Ole Ovesen

Decreasing incidence of hip fracture in the Funen County, Denmark

Backgroundu2003Hip fracture incidence rates are high, and increase with increasing age. Previous studies have predicted a continued increase in both crude and age-standardized rates. Methodu2003We estimated incidence rates, based on a complete and validated register containing verified and individually sequenced hip fractures from 1996–2003, for a population of 500,000 people in Funen County, Denmark. Resultsu2003The verified number of the first hip fractures was 6,676, with 520 subsequent fractures. Between 1996 and 2003, the incidence rate of first hip fracture fell by 2.4% per year for males (p = 0.02) and by 1.8% per year for females (p = 0.004). The highest decrease of 3.4% per year (p = 0.02) was seen in 80–84-year-old women. Interpretationu2003The incidence rate of the first hip fracture has fallen in both sexes. In most age groups, the actual number of fractures has also decreased. The findings emphasize the need for valid projection studies which should include both demographic projections and modeling of the effects of different levels of prevention.

Short time-frame from first to second hip fracture in the Funen County Hip Fracture Study

IntroductionHip fracture patients represent a frail group of elderly with increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence and distribution of a second hip fracture in the time interval between the first and the second hip fracture.MethodsAll incident hip fractures in residents of Funen County, Denmark, from 1994 through 2004 were recorded. Verified fractures were sequenced within each patient using the unique Danish identification numbers.ResultsIn total, 9990 incident hip fractures occurred: 9122 first hip fractures and 868 (8.7%) second fractures. Within the first year after the first hip fracture, the incidence rate of the second fracture in men decreased from 73 per 1000 person-years (py) during the first 3xa0months to 8 per 1000xa0py at 12xa0months; in women, it decreased from 116 per 1000xa0py during the first 3xa0months to 15 per 1000xa0py at 12xa0months. Of all the second fractures, 50% occurred within 12xa0months in men and within 19xa0months in women.ConclusionsFew hip fracture patients experience a second hip fracture and when they do, it is within a short time-frame from the first. The risk of sustaining a second hip fracture is high during the first 12xa0months following the first hip fracture, decreasing to a level equal to or below the incidence of the first hip fracture after this 12-month period. Preventive strategies at the time of the first hip fracture should therefore aim at immediate effects, as interventions with effects after 12xa0months (men) and 19xa0months (women) bypass at least 50% of the fractures.

The trochanteric gamma nail versus the dynamic hip screw: a prospective randomised study. One-year follow-up of 146 intertrochanteric fractures

In a prospective, randomized trial we compared the trochanteric gamma nail (TGN) and the dynamic hip screw (DHS) in the treatment of 146 intertrochanteric fractures. Follow-up was after four and 12 months. The operation time was significantly shorter in the DHS group. At discharge the need for walking aids was less in the DHS group. There were no differences in intraoperative blood loss, medical complications, mortality or length of hospital stay. Major fracture complications occurred twiceas often in the TGN group compared with the DHS group, however they were not statistically significant. Any potential for the TGN leading to a less invasive procedure and a more rapid postoperative mobilisation could not be demonstrated. Compared with the TGN we prefer the DHS for most intertrochanteric fractures in a setting where the majority of these fractures are treated by younger doctors and not by highly specialized hip/trauma surgeons. The TGN may have advantages in selected intertrochanteric fractures.;

The diagnostic value of digital subtraction arthrography and radionuclide bone scan in revision hip arthroplasty

A prospective analysis of plain serial radigraphs (PSR), digital subtraction arthrography (DSA), and radionuclide bone scans (RBS) was performed in 56 cemented total hip arthroplasties to evaluate the efficacy and usefulness of each study in the diagnosis of loosening. To avoid selection bias in the evaluation of DSA and RBS, the decision to perform repeat surgery was based exclusively on the clinical history and PSR. Results of each study were compared with intraoperative assessment of the status of components and expressed in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Overall accuracy for the acetabular component by PSR was 66%; by DSA, 93%; by RBS, 46%. Overall accuracy for the femoral component by PSR was 79%; by DSA, 93%; RBS, 50%. Our results indicate that DSA can be recommended as a further analysis in cases with a painful hip prosthesis and no or inconclusive findings on PSR. RBS did not give any useful information and cannot be recommended routinely.

Bone bank service in Odense, Denmark. Audit of the first ten years with bone banking at the Department of Orthopaedics, Odense University Hospital

There has been an increase in the demand for allograft bone in recentyears. The Odense University Hospital bone bank has been in function since1990,and this paper outlines our results during the 10 year period 1990–1999.Potential donors were screened by contemporary banking techniques which includea social history, donor serum tests for HIV, hepatitis B and C, and graftmicrobiology. The bones were stored at −80 °C. No typeofsecondary sterilisation was made. 423 femoral heads were approved and donatedto300 patients,1–6 heads/operation. The allografts have been used mainly toreconstruct defects at revision hip arthroplasty (34%), and for fracturesurgery(24%). 7 % of all transplanted patients were reoperated because of infection.Inthe hip revision group the infection rate was 4 %. There were no cases ofdisease transmission. During the 10 year period there was a change in theclinical use of the allografts. In the first years the allografts were mainlyused for spinal fusion surgery, but today the majority are used in hip revisionand fracture surgery. The clinical results correspond to those reported inlarger international series.

Bone mineral density of the femoral neck in resurfacing hip arthroplasty

Background and purpose Resurfacing total hip arthroplasty (RTHA) may preserve the femoral neck bone stock postoperatively. Bone mineral density (BMD) may be affected by the hip position, which might bias longitudinal studies. We investigated the dependency of BMD precision on type of ROI and hip position. Method We DXA-scanned the femoral neck of 15 resurfacing patients twice with the hip in 3 different rotations: 15° internal, neutral, and 15° external. For each position, BMD was analyzed with 3 surface area models. One model measured BMD in the total femoral neck, the second model divided the neck in two, and the third model had 6 divisions. Results When all hip positions were pooled, average coefficients of variation (CVs) of 3.1%, 3.6%, and 4.6% were found in the 1-, 2-, and 6-region models, respectively. The externally rotated hip position was less reproducible. When rotating in increments of 15° or 30°, the average CVs rose to 7.2%, 7.3%, and 12% in the 3 models. Rotation affected the precision most in the model that divided the neck in 6 subregions, predominantly in the lateral and distal regions. For larger-region models, some rotation could be allowed without compromising the precision. Interpretation If hip rotation is strictly controlled, DXA can reliably provide detailed topographical information about the BMD changes around an RTHA. As rotation strongly affects the precision of the BMD measurements in small regions, we suggest that a less detailed model should be used for analysis in studies where the leg position has not been firmly controlled.

No difference in health-related quality of life in hip osteoarthritis compared to degenerative lumbar instability at pre- and 1-year postoperatively: a prospective study of 101 patients.

Backgroundu2003Total hip replacement (THR) is a very successful and refined surgical procedure when compared to crude bony fusion in degenerative lumbar segmental instability (LF). We compared the pre- and postoperative health-related quality of life status of THR and LF patients. Patients and methodsu2003We prospectively studied 51 THR patients and 50 LF patients. The outcome parameters were SF-36 and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), measured preoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively. The status of the patients was compared to that of an age-matched healthy control group. Resultsu2003The preoperative SF-36 and ODI scores were similar between the groups, except for the subscale role emotional. One year postoperatively, only the differences in 3 subscales (physical functioning, role physical, and role emotional) and in the standardized physical component reached statistical significance; the THR-patients scored worse than the LF-patients. The improvements in SF-36 and ODI reached statistical significance in both groups. Interpretationu2003The differences in quality of life between the THR and LF patients were similar pre- and postoperatively. The quality of life of both cohorts improved considerably and significantly after the treatment, but they remained at a level significantly below that of a general age-matched population.

Low bone mineral density is not related to failure in femoral neck fracture patients treated with internal fixation

Background and purpose — Internal fixation (IF) in femoral neck fractures has high reoperation rates and some predictors of failure are known, such as age, quality of reduction, and implant positioning. Finding new predictors of failure is an ongoing process, and in this study we evaluated the importance of low bone mineral density (BMD). Patients and methods — 140 consecutive patients (105 females, median age 80) treated with IF had a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan of the hip performed median 80 days after treatment. The patients’ radiographs were evaluated for fracture displacement, implant positioning, and quality of reduction. From a questionnaire completed during admission, 2 variables for comorbidity and walking disability were chosen. Primary outcome was low hip BMD (amount of mineral matter per square centimeter of hip bone) compared to hip failure (resection, arthroplasty, or new hip fracture). A stratified Cox regression model on fracture displacement was applied and adjusted for age, sex, quality of reduction, implant positioning, comorbidity, and walking disability. Results — 49 patients had a T-score below –2.5 (standard deviation from the young normal reference mean) and 70 patients had a failure. The failure rate after 2 years was 22% (95% CI: 12–39) for the undisplaced fractures and 66% (CI: 56–76) for the displaced fractures. Cox regression showed no association between low hip BMD and failure. For the covariates, only implant positioning showed an association with failure. Interpretation — We found no statistically significant association between low hip BMD and fixation failure in femoral neck fracture patients treated with IF.

Constrained liners for recurrent dislocations in total hip arthroplasty.

This study reports the results and complications from treating recurrent hip dislocations with a constrained liner (CL) after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Forty patients who had a CL inserted as a secondary prophylactic treatment were retrospectively reviewed after a median observation period of 27 months (range 7-77 months). During the observation period five patients had to be revised: one for deep infection and four on account of re-dislocations. Our results indicate that patients with recurrent THA dislocations can be treated with a CL and has a satisfactory low complication rate and a relatively low risk of re-dislocation.

Microvascular Free Flaps in the Treatment of Defects of the Lower Legs

Thirty-four microvascular free flaps were used to treat defects in the lower extremities after injuries. Twenty patients (74%) had severe open fractures (Gustilo type III B & C). Latissimus dorsi (n = 16) and iliac osteocutaneous (n = 7) flaps were most commonly used for coverage, and the overall failure rate was 9% (3/34). At follow up 29 of the patients (94%) had a reduced range of movement of the ankle, nine (29%) had some swelling and oedema, and 13 (42%) had occasional pain in the leg. Sixteen (52%) of the patients were limping, but 26 (84%) could walk one kilometre or more with no problems. No legs were amputated. The unemployment rate increased from 1/34 (3%) to 6/31 (19%) at follow up. Twenty-seven (87%) of our patients were satisfied with the results, despite the considerable and persistent limitation of function, and the increase in the unemployment rate.