Coxiella burnetti prosthetic joint infection in an immunocompromised woman: iterative surgeries, prolonged ofloxacin-rifampin treatment and complex reconstruction were needed for the cure

Background

Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii, a strictly intracellular pathogen that can cause acute and chronic infection. Chronic Q fever can occur in immunocompetent as well as in immuno-compromised hosts, as a persistent localized infection. The main localizations are endocardial, vascular and, less frequently, osteoarticular. The most frequent osteoarticular form is spondyliscitis. Recommended treatment is combined doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine for 18 months, with cotrimoxazole as another option. Coxiella burnetti infection has been implicated in rare cases of prosthetic joint infection (PJI), and the medical and surgical management and outcome in such cases have been little reported.

Case presentation

We report an unusual case of chronic Q fever involving a hip arthroplasty in an immunocompromised woman treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α blockers for rheumatoid arthritis. Numerous surgical procedures (explantation, “second look”, femoral resection and revision by megaprosthesis), modification of the immunosuppressant therapy and switch from doxycycline-hydroxychloroquine to prolonged ofloxacin-rifampin combination therapy were needed to achieve reconstruction and treat the PJI, with a follow-up of 7 years.

Conclusions

Coxiella burnetti PJI is a complex infection that requires dedicated management in an experienced reference center. Combined use of ofloxacin-rifampin can be effective.

Excellent outcomes for lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: Multicenter 268-case series at 5 to 23 years' follow-up

INTRODUCTION

Isolated lateral compartment osteoarthritis of the knee (LCOA) is 10 times less frequent than medial compartment involvement. Long-term assessments of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) in this indication are rare, with small series.

HYPOTHESIS

Survival and functional outcome of lateral UKA in a large series are quite acceptable; the strategy is suited for isolated LCOA.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A multicenter retrospective study in 6 French health establishments included all lateral UKAs performed between January 1988 and September 2014. Clinical data (range of motion, International Knee Society (IKS) knee and function scores, satisfaction), paraclinical data (radiologic angles) and complications were prospectively entered in medical files during follow-up and analyzed retrospectively at end of follow-up.

RESULTS

During the study period, 311 lateral UKAs were performed in 295 patients, using 5 fixed-bearing implant models. Twenty-eight patients died within 5 years, and 15 (4.8%) were lost to follow-up. The series thus comprised 268 lateral UKAs in 63 male and 205 female patients, with a mean age of 68.8±10.5 years, including 7 cases of post-traumatic osteoarthritis and 4 of aseptic osteonecrosis. Mean follow-up was 9.1 years (range, 5-23 years), implant survivorship with failure defined as all-cause revision surgery was 85.4% at 10 years and 79.4% at 20 years. At last follow-up, IKS knee score was 87.0 and IKS function score 80.2. Maximal flexion was 125°. 94.3% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied. The main cause of revision surgery was osteoarthritis in another knee compartment (66,7%, n=26).

CONCLUSION

Lateral UKA showed good survivorship, comparable to medial UKA, with good functional results and excellent long-term satisfaction.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, retrospective cohort study.

Outcomes of cup revision for ilio-psoas impingement after total hip arthroplasty: Retrospective study of 46 patients

BACKGROUND

Impingement of the ilio-psoas tendon on the acetabular component is a cause of pain after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Studies of cup revision for ilio-psoas impingement (IPI) are scarce and limited in size. We therefore conducted a large multicentre retrospective study with the following objectives: to assess the effectiveness of cup replacement in resolving the impingement syndrome, to determine the frequency and nature of complications after cup revision for IPI, and to identify pre-operative factors associated with good outcomes of cup revision for IPI.

HYPOTHESIS

Cup revision is effective in resolving the pain due to IPI in selected patients.

METHODS

This retrospective multicentre study included 46 patients who underwent cup revision because of IPI. Before the revision, 38 (83%) patients had prominence of the anterior cup rim (mean, 9.9±4.5mm (range, 2-22mm) by radiography and 35 (76%) had cup malposition (anteversion<10° and/or inclination>50°). Mean follow-up was 21months (range, 6months to 6 years) and no patient was lost to follow-up. Outcomes at last follow-up were assessed based on the Oxford Hip Score (OHS), patient satisfaction index, complications, and revisions.

RESULTS

At last follow-up, 39 (85%) patients were satisfied with the revision procedure, a significant improvement versus baseline was noted in the OHS (mean, 43±6; range, 25-48; P<0.001), and 41 patients were free of pain during hip flexion (P<0.001 versus baseline). Complications occurred in 3 (6.5%) patients, but only one complication was severe (deep infection). Recurrent groin pain was reported by 4 (8.7%) patients at last follow-up. None of the factors studied predicted the outcome of revision surgery.

DISCUSSION

Cup revision for IPI after THA is effective in relieving the groin pain in 80% of patients with anterior cup rim prominence and/or cup malposition. However, complications can occur. Tenotomy may be preferable when the diagnosis is in doubt and/or cup position is acceptable.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, retrospective observational study.

Endo medullary extractability of cementless full HA coated femoral stem: Results from 19 cases

The Aura cementless full HA coated stem is an anatomical femoral component with a different surface treatment in the metaphyseal and diaphyseal areas. We have studied the feasibility of isolated endo-medullar extraction of the stem. 19 patients (6 infections, 6 neck fractures, 3 stems with risk of fracture, 3 head fractures, and 1 recurrent dislocation) were subjected to the removal of a stable and bone integrated implant at a mean of 4.5 years after surgery. The 19 cases represent the entire population of Aura cementless integrated stem requiring revision during the period of 2003 through 2011, excluding periprosthetic bone fracture cases. The technique consisted of a careful release of the metaphyseal part of the implant with thin osteotomes, followed by the use of a highly efficient extractor. The re-implanted procedure always utilised standard stems: 17 cementless stems full HA coated (13 had the same size as the removed implant, 4 cases had larger sizes) and two received cemented stems. The 19 stems were extracted by simple endo-medullary approach, without the need for additional action. Several complications were encountered, 1 intraoperative diaphyseal fracture, requiring a wiring, 1 fracture of the lesser trochanter at 15 days post-surgery, requiring a revision and 2 postoperative dislocations. Except for the early revision due to fracture, no other stem was revised. There was no recurrence of infection and the functional results were satisfactory (PMA 15-18). 3 patients showed metaphyseal lucent lines on X-Ray leading us to advise the use of a standard stem with larger size after distal reaming, combined with preventive circulate of the calcar. The use of dedicated instrumentation allows successful extraction of full HA coated short stem by endomedullary approach.