Aims. Endoprosthetic reconstruction following distal femur tumour resection has been widely advocated. In this paper, we present the design of an uncemented endoprosthesis system featuring a short, curved stem, with the goal of enhancing long-term survivorship and functional outcomes. Methods. This study involved patients who underwent implantation of an uncemented distal femoral endoprosthesis with a short and curved stem between 2014 and 2019. Functional outcomes were assessed using the 1993 version of the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society (MSTS-93) score. Additionally, we quantified five types of complications and assessed osseointegration radiologically. The survivorship of the endoprosthesis was evaluated according to two endpoints. A total of 134 patients with a median age of 26 years (IQR 16 to 41) were included in our study. The median follow-up time was 61 months (IQR 56 to 76), and the median functional MSTS-93 was 83% (IQR 73 to 91) postoperatively. Results. Overall, 21 patients (16%) encountered complications, and the rate of aseptic loosening was 7% (9/134). The survival rate up to 8.5 years was 93% for aseptic loosening as the endpoint, and 88% for any reason as the endpoint, retrospectively. Conclusion. The use of an uncemented distal femoral endoprosthesis with a short, curved stem demonstrated a low incidence of aseptic loosening and achieved long-term survivorship of up to nine years. Meanwhile, aseptic loosening typically occurs in the early stage postoperatively. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(9):1000–1007

Aims

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a challenging complication of any arthroplasty procedure. We reviewed our use of static antibiotic-loaded cement spacers (ABLCSs) for staged management of PJI where segmental bone loss, ligamentous instability, or soft-tissue defects necessitate a static construct. We reviewed factors contributing to their failure and techniques to avoid these complications when using ABLCSs in this context.

Aims. The aim of this study was to describe the use of 3D-printed sacral endoprostheses to reconstruct the pelvic ring and re-establish spinopelvic stability after total en bloc sacrectomy (TES) and to review its outcome. Patients and Methods. We retrospectively reviewed 32 patients who underwent TES in our hospital between January 2015 and December 2017. We divided the patients into three groups on the basis of the method of reconstruction: an endoprosthesis group (n = 10); a combined reconstruction group (n = 14), who underwent non-endoprosthetic combined reconstruction, including anterior spinal column fixation; and a spinopelvic fixation (SPF) group (n = 8), who underwent only SPF. Spinopelvic stability, implant survival (IS), intraoperative haemorrhage rate, and perioperative complication rate in the endoprosthesis group were documented and compared with those of other two groups. Results. The mean overall follow-up was 22.1 months (9 to 44). In the endoprosthesis group, the mean intraoperative hemorrhage was 3530 ml (1600 to 8100). Perioperative complications occurred in two patients; both had problems with wound healing. After a mean follow-up of 17.7 months (12 to 38), 9/10 patients could walk without aids and 8/10 patients were not using analgesics. Imaging evidence of implant failure was found in three patients, all of whom had breakage of screws and/or rods. Only one of these, who had a local recurrence, underwent re-operation, at which solid bone-endoprosthetic osseointegration was found. The mean IS using re-operation as the endpoint was 32.5 months (95% confidence interval 23.2 to 41.8). Compared with the other two groups, the endoprosthesis group had significantly better spinopelvic stability and IS with no greater intraoperative haemorrhage or perioperative complications. Conclusion. The use of 3D-printed endoprostheses for reconstruction after TES provides reliable spinopelvic stability and IS by facilitating osseointegration at the bone-implant interfaces, with acceptable levels of haemorrhage and complications. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:880–888

We used a knee-sparing distal femoral endoprosthesis in young patients with malignant bone tumours of the distal femur in whom it was possible to resect the tumour and to preserve the distal femoral condyles. The proximal shaft of the endoprosthesis had a coated hydroxyapatite collar, while the distal end had hydroxyapatite-coated extracortical plates to secure it to the small residual femoral condylar fragment. We reviewed the preliminary results of this endoprosthesis in eight patients with primary bone tumours of the distal femur. Their mean age at surgery was 17.years (14 to 21). The mean follow-up was 24 months (20 to 31). At final follow-up the mean flexion at the knee was 102° (20° to 120°) and the mean Musculoskeletal Tumour Society score was 80% (57% to 96.7%). There was excellent osteointegration at the prosthesis-proximal bone interface with formation of new bone around the hydroxyapatite collar. The prosthesis allowed preservation of the knee and achieved a good functional result. Formation of new bone and remodelling at the interface make the implant more secure. Further follow-up is required to determine the long-term structural integrity of the prosthesis

Between 1997 and 2007, 68 consecutive patients underwent replacement of the proximal humerus for tumour using a fixed-fulcrum massive endoprosthesis. Their mean age was 46 years (7 to 87). Ten patients were lost to follow-up and 16 patients died. The 42 surviving patients were assessed using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) Score and the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS) at a mean follow-up of five years and 11 months (one year to ten years and nine months). The mean MSTS score was 72.3% (53.3% to 100%) and the mean TESS was 77.2% (58.6% to 100%). Four of 42 patients received a new constrained humeral liner to reduce the risk of dislocation. This subgroup had a mean MSTS score of 77.7% and a mean TESS of 80.0%. The dislocation rate for the original prosthesis was 25.9; none of the patients with the new liner had a dislocation at a mean of 14.5 months (12 to 18). Endoprosthetic replacement for tumours of the proximal humerus using this prosthesis is a reliable operation yielding good results without the documented problems of unconstrained prostheses. The performance of this prosthesis is expected to improve further with a new constrained humeral liner, which reduces the risk of dislocation

The December 2022 Oncology Roundup. 360. looks at: Is high-dose radiation therapy associated with early revision with a cemented endoprosthesis?; Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and endoprosthetic reconstruction for lower extremity sarcomas: does timing impact complication rates?; Late amputation after treatment for lower extremity sarcoma; Osteosarcoma prediagnosed as another tumour: a report from the Cooperative Osteosarcoma Study Group; The influence of site on the incidence and diagnosis of solitary central cartilage tumours of the femur: a 21st century perspective

Aims. Patients with proximal femoral fractures (PFFs) are often multimorbid, thus unplanned readmissions following surgery are common. We therefore aimed to analyze 30-day and one-year readmission rates, reasons for, and factors associated with, readmission risk in a cohort of patients with surgically treated PFFs across Austria. Methods. Data from 11,270 patients with PFFs, treated surgically (osteosyntheses, n = 6,435; endoprostheses, n = 4,835) at Austrian hospitals within a one-year period (January to December 2021) was retrieved from the Leistungsorientierte Krankenanstaltenfinanzierung (Achievement-Oriented Hospital Financing). The 30-day and one-year readmission rates were reported. Readmission risk for any complication, as well as general medicine-, internal medicine-, and surgery/injury-associated complications, and factors associated with readmissions, were investigated. Results. The 30-day and one-year readmission rates due to any complication were 15% and 47%, respectively. The 30-day readmission rate (p = 0.001) was higher in endoprosthesis than osteosynthesis patients; this was not the case for the one-year readmission rate (p = 0.138). Internal medicine- (n = 2,273 (20%)) and surgery/injury-associated complications (n = 1,612 (14%)) were the most common reason for one-year readmission. Regardless of the surgical procedure, male sex was significantly associated with higher readmission risk due to any, as well as internal medicine-associated, complication. Advanced age was significantly associated with higher readmission risk after osteosynthesis. In both cohorts, treatment at mid-sized hospitals was significantly associated with lower readmission risk due to any complication, while prolonged length of stay was associated with higher one-year readmission risks due to any complication, as well as internal-medicine associated complications. Conclusion. Future health policy decisions in Austria should focus on optimization of perioperative and post-discharge management of this vulnerable patient population. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(4):294–303

Aims. Instability of the hip is the most common mode of failure after reconstruction with a proximal femoral arthroplasty (PFA) using an endoprosthesis after excision of a tumour. Small studies report improved stability with capsular repair of the hip and other techniques, but these have not been investigated in a large series of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate variables associated with the patient and the operation that affect post-operative stability. We hypothesised an association between capsular repair and stability. Patients and Methods. In a retrospective cohort study, we identified 527 adult patients who were treated with a PFA for tumours. Our data included demographics, the pathological diagnosis, the amount of resection of the abductor muscles, the techniques of reconstruction and the characteristics of the implant. We used regression analysis to compare patients with and without post-operative instability. Results. A total of 20 patients out of 527 (4%) had instability which presented at a mean of 35 days (3 to 131) post-operatively. Capsular repair was not associated with a reduced rate of instability. Bivariate analysis showed that a posterolateral surgical approach (odds ratio (OR) 0.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.02 to 0.86) and the type of implant (p = 0.046) had a significant association with reduced instability; age > 60 years predicted instability (OR 3.17, 95% CI 1.00 to 9.98). Multivariate analysis showed age > 60 years (OR 5.09, 95% CI 1.23 to 21.07), female gender (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.89), a malignant primary bone tumour (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.06 to 3.95), and benign condition (OR 5.56, 95% CI 1.35 to 22.90), but not metastatic disease or soft-tissue tumours, predicted instability, while a posterolateral approach (OR 0.09, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.53) was protective against instability. No instability occurred when a synthetic graft was used in 70 patients. Conclusion. Stability of the hip after PFA is influenced by variables associated with the patient, the pathology, the surgical technique and the implant. We did not find an association between capsular repair and improved stability. Extension of the tumour often dictates surgical technique; however, our results indicate that PFA using a posterolateral approach with a hemiarthroplasty and synthetic augment for soft-tissue repair confers the lowest risk of instability. Patients who are elderly, female, or with a primary benign or malignant bone tumour should be counselled about an increased risk of instability. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:531–7

We report our early experience with the use of a non-invasive distal femoral expandable endoprosthesis in seven skeletally immature patients with osteosarcoma of the distal femur. The patients had a mean age of 12.1 years (9 to 15) at the time of surgery. The prosthesis was lengthened at appropriate intervals in outpatient clinics, without anaesthesia, using the principle of electromagnetic induction. The patients were functionally evaluated using the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society scoring system. The mean follow-up was 20.2 months (14 to 30). The prostheses were lengthened by a mean of 25 mm (4.25 to 55) and maintained a mean knee flexion of 110° (100° to 120°). The mean Musculoskeletal Tumour Society score was 68% (11 to 29). Complications developed in two patients; one developed a flexion deformity of 25° at the knee joint, which was subsequently overcome and one died of disseminated disease. The early results from patients treated with this device have been encouraging. The implant avoids multiple surgical procedures, general anaesthesia and assists in maintaining leg-length equality

This paper presents a prospective trial carried out using the Monk "soft top" endoprosthesis in 33 patients. Two years after operation 70 per cent of the remaining patients had pain. A biomechanical and histopathological analysis of the endoprosthesis and the surrounding tissue, obtained from a further two patients at the time of revision, is presented. It is concluded that the prosthesis has inherent design faults which result in excessive wear of the polyethylene component. The wear debris produced stimulates a prolific fibrous tissue reaction which is associated with progressive clinical deterioration

We report our early experience with a new peri-acetabular reconstruction endoprosthesis used for pelvic reconstruction after tumour resection. The outcome of 21 patients who underwent limb salvage following type II pelvic resection and reconstruction using the peri-acetabular reconstruction prosthesis between 2000 and 2006 was retrospectively reviewed. This prosthesis was designed to use the remaining part of the ilium to support a horizontally placed acetabular component secured with internal fixation and bone cement. Into this device a constrained acetabular liner is positioned which is articulates with a conventional femoral component to which a modular extension and modular head are attached. The mean follow-up was 20.5 months (1 to 77). The most common complications were deep infection, superficial wound infections, and dislocation. The mean musculoskeletal tumor society functional outcome score for the survivors was 20.1(11 to 27). We recommend the use of the peri-acetabular reconstruction prosthesis for reconstruction of large defects after type II pelvic resection, as this design has a greater inherent stability over other available prostheses

Aims

Aseptic loosening is a major cause of failure in cemented endoprosthetic reconstructions. This paper presents the long-term outcomes of a custom-designed cross-pin fixation construct designed to minimize rotational stress and subsequent aseptic loosening in selected patients. The paper will also examine the long-term survivorship and modes of failure when using this technique.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(1):6–8.

In 251 patients over a period of 15 years an uncemented Kotz modular femoral and tibial reconstruction mega prosthesis was implanted after resection of a malignant tumour of the lower limb. Twenty-one patients (8.4%) underwent revision for aseptic loosening, again using an uncemented prosthesis, and five of these required a further revision procedure. The median follow-up time from the first revision was 60 months (11 to 168) and after a second revision, 33 months (2 to 50). The probability of a patient avoiding aseptic loosening for ten years was 96% for a proximal femoral, 76% for a distal femoral and 85% for a proximal tibial implant.

At the time of follow-up all radiographs were assessed according to the International Symposium of Limb Salvage criteria. The first radiological signs of aseptic loosening were always seen at the most proximal or distal part of the anchorage stem at a mean of 12 months (4 to 23) after the first implantation. Using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score for evaluation, the clinical results showed a mean of 88% of normal function.

Amputation was once widely practised for primary bone tumours of the limbs. Yet this situation has changed with limb salvage surgery becoming increasingly popular in the last 30 years. Many different techniques are now available. These include allografts, autografts, endoprostheses and allograft-prosthesis composites. This article reviews these methods, concentrating on the functional outcomes and complications that have been reported.

Aims. The proximal tibia (PT) is the anatomical site most frequently affected by primary bone tumours after the distal femur. Reconstruction of the PT remains challenging because of the poor soft-tissue cover and the need to reconstruct the extensor mechanism. Reconstructive techniques include implantation of massive endoprosthesis (megaprosthesis), osteoarticular allografts (OAs), or allograft-prosthesis composites (APCs). Methods. This was a retrospective analysis of clinical data relating to patients who underwent proximal tibial arthroplasty in our regional bone tumour centre from 2010 to 2018. Results. A total of 76 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. Mean age at surgery was 43.2 years (12 to 86 (SD 21)). The mean follow-up period was 60.1 months (5.4 to 353). In total 21 failures were identified, giving an overall failure rate of 27.6%. Prosthesis survival at five years was 75.5%, and at ten years was 59%. At last follow-up, mean knee flexion was 89.8° (SD 36°) with a mean extensor lag of 18.1° (SD 24°). In univariate analysis, factors associated with better survival of the prosthesis were a malignant or metastatic cancer diagnosis (versus benign), with a five- and ten-year survival of 78.9% and 65.7% versus 37.5% (p = 0.045), while in-hospital length of stay longer than nine days was also associated with better prognosis with five- and ten-year survival rates at 84% and 84% versus 60% and 16% (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, only in-hospital length of stay was associated with longer survival (hazard ratio (HR) 0.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.08 to 0.66). Conclusion. We have shown that proximal tibial arthroplasty with endoprosthesis is a safe and reliable method for reconstruction in patients treated for orthopaedic oncological conditions. Either modular or custom implants in this series performed well. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(9):733–740

The December 2023 Foot & Ankle Roundup. 360. looks at: Subchondral bone cysts remodel after correction of varus deformity in ankle arthritis; 3D-printed modular endoprosthesis reconstruction following total calcanectomy; Percutaneous partial bone excision in the management of diabetic toe osteomyelitis; Hemiepiphysiodesis is a viable surgical option for Juvenile hallux valgus; Ankle arthroplasty vs arthrodesis: which comes out on top?; Patient-related risk factors for poorer outcome following total ankle arthroplasty; The Outcomes in Ankle Replacement Study