The mean seven years' results of the use of poly-L/D-lactic acid (PLDLA) interposition implant and bone packing in revision metacarpophalangeal arthroplasty: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Revision arthroplasty of metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints in chronic inflammatory arthritis patients after silicone implants is challenging due of severe bone loss and soft tissue deficiencies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of revision MCP arthroplasty using poly-L/D-lactic acid 96:4 (PLDLA) interposition implant and morcelised allograft or autograft bone packing in patients with failed MCP arthroplasties and severe osteolysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 15 patients (15 hands and 36 joints) at a mean follow-up of seven years (range 5-10 years). The radiographs were reviewed for osteolysis and incorporation of the grafted bone. The clinical assessments included active range of motion, evaluation of pain, subjective outcome and assessment of grip power. RESULTS: PLDLA interposition arthroplasty combined with bone packing provided satisfactory pain relief, but function was limited. Radiographic analysis showed complete incorporation of the grafted bone to the diaphyseal portion of the host metacarpal and phalangeal bones in 30 of the 36 joints. All the patients had very limited grip strength, both on the operated and non-operated side. CONCLUSIONS: Due to soft tissue deficiencies long-term function and alignment problems can not be resolved with PLDLA interposition implant.

Long-term survival of the Souter-Strathclyde total elbow replacement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Between 1982 and 1997, 403 consecutive patients (522 elbows) with rheumatoid arthritis underwent Souter-Strathclyde total elbow replacement. By the end of 2007, there had been 66 revisions for aseptic loosening in 60 patients. The mean time of follow-up was 10.6 years (0 to 25) The survival rates at five-, ten, 15 and 19 years were 96% (95%, confidence interval (CI) 95 to 98), 89% (95% CI 86 to 92), 83% (95% CI 78 to 87), and 77% (95% CI 69 to 85), respectively. The small and medium-sized short-stemmed primary humeral components had a 5.6-fold and 3.6-fold risk of revision for aseptic loosening respectively, compared to the medium-sized long-stemmed component. The small and medium-sized all-polyethylene ulnar components had respectively a 28.2-fold and 8.4-fold risk of revision for aseptic loosening, compared to the metal-backed ulnar components. The use of retentive ulnar components was not associated with an increased risk of aseptic loosening compared to non-retentive implants.

One-year results of use of poly-L/D-lactic acid joint scaffolds and bone packing in revision metacarpophalangeal arthroplasty.

Revision metacarpophalangeal arthroplasty after silicone implant arthroplasty is frequently complicated by severe bone loss, osteolysis and diaphyseal perforations. Impacted, morselised allografts are frequently used to treat bone loss in revision surgery. A new method of treatment using bioreconstructive poly-L/D-lactic acid (PLDLA) joint scaffold and allograft bone packing, after complete removal of the original silicone implants, allows recovery of bony deficiencies, correction of malalignment and improves function of the hand. This article presents the one-year results of a prospective, non-randomised clinical and radiographic follow-up study of 21 patients with 52 revision metacarpophalangeal arthroplasties using the PLDLA implants and allograft bone packing.

A comparison of survival of moulded monoblock and modular tibial components of 751 AGC total knee replacements in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

We evaluated the survival of moulded monoblock and modular tibial components of the AGC total knee replacement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Between 1985 and 1995, 751 knees with this diagnosis were replaced at our institution. A total of 256 tibial components were of the moulded design and 495 of the modular design. The mean follow-up of the moulded subgroup was 9.6 years (0.5 to 14.7), and that of the modular group 7.0 years (0.1 to 14.7). The groups differed significantly from each other in Larsen grade, cementing of components and patellar resurfacing, but no statistically significant difference between the survival of the components was found (Log rank test, p = 0.91). The cumulative success rate of the moulded group was 96.8% (95% confidence interval 93.6% to 98.4%) at five years and 94.4% (95% confidence interval 90.4% to 96.7%) at ten years, and of the modular group 96.2% (95% confidence interval 94% to 97.6%) and 93.6% (95% confidence interval 89.7% to 96%), respectively. Revision was required in 37 total knee replacements, the main causes were infection, pain, loosening of the tibial component and patellar problems. Survival rates for both components were satisfactory.

A long-term follow-up of 60 Lord total hip arthroplasties in rheumatic disease: a mean follow-up of 14 years.

The aim of the study was to analyse the survivorship of 60 total hip arthroplasties using the cementless Lord prosthesis in 51 patients with inflammatory joint disease. Patients were operated on between the years 1985 and 1988. The mean follow-up time was 13.8 (4.0-18.6) years. During the follow-up, one deep infection was encountered, and seven patients died of causes unrelated to the hip replacement. Revision surgery or death of the patient was used as an end point. The overall survival was 88.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 76.6-94.1] for the stem, and 64.3% (95% CI 50.6-75.1) for the cup at 15 years. Causes for revision surgery were loosening of the cup in 17 hips, loosening of both components in five hips, and one deep infection.

Use of the de la Caffinière prosthesis in rheumatoid trapeziometacarpal destruction.

This study evaluated the outcome of the de la Caffinière prosthesis in patients with an inflammatory arthropathy affecting the trapeziometacarpal joint. The procedure was performed in 57 thumbs for rheumatoid arthritis (41 cases), juvenile chronic arthritis (ten cases), psoriatic arthritis (four cases) and other inflammatory joint diseases (two cases). Survival analysis with a revision procedure or radiographic implant failure as end points was performed. Five loosened cups and two permanently dislocated prostheses underwent revision surgery. These were managed with a bone graft and tendon interposition technique. Radiographic follow-up yielded four additional implant failures (two loosened cups, one loosened metacarpal stem and one permanent dislocation). The implant survival rate based on revision operation was 87% (95% CI 73-94) at 10 years, and the total radiographic and implant failure rate based on radiographic findings was 15% (95% CI 7-29) at 10 years.

Grading of radiographic osteolytic changes after silastic metacarpophalangeal arthroplasty and a prospective trial of osteolysis following use of Swanson and Sutter prostheses.

The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of radiographic osteolysis following insertion of 89 Swanson and 126 Sutter metacarpophalangeal implants in rheumatoid arthritis patients. The mean follow-up time in the two groups of patients was 57 (40-80) and 55 (36-79) months, respectively. This paper proposes a new method of classifying radiographic osteolysis. The remarkable number of osteolytic changes seen in the bones adjacent to MCP prostheses in this study would suggest that silastic prostheses should only be used when other surgical alternatives cannot be used and that long-term control by radiography be maintained after implantation of silicone prostheses into the MCP joint. In all grades of our classification, osteolysis was more frequent in the Sutter than in the Swanson group in this study, suggesting that use of the Sutter rather than the Swanson implant is questionable.

Stapling of knees with valgus deformity in children with juvenile chronic arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Leg length discrepancy and excessive knee valgus are potential complications of juvenile chronic arthritis of the knee. The aim of the present study was to evaluate retrospectively the safety and efficacy of temporary stapling of the knee epiphyses in management of valgus deformities of the knee in children with JCA. METHODS: Medical data of the patients with temporary epiphyseodesis due to knee valgus deformity (KVD) were studied. 177 knees in 112 patients were found with sufficient data for evaluation. Patient documents and radiographs of these patients were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean age at the time of operation was 8 years (range: 2 - 17) in 19 males and 93 females. The patients are predominantly affected by aggressive polyarticular disease. Preoperative mean valgus angle was 11 degrees (IQR: 9, 14) and at staple removal 4 degrees (IQR: 2, 5). In 120 of 177 knees (68% [95% CI: 61 - 74], p < 0.001) the physiological angle (3-8 degrees) was reached. Median time of stapling was 10 months (IQR: 8, 13). Five reversible and one irreversible (3% [95% CI: 2 to 7]) major complications were documented among the 177 stapled knees. CONCLUSION: Temporary epiphyseal stapling enables flexible correction of KVD in children with JCA. Low complication rate encourages the use of the method. Prompt follow-up is, however, important in avoing excess over-correction to varus.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the rotator cuff in destroyed rheumatoid shoulder: comparison with findings during shoulder replacement.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the predictive value of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with respect to rotator cuff ruptures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients with rheumatic disease underwent preoperative MRI before shoulder arthroplasty. The scans were reviewed independently by two experienced radiologists. Three surgeons performed all the replacements (hemiarthroplasties), and the condition of the rotator cuff was assessed. Complete and massive tears of the rotator cuff were recorded and compared at surgery and on MRI. RESULTS: With MRI, 21 shoulders (68%) were classified as having complete or massive tears of the rotator cuff and at surgery 14 shoulders (45%). Cohen's kappa coefficient was 0.44 (95% CI: 0.16 to 0.72) and accuracy 0.71 (95% CI: 0.52 to 0.86). CONCLUSION: In severely destroyed rheumatoid shoulder, the findings of soft tissues were incoherent both with MRI and at surgery. The integrity of tendons could not readily be elucidated with MRI because of an inflammatory process and scarred tissues; in surgery, too, changes were frequently difficult to categorize. Preoperative MRI of severely destroyed rheumatoid shoulder before arthroplasty turned out to be of only minor importance.

Survival of Bi-Metric femoral stems in 77 total hip arthroplasties for juvenile chronic arthritis.

The survival of 77 cementless total hip arthroplasties using a Bi-Metric femoral stem and two types of acetabular components was analysed in 55 patients with juvenile chronic arthritis. The patients were treated between 1986 and 1996. Their mean age was 8.0 years at the onset of the disease and 28.1 years at the time of surgery. The mean follow-up period was 9.6 years. Follow-up evaluations were conducted 3 months and 1, 4, 8, 12 and 16 years post-operatively. The endpoints of survival analysis were revision surgery, death of the patient or the end of the year 2002. The 10-year survival was 77.6% for the Romanus cup and 49.1% for the TTAP-ST cup. In contrast to these inadequate outcomes, the cementless Bi-Metric stem yielded excellent results with a survival rate of 100% for aseptic loosening during a mean follow-up period of 10 years.

Patellar resurfacing reduces pain after TKA for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Influence of patellar resurfacing after knee replacement and the frequency of patella infera and its relation to the postoperative appearance of the knee pain were assessed in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Seventy-seven total knee arthroplasties using the AGC prosthesis with nonconstrained components were done on 52 patients with a mean followup of 7.3 years (range, 3-13 years). Anterior knee pain was present in 14 of 30 patients (47%) with an unreplaced patella and in two of 18 patients (11%) with patella resurfacing. The patella was replaced in 18 patients (35%) and in 23 of 77 knees (30%). Neither revision surgery of implanted patellar components nor any later resurfacing of an unreplaced patella were done during the followup. Preoperatively using the Insall-Salvati ratio, the majority of knees (54 of 77) had a low-riding patella. Patella infera occurred commonly in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. No connection between patella infera and anterior knee pain was found.

Previous synovectomy or epiphyseal stapling and the influence on knee replacement in juvenile chronic arthritis.

Seventy-seven anatomically graduated components (AGC) total knee arthroplasties (TKA) were performed on 52 patients with juvenile chronic arthritis. According to the nature of previous surgery on the knee, the patients were subdivided into three groups. The mean age at onset of disease in 23 patients with previous synovectomy of the knee was 11 (1.5-16) years, the mean age at the time of synovectomy was 20 (4-42) and the mean age when arthroplasty was performed was 31 (18-45) years. In nine patients with previous epiphyseal stapling, the mean age at disease onset was 4 (1.5-8) years, at stapling 8 (4-16) years, and at arthroplasty 23 (18-30) years. In patients with no previous surgery, the mean age at disease onset in this group was 7 (1.5-16) years and the mean age at arthroplasty 34 (16-64) years. Patients with need for epiphyseal arrest had an early disease onset and knee replacement in early adulthood. The mean age at knee replacements was highest in the group with no prior surgery.

Long-term results of leg length discrepancy treated with temporary epiphyseal stapling in children with juvenile chronic arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate retrospectively the long-term efficacy of temporary stapling of the knee epiphyses over four decades of use in children with JCA. METHODS: Medical data of the patients with temporary epiphyseodesis due to leg length discrepancy (LLD) were studied. Seventeen knees in 17 patients were found with sufficient follow-up data for evaluation. Patient documents and radiographs of these patients were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of the operation was 11 years (range: 6-15) in 3 males and 14 females. The preoperative mean LLD was 21 mm (SD 8) and at staple removal 4 mm (SD 10). The difference was -17 mm (95% CI: -10 to -23). Statistically the result remained the same during the follow-up. Two reversible complications were documented among the 17 stapled knees. In five (29%) cases the correction was affected by re-occurrence of LLD quickly after removal of the staples. CONCLUSION: In this study with 17 patients and a wide range of follow-up times we found that the good correction of LLD achieved by stapling is usually permanent.

Atlantoaxial disorders in rheumatoid arthritis associate with the destruction of peripheral and shoulder joints, and decreased bone mineral density.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether cervical spine changes are associated with the destruction of shoulder or peripheral joints and with bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with long-term RA. METHODS: An inception cohort of 67 patients with seropositive and erosive RA were followed up for 20 years. Cervical spine, shoulder, hand and foot radiographs, and the BMD of the lumbar spine and femoral neck were evaluated. RESULTS: A positive relationship was detected between the occurrence of atlantoaxial disorders and the destruction of both shoulder (p < 0.001) and peripheral (p = 0.001) joints. In addition, the severity of anterior atlantoaxial subluxation and atlantoaxial impaction positively correlated with the grade of destruction in the evaluated joints. Furthermore, patients with atlantoaxial disorders presented decreased BMD of the femoral neck (p = 0.019). The occurrences of subaxial subluxations (SAS) and subaxial disc space narrowings only associated with higher onset age of RA. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with severe RA and osteoporosis have an increased risk for atlantoaxial disorders. The co-existence of shoulder destruction and cervical spine disorders makes the differential diagnosis of shoulder and neck pain challenging.

Need and sequence of large joint replacements in rheumatoid arthritis. A 25-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the number and sequence of large joint replacements (LJR) performed in long-term rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from an inception cohort of 103 patients with rheumatoid factor (RF)-positive RA followed over 25 years. METHODS: A total of 83 patients attended the 15-year and 68 patients the 20-year follow-up. Patient documents and radiographs were evaluated in the beginning of 2001 and a complementary interview was arranged to assess the number and sequence (timing) of LJRs performed. RESULTS: The cumulative number of LJRs performed for 22 patients (19 women) during the 25 years of follow-up was 41. Seventeen total hip joint replacements (THR) (42% of the total number of 41 LURs) were performed on 13 patients, median time from the diagnosis to the operation being 14 years; 14 total knee replacements (TKR) (34%) on 11 patients (after a median time of 17 years); 3 total shoulder replacements (TSR) (7%) on 3 patients (median time of 18 years); and 7 total elbow replacements (TER) (17%) on 4 patients (median time of 21 years), respectively. Six patients had undergone three or more LJRs during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: During our 25 years of follow-up, in 27% of RA patients LUR was needed, and 41% of them needed more than one replacement.

Dual Articular Knee in demanding primary and revision replacements in patients with rheumatic diseases.

We report the results of 25 total knee replacements in 24 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using the Dual Articular Knee prosthesis. There were four primary and 21 revision procedures. The main indication was severe joint instability. In four infected arthroplasties a two-stage revision procedure was used. Four patellar tendon avulsions and one deep infection were encountered. Results were excellent in 18 patients. Dual Articular Knee proved to be favourable in both demanding primary as well as revision arthroplasties in patients with RA.

Insufficiency fractures in patients with chronic inflammatory joint diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the typical sites of stress fractures in the lower extremities and pelvis in rheumatoid patients (rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile chronic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis). METHODS: Thirty-three patients with 52 stress fractures [mean age 44 years (range 11-73)] were studied at the authors' institution when they were being treated for their rheumatic diseases. Fourteen patients had RA, 9 JCA, 5 PsoA, and 5 SPA. Stress fractures were detected from patient documents and from series radiographs in suspected cases. In some cases magnetic resonance imaging was also performed. RESULTS: One patient presented with 5 fractures, 2 patients with 4 and 3 fractures, and 7 patients with 2 fractures each. Other patients (n = 19) had only one fracture each. The metatarsal (MT) bones were the most common site of involvement. Twenty-five of the 52 fractures were located on MT I-V. The second and third most common sites were thefibula (n = 13) and tibia (n = 6). All fractures of the lower tibia or fibula were associated with valgus malalignment of the ankle. CONCLUSION: If a patient with rheumatic disease experiences sudden and unexplained pain localised in the forefoot, above the ankle, below the knee, or in the pelvis, a stress fracture should be suspected. Patients with severe osteoporosis, high-load corticosteroid or methotrexate therapy, or marked joint deformity are at high risk of developing stress fracture.

The cervical spine in mutilant juvenile chronic arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe inflammatory cervical spine disorders in juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) patients with arthritis mutilans (AM) hand deformity. METHODS: The series consisted of 18 patients affected by AM hand deformity who fulfilled the European League of Associations for Rheumatology criteria for JCA. The patient records and the most recent cervical spine radiographs were evaluated for subluxations, atlantoaxial impaction (AAI) and apophyseal joint ankylosis. RESULTS: Seventeen (94%) patients had subluxation, AAI or apophyseal joint ankylosis in the cervical spine. Apophyseal joint ankylosis was noted in 12 (67%) patients and AAI in 10 (56%). Anterior atlantoaxial subluxation was detected in five (28%) patients. CONCLUSION: Almost all of the JCA patients with AM hand deformity evinced some inflammatory changes in the cervical spine. Apophyseal joint ankylosis, AAI and multiplicity of changes in cervical spine may be considered characteristic in this subset of JCA patients. Patients with JCA and AM hand deformity tend to have severe changes also in the cervical spine.

Multiple stress fractures in a young girl with chronic idiopathic arthritis. Extended case report.

The occurrence of stress fractures in patients with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is widely known. Osteoporosis, corticosteroid therapy, joint stiffness, contracture, angular deformity of the joint and failed joint reconstruction--all together or separately--predispose to bone loss and stress fractures. In the present report we describe the history of a girl with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) having multiple stress fractures. The relationship between corticosteroid therapy and immobilisation in the treatment of fractures is discussed.

What went wrong in triple arthrodesis? An analysis of failures in 21 patients.

Three hundred seven triple arthrodeses were done on 282 patients with rheumatic diseases between 1995 and 1999. Solid and painless fusion was achieved in 261 patients (93%, 286 arthrodeses). Twenty-one arthrodeses (in 21 patients) that failed were analyzed. Fourteen (66%) malunions, six (29%) nonunions, and one (5%) painful foot without malunion or nonunion were found. Of the failed procedures, valgus alignment was present in 13 feet and varus alignment was present in eight feet. The most common cause of failure was a misjudgment in the surgical technique, which occurred in 12 of 21 (57%) patients based on inadequate correction and repositioning of hindfoot deformity. In four (19%) patients, additional ankle destruction and instability was overlooked as a cause of malalignment. Revision triple arthrodesis was successful in 18 of 21 (86%) patients. Triple fusion offers challenges in surgical technique, postoperative treatment, and rehabilitation. Understanding the complexity of the rheumatic hindfoot is important when performing triple arthrodesis in patients with severe deformities manifesting typically as calcaneovalgus and pes planus.