Two Durasul highly crosslinked polyethylene liners were exchanged during revision surgery four and five years after implantation, respectively. The retrieved liners were evaluated macroscopically and surface analysis was performed using optical and electron microscopy. A sample of each liner was used to determine the oxidation of the material by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Samples of the capsule were examined histologically.

The annual wear rate was found to be 0.010 and 0.015 mm/year, respectively. Surface analysis showed very little loss of material caused by wear. Histological evaluation revealed a continuous neosynovial lining with single multinucleated foreign-body giant cells. Our findings showed no unexpected patterns of wear on the articulating surfaces up to five years after implantation and no obvious failure of material.

The Chevron osteotomy was described in 1976. There have, however, been only short- to mid-term follow-up reviews, often with small numbers of patients.

We looked at 112 feet (73 patients) with a minimum follow-up of ten years following Chevron osteotomy with a distal soft-tissue procedure. Clinical evaluation was calculated using the hallux score of the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS). For 47 feet (30 patients), the results were compared with those from an interim follow-up of 5.6 years.

The AOFAS-score improved from a pre-operative mean of 46.5 points to a mean of 88.8 points after a mean of 12.7 years. The first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) angle showed a mean pre-operative value of 27.6° and was improved to 14.0°. The first intermetatarsal (IM) angle improved from a pre-operative mean value of 13.8° to 8.7°. The mean pre-operative grade of sesamoid subluxation was 1.7 on a scale from 0 to 3 and improved to 1.2. Measured on a scale from 0 to 3, arthritis of the first MTP joint progressed from a mean of 0.8 to 1.7. Comparing the results in patients younger and older than 50 years, the Chevron osteotomy performed equally in both age groups. Analysing the subgroup of 47 feet with a post-operative follow-up of both 5.6 and 12.7 years, the AOFAS pain and the overall score showed a further improvement between both follow-up evaluations. The MTP angle, first IM angle and sesamoid position remained unchanged. The progression of arthritis of the first MTP joint between 5.6 and 12.7 years post-operatively was statistically significant. Only one patient required a revision procedure due to painful recurrence of the deformity.

Excellent clinical results following Chevron osteotomy not only proved to be consistent, but showed further improvement over a longer follow-up period. The mean radiographic angles were constant without recurrence of the deformity. So far, the statistically significant progression of first MTP joint arthritis has not affected the clinical result, but this needs further observation.

Reimplantation is a well-established procedure in reconstructive surgery. This is especially so after amputation of the upper limb since prostheses provide limited function. In unilateral amputation of the lower leg orthotopic reimplantation is the treatment of choice. With bilateral amputation, in which orthotopic reimplantation is not possible because of the complexity of the trauma, heterotopic reimplantation is an option.

We report five patients who received orthotopic and two who received heterotopic reimplantations of the lower leg. We assessed the functional outcome with reference to cutaneous sensation, mobility, pain, and the cosmetic result.

The functional outcome was good, as was the patients’ satisfaction. Their mobility, stability, and psychological state were satisfactory. Patients with heterotopic reimplantations preferred the reimplanted leg to a prosthesis. Although reimplantation of the lower leg requires prolonged hospitalisation, delayed mobilisation and secondary operations, we conclude that there is an indication for this operation in order to improve the patient’s quality of life.

The bone-marrow oedema syndrome is associated with local vascular disturbances and may be treated either conservatively or by core decompression after which recovery may take several weeks. We describe a 15-year-old girl with bone-marrow oedema of the left acetabulum which was confirmed by MRI. She presented with a four-week history of severe constant pain. Routine blood tests and plain radiographs were normal. She was treated with intravenous infusions of iloprost on five consecutive days (20 μg administered in 500 ml of sodium chloride). Iloprost causes vasodilatation with reduction of capillary permeability and it inhibits platelet aggregation. She had relief from pain at rest after three days of treatment and was completely free from symptoms after two weeks. MRI after six weeks showed almost complete resolution of the marrow oedema and was normal after four months. This is the first report of the pharmacological treatment of the bone-marrow oedema syndrome in children.

We have compared different types of intertrochanteric osteotomy for avascular of necrosis of the hip and evaluated their performance in the light of improving outcome after total hip arthroplasty (THA). During a period of 14 years we performed 63 flexion osteotomies (partly combined with varus or valgus displacement), 29 rotational osteotomies, 13 varus osteotomies, eight medialising osteotomies and two extension osteotomies. The mean period of follow-up for all 115 operations was 7.3 years (maximum 24.6).

At follow-up, 27 of 29 patients with a rotational osteotomy had already undergone a THA, compared with 36 of 63 after flexion osteotomy. A high incidence of complications (55.2%) was seen early after rotational osteotomy, compared with 17.5% after flexion osteotomy.

For all osteotomies there was a high correlation between the size of the necrotic area and the incidence of failure, which also correlated with the preoperative Ficat and Steinberg stages. Using Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis, Sugioka’s rotational osteotomy showed a survival probability after five years of 0.26 (95% confidence interval 0.49 to 0.14), and after ten years of 0.15 (CI 0.36 to 0.06). The survival probability for flexion osteotomy was 0.70 (CI 0.83 to 0.59) after five years and 0.50 (CI 0.65 to 0.38) after ten years. The subgroup of flexion osteotomy with a necrotic sector of less than 180° achieved the best survival probability of 0.90 (CI 1.00 to 0.80) after five years and 0.61 (CI 0.84 to 0.45) after ten years.

The indications for intertrochanteric osteotomy for avascular necrosis of the hip have to be addressed critically. Even flexion osteotomy in cases with small areas of necrosis provides only temporary benefit. Rotational osteotomy was associated with a high incidence of complications.

Bone marrow oedema syndrome of the talus is a rare cause of pain in the foot, with limited options for treatment. We reviewed six patients who had been treated with five infusions of 50 μg of iloprost given over six hours on five consecutive days. Full weight-bearing was allowed as tolerated. The foot score as described by Mazur et al was used to assess function before and at one, three and six months after treatment. The mean score improved from 58 to 93 points. Plain radiographs were graded according to the Mont score and showed grade-I lesions before and after treatment, indicating that no subchondral fracture or collapse had occurred. MRI showed complete resolution of the oedema within three months.

We conclude that the parenteral administration of iloprost may be used in the treatment of this syndrome.