More than a million hip replacements are carried out each year worldwide, and the number of other artificial joints inserted is also rising, so that infections associated with arthroplasties have become more common. However, there is a paucity of literature on infections due to haematogenous seeding following dental procedures. We reviewed the published literature to establish the current knowledge on this problem and to determine the evidence for routine antibiotic prophylaxis prior to a dental procedure. We found that antimicrobial prophylaxis before dental interventions in patients with artificial joints lacks evidence-based information and thus cannot be universally recommended

Restoration of leg length and offset is an important goal in total hip replacement. This paper reports a calliper-based technique to help achieve these goals by restoring the location of the centre of the femoral head. This was validated first by using a co-ordinate measuring machine to see how closely the calliper technique could record and restore the centre of the femoral head when simulating hip replacement on Sawbone femur, and secondly by using CT in patients undergoing hip replacement. Results from the co-ordinate measuring machine showed that the centre of the femoral head was predicted by the calliper to within 4.3 mm for offset (mean 1.6 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.4 to 2.8)) and 2.4 mm for vertical height (mean -0.6 (95% CI -1.4 to 0.2)). The CT scans showed that offset and vertical height were restored to within 8 mm (mean -1 (95% CI -2.1 to 0.6)) and -14 mm (mean 4 (95% CI 1.8 to 4.3)), respectively. Accurate assessment and restoration of the centre of the femoral head is feasible with a calliper. It is quick, inexpensive, simple to use and can be applied to any design of femoral component

The incidence of cancer after hip replacement was studied in the 1.6 million inhabitants of Stockholm County, Sweden. A cohort of 10,785 individuals who had had hip replacement between 1974 and 1988 was followed from the date of operation to the first malignant tumour, to death, or to the end of 1989. The follow-up was based on 58,437 person-years at risk as calculated from information obtained by record-linkage with the National Cancer Registry and the National Cause-of-Death Register. The Standardised Morbidity Ratio (SMR) for all cancer sites, disregarding the length of follow-up, was 0.96 (95% CI 0.90 to 1.03). For lymphoma and leukaemia the corresponding SMR was 0.89 (0.68 to 1.14). Our results do not support previous suggestions of an increased incidence of leukaemia and lymphoma after total hip replacement

Aims. The place of thromboprophylaxis in arthroplasty surgery remains controversial, with a challenging requirement to balance prevention of potentially fatal venous thrombo-embolism with minimising wound-related complications leading to deep infection. We compared the incidence of fatal pulmonary embolism in patients undergoing elective primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) between those receiving aspirin, warfarin and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) for the chemical component of a multi-modal thromboprophylaxis regime. Patients and Methods. A prospective audit database was used to identify patients who had died within 42 and 90 days of surgery respectively between April 2000 and December 2012. A case note review was performed to ascertain the causes of death. Results. During this period 7983 THAs were performed. The rate of mortality was 0.43% and 0.58% at 42 and 90 days respectively. The groups comprised 1571 patients (19.7%) on warfarin, 1838 (23.0%) on LMWH and 4574 (57.3%) on aspirin. The 90-day mortality for these three groups was 0.38%, 1.09% and 0.43% respectively. The higher mortality rate for LMWH was significant (p < 0.05). There were six fatal pulmonary emboli (PEs) (0.08%). A total of three occurred within 42 days, all in the LMWH group. A total of three occurred between 42 and 90 days; one on warfarin, two on LMWH. The leading causes of death in all three groups were lower respiratory tract infections and myocardial infarction. Conclusion. We confirmed that fatal PE following elective THA with a multi-modal prophylaxis regime is rare. We further found that LMWH conferred no benefit over aspirin in this context, and is associated with a higher all-cause rate of mortality. Take home message: This study proposes that aspirin may be an appropriate thromboprophylaxis agent when used as part of a multi-modal regimen, suggesting current guidelines should be reviewed. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:585–8

Although about 200 000 cementless Zweymüller-Alloclassic total hip arthroplasties (THAs) were carried out worldwide in the last decade, the survival analysis of these prostheses was not available in the 2000 report of the Swedish national hip arthroplasty registry. We report a prospective survivorship analysis of 200 consecutive grit-blasted cementless Alloclassic primary THAs carried out since 1988. Using surgical, clinical and radiological endpoints for the stem and the threaded cup the ten-year survivorship was 91.5% for reoperation for any cause, 96.4% for hip pain (Merle d’Aubigné score < 5 points, clinical failure), 99.4% for definite aseptic loosening (radiological failure) and 99.3% for revision for aseptic loosening. Using the Swedish registry criteria of primary osteoarthritis and revision for aseptic loosening as the endpoint, the survival rate of 99.1% at ten years for the subgroup of 157 Alloclassic THAs in osteoarthritis compares favourably with that of the best modern cemented hip replacements reported in the Swedish arthroplasty registry

Aims

For cementless implants, stability is initially attained by an interference fit into the bone and osteo-integration may be encouraged by coating the implant with bioactive substances. Blood based autologous glue provides an easy, cost-effective way of obtaining high concentrations of growth factors for tissue healing and regeneration with the intention of spraying it onto the implant surface during surgery. The aim of this study was to incorporate nucleated cells from autologous bone marrow (BM) aspirate into gels made from the patient’s own blood, and to investigate the effects of incorporating three different concentrations of platelet rich plasma (PRP) on the proliferation and viability of the cells in the gel.

Aims

Biopsy of the periprosthetic tissue is an important diagnostic tool for prosthetic joint infection (PJI) as it enables the detection of the responsible microorganism with its sensitivity to antibiotics. We aimed to investigate how often the bacteria identified in the tissue analysis differed between samples obtained from preoperative biopsy and intraoperative revision surgery in cases of late PJI; and whether there was a therapeutic consequence.

In this study we hypothesised that anxiety/depression, one of five dimensions in the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measurement tool EQ-5D, could predict outcome after total hip replacement surgery. Pre-operative and one-year post-operative data from the Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Register, including 6158 patients with primary osteoarthritis of the hip, were analysed. In order to examine the association between anxiety and outcome with respect to pain and satisfaction an analysis of covariance was used. The pre-operative EQ-5D anxiety/depression dimension was a strong predictor for pain relief and patient satisfaction (p < 0.001). Orthopaedic surgeons involved in the care of patients eligible for total hip replacement surgery should be aware that mental health may influence post-operative pain and HRQoL. An appropriate assessment of mental health may enable a modification in the way these patients are managed in order to optimise the outcome after joint replacement surgery

Our aim in this study was to determine the outcome of hip arthroplasty with regard to infection at our unit. Infection after total joint arthroplasty is a devastating complication. The MRC study in 1984 recommended using vertical laminar flow and prophylactic antibiotics to reduce infection rates. These measures are now routinely used. Between 1993 and 1996, 1727 primary total hip arthroplasties and 305 revision hip arthroplasties were performed and 1567 of the primary and 284 of the revision arthroplasties were reviewed between five and eight years after surgery by means of a postal questionnaire, telephone interview or examination of the medical records of those who had died. Seventeen (1.08%) of the patients who underwent primary and six (2.1%) of those who underwent revision arthroplasty had a post-operative infection. Only 0.45% of patients who underwent primary arthroplasty required revision for infection. To our knowledge this is the largest multi-surgeon audit of infection after total hip replacement in the UK. The follow-up of between five and eight years is longer than that of most comparable studies. Our study has shown that a large cohort of surgeons of varying seniority can achieve infection rates of 1% and revision rates for infection of less than 0.5%

Intra-articular injections of steroid into the hip are used for a variety of reasons in current orthopaedic practice. Recently their safety prior to ipsilateral total hip replacement has been called into question owing to concerns about deep joint infection. We undertook a retrospective analysis of all patients who had undergone local anaesthetic and steroid injections followed by ipsilateral total hip replacement over a five-year period. Members of the surgical team, using a lateral approach to the hip, performed all the injections in the operating theatre using a strict aseptic technique. The mean time between injection and total hip replacement was 18 months (4 to 50). The mean follow-up after hip replacement was 25.8 months (9 to 78), during which time no case of deep joint sepsis was found. In our series, ipsilateral local anaesthetic and steroid injections have not conferred an increased risk of infection in total hip replacement. We believe that the practice of intra-articular local anaesthetic and steroid injections to the hip followed by total hip replacement is safer than previously reported

Aims

There is evidence that prior lumbar fusion increases the risk of dislocation and revision after total hip arthroplasty (THA). The relationship between prior lumbar fusion and the effect of femoral head diameter on THA dislocation has not been investigated. We examined the relationship between prior lumbar fusion or discectomy and the risk of dislocation or revision after THA. We also examined the effect of femoral head component diameter on the risk of dislocation or revision.

Between 1999 and 2005, 10 264 patients who had undergone total hip replacement (THR) for subcapital fracture of the hip were compared with 76 520 in whom THR had been performed for other reasons. All the cases were identified through the Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Register. The THRs performed as primary treatment for fracture were also compared with those done after failure of internal fixation. After seven years the rate of revision was higher in THR after fracture (4.4% vs 2.9%). Dislocation and periprosthetic fracture were the most common causes of revision. The risk was higher in men than in women. The type of femoral component and the surgical approach influenced the risk. After correction for gender, type of component and the surgical approach the revision rates were similar in the primary and secondary fracture THR groups. Total hip replacement is therefore a safe method for both the primary and secondary management of fracture of the hip

The aim of this cadaver study was to identify the change in position of the sciatic nerve during arthroplasty using the posterior surgical approach to the hip. We investigated the position of the nerve during this procedure by dissecting 11 formalin-treated cadavers (22 hips: 12 male, ten female). The distance between the sciatic nerve and the femoral neck was measured before and after dislocation of the hip, and in positions used during the preparation of the femur. The nerve moves closer to the femoral neck when the hip is flexed to > 30° and internally rotated to 90° (90° IR). The mean distance between the nerve and femoral neck was 43.1 mm (standard deviation (. sd. ) 8.7) with the hip at 0° of flexion and 90° IR; this significantly decreased to a mean of 36.1 mm (. sd. 9.5), 28.8 mm (. sd. 9.8) and 19.1 mm (. sd. 9.7) at 30°, 60° and 90° of hip flexion respectively (p < 0.001). In two hips the nerve was in contact with the femoral neck when the hip was flexed to 90°. . This study demonstrates that the sciatic nerve becomes closer to the operative field during hip arthroplasty using the posterior approach with progressive flexion of the hip. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1056–62

We present a case of early retrieval of an Oxinium femoral head and corresponding polyethylene liner where there was significant surface damage to the head and polyethylene. The implants were retrieved at the time of revision surgery to correct leg-length discrepancy just 48 hours after the primary hip replacement. Appropriate analysis of the retrieved femoral head demonstrated loss of the Oxinium layer with exposure of the underlying substrate and transfer of titanium from the acetabular shell at the time of a reduction of the index total hip replacement. In addition, the level of damage to the polyethylene was extensive despite only 48 hours in situ. The purpose of this report is to highlight the care that is required at the time of reduction, especially with these hard femoral counter-faces such as Oxinium. To our knowledge, the damage occurring at the time of reduction has not been previously reported following the retrieval of an otherwise well-functioning hip replacement

We reviewed a consecutive series of 241 uncemented, porous-coated anatomic (PCA) hip replacements at an average follow-up of five years (2 to 9). Of these, 32 had failed (13%), 26 at the acetabular component (11%) and six at the femoral component (2%). Acetabular failure was associated with local osteolysis and excessive polyethylene wear in 20 cases: in these histological examination showed giant macrophages incorporating numerous particles of high-density polyethylene. The femoral failures were related to a poor intramedullary fit with subsequent subsidence. Using the recommendation for revision as the end point, the cumulative survival rate for prostheses was 91% at six years (95% CI +/- 6%), 73% (+/- 11%) at seven years, and 57% (+/- 20%) at eight years. The result of uncemented PCA hip replacement is satisfactory up to six years, but then increasing failure of the acetabular component appears to be due to polyethylene wear, leading to osteolysis, loosening and component migration. At first, failure is often asymptomatic; routine follow-up of uncemented hip replacement is essential, especially after five years

We report complications from the use of modular components in 20 hip replacements in 18 patients. Fifteen complications (in 13 patients) were related to failure of a modular interface after operation. Femoral head detachment from its trunnion was seen in 6 hips from trauma (3), reduction of a dislocation (2), and normal activity (1). In one case the base of the trunnion fractured below an extra-long modular head. In seven other hips the modular polyethylene liner dislodged from its shell, causing severe damage to the shell in four cases with extensive metallosis. In one other hip an asymmetrical polyethylene liner rotated, resulting in impingement of the femoral component and recurrent dislocation. Operative errors were seen in five cases: implantation of a trial acetabular component in one; and mismatching between the size of the femoral head and the acetabular component in the others. Surgeons who use hip replacements with modular components should be aware of the potential for operative error and of the importance of early treatment for postoperative mechanical failure

Thirteen methods of hip scoring were applied in the postoperative assessment of 47 hip arthroplasties. Their results were found to be inconsistent, often giving contrary measures of success in the same patient. Ten variables were measured during the postoperative review of 256 hip arthroplasties and the data were submitted to multivariate factor analysis. This revealed that the ten variables could be reduced to three factors: pain, which correlated poorly with any other variable (Spearman correlation, r < 0.02); functional activity (distance walked, use of walking aids, stair climbing, use of public transport, limp, sitting and tying shoelaces); and deformity and range of movement. The range of hip flexion correlated closely with the sum of the arcs of movement and with Gade's index (Spearman correlation, r > 0.9). We suggest that, for outcome assessment, only three variables need to be recorded: pain, walking distance and range of hip flexion. The combination of these three measures into a single hip score is misleading

Aims

Currently, there is no single, comprehensive national guideline for analgesic strategies for total joint replacement. We compared inpatient and outpatient opioid requirements following total hip arthroplasty (THA) versus total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in order to determine risk factors for increased inpatient and outpatient opioid requirements following total hip or knee arthroplasty.

Between 1990 and 1992, we implanted 71 hybrid alumina-on-alumina hip arthroplasties in 62 consecutive patients under the age of 55 years, with a mean age of 46 years at surgery. There were 56 primary and 15 secondary procedures. The prostheses involved a cemented titanium alloy stem, a 32 mm alumina head, and a press-fit metal-backed socket with an alumina insert. Three patients (four hips) died from unrelated causes. Four hips had revision surgery for either deep infection, unexplained persistent pain, fracture of the alumina head, or aseptic loosening of the socket. The nine-year survival rate was 93.7% with revision for any cause as the end-point and 98.4% with revision for aseptic loosening as the end-point. The outcome in the surviving patients (50 patients, 57 hips) with a minimum five-year follow-up (mean eight years) was excellent in 47 hips (82.5%), very good in eight (14%), good in one and fair in one. A thin, partial, lucent line, mainly in zone III was present in 38% of the sockets and one socket had a complete lucency less than 1 mm thick. One stem had isolated femoral osteolysis. There was no detectable component migration nor acetabular osteolysis. This hybrid arthroplasty gave satisfactory medium-term results in active patients. The press-fit metal-backed socket appeared to have reliable fixation in alumina-on-alumina hip arthroplasty. The excellent results using cemented fixation of the stem may be related to the low production of wear debris