We have investigated the accuracy of the templating of digital radiographs in planning total hip replacement using two common object-based calibration methods with the ball placed laterally (method 1) or medially (method 2) and compared them with two non-object-based methods. The latter comprised the application of a fixed magnification of 121% (method 3) and calculation of magnification based on the object-film-distance (method 4). We studied the post-operative radiographs of 57 patients (19 men, 38 women, mean age 73 years (53 to 89)) using the measured diameter of the prosthetic femoral head and comparing it with the true value. Both object-based methods (1 and 2) produced large errors (mean/maximum: 2.55%/17.4% and 2.04%/6.46%, respectively). Method 3 applying a fixed magnification and method 4 (object-film-distance) produced smaller errors (mean/maximum 1.42%/5.22% and 1.57%/4.24%, respectively; p < 0.01). The latter results were clinically relevant and acceptable when planning was allowed to within one implant size. Object-based calibration (methods 1 and 2) has fundamental problems with the correct placement of the calibration ball. The accuracy of the fixed magnification (method 3) matched that of object-film-distance (method 4) and was the most reliable and efficient calibration method in digital templating

Between 1985 and 1993, 146 patients (162 hips) had total hip replacement (THR) using a conservative uncemented femoral component. The mean age of the patients was 50.8 years and the mean follow-up was 6.2 years (2 to 13). One patient was lost to follow-up, one died within two years of surgery and one had a revision procedure after a fracture sustained in a road-traffic accident. For the remaining 159, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was calculated for the incidence of revision because of mechanical loosening or osteolysis. Survival without mechanical loosening at both five and ten years was 98.2%. Survival without osteolysis was 99% at five and 91% at ten years. The Harris hip score improved from a mean of 66.3 before to 90.4 at follow-up. Of particular note is the lack of thigh pain in this group. Radiological analysis showed that 139 stems (88%) had no measurable subsidence, 8 (5%) had less than 2 mm and 12 (7%) had more than 2 mm. Two of the eight and one of the 12 were revised for mechanical loosening. Nine hips were revised for late loosening associated with osteolysis. No reaming of the femoral canal was associated with statistically significant less blood loss compared with a comparable control group of uncemented implants (p < 0.0001). Our study suggests that using a conservative femoral implant does not protect against wear debris but the reliable mechanical stability (98.2%) makes this an attractive design of implant particularly for young patients

Seventeen femoral fractures occurred in 1,751 operations for total hip replacement. They usually occurred during dislocation of the hip, reaming of the shaft, or insertion of the femoral component, and were common in second operations. The short oblique fracture can be controlled by use of the standard implant, and the long oblique fracture by internal fixation. Fractures well below the implant should probably be treated by continous traction. The eventual results were adequate in all cases. The liability to fracture can be reduced by taking special care during operation in particulary susceptible cases

We compared a modular neck system with a non-modular system in a cementless anatomical total hip replacement (THR). Each group consisted of 74 hips with developmental hip dysplasia. Both groups had the same cementless acetabular component and the same articulation, which consisted of a conventional polyethylene liner and a 28 mm alumina head. The mean follow-up was 14.5 years (13 to 15), at which point there were significant differences in the mean total Harris hip score (modular/non-modular: 98.6 (64 to 100)/93.8 (68 to 100)), the mean range of abduction (32° (15° to 40°)/28 (0° to 40°)), use of a 10° elevated liner (31%/100%), the incidence of osteolysis (27%/79.7%) and the incidence of equal leg lengths (≥ 6 mm, 92%/61%). There was no disassociation or fracture of the modular neck. The modular system reduces the need for an elevated liner, thereby reducing the incidence of osteolysis. It gives a better range of movement and allows the surgeon to make an accurate adjustment of leg length

There are several techniques for the accurate measurement of the migration of components after arthroplasty some of which require the operative placement of tantalum balls. We have reviewed the position and migration of these markers in 64 patients after total hip arthroplasty. In 40% of cases, one or more balls was seen to be outside the proximal femur on the postoperative radiograph, although all were considered to be within the bone at operation. In two hips, one ball appeared to have migrated towards the joint, although none was seen within the joint. Misplacement was not related to the experience of the surgeon or the operative approach. Migration analysis which necessitates the insertion of tantalum balls requires careful technique to avoid a potential source of third-body wear. It should probably be used only for research in small series of patients

Deep infection, the most serious local complication of total hip replacement, prompted a study of the records of 135 patients (137 hips) thus afflicted in a nationwide survey of Canada. Particular attention has been paid to the natural history of the infection, and the problems of diagnosis are described. Twenty-one patients died after the insertion, or removal, of the prosthesis, and of the survivors of the original 135 patients only eighteen have been able to retain the prosthesis without further problems with the wound. The remaining patients had the prosthesis removed, and most dry wounds. Certain suggestions are made on management. The advice that a second total hip prosthesis should be inserted after a deep infection of the first implant is not supported

Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction is a poorly recognised and potentially fatal complication of hip surgery. Between 1991 and 1994 six patients were observed who required laparotomy after failure of medical management. In three the indication was signs of peritonism, while in the other three exploration was required to exclude segmental ischaemia and to decompress the bowel. In all, there was no evidence of mechanical obstruction. Patients having total hip replacement are at risk of developing pseudo-obstruction due to their age, comorbidity, high doses of analgesics and the nature of the operation. If postoperative ileus persists for more than 48 hours acute colonic pseudo-obstruction should be suspected and confirmed by plain radiography. Prompt recognition and treatment with early referral to a colorectal unit are indicated. Laparotomy appears to carry less risk than that for patients with idiopathic pseudo-obstruction, but should be performed only if colonic ischaemia is suspected

Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been used to reduce blood loss during total hip arthroplasty (THA), but its use could increase the risk of venous thromboembolic disease (VTE). Several studies have reported that TXA does not increase the prevalence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), but most of those used routine chemical thromboprophylaxis, thereby masking the potential increased risk of TXA on VTE. We wished to ascertain whether TXA increases the prevalence of VTE in patients undergoing THA without routine chemical thromboprophylaxis. We carried out a retrospective case-control study in 254 patients who underwent a primary THA, 127 of whom received TXA (1 g given pre-operatively) and a control group of 127 who did not. All patients had mechanical but no chemical thomboprophylaxis. Each patient was examined for DVT by bilateral ultrasonography pre-operatively and on post-operative days 1 and 7. TXA was found to statistically significantly increase the incidence of total DVT on post-operative day 7 compared with the control group (24 (18.9%) and 12 (9.4%), respectively; p < 0.05) but most cases of DVT were isolated distal DVT, with the exception of one patient with proximal DVT in each group. One patient in the control group developed a non-fatal symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE). The use of TXA did not appear to affect the prevalence of either proximal DVT or PE. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015; 97-B:458–62

Between February 1975 and August 1976, 195 total hip replacements using Stanmore components were performed; of these, 146 were in 135 patients who had not had previous hip surgery. At review 52 had died, but none of the others was lost to follow-up. Of the 52, two had had a second operation, one for infection and one for recurrent dislocation. In the remaining 83 patients (92 hips) five revisions were necessary: four for aseptic loosening, and one for stem fracture. The remaining 78 patients had little or no pain and little restriction of activity. After a follow-up period of at least nine years, the survival rate of the prosthesis was 95%. There had been migration of the femoral component in five cases and migration of the acetabular cup in one case, but no wear of the acetabular component could be demonstrated

We developed a 12-item questionnaire for completion by patients having total hip replacement (THR). A prospective study of 220 patients was undertaken before operation and at follow-up six months later. Each completed the new questionnaire as well as the SF36, and some the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales (AIMS). An orthopaedic surgeon assessed the Charnley hip score. The single score derived from the questionnaire had a high internal consistency. Reproducibility was examined by test-retest reliability and was found to be satisfactory. The validity of the questionnaire was established by obtaining significant correlation in the expected direction with the Charnley scores and relevant scales of the SF36 and the AIMS. Sensitivity to change was assessed by analysing the differences between the preoperative scores and those at the follow-up. The standardised effect size for the new questionnaire compared favourably with that for the SF36 and the AIMS. The new questionnaire provides a measure of outcome for THR which is short, practical, reliable, valid and sensitive to clinically important changes

Dental procedures may lead to a transient bacteraemia lasting for up to 30 minutes. Of the numerous cases of total hip arthroplasty (THA) reported which have been infected from haematogenous sources, dental procedures have been involved only infrequently. We reviewed the records of 2973 patients after THA. Of the late infections identified in 52 patients, three (6%) were strongly associated with a dental procedure. Infection was diagnosed by culture from the affected joint; Streptococcus viridans was identified in two cases and Peptostreptococcus in one. One patient had diabetes mellitus and another rheumatoid arthritis, both conditions predisposing to infection. The dental operations all lasted for more than 45 minutes and no patient received perioperative antibiotics. Infection of a THA after dental procedures is more common than has been previously suspected. Patients with systemic disease, or who are undergoing extensive procedures, should be considered for prophylactic antibiotic treatment

Aims

We studied the impact of direct anterior (DA) versus non-anterior (NA) surgical approaches on prosthetic joint infection (PJI), and examined the impact of new perioperative protocols on PJI rates following all surgical approaches at a single institution.

Although the technique of autogenous acetabular bone grafting has been widely used to augment containment of the acetabulum in total hip arthroplasty (THA) for developmental dysplasia, the role of this technique in improving long-term results remains controversial. We present the long-term results of cemented THA with acetabular bone grafting in 112 patients (133 hips) in order to clarify the factors which affect the outcome. The mean follow-up was for 12.3 years (8 to 24). Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis predicted a rate of survival of the acetabular component at 15 years of 96% (95% confidence interval (CI) 92 to 99) with revision for aseptic loosening as the endpoint, and of 75% (95% CI 65 to 85) when radiological loosening was used. Parametric survivorship analysis using the Cox proportional-hazards model indicated that trochanteric nonunion, lateral placement of the socket, and delayed trabecular reorientation of the bone graft were risk factors for loosening of the acetabular component. Our findings have shown that autologous acetabular bone grafting is of value for long-term success provided that the risk factors are reduced

We performed Charnley total hip arthroplasties on 64 patients (71 hips) between 1976 and 1984 for moderate congenital acetabular dysplasia in which a superolateral cement thickness of less than 20 mm was expected when the cup was placed in the true acetabulum at an angle of 45°. Of these, 59 hips were examined 10 to 17 years after operation; 37 (group A) had been operated on between 1976 and 1982 using Charnley’s original technique of cementing the acetabulum and 22 (group B) between 1983 and 1984 using more modern techniques. In group A, aseptic loosening of the socket was observed in ten hips (27.0%) and the 17-year survival rate was 81.5%. In group B, loosening was noted in only one socket (4.5%) and the 13-year survival rate was 100%. The improved techniques produced significantly better long-term results in fixation of the cup in dysplastic hips without bone grafting

We compared 74 total hip arthroplasties (THAs) carried out after previous proximal femoral osteotomy with a diagnosis-matched control group of 74 primary procedures performed during the same period. We report the perioperative results and the clinical and radiological outcome at five to ten years. We anticipated a higher rate of complications in the group with previous osteotomy, but found no significant difference in the rate of perioperative complications (11% each) or in the septic (8% v 3%) and aseptic (4% each) revision rates. There was a trend towards improved survival in the group without previous osteotomy (90% v 82%), but this difference was not statistically significant. The only significant differences were a higher rate of trochanteric osteotomy (88% v 14%) and a longer operating time in the osteotomy group. Our study indicates that THA after previous osteotomy is technically more demanding but not necessarily associated with a higher rate of complications. Furthermore, proximal femoral osteotomy does not jeopardise the clinical and radiological outcome of future THA enough to exclude the use of osteotomy as a therapeutic alternative in younger patients

1. Prosthetic acetabular cups of the Charnley and McKee-Farrar designs were cemented into cadaveric pelves using different procedures for preparing the acetabulum. 2. The torsional moments needed to loosen these cups were measured. 3. The torsional moments so measured were found to be from about four to more than twenty times higher than the frictional moments measured in independent tests on the two designs of prosthesis. 4. It is argued that late looseness of the acetabular component after total hip replacement, in the absence of infection, seems most likely to be due to thermal damage to the bone occurring at the time of polymerisation of the cement, and to subsequent bone resorption. 5. Surgical preparation of the acetabulum should include removal of all the articular cartilage and cleaning of the acetabular fossa, but the drilling of additional holes in the floor of the acetabulum seems unimportant. 6. The possibility of fatigue fracture in bone as a factor contributing to late loosening is an argument in favour of metal-on-polyethylene prostheses with their lower frictional moments, although the importance of this factor cannot be estimated

Aims

Accurate placement of the acetabular component is essential in total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of this study was to determine if the ability to achieve inclination of the acetabular component within the ‘safe-zone’ of 30° to 50° could be improved with the use of an inclinometer.

We report a patient with bilateral uncemented total hip replacements in whom a deep infection on the second side may have been caused by a transient bacteraemia associated with a revision operation for deep infection on the first side. Both hips were successfully treated by one-stage exchange

We reviewed the radiographs of 864 Charnley and STH (Zimmer) cemented total hip arthroplasties with a mean follow-up of seven years (maximum 16 years). Survivorship analysis was used to assess the correlation between radiographic performance and the bony containment or the coronal orientation of the acetabular cup. The cup orientation and containment were interrelated; all vertically oriented cups were completely contained, whereas 25% of more horizontal cups were only partially contained. Completely contained cups had significantly lower incidences of complete cement-bone radiolucency (p = 0.02) and of wear (p = 0.09). Vertically oriented cups had a lower incidence of continuous radiolucency than neutrally oriented cups, but this was not statistically significant (p = 0.25). Our results confirm the importance of complete bony containment, and also indicate that it is better to accept vertical orientation and obtain full bony coverage than to have a more horizontal orientation with partial containment