Jens B. Retpen

Good performance of a titanium femoral component in cementless hip arthroplasty in younger patients: 97 arthroplasties followed for 5-11 years

We performed 97 uncemented primary total hip arthroplasties in 80 patients having an average age of 50 years. The femoral implant was a titanium stem with a proximal circumferential plasma spray-coating. Three different acetabular components were used: a threaded and partly porous-coated design in 70% of the cases. The average follow-up period was 8 years. 1 stem was revised 9 years after insertion due to a comminuted fracture of the proximal femur, 1 stem was revised 9 years after insertion due to a deep infection. No stem revisions were due to aseptic loosening. 1 femora had areas of distal osteolysis associated with a deep infection, but no signs of proximal loosening. 3 femora had areas of minor proximal osteolysis. 16 acetabular components (14 threaded) had been revised in 13 patients. The average Harris hip score was 91 points at the latest follow-up We conclude that the uncemented titanium femoral component with a circumferential porous coating performed well in these patients, most of whom were yo...We performed 97 uncemented primary total hip arthroplasties in 80 patients having an average age of 50 years. The femoral implant was a titanium stem with a proximal circumferential plasma spray-coating. Three different acetabular components were used: a threaded and partly porous-coated design in 70% of the cases. The average follow-up period was 8 years. 1 stem was revised 9 years after insertion due to a comminuted fracture of the proximal femur, 1 stem was revised 9 years after insertion due to a deep infection. No stem revisions were due to aseptic loosening. 1 femora had areas of distal osteolysis associated with a deep infection, but no signs of proximal loosening. 3 femora had areas of minor proximal osteolysis. 16 acetabular components (14 threaded) had been revised in 13 patients. The average Harris hip score was 91 points at the latest follow-up We conclude that the uncemented titanium femoral component with a circumferential porous coating performed well in these patients, most of whom were young. As reported previously, aseptic loosening of threaded acetabular components was common.

Unsatisfactory results after repeated revision of hip arthroplasty : 61 cases followed for 5(1-10) years

61 cemented second revision total hip arthroplasties and 18 cemented third revision total hip arthroplasties were studied with emphasis on causes of failure, complications, risk of further revision, and clinical and radiographic results of surviving, not further revised patients. Aseptic loosening was the major reason for both second and third revisions followed by recurrent dislocations. Of 61 second revisions, 21 failed again. Postoperative dislocation was the major complication, encountered in 10/61 after second revisions and in 4/18 third revisions. 10 second revisions were reoperated on without exchange of components, but for causes related to the implant. The clinical and radiographic outcome of surviving, not further revised patients was favorable, but must be seen in the light of the high rate of further revisions. In 33 of 53 second revisions and in 5 of 13 third revisions left for evaluation, the outcome was considered unsatisfactory. We conclude that reoperations for failed arthroplasties should be the prerogative of highly experienced centers.

Traumatic amputation of the upper limb: the use of body-powered prostheses and employment consequences

Forty three patients with unilateral traumatic amputations were reviewed as to the use of prostheses and employment consequences of the amputation. Seventeen of 19 below-elbow amputees, and 12 of 24 above-elbow amputees used their prostheses. Non-users compared to users of prostheses were characterized by: 1) Higher level of amputation 2) Non-dominant arm amputation and 3) Younger age at the time of amputation. However non-users usually did well on the labour market for various reasons.

Arthroplasty for congenital hip dislocation Techniques for acetabular reconstruction

We investigated a series of 63 arthroplasties for chronically dislocated hips or severe dysplasia with at least two thirds of the femoral head uncovered. Direct cementation into the neoacetabulum at the pelvic wing was followed by 6/20 revision arthroplasties and 3/20 impending failures. Cups supported by cortical bone grafts were revised in 8/16 and found loose in 2/12 arthroplasties. The best technique was restoration of the rotational center of the hip joint and roof reconstruction with a femoral head graft with 2/25 revisions and signs of loosening in 2/25.

Late disassembly of modular acetabular components : a report of two cases

We report two cases of late disassembly of modular acetabular components, 4 and 5 years after implantation. One was revised immediately after the disassembly and one after 4 months, the latter demonstrating excessive wear of metal and polyethylene. Radiographs showing eccentric displacement of the femoral head in the cup associated with a dark, curved shadow representing the displaced polyethylene insert identify this type of implant failure.

Clinical results after revision and primary total hip arthroplasty.

Results after 184 primary and 227 revision total hip arthroplasties were compared with an emphasis on rates of failure leading to reoperation and intra- and postoperative complications and on the clinical outcome of the nonrevised arthroplasties in the two series. The failure rate was 7% (11 of 156) in the primary series, versus 27% (54 of 195) in the revision series. The rate of complications was substantially higher after revision, due to 16% (36 of 227) intraoperative fractures of the femoral shaft and 6% (14 of 227) postoperative dislocations. Clinical assessment of the nonrevised arthroplasties in the two series revealed no difference with regard to relief of pain. For patients with concomitant disabling conditions functional outcome was inferior after revision, but for patients without such conditions the functional results of the two series were equal. The favorable clinical results of the nonrevised arthroplasties in the revision series must be seen in relation to the very high rate of failure leading to reoperation.

Survivorship analysis of failure pattern after revision total hip arthroplasty

Failure, defined as established indication for or performed re-revision of one or both components, was analyzed using survivorship methods in 306 revision total hip arthroplasties. The longevity of revision total hip arthroplasties was inferior to that of previously reported primary total hip arthroplasties. The overall survival curve was two-phased, with a late failure period associated with aseptic loosening of one or both components and an early failure period associated with causes of failure other than loosening. Separate survival curves for aseptic loosening of femoral and acetabular components showed late and almost simultaneous decline, but with a tendency toward a higher rate of failure for the femoral component. No differences in survival could be found between the Stanmore, Lubinus standard, and Lubinus long-stemmed femoral components. A short interval between the index operation and the revision and intraoperative and postoperative complications were risk factors for early failure. Young age was a risk factor for aseptic loosening of the femoral component. Intraoperative fracture of the femoral shaft was not a risk factor for secondary loosening. No difference in survival was found between primary cemented total arthroplasty and primary noncemented hemiarthroplasty.

Failures with the Judet noncemented total hip

Primary failures with 36 noncemented Judet total hip arthroplasties are reported. Steep-cup inclination in 7 cases resulted in two dislocations, two migrations, one skew insertion, and two painful hips. Moreover, two migrations were encountered in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Femoral shaft fractures occurred intraoperatively in 7 cases and postoperatively in another 2 cases. In addition, major fractures of the greater trochanter occurred in 3 cases. The reoperation rate was 11/36, due to primary failures 8-37 months postoperatively. Consequently, the Judet design cannot be recommended for noncemented use.

Cobalt allergy and suspected aseptic lymphocyte‐dominated vascular‐associated lesion following total hip arthroplasty

Peter Jensen1, Jacob Pontoppidan Thyssen2, Jens Blicher Retpen3 and Torkil Menné1 1Department of Dermato-allergology, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, 2Department of Dermatoallergology, National Allergy Research Centre, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, and 3Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Evaluation of 100 Müller curved-stem and 276 Müller long-stem total hip arthroplasties after 10 to 15 years of follow-up.

This study evaluates 376 total hip arthroplasties performed between 1978 and 1983 using 276 Müller long-stem and 100 Müller curved-stem prostheses. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from patient records. All patients still alive who did not undergo revision arthroplasty were sent a detailed questionnaire. Results indicated that long-term survival of the femoral component of the arthroplasty was significantly better when the Müller long-stem was used. Furthermore, there was no difference in the clinical out-come between patients who underwent revision and those who did not. To eliminate demographic differences between the two groups, 77 patients from each group were paired. There was no difference in clinical results of the hips between the paired groups, and long-term survival of the Müller long-stem was still significantly better using Kaplan-Meier analysis.