[On the history of cementless implants in extremity surgery]. / Über die Historie zementfreier Implantate in der Extremitätenchirurgie.

The aim of implantation of cementless hip prostheses is vital ingrowth of bone into the structured metal surface of the implant. Since the 1960s several implants with surfaces made of cobalt-based alloys have been produced for this purpose. In the 1980s a novel hip endoprosthesis with a spongiosa-metal surface was introduced. The three-dimensional ingrowth of bone tissue into the structured surface of the implant could be demonstrated both histologically and using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These implants made of cobalt-based alloys can also be used in endo-exo prostheses. Titanium implants with a microstructured surface have also been used and very good osseintegration of the surface was also demonstrated by histomorphology. The optimization of the surface and design of the prostheses plays an increasingly more important role in the field of revision endoprostheses.

Hip hemiarthroplasty: from Venable and Bohlman to Moore and Thompson.

In 1939, Frederick R. Thompson of New York and Austin T. Moore of South Carolina separately developed replacements for the entire ball of the hip. These were used to treat hip fractures and also certain arthritis cases. This type of hemiarthroplasty addressed the problem of the arthritic femoral head only. The diseased acetabulum (hip socket) was not replaced. This prosthesis consisted of a metal stem that was placed into the marrow cavity of the femur, connected in one piece with a metal ball fitted into the hip socket. Bohlman and Austin T. Moore (1939) collaborated for the fabrication and implantation of a custom made 12-inch-long vitallium (metal alloy invented by Venable) femoral head prosthesis for a patient with a recurrent giant cell tumour. This prosthesis functioned well and later on influenced the development of long stem femoral head prostheses.

Christiansen's artificial hip joints--what went wrong?

Modern arthroplasty is undoubtedly the greatest contribution that orthopaedic surgery has ever made to medical science. The honour for the good results achieved with total hip replacement surgery goes chiefly to the Briton John Charnley (1911-1982). However, the Norwegian Tor Aas Christiansen (1917-1981) has also earned a place in this history. He wanted to improve the operative treatment of dislocated, medial fractures of the femoral neck, and in the 1960s he constructed a hemiprosthesis. Later, he also made a total prosthesis for the hip joint. Over time, the prostheses proved to be less than successful. Nevertheless, approximately 6,500 Christiansen prostheses were fitted in Norway before a prospective Charnley vs. Christiansen study at the Coastal Hospital in Hagavik finally put an end to his prostheses in 1983. Indirectly, the study led to the establishment of a national register of hip prostheses, now the National Arthroplasty Register, at Haukeland University Hospital. Based on our personal cooperation with Christiansen, as well as original drawings and correspondence from the Polaris factory in Sandnes, we will tell the story of Christiansen's hemi- and total prostheses. These are a key element in the history of hip arthroplasty in Norway.

[50 years of total hip prosthesis--a tribute to Prof. Sir John Charnley].

November 2012 marked the 50th anniversary of the first implantation of a successful and long-lived hip endoprosthesis, which was performed by Prof Sir John Charnley in the "Centre for Hip Surgery" at a small country place in the north-west England. John Charnley (1911-1982) finished medical school at the Victoria University of Manchester in 1935, and than started training in orthopaedics at the Manchester Royal Infirmary, and completed it after the Second World War, in which he served as a volunteer. After that he continued working in the same hospital, and, apart from that he worked as a lecturer at the University of Manchester, and from 1949 as a visiting surgeon in the Wrightington Hospital. In 1958 Charnley decided to put his efforts into the development of hip replacement research and surgery, and initiated the foundation of the "Centre for Hip Surgery" with Biomechanical laboratory in the Wrightington Hospital in 1960, where the intesive basic and clinical research started, and becuase of that Charnley in 1962 left Manchester and moved with a full time practice at the Wrightington Hospital. That period of research time was not easy, there were many "trial and tribulations", but, owing to the tenacity and inventive mind of Charnley, in 1962 a new prosthesis consisting of a cemented metal stem with a 22 mm head articulating with a cemented polyethilene acetabular component, and with a low frictional torque was designed. The first such prosthesis, which later produced excellent long-term results, was implanted on November 22nd, 1962, and today, when we look back over a distance of fifty years, we can conclude that that day could be considered as a beginning of a modem aloarthroplastic surgery, and certainly as one of the greatest orthopaedic advance in the whole of the 20th century; and all that was initiated and promoted by Prof. Sir John Charnley.

History and factors of survival of total hip arthroplasty.

Since the 1960s total hip arthroplasty (THA) has represented one of the greatest accomplishments in orthopedic surgery. It improves the functionality, working ability and quality of life of patients with non-functional hip joint due to various reasons. This article reviews general and regional history of THA, current knowledge and concepts regarding the long-term outcomes of the procedure and emphasizes the need for establishing national (and international) THA registries as an essential way of gathering data critical for decision making in daily practice as well as in defining national healthcare policies in respect to arthroplasty procedures.

[Sir John Charnley and total hip arthroplasty]. / Sir John Charnley en de totale heupartroplastiek.

Sir John Charnley (1911-1982), pioneer of the total hip prosthesis, saved countless elderly people from immobility. During the Second World War he assisted Dudley Buxton, orthopaedic surgeon to the British armed forces in the Middle East, in developing new instruments and splints. After the war he first studied healing of bone fractures and the role of compression, and then completely dedicated himself to arthroplasty of the hip. Through countless experiments he found the optimal diameter for the head of the stainless steel prosthesis as well as the optimal polymer for the socket; he also advocated tight cementing of the shaft into the femur. Sir John Charnley received the Lasker Award in 1974 and was knighted in 1977.

Metal-on-metal: history, state of the art (2010).

The history of metal-on-metal bearing began with K. Mc Kee. Several "episodes" have marked the history of metal-on-metal articulations, and each has contributed to a better understanding of this type of tribology. But to date the indications for this bearing are debated and are subject to reservations because of the existence of permanently elevated levels of circulating metal ions. It therefore appears that the monitoring of our patients, the documentation of our revisions and the collaboration with our industry partners as well as communicating with our biology and pathology colleagues is necessary to help us solve these problems.

Father of the modern hip replacement: Professor Sir John Charnley (1911-82).

Professor Sir John Charnley was a British orthopaedic surgeon, inventor and skilled craftsman. He is best known for his development of the first truly successful operation for total arthroplasty of the hip, the low-friction arthroplasty. As well as publishing significant works on closed fracture management and compression arthrodesis, he can also be accredited with pioneering work in the development of clean-air operating conditions and body-exhaust suits.

Resurfacing registers concern.

We review the history and literature of hip resurfacing arthroplasty. Resurfacing and the science behind it continues to evolve. Recent results, particularly from the national arthroplasty registers, have spread disquiet among both surgeons and patients. A hip resurfacing arthroplasty is not a total hip replacement, but should perhaps be seen as a means of delaying it. The time when hip resurfacing is offered to a patient may be different from that for a total hip replacement. The same logic can apply to the timing of revision surgery. Consequently, the comparison of resurfacing with total hip replacement may be a false one. Nevertheless, the need for innovative solutions for young arthroplasty patients is clear. Total hip replacement can be usefully delayed in many of these patients by the use of hip resurfacing arthroplasty.