Intramedullary nailing versus sliding hip screw for A1 and A2 trochanteric hip fractures

AIMS: This study evaluated variation in the surgical treatment of stable (A1) and unstable (A2) trochanteric hip fractures among an international group of orthopaedic surgeons, and determined the influence of patient, fracture, and surgeon characteristics on choice of implant (intramedullary nailing (IMN) versus sliding hip screw (SHS)). METHODS: A total of 128 orthopaedic surgeons in the Science of Variation Group evaluated radiographs of 30 patients with Type A1 and A2 trochanteric hip fractures and indicated their preferred treatment: IMN or SHS. The management of Type A3 (reverse obliquity) trochanteric fractures was not evaluated. Agreement between surgeons was calculated using multirater kappa. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess whether patient, fracture, and surgeon characteristics were independently associated with choice of implant. RESULTS: The overall agreement between surgeons on implant choice was fair (kappa = 0.27 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.25 to 0.28)). Factors associated with preference for IMN included USA compared to Europe or the UK (Europe odds ratio (OR) 0.56 (95% CI 0.47 to 0.67); UK OR 0.16 (95% CI 0.12 to 0.22); p < 0.001); exposure to IMN only during training compared to surgeons that were exposed to both (only IMN during training OR 2.6 (95% CI 2.0 to 3.4); p < 0.001); and A2 compared to A1 fractures (Type A2 OR 10 (95% CI 8.4 to 12); p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In an international cohort of orthopaedic surgeons, there was a large variation in implant preference for patients with A1 and A2 trochanteric fractures. This is due to surgeon bias (country of practice and aspects of training). The observation that surgeons favoured the more expensive implant (IMN) in the absence of convincing evidence of its superiority suggests that surgeon de-biasing strategies may be a useful focus for optimizing patient outcomes and promoting value-based healthcare. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(4):775-781

The Harris hip score: Do ceiling effects limit its usefulness in orthopedics?: A systematic review

The Harris hip score (HHS), a disease-specific health status scale that is frequently used to measure the outcome of total hip arthroplasty, has never been validated properly. A questionnaire is suitable only when all 5 psychometric properties are of sufficient quality. We questioned the usefulness of the HHS by investigating its content validity. We performed a systematic review based on a literature search in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for descriptive studies published in 2007. 54 studies (59 patient groups) met our criteria and were included in the data analysis. To determine the content validity, we calculated the ceiling effect (percentage) for each separate study and we pooled data to measure the weighted mean. A subanalysis of indications for THA was performed to differentiate the populations for which the HHS would be suitable and for which it would not. A ceiling effect of 15% or less was considered to be acceptable. Over half the studies (31/59) revealed unacceptable ceiling effects. Pooled data across the studies included (n = 6,667 patients) suggested ceiling effects of 20% (95%CI: 18-22). Ceiling effects were greater (32%, 95%CI:12-52) in those patients undergoing hip resurfacing arthroplasty. Although the Harris hip score is widely used in arthroplasty research on outcomes, ceiling effects are common and these severely limit its validity in this field of researc

Obesity in total hip arthroplasty—does it really matter?: A meta-analysis

Discussion persists as to whether obesity negatively influences the outcome of hip arthroplasty. We performed a meta-analysis with the primary research question of whether obesity has a negative effect on short- and long-term outcome of total hip arthroplasty. We searched the literature and included studies comparing the outcome of hip arthroplasty in different weight groups. The methodology of the studies included was scored according to the Cochrane guidelines. We extracted and pooled the data. For continuous data, we calculated a weighted mean difference and for dichotomous variables we calculated a weighted odds ratio (OR). Heterogeneity was calculated using I(2) statistics. 15 studies were eligible for data extraction. In obese patients, dislocation of the hip (OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.38-0.75) (10 studies, n = 8,634), aseptic loosening (OR = 0.64, CI: 0.43-0.96) (6 studies, n = 5,137), infection (OR = 0.3, CI: 0.19-0.49) (10 studies, n = 7,500), and venous thromboembolism (OR = 0.56, CI: 0.32-0.98) (7 studies, n = 3,716) occurred more often. Concerning septic loosening and intraoperative fractures, no statistically significant differences were found, possibly due to low power. Subjective outcome measurements did not allow pooling because of high heterogeneity (I(2) = 68%). Obesity appears to have a negative influence on the outcome of total hip replacemen

The long-term fate of the hip arthrodesis: does it remain a valid procedure for selected cases in the 21st century?

Even in current orthopaedic practice, some cases are still not suitable candidates for hip replacement and hip fusion remains the only option in these highly selected patients. In this retrospective study we describe the long-term clinical outcome, quality of life and radiological evaluation of all adjacent joints in a cohort of 47 hip fusions. The main objective of our study was to show the long-term effects of a fusion. Thirty patients were analysed after an average of 18.2 years (range 6.2–30.5 years) with a mean SMFA of 31.2 (range 9–70). The VAS for pain for the fused hip was an average 1.9 (range 0–8), for the contralateral hip 2.0 (0–8), for the ipsilateral knee 2.0 (0–8), for the contralateral knee 1.8 (0–8) and for the lower back 3.6 (0–8). Average walking distance was 115 minutes (range 10–unlimited). Although the hip arthrodesis has lost popularity, it still is an option for the young patient with severe hip disorders, while leaving the possibility to perform a THA at a later stage. If the arthrodesis is performed with an optimal alignment of the leg, complaints from the adjacent joints are minimal, even in the long-term, and an acceptable quality of life can be obtained. We believe that in highly selected cases a hip fusion, even in current practice, is still a valid option

Long-term Follow-up Results of Buechel-Pappas Ankle Arthroplasty

Background: Total ankle replacement (TAR) is gaining popularity as a treatment option for ankle osteoarthritis. Long-term implant survival is a critical outcome to determine the success of the TAR implant. The Buechel-Pappas (BP) implant is a second-generation mobile bearing implant. The aim of this study was to analyze the BP implant survivorship at 10-year follow-up, make a subanalysis between patient groups, and evaluate long-term functional outcomes. Methods: Data of 86 patients who received 101 BP implants between 1993 and 2010 were obtained from a prospectively documented database. Subanalyses were done for patients diagnosed with inflammatory joint disease and noninflammatory joint disease, and patients with preoperative tibiotalar neutral and nonneutral alignment. A Kaplan-Meier curve was used for survival analysis. Long-term functional outcomes were assessed with the following patient-reported outcome measures: Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), Short Form-36 (SF-36) Stand Version 2.0 Health Survey and 3 anchor questions. Results: The survival rate of the BP implant at 10 years was 86% (95% confidence interval, 78%-93%). A total of 31 patients (36%) required 55 reoperations, and in 13 patients (15%) a revision procedure was performed. In this series, no significant difference in 10-year survival rate was found between neither the inflammatory joint disease and noninflammatory joint disease group (P =.47), nor the tibiotalar neutral and nonneutral alignment group (P =.16). At a mean follow-up of 16.8 years for 21 patients, the mean FAOS activities of daily living (ADL) and FAAM ADL subscale scores were 75/100 and 56/100 points. The mean physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) of the SF-36 were 34/100 and 51/100 points, respectively. Conclusion: A survival rate of 86% was found at 10-year follow-up for the Buechel-Pappas implant. Our series demonstrated no significant difference in 10-year survival rates between the 2 patient subgroups. Long-term results of the various functional outcomes varied between poor and moderate. Level of Evidence: Level II, prospective cohort study

Hip deformity in symptomatic adult Perthes' disease

Only a limited number of patients that suffered from Legg-Calvé-Perthes' disease (LCPD) develop pain in early adulthood. Classical hinged abduction is well known and is thought to be responsible for secondary lateral insufficiency of the acetabulum, which may become painful. Another possible explanation, which was put forward more recently, is anterior femoroacetabular impingement. We collected information about the exact morphology of the proximal femur and the acetabulum of 15 hips in 15 young adults (mean age: 25.3 years) who had hip surgery consequent to childhood Perthes' disease in our hospital between 1974 and 2001. In addition to the well known lateral bulging of the femoral head, averaging 112% of the functional radius, we found an even larger anterior bulging, averaging 115% of the functional radius. The mean torsion of the femoral head was -3.6 degrees, which in fact corresponds to a retrotorsion. Retroversion of the acetabulum was found in at least 5 of the 15 hips in which the version could be adequately assessed (33%). Since any of the above deformities favours anterior femoroacetabular impingement and thus hinged flexion, this could well be a contributor to the development of the classic sequelae of LCPD and to the later development of osteoarthriti

False aneurysm of the profunda femoris artery, a rare complication of a proximal femoral fracture

The authors describe a false aneurysm of the profunda femoris artery caused by a bony fragment from the lesser trochanter after a proximal femoral fracture. False aneurysm as a complication of a hip fracture is rare; however it is essential to consider the possibility, more even so if there is inexplicable persisting pain after internal fixation. Symptoms are sometimes diffi-cult to judge, as they can be almost identical to usual symptoms after an operated hip fracture. In this case we present a female patient with persistent pain after a surgically fixed proximal femoral fracture. CT scan showed a false aneurysm caused by a bony fragment of the lesser trochanter. Because of the persisting mechanical stress from the bony fragment we decided to explore the false aneurysm and to remove the bony fragment. It is essential to be aware of adjacent vascular and neurological structures when a fracture is seen and operated o

Influence of Preoperative Tibiotalar Alignment in the Coronal Plane on the Survival of Total Ankle Replacement: A Systematic Review

Background: It remains controversial whether significant preoperative tibiotalar varus and valgus deformity should be contraindications for total ankle replacement (TAR). The primary aim of this systematic review was to analyze the influence of preoperative tibiotalar varus and valgus alignment on the survival of TAR. Methods: The databases MEDLINE and Embase were searched from onset through September 2018. Two authors performed study selection and data extraction using a predefined data extraction tool. Implant survival in the alignment groups was reported as “revisions per 100 component years.” Additional procedures, complications, and revisions were also reported. Assessment of the methodological quality was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Results: In total, 17 studies were considered eligible, in which a total of 1692 TARs were included from 1627 patients. The weighted mean follow-up was 52.4 (range, 1-147) months. The neutral alignment group included 711 TARs, the varus group included 545 TARs, and the valgus group included 332 TARs. Total revisions were 52, 37, and 36 in the preoperative tibiotalar neutral, varus, and valgus alignment groups, respectively. Revisions per 100 observed component years were 1.6, 1.7, and 2.5 in the preoperative tibiotalar neutral, varus, and valgus alignment groups, respectively. A total of 129 complications and 447 additional procedures were reported in 601 TARs. Conclusion: There was a strong indication that preoperative varus alignment in the coronal plane had a comparable implant survival to neutral alignment. Preoperative valgus alignment demonstrated a more negative influence on implant survival. Level of evidence: Level III, systematic review

Partial resurfacing with varus osteotomy for an osteochondral defect of the femoral head

Osteochondral defects of the femoral head represent a major challenge and various modern treatment options exist. We report a 16-year-old male with a large (3 x 3cm) osteochondral defect of the femoral head that was treated with a partial resurfacing prosthesis combined with a high varus osteotomy, performed by surgical dislocation of the hip. Two years after surgery the patient was progressing well without complications. (Hip International 2009; 19: 67-70