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Background: The Exeter V40 Orthinox stem is one of the most commonly used femoral components in total hip arthroplasty. Its design, material and finish has evolved significantly from the original design established by Ling and Lee over 3 decades ago. An early problem reported with the original Exeter stem was a high rate of stem fractures. It was thought that with the new Orthinox steel used in the V40 system, the rate of stem fractures would reduce. There are reports of the Exeter V40 stem failing in a variety of locations., Cases: This paper highlights the 3 locations where the Exeter stem may fail and estimates a rate of 0.262% for stem fractures due to the constant use of the Exeter stem throughout the career of the senior surgeon.

Background:: Ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) is currently a viable bearing combination in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and, due to its mechanical properties, it can be used in young patients requiring a long-lasting implant. The aim of this study is to report the results of a series of CoC THAs at a minimum 20 years follow-up., Methods:: A retrospective study was conducted on the 1st 100 consecutive alumina-on-alumina arthroplasties performed by a single surgeon on 51 females and 40 males with an average age of 60.7 years. The mean preoperative Harris Hip Score was 35. The press-fit cup consisted of a pure titanium core with a titanium alloy mesh. Both the inlay and the head were made of dense polycrystalline surgical-grade alumina. The 32-mm femoral head was anchored on 3 different femoral components., Results:: 19 patients with 22 THAs were died or lost, 2 anatomic cementless stems were revised due to sinking, 1 THA was revised for periprosthetic infection. 2 patients sustained a Vancouver B1 periprosthetic femoral fracture. None of the 78 THAs eligible for this study were revised for wear, breakage, noise of the ceramic components. None of the cups, none of the cemented stems, none of the cementless straight stems failed. HHS raised up to a mean value of 95., Conclusions:: The present report demonstrates that CoC coupling offers minimal wear at a long-term follow-up. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether the modern ceramic composites will confirm such excellent results in total hip replacement.

Background: Newer generation cable-plate designs are commonly used for periprosthetic proximal femur fractures; however, comparisons relative to cable-grips remain limited. The aim of this study was to compare radiographic healing rates of cable-plate versus cable-grip fixation for periprosthetic proximal femur fractures., Patients and Methods: Consecutive patients with an acute or chronic Vancouver A, B1, or B2 periprosthetic proximal femur fracture undergoing trochanteric fixation with a cable-plate (n = 46 cases) or cable-grip (n = 24 cases) system were identified retrospectively from a single-centre hospital database (mean follow-up 28 months [range 6-89 months]). Demographics, radiographic fracture healing, and complications were compared between the 2 groups. Radiographic union rates were not different between the cable-grip versus cable-plate group (67% vs. 76% respectively; p = 0.4). Healing rates of greater trochanteric fractures alone were not different between the cable-plate versus cable-grip groups (75% vs. 71% respectively; p = 0.38). The cable-plates were used for a more diverse range of fracture patterns relative to the cable-grips., Results: An increased number of cables was associated with radiographic healing (odds ratio 14 [95% confidence interval 2-64]; p = 0.01), and body mass index had a negative correlation with radiographic healing (odds ratio -0.4 [95% confidence interval 0.5-0.9]., Conclusions: Similar rates of periprosthetic fracture healing were seen using a cable-grip versus cable-plate system; however, the cable-plate system could be used for a more diverse range of fracture patterns.

Background: Periprosthetic femoral shaft fractures are a significant complication after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Plate osteosynthesis has been the mainstay of treatment around well-fixed stems. Nonunions are a rare and challenging complication of this fixation method. We report the outcomes of a novel orthogonal plating surgical technique for Vancouver B1 and C-type periprosthetic fractures that previously failed open reduction internal fixation (ORIF)., Methods: A retrospective review identified all patients with Vancouver B1/C THA periprosthetic femoral nonunions from 2010 to 2015. Exclusion criteria included open fractures and periprosthetic infections. The technique utilised a mechanobiologic strategy of atraumatic exposure, resection of necrotic tissue, bone grafting with adjuvant bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and revision open reduction internal fixation with orthogonal plate osteosynthesis., Results: 6 Vancouver B1/C periprosthetic femoral nonunions were treated. 5 patients were female with an average age of 80.3 years (range 72-91 years). The fractures occurred at a mean of 5.8 years (range 1-10 years) from their initial arthroplasty procedure. No patients underwent further revision surgery; there were no perioperative complications. All patients had a minimum of 11 months follow-up (mean 18.6, range 11-36 months). All fractures achieved osseous union, defined as solid bridging callus over at least 2 cortices and pain free, independent ambulation, at an average of 24.4 weeks (range 6.1-39.7 weeks)., Conclusions: This is the 1st series describing orthogonal locked compression plating using modern implants for periprosthetic femoral nonunions. This technique should be considered in periprosthetic femur fracture nonunions around a well-fixed stem.

Introduction: Atypical femoral fractures (AFF) can be present in patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA). This case highlights the opportunity to review the management of stress reactions, stress fractures and atypical femoral fractures, which depend on the activity of the fracture., Case Presentation: A 66-year-old female with a history of long-term bisphosphonate use underwent a total hip replacement for symptomatic osteoarthritis with a clinical presentation of right groin pain and radiographic signs of joint space narrowing and osteophyte formation. Radiographs before hip arthroplasty showed lateral cortical thickening in the ipsilateral femur in the subtrochanteric region. The patient developed a complete periprosthesic atypical femoral fracture a month after surgery at the level of the previously identified femoral cortical thickening., Discussion: Given the high amount of elderly, osteoporotic patients presenting with groin/thigh pain undergoing hip replacement, surgeons should question them about the use of bisphosphonates in the past and look for the presence of AFF. These should receive bilateral imaging studies and a metabolic bone workup in order to define the status of the fracture and determine the appropriate management before considering any other surgical intervention.

Introduction: Cement extrusions on the femoral side after total hip replacement can occur in approximately 0.3% of cemented primary total hip replacements. Not recognised until a postoperative x-ray is performed, the willingness to dismiss and treat these extrusions conservatively is high., Methods: We report on 3 patients presenting with sudden onset of thigh pain associated with an inability to weight-bear after a 2 to 15 month period of uneventful healthy recovery from cemented total hip replacement. On immediate postoperative x-rays occult cement extrusion in the posterolateral circumference of the femoral component tip were present. X-rays and CT scans showed no fracture signs. Scintigraphy revealed late increased uptake at the extrusion height. With the hypothesis of imminent femoral fatigue fracture, all patients underwent revision surgery. The defect sites were surgically exposed, thoroughly cleaned of cement, filled with iliac crest bone graft and stabilised with tension band plating., Results: This procedure resulted in fully recovered asymptomatic patients at 6 weeks and after a mean follow-up period of 48 months, as demonstrated by their pain level and tolerance of full weight bearing., Conclusions: These cases lead us to adopt a low threshold for immediate revision when occult cement extrusion is recognised near the tip of a cemented stem on postoperative films, and to adopt a low threshold for surgical revision when, in the presence of cement extrusion, thigh pain is a complaint. We favour tension band plating and bone grafting over more complex implant revisions since a fast recovery was achieved in these patients.

Fracture around the acetabulum and femur in total hip arthroplasty is a possible complication, sometimes with difficult surgical solution, namely when a sepsis is present. Periprosthetic hip fractures were classified according to a modified Vancouver classification. We treated 112 patients (67 men and 45 women) with periprosthetic hip fractures: 105 femoral fractures (94%) and seven acetabular fractures (6%). Mean follow-up was 10.6 years. For Type A (seven cases - 7%), B1 (10 cases - 10%) or C (13 cases - 12%) fractures around well fixed femoral stems we only fixed the fractures. For Type B2 (17 cases - 16%), B3 (46 cases - 44%) and D (12 cases - 11%, with associated fractures, not contemplated in the Vancouver classification) we used an uncemented long femoral stem, fixation with metallic cables and cancellous bone allografts to fill the femoral bone loss. We observed a deep infection in three patients (2.7%), three early hip dislocations treated by closed reductions, two cases with asymptomatic trochanteric non-union and one femoral refracture. In the three infection cases we performed two-stage revision with cementless hip prosthesis, using an antibiotic-loaded cement hip spacer (three to eight months), a six weeks period of parenteral antibiotics and we performed articular aspiration before revision surgery. Until now, we did not observe any re-infection. It is very important to make an early diagnosis, isolate micro-organisms and ensure their antibiotic susceptibility. The surgery solution depends on the well fixed implants and periprosthetic osteolysis and articular instability.

Adequate fixation at the time of cementless stem implantation depends on the operator's experience. An objective evaluation method to determine whether the stem has been appropriately implanted may be helpful. We studied the relationship between the hammering sound frequency during stem implantation and internal stress in a femoral model, and evaluated the possible usefulness of hammering sound frequency analysis for preventing intraoperative fracture. Three types of cementless stem (BiCONTACT®, SL-PLUS®, and AI-Hip®) were used. Surgeons performed stem insertion using a procedure similar to that employed in a routine operation. Stress was estimated by finite element analysis, the hammering force was measured, and frequency analysis of hammering sound data obtained using a microphone. Finite element analysis showed a decrease in the hammering sound frequency with an increase in the estimated maximum stress. When a decrease in frequency was observed, adequate hammering had occurred, and the continuation of hammering risked fracture. Based on the relationship between stress and frequency, the evaluation of changes in frequency may be useful for preventing the development of intraoperative fractures. Using our method, when a decrease in frequency is observed, the hammering force should be reduced. Hammering sound frequency analysis may allow the prediction of bone fractures that can be visually confirmed, and may be a useful objective evaluation method for the prevention of intraoperative periprosthetic fractures during stem insertion.