What is the Fate of Undisplaced Femoral Neck Fractures Treated With Cannulated Screws?

BACKGROUND: We aimed to report implant survival in Garden type I and II femoral neck fractures treated with cannulated screws in elderly patients. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 232 consecutive unilateral Garden I and II patients (232 fractures) treated with cannulated screws. Mean age was 81 years (range, 65 to 100), and a body mass index of 25 (range, 15.8 to 38.3). No between-group differences were found in demographic variables and/or baseline measurements (P > .05). Mean follow-up was 36 months (range, 1 to 171). Two observers measured baseline radiographic variables with good-to-excellent interobserver reliability. The posterior tilt angle, measured on a cross-table lateral x-ray, was used to classify the cohort into <20° (n = 183) and ≥20° (n = 49). The cumulative incidence with competing risk analysis was used to predict association between posterior tilt and subsequent conversion to arthroplasty. Patient survival was calculated with the Kaplan-Meier estimate. RESULTS: Implant survival was 86.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) 80 to 90) at 12 months and 77.3% (95% CI 64 to 86) at 70 months. The 12-month cumulative incidence failure was 12.6% (95% CI 8 to 17). After controlling for confounders, posterior tilt ≥20° had higher risk of subsequent arthroplasty when compared to posterior tilt <20° (38.8 [95% CI 25 to 52] versus 5% [95% CI 2.8 to 9], subhazard ratio 8.3, 95% CI 3.8 to 18), without any other radiologic or demographic factor being associated with failure. Patient survival was 88.2% (95% CI 83 to 91.7) at 12 months, 79.5% (95% CI 73 to 84) at 24 months, and 57% (95% CI 48 to 65) at 70 months. CONCLUSION: Cannulated screws were a reliable treatment for Garden I and II fractures, except when there was posterior tilt ≥20°, where arthroplasty should be considered.

Intraoperative unfractionated heparin before femoral component cementation should be avoided in femoral neck fracture treated with hybrid total hip arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: To compare the incidence of perioperative thromboembolic events in femoral neck fracture (FNF) patients treated with hybrid total hip arthroplasty (THA) with intraoperative unfractionated heparin (UFH) versus a control group without intraoperative UFH before femoral component cementation. METHODS: We compared 139 cases without UFH (group A) versus 134 who received 10 UI/kg UFH (group B). Indication of UFH before cementation depended on the preferences of the anaesthesiologists in each case. We assessed intraoperative bone cement implantation syndrome (BCIS) and 30-day thromboembolic events, and 90-day and 1-year mortality. BCIS was classified as per Donaldson et al.'s classification according to the degree of hypotension, arterial desaturation or loss of consciousness. RESULTS: BCIS was observed in 51 (18%) cases, including 37 (13%) grade 1 and 14 (5%) grade 2. Forty-seven BCISs (35%) were observed in group B and 4 (3%) in group A (p < 0.001). Multivariate regression showed that intraoperative UFH (OR = 18, CI 95% 6-52) and consumption of oral anticoagulants (OR = 3.3, CI 95% 1-10) increased the risk of BCIS. Five patients further developed a 30-day pulmonary embolism in group B, while 2 presented this complication in group A (p = 0.231). No association between BCIS and 30-day thromboembolic events was found (p = 0.62). 90-day (1% each, p = 0.98) and 1-year (2% vs. 3%, p = 0.38) mortality were similar. CONCLUSIONS: BCIS was a frequent finding in FNF patients treated with hybrid THA. We found a paradoxically significant increase in BCIS with the use of UFH. Heparin did not seem to prevent BCIS, other thromboembolic events and mortality in this group of patients.

Do nonagenarians have more complications and unplanned readmissions than octogenarians following primary THA? A retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: The performance of total hip arthroplasty in elderly patients, especially nonagenarians, is challenging due to higher patient frailty and medical comorbidities. We compared 90-day postoperative complications and unplanned readmissions between nonagenarians and octogenarians undergoing elective THA. METHODS: One hundred and eleven patients undergoing elective, unilateral THA were retrospectively analyzed. Forty-four patients were nonagenarians (Group A), and 67 patients were octogenarians (Group B). Demographic data included age, gender, body mass index (BMI), ASA score and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Frailty was defined according to the Rockwood Frailty Index. All patients underwent a thorough preoperative assessment through a specific institutional clinical pathway created for this matter. Postoperative adverse events were grouped into major or minor. A regression model was used to evaluate independent risk factors for the development of complications. RESULTS: There were no differences in the ASA score (65.9% vs. 53.7% ASA III-IV), prevalence of frailty (1% vs. 9%) and comorbidities between both groups (p > .05). The CCI was higher in nonagenarians (p = 0.007). Nonagenarians had more in-hospital complications, although most were minor (p = 0.002), none of which resulted in mortality. Ninety-day unplanned readmissions were similar between groups, with 4 (9.1%) and 6 (9%) in groups A and B, respectively (p = 1). Although age was a factor associated with the development of postoperative complications in the univariate regression model (OR 3.81, 95% CI 1.31 to 11.11, p = 0.014), it lost significance after performing the multivariate analysis (OR 2.48, 95% CI 0.78 to 7.90, p = 0.125). CONCLUSION: The age of 90 years old was not a barrier to perform elective THA safely. Nonagenarians had higher in-hospital minor complications when compared to the younger cohort. However, age over 90 years was not an independent risk factor for unplanned readmissions or mortality. Multimodal protocols of perioperative care are paramount for improving outcomes after THA in very old patients.

Does a Monoblock Acetabular Component With a Ceramic Liner Cause More Pelvic Bone Loss Than a Conventional Modular Cementless Acetabular Component? A 2-Year Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Ceramic-on-ceramic bearings permit the use of large femoral head size while maintaining a favorable effect on wear rates. However, because of increased device rigidity, periprosthetic bone quality could be negatively affected due to stress shielding. The purpose of this study is to assess pelvic periprosthetic bone remodeling around a monoblock ceramic-on-ceramic acetabular component compared to that around a conventional modular metal-on-polyethylene device. METHODS: Participants were randomized to receive hip replacement using either a porous-coated, modular metal-on-polyethylene acetabular component (n = 46) or a hydroxyapatite and titanium-coated monoblock shell with an integrated ceramic-on-ceramic bearing (n = 40). Radiographic assessments were completed preoperatively and postoperatively, and measurements of bone mineral density (BMD) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry with region free analysis were performed postoperatively and over 2-years of follow-up. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in BMD between the 2 groups at baseline or over the following 2 years. At follow-up, complete shell-to-bone contact without a radiolucent line was observed in 26 (67%) of the modular devices and in 37 (93%) of monoblock (P < .001). The modular device was an independent predictor of radiolucent lines (odds ratio 19.1, P = .007). No cases underwent revision surgery for acetabular loosening. CONCLUSION: Both the porous-coated modular and hydroxyapatite-coated monoblock acetabular components showed successful clinical results at short-term follow-up with no difference in pixel-level BMD. Using a large head monoblock device does not appear to be associated with an adverse effect on the local bone environment when compared to a modular device. NCT: NCT01558752.

Feasibility of total hip arthroplasty in cerebral palsy patients: a systematic review on clinical outcomes and complications.

PURPOSE: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a successful treatment for hip osteoarthritis secondary to hip dysplasia. However, the reported rate of complications following THA in the settings of neuromuscular diseases is high. This systematic review aimed to analyze the indications, functional outcomes and surgical failures of primary THA in cerebral palsy (CP) patients. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched, and all clinical studies focusing on THA in patients with CP from inception through March 2020 were included. The methodological quality was assessed with Guo et al.'s quality appraisal checklist for case series and case-control studies, while cohort and prospective studies were evaluated with a modified version of the Downs and Black's quality assessment checklist. RESULTS: The initial search returned 69 studies out of which 15, including 2732 THAs, met the inclusion criteria. The most frequent indication for THA was dislocated painful hip for which previous non-operative treatment had failed. Complications presented in 10 to 45% of cases. The most frequently reported complication was dislocation (1-20%), followed by component loosening (0.74-20%). Aseptic component loosening was the most frequent cause of revision surgery, followed by dislocation and periprosthetic fracture. Mean implant survival at ten years was 84% (range 81-86%). CONCLUSION: The available literature suggests that although THA is a beneficial procedure in CP patients, it has a higher rate of complications and worse implant survival than the general population.

Preliminary outcomes of the cementless UNITED hip system for primary total hip arthroplasty at a minimum 2-year follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to report the initial results of the cementless UNITED hip system in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. METHODS: We retrospectively studied a consecutive series of 203 cementless THAs in 180 patients operated between 2015-2017. We included 89 female and 91 male patients with a mean age of 67 (28 to 89) years. The mean follow-up was 40 (29 to 62) months. Clinical outcome scores and radiographs were measured. Survival was calculated defining failure as the need for any further femoral or acetabular revision, irrespective of the reason. RESULTS: No femoral component loosening was detected. One patient had a Vancouver-B1 intraoperative periprosthetic femoral fracture treated with implant retention and cerclage wires. Two acetabular components were revised for aseptic loosening. Three patients suffered an acute infection treated with debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention. The mean Merle d'Aubigné et Postel scores improved from 13 (4 to 16) points preoperatively to 17 (12 to 18) points at the latest follow-up (p < 0.001). At a mean time of 40 months of follow-up, the survival was 99% and 100% for the acetabular and the femoral components, respectively. CONCLUSION: This cementless design showed excellent preliminary outcomes in terms of fixation and patient satisfaction, comparable to that of other well-known similar systems.

Editorial Commentary: Reach Over the Top and Preserve the Hip Labrum.

There is increasing interest in fine tuning of hip arthroscopy to improve the long-term outcomes of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) surgery. Recently, some advocated for rim trimming and labral refixation without taking down the labrum, using a so-called over-the-top technique. Although some studies have already reported on the outcomes of this procedure, very few have focused on how maintaining an unharmed chondrolabral junction may decrease cartilage wear over time. Preserving labral attachment should be the standard of care in the treatment of FAI, to keep the suction seal working normally.

Hip Joint Preservation Surgery: What Every Orthopaedic Provider Needs to Know.

The understanding of the native hip's mechanics, physiology, and pathology has dramatically improved over the recent 2 decades. This was facilitated by the introduction of open and arthroscopic procedures to the native hip aimed at improving the joint's function and longevity. Associations between abnormal hip mechanics and further development of osteoarthritis are now clear. As the knowledge of hip joint mechanics has improved, other conditions around the hip have become evident, which may lead to pain but not necessarily osteoarthritis. It is important for the orthopaedic surgeon to be up to date on how the hip preservation field has evolved and the steps to consider when a painful hip presents in clinic.

A Repeat Dose of Perioperative Dexamethasone Can Effectively Reduce Pain, Opioid Requirement, Time to Ambulation, and In-Hospital Stay After Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The ideal dose of intravenous glucocorticoids to control pain in total hip arthroplasty (THA) remains unclear. This randomized controlled trial compared postoperative pain and tramadol requirement in patients undergoing unilateral primary THA who received one versus two perioperative doses of dexamethasone. METHODS: Patients consented to undergo blinded, simple randomization to either one (at anesthetic induction [1D-group]: 54 patients) or two (with an additional dose 8 hours after surgery [2D-group]: 61 patients) perioperative doses of 8-mg intravenous dexamethasone. Pain was evaluated with visual analog scale at 8, 16, and 24 hours postoperatively and with tramadol requirement. The secondary outcomes included postoperative nausea and vomiting, time to ambulation, and length of stay. RESULTS: Age (mean, 66 ± 13 years), body mass index (mean, 29 ± 5), gender (60% female), and history of diabetes were similar between groups (P >.05). Pain was higher at 16 (4 [interquartile range {IQR} 3-5] vs 2 [IQR 1-3]; P <.001) and 24 (2.5 [IQR 2-3] vs 1 [IQR 0-1] P <.001) hours postoperatively in the 1D-group patients. 1D-group patients had significantly more tramadol consumption (50 [IQR 50-100] vs 0 [IQR 0-50]; P = .01), as well as postoperative nausea and vomiting (18 [33.3%] vs 5 [8.2%]; P = .001). Fifty-five (90%) patients in the 2D-group and 32 (59%) in the 1D-group ambulated on postoperative day 0 (P = .0002). Fifty-eight (95%) patients in the 2D-group and 37 (68%) in the 1D-group were discharged on postoperative day 1 (P = .0002). CONCLUSION: An additional dose of dexamethasone at 8 hours postoperatively significantly reduced pain, tramadol consumption, time to ambulation, and length of stay after primary THA.

[Femoral neck stress fractures and femoroacetabular impingement : A retrospective case study and literature review]. / Stressfrakturen des Schenkelhalses bei femoroazetabulärem Impingement : Eine retrospektive Fallstudie und Literaturübersicht.

BACKGROUND: Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) can lead to morphologic damage of both the acetabulum and the femoral neck. Recent reports have found an association between impingement deformities and the development of femoral neck stress fractures. The aim of this study was to report a series of patients with these findings and to update the current evidence on the topic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 5 patients (6 cases) with atraumatic femoral neck fractures and FAI were identified in the Dresden hip registry from 2015 to 2018. Demographic data, comorbidities, radiographic results and bone metabolism results were described. A literature search was conducted using keywords related to femoral neck stress fractures and FAI syndrome. RESULTS: The average age of the series was 39 (range: 22-52), 2 patients were female and 3 male. A total of 12 surgical procedures were performed. 4 of the 5 patients showed radiographic features of pincer and/or cam-FAI, whereas 3 patients had a decreased femoral antetorsion (-7° to +7° antetorsion). In 3 patients, magnetic resonance imaging revealed additional signs of avascular necrosis ARCO I. There was a lack of FAI-specific treatment recommendations in the available literature. DISCUSSION: Radiographic results of the patients evaluated suggested that impingement-associated deformities of the hip may cause femoral neck stress fractures, which is in line with the available literature. This potential coincidence should be integrated in diagnostic algorithms and therapeutic approaches.

Is There a Role for Preclosure Dilute Betadine Irrigation in the Prevention of Postoperative Infection Following Total Joint Arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND: Conflicting evidence exists surrounding the use of preclosure irrigation solutions in primary total joint arthroplasty (TJA). We aimed to determine the role of dilute betadine lavage in preventing early infection after primary TJA. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed primary TJAs between 2010 and 2018. Dilute betadine lavage was introduced to our practice in November 2014. We included 3513 total hip arthroplasties, 3932 total knee arthroplasties, and 1033 hip resurfacings (HRs). In group 1 (n = 5588), surgical wounds were irrigated with saline; group 2 used dilute betadine solution (n = 2890). Subanalyses using propensity matching based on known risk factors of infection-age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, diabetes, and procedure-were completed. RESULTS: There were 48 acute infections in group 1 (0.9%) and 23 in group 2 (0.8%) (P = .762). HR without betadine had the highest acute infection prevalence (P = .028). When groups in the whole cohort were propensity score-matched, group 1 had more acute infections than group 2 (P = .033). The effect of betadine was isolated to HR patients. After excluding HR cases, betadine continued to reduce the acute infection rate when compared with the no betadine group, but this was not statistically significant (0.4% vs 0.8%; P = .101). Likewise, we did not find a significant difference in total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty patients (P = .796). CONCLUSION: There was a decreased infection rate in the betadine group overall when groups were propensity-matched. Because the reduction in the acute infection rate was clinically significant, we feel this practice is an effective means to prevent infections.

Unaddressed arterial injuries in revision total hip arthroplasty: mortality outcomes of a low-prevalence complication.

PURPOSE: Peri-operative major arterial haemorrhage after revision total hip arthroplasty (RTHA) is an odd but limb- and life-threatening complication. In this retrospective analysis, we sought to determine the prevalence of such injuries requiring selective catheter embolization or bypass after RTHA and to evaluate the associated mortality rate. METHODS: Between 1995 and 2016, 2524 RTHAs were performed at a high-volume centre (1031 one-stage revisions, 1370 two-stage revisions and 123 resection arthroplasties). Throughout this period, nine patients presented with signs of persistent bleeding unaddressed during index surgery (9/2524; 0.35%), causing haemodynamic instability. All patients underwent angiographic exploration within the first 24 post-operative hours. Angiography evidenced four cases of bleeding pseudoaneurysms (three of them related to the common femoral artery and one to the medial circumflex femoral artery) and five cases of direct lacerations (one case in the inferior epigastric artery, one in the hypogastric artery, one in the external iliac artery, one in the popliteal artery and another in the superior gluteal artery). RESULTS: Six cases underwent selective percutaneous angiographic embolization with gelatin microspheres, obtaining immediate haemodynamic stabilization; whereas three cases required a further bypass surgery with synthetic graft. Of the former group, four patients had an uneventful evolution, while two died at a mean of 49 days after surgery due to multi-organ failure (MOF). Two cases of the bypass group died because of MOF at a mean of 22 days. Overall mortality rate was 44%. CONCLUSIONS: The overall risk of arterial injury associated with RTHA was low. However, recognition of such a complication is imperative since it was associated with a high mortality rate.

Prolonged social lockdown during COVID-19 pandemic and hip fracture epidemiology.

PURPOSE: To analyse the impact of prolonged mandatory lockdown due to COVID-19 on hip fracture epidemiology. METHODS: Retrospective case-control study of 160 hip fractures operated upon between December 2019 and May 2020. Based on the date of declaration of national lockdown, the cohort was separated into two groups: 'pre-COVID time' (PCT), including 86 patients, and 'COVID time' (CT), consisting of 74 patients. All CT patients tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. Patients were stratified based on demographic characteristics. Outcome measures were 30-day complications, readmissions and mortality. A logistic regression model was run to evaluate factors associated with mortality. RESULTS: Age, female/male ratio, body mass index and American Society of Anaesthesia score were similar between both groups (p > 0.05). CT patients had a higher percentage of Charlson ≥ 5 and Rockwood Frailty Index ≥ 5 scores (p < 0.05) as well as lower UCLA and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scores (p < 0.05). This translated into a higher hemiarthroplasty/total hip arthroplasty ratio during CT (p = 0.04). Thromboembolic disease was higher during CT (p = 0.02). Readmissions (all negative for SARS-CoV-2) were similar between both groups (p = 0.34). Eight (10.8%) casualties were detected in the CT group, whereas no deaths were seen in the control group. Logistic regression showed that frailer (p = 0.006, OR 10.46, 95%CI 8.95-16.1), less active (p = 0.018, OR 2.45, 95%CI 1.45-2.72) and those with a thromboembolic event (p = 0.005, OR 30, 95%CI 11-42) had a higher risk of mortality. CONCLUSION: Despite testing negative for SARS-CoV-2, CT patients were less active and frailer than PCT patients, depicting an epidemiological shift that was associated with higher mortality rate.

Impaction Bone Grafting or Uncemented Modular Stems for the Treatment of Type B3 Periprosthetic Femoral Fractures? A Complication Rate Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Because the gold standard for the treatment of Vancouver type-B3 periprosthetic femoral fractures (PFFs) is yet to be defined, we sought to analyze the complication rate between the impaction bone grafting (IBG) technique with a cemented stem and reconstruction with an uncemented distally-fixed modular stem (DFMS). METHODS: We retrospectively studied 54 B3 PFFs operated between 2000 and 2016, comparing the complication rate of 33 patients treated with the IBG technique (group A) with 21 patients treated with a DFMS (group B). Median follow-up of groups A and B were 75 months (interquartile range [IQR], 36-111 months) and 55 months (IQR, 32-73 months), respectively (P = .008). Median age of groups A and B were 78 years (IQR, 74-83 years) and 81 years (IQR, 74-86 years), respectively (P = .30). Median grade of Endo-Klink femoral bone defect was 3 (IQR, 3-3) for both groups (P = .11). We performed a multiple regression analysis to determine risk factors for complications including the following variables: age, initial diagnosis, and surgical technique. RESULTS: As for infection outcomes, 2-stage revision surgery was more frequent in group A than in group B (4 vs 0, P = .003). Group A presented more implant failures than group B (5 vs 1, P = .195). We found 4 dislocations in group B and 2 in group A (P = .192). Multiple regression analysis showed a significant association between surgical technique and complication rate (P = .01). The IBG technique presented an odds risk for complications of 4.77 (P = .016; IQR, 1.33-17.21). CONCLUSION: Femoral reconstruction with the IBG technique evidenced an ostensibly higher complication rate than that of DFMS for the treatment of B3 PFF.

Aggressive granulomatosis of the hip: a forgotten mode of aseptic failure.

PURPOSE: It has been acknowledged that implant wear correlates with the risk for periprosthetic osteolysis, being aggressive granulomatosis the worst expression of bone resorption. We sought to determine the clinical, radiological, and histological features of aggressive granulomatosis after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: We included nine cases with aggressive granulomatosis of the hip around cemented stems. Indications for revision THA consisted of progressive signs of extensive bone resorption or implant loosening. Mean follow-up since revision THA was 143 months (SD ± 59.4). We analysed clinical outcomes, component loosening and gross as well as histological characteristics of the granulomatous lesions. RESULTS: Overall mean time between primary THA and revision surgery was 81 months (SD ± 20.8). All of the cases evidenced multiple ovoid tumour-like lesions around the stem with extensive bone loss. Only one case reported thigh pain before revision surgery, with radiological evidence of stem loosening; the remaining cases were asymptomatic with well-fixed implants. Gross anatomy findings revealed metallosis in the femoral canal and inside the cystic lesions. Pathology analysis showed monocyte-macrophage-dominated adverse foreign-body-type tissue reaction with fibroblastic reactive zones and granulomatous inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: We found a prevalence of 1% of this aseptic mode of implant failure. Since most of the retrieved stems were not loose, we did not find any alarming clinical symptoms anticipating implant failure. In this scenario, surgeons should be aware of the rapidly progressive nature of this entity and propose a revision THA in a timely fashion.

Re-admissions treble the risk of late mortality after primary total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Following a total hip arthroplasty (THA), early hospital re-admission rates of 3-11% are considered as 'acceptable' in terms of medical care cost policies. Surprisingly, the impact of re-admissions on mortality has not been priorly portrayed. Therefore, we sought to determine the mortality rate after 90-day re-admissions following a THA in a series of patients from a captive medical care program. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively analysed 90-day readmissions of 815 unilateral, elective THA patients operated upon between 2010 and 2014 whose medical care was the one offered by our institution. We stratified our sample into readmitted and non-readmitted cohorts. Through a Cox proportional hazards model, we compared demographic characteristics, clinical comorbidities, surgical outcomes and laboratory values between both groups in order to determine association with early and late mortality. RESULTS: We found 37 (4.53%) re-admissions at a median time of 40.44 days (IQR 17.46-60.69). Factors associated with re-admission were hospital stay (p = 0.00); surgical time (p = 0.01); chronic renal insufficiency (p = 0.03); ASA class 4 (p = 0.00); morbid obesity (p = 0.006); diabetes (p = 0.04) and a high Charlson index (p = 0.00). Overall mortality rate of the series was 3.31% (27/815). Median time to mortality was 455.5 days (IQR 297.58-1170.65). One-third (11/37) of the re-admitted patients died, being sepsis non-related to the THA the most common cause of death. After adjusting for confounders, 90-day re-admissions remained associated with mortality with an adjusted HR of 3.14 (CI95% 1.05-9.36, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Unplanned re-admissions were an independent risk factor for future mortality, increasing three times the risk of mortality.

What Happens to the Articular Surface After Curettage for Epiphyseal Chondroblastoma? A Report on Functional Results, Arthritis, and Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Chondroblastoma is an uncommon, benign, but locally aggressive bone tumor that occurs in the apophyses or epiphyses of long bones, primarily in young patients. Although some are treated with large resections, aggressive curettage and bone grafting are more commonly performed to preserve the involved joint. Such intralesional resection may result in damage to the growth plate and articular cartilage, which can result in painful arthritis. Prior studies have focused primarily on oncologic outcomes rather than long-term joint status and functional outcomes. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) What local complications can be expected after aggressive intralesional curettage of epiphyseal chondroblastoma? (2) What is the joint survival of a joint treated in this way for chondroblastoma? (3) What additional procedures are used in treating symptomatic joint osteoarthritis after treatment of the chondroblastoma? (4) What are the functional outcomes in this group of patients? METHODS: A retrospective study of our prospectively collected database between 1975 and 2013 was done. We found 64 patients with a diagnosis of chondroblastoma of bone. After applying our selection criteria, 53 patients were involved in this study. We excluded seven patients with tumors initially treated with en bloc resection (five located in the extremities and two in the axial skeleton) and two patients with apophyseal tumors. One patient who underwent nonsurgical treatment and one patient lost to followup were also excluded. The mean age was 18 years (range, 11-39 years); the minimum followup was 2 years with a mean followup 77 months (range, 24-213 months). We analyzed all patients with a diagnosis of epiphyseal chondroblastoma of the limb treated with aggressive curettage and joint preservation surgery. During the period in question, our general indications for curettage were patients with active, painful tumors and those with more aggressive ones that remained intracompartmental, whereas initial wide en bloc resection was indicated in patients who had tumors with an extracompartmental extension breaching the adjacent joint cartilage and massive articular destruction. The tumor location was the distal femur in 14 patients, proximal tibia in 11, proximal humerus in 10, proximal femur in eight, the talus in seven, and elsewhere in the lower extremity in three. Local complications including joint degeneration and tumor recurrence were evaluated. Based on radiographic analysis, secondary osteoarthritis was classified by using the Kellgren-Lawrence grading system from Grade 0 to Grade IV. Patients who underwent joint replacement resulting from advanced symptomatic osteoarthritis were considered to have had joint failure for purposes of survivorship analysis, which was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Functional results were evaluated with the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society functional score by the treating surgeon, who transcribed the results on the digital records every 6 months of followup. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (42%) developed 26 local complications. The most common local complication was osteoarthritis in 20 patients (77% [20 of 26 complications]); tumor recurrence was observed in four patients; an intraarticular fracture and superficial infection treated with surgical débridement and antibiotics developed in one patient each. Joint survival was 90% at 5 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 76%-100%) and 74% at 10 years (95% CI, 48%-100%). Proximal femoral tumor location was associated with lower survivorship of the joint than other locations showing a 5-year survival rate of 44% (95% CI, 0%-88%; p = 0.000). Of the 20 patients with osteoarthritis, four were symptomatic enough to undergo joint replacement, all of which were for tumors in the proximal femur. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society functional score was 28 of 30 points (93%). CONCLUSIONS: Osteoarthritis was a frequent complication of aggressive curettage of epiphyseal chondroblastoma, and tumors located in the proximal femur appeared to be at particular risk of secondary osteoarthritis and prosthetic replacement. Because chondroblastoma is a tumor that disproportionately affects younger patients, the patient and surgeon should be aware that arthroplasty at a young age is a potential outcome for treatment of proximal femoral chondroblastomas. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Massive Osteochondral Lesion of the Talus in a Skeletally Immature Patient Associated With a Tarsal Coalition and Valgus Hindfoot.

Rarely, osteochondral lesions of the talus occur without a history of trauma. Accurate interpretation of the mechanical load distributions onto the ankle leading to potential atraumatic cartilage damage must always be studied. The published data on the optimal treatment of talar osteochondral lesions in skeletally immature patients are scarce, especially when the lesions are associated with hindfoot malalignment. We describe the case of a pediatric female with an atraumatic osteochondral lesion of the talus associated with a talocalcaneal coalition and a valgus hindfoot, which we consider the first case to be reported. She presented with prolonged bilateral ankle pain and catching during gait of approximately 2 years' duration with a restricted range of motion, with the pain more excruciating in the right ankle. Radiographs revealed a large osteochondral lesion located at the lateral talar dome. The patient underwent partial osteochondral allograft transplantation, together with hindfoot realignment and coalition resection with a fat graft interposition. At the 2-year follow-up examination, the patient was free of pain in her right foot and ankle, with no signs of radiologic failure.

Medium-term outcomes of conventional versus short uncemented femoral stems for primary total hip arthroplasty in patients younger than 55 years.

BACKGROUND: Short stems are designed with a bone preservation philosophy in mind. This study aims to compare the outcomes/complications and survival of a collarless fully hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated conventional tapered stem and a HA-coated partial neck-retaining uncemented short stem in patients ⩽55 years old at medium-term follow-up. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 247 uncemented THAs operated between 2010 and 2014, comparing 146 patients treated with the fully HA-coated collarless stem (Group A) with 101 patients treated with a partial neck preserving, HA-coated short stem (Group B). 87 and 62 males were in groups A and B, respectively (p = 0.11). The mean age of the series was 46 years (17-55) (p =0.16). The mean follow-up of groups A and B were 9.9 (7-12) years and 9.7 (7-12) years, respectively (p =0.21). RESULTS: Mean Harris Hip Score improved from 55 to 92 in group A (p <0.001) and from 54 to 95 in group B (p <0.001), without differences between groups. Mean femoral neck length preservation in groups A and B was 13.6 (0-28) mm and 26 (11-38) mm, respectively (p =0.001). 13 (8.9%) and 1 (1%) patients in groups A and B presented postoperative complications, respectively (p =0.008). The conventional stem group had more aseptic loosening (Group A 3.4% vs. Group B 0%, p =0.06) along with more Symptomatic radiolucent lines (Group A 3.4% vs. Group B 0%, p =0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Both conventional and short stems showed excellent implant survival rates and functional outcomes at a mean follow-up of 9.8 years. However, complications and radiolucent lines were more frequent with a collarless conventional-length stem. Bone preservation of the femoral neck and diaphysis may be preferred in active young patients.