Aims. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-based bone cements are the industry standard in orthopaedics. PMMA cement has inherent disadvantages, which has led to the development and evaluation of a novel silorane-based biomaterial (SBB) for use as an orthopaedic cement. In this study we test both elution and mechanical properties of both PMMA and SBB, with and without antibiotic loading. Methods. For each cement (PMMA or SBB), three formulations were prepared (rifampin-added, vancomycin-added, and control) and made into pellets (6 mm × 12 mm) for testing. Antibiotic elution into phosphate-buffered saline was measured over 14 days. Compressive strength and modulus of all cement pellets were tested over 14 days. Results. The SBB cement was able to deliver rifampin over 14 days, while PMMA was unable to do so. SBB released more vancomycin overall than did PMMA. The mechanical properties of PMMA were significantly reduced upon rifampin incorporation, while there was no effect to the SBB cement. Vancomycin incorporation had no effect on the strength of either cement. Conclusion. SBB was found to be superior in terms of rifampin and vancomycin elution. Additionally, the incorporation of these antibiotics into SBB did not reduce the strength of the resultant SBB cement composite whereas rifampin substantially attenuates the strength of PMMA. Thus, SBB emerges as a potential weight-bearing alternative to PMMA for the local delivery of antibiotics. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2021;10(4):277–284

Aims. The aim of this investigation was to compare risk of infection in both cemented and uncemented hemiarthroplasty (HA) as well as in total hip arthroplasty (THA) following femoral neck fracture. Methods. Data collection was performed using the German Arthroplasty Registry (EPRD). In HA and THA following femoral neck fracture, fixation method was divided into cemented and uncemented prostheses and paired according to age, sex, BMI, and the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index using Mahalanobis distance matching. Results. Overall in 13,612 cases of intracapsular femoral neck fracture, 9,110 (66.9%) HAs and 4,502 (33.1%) THAs were analyzed. Infection rate in HA was significantly reduced in cases with use of antibiotic-loaded cement compared with uncemented fixated prosthesis (p = 0.013). In patients with THA no statistical difference between cemented and uncemented prosthesis was registered, however after one year 2.4% of infections were detected in uncemented and 2.1% in cemented THA. In the subpopulation of HA after one year, 1.9% of infections were registered in cemented and 2.8% in uncemented HA. BMI (p = 0.001) and Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (p < 0.003) were identified as risk factors of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), while in THA cemented prosthesis also demonstrated an increased risk within the first 30 days (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.73; p = 0.010). Conclusion. The rate of infection after intracapsular femoral neck fracture was statistically significantly reduced in patients treated by antibiotic-loaded cemented HA. Particularly for patients with multiple risk factors for the development of a PJI, the usage of antibiotic-loaded bone cement seems to be a reasonable procedure for prevention of infection. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2023;12(5):331–338

Objectives. The objective of this study was to characterize the effect of rifampin incorporation into poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) bone cement. While incompatibilities between the two materials have been previously noted, we sought to identify and quantify the cause of rifampin’s effects, including alterations in curing properties, mechanical strength, and residual monomer content. Methods. Four cement groups were prepared using commercial PMMA bone cement: a control; one with 1 g of rifampin; and one each with equimolar amounts of ascorbic acid or hydroquinone relative to the amount of rifampin added. The handling properties, setting time, exothermic output, and monomer loss were measured throughout curing. The mechanical strength of each group was tested over 14 days. A radical scavenging assay was used to assess the scavenging abilities of rifampin and its individual moieties. Results. Compared with control, the rifampin-incorporated cement had a prolonged setting time and a reduction in exothermic output during polymerization. The rifampin cement showed significantly reduced strength and was below the orthopaedic weight-bearing threshold of 70 MPa. Based on the radical scavenging assay and strength tests, the hydroquinone structure within rifampin was identified as the polymerization inhibitor. Conclusion. The incorporation of rifampin into PMMA bone cement interferes with the cement’s radical polymerization. This interference is due to the hydroquinone moiety within rifampin. This combination alters the cement’s handling and curing properties, and lowers the strength below the threshold for weight-bearing applications. Additionally, the incomplete polymerization leads to increased toxic monomer output, which discourages its use even in non-weight-bearing applications. Cite this article: G. A. Funk, E. M. Menuey, K. A. Cole, T. P. Schuman, K. V. Kilway, T. E. McIff. Radical scavenging of poly(methyl methacrylate) bone cement by rifampin and clinically relevant properties of the rifampin-loaded cement. Bone Joint Res 2019;8:81–89. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.82.BJR-2018-0170.R2

Objectives . The objective of this study is to determine an optimal antibiotic-loaded bone cement (ALBC) for infection prophylaxis in total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Methods. We evaluated the antibacterial effects of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cements loaded with vancomycin, teicoplanin, ceftazidime, imipenem, piperacillin, gentamicin, and tobramycin against methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), methicillin-resistant Staph. aureus (MRSA), coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Standardised cement specimens made from 40 g PMMA loaded with 1 g antibiotics were tested for elution characteristics, antibacterial activities, and compressive strength in vitro. . Results. The ALBC containing gentamicin provided a much longer duration of antibiotic release than those containing other antibiotic. Imipenem-loading on the cement had a significant adverse effect on the compressive strength of the ALBC, which made it insufficient for use in prosthesis fixation. All of the tested antibiotics maintained their antibacterial properties after being mixed with PMMA. The gentamicin-loaded ALBC provided a broad antibacterial spectrum against all the test organisms and had the greatest duration of antibacterial activity against MSSA, CoNS, P. aeruginosa and E. coli. . Conclusion. When considering the use of ALBC as infection prophylaxis in TJA, gentamicin-loaded ALBC may be a very effective choice. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2013;2:220–6

Objectives. The objective of this study was to compare the elution characteristics, antimicrobial activity and mechanical properties of antibiotic-loaded bone cement (ALBC) loaded with powdered antibiotic, powdered antibiotic with inert filler (xylitol), or liquid antibiotic, particularly focusing on vancomycin and amphotericin B. Methods. Cement specimens loaded with 2 g of vancomycin or amphotericin B powder (powder group), 2 g of antibiotic powder and 2 g of xylitol (xylitol group) or 12 ml of antibiotic solution containing 2 g of antibiotic (liquid group) were tested. Results. Vancomycin elution was enhanced by 234% in the liquid group and by 12% in the xylitol group compared with the powder group. Amphotericin B elution was enhanced by 265% in the liquid group and by 65% in the xylitol group compared with the powder group. Based on the disk-diffusion assay, the eluate samples of vancomycin-loaded ALBC of the liquid group exhibited a significantly larger inhibitory zone than samples of the powder or the xylitol group. Regarding the ALBCs loaded with amphotericin B, only the eluate samples of the liquid group exhibited a clear inhibitory zone, which was not observed in either the xylitol or the powder groups. The ultimate compressive strength was significantly reduced in specimens containing liquid antibiotics. Conclusions. Adding vancomycin or amphotericin B antibiotic powder in distilled water before mixing with bone cement can significantly improve the efficiency of antibiotic release than can loading ALBC with the same dose of antibiotic powder. This simple and effective method for preparation of ALBCs can significantly improve the efficiency of antibiotic release in ALBCs. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2014;3:246–51

Aims. The main objective of this study is to analyze the penetration of bone cement in four different full cementation techniques of the tibial tray. Methods. In order to determine the best tibial tray cementation technique, we applied cement to 40 cryopreserved donor tibiae by four different techniques: 1) double-layer cementation of the tibial component and tibial bone with bone restrictor; 2) metallic cementation of the tibial component without bone restrictor; 3) bone cementation of the tibia with bone restrictor; and 4) superficial bone cementation of the tibia and metallic keel cementation of the tibial component without bone restrictor. We performed CT exams of all 40 subjects, and measured cement layer thickness at both levels of the resected surface of the epiphysis and the endomedular metaphyseal level. Results. At the epiphyseal level, Technique 2 gave the greatest depth compared to the other investigated techniques. At the endomedular metaphyseal level, Technique 1 showed greater cement penetration than the other techniques. Conclusion. The best metaphyseal cementation technique of the tibial component is bone cementation with cement restrictor. Additionally, if full tibial component cementation is to be done, the cement volume used should be about 40 g of cement, and not the usual 20 g. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2021;10(8):467–473

Aims. The main aims were to identify risk factors predictive of a radiolucent line (RLL) around the acetabular component with an interface bioactive bone cement (IBBC) technique in the first year after THA, and evaluate whether these risk factors influence the development of RLLs at five and ten years after THA. Methods. A retrospective review was undertaken of 980 primary cemented THAs in 876 patients using cemented acetabular components with the IBBC technique. The outcome variable was any RLLs that could be observed around the acetabular component at the first year after THA. Univariate analyses with univariate logistic regression and multivariate analyses with exact logistic regression were performed to identify risk factors for any RLLs based on radiological classification of hip osteoarthritis. Results. RLLs were detected in 27.2% of patients one year postoperatively. In multivariate regression analysis controlling for confounders, atrophic osteoarthritis (odds ratio (OR) 2.17 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04 to 4.49); p = 0.038) and 26 mm (OR 3.23 (95% CI 1.85 to 5.66); p < 0.001) or 28 mm head diameter (OR 3.64 (95% CI 2.07 to 6.41); p < 0.001) had a significantly greater risk for any RLLs one year after surgery. Structural bone graft (OR 0.19 (95% CI 0.13 to 0.29) p < 0.001) and location of the hip centre within the true acetabular region (OR 0.15 (95% CI 0.09 to 0.24); p < 0.001) were significantly less prognostic. Improvement of the cement-bone interface including complete disappearance and poorly defined RLLs was identified in 15.1% of patients. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis for the acetabular component at ten years with revision of the acetabular component for aseptic loosening as the end point was 100.0% with a RLL and 99.1% without a RLL (95% CI 97.9 to 100). With revision of the acetabular component for any reason as the end point, the survival rate was 99.2% with a RLL (95% CI 97.6 to 100) and 96.5% without a RLL (95% CI 93.4 to 99.7). Conclusion. This study demonstrates that acetabular bone quality, head diameter, structural bone graft, and hip centre position may influence the presence of the any RLL. Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2021;2(5):278–292

Objectives. Thermal stability is a key property in determining the suitability of an antibiotic agent for local application in the treatment of orthopaedic infections. Despite the fact that long-term therapy is a stated goal of novel local delivery carriers, data describing thermal stability over a long period are scarce, and studies that avoid interference from specific carrier materials are absent from the orthopaedic literature. Methods. In this study, a total of 38 frequently used antibiotic agents were maintained at 37°C in saline solution, and degradation and antibacterial activity assessed over six weeks. The impact of an initial supplementary heat exposure mimicking exothermically curing bone cement was also tested as this material is commonly used as a local delivery vehicle. Antibiotic degradation was assessed by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, or by immunoassays, as appropriate. Antibacterial activity over time was determined by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion assay. Results. The heat exposure mimicking curing bone cement had minimal effect on stability for most antibiotics, except for gentamicin which experienced approximately 25% degradation as measured by immunoassay. Beta-lactam antibiotics were found to degrade quite rapidly at 37°C regardless of whether there was an initial heat exposure. Excellent long-term stability was observed for aminoglycosides, glycopeptides, tetracyclines and quinolones under both conditions. Conclusions. This study provides a valuable dataset for orthopaedic surgeons considering local application of antibiotics, and for material scientists looking to develop next-generation controlled or extended-release antibiotic carriers. Cite this article: E. Samara, T. F. Moriarty, L. A. Decosterd, R. G. Richards, E. Gautier, P. Wahl. Antibiotic stability over six weeks in aqueous solution at body temperature with and without heat treatment that mimics the curing of bone cement. Bone Joint J 2017;6:296–306. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.65.BJR-2017-0276.R1

Aims. A novel enhanced cement fixation (EF) tibial implant with deeper cement pockets and a more roughened bonding surface was released to market for an existing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) system.This randomized controlled trial assessed fixation of the both the EF (ATTUNE S+) and standard (Std; ATTUNE S) using radiostereometric analysis. Methods. Overall, 50 subjects were randomized (21 EF-TKA and 23 Std-TKA in the final analysis), and had follow-up visits at six weeks, and six, 12, and 24 months to assess migration of the tibial component. Low viscosity bone cement with tobramycin was used in a standardized fashion for all subjects. Patient-reported outcome measure data was captured at preoperative and all postoperative visits. Results. The patient cohort mean age was 66 years (SD seven years), 59% were female, and the mean BMI was 32 kg/m. 2. (SD 6 kg/m. 2. ). Mean two-year subsidence of the EF-TKA was 0.056 mm (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.025 to 0.086) versus 0.006 mm (95% CI -0.029 to 0.040) for the Std-TKA, and the two-year maximum total point motion (MTPM) was 0.285 mm (95% upper confidence limit (UCL) ≤ 0.363) versus 0.346 mm (95% UCL ≤ 0.432), respectively, for a mean difference of -0.061 mm (95% CI -0.196 to 0.074). Inducible displacement also did not differ between groups. The MTPMs between 12 and 24 months for each group was below the published threshold of 0.2 mm for predicting early aseptic loosening (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). Conclusion. Both the enhanced fixation and the standard tibial implant design showed fixation with a predicted low risk of long-term aseptic loosening. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(1):20–27

Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2024;13(3):124–126.

Aims

Aseptic loosening is the most common cause of failure following cemented total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and has been linked to poor cementation technique. We aimed to develop a consensus on the optimal technique for component cementation in TKA.

Aims

Fungal periprosthetic joint infections (fPJIs) are rare complications, constituting only 1% of all PJIs. Neither a uniform definition for fPJI has been established, nor a standardized treatment regimen. Compared to bacterial PJI, there is little evidence for fPJI in the literature with divergent results. Hence, we implemented a novel treatment algorithm based on three-stage revision arthroplasty, with local and systemic antifungal therapy to optimize treatment for fPJI.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to determine if combining variations in mixing technique of antibiotic-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement with low frequency ultrasound (LFUS) improves antibiotic elution during the initial high phase (Phase I) and subsequent low phase (Phase II) while not diminishing mechanical strength.

Aims. Patients receiving cemented hemiarthroplasties after hip fracture have a significant risk of deep surgical site infection (SSI). Standard UK practice to minimize the risk of SSI includes the use of antibiotic-loaded bone cement with no consensus regarding type, dose, or antibiotic content of the cement. This is the protocol for a randomized clinical trial to investigate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of high dose dual antibiotic-loaded cement in comparison to low dose single antibiotic-loaded cement in patients 60 years and over receiving a cemented hemiarthroplasty for an intracapsular hip fracture. Methods. The WHiTE 8 Copal Or Palacos Antibiotic Loaded bone cement trial (WHiTE 8 COPAL) is a multicentre, multi-surgeon, parallel, two-arm, randomized clinical trial. The pragmatic study will be embedded in the World Hip Trauma Evaluation (WHiTE) (ISRCTN 63982700). Participants, including those that lack capacity, will be allocated on a 1:1 basis stratified by recruitment centre to either a low dose single antibiotic-loaded bone cement or a high dose dual antibiotic-loaded bone cement. The primary analysis will compare the differences in deep SSI rate as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within 90 days of surgery via medical record review and patient self-reported questionnaires. Secondary outcomes include UK Core Outcome Set for hip fractures, complications, rate of antibiotic prescription, resistance patterns of deep SSI, and resource use (more specifically, cost-effectiveness) up to four months post-randomization. A minimum of 4,920 patients will be recruited to obtain 90% power to detect an absolute difference of 1.5% in the rate of deep SSI at 90 days for the expected 3% deep SSI rate in the control group. Conclusion. The results of this trial will provide evidence regarding clinical and cost-effectiveness between low dose single and high dose dual antibiotic-loaded bone cement, which will inform policy and practice guidelines such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance on management of hip fractures. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(2):72–78

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. Methods. Coatings containing gentamicin at a concentration of 1.25% weight/volume (wt/vol), similar to that found in commercially available antibiotic-loaded bone cement, were prepared and tested in the laboratory for: kinetics of antibiotic release; activity against planktonic and biofilm bacterial cultures; biocompatibility with cultured mammalian cells; and physical bonding to the material (n = 3 in all tests). The sol-gel coatings and controls were then tested in vivo in a small animal healing model (four materials tested; n = 6 per material), and applied to the surface of commercially pure HA-coated titanium rods. Results. The coating released gentamicin at > 10 × minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for sensitive staphylococcal strains within one hour thereby potentially giving effective prophylaxis for arthroplasty surgery, and showed > 99% elution of the antibiotic within the coating after 48 hours. There was total eradication of both planktonic bacteria and established bacterial biofilms of a panel of clinically relevant staphylococci. Mesenchymal stem cells adhered to the coated surfaces and differentiated towards osteoblasts, depositing calcium and expressing the bone marker protein, osteopontin. In the in vivo small animal bone healing model, the antibiotic sol-gel coated titanium (Ti)/HA rod led to osseointegration equivalent to that of the conventional HA-coated surface. Conclusion. In this study we report a new sol-gel technology that can release gentamicin from a bioceramic-coated cementless arthroplasty material. In vitro, local gentamicin levels are in excess of what can be achieved by antibiotic-loaded bone cement. In vivo, bone healing in an animal model is not impaired. This, thus, represents a biomaterial modification that may have the potential to protect at-risk patients from implant-related deep infection. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(3):522–529

Aims. Fixation of osteoporotic proximal humerus fractures remains challenging even with state-of-the-art locking plates. Despite the demonstrated biomechanical benefit of screw tip augmentation with bone cement, the clinical findings have remained unclear, potentially as the optimal augmentation combinations are unknown. The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the biomechanical benefits of the augmentation options in a humeral locking plate using finite element analysis (FEA). Methods. A total of 64 cement augmentation configurations were analyzed using six screws of a locking plate to virtually fix unstable three-part fractures in 24 low-density proximal humerus models under three physiological loading cases (4,608 simulations). The biomechanical benefit of augmentation was evaluated through an established FEA methodology using the average peri-screw bone strain as a validated predictor of cyclic cut-out failure. Results. The biomechanical benefit was already significant with a single cemented screw and increased with the number of augmented screws, but the configuration was highly influential. The best two-screw (mean 23%, SD 3% reduction) and the worst four-screw (mean 22%, SD 5%) combinations performed similarly. The largest benefits were achieved with augmenting screws purchasing into the calcar and having posteriorly located tips. Local bone mineral density was not directly related to the improvement. Conclusion. The number and configuration of cemented screws strongly determined how augmentation can alleviate the predicted risk of cut-out failure. Screws purchasing in the calcar and posterior humeral head regions may be prioritized. Although requiring clinical corroborations, these findings may explain the controversial results of previous clinical studies not controlling the choices of screw augmentation

Addressing bone defects is a complex medical challenge that involves dealing with various skeletal conditions, including fractures, osteoporosis (OP), bone tumours, and bone infection defects. Despite the availability of multiple conventional treatments for these skeletal conditions, numerous limitations and unresolved issues persist. As a solution, advancements in biomedical materials have recently resulted in novel therapeutic concepts. As an emerging biomaterial for bone defect treatment, graphene oxide (GO) in particular has gained substantial attention from researchers due to its potential applications and prospects. In other words, GO scaffolds have demonstrated remarkable potential for bone defect treatment. Furthermore, GO-loaded biomaterials can promote osteoblast adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation while stimulating bone matrix deposition and formation. Given their favourable biocompatibility and osteoinductive capabilities, these materials offer a novel therapeutic avenue for bone tissue regeneration and repair. This comprehensive review systematically outlines GO scaffolds’ diverse roles and potential applications in bone defect treatment.

Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2024;13(12):725–740.

Aims

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the induced membrane technique for treating infected bone defects, and to explore the factors that might affect patient outcomes.

Aims

To explore the clinical efficacy of using two different types of articulating spacers in two-stage revision for chronic knee periprosthetic joint infection (kPJI).

Aims

Periprosthetic hip-joint infection is a multifaceted and highly detrimental outcome for patients and clinicians. The incidence of prosthetic joint infection reported within two years of primary hip arthroplasty ranges from 0.8% to 2.1%. Costs of treatment are over five-times greater in people with periprosthetic hip joint infection than in those with no infection. Currently, there are no national evidence-based guidelines for treatment and management of this condition to guide clinical practice or to inform clinical study design. The aim of this study is to develop guidelines based on evidence from the six-year INFection and ORthopaedic Management (INFORM) research programme.