Internal fixation versus cemented hemiarthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fractures in patients with severe cognitive dysfunction: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the outcome of internal fixation (IF) versus a cemented hemiarthroplasty (HA) in patients with a displaced femoral neck fracture and a severe cognitive dysfunction. DESIGN: A prospective randomized controlled trial. SETTING: A tertiary care university hospital. PATIENTS: Sixty patients with a displaced femoral neck fracture were randomized to IF (n = 30) or HA (n = 30). All patients suffered from severe cognitive dysfunction but were able to walk before the fracture. INTERVENTION: IF using 2 cannulated screws or HA using a cemented Exeter unipolar arthroplasty. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Patients were reviewed at 4, 12, and 24 months after the fracture. Outcome assessments included complications, reoperations, hip function (Charnley score), and health-related quality of life (EQ-5Dindex score). RESULTS: A total of 8 patients were reoperated (14%); 7 in the IF group and 1 in the HA group. The EQ-5Dindex score at the follow-ups were generally lower in the IF group compared with the HA group with a significant difference at 12 months (P = 0.03). No difference was seen in hip function, general complications, or mortality between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: HA seems to provide a safe option with better health-related quality of life and less risk for reoperations compared with IF for these patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic level II.

Musculoskeletal function and quality of life after an unstable trochanteric fracture treated with the trochanteric gamma nail.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to report the musculoskeletal function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after an unstable trochanteric fracture treated with a cephalomedullary nail. METHODS: One hundred and seventeen patients, mean age 84.1 years, were included in a 1-year prospective cohort study. Outcome measurements included musculoskeletal function according to the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) and HRQoL according to the EQ-5D. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (12.0 %) were reoperated on, all but one being due to a secondary lag-screw penetration/cut-out. The need for revision surgery was significantly higher after a 4-part fracture according to the Jensen-Michaelsen classification as compared to after a 3-part fracture, i.e. 17 versus 6 % (p = 0.048). The reoperation was a hip replacement in 12 of the 14 patients, a total hip replacement (THR) in 10 and a hemiarthroplasty in 2. The SMFA dysfunction and bother indices in all patients showed a significant deterioration at 12 months compared to before the fracture, from 24.8 to 42.4 (p < 0.001) and 14.3 to 33.7 (p < 0.001), respectively. The EQ-5D(index) score decreased from 0.79 prefracture to 0.51 (p < 0.001). The final outcome for the patients who underwent reoperation with THR was surprisingly good with an SMFA dysfunction index of 43.4, a bother index of 36.6 and an EQ-5D(index) score of 0.58. CONCLUSIONS: An unstable trochanteric fracture treated with a cephalomedullary nail had a substantial negative impact on the patient's musculoskeletal function and HRQoL. The need for revision surgery was significantly higher after a 4-part fracture compared to after a 3-part fracture. The by far most common fracture complication, i.e. a secondary lag-screw penetration/cut-out, was successfully treated with a THR.

Unipolar versus bipolar Exeter hip hemiarthroplasty: a prospective cohort study on 830 consecutive hips in patients with femoral neck fractures.

BACKGROUND: Hip replacement using a hemiarthroplasty (HA) is a common surgical procedure in elderly patients with fractures of the femoral neck. Data from the Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Register suggest that there is a higher risk for revision surgery with the bipolar HA compared with the unipolar HA. PURPOSE: In this study we analysed the reoperation and the dislocation rates for Exeter HAs in patients with a displaced femoral neck fracture, comparing the unipolar and bipolar prosthetic designs. Additionally, we compared the outcome for HAs performed as a primary intervention with those performed secondary to failed internal fixation. METHODS: We studied 830 consecutive Exeter HAs (427 unipolar and 403 bipolar) performed either as a primary operation for a displaced fracture of the femoral neck or as a secondary procedure after failed internal fixation of a fracture of the femoral neck. Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate factors associated with reoperation and prosthetic dislocation. Age, gender, the surgeon's experience, indication for surgery (primary or secondary) and type of HA (unipolar or bipolar) were tested as independent variables in the model. RESULTS: The prosthetic design (uni- or bipolar) had no influence on the risk for reoperation or dislocation, nor had the age, gender or the surgeon's experience. The secondary HAs were associated with a significantly increased risk for reoperation (HR 2.6, CI 1.5-4.5) or dislocation (HR 3.3, CI 1.4-7.3) compared to the primary HAs. We found no difference in the risk for reoperation or dislocation when comparing Exeter unipolar and bipolar HAs, but special attention is called for to reduce the risk of prosthesis dislocation and reoperation after a secondary HA.

Measuring outcome after wrist injury: translation and validation of the Swedish version of the patient-rated wrist evaluation (PRWE-Swe).

BACKGROUND: There is a need for outcome measurement instruments for evaluation of disability after trauma. The Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) is a self-administered region-specific outcome measuring instrument developed for use in evaluating disability and pain of the wrist. The aim of this study is to translate and to cross-culturally adapt the PRWE for use in a Swedish patient population. Moreover, we aim at investigating the PRWE in terms of validity, reliability and responsiveness. METHODS: We performed a translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the PRWE to Swedish (PRWE-Swe), utilising the process recommended by the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons. A total of 124 patients with an injury to the wrist were included in the study. They filled in the PRWE and the DASH questionnaires at two separate occasions. RESULTS: Reliability of the PRWE in terms of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.97) and test-retest stability (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.93) were excellent. Face validity and content validity were judged as good. Criterion validity assessed as the correlation between the PRWE and the DASH was also good (Spearman's rho = 0.9). Responsiveness measured by the standardized response mean (SRM) was good with an SRMPRWE of 1.29. CONCLUSION: This Swedish version of the PRWE is a short and easily understood self-administered questionnaire with good validity, reliability, and responsiveness. Our results confirm that the PRWE is a valuable tool in evaluating the results after treatment of a wrist injury.

Musculoskeletal function and quality of life in elderly patients after a subtrochanteric femoral fracture treated with a cephalomedullary nail.

OBJECTIVES: To report the musculoskeletal function and health-related quality of life in elderly patients after a subtrochanteric fracture treated with a single lag screw cephalomedullary nail. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study with a minimum 1-year follow-up. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: Fifty-three patients, mean age 82 years (range, 61-94 years), with a subtrochanteric fracture of the femur. INTERVENTION: Fixation with a long Gamma cephalomedullary nail. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Reoperation rate, musculoskeletal function (Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment), and health-related quality of life (EuroQol-5D). RESULTS: Six patients (11%) were reoperated on, five as a result of technical failures and one as a result of an ipsilateral fracture of the distal femur. The Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment Dysfunction Index increased from 18 before the fracture to 46 at 4 months and 43 at 12 months. The corresponding values for the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment Bother Index were 10 before the fracture and 43 and 40 at 4 and 12 months (P < 0.001 between follow-ups and before fracture for both indices). The EuroQol-5Dindex score decreased from 0.85 to 0.49 at 4 months and remained at almost the same level at 12 months, 0.52 (P < 0.001 between follow-ups and before fracture). CONCLUSIONS: A subtrochanteric fracture treated with a single lag screw cephalomedullary nail had a substantial negative impact on the patient's musculoskeletal function according to the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment as well as on the patient's health-related quality of life. However, the need for revision surgery was comparatively low.

Comparison of bipolar hemiarthroplasty with total hip arthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fractures: a concise four-year follow-up of a randomized trial.

We performed a four-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial involving 120 elderly patients with an acute displaced femoral neck fracture who were randomized to treatment with either a bipolar hemiarthroplasty or a total hip arthroplasty. The difference in hip function (as indicated by the Harris hip score) in favor of the total hip arthroplasty group that was previously reported at one year persisted and seemed to increase with time (mean score, 87 compared with 78 at twenty-four months [p < 0.001] and 89 compared with 75 at forty-eight months [p < 0.001]). The health-related quality of life (as indicated by the EuroQol [EQ-5D(index)] score) was better in the total hip arthroplasty group at the time of each follow-up, but the difference was significant only at forty-eight months (p < 0.039). These results confirm the better results in terms of hip function and quality of life after total hip arthroplasty as compared with hemiarthroplasty in elderly, lucid patients with a displaced fracture of the femoral neck.

Unipolar hemiarthroplasty versus bipolar hemiarthroplasty in the most elderly patients with displaced femoral neck fractures: a randomised, controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Hemiarthroplasty (HA) is generally considered to be the treatment of choice in the most elderly patients with a displaced fracture of the femoral neck. However, there is inadequate evidence to support the choice between unipolar HA or bipolar HA. The primary aim of this study was to analyse the outcome regarding hip function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients randomised to either a unipolar or bipolar HA. The secondary aim was to analyse the degree of acetabular erosion and its influence upon outcome. METHODS: One hundred twenty patients with a mean age of 86 years and an acute displaced fracture of the femoral neck were randomly allocated to treatment by either unipolar or bipolar HA. Outcome measurements included hip function (Harris Hip Score, HHS), HRQoL (EQ-5D) and acetabular erosion. The patients were summoned at four and 12 months for follow-up. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups regarding complications. The HHS scores were equal at both follow-ups, but there was a trend towards better HRQoL in the bipolar HA group at four months, EQ-5D (index) score 0.62 vs 0.54 (p = 0.06). Twenty percent of the patients in the unipolar HA group displayed acetabular erosion at the 12-month follow-up compared to 5% in the bipolar HA group (p = 0.03), and there were trends towards worse hip function and HRQoL among patients with acetabular erosion compared to those without: HHS scores 70.4 and 79.3, respectively (p = 0.09), and EQ-5D (index) scores 0.48 and 0.63, respectively (p = 0.13). CONCLUSION: Unipolar HA and bipolar HA appeared to produce equivalent clinical outcomes after one year, but the significantly higher incidence of acetabular erosion in the unipolar HA group may imply that bipolar HA should be the preferred treatment.

Direction of hip arthroplasty dislocation in patients with femoral neck fractures.

In order to prevent hip arthroplasty dislocations, information regarding the direction of the dislocation is important for accurate implant positioning and for optimising the postoperative regimens in relation to the surgical approach used. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of the surgical approach on the direction of the dislocation in patients treated by a hemiarthroplasty (HA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA) after a femoral neck fracture. Fracture patients have a high risk for dislocations, and this issue has not been previously studied in a selected group of patients with a femoral neck fracture. We analysed the radiographs of the primary dislocation in 74 patients who had sustained a dislocation of their HA (n = 42) or THA (n = 32). In 42 patients an anterolateral (AL) surgical approach was used and in 32 a posterolateral (PL). The surgical approach significantly influenced the direction of dislocation in patients treated with HA (p < 0.001), while no such correlation was found after THA (p = 0.388). For THA patients there was a correlation between the mean angle of anteversion of the acetabular component and the direction of dislocation when comparing patients with anterior and posterior dislocations (p = 0.027). These results suggest that the surgical approach of a HA has an influence on the direction of dislocation, in contrast to THA where the position of the acetabular component seems to be of importance for the direction of dislocation in patients with femoral neck fractures.

Quality of life after dislocation of hip arthroplasty: a prospective cohort study on 319 patients with femoral neck fractures with a one-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: A primary arthroplasty constitutes a standard procedure in the treatment of patients with displaced fractures of the femoral neck. Although dislocation of the prosthesis remains a significant clinical problem, there are no previous reports on its influence on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We analysed how a dislocation of the hip arthroplasty influenced the patients' HRQoL. METHODS: In total 319 consecutive patients with a displaced fracture of the femoral neck treated with a primary arthroplasty were included in a prospective cohort study. We used a mixed-effects model regression analysis to evaluate factors of importance for HRQoL (EQ-5D(index) score) during the first 12 months following surgery. RESULTS: A dislocation of the arthroplasty occurred in 21 of the 319 patients (7%), 8 of whom had a single dislocation and 13 recurrent dislocations. At 4 months, the EQ-5D(index) score displayed a significantly worse outcome for patients with recurrent dislocations compared to patients with no dislocation (P = 0.001), and a trend towards a worse outcome for patients with a single dislocation (P = 0.08). At 12 months, the mean EQ-5D(index) score of patients with recurrent dislocations was still substantially lower (P = 0.001), while the EQ-5D(index) score for patients with a single dislocation had returned to a level similar to that of patients with no dislocation. Our analysis of the EQ-5D dimensions indicates that the difference was mainly due to perceived difficulties in self-care and usual activities and increased problems with anxiety/depression. CONCLUSIONS: A recurrent dislocation of the hip arthroplasty in the treatment of patients with femoral neck fractures seems to result in a persisting deterioration in the HRQoL, while patients with a single dislocation seem to experience only a temporary deterioration.

The Holstein-Lewis humeral shaft fracture: aspects of radial nerve injury, primary treatment, and outcome.

OBJECTIVE: The primary aim was to describe the epidemiology of the Holstein-Lewis humeral shaft fracture, its association with radial nerve palsy, and the outcome regarding recovery from the radial nerve palsy and fracture healing. The secondary aim was to analyze the long-term functional outcome. SETTING: Six major hospitals in Stockholm County. DESIGN: Descriptive study. Retrospective assessment of radial nerve recovery and fracture healing. Prospective assessment of functional outcome. PATIENTS: Twenty-seven patients with a 12A1.3 humeral shaft fracture according to the OTA classification satisfying the criteria of a Holstein-Lewis fracture in a population of 358 patients with 361 traumatic humeral shaft fractures. INTERVENTION: Nonoperative or operative treatment according to the decision of the attending orthopaedic surgeon. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Recovery of the radial nerve, fracture healing, and functional outcome according to the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA). RESULTS: The Holstein-Lewis humeral shaft fracture constitutes 7.5% of all humeral shaft fractures and was associated with an increased risk of acute radial nerve palsy compared with other types of humeral shaft fractures, 22% versus 8% (P < 0.05). The fractures of 6 of the 7 operatively treated patients healed after the primary surgical procedure while 1 fracture healed after revision surgery. The fractures of all patients treated nonoperatively healed without any further intervention. All 6 radial nerve palsies (2 patients treated nonoperatively and 4 operatively) recovered. The functional outcome according to the SMFA was good with no differences between the nonoperatively and operatively treated patients: SMFA dysfunction index 7.6 and 9.7, respectively, and SMFA bother index 6.1 and 6.8, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Holstein-Lewis humeral shaft fracture was associated with a significantly increased risk of acute radial nerve palsy. The overall outcome regarding fracture healing, radial nerve recovery, and function was very good regardless of the primary treatment modality, that is, operative or nonoperative treatment. The indication for primary operative intervention in this fracture type appears to be relative.

Primary radial nerve palsy in patients with acute humeral shaft fractures.

OBJECTIVE: The primary aim was to report on the recovery of radial nerve function in patients with acute closed humeral shaft fractures and associated primary radial nerve palsy. The secondary aim was to report on the long-term functional outcome and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with this specific injury. SETTING: Six major hospitals in Stockholm County. DESIGN: Descriptive study. Retrospective assessment of radial nerve recovery and fracture healing. Prospective assessment of functional outcome and HRQoL. PATIENTS: Thirty-three patients with acute radial nerve palsy and a closed humeral shaft fracture in a population of 358 patients with 361 humeral shaft fractures. INTERVENTION: Nonoperative or operative treatment as per decision of the attending orthopedic surgeon. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Recovery of the radial nerve, fracture healing, functional outcome according to the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH). HRQoL according to Short Form 36 (SF-36). RESULTS: Among the 18 patients treated nonoperatively, 16 (89%) displayed a complete recovery from their radial nerve palsy while 2 (11%) presented minor sequelae. In 11 (73%) of the 15 patients treated primarily operatively, the nerve function recovered completely while 2 patients (13%) had minor sequelae and 2 (13%) had major sequelae, i.e. 1 partial nerve palsy and 1 total radial nerve palsy. Sixteen patients (48%) were available for assessment of the long-term functional outcome and HRQoL at a mean of 7 years (range, 6 to 8 years). The range of motion and the muscular strength of the injured arm, the functional outcome according to the SMFA, and HRQoL according to the SF-36 showed results comparable to those previously reported for patients with healed humeral shaft fractures without associated radial nerve palsy. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the high spontaneous recovery rate of primary radial nerve palsies in patients with closed humeral shaft fractures. Primary radial nerve palsy should not be regarded as an isolated indication for primary surgical intervention.

Dislocation of hemiarthroplasty after femoral neck fracture: better outcome after the anterolateral approach in a prospective cohort study on 739 consecutive hips.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hip replacement using a hemiarthroplasty is a common surgical procedure in elderly patients with fractures of the femoral neck. The optimal surgical approach regarding the risk of dislocation is controversial. We analyzed factors influencing the stability of the hemiarthroplasty, with special regard to the surgical approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 720 consecutive patients on whom 739 hemiarthroplasties were performed between 1996 and 2003, either as a primary operation for a displaced fracture of the femoral neck or as a secondary procedure after failed internal fixation of a fracture of the femoral neck. Logistic regression analyses were performed in order to evaluate factors associated with prosthetic dislocation. RESULTS: The multivariate regression analysis showed that the posterolateral approach was the only factor associated with a significantly increased risk of dislocation: OR 3.9 (CI: 1.6-10) for the posterolateral approach with posterior repair and OR 6.9 (CI: 2.6-19) for the posterolateral approach without posterior repair. Age, sex, indication for surgery, the surgeon's experience, and type of HA had no statistically significant effect on the dislocation rate. INTERPRETATION: Compared to the anterolateral approach, the posterolateral approach was associated with a significantly increased risk of dislocation in patients with femoral neck fractures treated with HA. A posterior repair appears to reduce the rate of dislocation, although not to the same low level as in patients operated using the anterolateral approach.

Triple arthrodesis in rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have focused on the long-term results of triple arthrodesis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. We retrospectively reviewed fusion rate, arthritis of the adjacent joints, clinical outcome, and patient satisfaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1990 and 1998, 28 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were managed with a total of 32 triple arthrodeses. Of the 28 patients, 20 (24 cases) had been followed for 5.2 (range, 4 to 7) years. Fusion was performed with rigid staple fixation and autologous bone graft. Assessment included plain radiographs, CT scans, and various clinical scores. RESULTS: Complications were limited to superficial wound healing problems in 8 patients (8 cases). No revision surgery was necessary. Radiographically, all feet showed fusion. Progression of arthritis was found in 17 cases, mostly in the midfoot. The visual analogue scale for pain averaged 47 (range, 3 to 94) points. The SMFA scores were 45 (range, 10 to 71) points for dysfunction and 38 (range, 10 to 72) points for bother with a significant association (p < 0.05) between the SMFA- and the AOFAS-Score. The mean Short Form-36 (SF-36) physical component outcomes score was 51 (range, 18 to 98) points and the AOFAS score averaged 70 (range, 40 to 94) points. All patients stated that they would have the procedure again under similar circumstances. CONCLUSION: Triple arthrodesis in rheumatoid patients is effective in relieving pain and improving functional deficits. High fusion rates can be expected. There is, however, a high risk for consecutive arthritis of the neighboring joints, especially in the midfoot.

Long-term outcome of nonsurgically treated distal radius fractures.

PURPOSE: To study the long-term outcome after nonsurgically treated distal radius fractures including recovery of grip strength, mobility, and radiographic parameters. METHODS: Eighty-seven patients, mean age 55 (range 19-78) years, treated with closed reduction and casts, were evaluated radiographically and clinically during the first 6 months and finally after 9-13 years. Fifty patients had extra-articular fractures (AO Class A), 4 had simple intra-articular fractures (AO Class B) and 33 had complete intra-articular fractures (AO Class C). RESULTS: Fifty-two of 66 patients with unilateral fractures were, after 9-13 years, rated as excellent/good according to the Green and O'Brien score as modified by Cooney et al (GOBC score). Fracture class according to AO did not correlate to outcome. Considerable fracture displacements remained: dorsal angulation (mean 13 degrees in <60 y, 18 degrees in >/=60 y), greater radial shortening than initially (mean 2 mm in <60 y, 3 mm in >/=60 y). Five patients had remaining joint step-off (1-2 mm) after reduction, but only one developed mild osteoarthritis. Patients with an unsatisfactory outcome had sustained more displaced fractures that also healed with greater displacement. The remaining subjective complaints were pain or reduced function during heavier tasks. Outcome was not correlated to age. Wrist mobility returned notably faster than grip strength. Patients over 60 years of age recovered slower in both mobility and strength. Closed reduction and plaster improved dorsal angulation but not radial shortening. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that a number of patients with nonsurgically treated distal radius fractures still experience some hand/wrist impairment a decade after the trauma. The severity of fracture displacement seems to influence the clinical outcome in contrast to patients' age. Recovery of grip strength is slower than that of range of motion. Elderly patients recover more slowly than young patients. Dorsal angulation was improved but remained considerable (13 degrees -18 degrees ), while final radial shortening (2-3 mm) increased from the injury status.

Outcome after closed functional treatment of humeral shaft fractures.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome after an isolated humeral shaft fracture treated primarily nonoperatively with a fracture brace. SETTING: University hospital. DESIGN: Descriptive study. Retrospective assessment of clinical and radiographic healing. Prospective assessment of functional outcome and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). PATIENTS: Seventy-eight patients (female, n = 45), mean age 58 (range, 16-91) years with isolated humeral shaft fractures. INTERVENTION: Closed functional treatment with a fracture brace. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Fracture healing, need for revision surgery, Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment (SMFA), HRQoL according to the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and patient-reported recovery. RESULTS: Ninety percent of the fractures healed after nonoperative treatment, and nearly 90% of the nonunions healed after revision surgery. There was a trend toward more frequent nonunions in simple fractures, that is, type A according to the Orthopedic Trauma Association (OTA) classification (P = 0.08). The nonunion rate in type A fractures located in the proximal and middle part of the shaft was approximately 20%. Nearly 50% of the patients reported full recovery after successful nonoperative treatment, but none of the patients with a healed nonunion did after revision surgery (P < 0.05). The SMFA scores for arm/hand function were acceptable for the patients who healed after the primary fracture-brace treatment, but the values were worse for those with a healed nonunion after revision surgery. The SF-36 scores were generally slightly lower compared with a Swedish reference population. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the high overall rate of union of humeral shaft fractures and an acceptable functional outcome after successful fracture-brace treatment. However, in simple (type A) fractures, the nonunion rate seems to be higher, and patients with healed nonunions after revision surgery reported worse functional outcomes. Based on these findings, it seems reasonable to explore the use of plate fixation compared with nonoperative treatment for selected fracture types in a randomized controlled trial.

Displaced femoral neck fracture: comparison of primary total hip replacement with secondary replacement after failed internal fixation: a 2-year follow-up of 84 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Recent randomized controlled trials have shown that for the active and lucid elderly patient with a displaced femoral neck fracture, a primary total hip replacement (THR) is superior to internal fixation (IF) regarding the need for secondary surgery, hip function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Despite the high failure rate for IF, the method is still recommended for this patient cohort by some authors. One argument is that if IF fails, there is always the possibility of performing a secondary salvage THR. The main aim of our study was to determine whether a primary THR, as compared to a secondary THR after failed IF, gives a better outcome after 2 years. METHODS: We compared outcome for 43 patients with a primary THR to the outcome for 41 patients who were treated with a secondary THR after failed IF. All patients (mean age 80 years) were lucid and had a displaced femoral neck fracture. Hip function (Charnley score) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL, EQ5D) were assessed 2 years after the THR procedure. RESULTS: Hip function was better in the primary THR group: the mean Charnley score was 15/18 as compared to 13/18 in the secondary THR group (p < 0.001). The patients with failed IF who later underwent a secondary THR experienced a more pronounced decrease in HRQoL (EQ-5D index score) during the first year of treatment compared to patients in the primary THR group, with a difference of 0.25 in the EQ-5D index score at the 4-month follow-up (p = 0.02). INTERPRETATION: We found that a secondary THR after failed IF results in inferior hip function compared to a primary THR for a displaced femoral neck fracture in the active and lucid elderly patient. Moreover, the patients with failed IF had to undergo at least one re-operation and experienced a significant reduction in HRQoL before the salvage THR.

Comparison of internal fixation with total hip replacement for displaced femoral neck fractures. Randomized, controlled trial performed at four years.

BACKGROUND: Recent randomized, controlled trials performed at two years postoperatively have shown that a primary total hip replacement is superior to internal fixation for the treatment of a displaced femoral neck fracture in a relatively healthy, mentally competent, elderly patient. The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate the outcomes at four years. METHODS: One hundred and two patients (mean age, eighty years) who had an acute displaced femoral neck fracture were randomly allocated to be treated with total hip replacement or internal fixation. The inclusion criteria were an age of at least seventy years, absence of severe cognitive dysfunction, an independent living status, and the ability to walk independently. The main outcome measurements were hip complications, reoperations, hip function, and health-related quality of life. RESULTS: The mortality rate was 25% in both groups. At the forty-eight-month follow-up evaluation, the rate of hip complications was 4% in the patients treated with total hip replacement and 42% in those treated with internal fixation (p < 0.001) and the reoperation rates were 4% and 47%, respectively (p < 0.001). The arthroplasty group had no additional hip complications or reoperations between the twenty-four and forty-eight-month follow-up visits. In the fixation group, the percentage of hip complications increased from 36% to 42% and the percentage of reoperations increased from 42% to 47% during the same period. The hip function was significantly better and the decline in health-related quality of life was less pronounced in the arthroplasty group than it was in the fixation group at the four, twelve, and twenty-four-month follow-up evaluations. Ninety-seven percent of the patients in the arthroplasty group and 57% of the patients in the fixation group who were available for follow-up at forty-eight months had no hip complications (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with internal fixation, primary total hip replacement provides a better outcome for mentally competent elderly patients with a displaced femoral neck fracture. The complication and reoperation rates were significantly lower and hip function and health-related quality of life were at least as good at four years after the surgery.

Primary total hip arthroplasty with a Burch-Schneider antiprotrusion cage and autologous bone grafting for acetabular fractures in elderly patients.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical and functional outcome in an elderly population with acetabular fractures after low-energy trauma treated acutely with a total hip arthroplasty supported by a reinforcement ring (Burch-Schneider antiprotrusion cage) and autologous bone grafting of the acetabulum. SETTING: University hospital. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. PATIENTS: Ten patients (7 males) available for follow-up, with a mean age at the time of surgery of 73 years (range 57-87). The mean time to follow-up was 38 months (range 11-84). INTERVENTION: Primary total hip arthroplasty supported by a reinforcement ring (Burch-Schneider Antiprotrusion Cage) and autologous bone grafting of the acetabulum. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Surgical data, complications, radiographic assessment, pain, walking ability, Harris Hip Score, activities of daily living, health-related quality of life according to EuroQol (EQ-5D). RESULTS: The mean operating time was 159 minutes (range 125-185). The mean intraoperative blood loss was 1100 mL (700-1600 mL). The reinforcement ring was stable and there were no signs of loosening of the acetabular component or stem in any of the patients. The bone graft was completely incorporated in all cases. Four patients presented slight (Brooker I-II) heterotopic bone formation. All patients were still independent walkers at follow-up but with a slightly increased need for walking aids. The mean Harris Hip Score was 85 (range 69-99). The mean EQ-5D(index) score was 0.62. CONCLUSION: Primary total hip replacement with a reinforcement ring and bone grafting of the socket seems to be a promising treatment alternative in displaced acetabular fractures in elderly patients with osteoporotic bone, except in those with an increased risk of dislocation.