A Comparison Study of the Outcomes of Ceramic-on-Ceramic Total Hip Arthroplasty in Young vs Older Patients: A Minimum 10-Year Follow-Up Prospective Matched Study

Mid to long-term survivorship of hip arthroplasty in patients 40 years and younger

BACKGROUND

Etiology of hip osteoarthritis (OA) and survival of hip arthroplasty in the young (below 40-years-old) remains poorly described. Furthermore, joint survivorship mid to long-term and PROMs according to the etiology are unclear. The study aims were to 1) identify the indications for arthroplasty in the below 40-years-old cohort; 2) define hip arthroplasty outcomes in the young and 3) test whether patients with sequelae of pediatrics hip disease have inferior outcome compared to other patients.

HYPOTHESIS

Our hypothesis was that hip arthroplasty is a viable option for managing hip disease in patients under 40, with excellent survival rates and outcomes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This is an IRB approved, retrospective, consecutive, multi-surgeon, cohort study from a single academic center. Indication for hip arthroplasty of 346 patients (410 hips) below 40-years-old were studied; 239 underwent THA (58%) and 171 hip resurfacing (42%). Patient, surgical and implant factors were tested for association with implant survivorship and functional outcome for hip arthroplasty performed with a follow-up of more than two years. Pediatric hip sequelae patients were compared for survival and PROMs with the rest of the cohort.

RESULTS

The most common etiology of OA was FAI (47%), followed by pediatric hip sequelae (18%). The 10-year survivorship was 97.2% ± 1.2, mean OHS was 45.1 ± 6.3 and mean HHS was 93.4 ± 12.6. The pediatric hip sequelae subgroup demonstrated no differences in 10-year survivorship and better PROMs compared to rest (OHS: 46.6 ± 3.8; HHS: 96.0 ± 8.5).

DISCUSSION

The most common aetiologies amongst the young with hip OA is FAI and pediatric hip sequelae. Hip arthroplasty in the young presents excellent 10-year survivorship and PROMs. Excellent survival and PROMs in the young with pediatric hip sequelae provide important information for decision-making in this challenging population.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III; retrospective cohort study.

Analysis of the natural collapse course of non-traumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head based on the matrix model

BACKGROUND

There are many predictions about the progression of natural collapse course of osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Here, we aimed to combine the three classical prediction methods to explore the progression of the natural collapse course.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 127 patients admitted to our hospital from October 2016 to October 2017, in whom the femoral head had not collapsed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the collapse risk factors, and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used for femoral head survival analysis. The collapse rate of the femoral head was recorded within 5 years based on the matrix model. The specificity of the matrix model was analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic curve.

RESULTS

A total of 127 patients with a total of 202 hips were included in this study, and 98 hips collapsed during the follow-up period. Multivariate logistics regression analysis showed that the predictive ability of the matrix model was stronger than Association Research Circulation Osseous staging, Japanese Investigation Committee classification, and area (P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the median survival time of femoral head in patients was 3 years. The result of the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of the matrix model had better predictive value (AUC = 0.771, log-rank test: P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

We creatively combined the three classical prediction methods for evaluating the progression of the natural collapse course based on the matrix model and found that the higher the score of the matrix model, the higher the femoral head collapse rate. Specifically, the matrix model has a potential value in predicting femoral head collapse and guiding treatment selection.

A Nomogram That Characterizes a Patient's Odds of Developing Squeaking After Fourth-generation Ceramic-on-ceramic THA

BACKGROUND

Although ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) bearings result in the lowest wear rate of any bearing combination, postoperative squeaking remains worrisome. However, data concerning squeaking in long-term follow-up studies are still lacking, especially for fourth-generation CoC THA.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

(1) After keeping the prosthesis in place for 10 years, what percentage of patients treated with fourth-generation CoC THA implants report squeaking, and are there points in time when squeaking occurs more frequently? (2) What are the characteristics, association with hip function, and factors associated with squeaking? (3) Can we create a nomogram that characterizes a patient's odds of experiencing squeaking based on the factors associated with it?

METHODS

Between January 2009 and December 2011, 1050 patients received primary THAs at our institution, 97% (1017) of whom received fourth-generation CoC THAs because this was the preferred bearing during this period. Of the 1017 eligible patients, 5% (54) underwent THAs performed by low-volume surgeons, 3% (30) were implanted with cemented prostheses, 2% (22) died, 1% (10) were immobile, 1% (six) underwent revision surgery, and 17% (169) were lost to follow-up before 10 years, leaving 726 patients for analysis here at a mean of 11 ± 1 years. In the study cohort, 64% (464) were male and 36% (262) were female, with a mean age of 44 ± 13 years at primary THA. We extracted data about articular noise from follow-up records in our institutional database and used a newly developed questionnaire to ascertain the percentage of patients who reported squeaking at the latest follow-up interval. Although not validated, the questionnaire was modeled on previous studies on this topic. The longitudinal pattern for squeaking was explored to find timepoints when squeaking occurs more frequently. Based on the questionnaire data, we calculated the percentages of frequent, reproducible, and avoidable squeaking. Hip function was evaluated with the Harris Hip Score and WOMAC score and compared between the squeaking and nonsqueaking groups. Factors associated with squeaking, which were examined in a multivariate analysis, were used to develop a nomogram.

RESULTS

At 10 years, 16% (116 of 726) of patients reported squeaking. Two squeaking peaks were determined, at 0 to 1 year and 8 to 10 years. Frequent, reproducible, and avoidable squeaking accounted for 42% (36 of 86), 20% (17 of 86), and 41% (35 of 86), respectively. The mean Harris Hip Score (93 ± 4 versus 94 ± 5; p = 0.81) and WOMAC score (16 ± 13 versus 15 ± 13; p = 0.23) did not differ between patients with squeaking and those without. After controlling for potential confounding variables such as etiology and head offset, we found that patients younger than 46 years (odds ratio 2.5 [95% confidence interval 1.5 to 5.0]; p < 0. 001), those who were male (OR 2.0 [95% CI 1.1 to 3.5]; p = 0.04), those having a total flexion and extension arc of less than 50° (OR 2.0 [95% CI 1.2 to 3.3]; p = 0.02), and those with the Corail hip implant (OR 4.1 [95% CI 2.1 to 7.7]; p < 0. 001) were more likely to report squeaking. We created a nomogram that can be used at the point of care that can help clinicians identify patients at a higher risk of experiencing squeaking; this nomogram had good performance (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 77%).

CONCLUSION

As a potential late complication, squeaking after fourth-generation CoC THA is of concern and may be related to increased stripe wear. We recommend that surgeons use this nomogram to assess the odds of squeaking before selecting a bearing, especially in patients at high risk, to facilitate shared decision-making and improve patient satisfaction. Future external validation of the model is still needed to enhance its applicability.Level of Evidence Level III, therapeutic study.

Fourth‐Generation Ceramic‐on‐Ceramic THA in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Minimum 10‐Year Follow‐Up

Objective

To report the long‐term outcomes of total hip arthroplasty (THA) with fourth‐generation ceramic‐on‐ceramic (CoC) bearing in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods

We retrospectively identified 180 primary THAs performed in 110 patients with AS, including 100 (90.9%) men and 10 women (9.1%), from 2009 to 2011.The mean age of the patients at surgery was 33 years (range, 16 to 65 years). Cementless prostheses with fourth‐generation CoC bearings were used in all patients. Survivorship of the implants and postoperative complications were calculated. Functional improvement was assessed by the hip flexion‐extension range of motion (ROM) and Harris hip score (HHS). A special noise assessment questionnaire was performed at the last follow‐up. The cumulative incidence of noise was calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Clinical characteristics and functional outcomes were compared in the hips with noise to those without noise.

Results

The mean follow‐up was 11 years (range, 10 to 12 years), and survivorship of the implants was 99.4% at the most recent follow‐up. The complications included dislocation (one hip, 0.6%), periprosthetic joint infection (one hip, 0.6%), mild to moderate pain (five hips, 2.8%), heterotopic ossification (12 hips, 6.7%), and noise (52 hips, 28.9%). The flexion‐extension ROM improved significantly with a median from 10° (range, 0 ~ 130°) to 100° (30 ~ 130°) after THA (p < 0.001), and the HHS increased significantly from 41 ± 20 to 90 ± 8 (p < 0.001). The cumulative incidence of noise at 0.5, 5, and 10 years was 6.1% (95% CI, 2.6 ~ 9.6), 16.7% (95% CI, 11.2 ~ 22.1), and 28.9% (95% CI, 22.2 ~ 35.5), respectively, and that of squeaking at 0.5, 5, and 10 years was 4.4% (95% CI, 1.4 ~ 7.4), 13.3% (95% CI, 8.4 ~ 18.3), and 23.9% (95% CI, 17.6 ~ 30.1), respectively. None of the patients with noise generation in the hip reported it affecting daily activities or causing dissatisfaction. No differences in age, sex, BMI, disease duration, bilateral THA, the frequency of bony ankylosis, the proportion of using a 36‐mm‐diameter femoral head, pre/postoperative flexion‐extension ROM, or pre/postoperative HHS were found between hips with noise and those without noise (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

THAs with fourth‐generation CoC bearings exhibit excellent long‐term survival and clinical outcomes in patients with AS, with a very low dislocation rate. The incidence of noise associated with CoC bearings in THA performed in patients increases over time, but it does not affect postoperative hip function or daily activities.