We evaluated the long-term fixation of 64 press-fit cemented stems of constrained total knee prostheses in 32 young patients with primary malignant bone tumours. Initial stable fixation, especially in rotation, was achieved by precise fit of the stem into the reamed endosteum, before cementation. Complementary fixation, especially in migration and rotation, was obtained by pressurised antibiotic-loaded cement. The mean age at operation was 33 years (13 to 61). No patient was lost to follow-up; 13 patients died and the 19 survivors were examined at a mean follow-up of 12.5 years (4 to 21). Standard revision press-fit cemented stems were used on the side of the joint which was not involved with tumour (26 tibial and six femoral), on this side there was no loosening or osteolysis and stem survival was 100%. On the reconstruction side, custom-made press-fit stems were used and the survival rate, with any cause for revision as an end point, was 88%, but 97% for loosening or osteolysis. This longevity is similar to that achieved at 20 years with the Charnley-Kerboull primary total hip replacement with press-fit cemented femoral components. We recommend this type of fixation when extensive reconstruction of the knee is required. It may also be suitable for older patients requiring revision of a total knee replacement or in difficult situations such as severe deformity and complex articular fractures

To prevent insufficiency of the triceps after total elbow arthroplasty, we have, since 2008, used a triceps-sparing ulnar approach. This study evaluates the clinical results and post-operative alignment of the prosthesis using this approach. We reviewed 25 elbows in 23 patients. There were five men and 18 women with a mean age of 69 years (54 to 83). There were 18 elbows with rheumatoid arthritis, six with a fracture or pseudoarthrosis and one elbow with osteoarthritis. Post-operative complications included one intra-operative fracture, one elbow with heterotopic ossification, one transient ulnar nerve palsy, and one elbow with skin necrosis, but no elbow was affected by insufficiency of the triceps. Patients were followed for a mean of 42 months (24 to 77). The mean post-operative Japanese Orthopaedic Association Elbow Score was 90.8 (51 to 100) and the mean Mayo Elbow Performance score 93.8 (65 to 100). The mean post-operative flexion/extension of the elbow was 135°/-8°. The Manual Muscle Testing score of the triceps was 5 in 23 elbows and 2 in two elbows (one patient). The mean alignment of the implants examined by 3D-CT was 2.8° pronation (standard deviation (. sd). 5.5), 0.3° valgus (. sd. 2.7), and 0.7° extension (. sd. 3.2) for the humeral component, and 9.3° pronation (. sd. 9.7), 0.3° valgus (. sd. 4.0), and 8.6° extension (. sd. 3.1) for the ulnar component. There was no radiolucent line or loosening of the implants on the final radiographs. . The triceps-sparing ulnar approach allows satisfactory alignment of the implants, is effective in preventing post-operative triceps insufficiency, and gives satisfactory short-term results. . Cite this article: 2015;97-B:1096–1101

Aims

To report mid- to long-term results of Oxford mobile bearing domed lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), and determine the effect of potential contraindications on outcome.

We have reviewed 54 patients who had undergone 61 total hip replacements using bulk femoral autografts to augment a congenitally dysplastic acetabulum. There were 52 women and two men with a mean age of 42.4 years (29 to 76) at the time of the index operation. A variety of different prostheses was used: 28 (45.9%) were cemented and 33 (54.1%) uncemented. The graft technique remained unchanged throughout the series. Follow-up was at a mean of 8.3 years (3 to 20). The Hospital for Special Surgery hip score improved from a mean of 10.7 (4 to 18) pre-operatively to a mean of 35 (28 to 38) at follow-up. The position of the acetabular component was anatomical in 37 hips (60.7%), displaced less than 1 cm in 20 (32.7%) and displaced more than 1 cm in four (6.6%). Its cover was between 50% and 75% in 34 hips (55.7%) and less than 50% in 25 (41%). In two cases (3.3%), it was more than 75%. There was no graft resorption in 36 hips (59%), mild resorption in 21 (34%) and severe resorption in four (6%). Six hips (9.8%) were revised for aseptic loosening. The overall rate of loosening and revision was 14.8%. Overall survival at 8.3 years was 93.4%. The only significant factor which predicted failure was the implantation of the acetabular component more than 1 cm from the anatomical centre of rotation of the hip

Aims

The consensus is that bipolar hemiarthroplasty (BHA) in allograft-prosthesis composite (APC) reconstruction of the proximal femur following primary tumour resection provides more stability than total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, no comparative study has been performed. In this study, we have compared the outcome and complication rates of these two methods.

The Kent hip is a distally-locked femoral stem which was developed to address severe proximal bone loss, severe bony deformity and peri-prosthetic fracture. We reviewed the results of 145 consecutive Kent hips implanted into 141 patients between 1987 and 2000. The indications for implantation were aseptic loosening (75 hips), septic loosening (two), peri-prosthetic and prosthetic fracture (37), severe bony deformity (24), and fracture through a proximal femoral metastasis (seven). The median time to full weight-bearing after surgery was two days and the mean length of follow-up was 5.1 years (2 to 15). Further revisions were required for 13 femoral stems. With removal of the stem for any reason as an end-point, the cumulative survival at five, ten and 15 years was 93%, 89% and 77%, respectively. In patients aged ≥ 70 years, the cumulative survival at 15 years was 92%, compared with 68% in those aged < 70 years. Because of these findings, we recommend the use of interlocking stems in patients aged ≥ 70 years, particularly in those with a peri-prosthetic fracture, for whom alternative methods are limited. Outcome scores and survival data, compared with other systems, indicate that the Kent hip should be used with caution in younger patients

We reviewed 25 patients in whom a MUTARS megaprosthesis with a conical fluted stem had been implanted. There were three types of stem: a standard stem was used in 17 cases (three in the proximal femur, nine in the distal femur and five proximal tibia), a custom-made proximal femoral stem in four cases and a custom-made distal femoral stem in four cases. The mean age of the patients was 40.1 years (17 to 70) and the mean follow-up was for 2.5 years (0.9 to 7.4). At follow-up two patients had died from their disease: one was alive with disease and 22 were disease-free. One of 23 prostheses had been removed for infection and another revised to a cemented stem. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was 24.9 (12 to 30) and the mean Karnofsky index was 82% (60% to 100%). There was no radiological evidence of loosening or subsidence. Stem stress shielding was seen in 11 patients and was marked in five of these. There were five complications, rupture of the extensor mechanism of the knee after extra-articular resection in two patients, deep venous thrombosis in one, septic loosening in one, and dislocation of the hip in one. The survival rate after seven years was 87% (95% confidence interval (CI) 83 to 91) for the patients and 95% (95% CI 91 to 99) for the megaprosthesis. A longer follow-up is needed to confirm these encouraging results

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) may have a role in the process of aseptic loosening. Doxycycline has been shown to inhibit MMPs. Our aim was to investigate the potential pharmacological effect of doxycycline on aseptic loosening. We used radiolabelled mouse calvariae cultured with human interface membrane cells from aseptically loosened hips. Bone resorption was confirmed in this model. The effect of doxycycline was assessed by culturing dead radiolabelled bone discs with cells from the interface membrane with doxycycline. The control group consisted of the same culture system without doxycycline. Supernatant . 45. calcium and the total . 45. calcium remaining in the bone discs at the completion of the culture were used to measure osteolysis. We found that doxycycline can inhibit osteolysis at the interface membrane of aseptically loosened hips. This may have therapeutic implications for the treatment of patients with aseptic loosening of total joint replacements

In this retrospective study, we investigated the results of revision total hip replacement (THR) using a cemented long-stemmed Exeter femoral component, with a minimum length of 205 mm in patients with extensive femoral bone defects. The study included 37 consecutive patients with a mean age of 76 years (39 to 93) and a mean follow-up of nine years (5 to 16). A total of 26 patients (70%) had a pre-operative Endo-Klinik score of 3 or 4. Impaction bone grafting was used in 24 patients (65%). At the time of evaluation, 22 patients (59%) were still alive and were evaluated clinically and radiologically. A total of 14 patients died during follow-up and their data were included until the time of their death. One reconstruction failed after five years and five months owing to recurrent dislocation: the hip was converted to an excision arthroplasty. Intra-operative fractures or fissures were encountered in nine patients (24%), but none occurred during impaction of the bone graft. Post-operative peri-prosthetic fractures occurred in two patients (5%); both were treated with plate fixation. At nine years, survival with the endpoint of all-cause re-revision was 96.3% (95% CI 76.4 to 99.5); including re-operations for any reason, it was 80.7% (95% CI 56.3 to 92.3%). There were no re-revisions for aseptic loosening. The survival of long stem cemented femoral components following revision THR is satisfactory in a fragile population with extensive femoral defects. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014; 96-B:1207–13

Previous studies of failure mechanisms leading to revision total knee replacement (TKR) performed between 1986 and 2000 determined that many failed early, with a disproportionate amount accounted for by infection and implant-associated factors including wear, loosening and instability. Since then, efforts have been made to improve implant performance and instruct surgeons in best practice. Recently our centre participated in a multi-centre evaluation of 844 revision TKRs from 2010 to 2011. The purpose was to report a detailed analysis of failure mechanisms over time and to see if failure modes have changed over the past 10 to 15 years. Aseptic loosening was the predominant mechanism of failure (31.2%), followed by instability (18.7%), infection (16.2%), polyethylene wear (10.0%), arthrofibrosis (6.9%) and malalignment (6.6%). The mean time to failure was 5.9 years (ten days to 31 years), 35.3% of all revisions occurred at less than two years, and 60.2% in the first five years. With improvements in implant and polyethylene manufacture, polyethylene wear is no longer a leading cause of failure. Early mechanisms of failure are primarily technical errors. In addition to improving implant longevity, industry and surgeons must work together to decrease these technical errors. All reports on failure of TKR contain patients with unexplained pain who not infrequently have unmet expectations. Surgeons must work to achieve realistic patient expectations pre-operatively, and therefore, improve patient satisfaction post-operatively. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B(11 Suppl A):101–4

This randomised trial evaluated the outcome of a single design of unicompartmental arthroplasty of the knee (UKA) with either a cemented all-polyethylene or a metal-backed modular tibial component. A total of 63 knees in 45 patients (17 male, 28 female) were included, 27 in the all-polyethylene group and 36 in the metal-backed group. The mean age was 57.9 years (39.6 to 76.9). At a mean follow-up of 6.4 years (5 to 9.9), 11 all-polyethylene components (41%) were revised (at a mean of 5.8 years; 1.4 to 8.0) post-operatively and two metal-backed components were revised (at one and five years). One revision in both groups was for unexplained pain, one in the metal-backed group was for progression of osteoarthritis. The others in the all-polyethylene group were for aseptic loosening. The survivorship at seven years calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method for the all-polyethylene group was 56.5% (95% CI 31.9 to 75.2, number at risk 7) and for the metal-backed group was 93.8% (95% CI 77.3 to 98.4, number at risk 16) This difference was statistically significant (p <  0.001). At the most recent follow-up, significantly better mean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index Scores were found in the all-polyethylene group (13.4 vs 23.0, p = 0.03) but there was no difference in the mean Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome scores (68.8; 41.4 to 99.0 vs 62.6; 24.0 to 100.0), p = 0.36). There were no significant differences for range of movement (p = 0.36) or satisfaction (p = 0.23). This randomised study demonstrates that all-polyethylene components in this design of fixed bearing UKA had unsatisfactory results with significantly higher rates of failure before ten years compared with the metal-back components. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:786–92

Aims

Earlier studies dealing with trends in the management of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) identified an increasing rate of total hip arthroplasties (THAs) and a decreasing rate of joint-preserving procedures between 1992 and 2008. In an effort to assess new trends in the management of this condition, this study evaluated the annual trends of joint-preserving versus arthroplasties for patients aged < or > 50 years old, and the incidence of specific operative management techniques.

A modular layered acetabular component (metal-polyethylene-ceramic) was developed in Japan for use in alumina ceramic-on-ceramic total hip replacement. Between May 1999 and July 2000, we performed 35 alumina ceramic-on-ceramic total hip replacements in 30 consecutive patients, using this layered component and evaluated the clinical and radiological results over a mean follow-up of 5.8 years (5 to 6.5). A total of six hips underwent revision, one for infection, two for dislocation with loosening of the acetabular component, two for alumina liner fractures and one for component dissociation with pelvic osteolysis. There were no fractures of the ceramic heads, and no loosening of the femoral or acetabular component in the unrevised hips was seen at final follow-up. Osteolysis was not observed in any of the unrevised hips. The survivorship analysis at six years after surgery was 83%. The layered acetabular component in our experience, has poor durability because of unexpected mechanical failures including alumina liner fracture and component dissociation

Charcot neuro-osteoarthropathy (CN) of the midfoot presents a major reconstructive challenge for the foot and ankle surgeon. The Synthes 6 mm Midfoot Fusion Bolt is both designed and recommended for patients who have a deformity of the medial column of the foot due to CN. We present the results from the first nine patients (ten feet) on which we attempted to perform fusion of the medial column using this bolt. Six feet had concurrent hindfoot fusion using a retrograde nail. Satisfactory correction of deformity of the medial column was achieved in all patients. The mean correction of calcaneal pitch was from 6° (-15° to +18°) pre-operatively to 16° (7° to 23°) post-operatively; the mean Meary angle from 26° (3° to 46°) to 1° (1° to 2°); and the mean talometatarsal angle on dorsoplantar radiographs from 27° (1° to 48°) to 1° (1° to 3°). . However, in all but two feet, at least one joint failed to fuse. The bolt migrated in six feet, all of which showed progressive radiographic osteolysis, which was considered to indicate loosening. Four of these feet have undergone a revision procedure, with good radiological evidence of fusion. The medial column bolt provided satisfactory correction of the deformity but failed to provide adequate fixation for fusion in CN deformities in the foot. In its present form, we cannot recommend the routine use of this bolt. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015; 97-B:809–13

Introduction

The primary aim of this study was to describe a baseline comparison of early knee-specific functional outcomes following revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using metaphyseal sleeves with a matched cohort of patients undergoing primary TKA. The secondary aim was to compare incidence of complications and length of stay (LOS) between the two groups.

A reduced femoral offset in total hip replacement has been thought to be disadvantageous. We reviewed the results of 54 consecutive primary total hip replacements in 49 patients (mean age of 68 years) performed between August 1990 and December 1994, with a mean follow-up of 8.8 years (. sd. 2.1). The mean pre-operative femoral offset for these hips was 41 mm (. sd. 7.4). All patients received a low-offset Charnley stem and a polyethylene cup inserted by a single surgeon. At their latest follow-up, surviving patients had a significant improvement in the performance of their hip. Three had undergone revision, one each for deep infection, recurrent dislocation and late pain with subluxation. No hips had been revised, or were at risk of revision, for aseptic loosening. The mean annual linear rate of wear was 0.2 mm (. sd. 0.08) for the whole group. There was no correlation between the pre-operative femoral offset and the post-operative rate of wear. Our survivorship estimate was 91% when revision for any reason was taken as an end-point, but 100% if aseptic loosening was considered as the end-point. Our study demonstrates that a low-offset femoral stem can produce good, medium-term results

Aims

Cementless unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has advantages over cemented UKA, including improved fixation, but has a higher risk of tibial plateau fracture, particularly in Japanese patients. The aim of this multicentre study was to determine when cementless tibial components could safely be used in Japanese patients based on the size and shape of the tibia.

The peri-prosthetic tissue response to wear debris is complex and influenced by various factors including the size, area and number of particles. We hypothesised that the ‘biologically active area’ of all metal wear particles may predict the type of peri-prosthetic tissue response. . Peri-prosthetic tissue was sampled from 21 patients undergoing revision of a small diameter metal-on-metal (MoM) total hip arthroplasty (THA) for aseptic loosening. An enzymatic protocol was used for tissue digestion and scanning electron microscope was used to characterise particles. Equivalent circle diameters and particle areas were calculated. Histomorphometric analyses were performed on all tissue specimens. Aspirates of synovial fluid were collected for analysis of the cytokine profile analysis, and compared with a control group of patients undergoing primary THA (n = 11) and revision of a failed ceramic-on-polyethylene arthroplasty (n = 6). . The overall distribution of the size and area of the particles in both lymphocyte and non-lymphocyte-dominated responses were similar; however, the subgroup with lymphocyte-dominated peri-prosthetic tissue responses had a significantly larger total number of particles. . 14 cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, interferon (IFN)-γ, and IFN-gamma-inducible protein 10), chemokines (macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α and MIP-1ß), and growth factors (granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and platelet derived growth factor) were detected at significantly higher levels in patients with metal wear debris compared with the control group. . Significantly higher levels for IL-1ß, IL-5, IL-10 and GM-CSF were found in the subgroup of tissues from failed MoM THAs with a lymphocyte-dominated peri-prosthetic response compared with those without this response. . These results suggest that the ‘biologically active area’ predicts the type of peri-prosthetic tissue response. The cytokines IL-1ß, IL-5, IL-10, and GM-CSF are associated with lymphocyte-dominated tissue responses from failed small-diameter MoM THA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:917–23

Aims

Although good clinical outcomes have been reported for monolithic tapered, fluted, titanium stems (TFTS), early results showed high rates of subsidence. Advances in stem design may mitigate these concerns. This study reports on the use of a current monolithic TFTS for a variety of indications.