The objective of this five-year prospective, blinded, randomised
controlled trial (RCT) was to compare femoral head penetration into
a vitamin E diffused highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) liner
with penetration into a medium cross-linked polyethylene control
liner using radiostereometric analysis. Patients scheduled for total hip arthroplasty (THA) were randomised
to receive either the study E1 (32 patients) or the control ArComXL
polyethylene (35 patients). The median age (range) of the overall
cohort was 66 years (40 to 76).Aims
Patients and Methods
To determine ten-year failure rates following 36 mm metal-on-metal
(MoM) Pinnacle total hip arthroplasty (THA), and identify predictors
of failure. We retrospectively assessed a single-centre cohort of 569 primary
36 mm MoM Pinnacle THAs (all Corail stems) followed up since 2012
according to Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulation Agency
recommendations. All-cause failure rates (all-cause revision, and
non-revised cross-sectional imaging failures) were calculated, with predictors
for failure identified using multivariable Cox regression.Aims
Patients and Methods
Second-generation metal-on-metal bearings were introduced as a response to the considerable incidence of wear-induced failures associated with conventional replacements, especially in young patients. We present the results at ten years of a consecutive series of patients treated using a metal-on-metal hip resurfacing. A distinct feature of the bearings used in our series was that they had been subjected to double-heat treatments during the post-casting phase of their manufacture. In the past these bearings had not been subjected to thermal treatments, making this a unique metal-on-metal bearing which had not been used before in clinical practice. We report the outcome of 184 consecutive hips (160 patients) treated using a hybrid-fixed metal-on-metal hip resurfacing during 1996. Patients were invited for a clinicoradiological follow-up at a minimum of ten years. The Oxford hip score and anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were obtained. The mean age at operation was 54 years (21 to 75). A series of 107 consecutive hips (99 patients) who received the same prosthesis, but subjected to a single thermal treatment after being cast, between March 1994 and December 1995, were used as a control group for comparison. In the 1994 to 1995 group seven patients (seven hips) died from unrelated causes and there were four revisions (4%) for osteolysis and aseptic loosening. In the 1996 group nine patients died at a mean of 6.9 years after operation because of unrelated causes. There were 30 revisions (16%) at a mean of 7.3 years (1.2 to 10.9), one for infection at 1.2 years and 29 for osteolysis and aseptic loosening. Furthermore, in the latter group there were radiological signs of failure in 27 (24%) of the 111 surviving hips. The magnitude of the problem of osteolysis and aseptic loosening in the 1996 cohort did not become obvious until five years after the operation. Our results indicate that double-heat treatments of metal-on-metal bearings can lead to an increased incidence of wear-induced osteolysis.
A national, multi-centre study was designed in
which a questionnaire quantifying the degree of patient satisfaction
and residual symptoms in patients following total knee replacement
(TKR) was administered by an independent, blinded third party survey
centre. A total of 90% of patients reported satisfaction with the
overall functioning of their knee, but 66% felt their knee to be
‘normal’, with the reported incidence of residual symptoms and functional
problems ranging from 33% to 54%. Female patients and patients from
low-income households had increased odds of reporting dissatisfaction.
Neither the use of contemporary implant designs (gender-specific,
high-flex, rotating platform) or custom cutting guides (CCG) with
a neutral mechanical axis target improved patient-perceived outcomes.
However, use of a CCG to perform a so-called kinematically aligned
TKR showed a trend towards more patients reporting their knee to
feel ‘normal’ when compared with a so called mechanically aligned
TKR This data shows a degree of dissatisfaction and residual symptoms
following TKR, and that several recent modifications in implant
design and surgical technique have not improved the current situation. Cite this article:
We investigated whether blood metal ion levels could effectively
identify patients with bilateral Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR)
implants who have adverse reactions to metal debris (ARMD). Metal ion levels in whole blood were measured in 185 patients
with bilateral BHRs. Patients were divided into those with ARMD
who either had undergone a revision for ARMD or had ARMD on imaging
(n = 30), and those without ARMD (n = 155). Receiver operating characteristic
analysis was used to determine the optimal thresholds of blood metal
ion levels for identifying patients with ARMD.Aims
Patients and Methods
Long-term clinical outcomes for ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) bearings
are encouraging. However, there is a risk of squeaking. Guidelines
for the orientation of the acetabular component are defined from
static imaging, but the position of the pelvis and thus the acetabular
component during activities associated with edge-loading are likely
to be very different from those measured when the patient is supine.
We assessed the functional orientation of the acetabular component. A total of 18 patients with reproducible squeaking in their CoC
hips during deep flexion were investigated with a control group
of 36 non-squeaking CoC hips. The two groups were matched for the
type of implant, the orientation of the acetabular component when
supine, the size of the femoral head, ligament laxity, maximum hip
flexion and body mass index. Aims
Patients and Methods
In total hip arthroplasty (THA), the cementless, tapered-wedge stem design contributes to achieving initial stability and providing optimal load transfer in the proximal femur. However, loading conditions on the femur following THA are also influenced by femoral structure. Therefore, we determined the effects of tapered-wedge stems on the load distribution of the femur using subject-specific finite element models of femurs with various canal shapes. We studied 20 femurs, including seven champagne flute-type femurs, five stovepipe-type femurs, and eight intermediate-type femurs, in patients who had undergone cementless THA using the Accolade TMZF stem at our institution. Subject–specific finite element (FE) models of pre- and post-operative femurs with stems were constructed and used to perform FE analyses (FEAs) to simulate single-leg stance. FEA predictions were compared with changes in bone mineral density (BMD) measured for each patient during the first post-operative year.Objectives
Patients and Methods
Animal studies have shown that implanted anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) grafts initially undergo a process of revascularisation prior to remodelling, ultimately increasing mechanical strength. We investigated whether minimal debridement of the intercondylar notch and the residual stump of the ruptured ACL leads to earlier revascularisation in ACL reconstruction in humans. We undertook a randomised controlled clinical trial in which 49 patients underwent ACL reconstruction using autologous four-strand hamstring tendon grafts. Randomised by the use of sealed envelopes, 25 patients had a conventional clearance of the intercondylar notch and 24 had a minimal debridement method. Three patients were excluded from the study. All patients underwent MR scanning postoperatively at 2, 6 and 12 months, together with clinical assessment using a KT-1000 arthrometer and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) evaluation. All observations were made by investigators blinded to the surgical technique. Signal intensity was measured in 4 mm diameter regions of interest along the ACL graft and the mid-substance of the posterior cruciate ligament. Our results indicate that minimal debridement leads to earlier revascularisation within the mid-substance of the ACL graft at two months (paired
An important measure for the diagnosis and monitoring of knee osteoarthritis is the minimum joint space width (mJSW). This requires accurate alignment of the x-ray beam with the tibial plateau, which may not be accomplished in practice. We investigate the feasibility of a new mJSW measurement method from stereo radiographs using 3D statistical shape models (SSM) and evaluate its sensitivity to changes in the mJSW and its robustness to variations in patient positioning and bone geometry. A validation study was performed using five cadaver specimens. The actual mJSW was varied and images were acquired with variation in the cadaver positioning. For comparison purposes, the mJSW was also assessed from plain radiographs. To study the influence of SSM model accuracy, the 3D mJSW measurement was repeated with models from the actual bones, obtained from CT scans.Objectives
Materials and Methods
Computed tomography (CT) plays an important role in evaluating wear and periacetabular osteolysis (PAO) in total hip replacements. One concern with CT is the high radiation exposure since standard pelvic CT provides approximately 3.5 millisieverts (mSv) of radiation exposure, whereas a planar radiographic examination with three projections totals approximately 0.5 mSv. The objective of this study was to evaluate the lowest acceptable radiation dose for dual-energy CT (DECT) images when measuring wear and periacetabular osteolysis in uncemented metal components. A porcine pelvis with bilateral uncemented hip prostheses and with known linear wear and acetabular bone defects was examined in a third-generation multidetector DECT scanner. The examinations were performed with four different radiation levels both with and without iterative reconstruction techniques. From the high and low peak kilo voltage acquisitions, polychrmoatic images were created together with virtual monochromatic images of energies 100 kiloelectron volts (keV) and 150 keV.Objectives
Materials and Methods
We reviewed the literature on the currently available
choices of bearing surface in total hip replacement (THR). We present
a detailed description of the properties of articulating surfaces
review the understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of
existing bearing couples. Recent technological developments in the
field of polyethylene and ceramics have altered the risk of fracture
and the rate of wear, although the use of metal-on-metal bearings has
largely fallen out of favour, owing to concerns about reactions
to metal debris. As expected, all bearing surface combinations have
advantages and disadvantages. A patient-based approach is recommended,
balancing the risks of different options against an individual’s
functional demands. Cite this article:
The use of robotics in arthroplasty surgery is expanding rapidly as improvements in the technology evolve. This article examines current evidence to justify the usage of robotics, as well as the future potential in this emerging field.
The practice of removing a well-fixed cementless
femoral component is associated with high morbidity. Ceramic bearing
couples are low wearing and their use minimises the risk of subsequent
further revision due to the production of wear debris. A total of
165 revision hip replacements were performed, in which a polyethylene-lined acetabular
component was revised to a new acetabular component with a ceramic
liner, while retaining the well-fixed femoral component. A titanium
sleeve was placed over the used femoral trunnion, to which a ceramic
head was added. There were 100 alumina and 65 Delta bearing couples
inserted. The mean Harris hip score improved significantly from 71.3 (9.0
to 100.0) pre-operatively to 91.0 (41.0 to 100.0) at a mean follow
up of 4.8 years (2.1 to 12.5) (p <
0.001). No patients reported
squeaking of the hip. There were two fractures of the ceramic head, both in alumina
bearings. No liners were seen to fracture. No fractures were observed
in components made of Delta ceramic. At 8.3 years post-operatively
the survival with any cause of failure as the endpoint was 96.6%
(95% confidence interval (CI) 85.7 to 99.3) for the acetabular component and
94.0% (95% CI 82.1 to 98.4) for the femoral component. The technique of revising the acetabular component in the presence
of a well-fixed femoral component with a ceramic head placed on
a titanium sleeve over the used trunnion is a useful adjunct in
revision hip practice. The use of Delta ceramic is recommended. Cite this article:
We carried out lacerations of 50%, followed by trimming, in ten turkey flexor tendons We concluded that trimming partially lacerated flexor tendons will reduce the gliding resistance at the tendon-pulley interface, but will lead to fragmentation and triggering of the tendon at higher degrees of flexion and loading. We recommend that higher degrees of flexion be avoided during early post-operative rehabilitation following trimming of a flexor tendon.
The widespread use of MRI has revolutionised
the diagnostic process for spinal disorders. A typical protocol
for spinal MRI includes T1 and T2 weighted sequences in both axial
and sagittal planes. While such an imaging protocol is appropriate
to detect pathological processes in the vast majority of patients,
a number of additional sequences and advanced techniques are emerging.
The purpose of the article is to discuss both established techniques
that are gaining popularity in the field of spinal imaging and to
introduce some of the more novel ‘advanced’ MRI sequences with examples
to highlight their potential uses. Cite this article:
Advanced MRI cartilage imaging such as T1-rho
(T1ρ) for the diagnosis of early cartilage degradation prior to morpholgic
radiological changes may provide prognostic information in the management
of joint disease. This study aimed first to determine the normal
T1ρ profile of cartilage within the hip, and secondly to identify
any differences in T1ρ profile between the normal and symptomatic
femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) hip. Ten patients with cam-type
FAI (seven male and three female, mean age 35.9 years (28 to 48))
and ten control patients (four male and six female, mean age 30.6
years (22 to 35)) underwent 1.5T T1ρ MRI of a single hip. Mean T1ρ relaxation
times for full thickness and each of the three equal cartilage thickness
layers were calculated and compared between the groups. The mean
T1ρ relaxation times for full cartilage thickness of control and
FAI hips were similar (37.17 ms ( These results suggest that 1.5T T1ρ MRI can detect acetabular
hyaline cartilage changes in patients with FAI.
We analysed 54 alumina ceramic-on-ceramic bearings
from total hip replacements retrieved at one centre after a mean
duration of 3.5 years (0.2 to 10.6)
The ideal bearing surface for young patients
undergoing total hip replacement (THR) remains controversial. We report
the five-year results of a randomised controlled trial comparing
the clinical and radiological outcomes of 102 THRs in 91 patients
who were <
65 years of age. These patients were randomised to
receive a cobalt–chrome on ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene,
cobalt–chrome on highly cross-linked polyethylene, or a ceramic-on-ceramic
bearing. In all, 97 hip replacements in 87 patients were available
for review at five years. Two hips had been revised, one for infection
and one for peri-prosthetic fracture. At the final follow-up there were no significant differences
between the groups for the mean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities
osteoarthritis index (pain, p = 0.543; function, p = 0.10; stiffness,
p = 0.99), Short Form-12 (physical component, p = 0.878; mental
component, p = 0.818) or Harris hip scores (p = 0.22). Radiological
outcomes revealed no significant wear in the ceramic group. Comparison of standard and highly cross-linked polyethylene,
however, revealed an almost threefold difference in the mean annual
linear wear rates (0.151 mm/year
Large femoral heads have become popular in total
hip replacement (THR) as a method of reducing the risk of dislocation.
However, if large heads are used in ceramic-on-ceramic THR, the
liner must be thinner, which may increase the risk of fracture.
To compare the rates of ceramic fracture and dislocation between
28 mm and 32 mm ceramic heads, 120 hips in 109 patients (51 men
and 58 women, mean age 49.2 years) were randomised to THR with either
a 28 mm or a 32 mm ceramic articulation. A total of 57/60 hips assigned
to the 28 mm group and 55/60 hips assigned to the 32 mm group were
followed for at least five years. No ceramic component fractures
occured in any patient in either group. There was one dislocation
in the 32 mm group and none in the 28 mm group (p = 0.464). No hip
had detectable wear, focal osteolysis or prosthetic loosening. In
our small study the 32 mm ceramic articulation appeared to be safe
in terms of ceramic liner fracture. Cite this article: