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C H Rorabeck

Publications and source records attributed to C H Rorabeck.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Hip revision arthroplasty. Approach to the femoral side.

Total hip arthroplasty has proven to be a highly successful procedure but with its increased use in elderly patients and in young patients with high physical demands, there are an increasing number of joints requiring revision. Many factors, including loss of bone stock, joint instability, infection, fracture, trochanteric nonunion, and difficulty in implant or cement removal, make revision of the femoral component challenging to the surgeon. To address these factors and to achieve the goals of revision surgery, several key questions should be addressed. What exposure should be used? How can the implant be removed? What type of reconstruction should be used and which implant should be chosen? How can stable fixation be achieved? How can the bone defects be treated? The approach that the authors recommend to the femoral component in revision hip arthroplasty is outlined, taking into consideration each of the questions above. The classification system used by the authors for femoral bone defects present at the time of revision arthroplasty has four categories based on the integrity of the proximal cancellous bone and the cortical tube, which is used to select the technique of reconstruction. The literature on techniques for revision of a failed femoral component is reviewed.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip↗

Results of revision total knee arthroplasty in the face of significant bone deficiency.

The successful approach to the failed knee with bone deficiency is dependent upon thorough planning prior to surgery in order to have the resources available in terms of adequate bone allograft and suitable revision implants. The approximate size of bone stock deficiency can be calculated from preoperative radiographs and similarly ligamentous incompetence can often be diagnosed clinically prior to surgery. Smaller defects of up to 1 to 1.5 cm in depth and localized in the main to a single side of the tibial plateau or to a single femoral condyle can be dealt with using smaller grafts that may be local autograft or allograft, or modular wedges. Larger tibial defects can be compensated for using conventional revision systems by thicker polyethylene and augmented baseplates, but once the flexion-extension gap reaches approximately 40 mm this is no longer possible and structural graft or customized componentry becomes necessary. Femoral defects larger than about 1 cm that cannot be made up by augments necessitate grafting. The need to use a large proximal tibial allograft also may dictate the operative approach used to expose the joint, especially in the situation of a multiply-operated tight knee. In such cases the use of a quadriceps turndown may be more advisable than the use of a tibial tubercle osteotomy as the osteotomy may well not have an adequate bed to heal to following the reconstruction. Several series have reported cases of patellar tendon avulsion and the clinical results following this complication usually are not satisfactory. Preoperatively it is important to identify, if possible, the case that is likely to require a more extended approach because of a tight soft tissue envelope. The reports of results of series of revision total knee arthroplasty in the setting of significant bone loss are at present confined to short-term followup. The clinical results of these series are satisfactory at this early point in time, but decision regarding the durability of reconstructions requiring major structural allografting awaits longer-term study. Of concern is the devastating complication of infection following such revision surgery, the risk of which is amplified in the setting of prior infection. In addition, the long-term viability of major structural grafts in the setting of loading is uncertain as the risk of graft collapse in the process of incorporation is not known. Notwithstanding these concerns, major grafting is sometimes the only recourse to achieve satisfactory revision of a failed arthroplasty. The use of such major grafts is therefore cautiously supported and because of the risks inherent in such surgery we believe that such surgery should be carried out in the setting of specialist interest units.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee↗

A modified direct lateral approach in total hip arthroplasty: a comprehensive review.

A retrospective review of 770 consecutive primary total hip arthroplasties was conducted to determine the complications and utility of a modified direct lateral approach, which involves elevation of the anterior one-third of the gluteus medius and vastus lateralis in continuity. In 640 patients, 712 total hip arthroplasties were followed up for a minimum of 2 years (maximum 6.5 years, average 3.6 years). Two prosthetic dislocations occurred in the follow-up period, for a prevalence of instability of 0.3%. A moderate or severe limp was present in 10% of all patients at 2-year follow-up and in 4% of a subgroup of patients with only unilateral osteoarthritis of the hip (Charnley A). Severe heterotopic ossification (Brooker grade III or IV) developed in fewer than 3% of hips and was functionally limiting in only seven patients. Four sciatic nerve palsies occurred. Surgical exposure has been excellent through this approach, without the need for extensile measures, such as a trochanteric osteotomy. The duration of surgery has been considered acceptable, and the position of the components considered excellent while using this approach. From this review, it was concluded that this modified direct lateral approach has greatly diminished the potentially devastating complication of postoperative instability and is associated with an acceptable level and severity of limp and heterotopic ossification. The approach provides excellent exposure in primary total hip arthroplasty to allow accurate placement of components in an efficient manner.

Adult↗

The Harris Design-2 total hip replacement fixed with so-called second-generation cementing techniques. A ten to fifteen-year follow-up.

We analyzed the clinical results of 195 Harris Design-2 total hip replacements performed with so-called second-generation cementing techniques in 166 consecutive patients who had osteoarthrosis. The mean age of the patients at the time of the replacement was sixty-seven years and nine months (range, thirty-one to eighty-nine years). Forty-eight patients (fifty-four hips) died before the time of the latest follow-up, but the implants were apparently functioning well at the time of death. Three patients (four hips) were lost to follow-up. Five patients (five hips; 3 percent) had a revision because of aseptic loosening of the acetabular or femoral component, or both, that was related to wear-induced osteolysis. The mean Harris hip score for the 131 hips that were available at the latest follow-up examination at a mean of twelve years (range, ten to fifteen years) after the operation was 89 +/- 10 points. On the basis of the Harris hip score, seventy-six hips had an excellent result, thirty-four had a good result, fifteen had a fair result, and six had a poor result at the latest follow-up examination. Radiographically, twelve (9 percent) of the 131 acetabular components and three (2 percent) of the 131 femoral components were probably or definitely loose. At a mean of twelve years, 186 (97 percent) of 191 Harris Design-2 implants were in situ or had been in situ at the time of the patient's death.

Aged↗

A critical look at cementless stems. Taper designs and when to use alternatives.

The clinical and radiographic efficacy of cementless taper design femoral components in total hip arthroplasty was determined. Cementless, taper design, femoral components have been shown to offer comparable clinical results to cemented femoral implants in a double blind, randomized, clinical trial. No differences were observed in terms of disease specific, patient specific, global health, functional capacity, or cost to utility outcome measures. The prevalence of pain in the thigh was the same in each group. Fixation of cementless, taper design, femoral stems depended on three-point fixation as shown on lateral radiographs. A clinical algorithm for femoral stem selection, based on more than 10 years experience with more than 1000 cementless, taper design femoral stems has been developed. Cementless, taper design, femoral implants currently are used in 75% of the authors' patients, provided they are younger than 75 years of age and have funnel shaped proximal femoral medullary canals. Cemented femoral stems are used in older patients, those who have cylindric medullary canals, and those who have inflammatory or unusual bone diseases (Paget's disease, previously irradiated bone).

Activities of Daily Living↗

Incipient compartment syndrome of the thigh following total knee arthroplasty.

Compartment syndrome of the thigh is in itself a rarity because of the large size of the compartment and the relatively high compliance of the thigh which allows accommodation to volume changes due to hematoma or tissue edema. Most cases have been reported in association with impact trauma to the lower extremity or in association with crush syndrome. A previously unrecognized complication of total knee arthroplasty where an incipient compartment syndrome developed in the thigh extensor compartment is reported.

Aged↗

Uncemented total hip arthroplasty in patients 50 years of age or younger.

The results of a consecutive series of uncemented total hip arthroplasties in patients 50 years or younger are reviewed. There were 41 total hip arthroplasties in 36 patients at an average follow-up period of 5.3 years. Average patient age was 42 years at the time of implantation. Preoperative Harris hip score (HHS) averaged 39/100; the final HHS averaged 93. Radiographic evaluation revealed that the femoral stems were all solid, with no progressive subsidence, reactive lines, or osteolysis. Twenty of the hips (49%) demonstrated evidence of polyethylene wear. There was significant acetabular osteolysis in 12 of these 20 hips. Five of the acetabular cups were definitely loose; 1 was possibly loose. Three of the patients underwent revision surgery for acetabular loosening and/or osteolysis. It is concluded from this study that the femoral stem is excellent but that the original acetabular component and polyethylene locking mechanism are poor and made even worse with the use of a titanium femoral head.

Acetabulum↗

Measurement of polyethylene wear in acetabular components inserted with and without cement. A randomized trial.

We measured the three-dimensional wear of polyethylene after total hip arthroplasty with a titanium metal-backed Mallory-Head prosthesis that was inserted with cement in sixty-nine patients (sixty-nine hips) and with a press-fit titanium metal-backed Mallory-Head prosthesis that was inserted without cement in seventy patients (seventy hips). A modular titanium femoral head was used in all of the hips. The patients in the present study were part of a larger double-blind randomized trial comparing the result of total hip arthroplasty performed with cement with that of the same procedure performed without cement in 250 patients. The criterion for inclusion in the study of polyethylene wear was a minimum duration of follow-up of four years, which was met by 148 patients. As adequate radiographs for digitization were not available for nine patients, 139 patients were included in the present study. The age of the patient, the postoperative Harris hip score, the diameter of the femoral head, the thickness of the liner in the polar region of the acetabular component, and the duration of follow-up were similar for the two groups. The mean rate of volumetric wear of the polyethylene was significantly greater in the prostheses that had been inserted without cement than in those that had been inserted with cement (155.1 cubic millimeters per year compared with 98.5 cubic millimeters per year; p = 0.000008). Thirty-four (49 per cent) of the seventy hips in which the prosthesis had been inserted without cement had evidence of osteolysis on radiographs, compared with twelve (17 per cent) of the sixty-nine hips in the other group (p = 0.0002). Osteolysis was associated with an increased rate of polyethylene wear only in the hips in which the prosthesis had been inserted without cement.

Acetabulum↗

Prevalence of heterotopic ossification in cemented versus noncemented total hip joint replacement in patients with osteoarthrosis: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of heterotopic bone formation in cemented versus noncemented total hip joint replacement. DESIGN: A prospective randomized controlled trial. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 6 years (mean 4 years). SETTING: A university hospital. PATIENTS: Two hundred and twenty-six patients who had primary or secondary osteoarthrosis of the hip were stratified according to type of fixation, surgeon and age. Patients were randomized within strata: 112 received noncemented total hip prostheses and 114 received cemented prostheses. The 2 groups were similar with respect to age and sex. INTERVENTION: Primary total hip arthroplasty. A cemented (methylmethacrylate) or noncemented prosthesis was inserted by a lateral surgical approach. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The Brooker classification was used to grade heterotopic bone formation from postoperative radiographs. RESULTS: Overall, 148 (66%) hips had no heterotopic ossification, 56 (25%) were Brooker class I, 14 (6%) were class II, 8 (3%) were class III and none were class IV. In the noncemented group of patients, 76 (68%) hips had no heterotopic ossification, 25 (22%) were Brooker class I, 7 (6%) were class II, 4 (4%) were class III and none were class IV. In the cemented group of patients, 72 (63%) hips had no heterotopic ossification, 31 (27%) hips were Brooker class I, 7 (6%) were class II, 4 (4%) were class III and none were class IV. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in the prevalence of heterotopic ossification between cemented and noncemented total hip replacements in patients with osteoarthrosis.

Aged↗

Acetabular osteolysis with cementless cups: a 5 to 7 year follow-up.

We reviewed the results of 172 plasma-sprayed, titanium primary total hip arthroplasties inserted without cement and followed 5 to 7 years. Hips were replaced for a wide range of diagnoses and patient ages. No femoral components had been revised nor were considered unstable. Clinical results have been excellent; 88% of hips had either no or a slight amount of pain and only 5% of patients had thigh pain when specifically asked. Radiographically, this femoral component achieved stability after an initial subsidence in 9% of cases. Extensive femoral bone resorption was rare, and distal cortical hypertrophy was commonly seen. Pelvic osteolysis occurred in 16 (9%) cases and was considered major in 10 of these. It was the cause of failure of 3 acetabular components. Femoral endosteal lysis was not observed. We concluded that mechanical stability of the Mallory-Head titanium total hip prostheses is excellent. However, significant pelvic osteolysis has occurred commonly with this implant design, and will continue to pose major reconstructive problems in the future.

Acetabulum↗

Osteolysis in cemented versus cementless acetabular components.

A prospective, randomized, double-blind, clinical trial comparing cemented with cementless total hip arthroplasty was performed to compare the prevalence and pattern of acetabular osteolysis. Both groups were similar before surgery. Acetabular components were metal-backed, titanium implants. Twenty-eight-millimeter modular femoral heads with titanium femoral stems were used. At a minimum 2-year and mean 4-year follow-up period (range, 2-6 years), 224 patients had clinical and radiographic data available. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of acetabular osteolysis between cemented (5%) and cementless (9%) fixation. With or without cement, the use of a titanium femoral head led to osteolysis within a relatively short period after surgery in almost all of the cases, although this was not significant. The pattern of acetabular osteolysis was different. Progressive osteolysis occurred predominantly in acetabular zone 1 in the cemented group and zone 2 in the cementless group. Cementless fixation of acetabular components has been advocated in an attempt to minimize osteolysis that may occur in cemented total hip arthroplasty. This study found no difference in the prevalence of acetabular osteolysis between the two groups.

Acetabulum↗

Early radiographic results comparing cemented and cementless total hip arthroplasty.

In a randomized clinical trial of cemented and cementless total hip arthroplasty, 147 patients (76 cemented, 71 cementless) have had a minimum 4-year clinical and radiographic follow-up evaluation. No revisions have been done in either group. Two cemented acetabular components were considered definitely loose and 18 were probably loose; 7 cemented stems were possibly loose at last follow-up examination. One cementless socket was considered unstable. Although cementless femoral component subsidence occurred in 10 cases, the sinkage always stabilized within 6 months, and no stem was considered unstable at last follow-up examination. Significant femoral bone resorption was rare, and so-called "spot welds" were uncommon using this titanium stem. Distal cortical hypertrophy was common, but the cause is uncertain. Osteolysis was seen around 10 cementless and 6 cemented sockets. A small area of lysis occurred in the proximal medial femoral neck in 15 cemented stems and 1 cementless stem. No cases of distal femoral lysis were seen in either group. Despite excellent clinical results with no difference between groups, the high rate of early radiographic failure of this metal-backed acetabulum should preclude its use. Osteolysis will continue to be a problem in both groups, and its prevention should remain the focus of future studies.

Acetabulum↗