Surgical treatment of peri-prosthetic femur fractures with dedicated NCB plates: our experience.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK: The incidence of periprostethic femur fractures has increased over the last years; the treatment includes an open reduction and internal fixation or revision implant. The treatment of these fractures can be complex, expensive and associated with risks of systemic and local complications. METHODS: We evaluated clinical and radiological results in patients treated in our department for periprosthetic femoral fractures from 2011 to 2017. We included 52 cases of periprosthetic fractures regardless of their classification with a mean follow-up of 2 years. The analisys of the result was performed using Harris Hip Score and searching for radiographic signs of loosening, infections or mechanical failure of the implants. RESULTS: There was no evidence of septic complications or mechanical failure in cases treated. The average HHS was equal to 92 points with a certificate pain relief and a sufficient independence in daily living activities. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of periprosthetic fractures is complex: it depends on type of fracture, on stability of the stem and on the bone quality. A right classification of the fractures, a good experience of the surgeon in prosthetic and trauma surgery is the basis for the best treatment.

Efficacy of a single intra-articular injection of ultra-high molecular weight hyaluronic acid for hip osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Viscosupplementation with hyaluronic acid (HA) is increasingly used for the treatment of hip osteoarthritis (OA). The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of intra-articular injections of an ultra-high molecular weight viscosupplement (UHMW-HA, Fermathron S) with a medium molecular weight hyaluronan (MMW-HA, Hyalubrix 60) in hip OA. METHODS: Fifty-four patients with hip OA grade 3 on the Kellgren/Lawrence scale were randomized. All infiltrations were performed under ultrasound guidance. Evaluation was performed preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after infiltration. Patients were clinically evaluated using Lequesne index, VAS and WOMAC score. RESULTS: Fifty patients, including 27 in the MMW-HA group and 23 in the UHMW-HA group, completed the follow-up. No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of VAS, WOMAC or Lequesne index preoperatively or at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after viscosupplementation. A stratified analysis was performed to study the development over time of Lequesne index of patients aged ≤ 55 years, > 55 and, ≤ 70 years and > 70 years and Lequesne index was different between the three age-stratified subgroups only in the MMW-HA group. The subgroup of older patients showed a higher Lequesne index than the subgroups of younger patients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: UHMW-HA is a safe and effective treatment for hip osteoarthritis. A single dose of UHMW-HA was as effective as two doses of MMW-HA resulting in similar reductions of pain and disability. STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter, independent, prospective, randomized controlled trial with level of evidence 1.