Re-attachment of the un-united trochanter in Charnley low friction arthroplasty

Greater trochanter fixed with a claw plate and cable system in complex primary and revision total hip arthroplasty: long-term follow-up

BACKGROUND

Maintaining continuity of the greater trochanter and restoring abductor function are of paramount importance in primary and revision total hip arthroplasty. Failure to rigidly fix the greater trochanter can lead to failure. Because of the lack of reports on the clinical results of greater trochanter fixation with a claw plate and cable system, we aimed to analyze the indications for the use of such a system that produces the best clinical results.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied 41 consecutive patients who had undergone primary or revision total hip arthroplasty at our institution between January 2004 and December 2014 using a claw plate and cable system to achieve stable fixation of the greater trochanter.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up duration was ten years. The median Harris hip score improved from 47 points before surgery to 87 points after surgery (p < 0.01). Significant improvements were observed in the range of motion, hip function, and routine activity. Osseous and fibrous union occurred in all patients, and one patient had severe complications (sciatica). Based on the Beals and Tower classification, 67%, 21%, and 13% of outcomes were considered excellent, good, and poor, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data support the use of a claw plate and cable system for greater trochanter fixation in complex primary and revision hip arthroplasty. The system showed promising results in patients with floating greater trochanters, intertrochanteric fractures requiring extra devices to maintain rotational stability, and extended trochanteric osteotomy fragments with a weakened proximodistal junction. The use of this system should be further investigated and compared to other methods.

Trochanteric osteotomy in revision total hip arthroplasty

Trochanteric osteotomy is a technique that allows expanded exposure and access to the femoral canal and acetabulum for a number of indications.There has been renewed interest in variants of this technique, including the trochanteric slide osteotomy (TSO), extended trochanter osteotomy (ETO), and the transfemoral approach, for both septic and aseptic revision total hip arthroplasty (THA).Osteotomy fixation is crucial for achieving union, and wire and cable-plate systems are the most common techniques.TSO involves the creation of a greater trochanter fragment with preserved abductor attachment proximally and vastus lateralis attachment distally.This technique may be particularly useful in the setting of abductor deficiency or when augmented acetabular exposure is needed.ETO is a posterior-laterally based extensile approach that has been successfully utilized for aseptic and septic indications; most series report a greater than 90% rate of union.The transfemoral approach, as known as the Wagner osteotomy, is an extensile femoral approach and is more anterior-based than the alternate posterior-based ETO. It may be particularly useful for anterior-based approaches and anterior femoral remodelling; rates of union after this approach in most reports have been close to 100%. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:477-485. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.190063.

Trochanteric Fixation With a Third-Generation Cable-Plate System: An Independent Experience

BACKGROUND

Greater trochanteric fracture/nonunion can be a devastating complication with significant functional impact after total hip arthroplasty, and their fixation remains a challenge because of the significant forces being transmitted as well as the poor bone quality often associated with these fractures. The objective of this study is to investigate the rates of reoperation and trochanteric nonunion using a third-generation cable-plate system at one center.

METHODS

Thirty-five patients, mean age 72.9 years (range 46-98 years) with 24 women and 11 men, underwent fixation of their fractured greater trochanter using a third-generation cable-plate system. The indications were: periprosthetic fracture (n = 17), complex primary arthroplasty (n = 5), and complex revision arthroplasty (n = 13). Primary outcomes included rates of reoperation and radiographic union.

RESULTS

At a mean follow-up of 2.5 years, trochanteric union rate was 62.9% with nonunion rate of 31.4%, and fibrous union in 5.7%. In regard to quality of initial apposition, only 40% achieved a perfect bone on bone reduction. Ten patients (28.6%) had evidence of wire breakage. Five patients (14.3%) required reoperation and removal of the internal fixation because of lateral hip pain.

CONCLUSION

Fixation of the trochanteric fractures remains a challenge with a relatively high reoperation rate. Poor bone quality and capacity to maintain a stable reduction continue to make this complication after total hip arthroplasty a difficult problem to solve.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of complications following the posterior and lateral surgical approaches to total hip arthroplasty

INTRODUCTION

Total hip arthroplasty is one of the most commonly performed orthopaedic procedures. Despite this, medical evidence to inform the choice of surgical approach is lacking. Currently in the UK, the two most frequently performed approaches to the hip are the posterior and the direct lateral.

METHODS

This systematic review was performed according to Cochrane guidelines following an extensive search for prospective controlled trials published in any language before January 2014. Of the 728 records identified from searches, 6 prospective studies (including 3 randomised controlled trials) involving 517 participants provided data towards this review.

FINDINGS

Compared with the lateral approach, the posterior approach conferred a significant reduction in the risk of Trendelenburg gait (odds ratio [OR]: 0.31, p=0.0002) and stem malposition (OR: 0.24, p=0.02), and a non-significant reduction in dislocation (OR: 0.37, p=0.16) and heterotopic ossification (OR: 0.41, p=0.13). Neither approach conferred a functional advantage. We draw attention to the paucity of evidence and the need for a further randomised trial.

Claw plate fixation of the greater trochanter in revision total hip arthroplasty

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate a new trochanteric claw plate for trochanteric fixation. From 1998 to 2004, 31 procedures were performed by one surgeon. Mean follow-up was 2.2 years. Indications for the procedure included 16 nonunion, 7 trochanteric osteotomy, 5 periprosthetic fractures, and 3 intraoperative fractures. Median Harris hip scores improved from 47 to 92 points (P < .0001). No patient had an abductor lurch postoperatively (P < .0001). No patient had moderate or severe pain postoperatively (P < .0001). Median active abduction increased from 0 degrees to 25 degrees (P < .0001). Osseous union occurred in 28 of 31 hips. Plate-related complications occurred in 6 of 31 hips. No significant difference was identified for outcomes based on indication. In conclusion, the claw plate in this study can sufficiently treat the complex situation of trochanteric nonunion, fracture, or osteotomy.

Fixation systems of greater trochanteric osteotomies: biomechanical and clinical outcomes

The development of cerclage systems for fixation of greater trochanteric osteotomies has progressed from monofilament wires to multifilament cables to cable grip and cable plate systems. Cerclage wires and cables have various clinical indications, including fixation for fractures and for trochanteric osteotomy in hip arthroplasty. To achieve stable fixation and eventual union of the trochanteric osteotomy, the implant must counteract the destabilizing forces associated with pull of the peritrochanteric musculature. The material properties of cables and cable grip systems are superior to those of monofilament wires; however, potential complications with the use of cables include debris generation and third-body polyethylene wear. Nevertheless, the cable grip system provides the strongest fixation and results in lower rates of nonunion and trochanteric migration. Cable plate constructs show promise but require further clinical studies to validate their efficacy and safety.

Comparison of complications after transtrochanteric and posterolateral approaches for primary total hip arthroplasty

For this study, 100 total hip arthroplasties (THAs) in a transtrochanteric approach group and 100 THAs in a posterolateral approach group were performed at one university hospital by a single, experienced surgeon. These THAs were then followed up for a minimum of 2 years to determine the incidence of postoperative complications. In our study, patients undergoing primary THA by the posterolateral approach were 18.4 times more likely to be complication free than patients in whom the transtrochanteric approach was used. This benefit, combined with a shortened surgical time, decreased blood loss, and technical ease, shows the advantages of the posterolateral approach for THA.

Trochanteric osteotomy and fixation during total hip arthroplasty

Once used routinely, trochanteric osteotomy in total hip arthroplasty now is usually limited to difficult primary and revision cases. There are three types: the standard trochanteric osteotomy and its variations, the trochanteric slide, and the extended trochanteric osteotomy. Each has unique indications, fixation techniques, and complications. Primary total hip arthroplasty procedures requiring the enhanced exposure provided by trochanteric osteotomy may be needed in patients with hip ankylosis or fusion, protrusio acetabuli, proximal femoral deformities, developmental dysplasia, or abductor muscle laxity. Trochanteric osteotomies in revision arthroplasties, primarily the extended trochanteric osteotomy, facilitate the removal of well-fixed femoral components, provide direct access to the diaphysis for distal fixation, and enhance acetabular exposure.

Trochanteric union in revision hip arthroplasty

A total of 69 patients undergoing revision hip arthroplasty using a transtrochanteric approach who all had at least 1 previous transtrochanteric surgical approach. In 6 patients, it was the third time the trochanter was taken down, and in 2 patients, it was the fourth time. We believe this is the first review of trochanteric union in such a subgroup of patients. The mean age was 66 years (range, 46-82 years). Before revision, 49 of 69 patients (71%) had a united trochanter, whereas 20 of 69 (29%) had a pseudarthrosis. The overall pseudarthrosis rate decreased from 20 patients (29%) to 10 patients (14%) after revision surgery. The mean Harris hip score was 86 (range, 29-100). Repeated transtrochanteric osteotomy was not associated with any significant morbidity and did not affect the clinical outcome.

Reattachment of the migrated ununited greater trochanter after revision hip arthroplasty: the abductor slide technique. A review of four cases

BACKGROUND

Proximal migration of the ununited greater trochanter following total hip arthroplasty may produce pain and substantial functional disability. Successful reattachment of the migrated fragment is difficult following multiple hip procedures. The purpose of this report is to describe four patients in whom a severely migrated trochanteric fragment was reattached successfully with a modified Charnley-Harris wiring technique after subperiosteal advancement of the abductor muscles from their origin on the iliac wing.

METHODS

This series consisted of one man and three women with an average age of sixty years (range, fifty-one to sixty-eight years) at the time of the index procedure. The patients were followed for an average of eighty-one months (range, fifty-five to ninety-six months). All patients had undergone mobilization of the abductor muscles based on the superior gluteal neurovascular pedicle to aid with trochanteric reattachment, and all had undergone prior hip operations (average, two). Advancement of the abductor muscles was achieved through a separate transverse curvilinear incision over the iliac crest, and subperiosteal releases of the entire origins of the gluteus minimus, medius, and maximus muscles from the ilium were performed.

RESULTS

Roentgenographic union of the trochanteric fragment occurred in all four patients. There were three excellent functional outcomes (Harris hip scores of 90, 94, and 96 points) and one fair functional outcome (76 points). The average improvement in the Harris hip score was 47.5 points (range, 35 to 58 points). Two patients continued to have a mild or moderate Trendelenburg gait postoperatively. Two patients had heterotopic bone formation of no clinical importance.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of this technique resulted in union of the greater trochanter, pain relief, and decreased functional disability without major complications in these four patients. More widespread use of this technique may be indicated for the treatment of symptomatic non-union of the greater trochanter when the fragment cannot be reattached to its anatomical location with the hip in less than approximately 20 degrees of abduction.