Catastrophic failure and metallosis of the acetabular component in total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the clinical features and results of the revision total hip arthroplasties (THA) in patients with catastrophic failures and metallosis. METHODS: Fifteen hips of 14 patients with catastrophic failure and metallosis in hip arthroplasties were evaluated. They were followed for at least 4.2 years after the revision THA. Clinical evaluation was performed using Harris hip score. Osteolysis, loosening or presence of metallosis was evaluated with standard radiographs. Metallosis was evaluated intraoperatively according to the metallosis severity classification. RESULTS: The mean time from failure until revision surgery was 9.4 years. It was observed that in the primary THA, metal-on-ceramic (MoC), ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) and metal-on-conventional polyethylene (MoCPE) bearings were used in 1, 3 and 11 hips, respectively. Grade III metallosis was observed in all patients during revision surgeries. The mean Harris hip score increased from 55 points before revision THA to 75 points at the final follow-up. In revision arthroplasty, MoCPE and CoC bearings were used in 13 and 2 hips, respectively. The femoral stem was replaced in 5 hips. All acetabular cups, except that of one hip, were revised. CONCLUSIONS: Revisions of THAs with catastrophic failures and metallosis are quite challenging. Routine follow-up of arthroplasty patients is beneficial to examine for osteolysis, loosening, and asymmetric wear.

Mobile- versus fixed-bearing total knee arthroplasty: a prospective randomized controlled trial featuring 6-10-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of mobile- (MB) and fixed-bearing (FB) total knee arthroplasties (TKA). METHODS: A randomized controlled study was conducted to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of MB and FB prostheses in 93 consecutive patients who underwent primary TKA for knee osteoarthritis. Mean follow-up of the patients was 100.9 months in the MB group (range: 78-121 months) and 93.7 months (range: 78-120 months) in the FB group. The clinical results were graded according to the Knee Society Knee Score (KSKS) and the Knee Society Functional Score (KSFS). Secondary outcomes included pain, patellofemoral joint function, quality of life (QOL), and radiologic outcomes (Knee Society's roentgenographic evaluation system). RESULTS: Although there was significant improvement in both groups, there were no significant differences between the groups with respect to mean KSFS and radiologic outcomes. However, mean pain score of the MB group was significantly higher than that of the FB group (48.83±0.62 vs 47.39±0.86, respectively, p=0.011), and mean KSKS was significantly higher than that of the FB group (93.5±6.2 vs 89.7±6.9, respectively, p=0.007). CONCLUSION: TKA clinical results were satisfactory in both the MB and FB groups. KSKS and pain scores were significantly better in the MB than in the FB group. However, no differences were found in other assessments. Thus, we conclude that the best design is the one with which the surgeon is most comfortable and most able to implant reproducibly.

Is cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty a safe treatment for femoral neck fracture in elderly patients?

OBJECTIVES: Controversy exists regarding the use of cement in hemiarthroplasty when treating a displaced femoral neck fracture in elderly patients. The primary hypothesis of this study was that the use of cement would afford better visual analog pain and activity scores in elderly patients. METHODS: This study included 133 patients over 65 years of age admitted to our clinics from 2006 to 2012 for the surgical treatment of a displaced femoral neck fracture. All patients were treated via hemiarthroplasty. The patients (66 males, 67 females; mean age: 78.16 years; range: 60-110 years) were followed-up regularly. All patients were divided into one of two groups: group A was treated with cement; and group B without. Both groups were compared in terms of preoperative features (demographics and associated diseases), pre- and postoperative complications, mortality rates, pain and activity levels, and hip scores. Hospitalization time, average surgical duration, and time from fracture to operation were also recorded. Mean follow-up duration was 30.9 (range: 5-51) months. RESULTS: We found no significant between-groups differences in terms of length of hospital stay, Harris Hip Score, complications, or follow-up mortality rates. Walking ability and pain scores were better in the cemented group in the early follow-up period. Duration of surgery and perioperative mortality rates were somewhat lower in the cementless group, but the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The use of cement during hip hemiarthroplasty in patients over 65 years of age had no negative impact on mortality or morbidity. Hemodynamic changes during cement application are important, but it is noteworthy that patients fitted with cemented endoprostheses had increased levels of activity and lower pain levels.

Femoral Revision Using the Wagner SL Revision Stem: A Single-Surgeon Experience Featuring 11-19 Years of Follow-Up.

Seventy-four revisions of the femoral component featuring placement of a Wagner stem in 74 patients operated upon between 1995 and 2003 were reviewed. Clinical evaluation, radiological assessment, and survival analysis of revision stems were conducted. The mean follow-up duration was 14.4 years (range, 11 to 19 years). When failure was defined as stem removal for any reason, 4 of 64 stems had to be further revised during the follow-up period, yielding a cumulative stem survival rate of 93.8% (95% CI: 87.7% to 98.2%) at 18 years. The Wagner revision stem is an effective implant for revision hip surgery when bone stock is lacking. Use of the stem affords mechanical stability even when bone loss is massive.

Reducing blood loss in simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty: combined intravenous-intra-articular tranexamic acid administration. A prospective randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: We asked whether tranexamic acid (TXA) administration could reduce blood loss and blood transfusion requirements after simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study examined the role of a novel method of TXA administration in TKA. METHODS: TXA was administered as a bolus dose of 15 mg/kg 10 min before the inflation of the tourniquet on the first side. This was followed by intra-articular administration of 3 grams at 10 min before the deflation of the tourniquet. IV infusion of 10 mg/kg/h was continued for 3h following completion on the second side. We measured volume of drained blood 48 h postoperatively, decrease in hemoglobin levels 12h postoperatively, amount of blood transfused (BT), and number of patients requiring allogenic BT. RESULTS: Median postoperative volume of drained blood was lower in the group receiving TXA (500.00 mL) than in control subjects (900.00 mL) (p <0.05) [95% CI (-525.00) to (-300.00)]. The median hemoglobin decrease 12 h postoperatively was lower in patients receiving TXA (2.10 g/dL) than in control subjects (3.10 g/dL) (p<0.05) [95% CI (-1.60) to (-0.60)]. The amount of BT and number of patients requiring BT were lower in patients receiving TXA than in control subjects. Nevertheless, the number of allogeneic units of packed red blood cells transfused in the postoperative period was not significantly higher in the control group than in the TXA group (p=0.109) [95% CI (0.101) to (0.117)]. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective randomized study showed that during simultaneous bilateral TKA, TXA reduced blood loss with negligible side effects.

Sodium hyaluronate regulating angiogenesis during Achilles tendon healing.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of SH (sodium hyaluronate-NaHA) on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and type IV collagen expression during the Achilles-tendon healing process. Adult New Zealand white rabbits (n=32) aged 4 months and weighing 2.7-3.9 kg were used. The rabbits were randomly divided into two groups, and each group was divided into two subgroups and monitored for 6 and 12 weeks. Tendo calcanei were incised transversely and repaired. An injection of 0.5 ml NaHA (15 mg/ml) was administered between the tendon and paratenon of the right leg and repeated twice at one-week intervals. Equal numbers of animals were sacrificed at the 6th and 12th weeks, and the repaired tissue was examined macroscopically and histologically for the presence of VEGF and type IV collagen expression every week. The decrease in the amount of adhesion tissue and the acceleration of tendon healing in the NaHA group were significantly high when compared with control groups at 6 and 12 weeks (p<0.001, p<0.05). In the NaHA group, due to vascular proliferation VEGF immunostaining was strongly positive in the 6th week (p<0.05), and remained positive in the 12th week (p<0.05). Similar immunostaining findings were detected for type IV collagen in the 6th week. However, there was a significant decline in immunostaining rate in the 12th week (p<0.05). The increases in VEGF and type IV collagen expression following SH administration might be an indication that SH may partly be involved in regulation of angiogenesis.

Functional outcome of open reduction and internal fixation for completely unstable pelvic ring fractures (type C): a report of 40 cases.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate functional outcomes, morbidity and mortality rates, and psychological and psychosomatic status in patients treated for completely unstable pelvic injuries (Tile class C). DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Forty patients treated with anterior and posterior internal fixation for unstable pelvic ring fractures between January 1992 and August 1999. INTERVENTION: Open reduction and anterior and posterior internal fixation of the pelvic ring. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The data were analyzed as follows: pelvic fracture classification, Tile classification; severity of trauma, Injury Severity Score (ISS); functional outcomes, the Majeed Outcome Scale; psychological and psychosomatic status, Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Rating Score (HDARS). RESULTS: Preoperatively the average ISS was 29.4 (range 12-66). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between anxiety and ISS (r = 0.536, P < 0.01). Two patients died during the early postoperative period. Two additional patients were lost to follow-up, leaving 36 patients followed for an average of 45 months (range 21-116 months). Deep infections developed in three patients with a posterior pelvic ring injury who had been treated with percutaneous fixation techniques. These were treated successfully with débridement. Nine patients complained of pain of pelvic origin. Nerve deficits recovered completely in four of the seven patients with preoperative neurologic deficiency. Moderate or major depression was diagnosed in sexually dysfunctional patients in the 12th postoperative month according to HDARS (r = -0.559, P < 0.001). At the last visit, there was an inverse correlation between ability to work and depression and anxiety (r = -0.551, r = -0.391). An inverse correlation was found between pain and ability to work (r = 0.597, P < 0.001). Of the 36 patients, 26 returned to their original jobs at the last follow-up visit. CONCLUSIONS: Morbidity and mortality rates are higher in patients with a completely unstable pelvic ring injury. Emergency department stabilization and reconstruction of the pelvic ring with optimal operative techniques in these patients can reduce morbidity and mortality rates. Anterior and posterior internal fixation results in satisfactory clinical and radiologic outcomes. The affective status of patients is an important aspect that should be considered during the entire care of the patient.

Experimental repair of segmental bone defects in rabbits by demineralized allograft covered by free autogenous periosteum.

Using an experimental model of segmental bone defect in the ulna of rabbits we investigated the effect on bone healing of fresh cancellous autograft (FCA), demineralized deep-frozen allograft (DDA), and demineralized deep-frozen allograft covered with free autogenous periosteum (DDAwP). Radiologically, it was found that the results of the FCA and DDAwP groups were superior to those of the DDA group. This superiority was statistically significant after the 3rd to the 9th week for the FCA group, and the 6th to the 9th week for the DDAwP group. However, bone formation and union in the DDA group reached the same level of those in the other groups after 12 weeks. When the all histological findings were compared at the 12th week, the FCA and DDAwP groups were statistically superior to the DDA group in terms of proximal union. On distal union, the FCA group was statistically superior to the DDA group. Biomechanically, the FCA and DDAwP groups were statistically superior to the DDA group in terms of maximum torque and energy absorption. The DDAwP group was superior to the DDA group in term of stiffness. We conclude that ossification could be more easily achieved if demineralized deep-frozen allograft is covered with periosteum when faced with the need for quicker and better quality bone integration.

An unidentified pitfall of Endobutton use: case report.

We report a case study of a patient who underwent bone-patellar tendon-bone ACL reconstruction using an Endobutton. Although the fact that the Endobutton did not pass outside the femoral cortex was realized after the operation, Lachman's test was negative. The Endobutton appeared to hang onto the femoral tunnel as an anchor, and it was decided to observe rather than intervene. One year later no laxity had developed, and a second-look arthroscopy showed a good ligament reconstruction. Although it is quite easy to perform, Endobutton fixation in ACL surgery requires that maximum care be taken to ensure that the Endobutton has flipped.

Improving the biomechanical properties of the T-fix using oblique direction: in vitro study on bovine menisci.

UNLABELLED: This study compared pullout strengths of the T-fix device versus horizontal suture toward improving T-fix biomechanical properties. Twenty bovine medial menisci were used for this study. Four groups were tested and mean tearing stress were obtained. In group 1 a standard T-fix suture was performed (50.2+/-4.2 N); in group 2 horizontal mattress sutures were placed in the meniscus using 2-0 vicryl (54.6+/-4.2 N); in group 3 three T-fix suture anchors were placed: the central suture a double suture anchor and those on either side single suture anchors, resulting in two horizontal sutures (61.8+/-3.8 N); in group 4 we modified the technique used in group 3. The double suture anchor was placed the incision, at a 30 degrees angle oblique to the horizontal (71.0+/-5.9 N). There was a statistically significant difference between groups 3 and 4 but not between groups 1 and 2. IN CONCLUSION: Using a T-fix suture anchor in the standard technique has similar biomechanical properties to the horizontal mattress suture. To improve the tensile properties of the T-fix suture a double T-fix suture anchor should be used obliquely to the other two single T-fix sutures on either side.

[Results of conservative treatment of displaced mid-clavicular fractures in adults]. / Eriskinlerde deplase klavikula 1/3 orta cisim kiriklarinda konservatif tedavi sonuçlarimiz.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the mid-term results of conservative treatment of mid-clavicular fractures in adults. METHODS: Eighty-five patients (60 males, 25 females; mean age 36 years; range 19-61 years) with mid-clavicular fractures were treated conservatively with a figure-of-eight bandage method. Radiographically, 72 fractures were displaced and of two fragments, 13 were displaced and comminuted. Clinical and radiologic results were evaluated after a mean follow-up of 35 months (range 12 to 72 months). RESULTS: In 84 patients, union was achieved by conservative treatment. Only one patient required surgical treatment. Malunion occurred in seven patients. Clinically, the results were good in 68 (94.4%), moderate in three patients (4.1%), and poor in one patient (1.3%) in two-fragment fractures. Of comminuted fractures, the results were good in 10 (76.9%), and moderate in three patients (23.1%). No significant differences were found between the clinical results. CONCLUSION: Conservative treatment of displaced mid-clavicular fractures provide union, making surgical treatment indicated only in a small number of patients with unsatisfactory results.