Until now, there has been no consensus as to whether stemmed
acetabular components are appropriate for use in patients undergoing
revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) who have major acetabular
defects or pelvic discontinuity. We wished to address this deficiency
in the literature. We carried out a retrospective study of 35 patients (six men
and 29 women) with a mean age of 68 years (37 to 87), with major
acetabular defects who underwent revision THA between 2000 and 2012.Aim
Patients and Methods
Guidelines for the management of patients with metastatic bone
disease (MBD) have been available to the orthopaedic community for
more than a decade, with little improvement in service provision
to this increasingly large patient group. Improvements in adjuvant
and neo-adjuvant treatments have increased both the number and overall
survival of patients living with MBD. As a consequence the incidence
of complications of MBD presenting to surgeons has increased and
is set to increase further. The British Orthopaedic Oncology Society
(BOOS) are to publish more revised detailed guidelines on what represents
‘best practice’ in managing patients with MBD. This article is designed
to coincide with and publicise new BOOS guidelines and once again
champion the cause of patients with MBD. A series of short cases highlight common errors frequently being
made in managing patients with MBD despite the availability of guidelines.Objectives
Methods
To compare radiographic failure and re-operation rates of anatomical
coracoclavicular (CC) ligament reconstructional techniques with
non-anatomical techniques after chronic high grade acromioclavicular
(AC) joint injuries. We reviewed chronic AC joint reconstructions within a region-wide
healthcare system to identify surgical technique, complications,
radiographic failure and re-operations. Procedures fell into four
categories: Aims
Patients and Methods
The treatment of bone loss in revision total
knee arthroplasty has evolved over the past decade. While the management
of small to moderate sized defects has demonstrated good results
with a variety of traditional techniques (cement and screws, small
metal augments, impaction bone grafting or modular stems), the treatment of
severe defects continues to be problematic. The use of a structural
allograft has declined in recent years due to an increased failure
rate with long-term follow-up and with the introduction of highly
porous metal augments that emphasise biological metaphyseal fixation.
Recently published mid-term results on the use of tantalum cones
in patients with severe bone loss has reaffirmed the success of
this treatment strategy. Cite this article:
The term mid-flexion instability has entered
the orthopaedic literature as a concept, but has not been confirmed
as a distinct clinical entity. The term is used freely, sometimes
as a synonym for flexion instability. However, the terms need to
be clearly separated. A cadaver study published in 1990 associated
joint line elevation with decreased stability at many angles of
flexion, but that model was not typical of clinical scenarios. The
literature is considered and it is proposed that the more common
entity of an uncorrected flexion contracture after a measured resection arthroplasty
technique is more likely to produce clinical findings that suggest
instability mid-flexion. It is proposed that the clinical scenario encountered is generalised
instability, with the appearance of stability in full extension
from tight posterior structures. This paper seeks to clarify whether mid-flexion instability exists
as an entity distinct from other commonly recognised forms of instability. Cite this article:
Developmental dysplasia of the hip predisposes to premature degenerative hip disease. A number of operations have been described to improve acetabular cover and have achieved varying degrees of success. We present the case of an 84-year-old woman, who underwent a shelf procedure to reconstruct a dysplastic hip 75 years ago. To date, the shelf remains intact and the hip is asymptomatic. We believe this represents the longest documented outcome of any procedure to stabilise the hip.
We report the effectiveness of revision of total
elbow replacement by re-cementing. Between 1982 and 2004, 53 elbows
in 52 patients were treated with re-cementing of a total elbow replacement
into part or all of the existing cement mantle or into the debrided
host-bone interface, without the use of structural bone augmentation
or a custom prosthesis. The original implant revision was still
The aims of this study were to determine the
functional impact and financial burden of isolated and recurrent dislocation
after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Our secondary goal was to determine
whether there was a difference between patients who were treated
non-operatively and those who were treated operatively. We retrospectively reviewed 71 patients who had suffered dislocation
of a primary THA. Their mean age was 67 years (41 to 92) and the
mean follow-up was 3.8 years (2.1 to 8.2). Because patients with recurrent dislocation were three times
more likely to undergo operative treatment (p <
0.0001), they
ultimately had a significantly higher mean Harris Hip Score (HHS)
(p = 0.0001), lower mean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities
Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores (p = 0.001) and a higher mean SF-12
score (p <
0.0001) than patients with a single dislocation. Likewise,
those who underwent operative treatment had a higher mean HHS (p
<
0.0001), lower mean WOMAC score (p <
0.0001) and a higher
mean SF-12 score (p <
0.0001) than those who were treated non-operatively. Recurrent dislocation and operative treatment increased costs
by 300% (£11 456;
p <
0.0001) and 40% (£5217; p <
0.0001), respectively. The operative treatment of recurrent dislocation results in significantly
better function than non-operative management. Moreover, the increase
in costs for operative treatment is modest compared with that of
non-operative measures. Cite this article:
The number of arthroplasties being undertaken
is expected to grow year on year, and periprosthetic joint infections will
be an increasing socioeconomic burden. The challenge to prevent
and eradicate these infections has resulted in the emergence of
several new strategies, which are discussed in this review. Cite this article:
The osteoinductive properties of demineralised
bone matrix have been demonstrated in animal studies. However, its therapeutic
efficacy has yet to be proven in humans. The clinical properties
of AlloMatrix, an injectable calcium-based demineralised bone matrix
allograft, were studied in a prospective randomised study of 50
patients with an isolated unstable distal radial fracture treated
by reduction and Kirschner (K-) wire fixation. A total of 24 patients
were randomised to the graft group (13 men and 11 women, mean age
42.3 years (20 to 62)) and 26 to the no graft group (8 men and 18
women, mean age 45.0 years (17 to 69)). At one, three, six and nine weeks, and six and 12 months post-operatively,
patients underwent radiological evaluation, assessments for range
of movement, grip and pinch strength, and also completed the Disabilities
of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire. At one and six weeks and
one year post-operatively, bone mineral density evaluations of both
wrists were performed. No significant difference in wrist function and speed of recovery,
rate of union, complications or bone mineral density was found between
the two groups. The operating time was significantly higher in the
graft group (p = 0.004). Radiologically, the reduction parameters
remained similar in the two groups and all AlloMatrix extraosseous leakages
disappeared after nine weeks. This prospective randomised controlled trial did not demonstrate
a beneficial effect of AlloMatrix demineralised bone matrix in the
treatment of this category of distal radial fractures treated by
K-wire fixation. Cite this article:
The February 2015 Hip &
Pelvis Roundup360 looks at: Hip arthroplasty in Down syndrome; Bulk femoral autograft successful in acetabular reconstruction; Arthroplasty follow-up: is the internet the solution?; Total hip arthroplasty following acetabular fracture; Salvage arthroplasty following failed hip internal fixation; Bone banking sensible financially and clinically; Allogenic blood transfusion in arthroplasty.
The use of joint-preserving surgery of the hip
has been largely abandoned since the introduction of total hip replacement.
However, with the modification of such techniques as pelvic osteotomy,
and the introduction of intracapsular procedures such as surgical
hip dislocation and arthroscopy, previously unexpected options for
the surgical treatment of sequelae of childhood conditions, including
developmental dysplasia of the hip, slipped upper femoral epiphysis
and Perthes’ disease, have become available. Moreover, femoroacetabular
impingement has been identified as a significant aetiological factor
in the development of osteoarthritis in many hips previously considered to
suffer from primary osteoarthritis. As mechanical causes of degenerative joint disease are now recognised
earlier in the disease process, these techniques may be used to
decelerate or even prevent progression to osteoarthritis. We review
the recent development of these concepts and the associated surgical
techniques. Cite this article:
A common situation presenting to the orthopaedic
surgeon today is a worn acetabular liner with substantial acetabular
and pelvic osteolysis. The surgeon has many options for dealing
with osteolytic defects. These include allograft, calcium based
substitutes, demineralised bone matrix, or combinations of these
options with or without addition of platelet rich plasma. To date
there are no clinical studies to determine the efficacy of using
bone-stimulating materials in osteolytic defects at the time of
revision surgery and there are surprisingly few studies demonstrating
the clinical efficacy of these treatment options. Even when radiographs
appear to demonstrate incorporation of graft material CT studies
have shown that incorporation is incomplete. The surgeon, in choosing
a graft material for a surgical procedure must take into account
the efficacy, safety, cost and convenience of that material. Cite this article:
We hypothesised that a minimally invasive peroneus
brevis tendon transfer would be effective for the management of
a chronic rupture of the Achilles tendon. In 17 patients (three
women, 14 men) who underwent minimally invasive transfer and tenodesis
of the peroneus brevis to the calcaneum, at a mean follow-up of
4.6 years (2 to 7) the modified Achilles tendon total rupture score
(ATRS) was recorded and the maximum circumference of the calf of
the operated and contralateral limbs was measured. The strength
of isometric plantar flexion of the gastrocsoleus complex and of
eversion of the ankle were measured bilaterally. Functional outcomes
were classified according to the four-point Boyden scale. At the latest review, the mean maximum circumference of the calf
of the operated limb was not significantly different from the pre-operative
mean value, (41.4 cm, 32 to 50 This procedure may be safely performed, is minimally invasive,
and allows most patients to return to pre-injury sport and daily
activities. Cite this article:
Instability after total knee replacement (TKR)
accounts for 10% to 22% of revision procedures. All patients who
present for evaluation of instability require a thorough history to
be taken and physical examination, as well as appropriate imaging.
Deep periprosthetic infection must be ruled out by laboratory testing
and an aspiration of the knee must be carried out. The three main
categories of instability include flexion instability, extension instability
(symmetric and asymmetric), and genu recurvatum. Most recently,
the aetiologies contributing to, and surgical manoeuvres required
to correct, flexion instability have been elucidated. While implant
design and patient-related factors may certainly contribute to the
aetiology, surgical technique is also a significant factor in all
forms of post-operative instability. Cite this article:
Fresh-frozen allograft bone is frequently used
in orthopaedic surgery. We investigated the incidence of allograft-related
infection and analysed the outcomes of recipients of bacterial culture-positive
allografts from our single-institute bone bank during bone transplantation.
The fresh-frozen allografts were harvested in a strict sterile environment
during total joint arthroplasty surgery and immediately stored in
a freezer at -78º to -68º C after packing. Between January 2007
and December 2012, 2024 patients received 2083 allografts with a
minimum of 12 months of follow-up. The overall allograft-associated
infection rate was 1.2% (24/2024). Swab cultures of 2083 allografts
taken before implantation revealed 21 (1.0%) positive findings.
The 21 recipients were given various antibiotics at the individual
orthopaedic surgeon’s discretion. At the latest follow-up, none
of these 21 recipients displayed clinical signs of infection following
treatment. Based on these findings, we conclude that an incidental positive
culture finding for allografts does not correlate with subsequent
surgical site infection. Additional prolonged post-operative antibiotic
therapy may not be necessary for recipients of fresh-frozen bone
allograft with positive culture findings. Cite this article:
Metaphyseal bone loss is common with revision
total knee replacement (RTKR). Using the Anderson Orthopaedic Research
Institute (AORI) classification, type 2-B and type 3 defects usually
require large metal blocks, bulk structural allograft or highly
porous metal cones. Tibial and femoral trabecular metal metaphyseal
cones are a unique solution for large bone defects. These cones
substitute for bone loss, improve metaphyseal fixation, help correct
malalignment, restore the joint line and may permit use of a shorter
stem. The technique for insertion involves sculpturing of the remaining
bone with a high speed burr and rasp, followed by press-fit of the
cone into the metaphysis. The fixation and osteoconductive properties
of the porous cone outer surface allow ingrowth and encourage long-term
biological fixation. The revision knee component is then cemented
into the porous cone inner surface, which provides superior fixation
compared with cementing into native but deficient metaphyseal bone.
The advantages of the cone compared with allograft include: technical
ease, biological fixation, no resorption, and possibly a lower risk
of infection. The disadvantages include: difficult extraction and
relatively short-term follow-up. Several studies using cones report
promising short-term results for the reconstruction of large bone
defects in RTKR. Cite this article:
In the UK we have many surgeon inventors – surgeons who innovate and create new ways of doing things, who invent operations, who design new instruments to facilitate surgery or design new implants for using in patients. However truly successful surgeon inventors are a rare breed and they need to develop additional knowledge and skills during their career in order to push forward their devices and innovations. This article reviews my own experiences as a surgeon inventor and the highs and lows over the whole of my surgical career.
