Aims

The aim of this study was to report the initial results of the Exeter V40 stem, which became available in 2000.

Aims

We present a minimum 20-year follow-up study of 382 cemented Exeter Universal total hip arthroplasties (350 patients) operated on at a mean age of 66.3 years (17 to 94).

We evaluated an operative technique, described by the Exeter Hip Unit, to assist accurate introduction of the femoral component. We assessed whether it led to a reduction in the rate of leg-length discrepancy after total hip arthroplasty (THA). A total of 100 patients undergoing THA were studied retrospectively; 50 were undertaken using the test method and 50 using conventional methods as a control group. The groups were matched with respect to patient demographics and the grade of surgeon. Three observers measured the depth of placement of the femoral component on post-operative radiographs and measured the length of the legs. There was a strong correlation between the depth of insertion of the femoral component and the templated depth in the test group (R = 0.92), suggesting accuracy of the technique. The mean leg-length discrepancy was 5.1 mm (0.6 to 21.4) pre-operatively and 1.3 mm (0.2 to 9.3) post-operatively. There was no difference between Consultants and Registrars as primary surgeons. Agreement between the templated and post-operative depth of insertion was associated with reduced post-operative leg-length discrepancy. The intra-class coefficient was R ≥ 0.88 for all measurements, indicating high observer agreement. The post-operative leg-length discrepancy was significantly lower in the test group (1.3 mm) compared with the control group (6.3 mm, p < 0.001). The Exeter technique is reproducible and leads to a lower incidence of leg-length discrepancy after THA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:154–9

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 radiologically evaluate the quality of cement mantle and alignment achieved with a polished tapered cemented femoral stem inserted through the anterior approach and compared with the posterior approach.

The Exeter femoral stem is a double-tapered highly polished collarless cemented implant with good long-term clinical results. In order to determine why the stem functions well we have undertaken a long-term radiostereometric analysis (RSA) study. A total of 20 patients undergoing primary Exeter total hip replacement for osteoarthritis using the Hardinge approach were recruited and followed with RSA for ten years. The stems progressively subsided and internally rotated with posterior head migration. The mean subsidence was 0.7 mm (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5 to 0.9) at two years and 1.3 mm (95% CI 1.0 to 1.6) at ten years. The mean posterior migration of the head was 0.7 mm (95% CI 0.5 to 0.9) at two years and 1.2 mm (95% CI 1.0 to 1.4) at ten years. There was no significant cement restrictor migration. The Exeter stem continues to subside slowly into the cement mantle in the long term. This appears to compress the cement and the cement bone interface, contributing to secure fixation in the long term. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:605–8

Aims

To compare long-term survival of all-cemented and hybrid total hip arthroplasty (THA) using the Exeter Universal stem.

We describe our experience with the implantation of 325 Exeter Universal hips. The fate of every implant was known. The procedures were undertaken by surgeons of widely differing experience. At follow-up at 12 years, survivorship with revision of the femoral component for aseptic loosening as the endpoint was 100% (95% CI 98 to 100). Survivorship with revision of the acetabular component for aseptic loosening as the endpoint was 96.86% (95% CI 93.1 to 98.9) and that with any reoperation as the endpoint 91.74% (95% CI 87.7 to 95.8). No adverse features have emerged as a consequence of the modular connection between the head and neck of the implant

Aims

We report the incidence of radiolucent lines (RLLs) using two flanged acetabular components at total hip arthroplasty (THA) and the effect of the Rim Cutter.

Aims

There are limited published data detailing the volumetric material loss from tapers of conventional metal-on-polyethylene (MoP) total hip arthroplasties (THAs). Our aim was to address this by comparing the taper wear rates measured in an explanted cohort of the widely used Exeter THA with those measured in a group of metal-on-metal (MoM) THAs.

Aims

We report on the outcome of the Exeter Contemporary flanged cemented all-polyethylene acetabular component with a mean follow-up of 12 years (10 to 13.9). This study reviewed 203 hips in 194 patients. 129 hips in 122 patients are still in situ; 66 hips in 64 patients were in patients who died before ten years, and eight hips (eight patients) were revised. Clinical outcome scores were available for 108 hips (104 patients) and radiographs for 103 hips (100 patients).

We report the outcome of the flangeless, cemented all-polyethylene Exeter acetabular component at a mean of 14.6 years (10 to 17) after operation. Of the 263 hips in 243 patients, 122 prostheses are still in situ; 112 patients (119 hips) have died, 18 hips have been revised, and three patients (four hips) were lost to follow-up. Radiographs at the final review were available for 110 of the 122 surviving hips. There were acetabular radiolucent lines in 54 hips (49%). Two acetabular components had migrated but neither patient required revision. The Kaplan-Meier survivorship at 15 years with 61 hips at risk with revision for any cause as the endpoint was 89.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 84.6 to 95.2) and for aseptic loosening of the acetabular component or lysis 91.7% (95% CI 86.6 to 96.8). In 210 hips with a diagnosis of primary osteoarthritis, survivorship with revision for any cause as the endpoint was 93.2% (95% CI 88.1 to 98.3), and for aseptic loosening of the acetabular component 95.0% (95% CI 90.3 to 99.7).

The cemented all-polyethylene Exeter acetabular component has an excellent long-term survivorship.

A total of 56 male patients with a displaced intracapsular fracture of the hip and a mean age of 81 years (62 to 94), were randomised to be treated with either a cemented hemiarthroplasty (the Exeter Trauma Stem) or reduction and internal fixation using the Targon Femoral Plate. All surviving patients were reviewed one year after the injury, at which time restoration of function and pain in the hip was assessed. There was no statistically significant difference in mortality between the two groups (7/26; 26.9% for hemiarthroplasty vs 10/30; 33.3% for internal fixation). No patient treated with a hemiarthroplasty required further surgery, but eight patients treated by internal fixation did (p = 0.005), five requiring hemiarthroplasty and three requiring total hip arthroplasty. Those treated by internal fixation had significantly more pain (p = 0.02). The restoration of mobility and independence were similar in the two groups.

These results indicate that cemented hemiarthroplasty gives better results than internal fixation in elderly men with a displaced intracapsular fracture of the hip.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:992–6.

An international faculty of orthopaedic surgeons presented their work on the current challenges in hip surgery at the London Hip Meeting which was attended by over 400 delegates. The topics covered included femoroacetabular impingement, thromboembolic phenomena associated with hip surgery, bearing surfaces (including metal-on-metal articulations), outcomes of hip replacement surgery and revision hip replacement. We present a concise report of the current opinions on hip surgery from this meeting with appropriate references to the current literature.

We describe the survivorship of the Exeter femoral component in a District General Hospital. Between 1994 and 1996, 230 Exeter Universal cemented femoral components were implanted in 215 patients who were reviewed at a mean of 11.2 years (10 to 13). We used one acetabular implant, the Elite Ogee component, in 218 of the 230 hips.

During the period of this study 76 patients (79 hips) died. Of the remaining 139 patients (151 hips), 121 were able to attend for radiological analysis at a minimum of ten years. One patient was lost to follow-up.

No femoral component was revised for aseptic loosening. Three hips were revised for deep infection and six acetabular components required revision, four for loosening and two for recurrent dislocation. Taking the ‘worst-case scenario’ including the one patient lost to follow-up, the overall survival rate was 94.4% at 13 years.

Our results confirm excellent medium-term results for the Exeter Universal femoral component, implanted in a general setting. The excellent survival of this femoral component, when used in combination with the Ogee acetabular component, suggests that this is a successful pairing.

We reviewed 142 consecutive primary total hip replacements implanted into 123 patients between 1988 and 1993 using the Exeter Universal femoral stem. A total of 74 patients (88 hips) had survived for ten years or more and were reviewed at a mean of 12.7 years (10 to 17). There was no loss to follow-up.

The rate of revision of the femoral component for aseptic loosening and osteolysis was 1.1% (1 stem), that for revision for any cause was 2.2% (2 stems), and for re-operation for any cause was 21.6% (19 hips). Re-operation was because of failure of the acetabular component in all but two hips.

All but one femoral component subsided within the cement mantle to a mean of 1.52 mm (0 to 8.3) at the final follow-up. One further stem had subsided excessively (8 mm) and had lucent lines at the cement-stem and cement-bone interfaces. This was classified as a radiological failure and is awaiting revision. One stem was revised for deep infection and one for excessive peri-articular osteolysis. Defects of the cement mantle (Barrack grade C and D) were found in 28% of stems (25 hips), associated with increased subsidence (p = 0.01), but were not associated with endosteal lysis or failure.

Peri-articular osteolysis was significantly related to the degree of polyethylene wear (p < 0.001), which was in turn associated with a younger age (p = 0.01) and male gender (p < 0.001).

The use of the Exeter metal-backed acetabular component was a notable failure with 12 of 32 hips (37.5%) revised for loosening. The Harris-Galante components failed with excessive wear, osteolysis and dislocation with 15% revised (5 of 33 hips). Only one of 23 hips with a cemented Elite component (4%) was revised for loosening and osteolysis.

Our findings show that the Exeter Universal stem implanted outside the originating centre has excellent medium-term results.

Iontophoresis is a novel technique which may be used to facilitate the movement of antibiotics into the substance of bone using an electrical potential applied externally. We have examined the rate of early infection in allografts following application of this technique in clinical practice. A total of 31 patients undergoing revision arthroplasty or surgery for limb salvage received 34 iontophoresed sequential allografts, of which 26 survived for a minimum of two years. The mean serum antibiotic levels after operation were low (gentamicin 0.37 mg/l (0.2 to 0.5); flucloxacillin 1 mg/l (0 to 1) and the levels in the drains were high (gentamicin 40 mg/l (2.5 to 131); flucloxacillin 17 mg/l (1 to 43). There were no early deep infections. Two late infections were presumed to be haemotogenous; 28 of the 34 allografts were retained. In 12 patients with pre-existing proven infection further infection has not occurred at a mean follow-up of 51 months (24 to 82).