Noncemented Total Hip Arthroplasty Research Articles

Biomechanics of noncemented total hip arthroplasty

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The John Charnley Award

The activation of the clotting cascade leading to deep venous thrombosis begins during total hip arthroplasty, but few studies have assessed changes in coagulation during surgery. A better understanding of thrombogenesis during total hip arthroplasty may provide a more rational basis for treatment. In 3 separate studies, the following observations were made. Circulating indices of thrombosis and fibrinolysis: prothrombin F1.2, thrombin-antithrombin complexes, fibrinopeptide A, and D-dimer, did not increase during osteotomy of the neck of the femur or during insertion of the acetabular component, but rose significantly during insertion of the femoral component. Thrombin-antithrombin complexes, fibrinopeptide A, and D-dimer were higher after insertion of a cemented component than insertion of a noncemented femoral component. A significant decline in central venous oxygen tension was observed after relocation of the hip joint and after insertions of cemented and noncemented femoral components, providing evidence of femoral venous occlusion during insertion of the femoral component. In patients receiving a cemented femoral component, mean pulmonary artery pressure increased after relocation of the hip joint, indicating intraoperative pulmonary embolism. No changes in mean pulmonary artery pressure were noted with noncemented total hip arthroplasty. Administration of 1000 units of unfractionated heparin before insertion of a cemented femoral component blunted the rise of fibrinopeptide A. The results of these studies suggest that (1) the greatest risk of activation of the clotting cascade during total hip arthroplasty occurs during insertion of the femoral component; (2) femoral venous occlusion and use of cemented components are factors in thrombogenesis during total hip arthroplasty; and (3) measures to prevent deep venous thrombosis during total hip arthroplasty (such as intraoperative anticoagulation) should begin during surgery rather than during the postoperative period and be applied during insertion of the femoral component.

Determination of accuracy of preoperative templating of noncemented femoral prostheses

The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of preoperative templating of primary, noncemented femoral components. A retrospective review of charts and radiographs was performed on 74 hips in 64 patients who had undergone either noncemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) or placement of an endoprosthesis (including bipolar). Preoperative radiographs were templated by a total joint arthroplasty attending surgeon, a senior orthopaedic resident, and a junior resident. The templated size corresponded to the actual femoral implant used in approximately 50% of cases. When femoral prostheses within one size above or below the templated size were included, the accuracy of preoperative templating rose to 88–95%. When implants within two sizes of the templated size were included, the accuracy approached 100%. Factors associated with discrepancies in the size of femoral stem used included placement of an undersized implant, presence of metal hardware that obscured the ability to template accurately, proximal bone deformity, sclerotic bone, acute femoral neck fracture, and inadequate preoperative radiographs. The accuracy of templating increased gradually with the level of training. The most experienced investigator was able to template within one size of the actual implant used in 95% of cases, compared with 88% and 82% for the less experienced investigators. Acute femoral neck fractures and proximal bone deformity were associated with the largest discrepancies in templated sizes.

Costs of elective total hip arthroplasty during the first year: Cemented versus noncemented

The cost-effectiveness of the Mallory Head (Biomet, Warsaw, IN) cemented versus noncemented total hip arthroplasty was determined as part of a randomized trial. Costs were assessed during the first postoperative year. In-hospital resource use was determined using a chart review of 60 randomly selected patients. Costs were determined using a fully allocated costing model. Outpatient resource use was determined using patient diaries, and appropriate costs were allocated for outpatient visits, admissions to hospital, and patient-borne costs. There was no difference in costs between the cemented and noncemented prostheses. The average cost of the initial hospitalization was $9,990 (1988 Canadian dollars), and outpatient costs during the first year were $1,137 (total cost during the first year was $11,127). The cost per quality adjusted life year was $27,139 during the first year and $8,031 during the first 3 years.

Intraoperative femur fracture during non-cemented total hip arthroplasty: The effect of cerclage wiring technique on micromotion

INTRAOPERATIVE FEMUR FRACTURE DURING NON-CEMENTED TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY: THE EFFECT OF CERCLAGE WIRING TECHNIQUE ON MICROMOTION Steven H. Elder, John J. Callaghan, and Thomas D. Brown Orthopaedic Biomechanics Lab, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242 Intraoperative fracture is not uncommon during non-cemented total hip arthroplasty, and the role of cerclage wiring in management of these fractures is controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of cerclage wiring for component stabilization, given the occurence of a typical anteromedial longitudinal fracture. An intraoperative fracture was simulated by a saw cut in seven cadaver femurs implanted with a Harris-Galante porous ingrowth component. Three treatment options were studied: 1) fracture cerclage wired with prosthesis in place, 2) prosthesis removal followed by wiring prior to prosthesis reinsertion, and 3) non-wired. Prostheses were loaded through a simulated hemipelvis mounted in an MTS servohydraulic testing machine. The three dimensional micromotion of the prosthesis relative to bone was measured using an array of seven liquid metal strain gages. There were no statistically significant differences among the three treatment options with respect to micromotion. Cerclage wiring did limit micromotion in some cases , and thus may be important for keeping interface motion below the threshold for bone ingrowth. Furthermore, cerclage wiring is certainly a deterrent to crack propagation. Overall, however, it appears that cerclage wiring is relatively ineffective in reducing micromotion, and that the choice between in-place versus pre-reinsertion wiring techniques is of little consequence. A Technique to Measure Relative Motion Between Two Rigid Bodies with Application to Implanted Femoral Prosthetic Components Alan Litsky, MD, ScD; Andrew Ryan, MD; Thomas Hickey, BS’; Douglas Mackay, BS Orthopaedic BioMaterials Laboratory and *Department of Chemistry The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA A new technique and device are described for measuring the relative motion between two rigid bodies. The first rigid body is immobilely fixed to the testing apparatus while the mobile second rigid body is connected to a frame which serves as an antenna to amplify relative motion. The points of the frame are known in a global coordinate system, and points on the second rigid body are known in a local coordinate system. By converting from local to global coordinates, the motion of points on the second body can be determined to the same accuracy that motion of points on the frame can be measured in the global coordinate system. In our first application of this technique, a femoral prosthesis is implanted into a composite artificial femur, and motion of the prosthesisframe unit is measured by LVDT’s with accuracy on the order of 50 microns. FLOW STUDIES ON ATRIOPULMONARY AND CAVOPULMONARY CONNECTIONS OF THE FONTAN OPERATIONS FOR TRICUSPID ATRESIA H.T.Low, Y.T.Chew and C.N.Lee* Mechanical and Production Engineering Department. National University of Singapore *Cardiac Department, National University Hospital Two main types of Fontan operations are performed as treatment for tricuspid astresia. The atriopulmonary connection is performed by anastomising the right atrium with the pulmonary artery, bypassing the right ventricle. In the cavopulmonary connection, both the superior and inferior vena cavae are anastomised with the pulmonary artery, bypassing the right atrium. The objective of the present paper is to investigate the pressure and power loss coefficients of in-vitro models of these two surgical connections. The study will be conducted at steady flow rates of 3 to 9 l/m using glycerol solution. The results show that the pressure loss from the vena cavae to the pulmonary artery is generally much lower in the cavopulmonary connection. The additional losses in the atriopulmonary connection are attributed to the sudden flow-area enlargement in the atrium and the larger dynamic pressure from the atrium. The lower flow losses in the cavopulmonary connection is also reflected as a lower power loss coefficient.

Functional Recovery of Noncemented Total Hip Arthroplasty

Eighteen patients with unilateral hip disease had noncemented total hip arthroplasty. Clinical follow-up data were complete to five years postsurgery. Gait analysis was done preoperatively, at three and six months, and at one and two years. Force plate data showed continued weakness of the operated hip in all patients at two years postsurgery. Preoperative dynamic electromyograms (EMGs) were abnormal in eight patients and showed two patterns. Stance loss seen in three patients was characterized by absence of activity of the gluteus medius and upper and lower gluteus maximus muscles. In five patients, continuous activity occurred in the tensor fascia lata, rectus femoris, and adductor longus muscles during the entire gait cycle. Postoperatively, all abnormal EMGs returned to normal. Four patients with a normal preoperative EMG developed abnormal EMG patterns postoperatively, demonstrating either a prolonged stance or stance loss pattern. All four of these hips have been revised. Although gait characteristics return to normal by two years postsurgery, weakness of the hip persists. This weakness jeopardizes the implant fixation interface. This study supports the prohibition of activities that cause high impact loading of total hip arthroplasties and suggests that a prolonged exercise program be employed postoperatively.

Trends in the Utilization of Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty, 1969 Through 1990: A Population-Based Study in Olmsted County, Minnesota

Using the unique data resources of the Rochester Epidemiology Project, we identified the residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) between 1969, when this technique was introduced, and 1990. During this period, 735 residents underwent 859 primary THAs. An initial dramatic upsurge in utilization of THA soon after its introduction was followed by a lower rate of increase, to an age- and sex-adjusted rate of 59.9 per 100,000 person-years in 1987 through 1990. In Olmsted County, the procedure was used more often in women than in men, but men underwent THA at a younger age than did women. THAs were performed for various conditions of the hip, but the increased utilization during the last decade of the study was mainly attributable to its application in primary degenerative hip disease among patients (male more often than female) from a wider age range; utilization of THA for hip fractures decreased during the study period. Most THAs were of the cemented variety (86.1%); however, the rate of use of noncemented THAs, first performed in 1984, is increasing. The overall upward trend in Olmsted County was consistent with European data but less than the rate of increase observed for the United States as a whole between 1983 and 1987. Olmsted County utilization rates, if projected nationally, suggest a need for more than 139,000 primary THAs each year at an annual direct cost of more than $2.7 billion. An urgent need exists for detailed examination of national utilization patterns and clarification of the role of cementless implants and of THA for hip fractures.

Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty in Renal Transplant Patients

Twenty-seven cementless total hip arthroplasties were performed in 17 steroid-dependent renal transplant patients. The average age at operation was 39 years, and the average daily dose of prednisone was 10.9 mg. At a mean of 48 months post-surgery, all patients had good to excellent hip ratings on clinical examination and the results compared favorably with 235 non-steroid-dependent age-matched patients using the identical prosthetic hip system. The results of this study suggest that long-term immunosuppression does not prevent bone ingrowth. Noncemented total hip arthroplasty appears to be a reasonable therapeutic option for end-stage osteonecrosis in steroid-dependent renal transplant patients.

Cemented Versus Noncemented Total Hip Arthroplasty—Embolism, Hemodynamics, and Intrapulmonary Shunting

Bone cement implantation syndrome is characterized by hypotension, hypoxemia, cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, or any combination of these complications. It may result from venous embolization that occurs in conjunction with intramedullary hypertension in the femur during insertion of the prosthesis in patients undergoing cemented total hip arthroplasty (THA). Intramedullary hypertension does not occur in patients undergoing noncemented THA. In this study, we sought to compare embolization between patients undergoing cemented and noncemented THA and to determine whether this state resulted in cardiorespiratory deterioration. In this prospective investigation of 35 patients undergoing elective THA, we used transesophageal echocardiography and invasive hemodynamic monitoring, and in 12 of them, we monitored distribution of pulmonary ventilation and perfusion intraoperatively. Embolization was significantly greater after insertion of the prosthesis in patients undergoing cemented than in those undergoing noncemented THA. Cemented THA was also associated with decreased cardiac output and increased pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance. Increases in ventilation-perfusion mismatching, however, could not be demonstrated 30 minutes after insertion of the femoral prosthesis. Intraoperative monitoring for embolism may help physicians assess patients in whom cardiorespiratory function deteriorates during THA.

Five-year Follow-Up Evaluation of the Noncemented Press-Fit Titanium Hip-Joint Endoprosthesis

A series of 260 noncemented total hip arthroplasties with a titanium alloy stem and fixation by the Zweymüller press-fit and an Endler polyethylene threaded cup was reviewed in detail. The minimum follow-up period was 48 months and the maximum 72 months, with an average of 60 months. A scale from zero to five points was applied to evaluate pain, mobility, and motion for a total possible accumulation of 15 points. The global results of the different etiologic groups (arthrosis, femoral head necrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and subcapital hip fractures) have been very good and good (12-15 points) in 67.5% of the cases and fairly good and bad in 32.3%. These results have been better in femoral head necrosis than in arthrosis or rheumatoid arthritis, but not as good in subcapital hip fractures. The age groups below 60 had better results than the above 60 groups. The Singh index higher than 3 was correlated with better-than-average results. The polyethylene cup migrated horizontally (more than 4 mm) in 7.6% of the cases and vertically (more than 5 mm) in 10%. The non-evolutionary cortical remodelation of the femur does not influence the results. Prosthetic stem sinking less than 4 mm has been found in 62% of the cases, from 4 to 9 mm in 21%, and greater than 9 mm in 6%. No alterations with clinical consequences attributable to stress-shielding have been detected.

LD Hip Arthroplasty

The new LD modular hip arthroplasty is made of Ti6A14V. The acetabular component has a hemispheric expansive metallic ring and a polyethylene nucleus in the shape of a cone segment. Since June 1988, when the clinical trials began, 352 arthroplasties have been performed with 112 total hip arthroplasties among them. Only 60 noncemented total hip arthroplasties, with the longest follow-up evaluation reaching 24 months, were analyzed. Patients with revision operations were excluded. The results have been evaluated using the Merle D'Aubigne scoring scale. Good results were found in 86% of cases. Pain improved markedly at three months in the postoperative period. At six months, the Trendelenburg sign was negative in 76% and positive in 12%. The Duchenne sign was positive in 11%. Major complications included three dislocations, two acetabular component revisions caused by initial malposition, one external popliteal nerve palsy, one deep infection, and two periprosthetic fractures. No acetabular migrations have been found. There are six femoral sinkings of less than 1 cm. Heterotopic ossifications Grade II-III appear in 24% of cases. The results to date are evaluated clinically and radiologically. The acetabular design has proved efficient, and the femoral components show a low incidence of stress shielding.

Short-Term Treatment With Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Medications to Prevent Heterotopic Bone Formation After Total Hip Arthroplasty A Preliminary Report

The effect of short-term postoperative treatment with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medication to prevent the formation of heterotopic ossification (HO) after total hip arthroplasty (THA) was studied in two groups of patients. Group A included 46 noncemented THAs in 40 men. Eight patients (13 hips) received prophylaxis with 25 mg of indomethacin three times daily for 14 days, and 32 patients (33 hips) received prophylaxis of 650 mg of aspirin twice daily for six weeks. Six to 12 months after surgery, only one hip (aspirin treated) developed HO, this being Grade I. In group B, 17 hips in 17 patients with cemented THA received prophylaxis of 25 mg of indomethacin three times daily. Of these, 12 patients were given indomethacin from one to nine days. One year after surgery, five hips had no HO and seven hips showed a Grade I or Grade II lesion. The remaining five patients in Group B received indomethacin from 19 to 26 days; one developed HO. This study demonstrated that treatment with either 650 mg of aspirin twice daily for six weeks or 25 mg of indomethacin three times daily for the first 14 postoperative days is sufficient to prevent the formation of severe HO after THA.

Total hip arthroplasty: A comparison between cemented and press-fit noncemented fixation

This study compares cemented (Charnley) with noncemented (Honnart Patel-Garches) total hip arthroplasty. 150 patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and miscellaneous conditions were randomized into either group with 75 in each. Patients were evaluated over 5 postoperative years with examinations at 6 months, at 1 year, and then annually. Each examination involved clinical assessment, objective gait analysis, and radiographic examination. The Charnley group improved faster than the HP-Garches group during the first 2 years. At the last evaluation the results were excellent or good in 79% in the Charnley group and 70% in the HP-Garches group. In the HP-Garches group midthigh pain occurred, in 64%. Five, patients with Charnley prostheses (6.7%) and 14 patients with HP-Garches prostheses (18.7% had revision surgery to correct mechanical, loosening. Standard radiography revealed radiolucent zones in both groups, but this could not be related to the clinical outcome despite radiolucency being present in all noncemented replacements on the femoral side. Objective gait analysis confirmed inferior clinical results at 6 months in the HP-Garches group. There was no significant difference between the groups at the most recent evaluation. Our findings are not consistent with earlier optimistic expectations on press-fit noncemented total hip arthroplasties

Radiation Therapy to Prevent Heterotopic Ossification After Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty

Clinical and roentgenographic observations on a postoperative low-dose radiation of 1000 cGy for prevention of heterotopic ossification in high-risk patients after 48 noncemented total hip arthroplasties demonstrated no overall statistical difference in the Harris hip scores between the treated group (92.2) and the control group (91.0). There was no difference in the incidence of radiolucent lines about the components, and there were no revisions for aseptic loosening in the treated group. The incidence of clinically significant (Brooker Grades III and IV) heterotopic bone formation was lower in the treated group (7%) than in the control group (32%). This difference in the incidence of heterotopic bone formation was statistically significant. Radiation therapy was effective in preventing postoperative heterotopic bone formation in biologically fixed total hip implants.

The Effect of Stem Stiffness on Femoral Bone Resorption After Canine Porous-Coated Total Hip Arthroplasty

Bilateral noncemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) was produced in dogs to determine the effect of stem stiffness on stress-related bone resorption. Two porous-coated femoral implants of substantially different stiffnesses were designed for direct comparison. One was manufactured from cobalt-chromium (CoCr) alloy, the other from titanium alloy. The titanium stem was hollowed out to a wall thickness of 1 mm to further reduce its stiffness. The cumulative stiffness differences were about 5.4-fold axially and 3.6-fold in bending and torsion. Staged bilateral THA was performed on eight dogs. Each dog received a stiff CoCr stem on one side and a flexible titanium stem on the other. After death, the femora were removed and processed for undecalcified thin-section histology. Bone ingrowth and remodeling were quantified by computer-aided image analysis and compared between stem designs. All femoral specimens showed bone ingrowth fixation of both stiff and flexible stems along the implant length. Tetracycline labeling indicated active bone turnover in the femoral cortex and in regions of ingrowth. However, gross differences in femoral bone remodeling were observed both roentgenographically and histologically. Femora with the flexible stems consistently showed much less bone resorption than those with the stiff stems. Quantitative analysis of paired cross-sections indicated an average of 25%-35% more cortical bone area in the femora with flexible stems. Severe resorption of the cortex in the midstem region occurred in three of the femora with the stiff stems but in none with the flexible stems. Stem stiffness strongly influences bone remodeling. The flexible stem results in more uniform load transfer and less stress shielding.

Bipolar Versus Total Hip Arthroplasty for Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head A Comparison

In a relatively small series of cases the results of bipolar prostheses in avascular necrosis were inferior to those of total hip arthroplasty (THA). Femoral loosening rates were not reduced by using bipolar prostheses. THA produced more inferior results in avascular necrosis than in degenerative joint disease. Early results of noncemented THA for avascular necrosis were good but also must withstand the test of time. A fixed noncemented acetabular component was preferable over a bipolar prosthesis for avascular necrosis of the femoral head.

Heterotopic Bone Formation After Noncemented Total Hip Arthroplasty

The regional-development of heterotopic bone around the hip and the influence of postoperative prophylaxis with antiinflammatory drugs were studied in 66 patients treated with 74 noncemented, porous-coated total hip arthroplasties (THA) using the McFarland approach. Thirty patients (34 hips) were treated with antiinflammatory drugs during the early postoperative period. Heterotopic bone developed in two different regions: central, around the neck of the femoral component, and lateral to the greater trochanter of the femur. Central ossifications were recorded in 53% of the hips and appeared significantly less frequently in patients postoperatively treated with antiinflammatory drugs. Lateral ossifications were recorded in 71% of the hips, and no significant prophylactic effect was found for postoperative antiinflammatory treatment. In response to the McFarland approach in THA, heterotopic ossifications may appear both centrally around the neck of the femoral component and lateral to the trochanter in the substance of the medial gluteal muscle. The latter may be comparable to post-traumatic myositis ossificans.

Functional outcome of hip fusion in the young patient: Follow-up study of 10 patients

In the young patient, an osteoarthritic or osteonecrotic hip presents a challenging therapeutic problem. Until the long-term results of noncemented total hip arthroplasty are known, hip fusion provides an option to cemented total hip arthroplasty in the young patient with hip disease. The authors describe the outcome of hip fusion in 10 patients with an average follow-up period of 8.5 years. Seventy percent of the patients had a good or very good result with pain relief, and 90% or more had a good or excellent functional result with support aids, ambulation, and climbing stairs. All 10 patients were subjectively satisfied with their hip fusion. A lower incidence of pain in the contralateral hip, ipsilateral knee, and lower back was noted at 8.5 years than that reported at long-term follow-up evaluation and was associated with a satisfactory anatomic position of hip arthrodesis.

Adaptive bone remodeling and biomechanical design considerations for noncemented total hip arthroplasty.

Clinical problems with noncemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) stems, directly or indirectly related to load transfer, include mid-thigh pain due to relative (micro) motions or excessive endosteal interface stresses, subsidence and loosening due to inadequate primary stability and fit, and proximal femoral bone atrophy due to stress shielding. In this article, the load-transfer mechanisms associated with noncemented THA stems and their resulting stress patterns are discussed in relation to design features, bonding characteristics, and materials choice. Nonlinear finite-element models and computer simulation programs for strain-adaptive bone remodeling have been used for this study. Canal-filling, fully bonded metal stems have been found likely to cause proximal bone atrophy, possibly leading to long-term failure of the implant/bone composite. The use of flexible (isoelastic) materials and/or press-fit fixation reduces stress shielding, but also reduces the potential for interface stability. The stem material, the stem shape, and the coating geometry interact in relation to the load-transfer mechanism, and it is suggested that optimal combinations of these characteristics can be determined through the computer simulation methods presented.

Femoral fracture during non-cemented total hip arthroplasty.

A study of the data on 1,318 consecutive non-cemented total hip-replacement arthroplasties revealed thirty-nine intraoperative fractures of the femur (3 per cent), only half of which were diagnosed intraoperatively. The fractures occurred in the proximal region of the femur or at the tip of the stem of the prosthesis. Most were incomplete and minimally displaced, and they did not jeopardize the stability of the femoral component. All complete proximal fractures were stabilized with a four-fifths-coated or fully coated prosthesis to provide distal fixation, and, when diagnosed intraoperatively, were fixed with cerclage wiring. When an incomplete fracture near the tip of the stem was discovered postoperatively and the posterior part of the femoral cortex was intact, a spica cast was applied, and the patient was instructed in protected weight-bearing. For a complete fracture at the tip of the stem, we recommend open reduction and internal fixation. No statistical difference was found with respect to residual pain, the score for walking, or the stability of the implant when we compared the results for the patients who had a fracture with those for the patients who did not. Modifications in surgical technique resulted in a decrease in the incidence of fractures (p less than 0.05).