Comparison of Mortality, Length of Hospital Stay and Transfusion between Hemiarthroplasty and Total Hip Arthroplasty in Octo- and Nonagenarian Patients with Femoral Neck Fracture: a Nationwide Study in Korea.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the mortality rate between patients undergoing hemiarthroplasty (HA) and those undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) in two age groups: patients aged 65-79 years (non-octogenerian) and patients aged ≥ 80 years (octogenarian). METHODS: We identified elderly (aged ≥ 65 years) femoral neck fracture patients who underwent primary THA or HA from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2015 in South Korea using the Health Insurance and Review and Assessment database; the nationwide medical claim system of South Korea. We separately compared the mortality rate between the HA group and THA group in two age groups. A generalized estimating equation model with Poisson distribution and logarithmic link function was used to calculate the adjusted risk ratio (aRR) of death according to the type of surgery. RESULTS: The 3,015 HA patients and 213 THA patients in younger elderly group, and 2,989 HA patients and 96 THA patients in older elderly group were included. In the younger elderly group, the mortality rates were similar between the two groups. In older elderly group, the aRR of death in the THA group compared to the HA group was 2.16 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-3.87; P = 0.010) within the in-hospital period, 3.57 (95% CI, 2.00-6.40; P < 0.001) within 30-days, and 1.96 (95% CI, 1.21-3.18; P = 0.006) within 60-days. CONCLUSIONS: In patients older than 80 years, THA was associated with higher postoperative mortality compared to HA. We recommend the use of HA rather than THA in these patients.

Multiple screw fixation versus cementless bipolar hemiarthroplasty for femur neck fracture using a nationwide hip fracture registry.

Cementless bipolar hemiarthroplasty (BHA) recently gained popularity as a treatment for femur neck fracture (FNF), but there have been few studies comparing this with multiple screw fixation (MSF) in the elderly population. The purpose of this study is to compare (1) surgery-related parameters, (2) reoperation rate as a local complication, (3) in-hospital systemic complication rate, and (4) mortality rate at 1 year after MSF and cementless BHA in patients with FNF using nationwide data. Six-hundred sixty-six hips (aged ≥ 50 years) extracted from nationwide Hip Fracture Registry were included in this study (133 MSF and 533 cementless BHA). One hundred fifty-six hips were divided into nondisplaced FNF (Group A) and 510 into displaced FNF (Group B). We evaluated (1) surgery-related parameters (anesthesia type, time to surgery, operation time, estimated blood loss and volume of postoperative transfusion), (2) the rate of and reasons for reoperation, (3) the rate and type of in-hospital systemic complications and (4) one-year mortality rate after surgery. In Group A, MSF showed shorter operation time (p = 0.004) and lower incidence of in-hospital systemic complications (p = 0.003). In Group B, cementless BHA demonstrated lower reoperation rate than MSF (p < 0.001). In both Group A and B, cementless BHA was associated with higher estimated blood loss than MSF (p < 0.001). Based on findings in our study, MSF might be a more favorable option for nondisplaced FNF, whereas cementless BHA might be a better one for displaced FNF in patients older than fifty. Nevertheless, our nationwide study also showed that numbers of cementless BHAs were being performed for nondisplaced FNF even in teaching hospitals.

Can fingernail quality predict bone damage in Type 2 diabetes mellitus? a pilot study.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) adversely affects the normal functioning, intrinsic material properties, and structural integrity of many tissues, including bone. It is well known that the clinical utility of areal bone mineral density (aBMD) is limited to assess bone strength in individuals with T2DM. Therefore, there is a need to explore new diagnostic techniques that can better assist and improve the accuracy of assessment of bone tissue quality. The present study investigated the link between bone and fingernail material/compositional properties in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). For that, femoral head and fingernail samples were obtained from twenty-five adult female patients (with/without T2DM) with fragility femoral neck fractures undergoing hemi/total hip arthroplasty. Cylindrical cores of trabecular bone were subjected to micro-CT, and lower bone volume fraction was observed in the diabetic group than the non-diabetic group due to fewer and thinner trabeculae in individuals with T2DM. The material and compositional properties of bone/fingernail were estimated using nanoindentation and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, respectively. Both bone/fingernails in T2DM had lower reduced modulus (Er), hardness (H), lower Amide I and Amide II area ratio (protein content), higher sugar-to-matrix ratio, and relatively high carboxymethyl-lysine (CML) content compared with non-diabetic patients. Sugar-to-matrix ratio and relative CML content were strongly and positively correlated with HbA1c for both bone/fingernail. There was a positive correlation between bone and fingernail glycation content. Our findings provide evidence that the degradation pattern of bone and fingernail properties go hand-in-hand in individuals with T2DM. Hence, the fingernail compositional/material properties might serve as a non-invasive surrogate marker of bone quality in T2DM; however, further large-scale studies need to be undertaken.

Cell-associated type I collagen in nondegenerate and degenerate human articular cartilage.

Chondrocytes with abnormal morphology are present in nondegenerate human cartilage suggesting dedifferentiation to a fibroblastic phenotype and production of a mechanically-weakened matrix of unknown composition. We determined the relationship between in situ chondrocyte morphology, chondrocyte clusters, and levels of cell-associated collagen type I. Chondrocyte morphology in fresh femoral head cartilage from 19 patients with femoral neck fracture and collagen type I labelling was identified with Cell TrackerTM fluorescence and immunofluorescence, respectively, in axial/coronal orientations using confocal microscopy with images analysed by ImarisTM . In axial images of grade 0 cartilage, 87 ± 8% were normal chondrocytes with a small (10 ± 6%) abnormal population possessing ≥1 cytoplasmic process. More normal chondrocytes (78 ± 11%) were collagen type I negative than those labelling positively (p < 0.001). For abnormal chondrocytes, 81 ± 14% labelled negatively for collagen type I compared to those labelling positively (19 ± 3%; p = 0.007; N(n)=11(3)). Overall, approximately 9% of the cells in normal cartilage labelled for collagen type I. With degeneration, the percentage of normal chondrocytes decreased (p < 0.001) but increased for abnormal cells (p = 0.036) and clusters (p = 0.003). A larger percentage of normal, abnormal and clustered chondrocytes now demonstrated collagen type I labelling (p = 0.004; p = 0.009; p = 0.001 respectively). Coronal images exhibited increased (p = 0.001) collagen type I labelling in the superficial zone of mildly degenerate cartilage with none in the mid or deep zones. These results show that collagen type I was identified around normal and abnormal chondrocytes in nondegenerate cartilage, which increased with degeneration. This suggested the presence of mechanically weak fibro-cartilaginous repair tissue in otherwise macroscopically nondegenerate human cartilage which progressed with degeneration as occurs in osteoarthritis.

Assessing the effect of Gotfried reduction with positive buttress pattern in the young femoral neck fracture.

BACKGROUND: Although many available surgical procedures for displaced femoral neck fractures in young patients, there are still many challenges to achieve satisfactory results. The incidence of avascular necrosis and nonunion rates remains relatively high despite the progress in our understanding and surgical technique. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Gotfried reduction and cannulated screw fixation in the treatment of femoral neck fracture for young adults. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made on 67 cases from May 2013 to March 2019. They were divided into three groups according to the first postoperative anteroposterior view of hip X-ray: Anatomic reduction (group A), Gotfried positive buttress reduction (group B), and Gotfried negative buttress reduction (group C). The incidence of avascular osteonecrosis of the femoral head (AVN) and the Harris scores of hip joints were compared in three groups at the last follow-up. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period after surgery was 22.5 ± 11.3 (range, 11-34) months. There were 21 cases (mean age, 49.7 ± 11.6) in group A, 24 cases (mean age, 48.6 ± 11.3) in group B, 22 cases (mean age, 48.3 ± 12.4) in group C. No significant difference in general preoperative demographics (P > 0.05). The incidence of avascular necrosis of femoral head in group A, B, and C was 19.05%, 20.83%, and 22.73%, respectively, showing no significant difference between groups (P = 0.156). The mean Harris hip scores at the final follow-up for groups A (85.6 ± 6.7) and B (84.5 ± 6.2) were significantly higher than group C (74.3 ± 8.3), and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.043). The incidence of femoral neck shortening in group A and group B was significantly lower than that in group C in postoperative 1 year, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Gotfried positive buttress reduction and fixation for femoral neck fracture may lead to similar clinical results with anatomic reduction, but much better than Gotfried negative buttress reduction. For the patients of femoral neck fracture with severe displacement and difficulty reduction, it is not necessary to pursue anatomical reduction. Achieving positive valgus reduction can also obtain satisfactory clinical results, and should try to avoid negative buttress.

Pathologic Hip Fracture by Virtue of a Rare Osseous Manifestation of Gout: A Case Report.

CASE: A 76-year-old woman without a personal or family history of gout presented with complaints of left hip pain after a mechanical fall from her wheelchair. Advanced imaging revealed a nonspecific lesion and nondisplaced fracture of the femoral neck. Intraoperative biopsy from the lesion/fracture demonstrated tophaceous gout. CONCLUSION: Fractures resulting from osseous manifestations of the gout are rare with this report describing a hip fracture secondary to tophaceous gout. We emphasize the importance of including this potential etiology in the differential diagnosis of elderly patients presenting with hip pain, with or without a known history of gout.

Ipsilateral proximal and shaft femoral fractures treated with bridge-link type combined fixation system.

BACKGROUND: Although many treatments for ipsilateral proximal and shaft femoral fractures have been developed, controversy exists regarding their optimal management. The purpose of this retrospective study was to discuss the effectiveness of the bridge-link type combined fixation system (BCFS) and evaluate functional outcomes in treating patients with these complex fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 14 cases of ipsilateral proximal and shaft femoral fractures treated from January 2012 to December 2016. All cases were treated by BCFS combined with minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO). Clinical and radiographic data were collected during regular post-operative follow-up visits. Functional outcomes were determined according to the Friedman and Wyman scoring system. RESULTS: The proximal femoral fractures were emergency diagnoses in 11 cases and delayed diagnoses in 3 cases. The delay time was 5-6 days, with an average of 5.3 days. The mean operation time was 179.6 min (range 135-231 min) with a blood loss volume that ranged from 430 to 535 ml (average 483.6 ml). Follow-up was conducted in 13 cases between 9 and 30 months post-operation, with an average follow-up time of 17.3 months. The proximal femoral fractures were united in 12 cases at the final follow-up. One case had nonunion 13 months after the operation, underwent valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy, and healed 6 months later. The femoral shaft fractures obtained rigid union at the latest follow-up in 12 cases. One case endured nonunion 12 months after the operation. After the revision surgery and iliac bone grafting, the fracture healed 6 months later. Eight of the cases had good functional results, 4 had fair results, and results were poor in 1 case at the final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of ipsilateral proximal femoral and shaft fractures with BCFS in combination with MIPPO demonstrated a high likelihood of union for both fractures and good functional results.

A Possible Protective Effect of the 'Cam Deformity' on Femoral Neck Fracture: The Relationship between Hip Morphology and the Types of Hip Fracture.

We retrospectively evaluated the cases of 169 hip fracture patients, their previous fractures, and the contralateral hip joint's morphology. A history of contralateral hip fracture was present in 23 patients (Contra group). The other patients had a unilateral hip fracture: a trochanteric fracture (Troch group, n=73) or a femoral neck fracture (Neck group, n=73). In the Troch and Neck groups, we used anteroposterior and cross-table axialview radiographs of the contralateral hip to evaluate the proximal femur's anatomy. In the Contra group, the concordance rate between the first and second types of hip fracture was 65.2%, and the second hip fracture's morphology indicated that the trochanteric fracture had a cam deformity in terms of the femoral head-neck ratio. The average alpha angle and femoral head-neck offset in the Troch group were significantly larger than those in the Neck group. In the Neck group, pistol-grip deformities of Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen types B1 (subcapital), B2 (transcervical), and B3 (displaced) were observed in 42.1%, 75%, and 6% of cases, respectively. There was a smaller alpha angle and a larger femoral head-neck offset in the contralateral hip of femoral neck fractures; thus, the "cam deformity" may protect against femoral neck fractures.

The association between anterior femoroacetabular impingement and femoral neck fractures: An observational study.

The impact between acetabulum and femoral neck is another possible mechanism of femoral neck fracture.Direct trauma of the greater trochanter may not be able to fully explain the mechanism underlying femoral neck fracture. In this study, we sought to investigate whether anterior femoroacetabular impingement are associated with femoral neck fractures.A total of 36 patients with femoral neck fracture who had undergone total hip arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasty were included in this study. These patients were divided into 2 groups: labrum tear group and normal labrum group. Patients' age, gender, body mass index, muscle injury, injury pattern, trauma severity, femoral head-neck offset, femoral head-neck ratio, Cam deformity alpha angle, acetabular anteversion, femoral head diameter, acetabular index, cortical index, hip axis length, and neck stem angle were recorded and analyzed. SPSS 18.0 software was used for statistical analyses.According to intraoperative findings, 22 patients exhibited a labrum tear. Magnetic resonance imaging examination revealed bone contusion on the anterolateral margin of the acetabulum with muscle damage surrounding the hip. Among 14 cases without a labrum tear, no bone contusion and obvious muscle injury were found on the anterolateral margin of the acetabulum. Notably, muscle injury, injury pattern, trauma severity and femoral head-neck offset differed significantly (P < .05) between labrum tear and normal labrum groups.Previous studies have focused more on direct lateral trauma. In this study, the impact between acetabulum and femoral neck is another possible mechanism besides lateral impact. Specifically, the abnormal anatomy of the hip, such as femoral head-neck offset, may promote the fracturing process.

The role of edmonton frailty scale and asa grade in the assessment of morbidity and mortality after fracture neck of femur in elderly.

Frailty is a complex syndrome which affects the energy, physical ability, cognition and general health. Hip fractures are associated with causes and consequences of frailty such as osteoporosis, frequent falls, low body mass index, multiple medications and cognitive impairment. The aim of our study is to assess the value of ASA grade and Edmonton frailty score in the outcome of treatment of fracture neck of femurs in elderly patients. 192 patients admitted with fracture neck of femur were included in the study. The mean age was 79.23 years .120 patients had ASA grade 3, 56 patients had ASA grade 2 and 16 patients had ASA grade 1.The frailty index was calculated using Edmonton scoring index. Ninety four patients (49%) had low frailty score and 88 patients (51%) had a high frailty score of more than 10.All patients were followed up 4 weeks and one year after the surgery. In conclusion the patients with frailty scores and ASA grade have got more chance of developing wound infection. They also have got higher incidence of mortality and morbidity following fracture neck of femur.

Morphological risk factors associated with dislocation after bipolar hemiarthroplasty of the hip in patients with femoral neck fractures-a nested case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between preoperative hip measurements and dislocation after bipolar hemiarthroplasty is presently unclear. In the current study, we investigated the morphological risk factors associated with dislocation after bipolar hemiarthroplasty of the hip in patients with femoral neck fractures. METHODS: Between January 2011 and June 2017, a nested case-control design study was used to analyze the risk factors for dislocation in 348 patients who had undergone bipolar hemiarthroplasty because of femoral neck fractures. Twelve patients underwent at least one dislocation postoperatively. Sixty patients without dislocation were selected as controls matched in terms of time of surgery, age, and sex, at a ratio of 1:5. Patient acetabular measurements were compared between the dislocation group and the control group, including the center-edge angle, abduction angle, acetabular width and depth, depth-to-width ratio, femoral neck offset, leg length discrepancy, and femoral head coverage ratio. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the morphological risk factors of dislocation. RESULTS: Postoperatively, the incidence of dislocation was 3.4%. A smaller center-edge angle was found to be a risk factor associated with dislocation after bipolar hemiarthroplasty of the hip. Patients with small acetabular depth and a small acetabular depth-width ratio were prone to dislocation. Patients with a center-edge angle of ≤ 45.4° or an acetabular depth of ≤ 19.12 mm were more likely to suffer dislocation. CONCLUSIONS: Careful preoperative measurements before bipolar hemiarthroplasty of the hip are important. Surgical intervention for femoral neck fracture patients with a shallow acetabulum should be carefully planned and total hip arthroplasty should be considered when necessary.

Correlation Between Reduction Quality of Femoral Neck Fracture and Femoral Head Necrosis Based on Biomechanics.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biomechanical effects of reduction quality on patients after femoral neck fracture internal fixation. METHODS: The data of individual patients with femoral neck fractures were reviewed. Data for patients with simple unilateral femoral neck fractures whose reduction quality was evaluated as good by hip X-ray films after internal fixation were collected from January 2013 to January 2017. The CT data of the patients was used to reconstruct 3D models of the femur and the screw. The spatial displacement after the operation of femoral neck fracture was measured, which included the displacement of the deepest portion of the femoral head fovea, the displacement of the center of the femoral head, and the rotational angle. The cases were followed up by telephone consultation and clinical review to determine whether the osteonecrosis of the femoral head occurred. Follow-up time should be more than 18 months after surgery. The cases were grouped according to the results into an osteonecrosis of the femoral head group and a non-osteonecrosis of the femoral head group. Finally, the differences in postoperative spatial displacement between the two groups were compared and analyzed. In addition, a mechanical analysis of femoral force during gait was performed via finite element analysis. RESULTS: Data for 241 patients with femoral neck fractures who were treated with closed reduction and internal fixation were collected. 3D measurement showed the average displacement value, including the center of the femoral head (5.90 ± 3.4 mm), the deepest portion of the femoral head fovea (9.32 ± 4.8 mm), and the rotational angle (16.1° ± 9.4°). After telephone consultation and clinical review, osteonecrosis of the femoral head was diagnosed in 28 (11.62%) of the patients. In the osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) group, the displacement of the deepest portion of the femoral head fovea was 10.92 ± 9.18 mm; the displacement was 8.86 ± 6.29 mm in the non-ONFH group. The displacement of the center of the femoral head in the ONFH group was 7.575 ± 5.69 mm and 5.31 ± 4.05 mm in non-ONFH group. The rotational angle was 20.11° ± 10.27° in the ONFH group and 14.19° ± 11.09° in the non-ONFH group. The statistical analysis showed that the postoperative spatial displacements, including the displacement of the deepest portion of the femoral head fovea, the displacement of the center of the femoral head, and the rotational angle between the two groups, had statistical differences. Finite element analysis showed that as the spatial displacement increased, the stress, the displacement, and the equivalent strain of the proximal femur also increased. CONCLUSION: Poor reduction quality after femoral neck fracture is a risk factor for re-fracture and femoral head necrosis, and the measurement method of this study can be used to predict the occurrence of femoral head necrosis early after femoral neck fracture.

Performance of FRAX and FRAX-Based Treatment Thresholds in Women Aged 40 Years and Older: The Manitoba BMD Registry.

We examined among women aged ≥40 years the performance of the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) and FRAX-based osteoporosis treatment thresholds under the US National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) and UK National Osteoporosis Guideline Group (NOGG) guidelines. We used registry data for all women aged ≥40 years in Manitoba, Canada, with baseline bone mineral density (BMD) testing (n = 54,459). Incident major osteoporotic fracture (MOF), hip fracture, and clinical fracture were assessed from population-based health services data (mean follow-up 10.5 years). Age-stratified hazard ratios (HR) were estimated from Cox regression models. We assessed the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), number needed to screen (NNS), and number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent a fracture (assuming 20% relative risk reduction on treatment) for osteoporosis treatment thresholds under the NOF and NOGG guidelines. Femoral neck T-score and FRAX (with and without BMD) predicted all fracture outcomes at all ages. There was good calibration in FRAX-predicted versus observed 10-year MOF and hip fracture probability. Overall sensitivity (PPV) for incident MOF was 25.7% (24.0%) for femoral neck T-score ≤ -2.5; 20.3% (26.3%) for FRAX (with BMD)-predicted 10-year MOF risk ≥20% (NOF threshold); 27.3% (22.0%) for FRAX-predicted 10-year MOF risk ≥ age-dependent cut-off (NOGG threshold), 59.4% (19.0%) for the NOF treatment algorithm; and 28.5% (18.4%) for the NOGG treatment algorithm. Sensitivity for identifying incident MOF varied by age, ranging from 0.0% to 26.3% in women 40 to 49 years old and from 49.0% to 93.3% in women aged 80+ years. The gradient of risk for fracture prediction from femoral neck T-score and FRAX (with and without BMD) as continuous measures was strong across the age spectrum. The sensitivity and PPV of the strategies based on dichotomous cut-offs are low, especially among women aged 40 to 49 years (who have lowest incidence rates). Threshold-based approaches should be reassessed, particularly in younger women. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Deletion of FOXO1 in chondrocytes rescues the effect of diabetes on mechanical strength in fracture healing.

Diabetes increases the risk of fracture, impairs fracture healing and causes rapid loss of the fracture callus cartilage, which was linked to increased FOXO1 expression in chondrocytes. We recently demonstrated that deletion of FOXO1 in chondrocytes blocked the premature removal of cartilage associated with endochondral bone formation during fracture healing. However, the ultimate impact of this deletion on mechanical strength was not investigated and remains unknown. Closed fractures were induced in Col2α1Cre+.FOXO1L/L mice with lineage specific deletion of FOXO1 in chondrocytes compared to littermate controls. Type 1 diabetes was induced by multiple low dose streptozotocin treatment. Thirty-five days after fracture micro CT analysis showed that diabetes significantly reduced callus volume and bone volume (P < 0.05), both which were reversed by FOXO1 deletion in chondrocytes. Diabetes significantly reduced mechanical strength measured by maximum torque, stiffness, modulus of rigidity and toughness and FOXO1 deletion in diabetic mice rescued each parameter (P < 0.05). Diabetes also reduced both bone volume and mechanical strength in non-fractured femurs. However, FOXO1 deletion did not affect bone volume or strength in non-fractured bone. These results point to the important effect that diabetes has on chondrocytes and show for the first time that the premature removal of cartilage induced by FOXO1 in chondrocytes has a significant impact on the mechanical strength of the healing bone.

Ideal length of thread forms for screws used in screw fixation of nondisplaced femoral neck fractures.

BACKGROUND: It is common practice when placing cannulated screws within the femoral head when treating femoral neck fractures to avoid the thread-forms from crossing the fracture line. Despite the widespread use of cannulated screws in internal fixation of femoral neck fractures, there is no study to our knowledge that describes the ideal length of thread-forms. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the thread length that will maximize purchase within the femoral head while minimizing risk of crossing the fracture line. Additional analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with the maximal possible length of treads in minimally and non-displaced femoral neck fractures. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of all patients treated for a minimally or non-displaced femoral neck fracture from April 1, 2004 through December 31, 2017. Only patients who had received a pre-operative CT or MRI scan were included. Fixation was then templated using radiographs and the distance from the subchondral bone to the fracture line was then measured. RESULTS: The study included 127 patients. The average estimated length of lag screw threads was 33.2 ± 6.67 mm, with lower quartile of 29.1 mm and higher quartile of 37.2 mm. The median was 32.0 mm and most frequently encountered estimate was 29 mm. Estimated lag screw size did not differ significantly based on age or BMI, but both height (p < 0.001) and race (0.04) were positively correlated with estimated lag screw size and males had longer measurements compared to females, 37.2 ± 7.0 mm vs 31.4 ± 5.7 mm (p < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we propose an additional lag screw thread form with length 26.0 mm to capture 90% of femoral neck fractures.

The role of ADAMTS genes in the end stage of hip osteoarthritis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate which ADAMTS genes play a major role in the development of primary hip osteoarthritis, by comparing the tissue and blood samples in patients with hip osteoarthritis and a control group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Human articular cartilage was obtained from femoral heads of 15 patients with end stage osteoarthritis undergoing total hip replacement. As the control group, the cartilages was obtained from femoral heads of 15 patients, who did not have osteoarthritis or degenerative changes in hip joint, undergoing hip replacement following the fracture of the femoral neck. After the cartilage samples were taken from the resection materials, the DNA polymorphisms in the patients' cartilage samples were tested by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), the serum levels of aggrecanase genes were analyzed with Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The level of ADAMTS5 and ADAMTS9 genes were found significantly lower as a result of ELISA analysis degenerative arthritis group than the control group (p < 0,05). ADAMTS 1, 4, 8, 15 were similar between the two groups in ELISA analysis (p > 0,05). As a result of quantitative real time RT-PCR analysis, the level of ADAMTS8 mRNA increased 3.5 fold in hip degenerative arthritis group when compared with femoral neck fractures group. ADAMTS1, ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5 expression levels in hip degenerative arthritis group were decreased 2.5, 2 and 2.5 fold, respectively. ADAMTS9, 15 were found to be similar between two groups. CONCLUSON: As a result of this study on hip osteoarthritis, the ADAMTS8 levels was found to be significantly higher in the end stage of hip osteoarthritis. Unlike similar studies on knee osteoarthritis, ADAMTS1,4,5 levels were found to be lower.

Assessing the Value of Routine Pathologic Examination of Resected Femoral Head Specimens After Femoral Neck Fracture.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of routine pathologic examination (PE) of femoral head (FH) specimens after arthroplasty for acute femoral neck fractures and to determine the cost. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of 850 acute femoral neck fractures treated with hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty These were evaluated to determine whether the FH was sent for PE, the resultant findings, alterations in medical treatment, and cost. RESULTS: A total of 466 FH specimens (54.8%) were sent to pathology. Four (0.9%) were positive for a neoplastic process. All four had a known history of cancer, antecedent hip pain, or an inappropriate injury mechanism. None of the findings resulted in an alteration in medical treatment. The average cost of PE was $195 USD. DISCUSSION: The routine PE of FH specimens after arthroplasty for femoral neck fractures is not warranted and uneconomic. Sending the FH for PE, only when clinically indicated, rather than routine, will result in notable savings for the healthcare system. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Treatment of femoral neck fractures in patients 45-64 years of age.

INTRODUCTION: Young patients with femoral neck fractures are optimally treated with reduction and stable fixation, while patients over the age of sixty-five are often treated with arthroplasty. This study analyzes in-hospital outcomes associated with total hip arthroplasty, hip hemiarthroplasty and internal fixation for treatment of femoral neck fractures in patients aged 45-64. METHODS: Records of patients between the ages of 45-64, from 2002 to 2014, sustaining femoral neck fractures and treated with internal fixation, hip hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty were obtained from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). Examined variables were age, sex and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Outcome measures included hospital length of stay (LOS), complications, and inpatient hospitalization charge. RESULTS: From 2002-2014 74,678 femoral neck fractures were available for analysis. THA use increased from 5.3% of operatively managed fractures in 2002 to 22.3% of operatively managed fractures in 2014 (p < 0.0001). Patients undergoing THA had higher hospital cost, higher in hospital complication rates and longer length of stay than patients undergoing internal fixation (p < 0.0001). The in-hospital mortality for patients undergoing a hip hemiarthroplasty was higher (1.2%) than either total hip arthroplasty (0.2%) or internal fixation (0.5%) (P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the use of total hip arthroplasty in treatment of femoral neck fractures in patients from the age of 45-64 increased 4.2-fold over the study period. This treatment is associated with increased hospital cost, length of stay and complications. Additionally, as age increased in our study population, there was a stepwise increase in the use of arthroplasty, and it appears that hemiarthroplasty is being used with a different patient population.

Treatment of tumor-like lesions in the femoral neck using free nonvascularized fibular autografts in pediatric patients before epiphyseal closure.

OBJECTIVES: Surgical resection of benign bone tumors and tumor-like lesions at the femoral neck presents a difficult reconstructive challenge. However, the safety and efficacy of free nonvascularized fibular autografts (FNFAs) in the treatment of femoral neck tumor-like lesions before epiphyseal closure in young patients remain unknown. METHODS: Sixteen pediatric patients who had not yet undergone epiphyseal closure were treated with FNFAs after resection of tumor-like lesions in the femoral neck from August 2012 to September 2016. All patients underwent supplementary skeletal traction through the supracondylar femur for 4 to 6 weeks after resection. Demographic data were recorded and clinical and radiological outcomes were evaluated during the follow-up. RESULTS: All patients could walk with partial weight bearing 4 weeks postoperative, and full weight bearing was permitted after a mean of 8 weeks. Graft union was attained in all 16 patients at a mean of 2 months. The donor site of the fibular cortical strut showed good regeneration in all patients. The Harris hip score significantly improved from 65% to 95%. CONCLUSIONS: Application of an FNFA is a feasible method in the treatment of tumor-like lesions in the femoral neck before epiphyseal closure in pediatric patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Calcium Sulphate/Hydroxyapatite Carrier for Bone Formation in the Femoral Neck of Osteoporotic Rats.

This study investigated bone regeneration in the femoral neck canal of osteoporotic rats using a novel animal model. A calcium sulphate (CS)/hydroxyapatite (HA) carrier was used to deliver a bisphosphonate, zoledronic acid (ZA), locally, with or without added recombinant human bone morphogenic protein-2 (rhBMP-2). Twenty-eight-week-old ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats were used. A 1 mm diameter and 8 mm long defect was created in the femoral neck by drilling from the lateral cortex in the axis of the femoral neck, leaving the surrounding cortex intact. Three treatment groups and one control group were used: (1) CS/HA alone, (2) CS/HA + ZA (10 µg) (3) CS/HA + ZA (10 µg) + rhBMP-2 (4 µg), and (4) empty defect (control). The bone formation was assessed at 4 weeks post surgery using in vivo micro computed tomography (micro-CT). At 8 weeks post surgery, the animals were sacrificed, and both defect and contralateral femurs were subjected to micro-CT, mechanical testing, and histology. Micro-CT results showed that the combination of CS/HA with ZA or ZA + rhBMP-2 increased the bone formation in the defect when compared to the other groups and to the contralateral hips. Evidence of new dense bone formation in CS/HA + ZA and CS/HA + ZA + rhBMP-2 groups was seen histologically. Mechanical testing results showed no differences in the load to fracture between the treatments in either of the treated or contralateral legs. The CS/HA biomaterial can be used as a carrier for ZA and rhBMP-2 to regenerate bone in the femoral neck canal of osteoporotic rats.