cementless acetabular fixation has demonstrated superior long-term durability in total hip replacement, but most series have studied implants with porous metal surfaces. We retrospectively evaluated the results of 100 consecutive patients undergoing total hip replacement where a non-porous Allofit component was used for primary press-fit fixation. This implant is titanium alloy, grit-blasted, with a macrostructure of forged teeth and has a biradial shape. A total of 81 patients (82 hips) were evaluated at final follow-up at a mean of 10.1 years (8.9 to 11.9). The Harris Hip Score improved from a mean 53 points (23 to 73) pre-operatively to a mean of 96 points (78 to 100) at final review. The osseointegration of all acetabular components was radiologically evaluated with no evidence of loosening. The survival rate with revision of the component as the endpoint was 97.5% (95% confidence interval 94 to 100) after 11.9 years. Radiolucency was found in one DeLee-Charnley zone in four acetabular components. None of the implants required revision for aseptic loosening. Two patients were treated for infection, one requiring a two-stage revision of the implant. One femoral stem was revised for osteolysis due to the production of metal wear debris, but the acetabular shell did not require revision. This study demonstrates that a non-porous titanium acetabular component with adjunct surface fixation offers an alternative to standard porous-coated implants

Aims

A limited number of investigations with conflicting results have described perivascular lymphocytic infiltration (PVLI) in the setting of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to determine if PVLI found in TKAs at the time of aseptic revision surgery was associated with worse clinical outcomes and survivorship.

Recently, the use of metal-on-metal articulations in total hip arthroplasty (THA) has led to an increase in adverse events owing to local soft-tissue reactions from metal ions and wear debris. While the majority of these implants perform well, it has been increasingly recognised that a small proportion of patients may develop complications secondary to systemic cobalt toxicity when these implants fail. However, distinguishing true toxicity from benign elevations in cobalt ion levels can be challenging. . The purpose of this two part series is to review the use of cobalt alloys in THA and to highlight the following related topics of interest: mechanisms of cobalt ion release and their measurement, definitions of pathological cobalt ion levels, and the pathophysiology, risk factors and treatment of cobalt toxicity. Historically, these metal-on-metal arthroplasties are composed of a chromium-cobalt articulation. . The release of cobalt is due to the mechanical and oxidative stresses placed on the prosthetic joint. It exerts its pathological effects through direct cellular toxicity. . This manuscript will highlight the pathophysiology of cobalt toxicity in patients with metal-on-metal hip arthroplasties. Take home message: Patients with new or evolving hip symptoms with a prior history of THA warrant orthopaedic surgical evaluation. Increased awareness of the range of systemic symptoms associated with cobalt toxicity, coupled with prompt orthopaedic intervention, may forestall the development of further complications. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:6–13

Aims

In our unit, we adopt a two-stage surgical reconstruction approach using internal fixation for the management of infected Charcot foot deformity. We evaluate our experience with this functional limb salvage method.

Objectives. Computed tomography (CT) plays an important role in evaluating wear and periacetabular osteolysis (PAO) in total hip replacements. One concern with CT is the high radiation exposure since standard pelvic CT provides approximately 3.5 millisieverts (mSv) of radiation exposure, whereas a planar radiographic examination with three projections totals approximately 0.5 mSv. The objective of this study was to evaluate the lowest acceptable radiation dose for dual-energy CT (DECT) images when measuring wear and periacetabular osteolysis in uncemented metal components. Materials and Methods. A porcine pelvis with bilateral uncemented hip prostheses and with known linear wear and acetabular bone defects was examined in a third-generation multidetector DECT scanner. The examinations were performed with four different radiation levels both with and without iterative reconstruction techniques. From the high and low peak kilo voltage acquisitions, polychrmoatic images were created together with virtual monochromatic images of energies 100 kiloelectron volts (keV) and 150 keV. Results. We could assess wear and PAO while substantially lowering the effective radiation dose to 0.7 mSv for a total pelvic view with an accuracy of around 0.5 mm for linear wear and 2 mm to 3 mm for PAO. Conclusion. CT for detection of prosthetic wear and PAO could be used with clinically acceptable accuracy at a radiation exposure level equal to plain radiographic exposures. Cite this article: B. Sandgren, M. Skorpil, P. Nowik, H. Olivecrona, J. Crafoord, L. Weidenhielm, A. Persson. Assessment of wear and periacetabular osteolysis using dual energy computed tomography on a pig cadaver to identify the lowest acceptable radiation dose. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:307–313. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.57.2000566

Aims

Joint registries classify all further arthroplasty procedures to a knee with an existing partial arthroplasty as revision surgery, regardless of the actual procedure performed. Relatively minor procedures, including bearing exchanges, are classified in the same way as major operations requiring augments and stems. A new classification system is proposed to acknowledge and describe the detail of these procedures, which has implications for risk, recovery, and health economics.

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

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.

Objectives. Up to 40% of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) revisions are performed for unexplained pain which may be caused by elevated proximal tibial bone strain. This study investigates the effect of tibial component metal backing and polyethylene thickness on bone strain in a cemented fixed-bearing medial UKA using a finite element model (FEM) validated experimentally by digital image correlation (DIC) and acoustic emission (AE). Materials and Methods. A total of ten composite tibias implanted with all-polyethylene (AP) and metal-backed (MB) tibial components were loaded to 2500 N. Cortical strain was measured using DIC and cancellous microdamage using AE. FEMs were created and validated and polyethylene thickness varied from 6 mm to 10 mm. The volume of cancellous bone exposed to < -3000 µε (pathological loading) and < -7000 µε (yield point) minimum principal (compressive) microstrain and > 3000 µε and > 7000 µε maximum principal (tensile) microstrain was computed. Results. Experimental AE data and the FEM volume of cancellous bone with compressive strain < -3000 µε correlated strongly: R = 0.947, R. 2. = 0.847, percentage error 12.5% (p < 0.001). DIC and FEM data correlated: R = 0.838, R. 2. = 0.702, percentage error 4.5% (p < 0.001). FEM strain patterns included MB lateral edge concentrations; AP concentrations at keel, peg and at the region of load application. Cancellous strains were higher in AP implants at all loads: 2.2- (10 mm) to 3.2-times (6 mm) the volume of cancellous bone compressively strained < -7000 µε. Conclusion. AP tibial components display greater volumes of pathologically overstrained cancellous bone than MB implants of the same geometry. Increasing AP thickness does not overcome these pathological forces and comes at the cost of greater bone resection. Cite this article: C. E. H. Scott, M. J. Eaton, R. W. Nutton, F. A. Wade, S. L. Evans, P. Pankaj. Metal-backed versus all-polyethylene unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: Proximal tibial strain in an experimentally validated finite element model. Bone Joint Res 2017;6:22–30. DOI:10.1302/2046-3758.61.BJR-2016-0142.R1

Aims. To evaluate the outcomes of cemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) following a fracture of the acetabulum, with evaluation of risk factors and comparison with a patient group with no history of fracture. . Patients and Methods. Between 1992 and 2016, 49 patients (33 male) with mean age of 57 years (25 to 87) underwent cemented THA at a mean of 6.5 years (0.1 to 25) following acetabular fracture. A total of 38 had undergone surgical fixation and 11 had been treated non-operatively; 13 patients died at a mean of 10.2 years after THA (0.6 to 19). Patients were assessed pre-operatively, at one year and at final follow-up (mean 9.1 years, 0.5 to 23) using the Oxford Hip Score (OHS). Implant survivorship was assessed. An age and gender-matched cohort of THAs performed for non-traumatic osteoarthritis (OA) or avascular necrosis (AVN) (n = 98) were used to compare complications and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Results. The mean time from fracture to THA was significantly shorter for patients with AVN (2.2 years) or protrusio (2.2 years) than those with post-traumatic OA (9.4 years) or infection (8.0 years) (p = 0.03). Nine contained and four uncontained defects were managed with autograft (n = 11), bulk allograft (n = 1), or trabecular metal augment (n = 1). Initial fracture management (open reduction and internal fixation or non-operative), timing of THA (> /< one year), and age (> /< 55 years) had no significant effect on OHS or ten-year survival. Six THAs were revised at mean of 12 years (5 to 23) with ten-year all-cause survival of 92% (95% confidence interval 80.8 to 100). THA complication rates (all complications, heterotopic ossification, leg length discrepancy > 10 mm) were significantly higher following acetabular fracture compared with atraumatic OA/AVN and OHSs were inferior: one-year OHS (35.7 versus 40.2, p = 0.026); and final follow-up OHS (33.6 versus 40.9, p = 0.008). . Conclusion . Cemented THA is a reasonable option for the sequelae of acetabular fracture. Higher complication rates and poorer PROMs, compared with patients undergoing THA for atraumatic causes, reflects the complex nature of these cases. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:1399–1408

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine if uncemented acetabular polyethylene (PE) liner geometry, and lip size, influenced the risk of revision for instability or loosening.

Aims. We evaluated clinical and radiographic outcomes of total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) using the second-generation Trabecular Metal (TM) Glenoid component. The first generation component was withdrawn in 2005 after a series of failures were reported. Between 2009 and 2012, 40 consecutive patients with unilateral TSA using the second-generation component were enrolled in this clinical study. The mean age of the patients was 63.8 years (40 to 75) and the mean follow-up was 38 months (24 to 42). Methods. Patients were evaluated using the Constant score (CS), the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score and routine radiographs. Results. Significant differences were found between the pre- and post-operative CS (p = 0.003), ASES (p = 0.009) scores and CS subscores of pain (p < 0.001), strength (p < 0.001) and mobility items (p < 0.05). No glenoid or humeral components migrated. Posterior thinning of the keel and slight wear at the polyethylene-TM interface was observed in one patient but was asymptomatic. Radiolucent lines were found around three humeral (< 1.5 mm) and two glenoid components (< 1 mm) and all were asymptomatic. Discussion. TSA with the second-generation TM Glenoid component results in satisfactory to excellent clinical performance, function, and subjective satisfaction at a mean follow-up of about three years. Radiographic changes were few and did not affect the outcome. Take home message: This paper highlights that the second generation Trabecular Metal Glenoid has better outcomes than those reported with the first-generation component.  . Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:75–80

Aims

The STRYDE nail is an evolution of the PRECICE Intramedullary Limb Lengthening System, with unique features regarding its composition. It is designed for load bearing throughout treatment in order to improve patient experience and outcomes and allow for simultaneous bilateral lower limb lengthening. The literature published to date is limited regarding outcomes and potential problems. We report on our early experience and raise awareness for the potential of adverse effects from this device.

We studied the wear generated by motion between polished and shot-blasted titanium-alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) or cobalt-chrome alloy (Co-Cr) surfaces and cortical bone in vitro. Semicircular sections of human proximal femoral cortex were reamed to fit metal cylinders of each alloy. The cylinders were then fitted in the bone, loaded and rotated in physiological saline. Ti-alloy resulted in more wear both of the bone and of the metal than did Co-Cr alloy. Metal wear was reduced and bone wear was increased by shot-blasting, a procedure which introduces surface residual stresses and roughens the metal surface. We conclude that when there is gross motion between a metal implant and bone, Ti-alloy is likely to generate more wear debris than Co-Cr alloy. The least wear both of bone and of metal was produced by polished Co-Cr

Acetabular bone loss is a challenging problem facing the revision total hip replacement surgeon. Reconstruction of the acetabulum depends on the presence of anterosuperior and posteroinferior pelvic column support for component fixation and stability. The Paprosky classification is most commonly used when determining the location and degree of acetabular bone loss. Augments serve the function of either providing primary construct stability or supplementary fixation. . When a pelvic discontinuity is encountered we advocate the use of an acetabular distraction technique with a jumbo cup and modular porous metal acetabular augments for the treatment of severe acetabular bone loss and associated chronic pelvic discontinuity. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B(11 Suppl A):36–42