Despite the worldwide usage of the cemented Contemporary
acetabular component (Stryker), no published data are available
regarding its use in patients aged <
50 years. We undertook a
mid- to long-term follow-up study, including all consecutive patients
aged
<
50 years who underwent a primary total hip replacement using
the Contemporary acetabular component with the Exeter cemented stem
between January 1999 and January 2006. There were 152 hips in 126
patients, 61 men and 65 women, mean age at surgery 37.6 years (16
to 49 yrs). One patient was lost to follow-up. Mean clinical follow-up of all implants was 7.6 years (0.9 to
12.0). All clinical questionnaire scores, including Harris hip score,
Oxford hip score and several visual analogue scales, were found
to have improved. The eight year survivorship of all acetabular
components for the endpoints revision for any reason or revision
for aseptic loosening was 94.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) 89.2
to 97.2) and 96.4% (95% CI 91.6 to 98.5), respectively. Radiological follow-up
was complete for 146 implants. The eight year survival for the endpoint
radiological loosening was 93.1% (95% CI 86.2 to 96.6). Three surviving
implants were considered radiologically loose but were asymptomatic.
The presence of acetabular osteolysis (n = 17, 11.8%) and radiolucent
lines (n = 20, 13.9%) in the 144 surviving cups indicates a need
for continued observation in the second decade of follow-up in order
to observe their influence on long-term survival. The clinical and radiological data resulting in a ten-year survival
rate >
90% in young patients support the use of the Contemporary
acetabular component in this specific patient group. Cite this article:
We report the results of 79 patients (81 hips)
who underwent impaction grafting at revision hip replacement using the
Exeter femoral stem. Their mean age was 64 years (31 to 83). According
to the Endoklinik classification, 20 hips had a type 2 bone defect,
40 had type 3, and 21 had type 4. The mean follow-up for unrevised
stems was 10.4 years (5 to 17). There were 12 re-operations due to intra- and post-operative
fractures, infection (one hip) and aseptic loosening (one hip).
All re-operations affected type 3 (6 hips) and 4 (6 hips) bone defects.
The survival rate for re-operation for any cause was 100% for type
2, 81.2% (95% confidence interval (CI) 67.1 to 95.3) for type 3,
and 70.8% (95% CI 51.1 to 90.5) for type 4 defects at 14 years.
The survival rate with further revision for aseptic loosening as
the end point was 98.6% (95% CI 95.8 to 100). The final clinical
score was higher for patients with type 2 bone defects than type
4 regarding pain, function and range of movement. Limp was most
frequent in the type 4 group (p <
0.001). The mean subsidence
of the stem was 2.3 mm ( The impacted bone grafting technique has good clinical results
in femoral revision. However, major bone defects affect clinical
outcome and also result in more operative complications.
We have performed a prospective double-blind, randomised controlled trial over two years to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an intra-operative peri-articular injection of triamcinolone acetonide in patients undergoing medial unicondylar knee replacement. We randomised 90 patients into two equal groups. The study group received an injection of triamcinolone acetonide, bupivacaine, and epinephrine into the peri-articular tissues at the end of the operation. The control group received the same injection mixture but without the addition of triamcinolone. The peri-operative analgesic regimen was standardised. The study group reported a significant reduction in pain (p = 0.014 at 12 hours, p = 0.031 at 18 hours and p = 0.031 at 24 hours) and had a better range of movement (p = 0.023 at three months). There was no significant difference in the rate of infection and no incidence of tendon rupture in either group. The addition of corticosteroid to the peri-articular injection after unicondylar knee replacement had both immediate and short-term benefits in terms of relief from pain, and rehabilitation with no increased risk of infection.
We studied 32 patients with central cord syndrome who were managed conservatively. Six were under 50 years of age (group 1), 16 between 50 and 70 years (group 2) and ten over 70 years (group 3). At the time of discharge all patients in group 1 could walk independently and had good bladder control compared with 11 (69%) and 14 (88%) in group 2 and four (40%) and two (20%) in group 3, respectively. At follow-up after a mean of 8.6 years (4 to 15), ten patients had died leaving 22 in the study. All those in group 1 were alive, could walk independently and had bladder control. In group 2, 13 were alive of whom ten (77%) could walk independently and nine (69%) had bladder control. In group 3 only three were alive of whom only one was independent and none had bladder control. Function at discharge as measured by the ASIA motor scoring system was usually maintained or improved at follow-up, but patients over 70 years of age at injury did poorly.
Between 1992 and 1994 we performed a prospective study of the effect of total knee replacement (TKR) on the health status of 119 patients over the age of 80 years who had had a primary unilateral TKR. The Nottingham Health Profile was used to assess this before and at three and 12 months after operation. We found a significant improvement in the scores for pain, emotional reaction, sleep and physical mobility at three months. After 12 months, the scores for pain and sleep were well maintained. The other factors had deteriorated slightly but remained better than before operation. Our findings show that TKR leads to a significant improvement in the general health status of the very elderly.
We treated 137 patients with symptomatic lumbar disc prolapse by automated percutaneous lumbar discectomy (APLD). Seventeen (12%) required further operation. At a mean follow-up of 55 months, the success rate was 45%. Of those who had APLD alone, 52% were graded as either excellent or good. In this group, 76% were employed, and the mean Oswestry score was 28.2%. One-third of those patients initially rated as successful had deterioration in symptoms and increased disability from back pain. The Short Form 36 health survey questionnaire revealed that these patients had a chronic ill-health profile.
We report the long-term survival and functional
outcome of the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) in patients aged <
50 years at operation, and explore the factors affecting survival.
Between 1997 and 2006, a total of 447 BHRs were implanted in 393
patients (mean age 41.5 years (14.9 to 49.9)) by one designing surgeon.
The mean follow-up was 10.1 years (5.2 to 14.7), with no loss to
follow-up. In all, 16 hips (3.6%) in 15 patients were revised, giving
an overall cumulative survival of 96.3% (95% confidence interval
(CI) 93.7 to 98.3) at ten years and 94.1% (95% CI 84.9 to 97.3)
at 14 years. Using aseptic revision as the endpoint, the survival
for men with primary osteoarthritis (n = 195) was 100% (95% CI 100
to 100) at both ten years and 14 years, and in women with primary
osteoarthritis (n = 109) it was 96.1% (95% CI 90.1 to 99.9) at ten
years and 91.2% (95% CI 68.6 to 98.7) at 14 years. Female gender
(p = 0.047) and decreasing femoral head size (p = 0.044) were significantly
associated with an increased risk of revision. The median Oxford
hip score (OHS, modified as a percentage with 100% indicating worst
outcome) at last follow-up was 4.2% (46 of 48; interquartile range
(IQR) 0% to 24%) and the median University of California, Los Angeles
(UCLA) score was 6.0 (IQR 5 to 8). Men had significantly better
OHS (p = 0.02) and UCLA scores (p = 0.01) than women. The BHR provides
excellent survival and functional results in men into the second
decade, with good results achieved in appropriately selected women. Cite this article:
Many orthopaedic surgeons believe that obese patients have a higher rate of peri-operative complications and a worse functional outcome than non-obese patients. There is, however, inconsistency in the literature supporting this notion. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of body mass index (BMI) on injury characteristics, the incidence of complications, and the functional outcome after the operative management of unstable ankle fractures. We retrospectively reviewed 279 patients (99 obese (BMI ≥ 30) and 180 non-obese (BMI <
30) patients who underwent surgical fixation of an unstable fracture of the ankle. We found that obese patients had a higher number of medical co-morbidities, and more Orthopaedic Trauma Association type B and C fracture types than non-obese patients. At two years from the time of injury, however, the presence of obesity did not affect the incidence of complications, the time to fracture union or the level of function. These findings suggest that obese patients should be treated in line with standard procedures, keeping in mind any known associated medical co-morbidities.
We have investigated the significance of the method of treatment on the oncological and functional outcomes and on the complications in 184 patients with soft-tissue sarcomas of the adductor compartment managed at three international centres. The overall survival at five years was 65% and was related to the grade at diagnosis and the size of the tumour. There was no difference in overall survival between the three centres. There was, however, a significant difference in local control with a rate of 28% in Centre 1 compared with 10% in Centre 2 and 5% in Centre 3. The overall mean functional score using the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score in 70 patients was 77% but was significantly worse in patients with wound complications or high-grade tumours. The scores were not affected by the timing of radiotherapy or the use of muscle flaps. This large series of soft-tissue sarcomas of the adductor compartment has shown that factors influencing survival do not vary across the international boundaries studied, but that methods of treatment affect complications, local recurrence and function.
We evaluated the risk of late relapse and further
outcome in patients with soft-tissue sarcomas who were alive and event-free
more than five years after initial treatment. From our database
we identified 1912 patients with these pathologies treated between
1980 and 2006. Of these 1912 patients, 603 were alive and event-free
more than five years after initial treatment and we retrospectively
reviewed them. The mean age of this group was 48 years (4 to 94)
and 340 were men. The mean follow-up was 106 months (60 to 336).
Of the original cohort, 582 (97%) were alive at final follow-up.
The disease-specific survival was 96.4% (95% confidence interval
(CI) 94.4 to 98.3) at ten years and 92.9% (95% CI 89 to 96.8) at
15 years. The rate of late relapse was 6.3% (38 of 603). The ten-
and 15-year event-free rates were 93.2% (95% CI 90.8 to 95.7) and
86.1% (95% CI 80.2 to 92.1), respectively. Multivariate analysis
showed that tumour size and tumour grade remained independent predictors
of events. In spite of further treatment, 19 of the 38 patients
died of sarcoma. The three- and five-year survival rates after the
late relapse were 56.2% (95% CI 39.5 to 73.3) and 43.2% (95% CI
24.7 to 61.7), respectively, with a median survival time of 46 months.
Patients with soft-tissue sarcoma, especially if large, require
long-term follow-up, especially as they have moderate potential
to have their disease controlled. Cite this article:
Severe hallux valgus deformity is conventionally
treated with proximal metatarsal osteotomy. Distal metatarsal osteotomy
with an associated soft-tissue procedure can also be used in moderate
to severe deformity. We compared the clinical and radiological outcomes
of proximal and distal chevron osteotomy in severe hallux valgus deformity
with a soft-tissue release in both. A total of 110 consecutive female
patients (110 feet) were included in a prospective randomised controlled
study. A total of 56 patients underwent a proximal procedure and
54 a distal operation. The mean follow-up was 39 months (24 to 54)
in the proximal group and 38 months (24 to 52) in the distal group.
At follow-up the hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle, distal
metatarsal articular angle, tibial sesamoid position, American Orthopaedic
Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal
score, patient satisfaction level, and complications were similar
in each group. Both methods showed significant post-operative improvement
and high levels of patient satisfaction. Our results suggest that
the distal chevron osteotomy with an associated distal soft-tissue
procedure provides a satisfactory method for correcting severe hallux
valgus deformity. Cite this article:
We analysed the operative technique, morbidity and functional outcome of osteotomy and plate fixation for malunited fractures of the forearm sustained in childhood. A total of 20 consecutive patients underwent corrective osteotomy of 21 malunited fractures at a mean age of 12 years (4 to 25). The mean time between the injury and the osteotomy was 30 months (2 to 140). After removal of the plate, one patient suffered transient dysaesthesia of the superficial radial nerve. The mean gain in the range of movement was 85° (20° to 140°). The interval between injury and osteotomy, and the age at osteotomy significantly influenced the functional outcome (p = 0.011 and p = 0.004, respectively). Malunited fractures of the forearm sustained in childhood can be adequately treated by osteotomy and plate fixation with excellent functional results and minimal complications. In the case of established malunion it is advisable to perform corrective osteotomy without delay.
The aim of this prospective randomised study
was to compare the clinical and radiological results of a cemented
all-polyethylene Ultima acetabular component with those of a cementless
porous-coated acetabular component (PFC) following total hip replacement
(THR). A total of 287 patients received either a polyethylene acetabular
component (group A) or a cobalt–chromium porous-coated component
(group B) with an identical cemented femoral component and 28 mm
cobalt-chromium head, thus making it the largest study of its type.
Patients were evaluated radiologically and clinically using the
Harris hip score (HHS). Group A comprised 183 patients (73 male,
110 female) with a mean age of
71.3 years (55 to 89). Group B comprised 104 patients (48 male,
56 female) with a mean age of 69.8 years (56 to 89). A total of
16 patients (13 in Group A, three in Group B) did not have post-operative
data for analysis. The mean follow-up in group A was 7.52 years
(0.4 to 15.0) and in Group B 7.87 years (0.5 to 14.0). At final follow-up the mean HHS was similar between groups A
and B (74.5 (25 to 100) and 78.0 (37 to 100), respectively; p =
0.068). The total number of revisions for any cause was 28, 17 of
which were in group A and 11 in group B. The ten-year survivorship
was 86.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 78.4 to 92.1) and 89.2%
(95% CI 78.3 to 94.8) for groups A and B, respectively (log-rank
p-value = 0.938). A total of 20 cemented and two cementless acetabular
components had evidence of acetabular radiolucencies or acetabular
component migration at last follow-up (p = 0.001). These results indicate that patients with a cemented all-polyethylene
and cementless porous-coated polyethylene lined acetabular component
have similar long-term clinical outcomes.
We have studied the correlation between the prevention of progressive collapse and the ratio of the intact articular surface of the femoral head, after transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy for osteonecrosis. We used probit analysis on 125 hips in order to assess the ratio necessary to prevent progressive radiological collapse over a ten-year period. The results show that a minimum postoperative intact ratio of 34% was required. This critical ratio may be useful for surgical planning and in assessing the natural history of the condition.
We assessed 100 patients with a primary total hip replacement using the Harris hip score and the Nottingham Health Profile at one, three and five years after operation. They were derived from two prospective randomised series of cemented and uncemented replacements. Both scoring systems correlated highly and were each heavily influenced by the system of functional classification defined by Charnley. After five years both reflected the function of the implant and the general state of the patient. A higher degree of sensitivity is needed to show differences in the performance of an implant in the short and medium term. We do not yet have an ideal system of clinical assessment and the overall function must always be properly assessed.
We compared extrusion of the allograft after
medial and lateral meniscal allograft transplantation and examined
the correlation between the extent of extrusion and the clinical
outcome. A total of 73 lateral and 26 medial meniscus allografts
were evaluated by MRI at a mean of 32 months (24 to 59) in 99 patients
(67 men, 32 women) with a mean age of 35 years (21 to 52). The absolute
values and the proportional widths of extruded menisci as a percentage were
measured in coronal images that showed maximum extrusion. Functional
assessments were performed using Lysholm scores. The mean extrusion
was 4.7 mm (1.8 to 7.7) for lateral menisci and 2.9 mm (1.2 to 6.5)
for medial menisci (p <
0.001), and the mean percentage extrusions
were 52.0% (23.8% to 81.8%) and 31.2% (11.6% to 63.4%), respectively
(p <
0.001). Mean Lysholm scores increased significantly from
49.0 (10 to 83) pre-operatively to 86.6 (33 to 99) at final follow-up
for lateral menisci (p = 0.001) and from 50.9 (15 to 88) to 88.3
(32 to 100) for medial menisci (p <
0.001). The final mean Lysholm
scores were similar in the two groups (p = 0.312). Furthermore,
Lysholm scores were not found to be correlated with degree of extrusion
(p = 0.242). Thus, transplanted lateral menisci extrude more significantly
than transplanted medial menisci. However, the clinical outcome
after meniscal transplantation was not found to be adversely affected
by extrusion of the allograft.
We report a prospective study of 232 consecutive patients with hip fractures. All were over 64 years of age and living independently before admission to a geriatric orthopaedic ward. We assessed the value, at admission, of predicting factors for independent living at one year after injury. The most important factors were: (1) preinjury function in activities of daily living (grade A or B on the Katz et al (1963) scale); (2) absence of other medical conditions which would impair rehabilitation; and (3) cognitive function better than 7 on the Pfeiffer (1975) mental questionnaire. The odds ratios (95% CI) for these three predictors were 3.5 (1.3 to 9.1), 2.9 (1.3 to 6.1) and 2.4 (1.9 to 4.9), respectively. When all predictors were positive at admission, 92% were living independently at one year; with one, two or three negative predictors, the percentages living independently were 76, 61 and 27, respectively. The median values of the total number of days in hospital, irrespective of diagnosis, during the first year were 12, 24, 29 and 149 days for the four groups. The mortality at one year was predictable on admission only by the number of medical conditions: with no other diagnosis than the fracture the mortality was 0%; with one or two additional conditions the mortality was 14%; and with three or more additional diagnoses it was 24%. These simple and robust predictors can be used to optimise resources for rehabilitation.
We retrospectively reviewed the operative treatment carried out between 1988 and 1994 of eight patients with habitual patellar dislocation. In four the condition was bilateral. All patients had recurrent dislocation with severe functional disability. The surgical technique involved distal advancement of the patella by complete mobilisation of the patellar tendon, lateral release and advancement of vastus medialis obliquus. The long-term results were assessed radiologically, clinically and functionally using the Lysholm knee score, by an independent observer. The mean age at operation was 10.3 years (7 to 14) with a mean follow-up of 13.5 years (11 to 16). One patient required revision. At the latest follow-up, all patellae were stable and knees functional with a mean Lysholm knee score of 98 points (95 to 100). In those aged younger than ten years at operation there was a statistically significant improvement in the sulcus angle at the latest follow-up (Student’s This technique offers a satisfactory treatment for the immature patient presenting with habitual patellar dislocation associated with patella alta. If performed early, we believe that remodelling of the shallow trochlea may occur, adding intrinsic patellofemoral stability.
We reviewed 111 hemispherical Duraloc series-500 acetabular components with a minimum follow-up of 12 years. The mean clinical and radiological follow-up was 13.4 years (12 to 15). A Profile hydroxyapatite-coated anatomical femoral component was used in each case. Six patients had a late dislocation, for whom the polyethylene liner was exchanged. Each acetabular component was well fixed and all femoral components showed signs of bone ingrowth. The mean rate of femoral head penetration was 0.10 mm/year (0.021 to 0.481). The probability of not developing femoral cortical hypertrophy and proximal osteopenia by 12 years was 80.2% (95% confidence interval, 72.7 to 87.6) and 77.5% (95% confidence interval, 69.7 to 85.2), respectively. Despite these good clinical results, further follow-up is needed to determine whether these prostheses will loosen with time.