Preventing Venous Thromboembolism with Use of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression after Total Hip Arthroplasty in Korean Patients.

Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC) device has been used to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE). This study investigated the effectiveness of IPC device. We evaluated incidences of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients after use of IPC device, and compared with historical incidences from our institution. We applied IPC device in 741 patients who underwent 870 elective primary THAs from January 2010 to December 2013, DVT was detected in 3 patients (0.3%) by sonography, and one (0.1%) of them was symptomatic. Symptomatic PE occurred in 1 patient (0.1%) and there were no cases of fatal PE. The incidence of symptomatic DVT was significantly lower than the historical control (P = 0.042). The IPC is a safe and effective prophylaxis of VTE after primary THA in Korea.

Third-generation alumina-on-alumina total hip arthroplasty: 14 to 16-year follow-up study.

Ceramic-on-ceramic articulation has the lowest wear with little osteolysis. However, the wear and osteolysis in long-term follow-up are not known. Another concern is ceramic fracture, which might occur after repeated stress during a long period. Ninety hips (76 patients with a mean age of 47 years) that underwent cementless total hip arthroplasty using third-generation ceramic-on-ceramic articulation were followed for 14-16 years. At final follow-up, there was no measurable ceramic wear and no periprosthetic osteolysis was identified. No ceramic fracture occurred during the follow-up. One hip was revised because of late infection. All prostheses were bone-ingrown. Two patients experienced a grinding sensation. However, no patient had squeak. The mean Harris hip score at the final evaluation was 89 points and the survival rate was 98.9%.

Incidence and risk factors of symptomatic peripartum diastasis of pubic symphysis.

This study was undertaken to determine incidence, associated risk factors, and clinical outcomes of a diastasis of pubic symphysis. Among 4,151 women, who delivered 4,554 babies at the Department of Obstetrics of Seoul National University Bundang hospital from January 2004 to December 2006, eleven women were diagnosed as having a symptomatic diastasis of pubic symphysis. We estimated the incidence of the diastasis and identified the associated risk factors. To evaluate the pain relief and reduction of diastasis we followed up the 11 diastatic patients. The incidence of the diastasis was 1/385. Primiparity (P = 0.010) and twin gestation (P = 0.016) appeared as risk factors for diastasis by univairable analysis; and twin gestation appeared to be the only risk factor (P = 0.006) by logistic analysis. Two patients were operated due to intractable pain; and the remaining nine patients were treated conservatively. The diastatic gap decreased to less than 1.5 cm by 2 to 6 weeks after the diagnosis and then remained stationary. At a mean follow-up of 22.1 months (range, 12 to 47 months), five of 11 patients had persistent symphysis pubis dysfunction. Diastasis is more frequent than generally acknowledged. Pregnant women with multiple gestations should be informed about the potential risk of pubic symphysis diastasis.

Midterm results of large diameter Biolox forte ceramic head on delta ceramic liner articulation in total hip arthroplasty.

Seventy-nine patients (94 hips), who underwent cementless alumina-on-alumina total hip arthroplasty (THA) with the use of a 36-mm delta ceramic liner-on-alumina ceramic femoral head, were followed for an average of 6.5years (range, 5-7.7years). All acetabular and femoral components were bone-ingrown and neither pelvic nor femoral osteolysis was identified until the latest follow-up. The survivorship with revision surgery as an endpoint was 97.9% (95% confidence interval=100%-95%). Ceramic related complications such as fracture and squeaking did not occur in any patient. The mid-term results of cementless THA with this type of ceramic articulation are encouraging.

Use of cementless acetabular component with a hook and iliac flanges in revision arthroplasty for massive acetabular defect.

BACKGROUND: Revision hip arthroplasty of massive acetabular defect, severe combined defect, or pelvic discontinuity is challenging. The purpose of this study was to determine the midterm outcome and survivorship of a new revision technique using cementless acetabular cup supplemented with a hook and three iliac flanges in massive acetabular defects. MATERIALS: From January 2000 to June 2004, we revised 17 severe acetabular defects, 14 combined defects and three pelvic discontinuities according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) classifications, in which bone stock at the dome was not available to provide support for the cup. These revisions were performed using a cementless porous-coated hemispherical cup with a hook and flanges. RESULTS: One patient (one hip) underwent resection arthroplasty due to infection 1 year after the revision. The remaining 16 hips were evaluated at a mean of 6.8 (range 5-9) years postoperatively. Thirteen acetabular components (81%) showed no migration and were stable with bone ingrowth. Three hips showed progressive medial and upward migration during the 18-24 months after the index revision, after which migration was not progressive. The Merle d'Aubigné hip score was 14.5 (range 12-18) points at the latest follow-up evaluation. Survival rate was 94.4% when revision for any reason was considered as the end point [95% confidence interval (CI) 83.9-100%] and 82.0% (95% CI 62.8-100%) when loosening of the cup was considered as the end point. CONCLUSION: Results of this type of revision were superior to previously reported results of acetabular revisions with the use of various techniques and devices.

Deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are uncommon in East Asian patients after total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: In Western countries, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), are relatively common after THA and many surgeons recommend routine pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis. There is some suggestion in the literature that the incidences of DVT and PE may be lower in East Asian patients. Therefore, it would be important to establish the incidences in a large number of East Asian patients who did not receive pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis. PURPOSE: We therefore determined the incidence of DVT and PE and evaluated the associated risk factors in a series of East Asian patients who underwent primary THA without pharmacologic prophylaxis. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated all 861 patients who underwent 992 elective primary THAs from May 2003 to December 2009. We identified patients with symptomatic DVT, symptomatic PE, and fatal PE. For potential risk factors we considered age, gender, body mass index (BMI), administration of aspirin, type of anesthesia, operation time, approach, simultaneous bilateral THAs, and duration of immobilization between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. RESULTS: We identified eight patients with symptomatic DVT, one of whom also had a symptomatic PE; there were no cases of fatal PE. The incidences of fatal PE, symptomatic PE, and symptomatic DVT were 0 %, 0.1 %, and 0.8 %, respectively. Longer duration of immobilization predicted symptomatic DVT or PE. CONCLUSIONS: East Asian patients have a low incidence of symptomatic DVT and PE and virtually no fatal PEs after primary THA. The incidences and risk factors should be taken into consideration when deciding whether to prophylactically treat these patients with pharmacologic agents. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, prognostic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Luteolin Inhibits the Activity, Secretion and Gene Expression of MMP-3 in Cultured Articular Chondrocytes and Production of MMP-3 in the Rat Knee.

We investigated whether luteolin affects the gene expression, secretion and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in primary cultured rabbit articular chondrocytes, as well as production of MMP-3 in the rat knee to evaluate the potential chondro-protective effects of luteolin. Rabbit articular chondrocytes were cultured in a monolayer and IL-1ß-induced gene expression levels of MMP-3, MMP-1, MMP-13, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS-4), ADAMTS-5 and type II collagen were measured by reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Effects of luteolin on interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß)-induced secretion and enzyme activity of MMP-3 in rabbit articular chondrocytes were investigated by western blot analysis and casein zymography, respectively. The effect of luteolin on MMP-3 protein production was also examined in vivo. The results were as follows: (1) luteolin inhibited the gene expression levels of MMP-3, MMP-1, MMP-13, ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5. However, it increased the gene expression level of collagen in rabbit articular chondrocytes; (2) luteolin inhibited the secretion and activity of MMP-3; (3) luteolin inhibited in vivo production of MMP-3 protein. These results suggest that luteolin can regulate the gene expression, secretion and activity of MMP-3, by directly acting on articular chondrocytes.

Effect of anteromedial portal entrance drilling angle during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a three-dimensional computer simulation.

PURPOSE: The object of this study was to evaluate entrance angle effects on femoral tunnel length and cartilage damage during anteromedial portal drilling using three-dimensional computer simulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data was obtained from an anatomic study performed using 16 cadaveric knees. The anterior cruciate ligament femoral insertion was dissected and the knees were scanned by computer tomography. Tunnels with different of three-dimensional entrance angles were identified using a computer simulation. The effects of different entrance angles on the femoral tunnel length and medial femoral cartilage damage were evaluated. Specifically, tunnel length and distance from the medial femoral condyle to a virtual cylinder of the femoral tunnel were measured. RESULTS: In tunnels drilled at a coronal angle of 45°, an axial angle of 45°, and a sagittal angle of 45°, the mean femoral tunnel length was 39.5±3.7 mm and the distance between the virtual cylinder of the femoral tunnel and the medial femoral condyle was 9.4±2.6 mm. The tunnel length at a coronal angle of 30°, an axial angle of 60°, and a sagittal angle of 45°, was 34.0±2.9 mm and the distance between the virtual cylinder of the tunnel and the medial femoral condyle was 0.7±1.3 mm, which was significantly shorter than the standard angle (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Extremely low and high entrance angles in both of axial plane and coronal plane produced inappropriate tunnel angles, lengths and higher incidence of cartilage damage. We recommend that angles in proximity to standard angles be chosen during femoral tunnel drilling through the anteromedial portal.

Correlation between femoral guidewire position and tunnel communication in double bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

PURPOSE: The object of this study was to determine the shortest possible distances of antero-medial (AM) and postero-lateral (PL) guide wire tunnel positions required to prevent femoral bone tunnel communication in double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using human cadaver knees. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The centers of femoral AM and PL bundles of 16 cadaveric knees were drilled with guide wires and the distances of guide wires, were measured upon entrance into the bone. Femoral tunnel drilling was performed using transportal technique. The diameters of AM and PL graft were 8 mm and 6 mm, respectively. CT scans were taken on each knee, and 3-dimensional models were constructed to identify the femoral tunnel position and to create AM and PL tunnel virtual cylinders. Thickness of the bone bridge between the two tunnels was measured. RESULTS: In four out of six specimens, in which the guide wires were placed at less than or equal to 9 mm, communication was noted. In specimens with guide wires placed at distances greater than or equal to 10 mm, communication was not noted. The two groups showed a statistically significant difference (p=0.008). In cases where the distance between the AM and PL femoral tunnel guide wires was 12 mm, the bone bridge thickness was greater than 2 mm along the tunnel. CONCLUSION: The technique for double bundle-anterior cruciate ligament (DB-ACL) reconstruction that we show here can avoid bone tunnel communication when AM and PL femoral guide wires are placed at least 10 mm apart, and 12 mm should be kept to preserve 2 mm bone bridge thickness.

Predicting need for fixation of atypical femoral fracture.

CONTEXT: Predictors of the requirement for fixation have not been reported in incomplete atypical femoral fractures. The clinical features of incomplete atypical femoral fractures should be reviewed to predict the requirement for surgical intervention in this condition. OBJECTIVE: Our purposes were (1) to evaluate the clinical results of incomplete atypical femoral fracture and (2) to determine the factors associated with the requirement for fixation in incomplete atypical femoral fractures. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 51 patients with a total of 65 incomplete atypical femoral fractures from 3 tertiary referral centers. Minimum follow-up was 12 months (mean, 19.8 months; range, 12-82 months). INTERVENTION: The study consisted of fixation-requiring and non-fixation-requiring groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The main outcome measure was the requirement for fixation. RESULTS: Thirty-one (47.7 %) hips required internal fixation. Cox regression analysis showed that the subtrochanteric location was significantly associated with the requirement for fixation (hazard ratio, 2.713; 95% confidence interval, 1.189-6.189). CONCLUSIONS: About one-half of incomplete atypical femur fractures required surgical intervention, and subtrochanteric involvement could be used as a predictor of the requirement for fixation in these conditions.

Mortality after hip fractures in nonagenarians.

OBJECTIVES: Nonagenarians with hip fractures represent a special group of people because of their advanced age and co-morbidities. We evaluated mortality after hip fractures in nonagenarians. METHODS: Fifty-one patients were studied over a 2-year period. There were 39 female and 12 male patients. Twenty seven patients sustained an intertrochanteric fracture of the femur, 24 suffered from femoral neck fracture. The American Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) score of II was the most frequent among 51. Forty-one of them had one or more co-morbidities. Patient review was done 2 years after the fracture. RESULTS: The mortality rate at one year was 53.4% in men, and 15.7% in women. After multivariate analysis, the type of fracture (intertrochanteric fracture) was identified as a risk factor for one-year mortality (P = 0.025). CONCLUSION: The outcome in nonagenarians with hip fractures is poor due to the high rates of mortality, especially in men, and this could be informed to patients and their families before hip fracture surgery.

Is It a Simple Stress Fracture or Bisphosphonate-related Atypical Fracture?

A number of reports regarding atypical fractures of the femur have raised questions concerning the possible correlation between long-term bisphosphonate treatment and the occurrence of insufficiency fractures in the proximal femur. However, clinically, it is often confused whether is it a fatigue fracture because of implant induced stress concentration or a bisphosphonate-related atypical fracture, especially in a patient with a subtrochanteric fracture who receive bisphosphonate therapy after open reduction and internal fixation, such as dynamic hip screw (DHS) fixation for previous ipsilateral femoral neck or intertrochanteric fracture. The authors experienced a case of a progressive femoral insufficiency fracture in a woman who had been on Fosamax (Alendronic acid with Vitamin D; Merck & Co. Inc, NJ, USA) therapy for four years after ipsilateral femoral neck fracture treated with a two hole DHS system. Despite a high suspicion of an insufficiency femoral subtrochanteric fracture by bone scan, the occult fracture progressed to a displaced femoral subtrochanteric fracture one year after. The fracture site was fixed with a 6 hole DHS plate, and six months after reoperation the patient had no symptoms and the fracture site had united without any complication.

Transtibial double bundle posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using TransFix tibial fixation.

Previous transtibial double bundle posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction methods have several problems in graft length and tibial fixation. We introduce new surgical method that is less restrictive by graft length and is more stable with single tibial fixation. After diagnostic arthroscopy, we prepare the graft, ream the tibial tunnel, and perform the procedure for TransFix tibial fixation. Femoral 2 tunnel is made and graft is passed via anteromedial (AM) portal. Tibial fixation is done and femoral 2 graft is fixed sequentially at each knee position. TransFix tibial single fixation method in double bundle PCL reconstruction provides more stable fixation, more free graft selection, and prevents graft damage by passing the graft via AM portal.