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Background: The anterior wall index (AWI) and posterior wall index (PWI) have been proposed to quantify anterior and posterior acetabular coverage using AP pelvic radiographs. However, these indices have only been reported in symptomatic patients with apparent pathomorphologies (dysplasia, overcoverage, and retroversion) undergoing osteochondroplasty or reorientation osteotomy., Questions: (1) What are the ranges for AWI and PWI from measurements obtained on AP pelvic radiographs of asymptomatic senior athletes with well-functioning hips? (2) Is there a difference between the AWI and PWI in asymptomatic athletes with acetabular morphology consistent with acetabular dysplasia, overcoverage, and retroversion when compared with asymptomatic hips that do not meet the radiographic definitions for those morphologies (controls)?, Methods: Five hundred five athletes (998 asymptomatic native hips) were independently evaluated by two readers on AP pelvic radiographs for AWI and the PWI after excluding hips with prior surgery, inadequate radiographs, or poor function (modified Harris hip score < 80). Hips with a lateral center-edge angle (LCEA) ≥ 20° and ≤ 38° and without acetabular retroversion, based on a positive crossover sign, were used as controls. Hips were categorized as developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH; undercoverage) if the LCEA was < 20°. Finally, overcoverage was defined as an LCEA > 38°. The mean age of the athletes was 67 years (range, 50-91 years) and 55% were men. Linear generalized estimating equation regression was used to compare each individual diagnosis (DDH, retroversion, overcoverage) with the controls for both AWI and PWI adjusting for age and sex., Results: The mean AWI in the study population was 0.36 (range, -0.02 to 0.91). The mean PWI was 1.13 (range, 0.12-1.74). The mean AWI and PWI in controls (n = 740) was 0.35 (range, -0.02 to 0.91) and 1.13 (range, 0.64-1.70), respectively. There were 25 (3%) with DDH in whom the mean AWI was 0.26 (range, 0.05-0.5) and the mean PWI was 1.03 (range, 0.71-1.3). There were 112 (11%) retroverted hips in whom the mean AWI was 0.42 (range, 0.1-0.89) and PWI was 1.02 (range, 0.61-1.5). There were 121 (12%) overcovered hips in whom the mean AWI was 0.43 (range, -0.18 to 0.85) and PWI was 1.22 (0.12-1.74). The AWI in the control hips was no different than that of DDH hips (β -0.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.12 to 0.002; p = 0.059) but was found to be lower than retroverted hips (β 0.08; 95% CI, 0.04-0.11; p < 0.001) and overcovered hips (β 0.05; 95% CI, 0.03-0.08; p < 0.001). The PWI in control hips was greater than that of DDH hips (β -0.08; 95% CI, -0.14 to -0.02; p = 0.013) and retroverted hips (β -0.07; 95% CI, -0.11 to -0.04; p < 0.001) but was less than overcovered hips (β 0.07; 95% CI, 0.04-0.10; p < 0.001)., Conclusions: The measurements of AWI and PWI in well-functioning, asymptomatic hips may be useful in assessing anterior and posterior acetabular coverage because it was able to distinguish between different types of known pathologic morphology. Despite evidence of these morphologic variances, these senior athletes continued to function at a high level. Thus, the identification of morphologic variance was not consistent with signs of pathology, which further supports that early screening of morphology may not predict the development of symptomatic pathology. Future work should focus on comparing these indices for morphologic variance in both symptomatic and asymptomatic hips to determine whether these measurements can be used in identifying problematic hips and as reference ranges for surgical correction., Level of Evidence: Level III, diagnostic study.

Background: Abnormal anatomy frequently results in the use of a modular stem in patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). However, because these stems are not always available in the operating room, it would be helpful if standard radiographic views could be analyzed in such a way that patients whose femoral anatomy might call for stem modularity could be anticipated before surgery. To our knowledge, no such parameters have been defined., Questions/purposes: In the senior author's practice, we used femoral neck anteversion of more than 25° as a determinant for use of a modular stem. Given this criterion, we asked if we could reliably identify plain film radiographic parameters of the femur that predict the use of modular stems. We looked at the following: (1) the neck-shaft angle based on the anteroposterior (AP) radiograph (alpha); (2) the neck-shaft angle from the crosstable lateral radiograph (beta); and (3) the calculated femoral anteversion angle., Methods: We reviewed preoperative radiographs from 50 of 67 patients (79 hips) who had a primary diagnosis of DDH and underwent primary THA from January 1999 to February 2007 inclusive. Hips with prior femoral-sided surgery (n = 2) or without preoperative films (n = 19) were excluded. Furthermore, patients with bilateral hips had the second hip excluded (n = 8). Twenty-one of 50 received a modular femoral stem based on the criterion of intraoperative neck-shaft anteversion of greater than 25° as measured by the senior surgeon (CLP), whereas the remainder received tapered nonmodular stems. There were no differences in age, sex, height, or weight between the modular stem group and tapered stem group. Radiographs were evaluated to record the parameters listed., Results: Patients in whom modular femoral stems were used had a greater mean AP (alpha) neck-shaft angle compared with patients who received tapered nonmodular stem (152°; 95% confidence interval [CI], 146°-157° versus 137°; 95% CI, 134°-141°; p < 0.001) with an optimal cutoff point for determining the use of modular stems of ≥ 142° (receiver operating characteristic [ROC] area = 73%). Hips in which modular femoral stems were chosen had a smaller mean lateral (beta) neck-shaft angle (152°; 95% CI, 148°-157° versus 161°; 95% CI, 158°-164°; p = 0.003) with an optimal cutoff point of ≤ 153° (ROC area = 65%). Hips in which modular femoral stems were used had a higher femoral anteversion angle (mean 45°; 95% CI, 37°-54° versus 21°; interquartile range, 17°-25°; p < 0.001) with an optimal cutoff of ≥ 32° (ROC area = 80%)., Conclusions: Preoperative radiographs anticipated the use of modular stems during THA for DDH in a practice where modular stems were chosen on the basis of a neck-shaft angle of greater than 25° measured at surgery. We found that this could be predicted on preoperative radiographs based on smaller lateral neck-shaft angles, steeper AP radiographic neck-shaft angles, and increased femoral anteversion calculated using these angles. Prospective studies are needed to better determine if these cutoff values adequately predict the use of modular stems.

Background: It is not known whether morphological abnormalities of the hip are compatible with lifelong hip function and avoidance of osteoarthritis (OA). Our purpose was to investigate the prevalence of radiographic findings consistent with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and dysplasia (DDH) in senior athletes with well-functioning hips., Questions/purposes: (1) What is the prevalence of FAI and DDH in senior athletes with well-functioning hips? (2) Are radiographic findings of FAI and DDH associated with OA? (3) Is a history of longer duration or more intense activity associated with hip pathomorphology? (4) Were the modified Harris hip scores and the Hip Outcome Scores lower (legacy scales) in patients with evidence of hip pathomorphology than those without?, Methods: Five hundred forty-seven individuals (55% men, 45% women; 1081 hips, 534 bilateral and 13 unilateral), mean age 67 years (SD 8 years), gave consent and qualified for this institutional review board-approved cross-sectional study of senior athletes. Hips were independently evaluated for radiographic signs of FAI, DDH, and OA. Additionally, a lifetime activities questionnaire and outcome instruments were used to assess pain and function. Hips that had previously undergone arthroplasty or fracture surgery were excluded., Results: Eighty-three percent (898 of 1081) of hips had radiographic abnormalities consistent with FAI, of which 67% (599 of 898) were cam-type FAI. Ten percent (103 of 1081) of hips had radiographic evidence for dysplasia. Radiographic findings of FAI were not predictive of OA after controlling for age and sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48-6.62; p = 0.390). Similarly, radiographic findings of DDH were not predictive of OA (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 0.31-7.21; p = 0.62). Our data suggest an increased risk of FAI-type morphologies in athletes who participated in competitive sporting events during early adult years (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.04-2.11; p = 0.020). Additionally, participants who reported lifetime participation in competitive sports were at an increased risk of OA compared with those who did not (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.14-2.69; p = 0.007). There were no differences in outcome scores between athletes with and without morphologic abnormalities., Conclusions: Radiographic findings consistent with FAI in these senior athletes were common and were not associated with the presence of OA. These data suggest that the need to screen for asymptomatic young athletes for radiographic evidence of FAI and DDH may not be necessary., Level of Evidence: Level III, prognostic study.

Background: Opioid pain medications are the basis for analgesia after orthopaedic injuries and procedures. However, opioids have many adverse effects, including opioid-induced androgen deficiency., Questions/purposes: We evaluated the occurrence and affect of opioid-induced androgen deficiency on osseous union and its ability to be reversed. Additional focus was placed on its perioperative onset and its duration in an orthopaedic animal model., Methods: A femoral osteotomy was created in 75 Sprague-Dawley rats. Postoperatively, animals were randomized into three treatment groups: control, morphine, and morphine plus testosterone. Testosterone levels were recorded preoperatively and at 48 hours, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks postoperatively. Some animals were euthanized at 4 weeks and others at 8 weeks postoperatively. Histology and micro-CT scans were used to evaluate callus. Three-point bend testing was performed to evaluate callus strength., Results: Serum testosterone levels in the morphine group showed decreased baseline levels of 2.2 ng/mL, 1.4 ng/mL, and 1.4 ng/mL (p < 0.001), whereas the morphine plus testosterone supplementation group showed increased serum levels at 41.7 ng/mL, 11.8 ng/mL, and 19.8 ng/mL (p < 0.001) compared with control animals (3.3 ng/mL, 5.8 ng/mL, 5.2 ng/mL) at 48 hours, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks, respectively. Compared with control animals, histology and micro-CT showed an impedance of callus maturation in the two experimental groups. Morphine-treated animals showed reduction in callus strength at 8 weeks (30% of the contralateral unfractured femur strength compared with 49% seen in the control animals at 8 weeks; p = 0.048); this finding was not fully reversed by testosterone supplementation (33% of the contralateral femur strength; p = 0.171)., Conclusions: Opioid-induced androgen deficiency occurred in this orthopaedic animal model. Although we previously showed that morphine inhibits callus maturation, the current study did not show a rescue of the morphine-treated animals with testosterone supplementation in either morphologic or mechanical testing. Testosterone suppression associated with opioid administration occurred almost immediately (within 48 hours) and was suppressed continually throughout the 8-week duration of study., Clinical Relevance: Opioid-induced androgen deficiency occurs during the perioperative orthopaedic period. Although its clinical relevance remains unknown, further evaluation is needed to determine if supplementation is warranted during the perioperative period.

Background: The current mainstay of orthopaedic pain control is opioid analgesics but there are few studies in the literature evaluating the effects of opioids on bone healing., Questions/purposes: The purpose of this study was to use a rat fracture model to evaluate the effects of opioid administration on osseous union in the acute (4 weeks) and subacute (8 weeks) setting in an operatively stabilized fracture. We asked the following question: does morphine administration alter (1) fracture callus strength; (2) callus volume and formation; and (3) morphology and early remodeling to final osseous union?, Methods: A 0.4-mm femoral osteotomy gap was created in 50 Sprague-Dawley rats using an established model. Postoperatively, rats were randomized to control versus morphine-treated study groups. Equal numbers of rats from each group were euthanized at 4 weeks and 8 weeks postoperatively. Three-point bend biomechanical testing was performed to evaluate postoperative callus strength. Micro-CT scans and histological analyses were used to evaluate postoperative callus volume and formation, morphology, and features of early remodeling., Results: Biomechanical testing identified a statistically significant (p = 0.048) reduction in callus strength in morphine-treated animals 8 weeks postoperatively compared with controls. Radiographic and histological analysis showed delayed callus maturation and lack of remodeling in the morphine group compared with control animals at 8 weeks. Micro-CT analysis expressed remodeling and resorption as a decrease in callus volume over the two time points. The control group had significant levels of resorption decreasing 29% (p = 0.023) over the 4-week to 8-week time interval. Morphine administration inhibited callus resorption and remodeling with only a 13% decrease (p = 0.393) in callus volume comparing these time points. The callus inhibition associated with morphine administration was not as evident in the acute, 4-week time setting., Conclusions: Morphine administration inhibited callus strength in this animal model. This finding is likely consistent with the observation that the callus and healing bone appear to have a decreased rate of maturation and remodeling seen at 8 weeks., Clinical Relevance: This study identifies that administration of an opioid pain medication leads to weaker callus and impedes callus maturation compared with controls. These findings may provide the impetus to alter our current orthopaedic analgesic gold standard toward more multimodal and opioid-limiting pain control regimens.