Total Hip Replacement with a Fully Hydroxyapatite-Coated Shortened Stem: Five- to Thirteen-Year Follow-Up Results.

Background: Shortened femoral stems aim to mimic the biomechanical performance of traditional stems while preserving more bone and minimizing soft tissue damage. Our objective is to assess the outcomes of patients treated with a shortened stem (Furlong Evolution, JRI Orthopaedics, Sheffield, UK) to analyze the implant's efficacy and survivorship. Methods: This retrospective observational study included all patients aged 18 to 70 undergoing uncemented shortened stem total hip replacement at Hospital del Mar between 2010 and 2018. Hip function and pain were assessed with the Merle d'Aubigné-Postel scale and visual analog scale, respectively. A radiographic analysis measured stem and cup orientation, leg length discrepancy, stem subsidence, and radiolucencies around the cup. Perioperative complications, prosthetic failures, and reoperations were documented. Results: A total of 109 patients (74 male, 35 female) of a mean age of 51.8 ± 8.8 years were included. The average follow-up was 91 ± 17.4 months. Radiographically, 71 (65.1%) of the stems had been inserted at the appropriate angulation (±3°), and 102 (93.6%) of the cups had been placed in the Lewinnek safety zone. Leg length discrepancy was observed in 19 (17.4%) cases. The mean Merle d'Aubigné-Postel score improved from 13.1 ± 1.39 preoperatively to 17.8 ± 0.49 at 6 months postoperatively (p < 0.001). Merle d'Aubigné-Postel subscales also reflected a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.001). The mean pain score 12 months postoperatively was 0.52 ± 1.22, with 95.4% of patients declaring themselves satisfied or highly satisfied. The expected 13-year survival according to a Kaplan-Meier analysis was 100% in the absence of infection and 91.3% if revision for any cause is taken as a survival endpoint. Conclusions: The shortened stem under analysis provides excellent functional results and long-term survival rates.

Hip arthroscopy is an effective treatment for high-level female athletes.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the outcomes of hip arthroscopic surgery in high-level female athletes diagnosed with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) compared to those with lower levels of sports activity. Additionally, we investigated the effectiveness of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and the potential ceiling effect as a lack of sensitivity in detecting clinically statistically significant changes in high-level female athletes due to high baseline scores. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from female patients who underwent hip arthroscopy for FAI between January 2016 and August 2022 with a minimum 1-year follow-up. Patients were categorised into two groups: high-level athletes (group A) and low sports activity level (group B). Various PROs, visual analogue scales for pain, and patient satisfaction were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively. Return to sports (RTS) rates were determined based on the patient's reported ability to return to their previous level of sports activity. The minimally clinically important differences (MCIDs) and the Patient-Acceptable Symptomatic State (PASS) analyses were used to evaluate the clinical impact of the Hip Outcome Score-Sport Subscale (HOS-SSS). RESULTS: A total of 11 high-level female athletes were included in group A, and 22 were included in the low sports activity level group B. Both groups showed significant improvements in PROs, with no significant differences between them. RTS rates were lower in high-level athletes (63.6%) than in low sports activity patients (85.7%). Visual analogue scales for pain improved significantly in both groups. Patient satisfaction was high in both groups, with a median score of 9. The HOS-SSS showed no ceiling effect, and the MCID and PASS analyses indicated that a high proportion of patients in both groups achieved clinically relevant improvement in HOS-SSS. CONCLUSION: Hip arthroscopic surgery is effective for FAI treatment in high-level female athletes, with outcomes similar to those in patients with lower sports activity levels. The absence of a ceiling effect in sports-related outcomes suggests that PROs can detect clinically significant changes in high-level female athletes. Although RTS rates were lower in high-level athletes, this difference was not significant. These findings underscore the value of using PROs to evaluate outcomes in female athletes with different sports-activity levels. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Superior outcomes after arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement and labral tears with closed versus open capsule.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was the clinical evaluation of the capsular management with arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement and labral tears by comparing the functional outcomes of closed versus open capsule. METHODS: Patients with a median age of 38 years (18-55), clinical and radiological features of FAI and/or labral tear, and non-arthritic non-dysplastic hips were selected for arthroscopic treatment. Capsulotomy was performed primarily as an interportal section, then a distal extension preserving the zona orbicularis was added. The study compared two matched groups: patients with open capsule versus patients with closed capsule. Clinical outcomes were assessed by Non-Arthritic Hip Score, hip outcome scores of daily living activities and sports-specific scales. Scores were collected preoperatively and 6 months, 2 years and 5 years postoperatively. Rate of revision arthroscopy and conversion to total hip arthroplasty were used for comparing groups. Minimal clinically important differences were calculated for both groups. RESULTS: The study included 42 patients in the OC group and 44 patients in the CC group. Significant improvement of postoperative PROMs was recorded in both groups compared to preoperative scores. CC group significantly improved more than the OC group based on NAHS, HOS-ADL and HOS-SSS over all check points except for NAHS and HOS-ADL at 6 months, which were statistically non-significant. A non-significant difference was observed in the percentage of patients who met the MCID for all reported outcome scores at 5 years in both groups. The rate of reoperation was similar in both groups, but with different indications. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic treatment of FAI and labral repair with complete closure of the hip capsule led to significantly improved functional outcomes after 5 years follow-up compared with open capsule. Closed capsule can provide greater improvement in the sports-specific outcomes at early follow-up. Controlled capsulotomy limited by zona orbicularis did not produce instability at any postoperative stage. Similar proportions of patients achieved minimal clinically important difference, and similar rates of reoperation were reported in both groups. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Rehabilitation protocols in unstable trochanteric fractures treated with cephalomedullary nails in elderly: current practices and outcome.

BACKGROUND: Optimal rehabilitation treatment after surgery for fixation of unstable trochanteric fractures is challenging in elderly patients. PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to analyse the existing literature on available rehabilitation protocols with regards to permitting or restricting early weight bearing following fixation of unstable trochanteric fractures treated by the use of cephalomedullary nails in patients at least 65 years of age. METHODS: A systematic review was performed based on the checklist of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Studies published between 1948 and 2018 on elderly patients with unstable trochanteric fractures treated with cephalomedullary nails that offered information on the postoperative rehabilitation protocol have been selected. Subsequently, the results and complications have been analysed according to the protocols. RESULTS: Fifteen of the 7056 initial articles have been selected for analysis. Authors who did not restrict weight bearing to their patients reported a shorter hospitalization time and a lower orthopaedic complication rate but a greater systemic complication rate, worse functional scores, and a higher reoperation and mortality rates. Those results should be taken with caution because of the heterogeneity of provided clinical information and the fact that none of the included studies considered the different rehabilitation protocols as study variables to analyse its influence on the results. CONCLUSION: With evidence available to date, there is no clear agreement on the postoperative rehabilitation protocol following fixation of an unstable trochanteric fracture by cephalomedullary nail in the elderly.

Corticosteroid Injection for the Treatment of Morton's Neuroma: A Prospective, Double-Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of corticosteroid injection for the treatment of Morton's neuroma is unclear. In addition, most of the studies related to it are case-control or retrospective case series. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness between corticosteroid injection associated with local anesthetic and local anesthetic alone (placebo control group) for the treatment of Morton's neuroma. METHODS: Forty-one patients with a diagnosis of Morton's neuroma were randomized to receive 3 injections of either a corticosteroid plus a local anesthetic or a local anesthetic alone. The patients and the researcher who collected data were blinded to the treatment groups. The visual analog scale for pain and the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Score (metatarsophalangeal/interphalangeal score) were obtained at baseline, after each injection, and at 3 and 6 months after the last injection. RESULTS: There were no significant between-group differences in terms of pain and function improvement at 3 and 6 months after treatment completion in comparison with baseline values. At the end of the study, 17 (48.5%) patients requested surgical excision of the neuroma: 7 (44%) in the experimental group and 10 (53%) in the control group ( P = 1.0). CONCLUSION: The injection of a corticosteroid plus a local anesthetic was not superior to a local anesthetic alone in terms of pain and function improvement in patients with Morton's neuroma. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, randomized controlled trial.

Fracture of the femoral component after a lightning strike injury: A case report.

A fracture of the stem in a total hip arthroplasty (THA) is an uncommon complication. We report a case of femoral stem fracture in a 55-year-old male patient after a lightning strike. A revision was conducted using a Wagner osteotomy and a revision prosthesis. Dall-Milles cerclages were used to close the osteotomy. The postoperative evolution was satisfactory, with an immediate partial weight bearing, consolidation of the osteotomy after three months and return to daily activity without pain.

An Evaluation of the Association Between Radiographic Intercondylar Notch Narrowing and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury in Men: The Notch Angle Is a Better Parameter Than Notch Width.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the association of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries with the intercondylar notch angle and notch width in male patients. The secondary purpose was to evaluate the association of these injuries with other novel morphologic parameters. METHODS: Male patients undergoing primary ACL reconstruction between 2010 and 2013 for injury through noncontact mechanisms with preoperative magnetic resonance imaging were compared with an age-matched control group of male patients (patients who underwent knee operations other than ACL reconstruction) regarding the following magnetic resonance imaging-assessed parameters: intercondylar notch angle, width, and depth; condylar width; medial/lateral condylar widths; medial/lateral posterior tibial plateau slopes; anterior sagittal tibial slope (corresponding to the level of the tibial ACL footprint); coronal tibial slope; and angle between the Blumensaat line and anterior tibial slope. RESULTS: In both the coronal and axial planes, patients with ACL injury had a significantly lower intercondylar notch angle (P < .001 and P = .008, respectively) than the control group, but there were no significant between-group differences for intercondylar notch width (P = .9 and P = .97, respectively). In the sagittal plane, patients with ACL injury had significantly higher medial (P < .001) and lateral (P = .02) posterior tibial slopes, a significantly lower anterior tibial slope (P = .01), and a significantly higher angle between the Blumensaat line and anterior tibial slope (P = .02) than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Narrowing of the intercondylar notch may be associated with ACL injury in male patients. However, the intercondylar notch angle may be a better parameter to evaluate notch narrowing and its potential association with ACL injuries compared with the notch width. The association between the angle formed by the Blumensaat line and anterior tibial slope and ACL injuries in male patients needs more investigation. This study further suggests that increased posterior tibial slope may be associated with ACL injury in male patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, case-control study.