Adding a protective K-wire during opening high tibial osteotomy increases lateral hinge resistance to fracture.

PURPOSE: It was hypothesized in this in-vitro study that positioning a K-wire intersecting the cutting plane at the theoretical lateral hinge location would limit the cut depth and help preserve the lateral hinge during the opening of the osteotomy. Objectives were (1) to compare the mechanical resistance of the hinge and the protective effect of leaving the K-wire during the opening procedure (2) to check if the K-wire would limit the depth of the osteotomy. METHODS: An ex-vivo mechanical study, testing 5 pairs of fresh-frozen tibias, was designed. CT-scan based Patient-specific cutting guides were obtained to define the cutting plane and the location of the K-wire at the hinge, using standardized 3D planning protocol. In each pair, OWHTO was performed either with or without the K-wire. To evaluate the hinge's resistance to fracture, the specimens were rigidly fixed at the proximal tibia and a direct load was applied on the free tibial diaphysis to open the osteotomy. The maximum load at breakage, maximum permissible displacement and maximal angulation of the osteotomy before hinge failure was measured. To assess the preservation of an unscathed hinge (protected by the K-wire), the distance from the end of the osteotomy cut to the lateral tibial cortical was measured in mm. RESULTS: The maximum load to hinge breakage in the K-wires PsCG knees compared to the control group (48.3 N vs 5.5 N, p = 0.004), the maximum permissible displacement (19.8 mm vs 7.5 mm, p = 0.005) and the maximal angulation of the osteotomy before hinge breakage (9.9° vs 2.9°, p = 0.002) were all statistically superior in the K-wires PsCG knees compared to the control group. A mean distance of 10 ± 1 mm between cut-bone (saw-print) and lateral hinge cortical bone was found post-performing the osteotomy and the hinge failing. CONCLUSION: The maximum load to breakage and the maximum permissible displacement were, respectively, 880% and 260% higher during the opening of the OWHTO in using K-wires compared to the non-K-wire control group. This confirms the mechanical advantage of using a K-wire for both stabilization and protecting the Hinge during OWHTO. This comparative cadaveric study shows an improvement of the lateral hinges resistance to failing during the opening of the osteotomy. This can be achieved by the placement of a K-wire intersecting the cutting plane at the theoretical location of the lateral hinge.

A 20-year follow-up evaluation of total hip arthroplasty in patients younger than 50 using a custom cementless stem.

AIM: The purpose of this study is to report the 20-year follow-up of a continuous series of 232 total hip arthroplasties (THAs) performed in patients aged less than 50 at the index surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective monocentric study which reports the clinical, radiographical and survival results of 232 THAs performed with a custom cementless femoral stem in 212 patients evaluated at follow-up ranging from 14 to 27 years. RESULTS: At the time of follow-up, the mean Harris Hip Score was 94.1 (range 48-100). The Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score was >80 points in all 5 categories for 146 patients (68.9%). 18 hips (8.5%) showed radiographical femoral abnormalities. 23 hips (10.8%) underwent revision of the implants. 13 were isolated cup revisions. 3 more hips had bipolar revisions for aseptic loosening at 15, 20 and 21 years. Taking stem revision for aseptic loosening as an endpoint, survivorship was 96.8% at 20 years (95% confidence interval, 95.1-98.5; patients at risk 76) and 94.5% at 25 years (91.7-97.3; patients at risk 12). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study confirm that THA using this custom-designed stem can provide excellent clinical and radiographical outcomes at a mean follow-up of 20 years in patients younger than 50. The individual 3D femoral stem and prosthetic neck has been able to restore extra- and intramedullary functional anatomy in this young and active cohort of patients.