A Dynamic Model of Hip Joint Biomechanics: The Contribution of Soft Tissues.

Before recent advances in computer modeling technology, it has been nearly impossible to define the contribution of soft tissue structures when constructing models of the body, and in particular the lower extremity. For almost 100 years, the design and fixation of femoral components for total hip arthroplasty (THA), whether cemented or press fit, have been predicated on the Koch model of hip biomechanics. A more comprehensive model, which includes the dynamic contribution of soft tissues, has expanded the Koch's static model. This new model has led to a more complete representation of reality and has become the basis for the inclusion of a new stem design element (a lateral flare), a new concept of implant fixation (rest fit), and consequent significant increase in bone preservation and implant stability.

Permanent Motor Function Loss by Delayed Treatment of Peroneal Intraneural Ganglion.

The low incidence of intraneural ganglion makes it difficult to diagnose and treat before it becomes serious nerve damage. This case describes a 69-year-old female, who suffered from the right drop foot and was diagnosed as a peroneal intraneural ganglion. Resection of the mass relieved the pain; however, motor function was not recovered. Early diagnosis and nerve decompression are essential for the peroneal intraneural ganglion before critical nerve symptoms.

Mechanical failure of metal-polyethylene sandwich liner in metal-on-metal total hip replacement.

Metal-on-metal had been proposed as an optimal articulation in THRs, however, many monoblock prostheses have been recalled in the USA because of significant high rates of early failure. Metal-on-metal prostheses had been implanted in our institution, and this is a case history of a single patient, in whom metal-on-metal THRs with different femoral sizes of heads were implanted. A 57-year-old female patient underwent bilateral total hip replacements with metal-on-metal prostheses using metal-polyethylene "sandwich" liners 9 years ago on the right side and 7 years ago on the left side respectively. The only difference in both sides was the femoral head diameter of 28 mm in right and 34 mm in left. Seven years after the left surgery, the acetabular liner was dissociated, however, metallosis was not detected. Although the larger femoral head was thought to increase hip joint stability, it dictated a reduction in polyethylene thickness in this prosthesis design, and it was 4 mm in the left hip. Recently, metal-on-metal articulations are thought not to be optimal for hip joint bearing surface, however, this clinical failure was due to the polyethylene thickness and quality.

Electronic measurement of soft-tissue balancing reduces lateral releases in total knee arthroplasty.

Soft tissue balancing during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has a direct affect on patello-femoral tracking and knee range of motion, which are necessary for a well functioning TKA postoperatively. We report on the use of an electronic pressure sensing instrument for soft tissue balancing of the knee before completion of all intraoperative bone cuts, as a way to improve patellar tracking. In a retrospective study of 99 consecutive TKAs, with intraoperative electronic instrument guided soft tissue balancing performed, a reduction in the incidence of lateral patellar retinacular release was found, as compared with the 100 consecutive TKAs prior to its use (5.5% v 12%, respectively). Electronic measurement of soft tissue balancing during TKA reduced the need for lateral patellar retinacular release.

Finite element analysis of femoral neck stress in relation to pelvic width.

Hip resurfacing arthroplasty has been developed as an alternative to traditional total hip arthroplasty, in an effort to minimize the loss of native bone in young patients with symptomatic hip osteoarthritis. Femoral neck fracture following hip resurfacing is a unique complication; several risk factors are associated with this complication, including female gender. In the present study, we used finite element models of the proximal femur to simulate stresses across the femoral neck in pelvis models with varying widths. This analysis demonstrated an increase in hip reaction forces as the width of the pelvis increases, a condition that simulates a resurfacing condition in a female pelvis. This difference in peak stress on the femoral neck may explain the increased incidence of femoral neck fractures seen in female patients following hip resurfacing.

Regional variations of bone quantity and quality impact femoral head collapse.

Osteonecrosis (ON) of the femoral head causes the bone to deteriorate, buckle, and collapse. As the vasculature is reportedly uniform in the femoral head, one would expect uniform susceptibility to ON; however, collapse typically occurs in the anterior region. We asked whether regional variations in bone quantity and/or quality could explain the bone's anterior susceptibility despite uniform vascularity. We examined seven femoral heads resected for primary osteoarthritis and three removed after femoral neck fracture. Each was cut into 4-mm-thick, 1.5 cm x 1.5-cm bone squares, processed for light microscopy, and sectioned twice. One section was stained with Gomori's trichrome and assessed by a computer-assisted microscope, which calculated trabecular area, a measure of bone quantity. The other was stained with hematoxylin and eosin and assessed by light microscopy to identify trabecular microfractures, a measure of bone quality. Bone quantity and quality were reduced in the fracture group as a whole; bone quantity was uniform in each femoral head, but the quality was reduced in the anterior portion. The quality was further reduced in the superior region of arthritic bone and in the lateral-inferior regions of the fractured bones. Our findings suggest the anterior susceptibility is the result of bone loading and, as such, reinforcement of the femoral head in ON should focus on the anterior hemisphere.

Preservation of femoral bone mass after total hip replacements with a lateral flare stem.

Uncemented, porous-coated femoral stems rely on bone in-growth to achieve stable, long-lasting fixation. The loss of proximal femoral bone mass around hip stems has been traditionally termed "stress shielding" and has been linked to the transfer of loads to the diaphysis and the relative unloading of the proximal femur. A total of 10 total hip arthroplasties with a proximally coated lateral flare device designed to engage both cortices at the metaphyseal level were evaluated with dual-energy X-ray (DEXA) absorptiometry and qualitative radiographic changes 3 weeks after surgery and at 12, 24 and 52 weeks thereafter. All hips were radiologically stable. The DEXA measurements revealed an overall increase in the bone mineral density (BMD) at 52 weeks of 3%. Greater gains were observed at or below the lateral flare of the stem in the metaphyseal femur.