We investigated the incidence and risk factors for the development of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head in the course of treatment of children with cerebral palsy (CP) and dislocation of the hip. All underwent open reduction, proximal femoral and Dega pelvic osteotomy. The inclusion criteria were: a predominantly spastic form of CP, dislocation of the hip (migration percentage, MP > 80%), Gross Motor Function Classification System, (GMFCS) grade IV to V, a primary surgical procedure and follow-up of > one year.

There were 81 consecutive children (40 girls and 41 boys) in the study. Their mean age was nine years (3.5 to 13.8) and mean follow-up was 5.5 years (1.6 to 15.1). Radiological evaluation included measurement of the MP, the acetabular index (AI), the epiphyseal shaft angle (ESA) and the pelvic femoral angle (PFA). The presence and grade of AVN were assessed radiologically according to the Kruczynski classification.

Signs of AVN (grades I to V) were seen in 79 hips (68.7%). A total of 23 hips (18%) were classified between grades III and V.

Although open reduction of the hip combined with femoral and Dega osteotomy is an effective form of treatment for children with CP and dislocation of the hip, there were signs of avascular necrosis in about two-thirds of the children. There was a strong correlation between post-operative pain and the severity of the grade of AVN.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:270–6.

The interaction between the lumbosacral spine and the pelvis is dynamically related to positional change, and may be complicated by co-existing pathology. This review summarises the current literature examining the effect of sagittal spinal deformity on pelvic and acetabular orientation during total hip arthroplasty (THA) and provides recommendations to aid in placement of the acetabular component for patients with co-existing spinal pathology or long spinal fusions. Pre-operatively, patients can be divided into four categories based on the flexibility and sagittal balance of the spine. Using this information as a guide, placement of the acetabular component can be optimal based on the type and significance of co-existing spinal deformity.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1017–23.

The use of ilioischial cage reconstruction for pelvic discontinuity has been replaced by the Trabecular Metal (Zimmer, Warsaw, Indiana) cup-cage technique in our institution, due to the unsatisfactory outcome of using a cage alone in this situation. We report the outcome of 26 pelvic discontinuities in 24 patients (20 women and four men, mean age 65 years (44 to 84)) treated by the cup-cage technique at a mean follow-up of 82 months (12 to 113) and compared them with a series of 19 pelvic discontinuities in 19 patients (18 women and one man, mean age 70 years (42 to 86)) treated with a cage at a mean follow-up of 69 months (1 to 170). The clinical and radiological outcomes as well as the survivorship of the groups were compared. In all, four of the cup-cage group (15%) and 13 (68%) of the cage group failed due to septic or aseptic loosening. The seven-year survivorship was 87.2% (95% confidence interval (CI) 71 to 103) for the cup-cage group and 49.9% (95% CI 15 to 84) for the cage-alone group (p = 0.009). There were four major complications in the cup-cage group and nine in the cage group. Radiological union of the discontinuity was found in all successful cases in the cup-cage group and three of the successful cage cases. Three hips in the cup-cage group developed early radiological migration of the components, which stabilised with a successful outcome.

Cup-cage reconstruction is a reliable technique for treating pelvic discontinuity in mid-term follow-up and is preferred to ilioischial cage reconstruction. If the continuity of the bone graft at the discontinuity site is not disrupted, early migration of the components does not necessarily result in failure.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:195–200.

The August 2014 Trauma Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: On-table CT for calcaneal fractures; timing of femoral fracture surgery and outcomes; salvage arthroplasty for failed internal fixation of the femoral neck; screw insertion in osteoporotic bone; fibular intramedullary nailing on the ascendant; posterior wall acetabular fractures not all that innocent; bugs, plating and resistance and improving outcomes in olecranon tension band wiring.

Aim

Until now, there has been no consensus as to whether stemmed acetabular components are appropriate for use in patients undergoing revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) who have major acetabular defects or pelvic discontinuity. We wished to address this deficiency in the literature.

The term developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) describes a spectrum of disorders that results in abnormal development of the hip joint. If not treated successfully in childhood, these patients may go on to develop hip symptoms and/or secondary osteoarthritis in adulthood. In this review we describe the altered anatomy encountered in adults with DDH along with the management options, and the challenges associated with hip arthroscopy, osteotomies and arthroplasty for the treatment of DDH in young adults.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:732–7.

We hypothesised that the removal of the subchondral bone plate (SCBP) for cemented acetabular component fixation in total hip arthroplasty (THA) offers advantages over retention by improving the cement-bone interface, without jeopardising implant stability. We have previously published two-year follow-up data of a randomised controlled trial (RCT), in which 50 patients with primary osteoarthritis were randomised to either retention or removal of the SCBP. The mean age of the retention group (n = 25, 13 males) was 70.0 years (sd 6.8). The mean age in the removal group (n = 25, 16 males) was 70.3 years (sd 7.9). Now we have followed up the patients at six (retention group, n = 21; removal group, n = 20) and ten years (retention group: n = 17, removal group: n = 18), administering clinical outcome questionnaires and radiostereometric analysis (RSA), and determining the presence of radiolucent lines (RLLs) on conventional radiographs. RSA demonstrated similar translation and rotation patterns up to six years. Between six and ten years, proximal acetabular component migration and changes of inclination were larger in the retention group, although the mean differences did not reach statistical significance. Differences in migration were driven by two patients in the SCBP retention group with extensive migration versus none in the SCBP removal group. The significant difference (p < 0.001) in the development of radiolucent lines in the retention group, previously observed at two years, increased even further during the course of follow-up (p < 0.001). While recognising SCBP removal is a more demanding technique, we conclude that, wherever possible, the SCBP should be removed to improve the cement–bone interface in order to maximise acetabular component stability and longevity.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:35–44.

Objectives

High failure rates of metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty implants have highlighted the need for more careful introduction and monitoring of new implants and for the evaluation of the safety of medical devices. The National Joint Registry and other regulatory services are unable to detect failing implants at an early enough stage. We aimed to identify validated surrogate markers of long-term outcome in patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Cartilage defects of the hip cause significant pain and may lead to arthritic changes that necessitate hip replacement. We propose the use of fresh osteochondral allografts as an option for the treatment of such defects in young patients. Here we present the results of fresh osteochondral allografts for cartilage defects in 17 patients in a prospective study. The underlying diagnoses for the cartilage defects were osteochondritis dissecans in eight and avascular necrosis in six. Two had Legg-Calve-Perthes and one a femoral head fracture. Pre-operatively, an MRI was used to determine the size of the cartilage defect and the femoral head diameter. All patients underwent surgical hip dislocation with a trochanteric slide osteotomy for placement of the allograft. The mean age at surgery was 25.9 years (17 to 44) and mean follow-up was 41.6 months (3 to 74). The mean Harris hip score was significantly better after surgery (p < 0.01) and 13 patients had fair to good outcomes. One patient required a repeat allograft, one patient underwent hip replacement and two patients are awaiting hip replacement. Fresh osteochondral allograft is a reasonable treatment option for hip cartilage defects in young patients.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B(11 Supple A):11–16.

In this retrospective study we evaluated the proficiency of shelf autograft in the restoration of bone stock as part of primary total hip replacement (THR) for hip dysplasia, and in the results of revision arthroplasty after failure of the primary arthroplasty. Of 146 dysplastic hips treated by THR and a shelf graft, 43 were revised at an average of 156 months, 34 of which were suitable for this study (seven hips were excluded because of insufficient bone-stock data and two hips were excluded because allograft was used in the primary THR). The acetabular bone stock of the hips was assessed during revision surgery. The mean implant–bone contact was 58% (50% to 70%) at primary THR and 78% (40% to 100%) at the time of the revision, which was a significant improvement (p < 0.001). At primary THR all hips had had a segmental acetabular defect > 30%, whereas only five (15%) had significant segmental bone defects requiring structural support at the time of revision. In 15 hips (44%) no bone graft or metal augments were used during revision.

A total of 30 hips were eligible for the survival study. At a mean follow-up of 103 months (27 to 228), two aseptic and two septic failures had occurred. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of the revision procedures demonstrated a ten-year survival rate of 93.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) 78 to 107) with clinical or radiological failure as the endpoint. The mean Oxford hip score was 38.7 (26 to 46) for non-revised cases at final follow-up.

Our results indicate that the use of shelf autografts during THR for dysplastic hips restores bone stock, contributing to the favourable survival of the revision arthroplasty should the primary procedure fail.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:777–81.

In Japan, osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip secondary to acetabular dysplasia is very common, and there are few data concerning the pathogeneses and incidence of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). We have attempted to clarify the radiological prevalence of painful FAI in a cohort of Japanese patients and to investigate the radiological findings. We identified 176 symptomatic patients (202 hips) with Tönnis grade 0 or 1 osteoarthritis, whom we prospectively studied between August 2011 and July 2012. There were 61 men (65 hips) and 115 women (137 hips) with a mean age of 51.8 years (11 to 83). Radiological analyses included the α-angle, centre–edge angle, cross-over sign, pistol grip deformity and femoral head neck ratio. Of the 202 hips, 79 (39.1%) had acetabular dysplasia, while 80 hips (39.6%) had no known aetiology. We found evidence of FAI in 60 hips (29.7%). Radiological FAI findings associated with cam deformity were the most common. There was a significant relationship between the pistol grip deformity and both the α-angle (p < 0.001) and femoral head–neck ratio (p = 0.024). Radiological evidence of symptomatic FAI was not uncommon in these Japanese patients.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;96-B:172–6.

There are few reports describing the technique of managing acetabular protrusio in primary total hip replacement. Most are small series with different methods of addressing the challenges of significant medial and proximal migration of the joint centre, deficient medial bone and reduced peripheral bony support to the acetabular component. We describe our technique and the clinical and radiological outcome of using impacted morsellised autograft with a porous-coated cementless cup in 30 primary THRs with mild (n = 8), moderate (n = 10) and severe (n = 12) grades of acetabular protrusio. The mean Harris hip score had improved from 52 pre-operatively to 85 at a mean follow-up of 4.2 years (2 to 10). At final follow-up, 27 hips (90%) had a good or excellent result, two (7%) had a fair result and one (3%) had a poor result. All bone grafts had united by the sixth post-operative month and none of the hips showed any radiological evidence of recurrence of protrusio, osteolysis or loosening. By using impacted morsellised autograft and cementless acetabular components it was possible to achieve restoration of hip mechanics, provide a biological solution to bone deficiency and ensure long-term fixation without recurrence in arthritic hips with protrusio undergoing THR.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B, Supple A:37–40.

Pelvic discontinuity represents a rare but challenging problem for orthopaedic surgeons. It is most commonly encountered during revision total hip replacement, but can also result from an iatrogentic acetabular fracture during hip replacement. The general principles in management of pelvic discontinuity include restoration of the continuity between the ilium and the ischium, typically with some form of plating. Bone grafting is frequently required to restore pelvic bone stock. The acetabular component is then impacted, typically using an uncemented, trabecular metal component. Fixation with multiple supplemental screws is performed. For larger defects, a so-called ‘cup–cage’ reconstruction, or a custom triflange implant may be required. Pre-operative CT scanning can greatly assist in planning and evaluating the remaining bone stock available for bony ingrowth. Generally, good results have been reported for constructs that restore stability to the pelvis and allow some form of biologic ingrowth.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B, Supple A:109–13.

Only limited data are available regarding the infiltration of local anaesthetic for total hip arthroplasty (THA), and no studies were performed for THA using the anterior approach.

In this prospective, randomised placebo-controlled study we investigated the effect of both standard and reverse infiltration of local anaesthetic in combination with the anterior approach for THA. The primary endpoint was the mean numeric rating score for pain four hours post-operatively. In addition, we recorded the length of hospital stay, the operating time, the destination of the patient at discharge, the use of pain medication, the occurrence of side effects and pain scores at various times post-operatively.

Between November 2012 and January 2014, 75 patients were included in the study. They were randomised into three groups: standard infiltration of local anaesthetic, reversed infiltration of local anaesthetic, and placebo. There was no difference in mean numeric rating score for pain four hours post-operatively (p = 0.87). There were significantly more side effects at one and eight hours post-operatively in the placebo group (p = 0.02; p = 0.03), but this did not influence the mobilisation of the patients. There were no differences in all other outcomes between the groups.

We found no clinically relevant effect when the infiltration of local anaesthetic with ropivacaine and epinephrine was used in a multimodal pain protocol for THA using the anterior approach.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015; 97-B:734–40.

This review summarises the evidence for the treatment of displaced fractures of the femoral neck in elderly patients. Results from randomised clinical trials and national register studies are presented when available.

The advantages of arthroplasty compared with internal fixation are supported by several studies. A number of studies contribute to the discussions of total hip arthroplasty (THA) versus hemiarthroplasty and unipolar versus bipolar hemiarthroplasty, but no clear-cut evidence-based recommendation can be made. THA may be particularly advantageous for active, lucid patients with a relatively long life expectancy. For patients who are physiologically older, hemiarthoplasty is probably satisfactory, and for the oldest patients with more comorbidities, unipolar implants are considered to be sufficient. If the hospital can support emergency THA surgery in sufficient numbers and quality, there may be few patients who warrant bipolar hemiarthroplasty.

The direct lateral approach reduces the risk of dislocation compared with the posterior approach. Cemented implants lower the risk of periprosthetic fracture and its subsequent morbidity and mortality. As the risk of peri-operative death related to bone cement can be reduced by adequate measures, cemented implants are recommended in fracture cases.

Take home message: There remains a great variation in the surgical management of patients with a hip fracture, and an evidence-based approach should improve the outcomes for this vulnerable patient group.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:291–7.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the development of the osseous acetabular index (OAI) and cartilaginous acetabular index (CAI) using MRI. The OAI and CAI were measured on the coronal MR images of the hip in 81 children with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), with a mean age of 19.6 months (3 to 70), and 241 normal control children with a mean age of 5.1 years (1 month to 12.5 years). Additionally the developmental patterns of the OAI and CAI in normal children were determined by age-based cross-sectional analysis.

Unlike the OAI, the normal CAI decreased rapidly from a mean of 10.17° (sd 1.60) to a mean of 8.25° (sd 1.90) within the first two years of life, and then remained constant at a mean of 8.04° (sd 1.65) until adolescence. Although no difference in OAI was found between the uninvolved hips in children with unilateral DDH and normal hips (p = 0.639), the CAI was significantly different between them both (p < 0.001). The normal CAI has fully formed at birth, and is maintained constantly throughout childhood. The CAI in the unaffected hips in children with unilateral DDH is also mildly dysplastic.

Patients with acetabular dysplasia commonly undergo peri-acetabular osteotomy after skeletal maturity to reduce the risk of the late development of osteoarthritis. Several studies have suggested that deformity of the femoral head influences the long-term outcome. We radiologically examined 224 hips in 112 patients with acetabular dysplasia and early-stage osteoarthritis. There were 103 women and nine men with a mean age of 37.6 years (18 to 49). A total of 201 hips were placed in the acetabular dysplasia group and 23 in a normal group. The centre–edge angle and acetabular head index were significantly smaller (both p < 0.001), and the acetabular angle, acetabular roof angle and roundness index were significantly greater in the acetabular dysplasia group than those in the normal group (all p < 0.001). There were significant correlations between the roundness index and other parameters. Femoral head shape may be influenced by the severity of the acetabular dysplasia.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1192–6.