Condylar constrained knee arthroplasties (CCKAs) and rotating hinge knee arthroplasties (RHKAs) achieved good outcomes in complex primary total knee arthroplasties (TKAs); however, long-term comparative studies are few. Using an arthroplasty registry, we sought to assess and compare in CCKAs and RHKAs: (1) the intra-operative rates of complications, (2) the survival rates, (3) the reasons for revision, and (4) the adjusted hazard ratios for failure. 1432 constrained implants in primary TKAs performed for non-oncological indications were included: 703 RHKAs, 729 CCKAs. The two groups were comparable regarding age and gender. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to compare survival rates, multivariate analyses to assess the hazard ratios for failures. The mean follow-up was 4.1 years (range 0–16.3) for CCKAs and 6.8 years (0–18.1) for RHKAs. The intra/peri-operative complications were similar in both the cohorts, with similar rates of femoral and tibial fractures. 10-year implant survival rates were similar in both the cohorts (91.9%, CI 95% 89.2–93.9% in RHKAs; 93.4%, CI 95% 90.3–95.6% in CCKAs). Periprosthetic infection was the most common reason for revision in the two cohorts, followed by aseptic loosening. Breakage occurred in 3 RHKAs (0.4%). CCKAs and RHKAs had a similar distribution of revision causes. Males aged less than 60 had significantly more failures, regardless the constraint degree. Unstemmed CCKAs significantly failed more than RHKAs and stemmed CCKAs. Both modern CCKAs and RHKAs are viable long-term solutions in complex primary TKAs. More failures should be expected in males aged less than 60. IV, Therapeutic study.

The aim is to compare the results of isolated hip arthroscopy in patients with borderline dysplasia with Lateral center edge angle (LCEA) between 18° and 25° with a control group of patients with normal LCEA (> 25°). Fifty hip arthroscopies performed in 45 patients were retrospectively evaluated. Exclusion criteria were: age > 40, hip arthritis > grade 2 according to Tonnis classification, femoral head avascular necrosis, pediatric’s orthopaedics conditions and true dysplasia with LCEA < 18°.Two groups were identified: group A with 15 hips with LCEA between 25° and 18° and Group control B made of 35 hips with LCEA > 25°. The groups were homogeneous for demography and pre-operative WOMAC and HOOS. Osteoplasty for CAM were performed in 100% of patients in both groups, only in 12 hips (34.4%) in group B we had both femoral and acetabular osteoplasty. Labral repair was performed in 86% of patients in group A, in 60% of patients in group B, capsular plication in 93% of group A, in 5% of case of group B. WOMAC and HOOS statically significant improved in both groups at final follow-up (24 months). No cases in both groups required conversion to total hip arthroplasty. Clinical outcomes of study group were comparable to the control group. Even if the present small series is not conclusive, we suggest isolated arthroscopic management of patients with FAI and LCEA between 18° and 25°, but capsular plication and careful labral management are strongly recommended. Level IV.

Stem anteversion in total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been measured using two different distal references, the posterior condyle (PC) or the transepicondylar axis (TEA). The reliability, the difference in value between these two techniques, and the possible confounding factors are scarcely known. Aims of this work were to assess (1) the intraclass correlation and the difference between the two measurement techniques and (2) the possible influence of condylar dysmorphisms on the anteversion value discrepancy. A consecutive series of post-THA CT scans were selected, excluding hip dysplasia, end-stage knee osteoarthritis, and replaced knees. Using a surgical planning software, stem anteversion was measured using the PC or the TEA reference. The intraclass reliability was assessed. The anteroposterior femoral condyle diameters were measured: the difference and the ratio were measured and correlated with the stem anteversion values. 91 CT scans were included. Inter/intra-observer TEA measurements were more reliable than PC. The intraclass correlation between PC and TEA anteversion measurements was good, 0.954 (CI 95% 0.922–0965). The mean difference between PC and TEA anteversion was 5.27 ± 2.41°. The difference and the ratio between the two anteroposterior condyle diameters did not influence the anteversion difference (respectively, p 0.797 and p 0.901). TEA and PC demonstrated to achieve a good correlation, not dependent from the condyle morphology. However, the difference between the two measurements (5°) can severely influence the combined anteversion (10–20%): due to clinical applicability and better inter/intra-observer agreement, TEA should be preferred for measuring stem anteversion.

Ceramic-on-ceramic (COC) total hip arthroplasties (THAs) with large heads (>36 mm) were introduced to reduce dislocation rates and restore the hip anatomy as closely as possible to the native one. To date, the literature is scarce and fragmented; a review is desirable to point out the outcomes and the possible specific complications (noise, groin pain, and taperosis). A systematic review about large-diameter COC THAs was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. The PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched using the terms "large", "big", "head", "hip", and "ceramic." The methodological quality of the papers was assessed using the MINORS (Methodological Index for Nonrandomized Studies) score. Seven papers (level of evidence: 5 case series and 2 case-control studies) met the inclusion criteria. Clinical outcomes were excellent in >90% of the patients. Groin pain was reported in only 1 article (7%). Radiological outcomes were positive. Minimal revision rates (<2%) were reported at short- to mid-term follow-ups. Dislocation rates were usually <1%. No bearing surfaces failed. No case of trunnionitis was reported. Noise occurred in up to 30% of the patients, mostly squeaking. The noise did not influence clinical outcomes or patients' satisfaction. Noise was inconstantly associated with component positioning, younger age, high articular excursions, and larger sizes. Large-diameter heads in COC THAs (≥40 mm) showed promising clinical and radiological outcomes with minimal revision rates. Noise is a cause of concern and should be carefully evaluated at longer follow-ups and in larger, prospective, and specifically designed case series.

Introduction: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) after proximal femoral fixation is a challenging procedure due to possible hardware-related complications. Case presentation: A 78-year-old female with hip osteoarthritis had a proximal femoral osteotomy fixed using a blade plate in the same femur 41 years ago. A two-step approach was planned. After a challenging hardware removal, an iatrogenic subtrochanteric fracture below the degenerated hip occurred after three months. THA with a tapered long stem was successfully performed with no need for additional osteosynthesis, and good results were seen two years later. Discussion: THAs in subtrochanteric fractures are technically demanding but feasible in selected cases. Hardware removal before THA implantation may carry important risks, and the surgical team should be prepared to perform arthroplasty in case of complications. Conclusion: THA in a subtrochanteric fracture below hip osteoarthritis is a feasible option in selected cases.

Background: Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) derives from naive albumin, modified in the binding region of bivalent ions, as cobalt and iron. The cobalt, released from some types of hip prosthesis seems to be metabolized differently in males and females but the iron ion is more prevalent than cobalt and is detectable in the healthy population. Our aim was to verify if there are any gender-and age-related differences in IMA concentrations and if IMA correlates with cobalt and iron-related proteins. Methods: IMA, albumin, iron, ferritin, transferrin, and cobalt were measured in 50 men and 50 women divided into two age/fertility-homogeneous groups. Results: Men < 45-years-old showed a statistically significant lower IMA concentration than men >= 45 and fertile and menopausal women. Considering all the population studied, IMA does not seem to be correlated with age and is distributed differently by gender; also, Co distribution was different between males and females. Conclusions: IMA did not correlate with cobalt, iron, ferritin, and transferrin in any group, except for fertile women where IMA presented a statistically significant correlation with serum iron values. Minor expression of IMA in young males together with the results obtained on serum iron in fertile females, could explain the higher accumulation of circulating Co in women compared to men and their different cobalt metabolism.

Background: Periprosthetic hip infections (PHIs) are troublesome complications of hip arthroplasties. The gold standard procedure for treating chronic PHI is a 2-stage approach. Recently, however, more conservative approaches have been developed to spare the osseointegrated components and avoid sequestra, bone loss, devascularization, and difficult reconstructions. The partial two-stage approach, which leaves the well-fixed component in situ and removes the loosened component, may be an effective strategy. Objective: This paper, a narrative mini-review, analyzed the preliminary results of a partial 2-stage approach to treating chronic hip arthroplasty infections. Methods: Pertinent papers describing the partial 2-stage approach (leaving the well-fixed component in situ and removing the loosened component) were collected and evaluated. Results: Six main case series were selected. A total of 76 patients were included. Many patients were treated with socket removal and stem retention with quite similar surgical techniques. Many cases included highly virulent bacteria, and no pre-operative selection about comorbidities was performed. The first outcomes of this approach were promising, with a rate of infection control ranging from 81.3% to 100% at mid-term follow-up. Conclusion: This approach proved good at mid-term follow-up; however, many concerns still exist. In particular, the indications are imprecise, and the role of biofilm is still unclear. Despite the first good outcomes, the partial 2-stage approach for chronic PHI should be validated by multicenter prospective studies.