Reliability and repeatability of 2021 ARCO classification and its guiding significance in treatment of nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head

Clinical outcomes and risk factors for failure of nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 bracing rod combined with allogeneic bone in treatment of early-stage osteonecrosis of the femoral head

PURPOSE

This study was performed to analyse the clinical factors associated with failure of nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 (nHA/PA66) bracing rods combined with allogeneic bone in the treatment of early-stage osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH).

METHODS

In total, 96 patients were treated with nHA/PA66 bracing rods combined with allogeneic bone for ONFH between October 2016 and September 2020. The patients were classified according to aetiology, Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) type, Japanese Investigation Committee (JIC) type, age, and body mass index(BMI). The outcome measures were the Hip Harris Score (HHS), imaging changes, and the need for total hip arthroplasty (THA) (performed in cases of clinical failure, at which point follow-up was discontinued).

RESULTS

All patients were included in the study, with a mean follow-up duration of 50.76 ± 17.94 months. The preoperative HHS was 79.00 ± 13.61 and that at the final follow-up was 81.73 ± 17.67(P = 0.149). The excellent and good rate improved from 43.88% preoperatively to 65.47% at the final follow-up(P = 0.000). The radiographic progression rate was 36.70% and the incidence of THA was 23.02%. Univariate analysis identified ARCO type (P = 0.000), JIC type (P = 0.000), and age (P = 0.003) as independent risk factors for postoperative failure. Postoperative multivariate analysis also confirmed ARCO type, JIC classification, and age as risk factors.

CONCLUSION

This technique is not recommended for patients older than 44 years or those with ARCO type 3 or JIC type C ONFH.

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head: treatment before the collapse. Experience with decompression and biological therapy

INTRODUCTION

Osteonecrosis is a disabling condition and one of the most frequent causes of hip arthroplasty in the young population. Early detection and treatment in stages prior to femoral head collapse are essential to prevent progression and conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA). The present study aims to demonstrate the results obtained in the treatment of patients with initial stages of ONFH, treated with a decompression system that associates biologic therapy (platelet-rich plasma and mesenchymal stem cells) (PERFUSE).

METHODOLOGY

Retrospective unicentric study, in which all patients with ONFH treated with decompression of the necrotic area and biological therapy between May 2018 and May 2023, was collected. Demographic data of the patients (age and gender), risk factors for AVN, area of necrosis (Kerboul), ARCO classification, collapse rate, and conversion to THA were obtained.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients with ONFH were treated using the PERFUSE system. The mean age was 47.67 years old, and the mean follow-up was 26.1 months. The mean improvement in the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) was 10.11 (from 70.79 to 80.56; p = 0.018). Patients who developed femoral head collapse had worse mHHS scores. Six patients (25%) progressed to femoral head collapse, of which 2 (8.33%) were converted to total hip arthroplasty (THA). The probability of collapse-free survival at 12 months was 90.9% (SD 6.2; 95%CI, 79.5%-100%), and at 18 months, it was 85.2% (SD 8.0; 95%CI, 70.9%-100%), and at 24 months, it was 65.7% (SD 11.7; 95%CI, 46.3%-93.2%).

CONCLUSION

Core decompression with bone aspirate marrow and platelet-rich plasma can enhance bone regeneration and delay femoral head collapse, especially when implemented in early-stage ONFH. In this sense, combining both, core decompression with biological support can offer a promising approach for managing early-stage ONFH. Despite encouraging outcomes, further research is needed to optimize treatment protocols and evaluate long-term efficacy.

Core decompression, allogenic fibula fixation, and pedicled fibula grafting are effective for osteonecrosis of femoral head

OBJECTIVE

To explore the application effects of core decompression, allograft fibula fixation, and pedicled fibula grafting in osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH).

METHODS

Forty patients with ONFH admitted to Ziyang Central Hospital from March 2017 to March 2022 were included in this study. According to the Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) staging criteria, 20 patients at stage I underwent core decompression, 8 patients at stage II underwent core decompression combined with allogenic fibula fixation, and 12 patients at stage III underwent core decompression combined with pedicled fibula grafting.

RESULTS

After 1 year of follow-up, changes in hip joint function (Harris score) and pain level (visual analogue scale (VAS)) were compared before and after surgery. Imaging examination results were recorded, and efficacy and ARCO stage progression were compared with preoperative findings. All 40 patients received follow-up for 1 year. The results showed that the Harris score at 1 year post-operation was higher than pre-operation, while the VAS score was lower (P<0.05). Hip joint function evaluation in the 20 patients at stage I showed excellent, good, and fair results in 12 (60.00%), 5 (25.00%), and 3 (15.00%) cases, respectively, with X-ray examination indicating complete stability and no progression in ARCO staging. Among the 8 patients at stage II, hip joint function evaluation showed excellent, good, fair, and poor results in 4 (50.00%), 2 (25.00%), 1 (12.50%), and 1 (12.50%) cases, respectively. X-ray examination revealed stability in 7 cases, while 1 case progressed to ARCO stage IV and ultimately required artificial hip arthroplasty. Among the 12 patients at stage III, hip joint function evaluation revealed excellent, good, fair, and poor results in 5 (41.67%), 3 (25.00%), 2 (16.67%), and 2 (16.67%) cases, respectively. X-ray examination indicated stability in 10 cases, while 2 cases progressed to ARCO stage IV and ultimately required artificial hip arthroplasty.

CONCLUSION

Patients with stage I, II, and III ONFH achieved good short-term therapeutic outcomes using core decompression, core decompression with allogenic fibula fixation, and core decompression with pedicled fibula grafting. These methods effectively improved hip joint function and alleviated pain symptoms. Hence, it is crucial to select appropriate surgical methods based on the specific conditions of patients in clinical practice.

The incidence of conversion to hip arthroplasty after core decompression

Aims

Core decompression is a commonly performed procedure to treat osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) prior to femoral head collapse. The aim of the study was to identify the incidence of hip arthroplasty after core decompression and the potential risk factors for conversion through a nationwide population-based study.

Methods

Patients who received core decompression for ONFH between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2018 and were followed up until 31 December 2019 (mean 33 months (0.2 to 132)) were retrieved from Taiwan's National Health Insurance claims database. A total of 2,918 patients were identified and included in the study. The mean age at the time of core decompression was 46 years (SD 12.5), with a male-to-female ratio of 7:3. The first total hip arthroplasty or hip hemiarthroplasty after the index core decompression was considered as the outcome of conversion to hip arthroplasty. For the analysis of conversion risk, patients' demographic characteristics, economic status, comorbidities, and data on the type of hospital and surgeons' experience were included.

Results

Overall, 20.05% of patients received a hip arthroplasty within six months following core decompression, with the incidence rising to 60.6% by five years and 66.4% by ten years. Multivariable analysis revealed that patients aged over 40 years (HR 1.18 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.30); p = 0.002), who had a history of alcohol abuse (HR 1.57 (95% CI 1.22 to 2.02); p < 0.001), and had their procedures performed at district-level hospitals (HR 1.13 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.26; p = 0.044), were at increased risk of conversion to hip arthroplasty following core decompression.

Conclusion

The five- and ten-year cumulative incidence of conversion to hip arthroplasty after core decompression was 60.6% and 66.4%, respectively. Significant risk factors for conversion to hip arthroplasty included age over 40 years, history of alcohol abuse, and procedures performed at district hospitals.

Epidemiology and patient-reported measurement outcome of pelvic fractures in children and adolescents - A population-based cohort study from the Swedish fracture register

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Pediatric pelvic fractures are uncommon, representing 0.2-3% of total pediatric fractures. The long-term patient-reported outcome in the pediatric population has not been evaluated yet. The purpose of the study was to describe the epidemiology of pelvic and acetabular fractures in pediatric patients including long-term patient-reported outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The Swedish Fracture Register (SFR) was used to identify all patients aged 6-17 years at injury with a pelvic fracture between 2015 and 2021. All patients were invited to answer Patient-Reported measurement instruments in 2021.

RESULTS

The study cohort consisted of 223 patients with a median age at fracture of 15 years and with 62 % boys. 201 sustained a pelvic and 22 acetabular fractures. Falls were the leading cause of fracture, followed by transport accidents. Most fractures (both pelvis and acetabulum) were type A (73 %), and 21 fractures (9 %) could not be classified according to AO. 85 % of fractures were treated non-surgically. All Type C fractures were treated surgically. Seven PROMIS® profile domains were completed by 31 % of the sample at a mean follow-up time of 3.5 years after pelvic/acetabular fracture. Most patients had "no concern" or "mild concern" but those who had surgery had an inferior t-score in most domains.

CONCLUSION

Most fractures occurred in older individuals, with falls during sports activities being the most common cause. This raises important questions about prevention strategies. The PROMIS-Pain-Interference scale indicated that the younger the age at fracture, the more pain was reported at follow-up.

Comparison of outcomes after total hip arthroplasty between patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head in Association Research Circulation Osseous stage III and stage IV: a five-year follow-up study

BACKGROUND

No large cohort study has evaluated the surgical outcomes of THA between different stages of ONFH patients. This study aimed to compare the surgical outcomes of ONFH patients who underwent THA in ARCO stage III versus IV, in terms of operative parameters, one-year hip function assessments and postoperative at least five-year complications, to inform optimized management of ONFH.

METHOD

From our prospectively collected database, 876 patients undergoing THA between October 2014 and April 2017 were analyzed and divided into ARCO stage III group (n = 383) and ARCO stage IV group(n = 493). Details of demographics, medical record information, adverse events and clinical scores of both groups were collected and compared. Proper univariate analysis was used for the analysis.

RESULT

There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups. Compared to ARCO stage IV patients, ARCO stage III patients showed a shorter operative time (p < 0.01), less bleeding (p < 0.01), fewer one-year readmissions (p = 0.026) and complications (p = 0.040), and significantly higher HHS (p < 0.01) one year after THA. In addition, ARCO stage IV patients seem more likely to suffer prosthesis dislocation (p = 0.031).

CONCLUSION

Although ARCO stage IV patients in the study cohorts appeared to suffer more one-year complications, no significant difference was observed at long-term follow-up. Enhanced clinical guidance on preventing early prosthesis dislocation may help improve the prognosis of final-stage ONFH patients.