Nicola Rani

Ultrasound-Guided Injection of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Hyaluronic Acid, Separately and in Combination, for Hip Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Background: The effectiveness of intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections has been evaluated in knee chondroplasty and osteoarthritis (OA); however, little evidence of its efficacy in hip OA exists. Purpose: To compare the therapeutic efficacy of autologous PRP, hyaluronic acid (HA), or a combination of both (PRP+HA) in hip OA. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: Patients aged between 18 and 65 years who were treated with outpatient surgery and who had hip OA and pain intensity at baseline of >20 on a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) were recruited for this study. Exclusion criteria were extensive surgery; presence of excessive deformities; or rheumatic, infective, cardiovascular, or immune system disorders. The primary outcome measure was a change in pain intensity as assessed by the VAS at 2, 6, and 12 months after treatment. Secondary outcome measures were the Harris Hip Score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and concentration of growth factors in PRP and their correlation with clinical outcomes. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by assessors and collectors blinded to the type of treatment administered. Results: A total of 111 patients were randomly assigned to 3 groups and received 3 weekly injections of either PRP (44 patients), PRP+HA (31 patients), or HA (36 patients). At all follow-ups, the PRP group had the lowest VAS scores. In particular, at 6-month follow-up, the mean VAS score was 21 (95% CI, 15-28) in the PRP group, 35 (95% CI, 26-45) in the PRP+HA group, and 44 (95% CI, 36-52) in the HA group (P < .0005 [PRP vs HA] and P = .007 [PRP vs PRP+HA]; F = 0.663). The WOMAC score of the PRP group was significantly better at 2-month follow-up (mean, 73; 95% CI, 68-78) and 6-month follow-up (mean, 72; 95% CI, 67-76) but not at 12-month follow-up. A significant, “moderate” correlation was found between interleukin-10 and variations of the VAS score (r = 0.392; P = .040). Significant improvements were achieved in reducing pain and ameliorating quality of life and functional recovery. Conclusion: Results indicated that intra-articular PRP injections offer a significant clinical improvement in patients with hip OA without relevant side effects. The benefit was significantly more stable up to 12 months as compared with the other tested treatments. The addition of PRP+HA did not lead to a significant improvement in pain symptoms.

Two Stage Hip Revision in Periprosthetic Infection: Results of 41 Cases

Background: two-stage revision is considered the best treatment approach for the eradication of chronic joint infection. We report the outcome of 41 consecutive patients with infected hip prostheses, treated between 2000 and 2005, with two-stage revision using an antibiotic-loaded cement spacer. Methods: Patients underwent a treatment protocol which included clinical and radiographic evaluation, laboratory investigations, hip aspiration, 99mTc-MDP and 99mTc-leukocyte-labeled scintigraphy and intraoperative assessment. All patients were diagnosed with a late chronic infection and classified as B-host according to the Cierny-Mader classification system. 9 patients out of 41 (22%) required a second interim treatment period, with exchange of the spacer. The proportion of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus was similar between the one-spacer group and two-spacer group (28% vs 33%), whereas the proportion of patients with three or more risk factors was significantly higher in the two-spacer group than in the one-spacer group (28% vs 55%, respectively). Results: Forty patients had final reimplantation, one patient had a resection arthroplasty. At an average follow-up of 5.3 years no recurrence of infection occurred. The average post-operative Harris hip score improved from 41 to 80. Conclusions: In the treatment of two-stage revision arthroplasty the adherence to the protocol proved to be effective for infection eradication and final reimplantation.

The role of arthroscopy in the treatment of groin pain after total hip arthroplasty: our experience

Aim The purpose of the study was to present our arthroscopic surgical technique and the results in patient with pain after a hip replacement. Methods Between November 2009 and September 2011, 35 patients with groin pain after total hip arthroplasty (THA) were treated arthroscopically. The patients underwent a preoperative examination consisting in careful history, physical examination, laboratory evaluation, diagnostic evaluation using x-rays and pelvis CT scans. In patients for whom the clinical picture suggested iliopsoas tendonitis, we also performed injection of local anaesthetic on the iliopsoas tendon sheath. All the patients were positioned in the supine decubitus position with traction applied, using 2 arthroscopic portals (AL, MID-A). An extensive debridement of adhesions, periprosthetic tissue and neocapsula were performed; when there were signs of iliopsoas impingement, a transcapsular tenotomy was performed according to Wettstein technique. Results The average age was 57 (29-77) years old. The average time to onset of symptoms was 10.8 (5-15) months after THA. The average preoperative Harris Hip Score (HHS) was 44.1 (range 32-56). The average preoperative Medical Research Council (MRC) scale for muscle strenght was 3.27 (range 3-4). After 24 months of follow-up patients show an average HHS of 75.73 (range 50-91). Patients who underwent iliopsoas release show a postoperative HHS of 83.28 (range 61-91). The average postoperative MRC scale was 4.45. Conclusions Hip arthroscopy in treatment of reactive synovitis and adhesions shows good results according to literature. Hip arthroscopy in treatment of anterior iliopsoas impingement is the most useful instrument, being less invasive than the classic open technique.

Total hip arthroplasty after excision arthroplasty: indications and limits.

We reviewed performed a retrospective review of our series of excision arthroplasty patients and identified 16 patients who had undergone the procedure for sepsis, and who we had subsequently subjected to revision to a total hip arthroplasty (THA). Mean follow-up was 96±15 months. There was a significant reduction in limb length discrepancy and a marked improvement in walking capability. Range of movement improved most in patients under 65 years of age. Patient selection is critical, because THA after excision arthroplasty is complex, and may have less satisfactory results primary surgery.

Neurofibromatosis with unilateral lower limb gigantism

The case of a 3-year-old child diagnosed with Type 1 neurofibromatosis is presented, showing pigmented birthmarks and gigantism of the left lower limb associated with the presence of multiple neurofibromas. Increased bone growth appears to be the direct or indirect consequence of a still undefined paracrine effect of nerve tumor cells.

Infiltrative therapy as conservative treatment in hip osteoarthritis: a literature review

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a very common disease, its prevalence increases with age and is a frequent cause of disability. Osteoarthritis is characterised by joint pain, stiffness and loss of range of motion. Overall, as many as 40% of those aged over 65 years in the community may have symptomatic OA of the knee or hip (1). OA results from a complex interaction of biomechanical and biochemical factors and is characterised by cartilage disruption and hypertrophy of bone. Intraarticular proinflammatory cytokines and proteinases in OA interfere with the synthesis of hyaluronic acid (HA), a complex glycosaminoglycan composed of repeated disaccharide units to form a linear polymer, resulting in an HA with a significantly reduced molecular weight and a reduction in synovial fluid viscoelasticity (2-3). Loss of normal characteristics of HA leads to the degradation of the articular cartilage and the disruption of the mechanical and homeostasis of the joint. Several pharmaceutical approaches, such as analgesics, non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, COX-2 inhibitors and steroids, have been proposed (4), with the aim of reducing pain and maintaining and/or improving joint function. However, none of these options has shown to delay the progression of osteoarthritis or reverse joint damage. Infiltrative hip therapy involves injecting into the joint the drugs or medicinal substances that are used primarily to control the symptoms of the disease, such as pain and functional limitation. The aim of this review is to analyse existing infiltrative alternatives for hip osteoarthritis, and describe our experience.