Aims. We wished to investigate the influence of metal debris exposure on the subsequent immune response and resulting soft-tissue injury following metal-on-metal (MoM) hip arthroplasty. Some reports have suggested that debris generated from the head-neck taper junction is more destructive than equivalent doses from metal bearing surfaces. . Patients and Methods. We investigated the influence of the source and volume of metal debris on chromium (Cr) and cobalt (Co) concentrations in corresponding blood and hip synovial fluid samples and the observed agglomerated particle sizes in excised tissues using multiple regression analysis of prospectively collected data. A total of 199 explanted MoM hips (177 patients; 132 hips female) were analysed to determine rates of volumetric wear at the bearing surfaces and taper junctions. . Results. The statistical modelling suggested that a greater source contribution of metal debris from the taper junction was associated with smaller aggregated particle sizes in the local tissues and a relative reduction of Cr ion concentrations in the corresponding synovial fluid and blood samples. Metal debris generated from taper junctions appears to be of a different morphology, composition and therefore, potentially, immunogenicity to that generated from bearing surfaces. Conclusion. The differences in debris arising from the taper and the articulating surfaces may provide some understanding of the increased incidence of soft-tissue reactions reported in patients implanted with MoM total hip arthroplasties compared with patients with hip resurfacings. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:925–33

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Registry studies on modified acetabular polyethylene (PE) liner designs are limited. We investigated the influence of standard and modified PE acetabular liner designs on the revision rate for mechanical complications in primary cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA).

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We aimed to evaluate the utility of ⁶⁸Ga-citrate positron emission tomography (PET)/CT in the differentiation of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and aseptic loosening (AL), and compare it with ^99mTc-methylene bisphosphonates (^99mTc-MDP) bone scan.

The February 2014 Hip & Pelvis Roundup. 360 . looks at: length of stay; cementless metaphyseal fixation; mortality trends in over 400,000 total hip replacements; antibiotics in hip fracture surgery; blood supply to the femoral head after dislocation; resurfacing and THR in metal-on-metal replacement; diabetes and hip replacement; bone remodelling over two decades following hip replacement; and whether bisphosphonates affect acetabular fixation

We audited the relationship between obesity and the age at which hip and knee replacement was undertaken at our centre. The database was analysed for age, the Oxford hip or knee score and the body mass index (BMI) at the time of surgery. In total, 1369 patients were studied, 1025 treated by hip replacement and 344 by knee replacement. The patients were divided into five groups based on their BMI (normal, overweight, moderately obese, severely obese and morbidly obese). The difference in the mean Oxford score at surgery was not statistically significant between the groups (p > 0.05). For those undergoing hip replacement, the mean age of the morbidly obese patients was ten years less than that of those with a normal BMI. For those treated by knee replacement, the difference was 13 years. The age at surgery fell significantly for those with a BMI > 35 kg/m. 2. for both hip and knee replacement (p > 0.05). This association was stronger for patients treated by knee than by hip replacement

We determined the ten-year life expectancy of 5831 patients who had undergone 6653 elective primary total hip replacements at a regional orthopaedic centre between April 1993 and October 2004. Using hospital, general practitioner and the local health authority records, we recorded the dates of death for those who died following surgery. The mean age at operation was 67 years (13 to 96) with a male:female ratio of 2:3. Of 1154 patients with a ten-year follow-up 340 (29.5%) had died a mean of 5.6 years (0 to 10) after surgery. Using Kaplan-Meier curves, the ten-year survival was 89% in patients under 65 years at surgery, 75% in patients aged between 65 and 74 years, and 51% in patients over 75. The standardised mortality rates were considerably higher for patients under 45 years, 20% higher for those between 45 and 64 years, and steadily reduced in patients aged 65 and over. The survival of cemented hip replacement derived from the Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Register Annual Report 2004 exceeds the life expectancy of patients over the age of 60 in our area, suggesting that cemented hip replacement is the procedure of choice in this population

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This study aimed to describe the use of revision knee arthroplasty in Australia and examine changes in lifetime risk over a decade.

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The aim of this study was to estimate the clinical and economic burden of dislocation following primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) in England.

Aims. Prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) of the hip and knee are associated with significant morbidity and socioeconomic burden. We undertook a systematic review of the current literature with the aim of proposing criteria for the selection of patients for a single-stage exchange arthroplasty in the management of a PJI. Material and Methods. A comprehensive review of the current literature was performed using the OVID-MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases and the search terms: infection and knee arthroplasty OR knee revision OR hip arthroplasty OR hip revision, and one stage OR single stage OR direct exchange. All studies involving fewer than ten patients and follow-up of less than two years in the study group were excluded as also were systematic reviews, surgical techniques, and expert opinions. Results. The initial search revealed 875 potential articles of which 22 fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. There were 16 case series and six comparative studies; five were prospective and 14 were retrospective. The studies included 962 patients who underwent single stage revision arthroplasty of an infected hip or knee joint. The rate of recurrent infection ranged from 0% to 18%, at a minimum of two years’ follow-up. The rate was lower in patients who were selected on the basis of factors relating to the patient and the local soft-tissue and bony conditions. . Conclusion. We conclude that single-stage revision is an acceptable form of surgical treatment for the management of a PJI in selected patients. The indications for this approach include the absence of severe immunocompromise and significant soft-tissue or bony compromise and concurrent acute sepsis. We suggest that a two-stage approach should be used in patients with multidrug resistant or atypical organisms such as fungus

The February 2014 Research Roundup. 360 . looks at: blood supply to the femoral head after dislocation; diabetes and hip replacement; bone remodelling over two decades following hip replacement; sham surgery as good as arthroscopic meniscectomy; distraction in knee osteoarthritis; whether joint replacement prevent cardiac events; tranexamic acid and knee replacement haemostasis; cartilage colonisation in bipolar ankle grafts; CTs and proof of fusion; atorvastatin for muscle re-innervation after sciatic nerve transection; microfracture and short-term pain in cuff repair; promising early results from L-PRF augmented cuff repairs; and fatty degeneration in a rodent model

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Navigation devices are designed to improve a surgeon’s accuracy in positioning the acetabular and femoral components in total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of this study was to both evaluate the accuracy of an optical computer-assisted surgery (CAS) navigation system and determine whether preoperative spinopelvic mobility (categorized as hypermobile, normal, or stiff) increased the risk of acetabular component placement error.

Aims. The management of acetabular defects at the time of revision hip arthroplasty surgery is a challenge. This study presents the results of a long-term follow-up study of the use of irradiated allograft bone in acetabular reconstruction. Patients and Methods. Between 1990 and 2000, 123 hips in 110 patients underwent acetabular reconstruction for aseptic loosening, using impaction bone grafting with frozen, irradiated, and morsellized femoral heads and a cemented acetabular component. A total of 55 men and 55 women with a mean age of 64.3 years (26 to 97) at the time of revision surgery are included in this study. Results. At a mean follow-up of 16.9 years, there had been 23 revisions (18.7%), including ten for infection, eight for aseptic loosening, and three for dislocation. Of the 66 surviving hips (58 patients) that could be reassessed, 50 hips (42 patients; 75.6%) were still functioning satisfactorily. Union of the graft had occurred in all hips with a surviving implant. Survival analysis for all indications was 80.6% at 15 years (55 patients at risk, 95% confidence interval (CI) 71.1 to 87.2) and 73.7% at 20 years (eight patients at risk, 95% CI 61.6 to 82.5). Conclusion. Acetabular reconstruction using frozen, irradiated, and morsellized allograft bone and a cemented acetabular component is an effective method of treatment. It gives satisfactory long-term results and is comparable to other types of reconstruction. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:1449–54

The results of hip and knee replacement surgery are generally regarded as positive for patients. Nonetheless, they are both major operations and have recognised complications. We present a review of relevant claims made to the National Health Service Litigation Authority. Between 1995 and 2010 there were 1004 claims to a value of £41.5 million following hip replacement surgery and 523 claims to a value of £21 million for knee replacement. The most common complaint after hip surgery was related to residual neurological deficit, whereas after knee replacement it was related to infection. Vascular complications resulted in the highest costs per case in each group. Although there has been a large increase in the number of operations performed, there has not been a corresponding relative increase in litigation. The reasons for litigation have remained largely unchanged over time after hip replacement. In the case of knee replacement, although there has been a reduction in claims for infection, there has been an increase in claims for technical errors. There has also been a rise in claims for non-specified dissatisfaction. This information is of value to surgeons and can be used to minimise the potential mismatch between patient expectation, informed consent and outcome. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:122–6