Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain: an update

A large number of scientists from a wide range of medical and surgical disciplines have reported on the existence and characteristics of the clinical syndrome of pelvic girdle pain during or after pregnancy. This syndrome refers to a musculoskeletal type of persistent pain localised at the anterior and/or posterior aspect of the pelvic ring. The pain may radiate across the hip joint and the thigh bones. The symptoms may begin either during the first trimester of pregnancy, at labour or even during the postpartum period. The physiological processes characterising this clinical entity remain obscure. In this review, the definition and epidemiology, as well as a proposed diagnostic algorithm and treatment options, are presented. Ongoing research is desirable to establish clear management strategies that are based on the pathophysiologic mechanisms responsible for the escalation of the syndrome's symptoms to a fraction of the population of pregnant women

Rotational Acetabular Osteotomy for Secondary Osteoarthritis After Surgery for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip

The treatment of residual deformity following surgery for developmental dysplasia of the hip remains controversial. The rationale for the use of the rotational acetabular osteotomy (RAO) is that it increases the weight-bearing area by shifting the osteotomized acetabulum to cover the femoral head. This can improve joint function as well as achieve relief of pain. However, it is unclear if this osteotomy can improve a compromised hip when performed for the treatment of residual deformity and acetabular dysplasia after surgery for developmental dysplasia of the hip. We aimed to report the clinical outcome as assessed by need for total hip arthroplasty (THA) and by the Merle d’Aubigné and Postel scores. In addition, we tried to assess the radiographic outcomes as assessed by Tönnis’s classification. Only two hips required THA, which was performed in two patients at 11 and 12 years after RAO, respectively. The mean Merle d’Aubigné clinical score improved from 14.1 ± 2.3 points (range, 10 to 17) preoperatively to 15.8 ± 2.9 points (8 to 18) at final follow-up (p < 0.02). Radiological assessment at final follow-up showed the obvious progression of osteoarthritis in five hips. One patient in grade 1 preoperatively progressed into grade 3 at final follow-up; four patients in grade 2 preoperatively progressed into grade 3. In our study, this osteotomy prolonged the functional life of the hip, and only two hips needed THA after a mean follow-up of 11 years. We found that advanced arthritis pre-osteotomy is associated with progression of radiologic change

Is the obturator artery safe when performing ischial osteotomy during periacetabular osteotomy?

The purposes of this study were (1) to evaluate the actual distance between the obturator artery and the ischial osteotomy site when performing periacetabular osteotomy via an anterior approach and (2) to determine a safe method to avoid injuring the obturator artery during this procedure. Twenty-nine hemipelves from cadavers were used in this study. The mean distance between the obturator artery and the ischial osteotomy site was 35.6 ± 7.5 mm and always exceeded 20 mm. Therefore, the procedure can be performed safely when a chisel blade of 20 mm or shorter is used

Factors predicting the failure of Bernese periacetabular osteotomy: a meta-regression analysis

There is no clear evidence regarding the outcome of Bernese periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) in different patient populations. We performed systematic meta-regression analysis of 23 eligible studies. There were 1,113 patients of which 61 patients had total hip arthroplasty (THA) (endpoint) as a result of failed Bernese PAO. Univariate analysis revealed significant correlation between THA and presence of grade 2/grade 3 arthritis, Merle de’Aubigne score (MDS), Harris hip score and Tonnis angle, change in lateral centre edge (LCE) angle, late proximal femoral osteotomies, and heterotrophic ossification (HO) resection. Multivariate analysis showed that the odds of having THA increases with grade 2/grade 3 osteoarthritis (3.36 times), joint penetration (3.12 times), low preoperative MDS (1.59 times), late PFO (1.59 times), presence of preoperative subluxation (1.22 times), previous hip operations (1.14 times), and concomitant PFO (1.09 times). In the absence of randomised controlled studies, the findings of this analysis can help the surgeon to make treatment decisions

Mentoring in complex surgery: minimising the learning curve complications from peri-acetabular osteotomy

PurposeThe aim of this study was to determine whether a complex surgical procedure such as peri-acetabular osteotomy could be safely learnt by using a programme involving mentoring by a distant expert. To determine this, we examined the incidence of intra-operative complications, the acetabulum correction achieved, the late incidence of re-operation and progressive degenerative arthritis.MethodsBetween 1992 and 2004, peri-acetabular osteotomy was performed in 26 hips in 23 patients. The median follow-up was ten (5-17) years. The median age of the patients at operation was 28 (14-41) years. Clinical outcomes were reported and radiographic results were determined by an independent expert.ResultsThere were no intra-articular osteotomies, sciatic nerve injuries, hingeing deformities or vascular injuries. There was one ischial nonunion. The lateral centre-edge angle improved from a median 4° pre-operatively to 25°. One revision osteotomy, one osteectomy and three total hip replacements were required, two for progression of osteoarthritis.ConclusionsThe programme of mentoring was successful in that there was a low incidence of the major intra-operative complications that are often reported during the learning curve period and the acetabular corrections achieved were similar to the originators.Donald W. Howie, Martin Beck, Kerry Costi, Susan M. Pannach, Reinhold Gan