Aims. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether an innovative templating technique could predict the need for acetabular augmentation during primary total hip arthroplasty for patients with dysplastic hips. Patients and Methods. We developed a simple templating technique to estimate acetabular component coverage at total hip arthroplasty, the True Cup: False Cup (TC:FC) ratio. We reviewed all patients with dysplastic hips who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty between 2005 and 2012. Traditional radiological methods of assessing the degree of acetabular dysplasia (Sharp’s angle, Tönnis angle, centre-edge angle) as well as the TC:FC ratio were measured from the pre-operative radiographs. A comparison of augmented and non-augmented hips was undertaken to determine any difference in pre-operative radiological indices between the two cohorts. The intra- and inter-observer reliability for all radiological indices used in the study were also calculated. Results. Of the 128 cases reviewed, 33 (26%) needed acetabular augmentation. We found no difference in the median Sharp’s angle (p = 0.10), Tönnis angle (p = 0.28), or centre-edge angle (p = 0.07) between the two groups. A lower TC:FC ratio was observed in the augmented group compared with the non-augmented group (median = 0.66 versus 0.88, p <  0.001). Intra-observer reliability was found to be high for all radiological indices analysed (interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) > 0.7). However, inter-observer reliability was more variable and was only high for the TC: FC ratio (ICC > 0.7). Conclusion. The TC: FC ratio gives an accurate estimate of acetabular component coverage. It can help predict which dysplastic hips are likely to need acetabular augmentation at primary total hip arthroplasty. It has high intra- and inter-observer reliability. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:445–50

Aims. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of transferring patients to a specialized arthroplasty centre between the first and second stages (interstage) of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) of the knee. Patients and Methods. A search of our institutional database was performed to identify patients having undergone two-stage revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for PJI. Two cohorts were created: continuous care (CC) and transferred care (TC). Baseline characteristics and outcomes were collected and compared between cohorts. Results. A total of 137 patients were identified: 105 in the CC cohort (56 men, 49 women; mean age 67.9) and 32 in the TC cohort (17 men, 15 women; mean age 67.8 years). PJI organism virulence was greater in the CC cohort (36.2% vs 15.6%; p = 0.030). TC patients had a higher rate of persisting or recurrent infection (53.6% vs 13.4%; p < 0.001), soft-tissue complications (31.3 vs 14.3%; p = 0.030), and reduced requirement for porous metal augments (78.1% vs 94.3%; p = 0.006). Repeat first stage debridement after transfer led to greater need for plastic surgical procedures (58.3% vs 0.0%; p < 0.001). Conclusion. Patient transfer during the interstage of treatment for infected TKA leads to poorer outcomes compared with patients receiving all their treatment at a specialized arthroplasty centre. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:1087–1092

The treatment of bony defects of the tibia at the time of revision total knee replacement is controversial. The place of compacted morsellised bone graft is becoming established, particularly in contained defects. It has previously been shown that the initial stability of impaction-grafted trays in the contained defects is equivalent to that of an uncemented primary knee replacement. However, there is little biomechanical evidence on which to base a decision in the treatment of uncontained defects. We undertook a laboratory-based biomechanical study comparing three methods of graft containment in segmental medial tibial defects and compared them with the use of a modular metal augment to bypass the defect. Using resin models of the proximal tibia with medial defects representing either 46% or 65% of the medial cortical rim, repair of the defect was accomplished using mesh, cement or a novel bag technique, after which impaction bone grafting was used to fill the contained defects and a tibial component was cemented in place. As a control, a cemented tibial component with modular metal augments was used in identical defects. All specimens were submitted to cyclical mechanical loading, during which cyclical and permanent tray displacement were determined. The results showed satisfactory stability with all the techniques except the bone bag method. Using metal augments gave the highest initial stability, but obviously lacked any potential for bone restoration

Objectives. Cement augmentation of pedicle screws could be used to improve screw stability, especially in osteoporotic vertebrae. However, little is known concerning the influence of different screw types and amount of cement applied. Therefore, the aim of this biomechanical in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of cement augmentation on the screw pull-out force in osteoporotic vertebrae, comparing different pedicle screws (solid and fenestrated) and cement volumes (0 mL, 1 mL or 3 mL). Materials and Methods. A total of 54 osteoporotic human cadaver thoracic and lumbar vertebrae were instrumented with pedicle screws (uncemented, solid cemented or fenestrated cemented) and augmented with high-viscosity PMMA cement (0 mL, 1 mL or 3 mL). The insertion torque and bone mineral density were determined. Radiographs and CT scans were undertaken to evaluate cement distribution and cement leakage. Pull-out testing was performed with a material testing machine to measure failure load and stiffness. The paired t-test was used to compare the two screws within each vertebra. Results. Mean failure load was significantly greater for fenestrated cemented screws (+622 N; p ⩽ 0.001) and solid cemented screws (+460 N; p ⩽ 0.001) than for uncemented screws. There was no significant difference between the solid and fenestrated cemented screws (p = 0.5). In the lower thoracic vertebrae, 1 mL cement was enough to significantly increase failure load, while 3 mL led to further significant improvement in the upper thoracic, lower thoracic and lumbar regions. Conclusion. Conventional, solid pedicle screws augmented with high-viscosity cement provided comparable screw stability in pull-out testing to that of sophisticated and more expensive fenestrated screws. In terms of cement volume, we recommend the use of at least 1 mL in the thoracic and 3 mL in the lumbar spine. Cite this article: C. I. Leichtle, A. Lorenz, S. Rothstock, J. Happel, F. Walter, T. Shiozawa, U. G. Leichtle. Pull-out strength of cemented solid versus fenestrated pedicle screws in osteoporotic vertebrae. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:419–426

As our understanding of hip function and disease improves, it is evident that the acetabular fossa has received little attention, despite it comprising over half of the acetabulum’s surface area and showing the first signs of degeneration. The fossa’s function is expected to be more than augmenting static stability with the ligamentum teres and being a templating landmark in arthroplasty. Indeed, the fossa, which is almost mature at 16 weeks of intrauterine development, plays a key role in hip development, enabling its nutrition through vascularization and synovial fluid, as well as the influx of chondrogenic stem/progenitor cells that build articular cartilage. The pulvinar, a fibrofatty tissue in the fossa, has the same developmental origin as the synovium and articular cartilage and is a biologically active area. Its unique anatomy allows for homogeneous distribution of the axial loads into the joint. It is composed of intra-articular adipose tissue (IAAT), which has adipocytes, fibroblasts, leucocytes, and abundant mast cells, which participate in the inflammatory cascade after an insult to the joint. Hence, the fossa and pulvinar should be considered in decision-making and surgical outcomes in hip preservation surgery, not only for their size, shape, and extent, but also for their biological capacity as a source of cytokines, immune cells, and chondrogenic stem cells. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2020;9(12):857–869

Rotator cuff tears are common in middle-aged and elderly patients. Despite advances in the surgical repair of rotator cuff tears, the rates of recurrent tear remain high. This may be due to the complexity of the tendons of the rotator cuff, which contributes to an inherently hostile healing environment. During the past 20 years, there has been an increased interest in the use of biologics to complement the healing environment in the shoulder, in order to improve rotator cuff healing and reduce the rate of recurrent tears. The aim of this review is to provide a summary of the current evidence for the use of forms of biological augmentation when repairing rotator cuff tears.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(9):978–985.

Aims

Obtaining solid implant fixation is crucial in revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) to avoid aseptic loosening, a major reason for re-revision. This study aims to validate a novel grading system that quantifies implant fixation across three anatomical zones (epiphysis, metaphysis, diaphysis).

Aims

The aim of this study was to compare the biomechanical models of two frequently used techniques for reconstructing severe acetabular defects with pelvic discontinuity in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) – the Trabecular Metal Acetabular Revision System (TMARS) and custom triflange acetabular components (CTACs) – using virtual modelling.

Aims. The aim of this study was to compare the peak pull-out force (PPF) of pedicle-lengthening screws (PLS) and traditional pedicle screws (TPS) using instant and cyclic fatigue testing. Materials and Methods. A total of 60 lumbar vertebrae were divided into six groups: PLS submitted to instant pull-out and fatigue-resistance testing (groups A1 and A2, respectively), TPS submitted to instant pull-out and fatigue-resistance testing (groups B1 and B2, respectively) and PLS augmented with 2 ml polymethylmethacrylate, submitted to instant pull-out and fatigue-resistance testing (groups C1 and C2, respectively). The PPF and normalized PPF (PPFn) for bone mineral density (BMD) were compared within and between all groups. Results. In all groups, BMD was significantly correlated with PPF (r = 0.83, p < 0.001). The PPFn in A1 was significantly less than in B1 (p = 0.006) and C1 (p = 0.002). The PPFn of A2 was significantly less than in B2 (p < 0.001) and C2 (p < 0.001). The PPFn in A1, B1, and C1 was significantly greater than in A2 (p = 0.002), B2 (p = 0.027), and C2 (p = 0.003). There were no significant differences in PPFn between B1 and C1, or between B2 and C2. Conclusion. Pedicle lengthening screws with cement augmentation can provide the same fixation stability as traditional pedicle screws and may be a viable clinical option. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:516–21

Aims. Arthroplasty skills need to be acquired safely during training, yet operative experience is increasingly hard to acquire by trainees. Virtual reality (VR) training using headsets and motion-tracked controllers can simulate complex open procedures in a fully immersive operating theatre. The present study aimed to determine if trainees trained using VR perform better than those using conventional preparation for performing total hip arthroplasty (THA). Patients and Methods. A total of 24 surgical trainees (seven female, 17 male; mean age 29 years (28 to 31)) volunteered to participate in this observer-blinded 1:1 randomized controlled trial. They had no prior experience of anterior approach THA. Of these 24 trainees, 12 completed a six-week VR training programme in a simulation laboratory, while the other 12 received only conventional preparatory materials for learning THA. All trainees then performed a cadaveric THA, assessed independently by two hip surgeons. The primary outcome was technical and non-technical surgical performance measured by a THA-specific procedure-based assessment (PBA). Secondary outcomes were step completion measured by a task-specific checklist, error in acetabular component orientation, and procedure duration. Results. VR-trained surgeons performed at a higher level than controls, with a median PBA of Level 3a (procedure performed with minimal guidance or intervention) versus Level 2a (guidance required for most/all of the procedure or part performed). VR-trained surgeons completed 33% more key steps than controls (mean 22 (. sd. 3) vs 12 (. sd. 3)), were 12° more accurate in component orientation (mean error 4° (. sd. 6°) vs 16° (. sd. 17°)), and were 18% faster (mean 42 minutes (. sd. 7) vs 51 minutes (. sd. 9)). Conclusion. Procedural knowledge and psychomotor skills for THA learned in VR were transferred to cadaveric performance. Basic preparatory materials had limited value for trainees learning a new technique. VR training advanced trainees further up the learning curve, enabling highly precise component orientation and more efficient surgery. VR could augment traditional surgical training to improve how surgeons learn complex open procedures. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:1585–1592

We used an in vivo model to assess the use of an autogenous cancellous bone block and marrow graft for augmenting tendon reattachment to metallic implants. We hypothesised that augmentation of the tendon-implant interface with a bone block would enable retention of the graft on the implant surface, enhance biological integration, and result in more consistent functional outcomes compared with previously reported morcellised graft augmentation techniques. A significant improvement in functional weight-bearing was observed between six and 12 weeks. The significant increase in ground reaction force through the operated limb between six and 12 weeks was greater than that reported previously with morcellised graft augmented reconstructions. Histological appearance and collagen fibre orientation with bone block augmentation more closely resembled that of an intact enthesis compared with the morcellised grafting technique. Bone block augmentation of tendon-implant interfaces results in more reliable functional and histological outcomes, with a return to pre-operative levels of weight-bearing by 24 weeks

Aims

Robotic arm-assisted surgery offers accurate and reproducible guidance in component positioning and assessment of soft-tissue tensioning during knee arthroplasty, but the feasibility and early outcomes when using this technology for revision surgery remain unknown. The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of robotic arm-assisted revision of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) versus primary robotic arm-assisted TKA at short-term follow-up.

Aims

Pelvic discontinuity is a challenging acetabular defect without a consensus on surgical management. Cup-cage reconstruction is an increasingly used treatment strategy. The present study evaluated implant survival, clinical and radiological outcomes, and complications associated with the cup-cage construct.

Aims

Implantation of ultra-purified alginate (UPAL) gel is safe and effective in animal osteochondral defect models. This study aimed to examine the applicability of UPAL gel implantation to acellular therapy in humans with cartilage injury.

Virtual encounters have experienced an exponential rise amid the current COVID-19 crisis. This abrupt change, seen in response to unprecedented medical and environmental challenges, has been forced upon the orthopaedic community. However, such changes to adopting virtual care and technology were already in the evolution forecast, albeit in an unpredictable timetable impeded by regulatory and financial barriers. This adoption is not meant to replace, but rather augment established, traditional models of care while ensuring patient/provider safety, especially during the pandemic. While our department, like those of other institutions, has performed virtual care for several years, it represented a small fraction of daily care. The pandemic required an accelerated and comprehensive approach to the new reality. Contemporary literature has already shown equivalent safety and patient satisfaction, as well as superior efficiency and reduced expenses with musculoskeletal virtual care (MSKVC) versus traditional models. Nevertheless, current literature detailing operational models of MSKVC is scarce. The current review describes our pre-pandemic MSKVC model and the shift to a MSKVC pandemic workflow that enumerates the conceptual workflow organization (patient triage, from timely care provision based on symptom acuity/severity to a continuum that includes future follow-up). Furthermore, specific setup requirements (both resource/personnel requirements such as hardware, software, and network connectivity requirements, and patient/provider characteristics respectively), and professional expectations are outlined. MSKVC has already become a pivotal element of musculoskeletal care, due to COVID-19, and these changes are confidently here to stay. Readiness to adapt and evolve will be required of individual musculoskeletal clinical teams as well as organizations, as established paradigms evolve. Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;1-6:272–280

Aims

This study compared patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of large to massive rotator cuff tears (LMRCTs) with isolated incomplete repair of the tear and patients with incomplete repair with biceps tendon augmentation. We aimed to evaluate the additional benefit on clinical outcomes and the capacity to lower the re-tear rate.

The Unified Classification System (UCS), or Vancouver system, is a validated and widely used classification system to guide the management of periprosthetic femoral fractures. It suggests that well-fixed stems (type B1) can be treated with fixation but that loose stems (types B2 and B3) should be revised. Determining whether a stem is loose can be difficult and some authors have questioned how to apply this classification system to polished taper slip stems which are, by definition, loose within their cement mantle. Recent evidence has challenged the common perception that revision surgery is preferable to fixation surgery for UCS-B periprosthetic fractures around cemented polished taper slip stems. Indications for fixation include an anatomically reducible fracture and cement mantle, a well-fixed femoral bone-cement interface, and a well-functioning acetabular component. However, not all type B fractures can or should be managed with fixation due to the risk of early failure. This annotation details specific fracture patterns that should not be managed with fixation alone.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(5):481–486.

Aims

Instability is a common cause of failure after total hip arthroplasty. A novel reverse total hip has been developed, with a femoral cup and acetabular ball, creating enhanced mechanical stability. The purpose of this study was to assess the implant fixation using radiostereometric analysis (RSA), and the clinical safety and efficacy of this novel design.

We undertook a multicentre, prospective study of a series of 112 unstable trochanteric fractures in order to evaluate if internal fixation with a sliding screw device combined with augmentation using a calcium phosphate degradable cement (Norian SRS) could improve the clinical, functional and radiological outcome when compared with fractures treated with a sliding screw device alone. Pain, activities of daily living, health status (SF-36), the strength of the hip abductor muscles and radiological outcome were analysed. Six weeks after surgery, the patients in the augmented group had significantly lower global and functional pain scores (p < 0.003), less pain after walking 50 feet (p < 0.01), and a better return to the activities of daily living (p < 0.05). At follow-up at six weeks and six months, those in the augmented group showed a significant improvement compared with the control group in the SF-36 score. No other significant differences were found between the groups. We conclude that augmentation with calcium phosphate cement in unstable trochanteric fractures provides a modest reduction in pain and a slight improvement in the quality of life during the course of healing when compared with conventional fixation with a sliding screw device alone

Aims

This study examined the relationship between obesity (OB) and osteoporosis (OP), aiming to identify shared genetic markers and molecular mechanisms to facilitate the development of therapies that target both conditions simultaneously.