Objectives. There remains conflicting evidence regarding cortical bone strength following bisphosphonate therapy. As part of a study to assess the effects of bisphosphonate treatment on the healing of rat tibial fractures, the mechanical properties and radiological density of the uninjured contralateral tibia was assessed. Methods. Skeletally mature aged rats were used. A total of 14 rats received 1µg/kg ibandronate (iban) daily and 17 rats received 1 ml 0.9% sodium chloride (control) daily. Stress at failure and toughness of the tibial diaphysis were calculated following four-point bending tests. Results. Uninjured cortical bone in the iban group had a significantly greater mean (standard deviation (. sd. )), p < 0.001, stress at failure of 219.2 MPa (. sd. 45.99) compared with the control group (169.46 MPa (. sd. 43.32)) following only nine weeks of therapy. Despite this, the cortical bone toughness and work to failure was similar. There was no significant difference in radiological density or physical dimensions of the cortical bone. Conclusions. Iban therapy increases the stress at failure of uninjured cortical bone. This has relevance when normalising the strength of repair in a limb when comparing it with the unfractured limb. However, the 20% increase in stress at failure with iban therapy needs to be interpreted with caution as there was no corresponding increase in toughness or work to failure. Further research is required in this area, especially with the increasing clinical burden of low-energy diaphyseal femoral fractures following prolonged use of bisphosphonates. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2015;4:99–104

Compartment syndrome of the foot requires urgent surgical treatment. Currently, there is still no agreement on the number and location of the myofascial compartments of the foot. The aim of this cadaver study was to provide an anatomical basis for surgical decompression in the event of compartment syndrome. We found that there were three tough vertical fascial septae that extended from the hindfoot to the midfoot on the plantar aspect of the foot. These septae separated the posterior half of the foot into three compartments. The medial compartment containing the abductor hallucis was surrounded medially by skin and subcutaneous fat and laterally by the medial septum. The intermediate compartment, containing the flexor digitorum brevis and the quadratus plantae more deeply, was surrounded by the medial septum medially, the intermediate septum laterally and the main plantar aponeurosis on its plantar aspect. The lateral compartment containing the abductor digiti minimi was surrounded medially by the intermediate septum, laterally by the lateral septum and on its plantar aspect by the lateral band of the main plantar aponeurosis. No distinct myofascial compartments exist in the forefoot. Based on our findings, in theory, fasciotomy of the hindfoot compartments through a modified medial incision would be sufficient to decompress the foot

This edition of the Cochrane Corner looks at the three reviews that were published in the second half of 2023: surgical versus non-surgical interventions for displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures; cryotherapy following total knee arthroplasty; and physical activity and education about physical activity for chronic musculoskeletal pain in children and adolescents.

Aims

This study was performed to explore the effect of melatonin on pyroptosis in nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) and the underlying mechanism of that effect.

Aims

This study aimed to explore the diagnostic value of synovial fluid neutrophil extracellular traps (SF-NETs) in periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) diagnosis, and compare it with that of microbial culture, serum ESR and CRP, synovial white blood cell (WBC) count, and polymorphonuclear neutrophil percentage (PMN%).

Aims

This study aimed, through bioinformatics analysis and in vitro experiment validation, to identify the key extracellular proteins of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD).

Aims

We propose a state-of-the-art temporary spacer, consisting of a cobalt-chrome (CoCr) femoral component and a gentamicin-eluting ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) tibial insert, which can provide therapeutic delivery of gentamicin, while retaining excellent mechanical properties. The proposed implant is designed to replace conventional spacers made from bone cement.

Aims

The material and design of knee components can have a considerable effect on the contact characteristics of the tibial post. This study aimed to analyze the stress distribution on the tibial post when using different grades of polyethylene for the tibial inserts. In addition, the contact properties of fixed-bearing and mobile-bearing inserts were evaluated.

Aims

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) impairs bone strength and is a significant risk factor for hip fracture, yet currently there is no reliable tool to assess this risk. Most risk stratification methods rely on bone mineral density, which is not impaired by diabetes, rendering current tests ineffective. CT-based finite element analysis (CTFEA) calculates the mechanical response of bone to load and uses the yield strain, which is reduced in T2DM patients, to measure bone strength. The purpose of this feasibility study was to examine whether CTFEA could be used to assess the hip fracture risk for T2DM patients.

Aims

The aim of this study was to present the first retrieval analysis findings of PRECICE STRYDE intermedullary nails removed from patients, providing useful information in the post-market surveillance of these recently introduced devices.

Aims

Brachial plexus injury (BPI) is an often devastating injury that affects patients physically and emotionally. The vast majority of the published literature is based on surgeon-graded assessment of motor outcomes, but the patient experience after BPI is not well understood. Our aim was to better understand overall life satisfaction after BPI, with the goal of identifying areas that can be addressed in future delivery of care.

Aims

The processes linking long-term bisphosphonate treatment to atypical fracture remain elusive. To establish a means of exploring this link, we have examined how long-term bisphosphonate treatment with prior ovariectomy modifies femur fracture behaviour and tibia mass and shape in murine bones.

Aims

The aim of this study was to develop a single-layer hybrid organic-inorganic sol-gel coating that is capable of a controlled antibiotic release for cementless hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated titanium orthopaedic prostheses.

Aims

Inadvertent soft tissue damage caused by the oscillating saw during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) occurs when the sawblade passes beyond the bony boundaries into the soft tissue. The primary objective of this study is to assess the risk of inadvertent soft tissue damage during jig-based TKA by evaluating the excursion of the oscillating saw past the bony boundaries. The second objective is the investigation of the relation between this excursion and the surgeon’s experience level.

Aims

The aim of this study was to identify the effect of the manufacturing characteristics of polyethylene acetabular liners on the survival of cementless and hybrid total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Aims

This study aimed to determine if macrophages can attach and directly affect the oxide layers of 316L stainless steel, titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V), and cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy (CoCrMo) by releasing components of these alloys.

Aims

To investigate the experience and emotional impact of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) on orthopaedic surgeons and identify holistic strategies to improve the management of PJI and protect surgeons’ wellbeing.

Aims

There is insufficient evidence to recommend the use of alternative polyethylene bearings in modular, fixed-bearing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to compare standard polyethylene (SP) and highly crosslinked polyethylene (XLP) tibial liners in posterior-stabilized TKA, with osteolysis as the primary outcome and clinical results and the rate of re-operation as the secondary outcomes.

Objectives

Microindentation has the potential to measure the stiffness of an individual patient’s bone. Bone stiffness plays a crucial role in the press-fit stability of orthopaedic implants. Arming surgeons with accurate bone stiffness information may reduce surgical complications including periprosthetic fractures. The question addressed with this systematic review is whether microindentation can accurately measure cortical bone stiffness.

Objectives

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are a post-translational modification of collagen that form spontaneously in the skeletal matrix due to the presence of reducing sugars, such as glucose. The accumulation of AGEs leads to collagen cross-linking, which adversely affects bone quality and has been shown to play a major role in fracture risk. Thus, intervening in the formation and accumulation of AGEs may be a viable means of protecting bone quality.

Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate fretting and corrosion in retrieved oxidized zirconium (OxZr; OXINIUM, Smith & Nephew, Memphis, Tennessee) femoral heads and compare the results with those from a matched cohort of cobalt-chromium (CoCr) femoral heads.

Objectives

Long bone defects often require surgical intervention for functional restoration. The ‘gold standard’ treatment is autologous bone graft (ABG), usually from the patient’s iliac crest. However, autograft is plagued by complications including limited supply, donor site morbidity, and the need for an additional surgery. Thus, alternative therapies are being actively investigated. Autologous bone marrow (BM) is considered as a candidate due to the presence of both endogenous reparative cells and growth factors. We aimed to compare the therapeutic potentials of autologous bone marrow aspirate (BMA) and ABG, which has not previously been done.

Advances in polyethylene (PE) in total hip arthroplasty have led to interest and increased use of highly crosslinked PE (HXLPE) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Biomechanical data suggest improved wear characteristics for HXLPE inserts over conventional PE in TKA. Short-term results from registry data and few clinical trials are promising. Our aim is to present a review of the history of HXLPEs, the use of HXLPE inserts in TKA, concerns regarding potential mechanical complications, and a thorough review of the available biomechanical and clinical data.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:996–1002.

Aims

We present the ten-year data of a cohort of patients, aged between 18 and 65 years (mean age 52.7 years; 19 to 64), who underwent total hip arthroplasty. Patients were randomised to be treated with a cobalt-chrome (CoCr) femoral head with an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), highly cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) or ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) bearing surface.

The October 2013 Research Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Orthopaedics: a dangerous profession?; Freezing and biomarkers for bone turnover; Herniation or degeneration first?; MARS MRI and metallosis; Programmed cell death in partial thickness cuff tears; Lead glasses for trauma surgery?; Smoking inhibits bone healing; Optimising polyethylene microstructure.

Aims

Ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) bearings in total hip arthroplasty (THA) are commonly used, but concerns exist regarding ceramic fracture. This study aims to report the risk of revision for fracture of modern CoC bearings and identify factors that might influence this risk, using data from the National Joint Registry (NJR) for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man.

Aims

We conducted a prospective study of a delta ceramic total hip arthroplasty (THA) to determine the rate of ceramic fracture, to characterise post-operative noise, and to evaluate the mid-term results and survivorship.

Aims

Treatment guidelines for atypical femoral fractures associated with bisphosphonates have not been established. We conducted a systematic review of the treatment of atypical femoral fractures first, to evaluate the outcomes of surgical fixation of complete atypical fractures and secondly, to assess whether prophylactic surgery is necessary for incomplete atypical fractures.

Large ceramic femoral heads offer several advantages that are potentially advantageous to patients undergoing both primary and revision total hip replacement. Many high-quality studies have demonstrated the benefit of large femoral heads in reducing post-operative instability. Ceramic femoral heads may also offer an advantage in reducing polyethylene wear that has been reported in vitro and is starting to become clinically apparent in mid-term clinical outcome studies. Additionally, the risk of taper corrosion at a ceramic femoral head–neck junction is clearly lower than when using a metal femoral head. With improvements in the material properties of both modern ceramic femoral heads and polyethylene acetabular liners that have reduced the risk of mechanical complications, large ceramic heads have gained popularity in recent years.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B, Supple A:63–6.

Aims

The purpose of this study was to compare the long-term results of primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) in young patients using either a conventional (CPE) or a highly cross-linked (HXLPE) polyethylene liner in terms of functional outcome, incidence of osteolysis, radiological wear and rate of revision.

A recent Supreme Court ruling in the United Kingdom has significantly altered the emphasis of informed consent, moving from a historically ‘doctor-focused’ to a more ‘patient-focused’ approach, in line with the situation in other international jurisdictions.

The reasons for the change are discussed with some recommendations about how our attitudes need to change in the future.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1159–61.

Objectives

Sagittal alignment of the lumbosacral spine, and specifically pelvic incidence (PI), has been implicated in the development of spine pathology, but generally ignored with regards to diseases of the hip. We aimed to determine if increased PI is correlated with higher rates of hip osteoarthritis (HOA). The effect of PI on the development of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) was used as a negative control.

An 81-year-old woman presented with a fracture in the left femur. She had well-fixed bilateral hip replacements and had received long-term bisphosphonate treatment. Prolonged bisphosphonate use has been recently linked with atypical subtrochanteric and diaphyseal femoral fractures. While the current definition of an atypical fracture of the femur excludes peri-prosthetic fractures, this case suggests that they do occur and should be considered in patients with severe osteopenia. Union of the fracture followed cessation of bisphosphonates and treatment with teriparatide. Thus, this case calls into question whether prophylactic intramedullary nailing is sufficient alone to treat early or completed atypical femoral fractures.

Coloured bone cements have been introduced to make the removal of cement debris easier at the time of primary and revision joint replacement. We evaluated the physical, mechanical and pharmacological effects of adding methylene blue to bone cement with or without antibiotics (gentamicin, vancomycin or both). The addition of methylene blue to plain cement significantly decreased its mean setting time (570 seconds (sd 4) vs 775 seconds (sd 11), p = 0.01), mean compression strength (95.4 MPa (sd 3) vs 100.1 MPa (sd 6), p = 0.03), and mean bending strength (65.2 MPa (sd 5) vs 76.6 MPa (sd 4), p < 0.001) as well as its mean elastic modulus (2744 MPa (sd 97) vs 3281 MPa (sd 110), p < 0.001). The supplementation of the coloured cement with vancomycin and gentamicin decreased its mean bending resistance (55.7 MPa (sd 4) vs 65.2 MPa (sd 5), p < 0.001).The methylene blue significantly decreased the mean release of gentamicin alone (228.2 µg (sd 24) vs 385.5 µg (sd 26), p < 0.001) or in combination with vancomycin (498.5 µg (sd 70) vs 613 µg (sd 25), p = 0.018) from the bone cement. This study demonstrates several theoretical disadvantages of the antibiotic-loaded bone cement coloured with methylene blue.

The Oxford unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) was designed to minimise wear utilising a fully-congruent, mobile, polyethylene bearing. Wear of polyethylene is a significant cause of revision surgery in UKR in the first decade, and the incidence increases in the second decade. Our study used model-based radiostereometric analysis to measure the combined wear of the upper and lower bearing surfaces in 13 medial-compartment Oxford UKRs at a mean of 20.9 years (17.2 to 25.9) post-operatively.

The mean linear penetration of the polyethylene bearing was 1.04 mm (0.307 to 2.15), with a mean annual wear rate of 0.045 mm/year (0.016 to 0.099). The annual wear rate of the phase-2 bearings (mean 0.022 mm/year) was significantly less (p = 0.01) than that of phase-1 bearings (mean 0.07 mm/year).

The linear wear rate of the Oxford UKR remains very low into the third decade. We believe that phase-2 bearings had lower wear rates than phase-1 implants because of the improved bearing design and surgical technique which decreased the incidence of impingement. We conclude that the design of the Oxford UKR gives low rates of wear in the long term.

The April 2014 Hip & Pelvis Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Recent arthroplasty and flight; whether that squeak could be a fracture; diagnosing early infected hip replacement; impaction grafting at a decade; whether squeaking is more common than previously thought; femoral offset associated with post THR outcomes; and periprosthetic fracture stabilisation.

This conversation represents an attempt by several arthroplasty surgeons to critique several abstracts presented over the last year as well as to use them as a jumping off point for trying to figure out where they fit in into our current understanding of multiple issues in modern hip and knee arthroplasty.

The Jaipur foot was developed for barefoot amputees by Professor P. K. Sethi. He used local artisans and readily available materials. The prosthesis was cheap and could be made in one hour. It enabled amputees to work in rural conditions, muddy and wet fields and to climb trees. It has been widely used in India, South East Asia and Africa, where local variations to the design have now been made.

In a rabbit model we investigated the efficacy of a silk fibroin/hydroxyapatite (SF/HA) composite on the repair of a segmental bone defect. Four types of porous SF/HA composites (SF/HA-1, SF/HA-2, SF/HA-3, SF/HA-4) with different material ratios, pore sizes, porosity and additives were implanted subcutaneously into Sprague-Dawley rats to observe biodegradation. SF/HA-3, which had characteristics more suitable for a bone substitite based on strength and resorption was selected as a scaffold and co-cultured with rabbit bone-marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). A segmental bone defect was created in the rabbit radius. The animals were randomised into group 1 (SF/HA-3 combined with BMSCs implanted into the bone defect), group 2 (SF/HA implanted alone) and group 3 (nothing implanted). They were killed at four, eight and 12 weeks for visual, radiological and histological study.

The bone defects had complete union for group 1 and partial union in group 2, 12 weeks after operation. There was no formation of new bone in group 3. We conclude that SF/HA-3 combined with BMSCs supports bone healing and offers potential as a bone-graft substitute.

We prospectively assessed the efficacy of a ceramic-on-metal (CoM) hip bearing with uncemented acetabular and femoral components in which cobalt­–chrome acetabular liners and alumina ceramic heads were used.

The cohort comprised 94 total hip replacements (THRs) in 83 patients (38 women and 45 men) with a mean age of 58 years (42 to 70). Minimum follow-up was two years. All patients had pre- and post-operative assessment using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC), Oxford hip score and Short-Form 12 scores. All showed a statistically significant improvement from three months post-operatively onwards (all p < 0.001).

After two years whole blood metal ion levels were measured and chromosomal analysis was performed. The levels of all metal ions were elevated except vanadium. Levels of chromium, cobalt, molybdenum and titanium were significantly higher in patients who underwent bilateral THR compared with those undergoing unilateral THR (p < 0.001). Chromosomal analysis demonstrated both structural and aneuploidy mutations. There were significantly more breaks and losses than in the normal population (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in chromosomal aberration between those undergoing unilateral and bilateral procedures (all analyses p ≥ 0.62).

The use of a CoM THR is effective clinically in the short-term, with no concerns, but the significance of high metal ion levels and chromosomal aberrations in the long-term remains unclear.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1040–44.