Pedicle bone grafting versus transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy for avascular necrosis of the femoral head.

Segmental collapse occurs in the early stage of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head, and is associated with a poor prognosis. Since it develops at a relatively young age, the long-term outcome after total hip replacement is a major concern. We have compared the long-term results of pedicle bone grafting (PBG) with those of transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy (TRO). In the PBG group there were 23 men (27 hips) and three women (4 hips) with a mean age at the time of surgery of 38 years and a mean follow-up of 13 years. In the TRO group there were 44 men (55 hips) and 19 women (22 hips) with a mean age at the time of surgery of 39 years and a mean follow-up of seven years. Failure was defined as a need for total hip replacement or a Harris hip score below 70. The long-term results were similar for the two groups. The survival rates at five and ten years were 85% and 67%, respectively, in the PBG group, and 71% and 61%, respectively, in the TRO group, according to Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis. In the TRO group patients in stage II had significantly better results that those in stage III.

Head penetration into Hylamer acetabular liner sterilized by gamma irradiation in air and in a nitrogen atmosphere.

We reviewed 25 consecutive primary cementless total hip arthroplasties with Hylamer acetabular liners (Hylamer group) and 12 with conventional ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (Enduron group). Two-dimensional penetration of the femoral head into the liner was determined from anteroposterior radiographs of the pelvis. Head penetration rate was 0.37 mm/y in the Hylamer group sterilized by gamma irradiation in air (n = 6; mean length of follow-up, 3 years), 0.21 mm/y in the Hylamer group sterilized by gamma irradiation in a nitrogen atmosphere (n = 19; mean length of follow-up, 2.7 years), and 0.11 mm/y in the Enduron group (n = 12; mean length of follow-up, 3.9 years). Osteolysis was identified in 6 of the 25 hips with Hylamer liners and 1 of the 12 hips with conventional liners. There was a positive linear correlation between period from production to operation and head penetration rate with Hylamer liner sterilized by gamma irradiation in air and no correlation in a nitrogen atmosphere. Rapid oxidation by irradiation in air might not be the main cause of high rate of wear in Hylamer liners.

Prediction of osteonecrosis by magnetic resonance imaging after femoral neck fractures.

Thirty-one patients undergoing internal fixation for femoral neck fractures who were examined by magnetic resonance imaging at 2, 6, and 12 months after surgery and who could be followed up more than 2 years were enrolled in the current study. The items investigated were timing of the appearance of the band image on T1 weighted images, magnetic resonance imaging classification, and plain radiographs. Band images were observed 2 months after surgery in eight patients and 6 months in 12 patients (39% of all patients). According to the location and extent of the band image on magnetic resonance imaging, one patient was classified in the B1 Group (lateral type), four patients in the B2 Group (surface type), three patients in the B3 Group (intermediate type), and four patients in the B4 Group (extended type). Band images appeared in all patients in the B4 Group 6 months after surgery. Femoral heads of the patients in the B3 and B4 Groups by magnetic resonance imaging classification all were collapsed. On plain radiographs, osteonecrosis of the femoral head could be diagnosed in eight patients between 11 and 24 months after injury. The interval giving the greatest sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the diagnosis of osteonecrosis of the femoral head by magnetic resonance imaging was 6 months after surgery.

Osteophyte of the femoral head after transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy.

The relationship between change in the shape of the femoral head and the clinical results after transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy for osteonecrosis of the femoral head was investigated. Fifty-six hips in 50 patients, followed for at least 2 years, showed no progressive collapse and no osteoarthrotic change during that time. The growth of a superolateral osteophyte of the femoral head was observed postoperatively at a higher rate with progression of the preoperative stage. Excessive restoration of the rotated necrotic lesion of the femoral head was observed at a higher rate in hips with the growth of the superolateral osteophyte. The total Japanese Orthopaedic Association score at final follow-up in hips with these shape changes of the femoral head was significantly inferior to the score in hips without these changes. There was a tendency for hips with a low ratio of intact articular surface of the femoral head in the weight-bearing area to the acetabulum just after surgery to manifest these shape changes. Although such changes of the femoral head were considered to represent remodeling to stabilize the hip joint, excessive remodeling could worsen the clinical results.

Effects of recombinant human erythropoietin on thrombosis and fibrinolysis in autologous transfusion for hip surgery.

Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) is effective in allowing autologous blood donation in patients unable to donate because of anemia. As adverse effects of rHuEPO might include activation of coagulation and possibly fibrinolysis, we investigated these possibilities in the context of autologous blood donation preceding hip surgery. Thirty-seven patients who donated 800 ml of autologous blood for elective hip surgery were randomly assigned to either a group of 20 receiving preoperative treatment with rHuEPO (erythropoietin beta), 6000 U i.v. twice weekly for 3 weeks, or an untreated control group of 17. A significant increase in platelet count was associated with autologous blood donation and intraoperative blood loss with or without rHuEPO. Coagulation and fibrinolysis were increased significantly by intraoperative blood loss in both groups, but not by rHuEPO. Coagulation and fibrinolysis were not activated by rHuEPO for elective hip surgery.

Catastrophic failure of cementless total hip arthroplasty using a femoral component without surface coating.

Consecutive series of 90 hips that had had a primary cementless arthroplasty with use of straight collarless stems between January 1988 and September 1992 were reviewed. Twenty-eight hips with Omnifit Normalized Stems (Fit-N) and 45 hips with Omniflex Normalized Stems (Flex-N) without porous coatings were compared clinically and radiographically with 17 hips with Omnifit Microstructured Stems (Fit-M) with porous coating. The average follow-up periods for the 3 stems were 97 months, 73 months, and 93 months. Revision was performed or awaited in 9 cases (32.1%) in the Fit-N group, 18 cases (40.0%) in the Flex-N group, and 1 case (5.8%) in the Fit-M group. The average annual subsidence was 0.62 mm/y, 0.73 mm/y, and 0.17 mm/y. Osteolysis of more than 3 mm occurred in 28.6%, 37.8%, and 23.5%. Fit-N stems and Flex-N stems without porous coatings are not appropriate for cementless total hip arthroplasty.

Pedicle bone grafting versus transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy for idiopathic osteonecrosis of the femoral head--four patients with both procedures.

The clinical and radiographic results of vascularized pedicle iliac bone grafting (PBG) and Sugioka's transtrochanteric anterior rotational osteotomy of the femoral head (ARO) for idiopathic osteonecrosis of the femoral head were compared. Four male patients with bilateral osteonecrosis of the femoral head were treated with PBG in the first hip and with ARO in the second. All patients had stage 2 or 3 involvement according to Ficat's classification. Average age at the time of PBG and ARO was 42 and 43 years, respectively. Average follow-up of PBG and ARO was 7.5 and 5.7 years. At final follow-up, the average Harris hip scores of PBG and ARO were 73 and 85, respectively. Collapse was observed in 3 PBG hips and in 1 ARO hip. Three patients were more satisfied with the ARO procedure than with the PBG treatment, and one patient was undecided. ARO was considered better surgical treatment than PBG from both a clinical and radiological perspective.

Total hip arthroplasty after failed intertrochanteric valgus osteotomy for advanced osteoarthrosis.

Thirty hips that had undergone conversion total hip arthroplasty because of failed intertrochanteric valgus osteotomy for advanced osteoarthrosis were analyzed clinically and radiographically for more than 2 years. The average followup after total hip arthroplasty was 7 years (range, 2-18 years). The average age of the patients at the time of valgus osteotomy was 42 years (range, 30-63 years). The average age of the patients at the time of conversion total hip arthroplasty was 57 years (range, 43-76 years), and the average period between valgus osteotomy and conversion was 14 years (range, 3-24 years). Perioperative complications in conversion total hip arthroplasties were minimal, and intramedullary reaming was performed easily. Of the 30 conversion total hip arthroplasties, 12 cemented and 18 cementless components were used, respectively. Kaplan-Meier's survival analysis indicated that survivorship of cemented stems was significantly higher than that of conventional cementless stems. Cemented stems are preferable for conversion total hip arthroplasty after failed femoral valgus osteotomy.

Bone scintigraphy and magnetic resonance imaging after transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability of bone scintigraphy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to predict the outcome of transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy (TRO) for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). DESIGN: This study was a prospective evaluation of imaging techniques. PATIENTS AND METHODS: MRI and bone scintigraphy were performed on 20 hips in 18 patients at 3 months after TRO. The radiographic findings at 3 months after TRO, and the MRI and bone scintigraphic findings, were compared with the radiographic findings at final follow-up (mean 39 months). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: On MRI a low-intensity area or a low-intensity band in the new weight-bearing area extending over the acetabular edge on T1-weighted images was related to the presence of collapse on the radiographs at final follow-up. In hips with an area of absent activity in the new weight-bearing surface on bone scintigraphy, collapse was seen more frequently on radiographs at final follow-up than in hips without this feature. Bone scintigraphy was no more specific than radiography in predicting the outcome after TRO. We consider MRI to be superior to bone scintigraphy in predicting the occurrence of collapse, which is one of the major short-term problems after TRO.

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head associated with pregnancy.

A 31-year-old pregnant woman suddenly complained of bilateral hip pain 2 weeks before delivery. She was delivered of triplets by Caesarean section. She had been treated with human menopausal gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin (hMG-hCG) before pregnancy. Radiograms of the hip joint showed collapse of the femoral heads bilaterally. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a band pattern of low signal intensity for both hips on T1- and T2-weighted images. She had no history of steroid therapy or alcohol abuse. Osteonecrosis of the femoral heads bilaterally associated with pregnancy was confirmed. Pathology of the femoral head showed typical empty lacunae and necrosis of the trabecula.

Failed cementless total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthrosis due to hip dysplasia. A minimum five-year follow-up study.

We performed cementless total hip arthroplasty on patients with secondary osteoarthrosis due to hip dysplasia. We conducted prospective radiographic and clinical studies on 75 hips with a minimum five-year follow-up. Aseptic loosening of the Dual geometry Microstructured cup used on the acetabular component was recognized in 2 of 75 hips within five years postoperatively, but neither case required revision. As for the femoral component, within five years of operation, in 9 of 28 (32%) and 11 of 31 (35%) patients, aseptic loosening was recognized in the Omnifit Normalized Smooth surfaced stem (FIT-N) and the Omniflex Normalized Smooth surfaced stem (FLEX-N), respectively, neither of which have a porous coating on their proximal end. Revisions of the stems have been conducted on three FIT-N and two FLEX-N stems. Aseptic loosening was recognized in 2 of 16 Omnifit Microstructured stems (FIT-M) with porous coating, but revisions have not yet been required in these cases. We conclude that stems without a porous surface coating should not be used for cementless total hip arthroplasty.

Total hip arthroplasty for failed rotational acetabular osteotomy: a report of three cases.

Three female patients with osteoarthrotic hips received total hip replacement arthroplasties after failed rotational acetabular osteotomies (RAO) were reported. In the first case, there was necrosis of the thin acetabular fragment and a collapse of the large grafted iliac bone because of technical problems. The second case had residual development dislocation of the hip preoperatively which resulted in pseudoarthrosis and instability of the pubic bone postoperatively. This patient was considered to be a bad candidate for rotational acetabular osteotomy. The last case was 65 years old, too old to treat by osteotomy. Deterioration of the articular cartilage was expected. All of them were successfully treated with total hip arthroplasties. The ages of the patients, the stage of osteoarthrosis, the thickness of the osteotomized acetabular fragment, and the size of the grafted bone seemed to be factors influencing the outcome of the RAO.

Synovial fluid cartilage metabolism marker concentrations in osteonecrosis of the femoral head compared with osteoarthrosis of the hip.

OBJECTIVE: Biochemical aspects of the etiology of articular cartilage degeneration in osteonecrosis of the femoral head have not been investigated extensively. We analyzed biochemical conditions in the hip joint cavity, regarding articular cartilage turnover in osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). METHODS: Cartilage metabolism markers in synovial fluid were measured. Synovial fluid (SF) samples were collected from 19 ONFH cases and 17 control hips with osteoarthrosis (OA). Concentrations of carboxy-terminal type II procollagen peptide (pCOL-II-C), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were measured. In addition, concentrations of unsaturated disaccharides of hyaluronic acid (delta di-HA), chondroitin 4-sulfate (delta di-4S), and chondroitin 6-sulfate (delta di-6S) in SF were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: The mean SF concentration of pCOL-II-C was higher on ONFH than in OA. The mean SF MMP-3 level was higher in ONFH than in OA, while the mean SF TIMP-1 level was the same in the 2 groups. The SF concentration of delta di-HA and the delta di-6S/delta di-4S ratio were higher in ONFH than in OA. CONCLUSION: Higher concentrations of cartilage metabolism markers in ONFH compared with OA SF suggest elevated cartilage turnover in the former disease.

Scintigraphic evaluation of transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy for osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Comparison between scintigraphy, radiography and outcome in 34 patients.

Scintigrams and radiographs of 36 femoral heads in 34 patients before and after Sugioka's transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy for osteonecrosis of the femoral head were investigated prospectively. Patients were followed for more than 3 years after the operation. The patterns of early scintigrams made within 3 months of the operation were classified into four categories. All 4 patients with a large cold area evidenced collapse within 1 year despite good recovery of the weight-bearing surfaces immediately after operation on conventional radiograms. Twenty-two hips with no cold area in the femoral head did not demonstrate collapse. Femoral head collapse after rotational osteotomy can be predicted by early postoperative bone scintigraphy.

Transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy for osteonecrosis of the femoral head. 43 patients followed for at least 3 years.

We reviewed 48 hips in 43 patients 3-7.1 years (average 4.6 years) after Sugioka transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy for osteonecrosis of the femoral head. The average age at operation was 41 years. Thirty-four patients were men and 9 women. Overall results at the final follow-up were satisfactory in 30 hips (62%). Kaplan-Meier's survivorship was 62% at 3 years and 60% at 5 years postoperatively. Six hips for which the ratio of the intact area of the articular surface on the preoperative lateral radiograph was less than 30% showed further collapse. Five hips were converted to bipolar hemiarthroplasties or total hip arthroplasties. Complications, such as varus deformity, subtrochanteric fracture, and ectopic bone formation, occurred in eight hips. Five of them were operated on in the first 2 years of this series. Three of these five operations had unsatisfactory results. We conclude that satisfactory results can be achieved using this osteotomy by maintaining exact surgical technique and by limiting the surgical indications to hips with an intact area of more than one-third of the entire articular surface on the lateral radiograph of the femoral head.

Vascularized pedicle bone-grafting for nontraumatic avascular necrosis of the femoral head. A 5- to 11-year follow-up.

We investigated the results of 31 hips in 26 patients with nontraumatic (n = 20) and steroid-induced (n = 6) avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) treated with vascularized iliac pedicle bone graft (PBG). The average age at operation was 38.3 years. Three were women and 23 men. The average follow-up was 8.0 years. The Harris hip score prior to operation and at latest follow-up improved from 62 to 83; one hip collapsed and was revised with a bipolar endoprosthesis. At the final follow-up, 19 hips (63%) were clinically rated as good to excellent, 4 fair, and 7 poor. At the final follow-up, 15 of 27 hips (56%) of stage II before operation showed progressive collapse after bone grafting. In steroid-induced ANFH, in three women, 2 of 4 hips showed poor results. These results are only slightly better than those of core decompression and no better than those obtained after decompression and simple nonvascularized grafts to provide support for the subchondral bone. We concluded that vascularized PBG is sometimes indicated for ANFH in an early stage before collapse of the femoral head.

Macromotion of the femoral component in artificial hip joint.

Macromotion of the femoral component was analyzed in seven loose hips associated with six patients utilizing the manual compression and distraction test. The mean vertical and varus movement of these hips were 6.4 mm and 1.2 degrees, respectively. Out of a total 120 cementless total hip arthroplasties, there was no macromotion in the control group of six patients with moderate to severe thigh pain. There was also no relationship between macromotion and the severity of thigh pain. Micromotion or rotational instability, which could not be analyzed by conventional stress radiograms, may contribute substantially to thigh pain.

Twenty years' followup of intertrochanteric osteotomy for treatment of the dysplastic hip.

A followup study of more than 15 years of intertrochanteric osteotomy for osteoarthrosis of the dysplastic hip was performed in 52 hips of 42 patients with varus osteotomy and in 58 hips of 53 patients with valgus osteotomy. Varus osteotomy was indicated for predegenerative or early degenerative stages of osteoarthrosis, and valgus osteotomy was indicated for progressive or end stage disease. The average age at time of varus and valgus osteotomies was 25 and 37 years, respectively, and the average followup period was 21 and 20 years, respectively. Using Kaplan-Meier's method (end point, Harris Hip Score < 70 points or salvage operation), the 10- and 15-year survival rates for varus osteotomy were 89% and 87% and for valgus osteotomy were 66% and 38%, respectively. Radiographic measurements of the postoperative acetabular head index and center edge angle in varus osteotomy were better in the group with good results than those in the group with poor results. There were no differences in radiographic measurements between the group with good results and the group with poor results of valgus osteotomy. Intertrochanteric varus and valgus osteotomy delayed the need for total hip arthroplasty in young patients with osteoarthrosis of the dysplastic hip.

Cementless total hip arthroplasty with autologous bone grafting for hip dysplasia.

The fate of autologous femoral head bone grafts in acetabular roof reconstruction for severely dysplastic hips was investigated in 25 patients (25 cementless total hip arthroplasties). Twenty patients were women and 5 were men, whose average age was 55 years old; their average followup was 58 months. The average Harris Hip Rating improved from a preoperative value of 49 points to a postoperative value of 85 points. Radiographic measurements did not indicate any vertical or horizontal socket migration >2 mm. The grafted bone was incorporated by an average time of 7 months, and the acetabular sclerosis had disappeared in 23 hips by 9.4 months. One year after operation, the grafted bone was reduced in size significantly. Radionuclide uptake at the site of the bone graft remained high for as long as 18 months after the operation, then normalized. The autologous acetabular bone grafts were incorporated completely and remodeled 18 months after surgery.