Characteristics of bone turnover markers in rapidly destructive coxopathy

Outcomes of Primary Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty for Rapidly Destructive Coxarthrosis from Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head: A Matched Cohort Study

Purpose

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is the only definitive treatment for rapidly destructive coxarthrosis (RDC). THA for RDC has significantly higher perioperative blood loss with a greater requirement for transfusion than non-RDC primary THAs. Given the rarity of the disease, this study aimed to investigate perioperative and long-term outcomes of cementless THA for RDC that developed from osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH).

Materials and Methods

Each of 26 RDC patients was matched to a patient with typical advanced-stage ONFH for comparison, according to age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, and the type of implant used. As a primary outcome, perioperative blood loss was calculated as the sum of compensated and uncompensated blood loss.

Results

The RDC group had a significantly larger amount of total perioperative blood loss in comparison to the group with typical ONFH (791.5 mL vs. 511.2 mL, P=0.034), which was primarily attributable to compensated blood loss (496.1 mL vs. 141.5 mL, P=0.024), as uncompensated blood loss was not significantly different (P=0.152). Intraoperative transfusion volume was significantly higher in the RDC group (234.6 mL vs. 46.2 mL, P=0.007), while the difference in postoperative transfusion was marginally significant (P=0.092).

Conclusion

THA for RDC was accompanied by a higher perioperative blood loss, attributable mainly to a significant difference in the amount of intraoperative transfusion, in a matched comparison with patients with typical advanced-stage ONFH. However, extended operation time and prolonged hospitalization along with a large volume of transfusion did not translate into inferior long-term outcomes.

The Presentation, Clinical Diagnosis, Risk Factors, and Management of Rapidly Progressive Hip Osteoarthritis: A Narrative Literature Review

Rapidly progressive hip osteoarthritis (RPOH) is a rare and severe form of osteoarthritis (OA), marked by the rapid degeneration and destruction of the femoral head, often within months. Despite its unclear etiology, several factors such as subchondral fractures and immune responses have been proposed as possible contributors. This narrative review aims to synthesize current knowledge on the pathogenesis, risk factors, clinical presentation, imaging features, and grading systems of RPOH. Predominantly affecting elderly females, RPOH presents distinctive challenges in both diagnosis and management due to its abrupt onset and severity. Known risk factors include advanced age, female gender, obesity, intra-articular corticosteroids use, and long-term hemodialysis. Clinically, RPOH is characterized by severe pain during active weight-bearing movements, despite patients presenting a normal range of motion during passive examination in the early stages. While several classification systems exist, there is no universal standard, complicating differential diagnosis and clinical approaches. This review emphasizes the necessity for early diagnostic methods utilizing specific biomarkers, rapid differential diagnosis, and targeted, personalized interventions based on individual risk factors.

Increased bone resorption that outpaces increased bone formation: An important pathology of rapidly destructive coxarthrosis

Rapid joint destruction caused by rapidly destructive coxarthrosis (RDC) can increase surgical complexity and intraoperative blood loss. This single-center retrospective study investigates osteoporosis-related biomarkers for early RDC diagnosis and explores new treatment targets. We included 398 hip joints from patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty, examining medical records for preoperative patient demographics, bone mineral density of the hip and lumbar spine from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans, and osteoporosis-related biomarkers including TRACP-5b, total P1NP, intact parathyroid hormone, and homocysteine. We compared RDC and osteoarthritis (OA) patients, and univariate analysis showed that RDC patients were older (p < 0.001) and had lower serum levels of albumin (p < 0.001) and higher serum levels of TRACP-5b, total P1NP (p < 0.001), and homocysteine (p = 0.006). Multivariable analysis showed that the ratio of serum TRACP-5b to total P1NP had a more significant difference in RDC patients than in OA patients (p = 0.04). Serum TRACP-5b levels were negatively correlated with the time between RDC onset and blood collection, and Japanese Orthopedic Association pain score. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the ratio of serum TRACP-5b to total P1NP had the highest area under the curve value. This study is the first to demonstrate that the ratio of serum TRACP-5b to total P1NP-increased bone resorption that outpaces increased bone formation-is significantly elevated in patients with RDC and that TRACP-5b is higher in the early stages of RDC. Inhibiting serum levels of TRACP-5b, activated osteoclasts, during early RDC may suppress disease progression.

Investigating sagittal spinopelvic alignment and equivalent stress on the femoral head in patients with rapidly destructive coxarthrosis

PURPOSE

Rapidly destructive coxarthrosis (RDC) is a rare syndrome of unknown etiology. This study evaluated sagittal spinopelvic alignment (SSPA) in patients with RDC and compared it with that in patients with hip osteoarthritis (HOA). In addition, finite element analysis (FEA) was performed to investigate the distribution of stress on the femoral head in RDC versus HOA.

METHODS

This retrospective study included patients who had undergone primary total hip arthroplasty for RDC (n = 33) and HOA (n = 99; age- and sex-matched to patients with RDC) at three hospitals from June 2014 to September 2020. Preoperative SSPA parameters and inflammatory blood markers were compared between the two groups. FEA on the computed tomography data was performed for four patients from each group with similar pelvic tilt (PT) and lateral center-edge angle (LCEA). The distribution of Drucker-Prager equivalent stress was assessed at the loaded area of the femoral head.

RESULTS

Patients with RDC had significantly higher PT, lower sacral slope, decreased lumbar lordosis (LL), higher sagittal vertical axis, and higher pelvic incidence minus LL than patients with HOA, indicating sagittal spinal imbalance. Blood test revealed patients with RDC had higher levels of inflammation markers than patients with HOA. FEA revealed no statistically significant difference in the degree of stress concentration or the maximum equivalent stress between the two groups when PT and LCEA were comparable.

CONCLUSION

Patients with RDC tend to have sagittally imbalanced spine. Decreased acetabular coverage of the femoral head may heighten mechanical load of the hip joint in patients with RDC.

ACUTE DESTRUCTIVE HIP SEPTIC ARTHRITIS IN A YOUNG ADULT PATIENT: CASE REPORT (v2)

The Authors describe a case of rapid right hip destructive septic arthritis in a 50-year-old male patient with no previous noteworthy medical history. Patient arrived to our attention following a one week history of right hip pain. Laboratory markers and imaging at presentation were negative. However, on a follow-up examination significant joint effusion was noted and joint tap was performed. Despite wide spectrum antibiotic therapy institution, significant joint damage was observed. This required surgical femoral head excision with antibiotic loaded spacer, followed by hip arthroplasty surgery 12 weeks afterwards. Complete healing of the infection and recovery of pain-free joint motion was noted at 1 year follow-up.

Rapidly destructive osteoarthritis of the spine: lessons learned from the first reported case

BACKGROUND

Rapidly Destructive Osteoarthritis (RDOA) has been described for the hip and shoulder joints and is characterized by a quickly developing bone edema followed by extensive remodeling and joint destruction. Confronted with a similarly evolving case of endplate edema and destruction of the disk space, we offer the first described case of spinal RDOA and illustrate the challenges it presented, along with the strategies we put in place to overcome them.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a case of spinal RDOA that, also due to the delay in the diagnoses, underwent multiple revisions for implant failure with consequent coronal and sagittal imbalance. A 37-years-old, otherwise healthy female presented with atraumatic low back pain: after initial conservative treatment, subsequent imaging showed rapidly progressive endplate erosion and a scoliotic deformity. After surgical treatment, the patient underwent numerous revisions for pseudoarthrosis, coronal and sagittal imbalance and junctional failure despite initially showing a correct alignement after each surgery. As a mechanic overload from insufficient correction of the alignement of the spine was ruled out, we believe that the multiple complications were caused by an impairment in the bone structure and thus, reviewing old imaging, diagnosed the patient with spinal RDOA. In case of spinal RDOA, particular care should be placed in the choice of extent and type of instrumentation in order to prevent re-intervention.

CONCLUSION

Spinal RDOA is characterized by a quickly developing edema of the vertebral endplates followed by a destruction of the disk space within months from the first diagnosis. The disease progresses in the involved segment and to the adjacent disks despite surgical therapy. The surgical planning should take the impaired bone structure account and the use of large interbody cages or 4-rod constructs should be considered to obtain a stable construct.

Inflammasome Activation in the Hip Synovium of Rapidly Destructive Coxopathy Patients and Its Relationship with the Development of Synovitis and Bone Loss

Rapidly destructive coxopathy (RDC), a rare disease of unknown etiology, is characterized by the rapid destruction of the hip joint. In the current study, the potential involvement of inflammasome signaling in the progression of RDC was investigated. Histopathologic changes and the gene expression of inflammasome activation markers in hip synovial tissues collected from patients with RDC were evaluated and compared with those of osteoarthritis and osteonecrosis of the femoral head patients. The synovial tissues of patients with RDC exhibited remarkable increases in the number of infiltrated macrophages and osteoclasts, and the expression of inflammasome activation markers was also increased compared with those of osteoarthritis and osteonecrosis of the femoral head patients. To further understand the histopathologic changes in the joint, a co-culture model of macrophages and synoviocytes that mimicked the joint environment was developed. Remarkably, the gene expression levels of NLRP3, GSDMD, IL1B, TNFA, ADMTS4, ADMTS5, MMP3, MMP9, and RANKL were significantly elevated in the synoviocytes that were co-cultured with activated THP-1 macrophages, suggesting the association between synovitis and inflammasome activation. Consistent with these findings, osteoclast precursor cells that were co-cultured with stimulated synoviocytes exhibited an increased number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive cells, compared with cells that were co-cultured with non-stimulated synoviocytes. These findings suggest that the activation of inflammasome signaling in the synovium results in an increase in local inflammation and osteoclastogenesis, thus leading to the rapid bone destruction in RDC.

Rapidly Destructive Coxopathy With Femoral Head Fracture That Is Similar to a Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis in an Elderly Woman: A Case Report

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) generally occurs in adolescents but rarely in adults. Rapidly destructive coxopathy (RDC) is characterized by rapid joint destruction, including disruption of the joint at the femoral head and acetabulum as well as reduction of the joint space, within six to 12 months. The mechanism of RDC is likely multifactorial but has not yet been identified. Moreover, there are no reports of displaced femoral head fractures similar to an SCFE associated with RDC. We report a rare case of RDC with femoral head fracture that is similar to SCFE in an 86-year-old woman. Although the exact cause of the femoral head fracture is unknown, it can develop into RDC. Awareness of orthopedic surgeons regarding this condition is crucial for appropriate treatment, by monitoring the presentation of symptoms and imaging/radiographic findings.

Progressive Bone Destruction in Rapidly Destructive Coxopathy Is Characterized by Elevated Serum Levels of Matrix Metalloprotease-3 and C-Reactive Protein

OBJECTIVE

Rapidly destructive coxopathy (RDC) is a rare condition characterized by rapid joint space narrowing; however, its pathology remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify the association of laboratory biomarkers with the radiological progression of RDC.

METHODS

We examined 34 female and 4 male patients with RDC between October 2010 and April 2018. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the progressive radiographic staging of RDC. Group 1 patients had progressive obliteration of the joint space without subchondral destruction (n = 11), group 2 had progressed subchondral destruction (n = 18), and group 3 had cessation of bone destruction observed for more than 6 months (n = 9). Clinical evaluation results were assessed using the Japanese Orthopedic Association hip score. Blood test results, including serum matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), and C-reactive protein (CRP), were also evaluated.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in patient background or Japanese Orthopedic Association hip scores among the groups. However, there were significant differences in MMP-3 levels among groups, with MMP-3 levels in group 2 being significantly higher than those in group 3 (group 2, 118.4 ± 81.2 ng/mL; group 3, 42.5 ± 15.1 ng/mL, p < 0.001). The CRP levels in group 2 were also significantly higher than those in group 3 (group 2, 0.77 ± 0.92 mg/dL; group 3, 0.13 ± 0.07 mg/dL, p = 0.019), but elevated CRP levels in group 2 decreased back to the reference range.

CONCLUSIONS

Matrix metalloproteinase-3 and CRP are the biomarkers of RDC progression but not of its occurrence. Severe inflammatory response may be associated with bone destruction in RDC.

Rapidly progressive idiopathic arthritis of the hip: incidence and risk factors in a controlled cohort study of 1471 patients after intra-articular corticosteroid injection

OBJECTIVE

Rapidly progressive idiopathic arthritis of the hip (RPIA) is defined by progressive joint space narrowing of > 2 mm or > 50% within 1 year. Our aims were to assess (a) the occurrence of RPIA after intra-articular steroid injection, and (b) possible risk factors for RPIA including: patient age, BMI, joint space narrowing, anesthetic and steroid selections, bone mineral density, and pain reduction after injection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective search of our imaging database identified 1471 patients who had undergone fluoroscopically guided hip injection of triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalog) and anesthetic within a 10-year period. Patient data, including hip DXA results and patient-reported pain scores, were recorded. Pre-injection and follow-up radiographs were assessed for joint space narrowing, femoral head deformity, and markers of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis was graded by Croft score. Associations between patient characteristics and outcome variables were analyzed.

RESULTS

One hundred six of 1471 injected subjects (7.2%) met the criteria for RPIA. A control group of 161 subjects was randomly selected from subjects who underwent hip injections without developing RPIA. Compared to controls, patients with RPIA were older, had narrower hip joint spaces, and higher Croft scores before injection (p < 0.05). Patients who developed RPIA did not differ from controls in sex, BMI, hip DXA T-score, anesthetic and steroid injectates, or pain improvement after injection.

CONCLUSION

We found that approximately 7% of patients undergoing steroid hip injection developed RPIA. More advanced patient age, greater joint space narrowing, and more severe osteoarthritis are risk factors for the development of RPIA after intra-articular steroid injection.

Bone turnover markers in the early stage of rapidly progressive osteoarthritis of the hip

OBJECTIVE

Previous reports have demonstrated that patients with end-stage rapidly progressive osteoarthritis of the hip (RPOH) show significantly higher serum levels of bone turnover markers than those with osteoarthritis (OA). However, the characteristics of bone turnover markers in the early stage of RPOH remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the association of bone turnover markers with disease progression in the early stage of RPOH.

METHODS

This study included 29 postmenopausal female patients with joint space narrowing >2 mm demonstrated on a series of radiographs and computed tomography within 1 year following the onset of hip pain. The study also included 9 postmenopausal female patients with hip OA secondary to developmental dysplasia showing femoral head destruction. Cortical thickness index (CTI) associated with bone mineral density of the hip was analyzed. Serum concentrations of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b (TRACP-5b) and bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) were evaluated.

RESULTS

RPOH was classified into two types on the basis of the absence (type 1, n=13) or presence (type 2, n=16) of subsequent destruction of the femoral head within 1 year following disease onset. TRACP-5b and BAP significantly increased in RPOH type 2 compared with type 1 and OA. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses indicated that TRACP-5b and BAP could differentiate RPOH type 2 from type 1 within 1 year following the onset. CTI showed no difference among the RPOH types 1 and 2 and OA.

CONCLUSION

High serum levels of bone turnover markers may be associated with destruction of the femoral head in the early stage of RPOH.

Characterization of rapidly progressive osteoarthritis of the hip in its early stage

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to characterize the process of disease progression in the early stage of rapidly progressive osteoarthritis of the hip (RPOH) and clarify its association with potential pathological factors of RPOH.

METHODS

This monocentric retrospective study included 41 female patients who met the criteria for RPOH, chondrolysis >2 mm during 12 months from the onset of hip pain based on a series of radiographs and computed tomography. This study also included 9 female patients with osteoarthritis secondary to developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) who demonstrated chondrolysis >2 mm during 12 months from the onset of hip pain. Cortical thickness index (CTI) correlated with bone mineral density of the hip, pelvic tilt, and serum concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 were analyzed.

RESULTS

RPOH was classified into two types based on the absence (type 1, n=17) and presence (type 2, n=24) of subsequent femoral head destruction within 12 months after the onset of hip pain. MMP-3 significantly increased in RPOH type 2 compared with type 1 and DDH. Increased posterior pelvic tilt was found in RPOH type 2 compared with DDH. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses indicated that MMP-3 may be associated with differentiation between RPOH types 1 and 2. No difference was found in the CTI between the RPOH types and DDH.

CONCLUSION

Disease progression of RPOH during 12 months after the onset of hip pain could be classified into two distinct types based on the absence (type 1) and presence (type 2) of femoral head destruction in association with MMP-3 and pelvic tilt as biological and mechanical factors, respectively. MMP-3 may be helpful to differentiate these two types in the early stage of RPOH.

Biomarkers of bone healing induced by a regenerative approach based on expanded bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells

BACKGROUND

Safety and feasibility of a regenerative strategy based on the use of culture-expanded mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been investigated in phase 2 trials for the treatment of nonunion and osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). As part of the clinical study, we aimed to evaluate if bone turnover markers (BTMs) could be useful for predicting the regenerative ability of the cell therapy product.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The bone defects of 39 patients (nonunion: n = 26; ONFH: n = 13) were treated with bone marrow-derived MSCs, expanded using a clinical-grade protocol and combined with biphasic calcium phosphate before implantation. Bone formation markers, bone-resorption markers and osteoclast regulatory proteins were measured before treatment (baseline) and after 12 and 24 weeks from surgery. At the same time-points, clinical and radiological controls were performed to evaluate the bone-healing progression.

RESULTS

We found that C-Propeptide of Type I Procollagen (CICP) and C-terminal telopeptide of type-I collagen (CTX) varied significantly, not only over time, but also according to clinical results. In patients with a good outcome, CICP increased and CTX decreased, and this trend was observed in both nonunion and ONFH. Moreover, collagen biomarkers were able to discriminate healed patients from non-responsive patients with a good diagnostic accuracy.

DISCUSSION

CICP and CTX could be valuable biomarkers for monitoring and predicting the regenerative ability of cell products used to stimulate the repair of refractory bone diseases. To be translated in a clinical setting, these results are under validation in a currently ongoing phase 3 clinical trial.

Osteoblasts are "educated" by crosstalk with metastatic breast cancer cells in the bone tumor microenvironment

INTRODUCTION

In a cancer-free environment in the adult, the skeleton continuously undergoes remodeling. Bone-resorbing osteoclasts excavate erosion cavities, and bone-depositing osteoblasts synthesize osteoid matrix that forms new bone, with no net bone gain or loss. When metastatic breast cancer cells invade the bone, this balance is disrupted. Patients with bone metastatic breast cancer frequently suffer from osteolytic bone lesions that elicit severe bone pain and fractures. Bisphosphonate treatments are not curative. Under ideal circumstances, osteoblasts would synthesize new matrix to fill in erosion cavities caused by osteoclasts, but this is not what occurs. Our prior evidence demonstrated that osteoblasts are diverted from laying down bone matrix to producing cytokines that facilitate breast cancer cell maintenance in late-stage disease. Here, we have new evidence to suggest that there are subpopulations of osteoblasts in the tumor niche as evidenced by their protein marker expression that have distinct roles in tumor progression in the bone.

METHODS

Tumor-bearing tibia of mice was interrogated by immunofluorescent staining for the presence of osteoblasts and alterations in niche protein expression. De-identified tissue from patients with bone metastatic breast cancer was analyzed for osteoblast subpopulations via multi-plex immunofluorescent staining. Effects of breast cancer cells on osteoblasts were recapitulated in vitro by osteoblast exposure to breast cancer-conditioned medium. Triple-negative and estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer proliferation, cell cycle, and p21 expression were assessed upon contact with "educated" osteoblasts.

RESULTS

A subpopulation of osteoblasts was identified in the bone tumor microenvironment in vivo of both humans and mice with bone metastatic breast cancer that express RUNX2/OCN/OPN but is negative for IL-6 and alpha-smooth muscle actin. These tumor "educated" osteoblasts (EOs) have altered properties compared to "uneducated" osteoblasts and suppress both triple-negative and estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cell proliferation and increase cancer cell p21 expression. EO effects on breast cancer proliferation were mediated by NOV and decorin. Importantly, the presence of EO cells in the tibia of mice bearing tumors led to increased amounts of alkaline phosphatase and suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

Our work reveals that there is a subpopulation of osteoblasts in the bone tumor microenvironment that demonstrate a functional role in retarding breast cancer cell growth.