James A. Shaw

Ulnar styloid fixation in the treatment of posttraumatic instability of the radioulnar joint: A biomechanical study with clinical correlation

Biomechanical displacement testing was done on nine fresh human upper extremities to define the stabilizing influence of the triangular fibrocartilage on the radioulnar joint and the efficacy of triangular fibrocartilage-ulnar styloid avulsion fracture repair in restoring lost stability. Test data confirmed that the triangular fibrocartilage is a major stabilizer of the radioulnar joint and internal fixation of triangular fibrocartilage-ulnar styloid avulsion fractures can restore preavulsion stability in all positions of forearm rotation. On the basis of this data and a successful clinical experience, primary repair of displaced ulnar styloid avulsion fractures is advised as a means of stabilizing the radioulnar joint and preventing the disability associated with chronic radioulnar joint instability.

Total knee arthroplasty using the kinematic rotating hinge prosthesis.

Patients receiving a Kinematic Rotating Hinge total knee prosthesis with a 25-month minimum follow up were reviewed. A total of 46 patients and 54 knees were included in the study. A detailed clinical assessment was available on 38 knees. Twenty of these knees had primary arthroplasties performed with the Kinematic Rotating Hinge prosthesis and 18 knees had revision arthroplasty. Ninety-five percent of primary knees and 83% of revision knees caused no or mild pain postoperatively. Using the Brigham and Womens Hospital and Harvard Medical School knee rating system, 80% of primary knees and 61% of revision knees were rated as good to excellent. Using the criteria defined in this article, 90% of primary knees and 83% of revision knees were labeled as having a satisfactory result. Forty-five percent of primary components and 52% of revision components demonstrated lucent lines on radiographic review. Seven percent of primary knees and 20% of revision knees showed evidence of aseptic lucency progression in one or more zones. No radiographic evidence of aseptic loosening was noted in this review. Documented sepsis occurred in one primary knee and two revision knees. Patellar instability occurred in 21% of primary knees and 36% of revision knees, representing the major complication. The Kinematic Rotating Hinge prosthesis is intended for use in arthroplasty cases where there is functional absence of collateral ligament stability. This review suggests that a high percentage of satisfactory clinical results can be achieved with this prosthesis with long-term radiographic stability.

Biomechanical comparison of cannulated small bone screws: A brief follow-up study

The compressive forces generated by the ASIF and Herbert small bone cannulated screws were measured in the laboratory with the use of simulated bones and a custom-designed load washer as a means of quantifying their fixation capabilities. Comparative data were also generated for the Herbert scaphoid bone screw and the ASIF 4 mm cancellous screw. The cannulated Herbert bone screw and the ASIF 4 mm cancellous screw were found to have nearly identical compression capabilities. Both generated compression forces approximately five times those of the Herbert scaphoid bone screw. The ASIF small cannulated screw demonstrated a compressive capacity 2 1/2 times that of the Herbert screw.

Threaded acetabular components for primary and revision total hip arthroplasty

A clinical and radiographic review of 48 total hip arthroplasty patients with threaded acetabular components was undertaken at 24-44 months of follow-up study. Twenty-five patients had primary hip arthroplasties and 23 had revision procedures. Clinical scores revealed good to excellent results in 60% of primary and 30% of revision procedures. Radiographic analysis revealed stable acetabular components in 88% of primary and 61% of revision procedures. Potentially loose acetabular components were noted in 8% of primary and 4.3% of revision procedures and loose acetabular components in 4% of primary and 34.7% of revision procedures. The rate of acetabular component loosening was considered unacceptably high in revision cases and an area of concern in primary cases. Discretionary use of these components is advised.

Compression Capability of Cerclage Fixation Systems: A Biomechanical Study

Cerclage wire or tension band techniques are frequently complicated by broken wires or inadequate bony stabilization. The fixation capabilities of various cerclage systems were defined in this study by measuring the maximum compression forces generated by the different methods as well as their ultimate strengths. Parham bands and swage-lock titanium cables were found to exhibit the greatest fixation potential and highest ultimate strengths. Cerclage fixation using stainless steel wire was found to be enhanced by using a modified square knot. Mersilene tape was found to have fixation capabilities of similar magnitude to 20 guage stainless wire secured with a twist knot. The polypropylene and nylon cable ties tested showed no advantage when compared to the other systems.

Experience with a modified posterior approach to the hip joint: A technical note

A modified posterior approach to the hip joint is described with particular applicability to revision or complex primary hip arthroplasty. The procedure involves osteotomy of the posterior one-third of the greater trochanter with posterior reflection of a full-thickness flap, consisting of the posterior trochanteric fragment, short external rotators, joint capsule, and posterior portion of the gluteus medius. The approach allows for excellent exposure of the acetabulum and femoral canal, with minimal disruption of the gluteal muscle insertions. The majority of the greater trochanter is left intact, enhancing femoral component stability. Closure is accomplished by suture of soft tissues and reattachment of the posterior trochanteric fragment with bone screws. An intact soft tissue envelope is thereby restored around the prosthetic components. A limited clinic series has identified no problem referable to this exposure. No loss of reduction or nonunion has been encountered.

AML bipolar arthroplasty for degenerative hip arthritis.

Primary total hip arthroplasty using an uncemented AML porous coated femoral component and a bipolar acetabular component was performed on 50 consecutive patients with degenerative arthritis. Of the 50 patients, 43 (48 hips) were available for review at 2 to 3 years follow up. The data obtained in this review suggest that total hip arthroplasty using this prosthesis provides a consistently reliable hip replacement with few related complications and a high patient satisfaction rate. A stable radiographic appearance of both the femoral and acetabular components can be expected.

Osteoid osteoma of the lunate

Osteoid osteoma is a rare lesion in the carpus. This article records the case of an osteoid osteoma occurring in the lunate.

The influence of age, sex, and initial fit on bony ingrowth stabilization with the AML femoral component in primary THA.

A radiographic review of 178 consecutive primary total hip arthroplasties using the AML femoral component with a mean follow up of 40.1 months identified 92.3% to be stabilized by bony ingrowth and 7.7% by fibrous tissue. None were classified as loose. The quality of fit in the isthmus and calcar regions was identified as an important factor in achieving bony ingrowth stabilization. Bony ingrowth was achieved in all age groups with equal frequency. No relationship between sex and the type of stabilization was identified. A clinical correlation utilizing a subset of patients with identical prosthetic components identified equivalent clinical results across all age groups. Thirty-four percent of patients experienced some residual thigh pain. No statistically significant relationship between the presence of thigh pain and the type of femoral component stabilization (bony vs fibrous) could be identified. Ninety-eight percent of patients expressed unconditional satisfaction with their hip replacements.

Hybrid fixation modular tibial prosthesis

Abstract A prosthetic tibial component has been designed with features for fixation to bone using a combination of acrylic cement and ingrowth interfaces. This hybrid concept affords the component the immediate stability of cement fixation and the potential long-term stability of biologic fixation. The ingrowth interfaces (coupled with the central stem) are intended to shield the cement interface beneath the tibial tray from the tensile liftoff forces that result from eccentric loading, while avoiding the fretting and osteolysis associated with screw fixation. A disassembly capability allows the tray to be removed from the stemmed anchorage assembly, facilitating component extraction and limiting bone loss. A clinical and radiographic review of 50 consecutive primary total knee arthroplasties with a mean follow-up period of 35 months revealed stable interfaces with no progressive radiolucencies and minimal remodeling changes. The mean Knee Society knee score was 92.2. At final follow-up evaluation, 88.6% of patients noted no or mild (occasional) pain. Retrieval of three prosthetic knees with chronic sepsis showed extensive ingrowth into the porous interfaces and an osteointegrated bony sleave around the smooth central stem.