Aims

The present study seeks to investigate the correlation of pubofemoral distances (PFD) to α angles, and hip displaceability status, defined as femoral head coverage (FHC) or FHC during manual provocation of the newborn hip < 50%.

Total hip replacement for adults with unreduced congenital dislocation presents a difficult problem because soft-tissue contractures usually prevent sitting at the normal anatomical level. Extensive soft-tissue division or a high-level acetabulum leads to reduced function and poor fixation of the components. We describe a new technique for hip replacement in such cases. The shortened abductors and flexors are released proximally and excision of the upper third of the ilium allows them to be repaired without tension, while providing bone graft to reconstruct the acetabular roof. We report 12 such replacements in 10 patients with good results and few early complications

The exact measurement of femoral head cover is essential for an assessment of reduction of congenital dislocation of the hip. We have compared standard anteroposterior radiographs with computerised tomograms and thereby classified the shape of the acetabular roof into four types. We found that the CE angle of Wiberg is a more reliable measure of head cover when the lateral point of bony condensation of the roof is chosen as the reference point rather than the edge of the bone, where these two points do not overlap. We conclude that head cover can be more accurately determined in younger children with dysplastic hips by our 'refined' CE angle, than by the original method of Wiberg

We have investigated the changes in the interposed capsule after a Chiari pelvic osteotomy, in an experimental study on dysplastic hips in 20 adolescent rabbits. Radiographic, macroscopic and microscopic observations were made up to 12 months after operation. The new acetabular roof had incorporated the interposed capsule and remodelled completely by six months. By 12 months there was a new, stable hip with continuity between the capsule and the original acetabular cartilage. Histologically, the capsule underwent metaplastic change to fibrocartilaginous tissue after six months, with some hyaline-like cartilage near the joint surface. These changes in the interposed capsule play an important role in the formation of a new joint after a Chiari pelvic osteotomy

Aims

Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) injury is a complication after periacetabular osteo-tomy (PAO) using an anterior approach, which might adversely affect the outcome. However, no prospective study has assessed the incidence and severity of this injury and its effect on the clinical outcomes over a period of time for longer than one year after PAO. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and severity of the symptoms of LFCN injury for ≥ three years after PAO and report its effect on clinical outcomes.

We studied the radiographs of 211 low-friction arthroplasties, followed for five to 15 years after operation. The first 92 simple hemispherical sockets were fixed with an old technique: eburnated bone in the acetabular roof was removed and only a few large anchor holes were bored for cement fixation. With the next 119 sockets, 111 of which were flanged, the eburnated and subchondral bone was preserved and multiple small anchor holes were used. The modified technique and the use of flanged sockets significantly improved the late radiological findings as regards socket demarcation and wear. On the femoral side, the intramedullary canal filling ratio, the distal packing of cement, calcar resorption and atrophy of the femoral cortex were correlated with prosthetic subsidence

From 1956 to 1965, congenital dislocation of the hip was treated in a standard manner in 191 cases. Reduction and plaster immobilisation was followed by a period in a Batchelor type plaster in full medial rotation. Femoral neck anteversion was then corrected by derotation osteotomy. In 95 children 117 hips were treated in this way and have been reviewed annually for 18 to 27 years. In 1983 they were assessed; there were 101 hips with good clinical results; radiologically, on a modified Severin scale, 62 were good, 39 were fair and 16 were poor. Derotation osteotomy proved to be the stimulus for growth of the acetabular roof in most cases; its safety, ease of performance and predictability suggest that it is superior to other methods of correcting the dysplasia

We reviewed 508 consecutive total hip replacements in 370 patients with old developmental dysplasia of the hip, to relate the amount of leg lengthening to the incidence of nerve palsies after operation. There were eight nerve palsies (two femoral, six sciatic), two complete and six incomplete. We found no statistical correlation between the amount of lengthening and the incidence of nerve damage (p = 0.47), but in seven of the eight hips, the surgeon had rated the intervention as difficult because of previous surgery, severe deformity, a defect of the acetabular roof, or considerable flexion deformity. The correlation between difficulty and nerve palsy was significant (p = 0.041). We conclude that nerve injury is most commonly caused by direct or indirect mechanical trauma and not by limb lengthening on its own

We have examined the effect of the Wagner spherical acetabular osteotomy on preserving the joint in 38 hips with a mean follow-up of 17 years. At the time of the initial operation, 55% of patients had clinical symptoms and 30 joints showed minimal or absent radiological signs of osteoarthritis. At follow-up, 54% of patients had a good functional result. The osteotomy improved the mean centre-edge angle from −3° to +15°, the mean anterior centre-edge angle to 23° and the acetabular head index to 75%. The obliquity of the acetabular roof decreased from 28° to 16°. One patient improved, but 14 deteriorated with joint degeneration. Of these, one progressed because of postoperative deep-tissue infection and five due to undercorrection. One patient needed total joint replacement after 14 years. At 17 years after operation, Wagner osteotomy had prevented progression of secondary arthritis in 63% of cases

Total arthroplasty was performed on 21 congenitally dislocated hips in 18 women. In all cases the femoral head was dislocated cranially at least one-fifth of the height of the pelvis. The components were both cemented, the acetabulum being replaced to its original position. The acetabular roof was reconstructed by bone graft in 13 hips, and trochanteric osteotomy was done in 18 hips. The patients were assessed at a median follow-up time of 7.5 years when their median age was 54 years. Nine patients had been revised or required revision. At follow-up the average functional score (according to Charnley) was 6 for pain, 4 for walking ability and 5 for range of motion. The Harris hip score was 82. The patients' subjective evaluation of their satisfaction with the late results on a visual analogue scale was 93, range 23 to 100. The high loosening rate in such patients demands regular follow-up and preparedness for revision surgery

We performed superselective angiography in 28 hips in 25 patients with Perthes’ disease in order to study the blood supply of the lateral epiphyseal arteries (LEAs). Interruption of the LEAs at their origin was observed in 19 hips (68%). Revascularisation in the form of numerous small arteries was seen in ten out of 11 hips in the initial stage of Perthes’ disease, in seven of eight in the fragmentation stage and in five of nine in the healing stage. Penetration of mature arteries into the depths of the epiphysis was seen in four of nine hips in the healing stage. Vascular penetration was absent in the weight-bearing portion of the femoral head below the acetabular roof. Interruption of the posterior column artery was seen where it passed through the capsule in seven hips when they lay either in internal rotation or in abduction with internal rotation. We suggest that in Perthes’ disease the blood supply of the LEAs is impaired at their origin and that revascularisation occurs from this site by ingrowth of small vessels into the femoral epiphysis. This process may be the result of recurrent ischaemic episodes

Radiographs of 155 Indian children were examined to identify the acetabular changes which occur in Perthes' disease. These changes included osteoporosis of the acetabular roof, irregularity of contour, premature fusion of the triradiate cartilage, hypertrophy of articular cartilage and changes in dimensions. These changes tended to be more marked in older children and when more than half of the femoral epiphysis was involved. Comparison with 25 cases of Perthes' disease from Liverpool showed the same picture. Several of the acetabular changes noted during the active stages were also seen in a series of 24 adult hips after Perthes' disease. Radio-isotope scans of the hips of 27 children with Perthes' disease showed a consistently increased uptake in the acetabulum on the affected side, indicative of a local increase in vascularity and metabolic activity. It was possible to postulate a working model for the pathogenesis of all the acetabular changes. A number of statistical correlations suggest that most of the changes have a bearing on the final outcome

The hips of 1000 newborn babies were examined clinically and by ultrasonography. The ultrasound assessment was based on measurements of the coverage of the femoral head by the bony acetabular roof, and this parameter was called the Bony Rim Percentage (BRP). The mean BRP was 55.3% in girls and 57.2% in boys, a significant difference. Clinical instability occurred in 0.7% of the newborn babies, and all of the unstable hips had a BRP below the lower limit of normal. All infants with normal clinical findings and suspected abnormal hips based on ultrasound were followed up; in all but two the hips became normal spontaneously. We conclude that ultrasonography, using the measurements of femoral head coverage, is appropriate for screening the newborn, is reliable in differentiating between a true and a false positive Ortolani sign, and that hip dysplasia which is not clinically demonstrable at birth can be detected by ultrasound. Ultrasound should replace radiography as the routine method of following up high-risk infants and those with suspicious signs

A controlled study, comparing computer- and conventional jig-assisted total knee replacement in six cadavers is presented. In order to provide a quantitative assessment of the alignment of the replacements, a CT-based technique which measures seven parameters of alignment has been devised and used. In this a multi-slice CT machine scanned in 2.5 mm slices from the acetabular roof to the dome of the talus with the subject’s legs held in a standard position. The mechanical and anatomical axes were identified, from three-dimensional landmarks, in both anteroposterior and lateral planes. The coronal and sagittal alignment of the prosthesis was then measured against the axes. The rotation of the femoral component was measured relative to the transepicondylar axis. The rotation of the tibial component was measured with reference to the posterior tibial condyles and the tibial tuberosity. Coupled femorotibial rotational alignment was assessed by superimposition of the femoral and tibial axial images. The radiation dose was 2.7 mSV. The computer-assisted total knee replacements showed better alignment in rotation and flexion of the femoral component, the posterior slope of the tibial component and in the matching of the femoral and tibial components in rotation. Differences were statistically significant and of a magnitude that support extension of computer assistance to the clinical situation

Aims

Avascular femoral head necrosis in the context of gymnastics is a rare but serious complication, appearing similar to Perthes’ disease but occurring later during adolescence. Based on 3D CT animations, we propose repetitive impact between the main supplying vessels on the posterolateral femoral neck and the posterior acetabular wall in hyperextension and external rotation as a possible cause of direct vascular damage, and subsequent femoral head necrosis in three adolescent female gymnasts we are reporting on.

We reviewed 236 of the 388 Chiari pelvic osteotomies performed between 1953 and 1967 at the Orthopaedic University Clinic of Vienna for the treatment of congenital dislocation and subluxation of the hip. Over 90% of the operations were performed by Chiari himself. Twenty-one hips had needed reoperation after an average of 15.4 years; the other 215 hips had been followed up for 20 to 34 years (mean 24.8). The overall clinical results were excellent or good in 51.4%, fair in 29.8% and poor in 18.3%. The results were worse with increasing age at operation. The Trendelenburg sign improved only in patients aged seven or less at operation, and range of movement decreased in all cases. Subjectively poor results were seen in patients with pre-operative signs of osteoarthritis. Radiological loss of correction during follow-up was seen only in cases with incomplete primary correction. The addition of an intertrochanteric varus osteotomy in 36 cases did not achieve either better centering or better development of the acetabular roof. Degenerative changes increased significantly during the long-term follow-up, but their progress seemed to have been slowed down by the osteotomy in the younger age groups. Indications and contra-indications for the operation are discussed

Aims

Reimers migration percentage (MP) is a key measure to inform decision-making around the management of hip displacement in cerebral palsy (CP). The aim of this study is to assess validity and inter- and intra-rater reliability of a novel method of measuring MP using a smart phone app (HipScreen (HS) app).

The February 2023 Trauma Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Masquelet versus bone transport in infected nonunion of tibia; Hyperbaric Oxygen for Lower Limb Trauma (HOLLT): an international multicentre randomized clinical trial; Is the T-shaped acetabular fracture really a “T”?; What causes cut-out of proximal femur nail anti-rotation device in intertrochanteric fractures?; Is the common femoral artery at risk with percutaneous fragility pelvis fixation?; Anterior pelvic ring pattern predicts displacement in lateral compression fractures; Differences in age-related characteristics among elderly patients with hip fractures.

Aims

Studies of infant hip development to date have been limited by considering only the changes in appearance of a single ultrasound slice (Graf’s standard plane). We used 3D ultrasound (3DUS) to establish maturation curves of normal infant hip development, quantifying variation by age, sex, side, and anteroposterior location in the hip.

Aims

Some patients presenting with hip pain and instability and underlying acetabular dysplasia (AD) do not experience resolution of symptoms after surgical management. Hip-spine syndrome is a possible underlying cause. We hypothesized that there is a higher frequency of radiological spine anomalies in patients with AD. We also assessed the relationship between radiological severity of AD and frequency of spine anomalies.