Anterior superior iliac spine is not always reliable as a pelvic reference axis. -3D study of pelvic axis.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of the axis connecting both anterior superior iliac spines (ASIS axis) as the absolute pelvic axis. No study has ever verified the accuracy of ASIS axis particularly on the AP pelvic radiograph, which cannot be specified on it. METHODS: Sixty patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty and fifty patients with femoral neck fracture were recruited as subjects without hip deformities and their CT scan data were collected. We defined the line through both center of femoral heads as absolute reference axis of pelvis three-dimensionally. On the coronal plane, the errors between the femoral head axis and the axes through six pelvic landmarks in total, including ASIS were analyzed. On the axial plane, the errors of the lines through four landmarks were analyzed in the same way. Finally, on the coronal images, the mediolateral diameter of the obturator foramen and the mediolateral distance between the midline of the sacrum and the pelvic cavity were measured to evaluate bilateral symmetry of the pelvis. RESULTS: The errors tended to be smaller as the axes were closer to the femoral head axis (axes connecting bilateral superior aspects of the acetabulum and the teardrops) and the ASIS axis errors were moderate. The obturator foramen based on the ASIS axis was more asymmetrical than the femoral head axis. CONCLUSION: Adjusting the pelvic tilt and rotation, surgeons should not always rely on the ASIS and refer to appropriate, close to the hip joint references in each case.

Vitamin D status-associated postoperative complications in patients with hip dysplasia after periacetabular osteotomy: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to clarify the relationship between vitamin D status and complications after periacetabular osteotomy. METHODS: A total of 46 hips of 39 patients (3 men and 36 women; mean age at surgery, 41.0 years; mean postoperative follow-up duration, 63 months) were reviewed to obtain the following information: patients' serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] status, prevalence of postoperative delayed union of osteotomy sites in the greater trochanter (DUGT) and ischiopubic stress fractures (IPSFs), and risk factors. RESULTS: The mean serum 25(OH)D level was 11.9 ng/ml. DUGT and IPSF were found in four (10.3%) and three (7.7%) patients, respectively. Serum 25(OH)D levels ≤ 11 ng/ml were significantly associated with DUGT in female patients (p = .02). Serum 25(OH)D levels ≤ 9 ng/ml and smoking were significantly associated with IPSF (p = 0.01 and 0.02, respectively). Overall, 21.7% of patients with serum 25(OH)D levels ≤ 11 ng/ml developed at least one complication; no complications occurred when serum 25(OH)D levels were >11 ng/ml. CONCLUSION: Severe vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent in relatively young patients. Vitamin D deficiency and smoking were independent risk factors for postoperative complications. Proactive supplementation is advisable to reduce postoperative complications, especially in patients with serum 25(OH)D levels ≤ 11 ng/ml.

Improved surgical procedure of primary constrained total knee arthroplasty which enables use of the femoral diaphyseal straight extension stem.

BACKGROUND: In performing primary constrained total knee arthroplasties (TKA) to imbalanced knees, the offset stem is sometimes compelled to use, although this is associated with surgical difficulties. We developed a modified procedure which might be able to fit the anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) position of the femoral component simultaneously with the straight stem. Purposes of this study were to evaluate usefulness of the modified procedure both in computer simulations and actual surgeries. METHODS: We included 32 knees that had undergone primary TKA using constrained implants because of the coronal imbalance. In the component-first procedure, the distal femur was prepared to fit the AP and ML position of the femoral component simultaneously at first, as in primary TKA. Finally, the stem hole is created based on the femoral component position (the component-first procedure). The femoral component and extension stem were simulated using the three-dimensional planning software (ZedKnee) following the component-first procedure. We investigated the suitability of the straight stem through computer simulation and evaluation of actual surgeries. Clinical and radiographical outcomes were also evaluated at the latest follow-up. RESULTS: The component-first procedure enabled the AP and ML position of the femoral component to be fitted simultaneously with the straight stem in simulations and actual surgeries in all cases. The stem diameter was not significantly different between simulations and actual surgeries (13.9 and 13.7 mm on average, respectively, p = 0.479) and almost similar from intraclass correlation coefficient analysis (kappa value 0.790). Clinical and radiographical outcomes were almost similar to primary TKA cases and there was no case of component loosening, cortical bone hypertrophy around the stem and stem-tip pain. CONCLUSIONS: Our improved surgical procedure may facilitate use of the constrained implant for more cases of primary TKA in imbalanced knees without the usual surgical difficulties. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered.

Spontaneous bilateral femoral neck fractures in a young male adult: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Simultaneous bilateral femoral neck fracture is a very rare condition, even in osteoporotic elderly individuals. We report an atypical case of a young male adult who developed simultaneous bilateral femoral neck fractures without previous trauma or overuse. CASE PRESENTATION: A 33-year-old man presented with discomfort in the bilateral groin, which had started 2 weeks previously. Bilateral femoral neck fractures were observed on a radiograph, and in addition, a fracture line was seen at the right subchondral region of the acetabulum using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Although the patient had no obvious risk factors associated with bone fragility, his bone mineral density measured using dual X-ray absorptiometry indicated severe osteoporosis (lumber spine: T score - 3.4 standard deviation [SD]; femoral neck: T score - 2.8 SD). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was deficient (19 ng/mL), which was considered to be partly due to non-sunlight exposure for 3 years owing to social withdrawal. Bilateral osteosynthesis was performed, considering his young age, although more than 2 weeks had passed since the onset of the fracture. Bone union and non-occurrence of osteonecrosis of the femoral head were confirmed via radiography and MRI 8 months after the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Our case suggests that simultaneous non-traumatic bilateral femoral neck fractures can occur in healthy young men.

Characteristics of patients with fragility hip fractures in the northern Kyushu district in Japan: a multicenter prospective registry based on an electronic data capture system.

Osteoporosis has become a worldwide public health problem, in part due to the fact that it increases the risk of fragility hip fractures (FHFs). The epidemiological assessment of FHFs is critical for their prevention; however, datasets for FHFs in Japan remain scarce. This was a multicenter, prospective, observational study in the northern district of Kyushu Island. Inclusion criteria were age > 60 years with a diagnosis of FHF and acquisition of clinical data by an electronic data capture system. Of 1294 registered patients, 1146 enrolled in the study. Nearly one third of patients (31.8%) had a history of previous fragility fractures. The percentage of patients receiving osteoporosis treatment on admission was 21.5%. Almost all patients underwent surgical treatment (99.1%), though fewer than 30% had surgery within 48 h after hospitalization. Bone mineral density (BMD) was evaluated during hospitalization in only 50.4% of patients. The rate of osteoporosis treatment increased from 21.5% on admission to 39.3% during hospitalization. The main reasons that prescribers did not administer osteoporosis treatment during hospitalization were forgetfulness (28.4%) and clinical judgment (13.6%). Age and female ratio were significantly higher in patients with previous FHFs than in those without. There was a significant difference in the rate of osteoporosis treatment or L-spine BMD values in patients with or without previous FHFs on admission. In conclusion, this study confirmed that the evaluation and treatment of osteoporosis and FHFs is still suboptimal in Japan, even in urban districts.

The depth of the low-intensity band on the T1-weighted MR image is useful for distinguishing subchondral insufficiency fracture from osteonecrosis of the collapsed femoral head.

PURPOSE: To verify the hypothesis that depth of the low-intensity band on T1-weighted MR image is useful for distinguishing subchondral insufficiency fracture (SIF) from osteonecrosis of the collapsed femoral head (ON). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed 35 consecutive hips in 35 patients with radiological evidence of subchondral collapse of the femoral head and available MR images and histology between May 2013 and January 2016. Both clinical and radiological appearances were investigated. The ratios of distance from articular surface of the femoral head to the T1 low-intensity band to femoral head diameter (band depth ratio: BDR) on (1) mid-coronal slice of MR images and that on (2) coronal slice of MR images in which the highest BDR was observed, were calculated. RESULTS: The mean age in SIF group was significantly higher than that in ON group (SIF: 68 years, ON: 49 years, P = 0.0017). The rates of history of steroid intake or alcohol consumption in SIF group were significantly lower than those in ON group (P = 0.0022 and P = 0.0408, respectively). The mean BDRs in SIF group were (1) 0.16 and (2) 0.23, which were significantly lower than those in ON group [(1) 0.42 and (2) 0.59] (P < 0.0001 for both). The cut-off BDR values to differentiate SIF from ON were (1) 0.22 and (2) 0.38, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of the study suggest that depth of the low-intensity band on T1-weighted MR image is useful for distinguishing SIF from ON in cases with collapsed femoral heads.

Neck fracture of femoral stems with a sharp slot at the neck: biomechanical analysis.

BACKGROUND: Fracture of the femoral stem in total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a rare complication. We have encountered 2 cases of neck fractures of the femoral stem occurring 9 and 12 years after THA. Morphological and biomechanical analysis were performed to investigate the mechanism of these fractures. METHOD: A titanium alloy femoral stem having a slot with sharp corners (R = 0.2 mm) at the neck had been implanted in both cases. Fracture surfaces were examined by use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Stress concentration was simulated by using a finite element method (FEM) to compare slots with sharp (R = 0.2 mm) and smooth (R = 2 mm) corners. RESULTS: Study of the retrieved stems revealed that neck fractures had occurred at the distal end of the slot in both cases. SEM revealed numerous fine fissures extending from the anterolateral edge, striations on the middle of the fracture surface, and dimples on the posteromedial surface, suggesting that the fractures had occurred from the anterolateral aspect toward the posteromedial aspect because of metallic fatigue. FEM analysis showed that mechanical stress was concentrated at the distal and anterolateral corners of the slot. Under 3500-N loading force, the stress at the sharp corner was 556 MPa, which was approximately twofold that at the smooth corner and exceeded the fatigue strength of titanium alloy. CONCLUSION: These findings showed that the sharp corner of slot increased stress concentrations at the anterolateral aspect and led to the neck fractures.

Life Course Epidemiology of Hip Osteoarthritis in Japan: A Multicenter, Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in Japanese newborns has reduced drastically following a primary prevention campaign initiated around 1972 to 1973; this perinatal education campaign promoted maintaining the hips of newborns in the naturally flexed-leg position. The purpose of the present study was to describe the life course epidemiology of hip osteoarthritis (OA) in adolescent and adult patients and to assess its association with exposure to the primary prevention campaign for DDH. METHODS: We included new patients with hip OA diagnosed from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022, at 12 core hospitals (8 special-function hospitals and 4 regional medical care support hospitals). The trend in the percentage of hips with a history of DDH treatment in childhood was estimated with use of a centered moving average using the birth year of the patient. We compared the prevalence of severe subluxation (Crowe type II, III, or IV) between patients with secondary hip OA due to hip dysplasia who were born in or before 1972 and those who were born in or after 1973. RESULTS: Overall, 1,095 patients (1,381 hips) were included. The mean age at the time of the survey was 63.5 years (range, 15 to 95 years). A total of 795 patients (1,019 hips; 73.8% of hips) were diagnosed with secondary OA due to hip dysplasia. Approximately 13% to 15% of hips among patients born from 1963 to 1972 had a history of DDH treatment in childhood; however, the percentage decreased among patients born in or after 1973. The prevalence of severe subluxation (Crowe type II, III, or IV) among patients born in or after 1973 was 2.4%, which was significantly less than that among patients born in or before 1972 (11.1%; odds ratio, 0.20; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: As of 2022, secondary hip OA due to hip dysplasia is still responsible for most new cases of adolescent and adult hip OA seen in core hospitals in Japan. However, the perinatal education campaign initiated 50 years ago, which utilized a population approach and advocated for maintaining the hips of newborns in the naturally flexed-leg position, may have improved the environmental factors of DDH, as indicated by the apparently reduced need for treatment of DDH in childhood and the associated severe subluxation. This may result in a reduced need for challenging hip surgery later in life. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The utility of clinical features for distinguishing subchondral insufficiency fracture from osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

PURPOSE: Subchondral insufficiency fractures of the femoral head (SIF) need to be differentiated from osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ON), since these two conditions have several overlapping characteristics especially in their radiological findings. The purpose of this study was to determine the useful clinical features for differentiating SIF from ON. METHODS: This study reviewed 44 consecutive patients, aged 60 years or older with a radiological evidence of subchondral collapse of the femoral head. According to the histopathological diagnosis, 22 patients were grouped as SIF and 22 patients as ON. A 2 × 2 contingency table analysis was used to obtain the odd ratios (ORs) for SIF compared to ON. RESULTS: The age, proportion of females, the rate of a history of neither corticosteroid intake nor alcohol abuse, and the presence of vertebral compression fracture in subchondral insufficiency fracture were significantly higher than those with osteonecrosis (p = 0.0001, 0.0212, 0.0001, and 0.0040, respectively). ORs for SIF were 12.01 [95 % confidence intervals (CI) 1.35-106.80] and 7.29 (95 % CI 1.91-27.86), if the patient were female and 70 years of age or older, respectively. In addition, OR for SIF was extremely high (OR 56.01, 95 % CI 6.12-512.87) compared to ON, if the patients have a history of neither corticosteroid intake nor alcohol abuse [corrected]. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that osteoporotic elderly women without any history of corticosteroid intake or alcohol abuse need to first be considered to have subchondral insufficiency fracture when radiographs show a collapse of the femoral head.

Clinical and radiographic evaluation of total hip arthroplasties using porous tantalum modular acetabular components: 5-year follow-up of clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: Porous tantalum is a biomaterial newly applied for artificial joints. We present here 5-years follow-up report of a multicenter clinical trial of total hip arthroplasties (THA) with porous tantalum modular acetabular component (modular PTC). METHODS: Study participants received 82 hips in 79 cases, with 61.2 months follow-up on average. Age at operation was 60.9 years. Clinical results were evaluated using Merle d'Aubigne Postel score. Presence of implant loosening, periacetabular radiolucency, osteolysis, and gap filling were examined for radiographic results. RESULTS: Merle d'Aubigne Postel score improved from 10.0 to 16.4 points. All PTC were radiographically stable, with no evidence of progressive radiolucencies. Average polyethylene wear rate was 0.004 mm/year, with no periacetabular osteolysis. Fifteen hips (18.3%) showed a gap >1 mm; however, all showed bone filling within 12 months. PTC with oversized reaming was significantly less likely to have a gap. No implant failure was noted related to modularity. Resulting survival rate of modular PTC was 100% at 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Modular PTC showed excellent results at 5-years of follow-up. Some hips showed periacetabular gaps, which were filled with bone within 1 year. Further follow-up was needed to determine long-term efficacy.

Effects of adalimumab administration in bio-naïve and bio-switch rheumatoid arthritis patients in daily clinical practice : two-year results from single center.

AIMS: To investigate the impact of adalimumab on the biologic-naive (bio-naïve) and bio-switch rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and to clarify the appropriate indications for adalimumab treatment. METHODS: The retention rate, efficacy and safety of adalimumab in twenty-one RA patients were analyzed. Fourteen of the patients were bio-naive and seven were bio-switched from other biologics. Concomitant methotrexate was used in 85% of the bio-naive and 71% of the bio-switch patients. The radiographic findings before and after the 1 year and the two years treatment were also surveyed. RESULTS: In the bio-naive group, 63% of patients continued adalimumab for 2 years, and remission was achieved in approximately 50% of patients. The mean 28-joint Disease Activity Scores improved from 5.2 to 2.6. Radiographically, the joint damage did not progress in either erosions or joint space narrowing. In the bio-switch group, the retention rate was 29%, and only patients who were switched from infliximab showed responses to the treatment. Herpes zoster requiring hospitalization occurred in two cases and injection site reactions were noted in other two cases. CONCLUSION: Adalimumab combined with methotrexate would be a useful first choice biologic regimen in bio-naïve RA patients. As a second biologic, adalimumab could be useful only when treatments are switched from infliximab.

Protocol for the RETHINK study: a randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, non-inferiority clinical trial comparing acetaminophen and NSAIDs for treatment of chronic pain in elderly patients with osteoarthritis of the hip and knee.

INTRODUCTION: In patients with chronic pain, oral analgesics are essential treatment options to manage pain appropriately, improve activities of daily living abilities and achieve a higher quality of life (QOL). It is desirable to select analgesics for elderly patients based on comparative data on analgesic effect and risk of adverse events; however, there are few comparative studies so far. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the efficacy and safety of acetaminophen are non-inferior to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the treatment of chronic pain associated with osteoarthritis of the hip and knee in elderly patients. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This study is a multicentre, randomised controlled, double-blind, parallel-group study to compare the analgesic effect and adverse events between acetaminophen or NSAIDs (loxoprofen or celecoxib). A total of 400 elderly patients with osteoarthritis of the hip and knee will be recruited from five institutions in Japan. Patients of 65 years or older with osteoarthritis-related pain will be registered and randomly assigned to acetaminophen, loxoprofen or celecoxib with 2:1:1 allocation. The primary endpoint is change in the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) item 3 (worst pain) score from baseline to week 8. The secondary endpoints are BPI item 3 score change from baseline to week 4, health-related QOL measured by Short Form-8 Health Survey, and occurrence of adverse events including gastrointestinal disorders and abnormal liver function. Data will be analysed in accordance with a predefined statistical analysis plan. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study protocol was approved by the Kyushu University Hospital Certified Institutional Review Board for Clinical Trials on 28 January 2021 (KD2020004) and the chief executive of each participating hospital. The results of the study will be submitted to international peer-reviewed journals, and the main findings will be presented at international scientific conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: jRCTs071200112.

Femoral anteversion is correlated with acetabular version and coverage in Asian women with anterior and global deficient subgroups of hip dysplasia: a CT study.

OBJECTIVE: Morphological correlation between the acetabulum and femur at the hip joint is still controversial. We tested the hypothesis that femoral anteversion correlates with acetabular version and coverage in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using pelvic computed tomography (CT) images of 79 hips in 49 Asian women with DDH and 49 normal hips, we measured femoral anteversion, the axial and vertical acetabular version and the acetabular sector angle (ASA) to demarcate femoral head coverage. Depending on the location of the acetabular bone defect, dysplastic hips were divided into three subgroups: the anterior, global and posterior deficiency groups. We performed a comparative analysis between dysplastic and normal hips using the Wilcoxon rank sum test, and a relative analysis between femoral anteversion and acetabular measurements in dysplastic hips using Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The amount of femoral anteversion in dysplastic hips was greater and more variable than in normal hips (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0277 respectively). Femoral anteversion in dysplastic hips correlated significantly with acetabular anteversion in the groups with anterior and global deficiency subgroups (p < 0.05, r = 0.2990, p < 0.05, r = 0.451 respectively), but not with the posterior deficiency subgroup. Femoral anteversion also correlated with vertical acetabular version. When acetabular coverage was examined, significant correlations were noted between femoral anteversion and anterior and superior coverage, but not with posterior coverage. These correlations were not observed in normal hips. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed significantly greater and more variable femoral anteversion in DDH, and a significant correlation between femoral anteversion and acetabular version and coverage in DDH with anterior and global acetabular bone deficiency.

Midterm results of transtrochanteric anterior rotational osteotomy combined with shelf acetabuloplasty for osteonecrosis with acetabular dysplasia: a preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: Transtrochanteric anterior rotational osteotomy for osteonecrosis of the femoral head should be performed to obtain >34% of the ratio of transposed intact posterior articular surface to the acetabular weight-bearing area. Therefore, the presence of acetabular dysplasia is unfavorable in obtaining this ratio. Between 1999 and 2005, we performed the modified Spitzy shelf acetabuloplasty combined with anterior rotational osteotomy for three patients (four hips) with acetabular dysplasia. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the midterm results of this combined surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients comprised one man and two women with a mean age of 29 years at the time of surgery. Mean follow-up was 7.5 years. The average preoperative Harris hip score of 65.5 points increased to an average of 79.3 points at the latest follow-up. None of the hips required conversion to total hip arthroplasty during the follow-up periods. The average postoperative intact ratio without a shelf procedure was 23%, and with a shelf procedure, this ratio increased to be 58%. As a result, collapse progression was not observed in any of the four hips. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that anterior rotational osteotomy combined with shelf acetabuloplasty may be a surgical option for osteonecrosis of the femoral head with acetabular dysplasia. Further studies with a larger patient population are necessary to clarify appropriate indications and limitations of this combined surgery.

Clinico-radiological factors affecting the joint space narrowing after transtrochanteric anterior rotational osteotomy for osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that affect the joint space narrowing after transtrochanteric anterior rotational osteotomy (ARO) for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). METHODS: We reviewed 39 cases (43 hips) of ONFH in patients who underwent ARO between 2000 and 2004. Their mean age was 42 years (23-61) at the time of surgery. The mean follow-up period was 7.3 years (3-10). The following clinical and radiological factors were investigated: the preoperative stage, localization and extent of the necrotic lesion, and the postoperative intact ratio (transposed intact articular surface of the femoral head to the weight-bearing surface of the acetabulum). The 43 hips were divided into two groups: a joint space narrowing (JSN) group and a non-joint space narrowing (non-JSN) group. RESULTS: Thirty-seven hips (86 %) were categorized as non-JSN and six (14 %) as having JSN. The preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association score was significantly higher in the non-JSN group than in the JSN group (P = 0.01). In the non-JSN group, the rate of early stage disease was significantly higher than in the JSN group (P = 0.03). The postoperative intact ratio was significantly higher in the non-JSN group than in the JSN group (P = 0.002). A multivariate analysis revealed that the postoperative intact ratio was an independent predictor of the progression of joint space narrowing after ARO, and the cutoff point was 39.2 %. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the postoperative intact ratio is one of factors determining the progression of joint space narrowing after ARO and that an approximately 40 % or higher postoperative intact ratio is recommended to prevent joint space narrowing.

High prevalence of acetabular retroversion in both affected and unaffected hips after Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease.

BACKGROUND: Acetabular retroversion is observed in hips after various pediatric hip diseases. This study sought to examine the frequency of acetabular retroversion in both affected and unaffected hips after Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease and its correlation with the prominence of the ischial spine. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated the version and morphological features of the acetabulum using pelvic radiographs after Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (107 affected hips treated non-operatively and 72 unaffected hips from the contralateral side). The diagnosis of acetabular retroversion was made based on the presence of a positive cross-over sign on anteroposterior pelvic radiographs. The correlation between the presence of a positive cross-over sign and modified Stulberg classes, the onset age of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, radiographic parameters for acetabular dysplasia and the prominence of the ischial spine were examined. RESULTS: The prevalence of a positive cross-over sign was 49.5 % (45 of 91 hips) in affected hips and 45.8 % (33 of 72 hips) in unaffected hips. Hips with a positive cross-over sign were significantly coexistent bilaterally. The prevalence of prominence of the ischial spine in the positive cross-over sign group was 71.4 % in the affected side and 81.8 % in the unaffected side, indicating a significant correlation between the cross-over sign and the prominence of the ischial spine in both affected and unaffected hips. The positive cross-over sign did not have any correlation with the parameters for acetabular dysplasia and the onset age, however, had a significant correlation with the severity of the femoral head deformity. CONCLUSIONS: High prevalence of acetabular retroversion in both affected and unaffected hips after Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease was demonstrated. Symmetric acetabular deformity and the coexistence of prominence of the ischial spine suggested the effects of the Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease lesions on the skeletal development of the whole pelvis. Further follow-up is needed to clarify the pathological significance of acetabular retroversion after Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease.

Japanese Orthopaedic Association Hip Disease Evaluation Questionnaire (JHEQ): a patient-based evaluation tool for hip-joint disease. The Subcommittee on Hip Disease Evaluation of the Clinical Outcome Committee of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association.

BACKGROUND: The Japanese Orthopaedic Association Hip Score is widely used in Japan, but this tool is designed to reflect the viewpoint of health-care providers rather than that of patients. In gauging the effect of medical therapies in addition to clinical results, it is necessary to assess quality of life (QOL) from the viewpoint of patients. However, there is no tool evaluating QOL for Japanese patients with hip-joint disease. METHODS: With the aim of more accurately classifying QOL for Japanese patients with hip-joint disease, we prepared a questionnaire with 58 items for the survey derived from 464 opinions obtained from approximately 100 Japanese patients with hip-joint disease and previously devised evaluation criteria. In the survey, we collected information on 501 cases, and 402 were subjected to factor analysis. From this, we formulated three categories-movement, mental, and pain-each comprising 7 items, for a total of 21 items to be used as evaluation criteria for hip-joint function. RESULTS: The Cronbach's α coefficients for the three categories were 0.93, 0.93, and 0.95, respectively, indicating the high reliability of the evaluation criteria. The 21 items included some related to the Asian lifestyle, such as use of a Japanese-style toilet and rising from the floor, which are not included in other evaluation tools. CONCLUSIONS: This self-administered questionnaire may become a useful tool in the evaluation of not only Japanese patients, but also of members of other ethnic groups who engage in deep flexion of the hip joint during daily activities.

Transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy for late-onset Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.

BACKGROUND: The pathology of late-onset Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD) is similar to that of avascular necrosis of the femoral head in adult and is associated with poorer prognosis of the hip. The optimal treatment for this condition is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical results of the transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy for the patients with LCPD onset at more than 9 years of age. METHODS: Individuals included 14 hips in 13 cases with the mean age at onset of the disease and operation of 10 years 9 months and 12 years. Average follow-up periods were 12 years. All cases were resistant to the conservative treatments and did not have our indications for varus osteotomy. Clinical results were evaluated using Merle d'Aubigne Postel score and the modified Stulberg criteria. RESULTS: Average Merle d'Aubigne Postel score at the final follow-up was 16.2 points ranging from 12 to 18 points. All patients did not have additional treatment except nail removal. Stulberg class II, III, and IV were obtained in 5, 2, and 7 hips, respectively. More spherical femoral head was obtained in patients with less head involvement and more bone preservation or new bone formation at posterior pillar. Three hips showed slight narrowing of joint space without severe osteoarthritic changes. CONCLUSIONS: Transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy is an effective procedure to salvage the hips of the late-onset LCPD. Amount of head involvement, posterior and lateral pillar had influences on the surgical outcomes.

Osteoarthritis hip joints in Japan: involvement of acetabular dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a nationwide epidemiologic study regarding hip osteoarthritis (OA) in Japan, and a previous report found these patients to be unique in comparison to Caucasians. This report focused on the data regarding each hip joint, and the involvement of acetabular dysplasia with hip OA was analyzed. METHODS: Seven hundred twenty OA hips were examined. Sixty-five joints with osteonecrosis of the femoral head and 215 non-OA contralateral joints of the unilateral patients were examined as controls. The revised system of stage classification for hip OA of the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) was used according to the reproducibility in order to ensure reliable data from the multiple institutions. The acetabular dysplasia indexes were also chosen according to the reproducibility and measured in the radiograph of bilateral hip joints. The clinical score was assessed using the JOA scoring system. The relative risk of the grade of acetabular dysplasia indexes for hip OA was calculated as the odds ratio and the 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: The stage of the OA joints deteriorated with increasing age. The clinical scores also decreased. The grade of the acetabular dysplasia indexes of the OA joints was significantly higher than that of the control joints. Each index of acetabular dysplasia demonstrated significantly increased odds ratios for hip OA. Among the OA joints, the deterioration of the OA stage was found to be significantly associated with an increasing grade of acetabular dysplasia. The odds ratio for OA deterioration in the acetabular dysplasia index was also obtained. The joints of females tended to have a higher grade and prevalence of acetabular dysplasia than those of males. CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirmed a high prevalence of acetabular dysplasia in hip OA joints in Japan. Acetabular dysplasia was one of the most important factors associated with hip OA.

Malrotation of whole-leg radiograph less than 10 degrees does not influence preoperative planning in open-wedge high tibial osteotomy.

Coronal whole-leg radiography is generally used for preoperative open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) planning. Nevertheless, malrotational whole-leg radiographs could affect the planning, and the effects could possibly be strengthened by the knee flexed position. Consecutive 51 varus osteoarthritis knees that underwent OWHTO were included. The digitally reconstructed radiography (DRR) images parallel to the surgical epicondylar axis (neutral rotation; NR), 5° and 10° external rotation (ER) or internal rotation (IR), were reconstructed from preoperative CT. Preoperative weight-bearing line percentage (WBL%), medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), planned opening angle, and planned postoperative MPTA were measured with OWHTO planning in each DRR image. Correlations among the measured differences relative to NR images and knee flexion angle were investigated. As the DRR image shifted from ER to IR, the differences in preoperative WBL% and MPTA gradually increased, whereas those in the opening angle gradually decreased, although all differences in the opening angle were within 0.5° on an average. Opening angle differences remarkably correlated with knee flexion angle, and knees with >10° flexion contracture had >1° difference in 10° ER or IR images. Planned postoperative MPTA had relatively high consistency regardless of whole-leg malrotation. The opening angle measurement using malrotated radiographs less than 10° would be clinically reliable in cases without knee flexion contracture. Nevertheless, extreme care should be taken in cases with >10° knee flexion contracture. The MPTA after medial opening would be a consistent and reliable parameter in whole-leg alignment evaluation.