Undersizing of the tibial component in Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) increases the risk of periprosthetic fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Tibial periprosthetic fractures (TPF) after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) are a rare condition that affects about 1% of cases. Known risk factors include age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and bone density, as well as surgical technique and prosthesis design. The purpose of the study was to determine if undersizing of the tibial component in relation to the femoral component increases the risk of tibial periprosthetic fractures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Over a 6-year-period 1542 patients with cemented (n = 363) and uncemented (n = 1179) medial UKA were retrospectively evaluated. Tibial periprosthetic fractures were identified and classified, and epidemiologic data were documented at follow-up. Undersizing was defined as a smaller tibial component compared to the femoral implant. The association of potential risk factors for TPF with the incidence of TPF was investigated with binominal logistic regression. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (0.9%) suffered from TPF at a median of 1 month after surgery. The mean follow-up period was 5.9 ± 1.7 years. Fractures were more common in cases with undersized tibial components [odds ratio (OR) 3.2, p < 0.05]. Furthermore, older age (OR 1.1, p < 0.05) and female sex (OR 6.5, p < 0.05) were identified as significant risk factors, while BMI (p = 0.8) and cemented implantation (p = 0.2) had no effect on fracture rate. Revision surgery included open reduction and internal fixation or conversion to total knee arthroplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Undersizing of implant sizes in UKA increases the risk for TPF especially in patients with small tibial implants. Therefore, mismatched implants should be avoided for UKA particularly when risk factors like obesity, older age, or female gender are present. Tibial periprosthetic fractures were successfully treated by open reduction and internal fixation or conversion to total knee arthroplasty.

Influence of different CCD angles on osseointegration and radiological changes after total hip arthroplasty of a triple wedge shape cementless femoral stem: a prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the osseointegration and radiological outcomes in patients after total hip arthroplasty, hypothesizing different load patterns with one cementless stem design and different CCD angles (CLS Spotorno femoral stem 125° vs 135°). METHODS: All cases of degenerative hip osteoarthritis fulfilling strict inclusion criteria were treated with cementless hip arthroplasty between 2008 and 2017. Ninety-two out of one hundred six cases were clinically and radiologically examined three and 12 months after implantation. Two groups with each 46 patients were rendered prospectively and compared in clinical (Harris Hip Score) and radiological outcome. RESULTS: At final follow-up, no significant difference regarding Harris Hip Score was detected between the two groups (mean 99.2 ± 3.7 vs. 99.3 ± 2.5; p = 0.73). Cortical hypertrophy was found in none of the patients. Stress shielding was seen in a total of 52 hips (n = 27 vs. n = 25; 57% of the 92 hips). No significant difference regarding stress shielding was detected when comparing both groups (p = 0.67). Significant bone density loss was detected in Gruen zone one and two in the 125° group. The 135° group showed significant radiolucency in Gruen zone seven. No overall radiological loosening or subsidence of the femoral component was observed. CONCLUSION: According to our results, the use of a femoral component with a 125° CCD angle versus a 135° CCD did not result in a different osseointegration and load transfer with a clinically relevant significance.

Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty in Severe Dysplastic Hip Osteoarthritis With a Far Proximal Cup Position.

BACKGROUND: Developmental hip dysplasia is the most common cause of secondary hip osteoarthritis. Due to severe acetabular bone deficiency, cup positioning in total hip arthroplasty (THA) of dysplastic hips remains a surgical challenge. The aim was to analyze the functional outcome of far proximal cup positions in primary THA. METHODS: Fifty patients (61 hips) with THA for severe dysplastic osteoarthritis and a far proximal cup position were included. Patients were divided according to the heights of the implanted cups with increasing vertical distance from the interteardrop line (group A: 55-65 mm, group B: 65-75 mm, group C: >75 mm). Functional outcome was assessed at latest follow-up (38 ± 16 months) by Lower Extremity Functional Score, Tegner Activity Score, and Harris Hip Score (HHS). Patients answered a Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire. Leg length discrepancy was estimated radiographically. RESULTS: The Lower Extremity Functional Score significantly decreased in C (45.3 ± 25) compared to A (66.7 ± 15.3) and B (67.9 ± 9.9). The Tegner Activity Score significantly increased in all subgroups from preoperative to postoperative (2.2 ± 1.3 to 4.1 ± 1.4; P < .05). The mean overall HHS was 89.3 ± 14.7 (A: 89.5 ± 14.3, B: 94.3 ± 6.5, C: 78.3 ± 22.1). The HHS domains of activity of daily life and gait were significantly reduced in C (P < .05). Patients described a high satisfaction level with the surgery. No significant differences were found with regard to preoperative and postoperative leg lengthening (P = .881). Neither dislocations, impingement problems nor neurologic complications were observed. CONCLUSION: Primary THA without any concomitant surgical interventions with a far proximal cup position offers a safe and effective treatment option in severe dysplastic hip osteoarthritis.