The role of femoral offset and abductor lever arm in total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: In order to create a well-functioning total hip arthroplasty (THA), it is important to restore femoral off-set and thus the abductor lever arm. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical effect of increasing the abductor lever arm to and beyond the anatomical native lever arm in minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty performed through a direct anterior approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared the lever arm of the operated hip to the lever arm of the contralateral native hip on radiographs in 148 patients following THA. The patients were divided in two groups based on whether they kept their anatomical lever arm or had an increased lever arm. The clinical outcome was assessed using hip osteoarthritis outcome score (HOOS), Harris hip score and UCLA activity score. RESULTS: Patients who kept their anatomical lever arm did not experience a significantly better clinical outcome than the patients with an increased abductor lever arm. We found no significant difference in clinical scores at any of the follow-ups during the first year after THA. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that an increase in the abductor lever arm does not have major effects on the clinical outcome after THA. To avoid the potential negative effects of decreasing the lever arm, the surgeon should aim for an equal or slightly increased lever arm.

Patients with bilateral procedures can be included in total hip arthroplasty research without biasing results.

We explored the influence of bilaterality on the results of a trial of cemented vs uncemented acetabular components. Harris hip scores after 6 months, 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years were analyzed in 240 arthroplasties in 215 patients. Thus, 190 cases in 190 patients were compared to 50 cases in 25 patients. The group of 190 patients were further split into a group of 90 patients who had contralateral hip impairment, knee or spine problems, or significant comorbidities and into a group of 100 patients who had unilateral hip arthropathy. There was no significant difference between the cemented and uncemented groups or between any of these groups and the total group on Harris hip score, indicating that the inclusion of bilateral cases did not alter the outcome.

Learning curves in hip fracture surgery.

The aim of this study was to identify and characterise learning curves in hip fracture surgery. Operating times were collected and related to the number of procedures done by residents performing closed reduction and internal fixation using cannulated screws for intracapsular fractures of the hip and cephalomedullary nailing for trochanteric fractures, as well as hemiarthroplasty for displaced intracapsular fractures. The mean operating times decreased significantly for all four procedures studied, though at different rates. For cannulated screws, the mean duration of surgery decreased from 47.8 minutes to 30.1 minutes for procedures 21-25. For cephalomedullary nailing without distal locking, the mean operating time decreased from 73.3 minutes to 36.3 minutes. For cephalomedullary nailing with distal locking, the mean operating time decreased from 81.7 minutes to 56.9 minutes. The mean operating time for hemiarthroplasty decreased from 97.3 minutes to 66.0 minutes. Mean operating times decreased significantly for all procedures studied, though at different rates, indicating a unique learning curve for each procedure.

American Society of Anesthesiologist Physical Status score may be used as a comorbidity index in hip fracture surgery.

Comorbidities affect outcome, but there is no consensus which comorbidity instrument is best in orthopedic surgery. We assessed whether the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status score (ASA) predicts long-term mortality after hip fracture. We followed 1635 patients for 5 to 10 years after operative treatment of hip fracture. Unadjusted Kaplan-Meyer statistics indicated that the overall survival of the patients was 4.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.5-4.9) years, but survival varied significantly between the ASA groups. Survival for ASA 1 was 8.5 years (95% CI, 7.8-9.2); for ASA 2, it was 5.6 years (95% CI, 5.3-5.9); for ASA 3, it was 3.5 years (95% CI, 3.2-3.7); and for ASA 4, survival was 1.6 years (95% CI, 1.0-2.1). The ASA predicts long-term mortality after hip fracture treatment.

Evaluating comorbidities in total hip and knee arthroplasty: available instruments.

Each year millions of patients are treated for joint pain with total joint arthroplasty, and the numbers are expected to rise. Comorbid disease is known to influence the outcome of total joint arthroplasty, and its documentation is therefore of utmost importance in clinical evaluation of the individual patient as well as in research. In this paper, we examine the various methods for obtaining and assessing comorbidity information for patients undergoing joint replacement. Multiple instruments are reliable and validated for this purpose, such as the Charlson Index, Index of Coexistent Disease, and the Functional Comorbidity Index. In orthopedic studies, the Charnley classification and the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical function score (ASA) are widely used. We recommend that a well-documented comorbidity index that incorporates some aspect of mental health is used along with other appropriate instruments to objectively assess the preoperative status of the patient.

No differences in outcomes between cemented and uncemented acetabular components after 12-14 years: results from a randomized controlled trial comparing Duraloc with Charnley cups.

BACKGROUND: Even though there are multiple studies documenting the outcome of the Charnley low-friction arthroplasty as well as abundant studies on uncemented arthroplasties, there is a dearth of comparative studies of the uncemented acetabular component and a cemented component. In this study we aimed to document the long-term clinical and radiographic outcome as well as component survival in a randomized controlled trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred fifteen patients (240 hips) were randomly allocated to receive a cemented Charnley cup or uncemented Duraloc 1200 cup. All patients received cemented Charnley stems and were evaluated clinically and radiographically after 6 months, and 2, 5, and 10 years. RESULTS: Harris Hip Scores improved from 48.3 [95% confidence interval (CI) 45.0-51.6] to 90.2 [95% CI 87.9-92.6] in the Charnley group and from 49.3 [95% CI 86.9-91.3] in the Duraloc group at 6 months. After 10 years, the Charnley group's Harris Hip Score was 89.8 [95% confidence interval (CI) 87.0-92.6], and the Duraloc group's score was 87.3 (95% CI 84.1-90.6). In the radiographic analysis after 10 years, there was no statistical difference in the prevalence of radiographic signs of loosening. Nine cups were revised in the Charnley group, and five cups were removed in the Duraloc group. The difference was not statistically significant. There was no statistical difference between the cups when aseptic loosening was the end-point, nor in survival analyses. CONCLUSIONS: There is no statistically significant difference in clinical or radiological outcome between the Charnley cup and the Duraloc after 10 years, and no difference in implant survival after 12-14 years. The uncemented Duraloc cup is as good as the cemented Charnley cup after 10 years.

Implant-Related Complications and Mortality After Use of Short or Long Gamma Nail for Intertrochanteric and Subtrochanteric Fractures: A Prospective Study with Minimum 13-Year Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rates of implant-related complications and mortality after treatment of an intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric fracture with a short or long Gamma nail. METHODS: Between September 1998 and August 2003, 644 patients at 2 centers treated with a long or short Gamma nail for a hip fracture were prospectively enrolled in this study. These patients were followed until they reached 1 of the study end points, which included death, a reoperation directly related to the Gamma nail, or the end date of the study. RESULTS: The average age (and standard deviation) of the patients included in the study was 81.3 ± 8.6 years at the time of the operation, and 28.3% of the patients were male. The rate of implant-related complications was 9.9%. The most common complications included peri-implant fracture (4.2%), proximal lateral thigh discomfort requiring extraction of the implant (2.0%), and lag-screw cutout (1.1%). Interestingly, more than half (56%) of the 27 peri-implant fractures occurred >1.5 years after the index operation. The median time from the operation to death was 2.9 years (range, 0 to 17.1 years). The 30-day mortality rate after treatment was 9.5%. Patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class-3 or 4 physical status had a significantly higher risk of mortality than ASA class-1 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Gamma nails are effective in the treatment of intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures. However, 9.8% of patients had complications requiring additional surgery. The most common serious complications include peri-implant fracture and lag-screw cutout. Several peri-implant fractures occurred long after the index procedure. Patients had a high rate of mortality (27%) after 1 year, and higher preoperative ASA class was found to be a predictor of increased risk of mortality. Therefore, clinicians must carefully consider patients' preoperative comorbidities when counselling patients on the risks of surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Unchanging incidence of hip fracture in southeastern norway.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to ascertain trends in the incidence of hip fracture in southeastern Norway by comparing the hip fracture incidence for the years 2008 to 2010 to that of a study from 1998 to 2003 in the same area. METHODS: We determined the number of hip fractures for the geographical area of Ostfold county, and the age- and gender-specific incidence per 100 000, with 95% confidence intervals, was calculated. Use of bisphosphonates was determined by extracting data from public databases. RESULTS: The hip fracture incidence for men aged 50 to 74 and older than 75 years was 120 (100-141) and 1305 (1237-1372) in the latest time period, 1998-2003, whereas the incidence for the previous period, 2008-2010, was 124 (103-146) for men aged 50 to 75 and 1333 (1189-1476) for men older than 75 years. For women of 50 to 74 years, the incidence was 184 (158-209), and for women older than 75 years, it was 2523 (2428-2618). In the first time period, the corresponding incidence was 228 (200-257) for women aged 50 to 74 and 2330 (2189-2471) for women older than 75 years. As the 95% confidence intervals overlap in all the comparisons, it indicates the the incidence did not significantly differ between the time periods. Bisphosphonate use did not exceed 2% in any age group for men. For women, the highest rate of bisphosphonate use was 12.6% in the 85- to 89-year groups. CONCLUSION: We cannot confirm reports of decreasing incidence of hip fracture.

Comparison of cemented and uncemented fixation in total knee arthroplasty.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES: As a result of reading this article, physicians should be able to :1. Understand the rationale behind using uncemented fixation in total knee arthroplasty.2.Discuss the current literature comparing cemented and uncemented total knee arthroplasty3. Describe the value of radiostereographic analysis in assessing implant stability.4. Appreciate the limitations in the available literature advocating 1 mode of fixation in total knee arthroplasty. Total knee arthroplasty performed worldwide uses either cemented, cementless, or hybrid (cementless femur with a cemented tibia) fixation of the components. No recent literature review concerning the outcomes of cemented vs noncemented components has been performed. Noncemented components offer the potential advantage of a biologic interface between the bone and implants, which could demonstrate the greatest advantage in long-term durable fixation in the follow-up of young patients undergoing arthroplasty. Several advances have been made in the backing of the tibial components that have not been available long enough to yield long-term comparative follow-up studies. Short-term radiostereographic analysis studies have yielded differing results. Although long-term, high-quality studies are still needed, material advances in biologic fixation surfaces, such as trabecular metal and hydroxyapatite, may offer promising results for young and active patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty when compared with traditional cemented options.

Outcome after treatment of complications of Gamma nailing: a prospective study of 554 trochanteric fractures.

BACKGROUND: A high reoperation rate has been the main reason why Gamma nailing should not be recommended for routine use in the treatment of trochanteric fractures. We compared the outcome after reoperation to the outcome after primary surgery with Gamma nailing. METHODS: In a series of 554 patients, we compared the outcome in 52 patients who were reoperated with that in 502 patients who had no reoperations. We assessed mortality, pain, walking ability and habitat at follow-up. RESULTS: The most common reason for reoperation was new fracture around the implant (17), local pain after healed fracture (11), nonunion (9) and cut-out (8). A second reoperation was required in 9/52 patients. The mortality was significantly lower in the reoperated cases at 30 days and at 1-5 years, but not at 120 days, and there were no significant differences in the other outcome parameters. INTERPRETATION: Reoperation did not lead to a worse clinical outcome, nor to increased mortality.

Outcome of undisplaced and moderately displaced femoral neck fractures.

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment for femoral neck fracture is a matter of controversy. We compared the outcome of displaced fractures with good healing potential (moderately displaced fractures) to the outcome of undisplaced fractures treated by internal fixation with 2 parallel screws. METHODS: In a consecutive series of hip fracture patients, the rates of reoperation and mortality for 225 undisplaced fractures were compared to those for 241 moderately displaced fractures. The patients were followed for 1-6 years. RESULTS: The total rate of reoperation was 19% (9% because of healing complications) for the undisplaced fractures and 33% (20% because of healing complications) for the moderately displaced fractures. Fracture displacement was the main predictor of reoperation. There was no difference in mortality between the groups, and patient-related background parameters (rather than fracture displacement) were the main predictors of mortality. INTERPRETATION: Undisplaced fractures should be treated by internal fixation. The best treatment for moderately displaced fractures remains to be determined.

Hemiarthroplasty in worst cases is better than internal fixation in best cases of displaced femoral neck fractures: a prospective study of 683 patients treated with hemiarthroplasty or internal fixation.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that the degree of initial displacement and also comminution of the femoral calcar, size of the head and varus angulation are prognostic of failure in displaced femoral neck fracture. We have applied these radiographic criteria in order to select patients who would benefit from internal fixation as opposed to primary hemiarthroplasty, and this prospective study was conducted in order to monitor the results of this strategy. METHODS: 683 displaced fractures of the femoral neck were treated with internal fixation or primary hemiarthroplasty based on the proposed radiographic criteria in a prospective consecutive study, and the patients were followed for 1-6 years. We treated 228 fractures with internal fixation and 455 by bipolar hemiprosthesis. The choice of operation was based on clinical evaluation of the patient and assessment of the assumed healing potential of the fracture, as determined by radiographic evaluation. Revision and mortality were primary endpoints. RESULTS: 54 (24%) of the patients originally treated by osteosynthesis were revised, whereas 9 (2%) of the patients treated with hemiarthroplasty had revision surgery. There were no significant differences in mortality between the groups at 30, 120 or 365 days. INTERPRETATION: Even when treating only the fractures with the assumed best healing potential with internal fixation, the results are inferior to hemiarthroplasty.

Low interobserver reliability of radiographic signs predicting healing disturbance in displaced intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck.

We determined the interobserver agreement of 3 radiographic signs previously shown to predict a disturbance in healing of femoral neck fractures. 6 orthopedic surgeons evaluated 32 radiographs for the presence of comminution of the femoral calcar, varus displacement in excess of 30 degrees and a small head fragment. They also classified the radiographs with Garden's method and determined the presence or absence of displacement. The kappa values were 0.2 for comminution of the calcar, 0.5 for varus displacement and 0.4 for a small head fragment. In the Garden classification, the kappa value was 0.4, increasing to 0.6 when divided into Garden 1-2 and 3-4. When the fracture was classified as displaced or undisplaced, the kappa value was 0.5. The strength of agreement of signs predicting a disturbance in healing was thus shown to be poor to moderate.