Excellent results of large-diameter ceramic-on-ceramic bearings in total hip arthroplasty: Is Squeaking Related to Head Size.

AIMS: This study reports the mid-term results of total hip arthroplasty (THA) performed using a monoblock acetabular component with a large-diameter head (LDH) ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) bearing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of the 276 hips (246 patients) included in this study, 264 (96%) were reviewed at a mean of 67 months (48 to 79) postoperatively. Procedures were performed with a mini posterior approach. Clinical and radiological outcomes were recorded at regular intervals. A noise assessment questionnaire was completed at last follow-up. RESULTS: There were four re-operations (1%) including one early revision for insufficient primary fixation (0.4%). No hip dislocation was reported. The mean University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) activity score, 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) Mental Component Summary (MCS) score, SF-12 Physical Component Summary (PCS) score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score, and Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) were 6.6 (2 to 10), 52.8 (25.5 to 65.7), 53.0 (27.2 to 66.5), 7.7 (0 to 63), and 88.5 (23 to 100), respectively. No signs of loosening or osteolysis were observed on radiological review. The incidence of squeaking was 23% (n = 51/225). Squeaking was significantly associated with larger head diameter (p < 0.001), younger age (p < 0.001), higher SF-12 PCS (p < 0.001), and UCLA scores (p < 0.001). Squeaking did not affect patient satisfaction, with 100% of the squeaking hips satisfied with the surgery. CONCLUSION: LDH CoC THAs have demonstrated excellent functional outcomes at medium-term follow-up, with very low revision rate and no dislocations. The high incidence of squeaking did not affect patient satisfaction or function. LDH CoC with a monoblock acetabular component has the potential to provide long term implant survivorship with unrestricted activity, while avoiding implant impingement, liner fracture at insertion, and hip instability. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:1434-41.

Kinematic TKA using navigation: Surgical technique and initial results.

BACKGROUND: Kinematic alignment for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may be one way of improving outcomes. Previous studies have either used patient-specific instrumentation, which adds cost, or standard instrumentation, which provides no intraoperative feedback on resection alignment. HYPOTHESIS: To determine if computer navigation could reproduce native patient anatomy and simplify ligament balance during TKA whilst giving satisfactory improvements in functional scores at early follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Computer navigation was used for kinematic distal femoral and proximal tibial cuts in 100 consecutive and unselected TKAs. Resections were modified only if measured angles fell outside a pre-defined safe range of combined coronal orientation within±3 degrees of neutral and/or independent femoral or tibial cuts within±5 degrees. Pre- and postoperative measurements of the hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle, the lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA) and the medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) were taken using long-leg standing radiographs. Clinical evaluation was with the WOMAC and KOOS scales. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 2.4 years (range 1.0-3.7, SD 0.8). The mean pre-op LDFA was 2.1 degrees valgus (9.2 valgus to 3.7 varus, SD 2.5) and 1.8 degrees valgus post-op (5.7 valgus to 4.2 varus, SD 2.0) (P=0.41). The mean pre-op MPTA was 3.0 degrees varus (10.6 valgus to 10.2 varus, SD 3.2) and 2.4 degrees varus post-op (4.0 valgus to 6.8 varus, SD 2.2) (P=0.03). The mean WOMAC score improved from 49.4 (29-85, SD 12.8) to 24.7 (0-73, SD 16.5) (P<0.001) and the mean KOOS score from 37.1 (7.2-77.2, SD 13.0) to 65.1 (26.8-100, SD 16) (P<0.001). Five knees (5%) required additional ligament release, four with valgus OA and one with varus OA. Two knees (2%) required lateral retinacular release for patellar tracking. DISCUSSION: Computer navigation for kinematic TKA provides the operating surgeon with full control and feedback at each step, whilst also allowing partial correction of more extreme anatomy that might be unsuitable for recreation during TKA. This technique helps to preserve ligament isometry and produces satisfactory improvements in functional scores. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV (retrospective case series review).

Symptomatic cytomegalovirus gastrointestinal infection with positive quantitative real-time PCR findings in apparently immunocompetent patients: a case series.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) gastrointestinal disease rarely occurs in immunocompetent patients, and is mainly diagnosed on the basis of histopathological findings. Real-time PCR for CMV DNA quantification is considered to be a useful diagnostic tool, but its place in the diagnostic strategy is not clearly defined. The goal of the study was to describe the clinical and paraclinical features of apparently immunocompetent patients with CMV gastrointestinal disease diagnosed according to quantitative PCR results. In this retrospective study conducted in a 1500-bed tertiary-care centre, we reviewed the case records of apparently immunocompetent patients with positive findings of CMV DNA in gastrointestinal biopsies with compatible symptoms and endoscopic findings. A total of 13 patients were included between January 2007 and December 2010. The median age was 81 years, and 54% of patients had underlying immune-modulating conditions. Diarrhoea, haematochezia and dysphagia were the main reported symptoms, and ulcers were the main endoscopic findings. The mean value of CMV DNA load in gastrointestinal biopsies was 3845 copies/µg total DNA (range, 15-15 500 copies/µg total DNA). The highest values were found in two patients who were diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in the subsequent course of CMV infection. Clinical features were similar to those in previous series in which diagnosis was based on histopathological analysis. Elderly people are more commonly affected, and a link with immune senescence is possible. Quantification of CMV DNA seems to be a useful tool for diagnosis when combined with clinical and endoscopic findings, but further studies are necessary to interpret quantitative values.

[Return to sport after hip resurfacing or total hip arthroplasty: a randomized study]. / Activités sportives après resurfaçage et prothèse totale de hanche : une étude prospective randomisée.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Since component wear of the prosthetic metal-polyethylene bearing is directly related to the level of patient activity, it would be logical, for patients with a total hip arthroplasty, to advise against long-term participation in activities with repeated movements The purpose of this prospective randomized study was to compare the type, intensity and frequency of sports activities performed after resurfacing hip arthroplasty (RH) or total hip arthroplasty (THA) using a metal-on-metal bearing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study concerned 205 hips, including 152 with a unilateral hip arthroplasty (71 THA and 81 RH). Three clinical scores were used: an overall activity score, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score and the Western Ontario McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score, as well as patient satisfaction, return to sports activities (using a visual analog scale [VAS]) and frequency of factors limiting activity. Patients completed a questionnaire to determine the type, intensity and frequency of sports activities practiced pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean overall activity score immediately before surgery was not statistically different between the two groups (p=0.111). One year after surgery, the score was 17.9 in the RH group and 12.4 in the THA group (p=0.001). At last follow-up, the mean WOMAC score was 8.1 (range 0-73, S.D. 13.1) in the RH group and 9.8 (range 0-41, S.D. 10.9) in the THA group (p=0.409). The mean UCLA score was 7.17 in the RH group (range 2-10, S.D. 1.90) and 6.75 in the THA group (range 2-10, S.D. 1.71) (p=0.174). The mean satisfaction with return to sports activities as assessed on the VAS was 7.78 in the RH group and 7.43 in the THA group (p=0.313). DISCUSSION: The results of this study demonstrate that the degree and intensity of postoperative sports activities are greater in the RH group than in the THA group, although this difference was less pronounced than expected. The excellent joint stability after RH (big head effect) could be one of the main factors favoring a high activity level compared to conventional THA, by limiting the episodes of dislocation and increasing the suction effect between the joint components. It is nevertheless difficult to ascertain the long-term effect of intense sports activity on the fixation of osteo-integrated implants (cups) and cemented components (femoral stem).