Recent guidance recommends the use of a well-proven cemented femoral stem for hemiarthroplasty in the management of fractures of the femoral neck, and the Exeter Trauma Stem (ETS) has been suggested as an example of such an implant. The design of this stem was based on the well-proven Exeter Total Hip Replacement stem (ETHRS). This study assessed the surface finish of the ETS in comparison with the ETHRS. Two ETSs and two ETHRSs were examined using a profilometer with a precision of 1 nm and compared with an explanted Exeter Matt stem. The mean roughness average (RA) of the ETSs was approximately ten times higher than that of the ETHRSs (0.235 μm (0.095 to 0.452) versus 0.025 μm (0.011 to 0.059); p < 0.001). The historical Exeter Matt stem roughness measured a mean RA of 0.973 μm (0.658 to 1.159). The change of the polished Exeter stem to a matt surface finish in 1976 resulted in a high stem failure rate. We do not yet know whether the surface differences between ETS and ETHRS will be clinically significant. We propose the inclusion of hemiarthroplasty stems in national joint registries. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:173–6

Aims

The aim of this study was to describe the management and associated outcomes of patients sustaining a femoral hip periprosthetic fracture (PPF) in the UK population.

Squeaking arising from a ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) total hip replacement (THR) may cause patient concern and in some cases causes patients to seek revision surgery. We performed a meta-analysis to determine the incidence of squeaking and the incidence of revision surgery for squeaking. A total of 43 studies including 16 828 CoC THR that reported squeaking, or revision for squeaking, were entered into the analysis. The incidence of squeaking was 4.2% and the incidence of revision for squeaking was 0.2%. The incidence of squeaking in patients receiving the Accolade femoral stem was 8.3%, and the incidence of revision for squeaking in these patients was 1.3%. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:181–7

Aims

A recent report from France suggested an association between the use of cobalt-chrome (CoCr) femoral heads in total hip arthroplasties (THAs) and an increased risk of dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure. CoCr is a commonly used material in orthopaedic implants. If the reported association is causal, the consequences would be significant given the millions of joint arthroplasties and other orthopaedic procedures in which CoCr is used annually. We examined whether CoCr-containing THAs were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality, heart outcomes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders in a large national database.

We reviewed 351 cemented revisions of femoral stems performed for aseptic loosening. At a mean of six years after the revision operation 72.1% of the patients were pain-free and 21.4% had only mild or occasional discomfort. The latest radiographs showed definite stem loosening in 10 (2.8%) and 20 hips (5.7%) had required rerevision, only nine (2.6%) of which were for mechanical failure of the stem. Survivorship analysis, taking the end point as rerevision of the stem, gave 97.0% survival at eight years and 91.6% at 11 years. Excellent results both clinically and radiologically can be achieved by cemented revision of the femoral stem for aseptic loosening

We reviewed at a minimum elapsed time of five years a consecutive series of 143 primary Exeter hip replacements in which matt-surfaced femoral stems had been used. Twenty-five patients had died and six stems and two sockets had been revised before follow-up. The remaining 110 hips were all examined clinically and radiographically. In 15 hips there were radiographic signs of definite loosening of the stem and in eight suspected loosening. The acetabulum was loose in four hips. In another eight hips localised bone resorption was present without signs of loosening. Half the patients with loosening or localised bone resorption had mild pain or no pain at all. The late complication rate with the matt-surfaced Exeter femoral stem is unacceptably high

In 2012 we reviewed a consecutive series of 92 uncemented THRs performed between 1986 and 1991 at our institution using the CLS Spotorno stem, in order to assess clinical outcome and radiographic data at a minimum of 21 years. The series comprised 92 patients with a mean age at surgery of 59.6 years (39 to 77) (M:F 43;49). At the time of this review, seven (7.6%) patients had died and two (2.2%) were lost to follow-up. The 23-year Kaplan–Meier survival rates were 91.5% (95% confidence intervals (CI) 85.4% to 97.6%; 55 hips at risk) and 80.3% (95% CI, 71.8% to 88.7%; 48 hips at risk) respectively, with revision of the femoral stem or of any component as endpoints. At the time of this review, 76 patients without stem revision were assessed clinically and radiologically (mean follow-up 24.0 years (21.5 to 26.5)). For the 76 unrevised hips the mean Harris hip score was 87.1 (65 to 97). Femoral osteolysis was detected in five hips (6.6%) only in Gruen zone 7. Undersized stems were at higher risk of revision owing to aseptic loosening (p = 0.0003). Patients implanted with the stem in a varus position were at higher risk of femoral cortical hypertrophy and thigh pain (p = 0.0006 and p = 0.0007, respectively). In our study, survival, clinical outcome and radiographic data remained excellent in the third decade after implantation. Nonetheless, undersized stems were at higher risk of revision owing to aseptic loosening. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:455–61

National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines state that cemented stems with an Orthopaedic Data Evaluation Panel (ODEP) rating of > 3B should be used for hemiarthroplasty when treating an intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck. These recommendations are based on studies in which most, if not all stems, did not hold such a rating. . This case-control study compared the outcome of hemiarthroplasty using a cemented (Exeter) or uncemented (Corail) femoral stem. These are the two prostheses most commonly used in hip arthroplasty in the UK. Data were obtained from two centres; most patients had undergone hemiarthroplasty using a cemented Exeter stem (n = 292/412). Patients were matched for all factors that have been shown to influence mortality after an intracapsular fracture of the neck of the femur. Outcome measures included: complications, re-operations and mortality rates at two, seven, 30 and 365 days post-operatively. Comparable outcomes for the two stems were seen. . There were more intra-operative complications in the uncemented group (13% vs 0%), but the cemented group had a greater mortality in the early post-operative period (n = 6). There was no overall difference in the rate of re-operation (5%) or death (365 days: 26%) between the two groups at any time post-operatively. This study therefore supports the use of both cemented and uncemented stems of proven design, with an ODEP rating of 10A, in patients with an intracapsular fracture of the neck of the femur. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:94–9

We have managed 27 patients (16 women and 11 men) with a mean age of 68.4 years (50 to 84), with failed total hip replacement and severe proximal femoral bone loss by revision using a distal fix/proximal wrap prosthesis. The mean follow-up was for 55.3 months (25 to 126). The mean number of previous operations was 2.2 (1 to 4). The mean Oxford hip score decreased from 46.2 (38 to 60) to 28.5 (17 to 42) (paired t-test, p < 0.001) and the mean Harris Hip score increased from 30.4 (3 to 57.7) to 71.7 (44 to 99.7) (paired t-test, p < 0.001). There were two dislocations, and in three patients we failed to eradicate previous infection. None required revision of the femoral stem. This technique allows instant distal fixation while promoting biological integration and restoration of bone stock. In the short term, the functional outcome is encouraging and the complication rates acceptable in this difficult group of patients

We describe six patients with aggressive granulomatous lesions around cementless total hip prostheses. Two patients previously had a cemented prosthesis in the same hip. The Lord prosthesis was used in five patients, the PCA in one. Both prostheses were made of chrome-cobalt alloy. Pain on weight-bearing occurred on average 3.2 years after the cementless arthroplasty, and at that time radiography revealed aggressive granulomatosis around the proximal femoral stem and the acetabular component in five of the patients; one had a large solitary granuloma in the proximal femur. Revision was performed on average 4.8 years after the cementless arthroplasty. At that time all granulomas had grown large in size; while waiting for revision operation, two femoral stem components fractured. All the granulomas showed a uniform histopathology, which included histiocytosis; the cause for these lesions was thought to be plastic debris from the acetabular socket

Aims

The aim of this modified Delphi process was to create a structured Revision Hip Complexity Classification (RHCC) which can be used as a tool to help direct multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussions of complex cases in local or regional revision networks.

Osteogenesis imperfecta is a rare inherited disorder of connective tissue which may present with recurrent fractures which are prone to nonunion and malunion resulting in deformity. Some patients develop osteoarthritis of the hip. Formation of hyperplastic callus after recurrent fractures may deform the shape of the femur and preclude the use of standard implants at joint replacement. Replacement can thus be technically demanding. We present a case of bilateral hip replacement in a patient with osteogenesis imperfecta and hyperplastic callus which was treated by the use of long femoral allografts and cemented femoral stems

We prospectively studied 217 patients who underwent 234 Elite Plus total hip arthroplasties. At a mean of 6.4 (SD 0.7) years post-operatively, 39 patients had died and 22 were either lost to follow-up or had no radiographs available. Clinical (Oxford hip score) and radiological assessments were performed on 156 patients (168 hip arthroplasties) who had a mean age of 67.7 (SD 9.7) years at operation. In the assessed group, 26 of 159 (16.4%) of femoral stems which had not already been revised and 19 of 159 (11.9%) of acetabular cups were definitely loose. In total, 52 of 168 (31%) of hips had either been revised or had definite evidence of loosening of a component. We could not establish any relationship between clinical and radiological outcomes. Despite the fact that the clinical outcome and rate of revision for the Elite Plus appeared to meet international standards, our findings give us cause for concern. We believe that joint registries should include radiological surveillance in order to provide reliable information about medium-term outcomes for hip prostheses

Forty failed hinged arthroplasties of the knee were revised by the insertion of another hinged implant. In 14 cases the prosthesis used at the revision operation was similar to the primary implant; in 26, a hinge with an elongated femoral stem was used, usually replacing part of the femoral shaft. In seven of these knees an elongated tibial stem was also required, though the tibial shaft was replaced in only two of them. There were many complications. Fracture of the femur at the tip of the femoral stem was the most frequent. Sixteen first revisions failed and were revised a second time; 12 required replacement of the distal femoral shaft and three required replacement of the proximal tibia. The incidence of complications in knees requiring a second revision was even higher. Four required a third revision after an average interval of three years. Failure of a hinged prosthesis results in bone loss mainly in the femur. Revision of a failed hinged prosthesis with another of the same design is unlikely to be successful and may cause fracture of the femur

Aims

Femoral bone preparation using compaction technique has been shown to preserve bone and improve implant fixation in animal models. No long-term clinical outcomes are available. There are no significant long-term differences between compaction and broaching techniques for primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) in terms of migration, clinical, and radiological outcomes.

Early failures have seen titanium fall from favour as a material for cemented femoral stems. Between 1989 and 1994, we performed a prospective review of a consecutive series of 122 cemented total hip replacements using the Ultima straight textured titanium stem, and report the five- to ten-year clinical and radiological outcomes. There were no revisions for loosening of the femoral stem. Revision surgery was undertaken for other reasons such as dislocation, infection and loosening of the cup in 7.3%. Of those patients without revision all but two were satisfied with their hip, with 74% graded good or excellent using a modified Harris hip score. Radiological assessment revealed probable loosening in two. Although slight vertical subsidence was found in one-third of patients it had not progressed to loosening. It is not clear whether this represents debonding. Non-progressive radiolucent lines (1 to 2 mm) were present in zone 1 at the cement-prosthesis interface in 14.7%. Calcar resorption and hypertrophy around the distal stem were not often seen. With 97% survival at a mean of 7.5 years, the medium-term results of this specific cemented titanium stem are reassuring so far, but we are concerned about debonding and future failure

Aims

Although the short stem concept in hip arthroplasty procedure shows acceptable clinical performance, we sometimes get unexplainable radiological findings. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate changes of radiological findings up to three years postoperatively, and to assess any potential contributing factors on such radiological change in a Japanese population.