Romain Desmarchelier

Autologous chondrocyte implantation for traumatic full-thickness cartilage defects of the knee in 14 patients: 6-year functional outcomes.

BACKGROUND Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) was introduced in 1987 in Sweden by Brittberg and Peterson for the treatment of severe chondral defects of the knee. Here, our objective was to evaluate mid-term outcomes of ACI in young athletic patients with deep chondral defects of the knee after trauma. HYPOTHESIS ACI is effective in filling full-thickness chondral defects of the knee. PATIENTS AND METHODS We prospectively monitored 14 patients, with International Cartilage Repair Society grade III or IV lesions, who underwent ACI between 2001 and 2006. Standard evaluation measurements were used. Mean age at surgery was 37.7 years (range, 30-45). A history of surgery on the same knee was noted in ten (67%) patients. The defect was on the medial femoral condyle in 11 patients, lateral femoral condyle in two patients, and both femoral condyles in one patient. Mean defect surface area after debridement was 2.1cm(2) (1-6.3). RESULTS After a mean follow-up of six years, improvements were noted in 12 (86%) patients, with an International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score increase from 40 (27.6-65.5) to 60.2 (35.6-89.6) (P=0.003) and a Brittberg-Perterson score decrease from 54.4 (11.8-98.2) to 32.9 (0-83.9) (P=0.02), between the preoperative assessment and last follow-up. The visual analogic scale pain score decreased from 66.3 (44-89) to 23.2 (0-77) (P=0.0006). In two (14%) patients, no improvements were detectable at last follow-up. The remaining 12 patients were satisfied and able to resume sporting activities, albeit at a less strenuous level. Two ACI-specific complications occurred, namely, periosteal hypertrophy treated with debridement in one patient and transplant delamination in another. DISCUSSION Our findings are consistent with previous reports but cover a longer follow-up period. Although the outcomes are promising, longer follow-ups are needed to confirm the long-term effectiveness of ACI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV, prospective therapeutic study.

Metasul vs Cerasul bearings: a prospective, randomized study at 9 years.

The aims of our study were to compare metal-on-metal (Metasul) and ceramic-on-ceramic (Cerasul) bearings and to evaluate the clinical and radiographic results of these 2 different hard-on-hard bearings. We conducted a prospective, randomized study on a series of 250 cementless primary total hip arthroplasties. The prostheses were similar in all aspects except for the bearing surfaces: 50% of Metasul bearing and 50% of Cerasul bearing. All the patients were evaluated both clinically and radiographically. No patient was lost to follow-up. Clinical outcomes in both groups were similar. Considering aseptic loosening as the end point for failure, the 9-year survival rate was 100% for Cerasul and 98.4% for Metasul. Neither bearing outperformed the other both radiographically and clinically. The overall 9-year survival rate was 99.2% and 97.6% in the Cerasul and Metasul groups, respectively.

Scarf osteotomy versus metatarsophalangeal arthrodesis in forefoot first ray disorders: Comparison of functional outcomes

INTRODUCTION Scarf osteotomies of the first metatarsal and metatarsophalangeal arthrodesis are the two most frequent surgical forefoot reconstructive procedures. HYPOTHESIS We compared functional results of isolated arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint with an isolated Scarf osteotomy of the first metatarsal. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a retrospective, observational, continuous study of patients operated between 1993 and 2008. After patients who had undergone a procedure on the lateral rays, extremely elderly patients, lost to follow-up patients and those with incomplete questionnaires had been excluded, there remained two comparable groups of 25 patients. Mean age was 60 in the arthrodesis group [41-70] and 59.8 in the Scarf group [47-71]. The Scarf group included 25 hallux valgus (100%) compared to 16 hallux valgus (64%) and nine hallux rigidus (36%) in the arthrodesis group. Complications were recorded. Evaluation of functional results was based on the most recent functional or quality of life scores (AOFAS, FFI, FAAM, SF 36) and a questionnaire on physical and athletic ability. RESULTS There was no significant difference in the rate of complications between the two groups. There was no difference in pain according to the AOFAS score with 35.6/40 (± 6.5) in the Scarf group and 34.5 (± 5.9) in the arthrodesis group. Global satisfaction was also similar between the Scarf and arthrodesis groups: 91.4% and 90% of very satisfied or satisfied patients, respectively. The FFI score was higher in the Scarf group than in the arthrodesis group: 8.6 (± 20.1) and 19.8 (± 17.7) respectively. Functional results were better in the Scarf group than in the arthrodesis group with a FAAM Daily Activity score of 80.2 (± 12.1) compared to 68 (± 7.2), a FAAM Sports Activity score of 29.7 (± 6.7) compared to 25.2 (± 7.6) and a FAAM Global Function score of 94% (± 10.8) compared to 87% (± 15.7), respectively. The Global SF36 score was higher in the Scarf group than in the arthrodesis group: 70.9% (± 14.1) and 62.3% (± 20.6) respectively, which was due to a higher Mental Health score in the Scarf group: 68.7% (± 14.2) and 60.4% (± 19.3) respectively. In the area of sports activities the Scarf group practiced more hiking than the arthrodesis group (74% versus 42% respectively). There was no difference for other activities. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION This study provides detailed information on the level of physical and sports activities that are practiced following these procedures, so that the patient can be better informed.

Population pharmacokinetics and probability of target attainment of ertapenem administered by subcutaneous or intravenous route in patients with bone and joint infection

Background Ertapenem is a therapeutic option in patients with Gram-negative bone and joint infection (BJI). The subcutaneous (sc) route of administration is convenient in the outpatient setting and has shown favourable pharmacokinetics (PK), but available data on ertapenem are limited. Objectives To perform population PK analysis and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) simulation of ertapenem administered by the intravenous (iv) or sc route to patients with BJI. Patients and methods This was a retrospective analysis of PK data collected in patients with BJI who received iv or sc ertapenem. Measured ertapenem concentrations were analysed with a non-parametric population approach. Then, simulations were performed based on the final model to investigate the influence of ertapenem route of administration, dosage and renal function on the probability of achieving a pharmacodynamic (PD) target, defined as the percentage of time for which free plasma concentrations of ertapenem remained above the MIC (fT>MIC) of 40%. Results Forty-six PK profiles (13 with iv and 33 with sc ertapenem) with a total of 133 concentrations from 31 subjects were available for the analysis. A two-compartment model with linear sc absorption and linear elimination best fitted the data. Creatinine clearance was found to significantly influence ertapenem plasma clearance. Simulations showed that twice daily dosing, sc administration and renal impairment were associated with an increase in fT>MIC and target attainment. Conclusions Our results indicate that 1 g of ertapenem administered twice daily, by the iv or sc route, may optimize ertapenem exposure and achievement of PK/PD targets in patients with BJI.

Can a target zone safer than Lewinnek's safe zone be defined to prevent instability of total hip arthroplasties? Case-control study of 56 dislocated THA and 93 matched controls ☆

BACKGROUND Various factors contribute to instability of total hip arthroplasty (THA), with implant orientation being a major contributor. We performed a case-control study with computed tomography (CT) data to determine whether: 1) orientation contributes to THA instability and 2) a safer target zone for stability than Lewinneks classic safe zone can be defined. MATERIAL AND METHODS We included prospectively 363 cases of THA dislocation that occurred during the calendar 2013 year in 24 participating hospitals. Of the 128 dislocations that occurred in patients who underwent THA at these centers, 56 (24 anterior, 32 posterior) had CT scans, thus were included in the analysis. The control group was matched 4:1 based on implant type, year of implantation, age, sex, bearing types and THA indication. Of the 428 matched control THA cases, 93 had CT scans. In all, the CT scans from 149 cases (56 unstable, 93 stable) were analyzed to determine the acetabular cups inclination and anteversion, and the femoral stems anteversion. RESULTS In the unstable THA group, cup inclination was 46.9°±7.4°, cup anteversion was 20.4°±10.8° and stem anteversion was 14.2°±9.9°. In the stable THA group, cup inclination was 44.9°±5.3° (P=0.057), cup anteversion was 22.1°±5.1° (P=0.009) and stem anteversion was 13.4°±4.4° (P=0.362). The optimal total anteversion (cup+stem) of 40-60° was achieved in 16.5% of unstable THA cases and 13.9% of stable THA cases, thus this parameter does not predict stability (odds ratio [OR] of 0.40, P=0.144). The cup was positioned in Lewinneks safe zone in 44.6% of patients in the unstable group and 68.2% of those in the stable group (OR 3.74, P=0.003). A target zone defined as 40-50° inclination and 15-30° anteversion was better able to distinguish between unstable cases (23.2%) and stable cases (71.6%) resulting in an OR of 13.91 (P<0.001). DISCUSSION Implant positioning was the only risk factor for instability found in this study. Moreover, our findings reinforce the theory put forward by other authors that Lewinneks safe zone is not specific enough to differentiate between stable and unstable THA implantations. The target zone for acetabular cups proposed here (40-50° inclination and 15°-30° anteversion) is related to a lower risk of instability. This orientation can be used as a guide, but must be combined with other technical elements to optimize stability. By balancing stability and biomechanics, the 40-50° inclination and 15°-30° anteversion target zone redefines the optimal positioning window. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III case-control study.

Gentamicin–vancomycin–colistin local antibiotherapy in a cement spacer in a 54-year-old haemophilic patient with relapsing plurimicrobial severe prosthetic joint infection

A 54-year-old patient with haemophilia and hepatitis C virus infection experienced acute left prosthetic joint infection due to Klebsiella pneumonia e and Staphylococcus aureus following unipolar exchange in September 2015. As the outcome was not favourable with bloody discharge despite haemophilic factor substitution, a new local debridement was performed in May 2016 and multidrug-resistant Enterobacter asburiae (only susceptible to imipenem, colistin, amikacin and fosfomycin) and Corynebacterium striatum (only susceptible to vancomycin, rifampin and linezolid) grew in cultures. As explantation was considered too risky due to the potential bleeding, systemic intravenous treatment was proposed with imipenem (3 g/day), vancomycin (2.5 g/day) and fosfomycin (12 g/day). After 3 months of therapy, the bloody discharge persisted. One month after discontinuation of antibiotics, the patient presented a large ‘bourgeon charnu’ with impressive bloody …

Chronic Propionibacterium acnes prosthesis joint infection manifesting as a large abscess with gas, without prosthesis loosening.

A 78-year-old woman with diabetes, hypertension and severe omarthrosis, had a left total shoulder arthroplasty in May 2010. In September 2010, the patient developed axillar abscess, without fever or pain, which was incised. Propionibacterium acnes grew in cultures and the patient received amoxicillin-clavulanate for 10 days. In 2011, it reoccurred, with abscess formation that gradually increased in size during several weeks and reached 5×8 cm in diameter (figure 1A). C reactive protein was elevated (94 mg/L), but the patient did not have fever. X-ray examination did not show prosthesis loosening, but a distal cortical thickening of …

Is dual mobility associated with an increased risk of revision for infection? Matched cohort of 231 cases of dual-mobility cups and 231 fixed cups

Introduction: We used a matched cohort of 231 cases of revision of primary dual-mobility cups (DMC) total hip arthroplasty (THA) and 231 cases of fixed cups (FC) THA, to determine whether (i) revision for infection was more frequent when using DMC-THA than FC-THA; (ii) Causes for revision were significantly different. Methods: The French Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology carried out a prospective multicentre study from 2010 to 2011. The inclusion criterion was an exhaustive collection of 1st revision THA (at least 1 component revised, re-revision excluded). 2,044 1st revision cases were prospectively collected; 251 (13.5%) were revision of DMC-THA and 1,793 were revision of FC-THA (87.7%). We defined a matching process (1:1) between the 2 cohorts. 231 DMC-THAs were eligible for comparison with 231 FC-THAs. Results: 47 (20.3%) FC-THAs were revised for infection and 54 (23.3%) DMC-THAs. There was no statistical difference (p = 0.43). 41 (17.7%) FC-THAs were revised for dislocation, compared to 11 (4.7%) DMC-THAs (p<0.001). Discussion: The main finding of our study was that DMC was not associated with an increased risk of revision for infection compared to standard THA. THA revision for infection was not correlated to the type of cup used. It is mandatory to report on comparable types of patients when comparing outcomes. For similar patient profiles (i) DMC-THAs were not revised more often for infection than FC-THA (ii) FC-THAs were revised 4 times more for dislocation than DMC-THA.

Teriparatide treatment in an adult patient with hypophosphatasia exposed to bisphosphonate and revealed by bilateral atypical fractures

Atypical femoral fractures are defined as atraumatic fractures located in the subtrochanteric region or femoral shaft. They have been mainly reported in patients taking bisphosphonates. We report the case of a 67-year-old female with osteoporosis treated by alendronate during ten years. Radiographies showed atypical femoral fractures. Serum levels of total and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase were low. In order to accelerate bone healing, teriparatide was introduced. After one year of teriparatide treatment, pain and functional difficulty have decreased, and alkaline phosphatase levels were normalized. In view of this history of recurrent fractures, of atypical femoral fractures, of early spontaneous loss of teeth, and of low serum total and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase levels, the diagnosis of hypophosphatasia has been considered and confirmed by genetic research. Other conditions than exposure to anti-resorptive therapies may promote atypical femoral fractures, such as in conditions associated with abnormal bone structures, as hypophosphatasia, a rare inherited bone metabolism disorder. A few case reports have reported adult hypophosphatasia treated by teriparatide with a good efficacy on bone pain and consolidation but with mixed results on biological markers. Teriparatide may be therefore a treatment option in adult hypophosphatasia. ALP levels should be carefully checked among osteoporotic patients and specially before introducing a bone resorption inhibitor. Low alkaline phosphatase levels have to be taken into account and an evocative history of hypophosphatasia has to be sought because this condition may expose patients to develop atypical femoral fractures during bisphosphonate treatment.