Surgical challenges and clinical outcomes of total hip replacement in patients with Down’s syndrome

Is primary total hip arthroplasty in patients with Down's syndrome associated with increased complications at 2 years follow-up?

INTRODUCTION

Previous reports on primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with Down's syndrome (DS) are often small and/or lack a comparison cohort, and thus it is challenging to draw meaningful conclusions about this group. The purpose of this study was to report on the post-operative complications in patients with DS undergoing primary THA, compared to a non-DS cohort.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, we evaluated patients from 2010 to 2018 using a national database. We assessed surgical complications: closed reduction for dislocation, revision, resection, periprosthetic fracture, and infection in patients with a diagnosis of DS undergoing primary THA and compared them to a THA group of patients without DS. Patients undergoing THA for hip fractures were excluded. Complications were evaluated at 90 days and 2 years. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for age, sex, body mass index, and Charlson comorbidity index.

RESULTS

At 90 days patients with DS had an increased risk of revision (OR 3.1, CI 1.14-8.41), but no significant risk of resection (OR 5.24, CI 0.73-37.8), closed reduction (OR 2.03, CI 0.28-14.59), infection (OR 1.48, CI 0.6-3.62), or periprosthetic fracture (OR 1.97, CI 0.27-14.14). At 2 years patients with DS had an increased risk of periprosthetic fracture (OR 5.88, CI 1.84-18.78), but no significant increased risk of revision (OR 1.82, CI 0.66-5.01), resection (OR 2.37, CI 0.33-17.17), or infection (OR 0.65, CI 0.2-2.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Primary THA in patients with DS is associated with increased 90-day revision, and periprosthetic fracture at 2 years.

Management of neck of femur fracture in an adult with short stature and learning disability

Neck of femur fractures (NOFF) are one of the major health concerns, with their incidence and the cost of care rising each year. Though a plethora of literature remains available on NOFF and its management, we found very little evidence for management of NOFF in patients with short stature and learning disability. Because of this unique combination of conditions in our patient, we had to deviate from the standard practice in terms of the implant choice. The usage of cemented Asian C stem AMT with a 36 mm metallic head which is normally reserved for total hip replacements, helped us obtain the desired hip joint stability. This was supplemented by early involvement of the learning disability physiotherapy team and eventually the patient had a satisfactory outcome at 8 months of follow-up. This rare amalgamation of NOFF, short stature and learning disability deserves more attention which our case report hopes to achieve.

Management of recurrent hip dislocation in Down Syndrome using modified Ganz periacetabular osteotomy: Follow up after 5 years

Recurrent hip dislocation in a Down Syndrome patient with dysplastic hip is a very rare and challenging case to treat even for an expert orthopaedic hip surgeon. Least compliant patient and family, lowly educated with low socioeconomic status, young age and several anatomical variations forces limited option as a treatment. Several literatures mentioned Despite requiring only minimal implant, this technically demanding surgery requires a thorough understanding of the hip anatomy. This is the first case worldwide reporting 5 year follow up of dysplastic hip with DS treated successfully with periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) technique. An eighteen years old female with DS had multiple posterior hip dislocation episodes since 3 years prior our hospital admission. A modified Ganz PAO was performed under image intensifier guide. Patient was able to talk and hip was never dislocated again within 5 years follow up. Ganz periacetabular osteotomy, although a technically demanding surgery, is a preferable treatment in recurrent hip dislocation for Down Syndrome patient with good to excellent clinical and radiological outcome.

Hip Instability in Patients With Down Syndrome

The incidence of hip instability in children with Down syndrome is 1% to 7%. The natural history is often progressive, with the typical onset of hypermobility of the hip evolving to habitual dislocation, persistent subluxation, and fixed dislocation, and eventually leading to the loss of independent mobility. Treatment focuses on stabilizing the hip joint and depends on the patient's age and the severity of the disease. Typically, surgical intervention is recommended for the treatment of patients with habitual dislocation, subluxation, and complete dislocation of the hip. When indicated, surgical management must take into account associated anatomic abnormalities of the femur and acetabulum. Hip instability in Down syndrome may persist despite surgical intervention and remains a difficult condition to manage.

Mid-Term Results of Periacetabular Osteotomy for the Treatment of Hip Dysplasia Associated with Down Syndrome: Minimum Follow-up of Five Years

BACKGROUND

The treatment of hip dysplasia in patients with Down syndrome is challenging. We investigated the clinical, functional, and radiographic outcomes of periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) as well as factors associated with its failure at a minimum of 5 years of follow-up.

METHODS

Between 1992 and 2011, 19 patients with Down syndrome (26 hips) underwent PAO at a mean age of 16.2 ± 4.7 years. Hip pain and function were assessed with use of the modified Harris hip score (HHS) and the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). The criteria for PAO failure were progression of osteoarthritis with a recommendation for total hip arthroplasty or hip arthrodesis, or an HHS of <60 points. Preoperative and most recent radiographs were assessed for measurement of the lateral and anterior center-edge angles, Tönnis angle, extrusion index, and anterior and posterior wall indices, and for evaluation of the Tönnis grade of osteoarthritis.

RESULTS

At an average follow-up of 13.1 ± 5.2 years (range, 5.4 to 24 years), 13 (62%) of 21 hips with an HHS demonstrated good or excellent HHS results (median, 91 points; interquartile range, 65 to 96 points). Ninety-five percent of the patients were independent in ambulation. All radiographic parameters significantly improved after PAO. Eight (31%) of the 26 hips were considered to have failed the procedure. Tönnis grade-2 osteoarthritis (4 hips compared with 1 hip; p = 0.008; odds ratio [OR] = 17.00) and older patient age at the time of the procedure (19.6 ± 6.7 compared with 14.7 ± 2.4 years; p = 0.017; OR = 1.36 per year) were demonstrated to be factors associated with PAO failure in an analysis of hips that failed compared with those without failure at the time of latest follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

PAO improves radiographic deformity and helps to preserve independent ambulation in patients with hip dysplasia and Down syndrome. Although nearly 70% of the hips were preserved at an average of 13 years postoperatively, 1 in 3 hips met the criteria for failure, which was associated with older age at the time of the procedure and a moderate osteoarthritis grade (Tönnis grade 2).

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Long-term Outcome of Unconstrained Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty in Ipsilateral Residual Poliomyelitis

Incapacitating articular sequelae in the hip joint have been described for patients with late effects of poliomyelitis. In these patients, total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been associated with a substantial rate of dislocation. This study was conducted to evaluate the long-term clinical and radiologic outcomes of unconstrained THA in this specific group of patients. The study included 6 patients with ipsilateral polio who underwent primary THA between 1985 and 2006. Patients with polio who underwent THA on the nonparalytic limb were excluded. Mean follow-up was 119.5 months (minimum, 84 months). Clinical outcomes were evaluated with the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) and the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score. Radiographs were examined to identify the cause of complications and determine the need for revision surgery. All patients showed significantly better functional results when preoperative and postoperative mHHS (67.58 vs 87.33, respectively; P=.002) and VAS pain score (7.66 vs 2, respectively; P=.0003) were compared. Although 2 cases of instability were diagnosed, only 1 patient needed acetabular revision as a result of component malpositioning. None of the patients had component loosening, osteolysis, or infection. Unconstrained THA in the affected limb of patients with poliomyelitis showed favorable long-term clinical results, with improved function and pain relief. Nevertheless, instability may be a more frequent complication in this group of patients compared with the general population. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(2):e255-e261.].

Down Syndrome Increases the Risk of Short-Term Complications After Total Hip Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality and is associated with degenerative hip disease. Because of the recent increase in life expectancy for patients with this syndrome, orthopaedic surgeons are likely to see an increasing number of these patients who are candidates for total hip arthroplasty (THA).

METHODS

Using Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) data from 1998 to 2010, we compared the short-term adverse outcomes of THA among 241 patients with Down syndrome and a matched 723-patient cohort. Specifically, we assessed: (1) incidence of THA; (2) perioperative medical and surgical complications during the primary hospitalization; (3) length of stay; and (4) hospital charges.

RESULTS

The annual mean number of patients with Down syndrome undergoing THA was 19. Compared to matched controls, Down syndrome patients had an increased risk of perioperative (OR, 4.33; P<.001), medical (OR, 4.59; P<.001) and surgical (OR, 3.51; P<.001) complications during the primary hospitalization. Down syndrome patients had significantly higher incidence rates of pneumonia (P=.001), urinary tract infection (P<.001), and wound hemorrhage (P=.027). The mean lengths of stay for Down syndrome patients were 26% longer (P<.001), but there were no differences in hospital charges (P=.599).

CONCLUSION

During the initial evaluation and pre-operative consultation for a patient with Down syndrome who is a candidate for THA, orthopaedic surgeons should educate the patient, family and their clinical decision makers about the increased risk of medical complications (pneumonia and urinary tract infections), surgical complications (wound hemorrhage), and lengths of stay compared to the general population.

Aneuploidy and skeletal health

The normal human chromosome complement consists of 46 chromosomes comprising 22 morphologically different pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes. Variations in either chromosome number and/or structure frequently result in significant mental impairment and/or a variety of other clinical problems, among them, altered bone mass and strength. Chromosomal syndromes associated with specific chromosomal abnormalities are classified as either numerical or structural and may involve more than one chromosome. Aneuploidy refers to the presence of an extra copy of a specific chromosome, or trisomy, as seen in Down's syndrome (trisomy 21), or the absence of a single chromosome, or monosomy, as seen in Turner syndrome (a single X chromosome in females: 45, X). Aneuploidies have diverse phenotypic consequences, ranging from severe mental retardation and developmental abnormalities to increased susceptibility to various neoplasms and premature death. In fact, trisomy 21 is the prototypical aneuploidy in humans, is the most common genetic abnormality associated with longevity, and is one of the most widespread genetic causes of intellectual disability. In this review, the impact of trisomy 21 on the bone mass, architecture, skeletal health, and quality of life of people with Down syndrome will be discussed.