[Recommendations regarding arthroscopic surgery in the knee joint and the updated National Guidelines for Musculoskeletal Diseases]. / Att göra eller inte göra ­ kloka val kan ibland vara svåra.

The article discusses the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare's recommendations regarding arthroscopic surgery in the knee joint and the updated National Guidelines for Musculoskeletal Diseases from 2021. It emphasizes the ongoing discussion within the orthopedic profession and aims to summarize constructive discussions between the National Board of Health and Welfare, the Swedish Orthopedic Association, and the National program board for Musculoskeletal Diseases. The text notes a significant decrease in knee arthroscopies due to knee osteoarthritis and degenerative meniscus injuries over the past decade although 5,000 and 6,000 arthroscopies were performed in 2022 due to knee osteoarthritis or degenerative meniscus rupture. The reasons for the continued performance of the procedure are discussed, including the lack of a precise definition of ¼degenerative meniscus rupture« and interpretation differences within the profession. A recent report from the National Board of Health and Welfare indicates that the profession has largely embraced the recommendations from 2012, but there are significant regional differences in the number of performed arthroscopies. The text emphasizes the need for clearer recommendations, refined data collection, and constructive dialogue to improve the implementation of the National Board of Health and Welfare's recommendations and reduce the use of procedures classified as ¼not recommended.« The authors believe that continuous dialogue and follow-up are necessary to decrease the use of procedures not recommended in the guidelines.

Revision rates of one new and two established hemiarthroplasty heads: a comparative cohort study from the Swedish Arthroplasty Register.

INTRODUCTION: The anatomical Lubinus SPII-stem is commonly used in hemi-arthroplasty for femoral neck fractures (FNF), combined with either the bipolar Variocup, the Unipolar Head (UH) and a newly introduced unipolar Modular Trauma Head (MTH). Similar constructs like the MTH are reported to have risk of corrosion and wear. This is the first publication evaluating the MTH. AIM: To describe the revision rate of the SPII-stems/heads which were divided into 3 groups (Variocup, UH, MTH). The head types are compared by their rate of revision at 2 years, due to any cause and to dislocation. Revision and mortality rates up to 10 years are reported. METHODS: This observational cohort study based on prospectively registered data from the Swedish Arthroplasty Register included 33,059 patients with hemiarthroplasty 2005-2021 due to FNF. SPII-stems combined with Variocup (n = 7,281), UH (n = 23,980), MTH (n = 1,798) were included. The follow-up ended at 10 years for Variocup and UH, for MTH at 2 years. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses was used, with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Patients were censored at death or at the end of the study (31 December 2021). RESULTS: The 2-year revision rate regardless of cause was similar between the groups: after Variocup 3.5% (CI, 3.1-4.0), UH 3.1% (CI, 2.9-3.4), MTH 3.5% (CI, 2.6-4.5).At 10 years, the Variocup and UH had similar revision rates; 4.6% (CI, 4.0-5.2) and 5.0% (CI, 4.4-5.6).For revision due to dislocation at 2 years Variocup 2.3% (CI, 1.9-2.7) had an inferior outcome compared to UH 1.5% (CI, 1.3-1.7). The MTH had an intermediate outcome, 1.7% (CI, 1.0-2.3). Variocup had a higher dislocation related revision rate, until the 10th year.The 2-year-mortality was 36% (CI, 35-37) after Variocup, 43% (CI, 42-43) after UH and 44% (CI, 41-47) after MTH. CONCLUSIONS: The hemi-heads have comparable revision rates within 2 and 10 years. The new MTH performs similar to the standard UH. The bipolar Variocup is associated with more revisions due to dislocation.

May the 4th be with you: mixed-methods best-evidence synthesis on 4th-generation alumina-zirconia ceramic bearings in total hip arthroplasty.

Purpose: To assess utility, benefits, and risks of 4th-generation alumina-zirconia ceramic pairings in elective total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods: A comprehensive mixed-methods best-evidence synthesis using data from systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective and retrospective cohort studies, as well as joint replacement registries, was conducted to estimate overall revision and survival rates, periprosthetic infection, bearing fractures, and noise phenomena with 4th-generation alumina-zirconia ceramic versus other tribological couplings in elective THA. The systematic review part across multiple databases was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023418076), and individual study data were extracted for statistical re-analysis. Results: Twenty overlapping systematic reviews, 7, 17, and 8 references from RCTs, cohort studies, and joint replacement registries form the basis of this work. According to current best evidence, it is (i) 15-33 times more likely that 4th-generation alumina-zirconia pairings avoid a revision for infection than causing a revision for audible noise, (ii) 38-85 times more likely that 4th-generation alumina-zirconia pairings avoid a revision for infection than causing a revision for ceramic head fractures, and (iii) three to six times more likely that 4th-generation alumina-zirconia pairings avoid a revision for infection than cause a revision for ceramic liner fractures. Conclusion: Fourth-generation alumina-zirconia pairings in THA show a favorable benefit-risk ratio, with rare compound-specific adverse events and complications significantly outbalanced by long-term advantages, such as a markedly lower incidence of revision for infection.

A prospective randomized study of Refobacin Bone Cement R versus Palacos R + G.

Aims: Refobacin Bone Cement R and Palacos R + G bone cement were introduced to replace the original cement Refobacin Palacos R in 2005. Both cements were assumed to behave in a biomechanically similar fashion to the original cement. The primary aim of this study was to compare the migration of a polished triple-tapered femoral stem fixed with either Refobacin Bone Cement R or Palacos R + G bone cement. Repeated radiostereometric analysis was used to measure migration of the femoral head centre. The secondary aims were evaluation of cement mantle, stem positioning, and patient-reported outcome measures. Methods: Overall, 75 patients were included in the study and 71 were available at two years postoperatively. Prior to surgery, they were randomized to one of the three combinations studied: Palacos cement with use of the Optivac mixing system, Refobacin with use of the Optivac system, and Refobacin with use of the Optipac system. Cemented MS30 stems and cemented Exceed acetabular components were used in all hips. Postoperative radiographs were used to assess the quality of the cement mantle according to Barrack et al, and the position and migration of the femoral stem. Harris Hip Score, Oxford Hip Score, Forgotten Joint Score, and University of California, Los Angeles Activity Scale were collected. Results: Median distal migration (y-axis) at two years for the Refobacin-Optivac system was -0.79 mm (-2.01 to -0.09), for the Refobacin-Optipac system was -0.75 mm (-2.16 to 0.20), and for the Palacos-Optivac system was -1.01 mm (-4.31 to -0.29). No statistically significant differences were found between the groups. Secondary outcomes did not differ statistically between the groups at the two-year follow-up. Conclusion: At two years, we found no significant differences in distal migration or clinical outcomes between the three groups. Our data indicate that Refobacin Bone Cement R and Palacos R + G are comparable in terms of stable fixation and early clinical outcomes.

The Use of Large Metal Heads in Thin Vitamin E-Doped Cross-Linked Polyethylene Inserts Does Not Increase Polyethylene Wear in Total Hip Arthroplasty: 5-Year Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin E-doped cross-linked polyethylene (VEPE) has encouraged the use of larger heads in thinner liners in total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, there are concerns about wear and mechanical failure of the thin liner, especially when metal heads are used. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate if the use of a large metal head in thin VEPE liner would increase polyethylene wear compared with a standard 32-mm metal head and to compare periacetabular radiolucencies and patient-reported outcomes in THA. METHODS: There were 96 candidates for uncemented THA who were randomly allocated to either the largest possible metal head (36 to 44 mm) that could be fitted in the thinnest available VEPE liner (intervention group) or a standard 32-mm metal head (control group). The primary outcome was proximal head penetration, measured with a model-based radiostereometric analysis. Secondary outcomes were periacetabular radiolucencies and patient-reported outcomes. The midterm results of the trial at 5 years are presented. RESULTS: The median total proximal head penetration (interquartile range) was -0.04 mm (-0.12 to 0.02) in the intervention group and -0.03 mm (-0.14 to 0.05) in the control group (P = .691). The rates of periacetabular radiolucencies were 1 of 44 and 4 of 42 (P = .197), respectively. Patient-reported hip function and health-related quality of life did not differ between the groups, but participants in the intervention group reported a higher level of activity (median University of California Level of Activity score 7 versus 6, P = .020). There were 5 revisions caused by dislocations (2), periprosthetic fracture (1), stem subsidence (1), or iliopsoas impingement (1). CONCLUSIONS: Large metal heads in thin VEPE liners did not increase liner wear and were not associated with liner failure 5 years after THA.

The size of the femoral head does not influence metal ion levels after metal-on-polyethylene total hip arthroplasty: a five-year report from a randomized controlled trial.

Aims: In metal-on-polyethylene (MoP) total hip arthroplasty (THA), large metal femoral heads have been used to increase stability and reduce the risk of dislocation. The increased size of the femoral head can, however, lead to increased taper corrosion, with the release of metal ions and adverse reactions. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the size of the femoral head and the levels of metal ions in the blood in these patients. Methods: A total of 96 patients were enrolled at two centres and randomized to undergo MoP THA using either a 32 mm metal head or a femoral head of between 36 mm and 44 mm in size, being the largest possible to fit the thinnest available polyethylene insert. The levels of metal ions and patient-reported outcome measures (Oxford Hip Score, University of California, Los Angeles Activity Scale) were recorded at two and five years postoperatively. Results: At five years, the median levels of chromium, cobalt, and titanium were 0.5 µg/l (interquartile range (IQR) 0.50 to 0.62), 0.24 µg/l (IQR 0.18 to 0.30), and 1.16 µg/l (IQR 1.0 to 1.68) for the 32 mm group, and 0.5 µg/l (IQR 0.5 to 0.54), 0.23 µg/l (IQR 0.17 to 0.39), and 1.30 µg/l (IQR 1 to 2.05) for the 36 mm to 44 mm group, with no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.825, p = 1.000, p = 0.558). There were increased levels of metal ions at two years postoperatively in seven patients in the 32 mm group, compared with four in the 36 mm to 44 mm group, and at five years postoperatively in six patients in the 32 mm group, compared with seven in the 36 mm to 44 mm group. There was no significant difference in either the OHS (p = 0.665) or UCLA (p = 0.831) scores between patients with or without an increased level of metal ions. Conclusion: In patients who underwent MoP THA, we found no differences in the levels of metal ions five years postoperatively between those with a femoral head of 32 mm and those with a femoral head of between 36 mm and 44 mm, and no corrosion-related revisions. As taper corrosion can start after five years, there remains a need for longer-term studies investigating the relationship between the size of the femoral head size and corrosion in patients undergoing MoP THA.

Corrigendum: Similar outcome with a new anteverted or a straight standard stem: a randomized study of 72 total hip arthroplasties evaluated with clinical variables, radio-stereometry, and DXA up to 2 years.

When we checked our data in our article "Similar outcome with a new anteverted or a straight standard stem: a randomized study of 72 total hip arthroplasties evaluated with clinical variables, radiostereometry, and DXA up to 2 years" by Karin Rilby, Maziar Mohaddes, Emma Nauclér, and Johan Kärrholm, Acta Orthop 2021; 92, Published online October 21, 2021 we noticed that the numbers in Table 7 (Supplementary data) were incorrect. We have not been able to fully reconstruct the reason for this error. We are sorry for this mistake. Even if the corrected numbers are different the overall conclusions will be same and also the statistical significances.

Long-term risk of reoperation after modular hemiarthroplasty : Any differences between uni- or bipolar design?

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether unipolar (UHA) or bipolar (BHA) hemiarthroplasty should be the preferred treatment of femoral neck fracture (FNF). AIM: We investigated the reoperation rate at 13 years post-fracture after BHA and UHA as treatment of FNF, including a subgroup analysis of individuals who survived 5 years or more, and described the reasons for reoperation after BHA and UHA respectively. METHODS: In an observational cohort study on prospectively collected national register data, 16,216 BHA and 22,186 UHA were available for matching. A propensity score for treatment with bipolar HA was estimated using logistic regression. Matching was done using the 1:1 nearest neighbor matching without replacement. Of the 16,216 BHA patients, 12,280 were matched to a UHA control. A subgroup analysis based on the matched sample excluded individuals who died within 5 years and comprised 3,637 individuals with BHA and 3,537 with UHA. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used. RESULTS: In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, 92% of the BHA group was free from reoperation at 13 years (95% CI 0.91-0.93), compared to 92% in the UHA group (CI 0.89-0.94). BHA was associated with more reoperations until 3 years. Reoperation due to infection was most common after BHA, n = 212 (1.7%) compared to n = 141 (1.1%) after UHA. Dislocation led to reoperation in 192 of the BHA cases (1.6%) and in 157 of the UHA cases (1.3%). Acetabular erosion/pain occurred in 0.1% and 0.4%. Amongst those surviving ≥ 5 years, 93% of the BHA group was free from reoperation (CI 0.92-0.94) at 13 years, 92% after UHA (CI 0.90-0.94). BHA had more reoperations during the 1st year only. The causes for reoperations showed similar rates except for acetabular erosion/pain. Here the BHA group had 2 cases (0.1%), the UHA had 39 (1.1%). CONCLUSION: With a modular hemiarthroplasty relatively few patients need a reoperation. During the first years, there is a higher reoperation rate after BHA compared to UHA. Thereafter, no differences are seen. In patients who survive ≥ 5 years after the fracture there are more reoperations due to acetabular erosion after UHA, but crude numbers are extremely low, and the total reoperation rate is not affected.

Cost-effectiveness of implant movement analysis in aseptic loosening after hip replacement: a health-economic model.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cost-effectiveness of using Implant Movement Analysis (IMA) to follow up suspected aseptic loosening when the diagnosis after an initial X-ray is not conclusive, compared with a diagnostic pathway with X-ray follow-up. METHODS: A health-economic model in the form of a decision tree was developed using quality-adjusted life years (QALY) from the literature, cost-per-patient data from a university hospital and the probabilities of different events from expert physicians' opinions. The base case incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was compared with established willingness-to-pay thresholds and sensitivity analyses were performed to account for assumptions and uncertainty. RESULTS: The base case ICER indicated that the IMA pathway was cost effective (SEK 99,681, compared with the SEK 500,000 threshold). In the sensitivity analysis, the IMA pathway remained cost effective during most changes in parameters. ICERs above the threshold value occurred in cases where a larger or smaller proportion of people receive immediate surgery. CONCLUSION: A diagnostic pathway using IMA after an inconclusive X-ray for suspected aseptic loosening was cost effective compared with a pathway with X-ray follow-up.

Increased mortality after total hip prosthetic joint infection is mainly caused by the comorbidities rather than the infection itself.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a feared complication of arthroplasty surgery. There is controversy as to whether PJI also correlates with increased mortality. Our aim was to investigate in a nationwide cohort if PJI is an independent risk factor for dying. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study based on data from the Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Register (SHAR). All patients with a revision THA performed between 1998 and 2017 were included. The outcome is mortality; exposure is PJI according to SHAR. The control group was study participants who underwent aseptic revision. Confounders were age, sex, diagnosis, and comorbidity according to the Elixhauser index. The outcome was analyzed with a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: 4,943 PJI revisions and 12,529 non-infected revisions were included in the analysis. The median follow-up time was 4.1 years. In the PJI group, 1,972 patients died and in the control group, 4,512. The incidence rate ratio was 1.19 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-1.25), the crude hazard ratio (HR) 1.19 (CI 1.13-1.25), and the adjusted HR 1.05 (CI 0.99-1.12) for the exposed versus the unexposed group. The strongest confounder was comorbidity. CONCLUSION: The increased mortality risk after revision due to PJI is mainly caused by the comorbidity of the patient, rather than by the infection itself.

No major difference in perceived quality of care in patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis assessed in a physical therapy-led triage compared with standard care: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Physical therapy-led orthopedic triage is a care model used to optimize pathways for patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis. However, scientific evidence of the effectiveness of this model of care is still limited and only a few studies report patients' perception of it. The aim of this study was to compare patients' perceived quality of care after physical therapy-led triage with standard practice in a secondary care setting for patients with primary hip or knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: In this randomized study, patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis referred for an orthopedic consultation received either physical therapy-led triage (n = 344) or a standard care assessment by an orthopedic surgeon (n = 294). To evaluate the patients' perceived quality of care, a short version of the Quality from the Patient's Perspective (QPP) questionnaire was sent to the patients within a week after their assessment. The primary outcome was the statement "I received the best examination and treatment" on QPP. RESULTS: A total of 348 patients (70%, physical therapy-led triage: n = 249, standard care: n = 199) answered the questionnaire. No significant difference was found in the primary outcome between the groups (p = 0.6). Participants in the triage group perceived themselves to have received significantly better information about how to take care of their osteoarthritis (p = 0.017) compared with the standard care group. The standard care group reported that they participated in the decision-making process to a greater extent (p = 0.005), that their expectations were met to a greater degree (p = 0.013), and that their care depended more on their need for care rather than the caregivers' routines (0.007). CONCLUSION: Both groups report high perceived quality of care. Significant differences were found in four of 14 questions, one in favor of the physical therapist and three in favor of the standard care group. The findings of this study are in line with previous research and support the use of this care model for patients with hip or knee OA in secondary care. However, due to the dropout size, the results should be interpreted with caution. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials NCT04665908, registered 14/12/2020.

Similar results after five years with the use of the Fitmore or the CLS femoral components.

Although the Fitmore Hip Stem has been on the market for almost 15 years, it is still not well documented in randomized controlled trials. This study compares the Fitmore stem with the CementLeSs (CLS) in several different clinical and radiological aspects. The hypothesis is that there will be no difference in outcome between stems. In total, 44 patients with bilateral hip osteoarthritis were recruited from the outpatient clinic at a single tertiary orthopaedic centre. The patients were operated with bilateral one-stage total hip arthroplasty. The most painful hip was randomized to either Fitmore or CLS femoral component; the second hip was operated with the femoral component not used on the first side. Patients were evaluated at three and six months and at one, two, and five years postoperatively with patient-reported outcome measures, radiostereometric analysis, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and conventional radiography. A total of 39 patients attended the follow-up visit at two years (primary outcome) and 35 patients at five years. The primary outcome was which hip the patient considered to have the best function at two years. At two and five years, more patients considered the hip with the CLS femoral component as superior but without a statistically significant difference. There were no differences in clinical outcome, magnitude of femoral component migration, or change of bone mineral density at five years. At three months, the Fitmore femoral component had subsided a median -0.71 mm (interquartile range (IQR) -1.67 to -0.20) and the CLS femoral component -0.70 mm (IQR -1.53 to -0.17; p = 0.742). In both groups the femoral head centre had migrated posteriorly (Fitmore -0.17 mm (IQR -0.98 to -0.04) and CLS -0.23 mm (IQR -0.87 to 0.07; p = 0.936)). After three months neither of the femoral components showed much further migration. During the first postoperative year, one Fitmore femoral component was revised due to aseptic loosening. Up to five years, we found no statistically significant difference in outcomes between the Fitmore and the CLS femoral components. The slightly worse outcomes, including one revised hip because of loosening, speaks against the hypothesis that the Fitmore femoral component should be advantageous compared to the CLS if more patients had been recruited to this study.

Can particle counting replace conventional surveillance for airborne bacterial contamination assessments? A systematic review using narrative synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial airborne contamination in the operating room during surgery indicates an increased risk for surgical site infection. The conventional surveillance method for bacteria in the air is by air sampling, plating, and counting of colony-forming units (CFU). Particle counting measures particles in the air, typically in sizes of 1-20 µm, and has been suggested as an alternative to CFU measurements. The primary aim was to investigate the correlation between the number of airborne CFU and particles during surgery. The secondary aim was to explore whether different ventilation settings influence the correlation between CFU and particles. METHODS: The databases Cochrane, Embase, and Medline were searched for relevant publications. Due to the heterogeneity of the data, meta-analysis was not possible and a narrative analysis was performed instead. RESULTS: The review included 11 studies. Two of the studies (n = 2) reported strong correlation between particles and CFU (Rp = 0.76 and Rc = 0.74). The remaining studies observed moderate correlation (n = 3), low correlation (n = 3), or no correlation (n = 3). Based on the primary results from this study, ventilation attribution to distinguish the correlation between particles and CFU had no or little contribution. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the lack of convincing evidence of correlation and lack of high-quality studies performing measurements in a standardized way, the studies could not provide the necessary evidence that show that particle counting could be used as a substitution for conventional air bacterial assessment. Further studies are warranted to strengthen the conclusion.

What is the Role of Stem Size and Offset in the Risk of Nonseptic Revision of the Exeter® 150-mm Stem? A Study From the Swedish Arthroplasty Register.

BACKGROUND: The Exeter® stem is used worldwide, often in older patients, and it is the second most commonly used cemented stem design in Sweden. Previous studies have shown that for cemented stems with a composite beam, the smallest sizes result in an increased risk of revision for mechanical failure. However, little is known about whether the survivorship of the polished Exeter stem, which generally has been shown to be good, might be associated with design parameters such as stem dimensions or offset at extreme implant sizes. QUESTION/PURPOSE: Are differences in (1) stem size or (2) offset of the standard Exeter V40 150-mm stem associated with differences in the risk of stem revision for aseptic loosening? METHODS: Between 2001 and 2020, 47,161 Exeter stems were reported to the Swedish Arthroplasty Register, with very high coverage and completeness documented during the period studied. In this cohort, we included patients with primary osteoarthritis who underwent surgery with a standard Exeter stem length of 150 mm and V40 cone with any type of cemented cups that had had at least 1000 reported insertions. This selection resulted in a study cohort representing 79% (37,619 of 47,161) of the total number of Exeter stems in the registry during that time. The primary study outcome was stem revision for aseptic indications such as loosening, periprosthetic fracture, dislocation, and implant fracture. A Cox regression was performed, with adjustment for age, gender, surgical approach, year of surgery, use of highly crosslinked polyethylene cups, and femoral head size and length dictated by the shape of the head trunnion. Adjusted hazard ratios are presented with 95% confidence intervals. Two separate analyses were performed. The first analysis excluded stems with the highest offsets (50 mm and 56 mm, which were not available for stem size 0). The second analysis excluded stem size 0 to include all offsets. Because stem survival was not proportional over time, we divided the analyses into two insertion periods, 0 to 8 years and beyond 8 years. RESULTS: Stem size 0 (compared to size 1) was associated with an increased risk of revision up to 8 years when all stem sizes were included (first analysis 0 to 8 years, HR 1.7 [95% CI 1.2 to 2.3]; p = 0.002). Forty-four percent (63 of 144) of revisions of size 0 stems were for periprosthetic fracture. There was no consistent association between stem size and risk of aseptic stem revision when size 0 was excluded in the second analysis beyond 8 years. The most common offset (44 mm) was associated with an increased risk of revision (compared with 37.5 mm) up to 8 years when all sizes were included (first analysis, HR 1.6 [95% CI 1.1 to 2.1]; p = 0.01). In the second analysis (beyond 8 years, all offsets included), offset of 44 mm was compared with offset of 37.5 mm; compared with the first period, this offset was associated with a reduced risk (HR 0.6 [95% CI 0.4 to 0.9]; p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: We found overall high survival of the Exeter stem, with generally little or no influence of stem variations on the risk of aseptic revision. However, stem size 0 was associated with an increased risk of revision mainly for periprosthetic fractures. If the femoral anatomy offers a choice between sizes 0 and 1 in patients with poor bone quality who are at risk of periprosthetic fracture, our data speak in favor of choosing the larger stem if the surgeon believes it is safe to insert the larger size, or, if available, another stem design that has a documented lower risk of this complication. For patients with good cortical bone quality but very narrow canals, a cementless stem may also be a good alternative. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.

No difference in whole-blood metal ions between 32-mm and 36- to 44-mm femoral heads in metal-on-polyethylene total hip arthroplasty: a 2-year report from a randomised control trial.

AIM: To investigate the effect of femoral head size on blood metal-ion levels caused by taper corrosion in metal-on-polyethylene total hip arthroplasty, comparing 36- to 44-mm heads with 32-mm heads. METHODS: In a randomised, controlled, single-blinded trial, 96 patients were allocated to receive either a 32-mm metal head or the largest possible metal head (36-44 mm) that could be accommodated in the thinnest available vitamin E, cross-linked polyethylene insert. Blood metal ion levels were collected at 1- and 2-year follow-ups. RESULTS: At 1-year, metal-ion levels did not differ between the groups. The median (interquartile range) blood-ion levels for the 32-mm versus the 36- to 44-mm group were 0.11 µg/L (0.08-0.15) versus 0.12 µg/L (0.08-0.22), p = 0.546, for cobalt, 0.50 µg/L (0.50-0.59) versus 0.50 µg/L (0.50-1.20), p = 0.059, for chromium and 1.58 µg/L (1.38-2.05) versus 1.48 µg/L (1.14-1.87), p = 0.385, for titanium. At 2 years, there was no difference either and the corresponding values were 0.15 µg/L (0.12-0.24) versus 0.18 µg/L (0.12-0.28), p = 0.682 for cobalt, 0.50 µg/L (0.50-0.50) versus 0.50 µg/L (0.50-0.57), p = 0.554, for chromium and 1.54 µg/L (1.16-1.87) versus 1.42 µg/L (1.01-1.72), p = 0.207 for titanium. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the largest possible metal head (36-44 mm) compared to a 32-mm head in metal-on-polyethylene bearings does not appear to elevate blood metal-ion levels up to 2 years postoperatively. As taper corrosion is probably time-dependent, longer-term reports are needed to evaluate the association between large metal heads and blood metal ion levels.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (reg. ID NCT0231 6704).

Learning from the past to plan for the future: A scoping review of musculoskeletal clinical research in Sweden 2010-2020.

Background: The aims of this study are to 1) determine the scope of musculoskeletal (MSK)-related clinical research in Sweden; 2) collate the amount of first-tier funding received; 3) discuss strategies and infrastructure supporting future MSK clinical trials in Sweden. Methods: A systematic scoping review protocol was applied in PubMed, Scopus, and SweCRIS databases. The articles were examined, and data were extracted in multiple stages by three blinded authors. Results: The search strategy resulted in 3,025 publications from 479 Swedish-affiliated authors. Primary health care was the basis for 14% of the publications, 84% from secondary health care, and 2% from occupational health care with a similar proportional distribution of first-tier research grant financing. Approximately one in six publications were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), while the majority were of observational cohort design. The majority of publications in primary and occupational health care were related to pain disorders (51 and 67%, respectively), especially diagnosis, prognosis, and healthcare organizational-related interventions (34%) and rehabilitation (15%) with similar proportional distribution of first-tier research grant financing. In secondary health care, rheumatic inflammatory disorder-related publications were most prevalent (30%), most frequently concerning diagnosis, prognosis, and healthcare organizational-related interventions (20%), attracting approximately half of all first-tier funding. Publications related to degenerative joint disorders (25%), fractures (16%), and joint, tendon, and muscle injuries (13%) frequently concerned surgical and other orthopedic-related interventions (16, 6, and 8%, respectively). Pain disorder-related publications (10%) as well as bone health and osteoporosis-related publications (4%) most frequently concerned diagnosis, prognosis, and healthcare organizational-related interventions (5 and 3%, respectively). Conclusions: Swedish-affiliated MSK disorder research 2010-2020 was predominantly observational cohort rather than RCT based. There was skewed first-tier funding allocation considering prevalence/incidence and burden of disease. Use of infrastructure supporting register-based RCTs, placebo-controlled RCTs, and hybrid effectiveness-implementation studies on prevention and clinical intervention is important strategies for the future in all healthcare sectors.

No difference in outcome or migration but greater loss of bone mineral density with the Collum Femoris Preserving stem compared with the Corail stem: a randomized controlled trial with five-year follow-up.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare the mid-term patient-reported outcome, bone remodelling, and migration of a short stem (Collum Femoris Preserving; CFP) with a conventional uncemented stem (Corail). METHODS: Of 81 patients who were initially enrolled, 71 were available at five years' follow-up. The outcomes at two years have previously been reported. The primary outcome measure was the clinical result assessed using the Oxford Hip Score (OHS). Secondary outcomes were the migration of the stem, measured using radiostereometric analysis (RSA), change of bone mineral density (BMD) around the stem, the development of radiolucent lines, and additional patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding PROMs (median OHS (CFP 45 (interquartile range (IQR) 35 to 48); Corail 45 (IQR 40 to 48); p = 0.568). RSA showed stable stems in both groups, with little or no further subsidence between two and five years. Resorption of the femoral neck was evident in nine patients in the CFP group and in none of the 15 Corail stems with a collar that could be studied. Dual X-ray absorbiometry showed a significantly higher loss of BMD in the proximal Gruen zones in the CFP group (mean changes in BMD: Gruen zone 1, CFP -9.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) -14.8 to -4.2), Corail 1.0 (95% CI 3.4 to 5.4); Gruen zone 7, CFP -23.0 (95% CI -29.4 to -16.6), Corail -7.2 (95% CI -15.9 to 1.4). Two CFP stems were revised before two years' follow-up due to loosening, and one Corail stem was revised after two years due to chronic infection. CONCLUSION: The CFP stem has a similar clinical outcome and subsidence pattern when compared with the Corail stem. More pronounced proximal stress-shielding was seen with the CFP stem, suggesting diaphyseal fixation, and questioning its femoral neck-sparing properties in the long term. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(5):581-588.

A review of the efficacy of intraarticular hip injection for patients with hip osteoarthritis: To inject or not to inject in hip osteoarthritis?

Hip injection (HI) for osteoarthritis (OA) are in vogue nowadays. Corticosteroids (CSs) and hyaluronic acid (HA) gel are the two most common agents injected into the hip. Off late, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), mesenchymal stem cell (MSC), bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), local anesthetic (LA) agents, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and their different combinations have also been injected in hips to provide desired pain relief. However, there is a group of clinicians who vary of these injections. A search of the literature was performed on PubMed, Cochrane Library, and DOAJ using the keywords "hip osteoarthritis injection". Data were analyzed and compiled. Intraarticular CSs are effective in providing the desired pain relief in OA hip, but repeated injections should be avoided and the interval between HI and hip arthroplasty must be kept for more than three months. Methylprednisolone or triamcinolone are combined with 1% lidocaine or 0.5% bupivacaine. Chondrotoxic effects of LA is a concern. Although national guidelines do not favor the use of HA for hip OA, numerous publications have favored its usage for a moderate grade of OA. The PRP, MSC, and BMAC are treatment options with great potential; however, currently, the evidence is conflicting on their role in hip OA. There is always a risk of septic arthritis, particularly when aseptic precautions are not followed, and clinicians must vary of this complication.