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This study evaluated the outcomes of using porous tantalum rods for the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). We performed core decompression and inserted porous tantalum implants in 149 patients (168 consecutive hips) with ONFH. Hips had large (65), medium (64), or small (39) lesions; 63 lesions were lateral, 68 were central, and 35 were medial. Conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA) was the end point of this survey. A total of 130 cases (138 hips) were followed. The mean follow-up time was 38.46 ± 5.76 months; 43 hips (31%) were converted to or needed THA. Of the 43 hips requiring THA, 33 had large lesions, including 1 medial, 3 central, and 29 lateral lesions; 9 had medium, lateral lesions, and 1 hip had a small, lateral lesion. Bone grafting was used in 59 hips, with 3 hips failing; 40 of 79 hips without bone grafts failed. The sum distances between the tops of the rods and the lateral lesion boundaries (SDTL, mm) were measured in anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. In the failure and spared groups, the average SDTLs were 7.65 ± 2.759 and 0.83 ± 2.286 mm, respectively. The survival of porous tantalum rods used for treating early-stage ONFH was affected by the size and location of the lesion, whether or not a bone graft was used, as well as the distance between top of the rod and the lateral boundary of the lesion.

This study is aimed to explore the progression of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (OFNH) in severe acute respiratory syndrome patients 7 years after steroid administration and to analyze factors affecting the prognosis. One-hundred and ninety hips in 117 patients with more than 7 years of follow-up were studied. The prevalence of progression to symptoms and collapse was determined. The total dose of steroid, gender, age, stage, lesion location, volume of necrosis, viable lateral column and bone marrow edema were analyzed and correlated with progression. During the 7 years of follow-up, 66 hips progressed to symptoms, 50 hips collapsed and 10 hips showed complete regression. Fifty-seven hips (86.36 %) caused pain and 32 (64.00 %) collapsed within 3 years of steroid administration. The lesion was relatively larger, and there was relatively less viable lateral column in hips that exhibited symptoms or collapsed. Mechanical failure of the necrotic segment of bone principally occurred within 3 years after the administration of steroids. Larger lesions and less viable lateral column were the main risk factors for progression. Small ONFH lesions seldom collapsed.

Nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (non-ONFH) is a disorder that can lead to femoral head collapse and the need for total hip replacement. Various head-preserving procedures have been used for this disease to avert the need for total hip replacement. These include various vascularised and nonvascularised bone grafting procedures. We examined the effect of bone-grafting through a window at the femoral head-neck junction known as the “light bulb” approach for the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head with a combination of demineralised bone matrix (DBM) and auto-iliac bone. The study included 110 patients (138 hips; 41 females, 69 males; mean age 32.36 years, range 17–54 years) with stage IIA–IIIA nontraumatic avascular necrosis of the femoral head according to the system of the ARCO (Association Research Circulation Osseous). The bone grafting procedure is called “light bulb” procedure in which the diseased bone was replaced by a bone graft substitute (combination of DBM and auto-iliac bone).The outcome was determined by the changes in the Harris hip score, by progression in radiographic stages, and by the need for hip replacement. The mean follow-up was 25.37 months (range 7–42 months). All data were processed by a statistics analysis including Cox risk model analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Pre- and postoperative evaluations showed that the mean Harris hip score increased from 62 to 79. Clinically, 94 of 138 hips (68%) were successful at the latest follow-up, and radiological improvement was noted in 100% of patients in stage IIA, 76.67% of patients in stage IIB and 50.96% of patients in stage IIC and IIIA cases. Excellent and good results according to the Harris score were obtained in 100% of cases in stage IIA, 93.33% in stage IIB and 59.62% in stages IIIA and IIC stage, with a survivorship of 85% in stages IIA and IIB and 60% in stage IIIA and IIC cases. Cox risk model analysis showed that the clinical success rate correlated with both pre-operation stage and the necrotic area of the femoral head. The complications included ectopic ossification, lateral femoral cutaneous nerve lesion and joint infection. This procedure may be effective at avoiding or forestalling the need for total hip replacement in young patients with early to intermediate stages of osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Therefore, it may be the treatment of choice particularly in nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head of pre-collapse stage with small and middle area (

It is difficult to predict if and when the femoral head will collapse and whether the collapse can be minimized. This study examined the final outcome of early-stage osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) using magnetic resonance imaging to verify the relationship between preservation of the lateral pillar and collapse of the femoral head. A midcoronal section of the femoral head was divided into 3 pillars (medial, central, and lateral) on a T1-weighted image. According to the site of necrosis on the lateral pillar, the necrosis was divided into 3 types: I, the necrosis occupies the central and medial pillars, and the lateral pillar is preserved; II, the necrosis partially occupies the lateral pillar; and III, the necrosis totally occupies the lateral pillar. One group of 87 patients (127 hips) with Association for Research on Osseous Circulation (ARCO) stage I ONFH underwent nonoperative treatment and were followed for 3 to 8 years (average, 6.2 years). Another group of 42 patients (72 hips) with ARCO stage I ONFH underwent debridement and impacted bone graft and were followed for 5 to 9 years (average, 7.1 years). In both groups, the more preserved the lateral pillar, the less collapse occurred. The authors concluded that whether ONFH progressed to collapse is determined by preservation of the lateral pillar. The lateral pillar is the keystone for maintaining the sphere of the femoral head and its preservation.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the anticardiolipin antibodies in post-SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) osteonecrosis patients to investigate the etiology of post-SARS osteonecrosis, and to eventually provide valuable information for the early diagnosis of nontraumatic osteonecrosis and for the susceptible population screening. METHODS: This study recruited 62 post-SARS osteonecrosis patients and 52 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Fasting blood samples were collected from all the subjects through cubital veins. Immunoglobulins A, G and M (IgA, G and M) types of anticardiolipin antibodies were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The routine examinations of prothrombin time, thrombin time, prothrombin activity, and international normalized ratio were also performed. RESULTS: There were 21 of 62 post-SARS osteonecrosis patients (33.9%) who showed at least one type of anticardiolipin antibodies. The titers of specific IgA, IgG, and IgM were 11.33 +/- 11.209 APL, 5.127 +/- 5.927 GPL, and 17.821 +/- 10.606 MPL, respectively. There were only 4 of 52 subjects in the control group (7.7%) who showed positive anticardiolipin antibody with titers of IgA at 10.702 +/- 3.126 APL, IgG at 5.184 +/- 4.780 GPL, and IgM at 14.684 +/- 5.516 MPL. There were significant differences between the 2 groups confirmed by t-Test and chi(2) test (P < 0.05), while no significant differences were observed in prothrombin time, thrombin time, prothrombin activity, and international normalized ratio results between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: The incidences of anticardiolipin antibodies were increased in the post-SARS osteonecrosis patients and anticardiolipin antibodies may play a role in the pathogenesis of post-SARS osteonecrosis.

To detect the cartilage changes of hip joint with osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH) in stages II and III and provide evidence for understanding cartilage changes of femoral head of osteonecrosis before collapse.The cartilage changes of ONFH were determined by delayed gadolinium enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage (dGEMRIC). According to ARCO classification of ONFH, the samples were divided into three groups: Group A, 11 hips, stageII; Group B, 13 hips, stage III; Group C, 10 hips, normal. All participates underwent the tests by dGEMRIC. And the data of T1Gd were collected and analyzed.The values of T1Gd were 420 ± 60 (Group A), 361 ± 54(Group B) and 538 ± 26 (Group C) respectively. There was a significant difference among three groups. The values of T1Gd in the ONFH patients were lower than their healthy counterparts. The values of TIGd of Group B was 14% lower than those of Group A. And the difference was significant statistically.Cartilage of the femoral head undergoes abnormal metabolic changes before collapse. There is a loss of GAG in the cartilage and it aggravates with the worsening of ONFH.

To analyze retrospectively the formation and histological changes of sclerosis rim in patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), and to study the relationship between bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP4) and sclerosis rim, so as to acquire experimental and theoretical basis on individualized treatment for ONFH patients.From November 2005 to November 2007, 184 hips of steroid-induced ONFH inpatients were collected. The mean age was (47 ± 7) years, the patients were divided into high (more than 54 years old), middle (40 - 54 years old) and low (less than 40 years old) age groups. Their clinical data were analyzed retrospectively according to gender and age. Parts of the femoral heads were selected for the study, including 18 hips in high age group, 11 hips in low age group and 20 hips in middle age group. Each 10 hips were selected with or without sclerosis rim. The femoral heads were cut along middle coronal plane, their weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing areas were used for the study. The specimens were processed by routine HE staining and picric acid-Sirius red staining and electron microscopy preparation and immunohistochemistry stain. The average optical density of BMP4 protein was calculated by image analysis software.The trabecular of sclerosis rim was thickening and disorder. But its osteocytes were normal and with high secretion. The ratio of sclerosis rim was 71.4% (105/147) in middle age ONFH patients, which was significantly higher than the low age group patients (45.5%, 5/11) and high age group patients (38.5%, 10/26) (P0.01). The optical density of BMP4 in middle age ONFH patients was 0.32 ± 0.14, which was significantly higher than the low age group 0.20 ± 0.17 and high age patients 0.19 ± 0.27 (P0.05). The optical density was 0.16 ± 0.11 in ONFH patients without sclerosis rim, which was significantly lower than with sclerosis rim (0.28 ± 0.13) (P0.01). The time from hip pain to joint replacement in patients with sclerosis rim was (49 ± 11) months, and (15 ± 2) months without sclerosis rim. There was significant difference between the two groups (P0.01).The formation of sclerosis rim is positively related to the expression of BMP4, and high expression of BMP maybe promote the formation of sclerosis rim.

To detect the blood perfusion of the necrotic area and the femoral head and neck junction in the patients diagnosed as osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH) with laser doppler flowmetry (LDF).From 2007 to 2008, 50 patients with ONFH 82 hips were performed core decompression and autologous stem cells transplantation. Group A was for ARCO stage II 46 hips (IIA 6 hips, IIB 22 hips, IIC 18 hips), and Group B was for stage III 36 hips (IIIA 20 hips, IIIB 10 hips, IIIC 6 hips). Blood perfusion of necrotic area and femoral head and neck junction with LDP were detected during the operation. Statistical analysis was made.In Group A, the perfusion volume of necrotic area was (30.2 +/- 3.0) PU, and the perfusion volume of femoral head and neck junction was (103.4 +/- 4.4) PU. In Group B, the perfusion volume of necrotic area was (30.6 +/- 2.8) PU, and the perfusion volume of femoral head and neck junction was (103.4 +/- 3.9) PU. In Group A and Group B, the perfusion volume of necrotic area was lower than that of femoral head and neck junction, and the difference was significant (P0.01).LDF can effectively detect that the perfusion volume of ONFH decreased, which provides a theoretical basis in order to further study the pathogenesis of ONFH. Meanwhile, there is application value of LDF on the study of ONFH.

To investigate the hematological changes and related gene mutation of post-severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients with osteonecrosis so as to find the sensitive molecular symbols for early screening of the high risk populations.Fast peripheral venous blood samples were collected from 61 post-SARS patients with osteonecrosis, 25 males and 36 females, aged 30.4 (20 - 60), and 52 sex and age-matched healthy persons as controls. ELISA was used to detect the coagulation and fibrinolysis indicators: activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), protein C (PC), antithrombin III (AT-III), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI), activated protein C resistance (APC-R), plasminogen (PLG), von Willebrand factor (VWF), D-dimer (D-D), and fibrinogen (Fib). Real-time PCR was used to detect the mutation of factor V G1601A (FV Leiden) and prothrombin G20210A.The levels of PC, AT-III, and PLG of the osteonecrosis group were 85% +/- 34%, 84 +/- 29%, and 69 +/- 23%, significantly lower than that of the control group (109% +/- 20%, 104% +/- 14%, and 94% +/- 15% respectively, all P0.01). PAI of the osteonecrosis group was 16 U/ml +/- 14 U/ml, significantly higher than that of the control group (8.0 U/ml +/- 4.3 U/ml, P0.01). The percentage of patients with abnormal indicators was 99.5% (54/61) in the osteonecrosis group, significantly higher than that of the control group (36.5%, 19/52, P0.01). The percentage of patients with 3 or more abnormal indicators was 72.1% (44/61) in the osteonecrosis group, significantly higher than that of the control group (17.3%, 9/52, P0.01). No mutations of F V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A was found in both groups.Trends of hypercoagulation and hypofibrinolysis exist in the post-SARS patients with osteonecrosis. APTT, PC, AT-III, and PLG can be used as sensitive indicator for screening high risk populations of osteonecrosis.

The purpose of this study was to detect changes in coagulation and fibrinolysis of post-severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) Chinese patients with osteonecrosis, investigate the aetiology of post-SARS osteonecrosis (ON), and select the sensitive molecular markers for identifying the susceptible population. For this study, blood samples were collected from 88 patients with post-SARS ON and 52 healthy people. Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), protein C (PC), antithrombin III (AT–III), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI), activated protein C resistance (APC–R), plasminogen (PLG), von Willebrand’s factor(vWF), D–dimer (D–D), fibrinogen (Fib), and homocysteine (HCY) were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We noted that blood agents of patients with ON changed obviously. APTT, PC, AT–III, PAI, APC–R, and PLG were significantly different between the two groups. Hypercoagulation and hypofibrinolysis were found in patients with post-SARS ON. Therefore, these examinations can be used to screen a population susceptible to ON. Measurements of APTT, PC, AT–III, PAI, APC–R, and PLG are sensitive blood tests for screening purposes.

To explore the correlation between the dosage of corticosteroid, time of onset and incidence of osteonecrosis (ON) in patients with SARS.From July 2003 to January 2004, general survey carried out for ON in 551 patients with SARS. Five hundred and fifty-one patients except 12 were administrated by corticosteroid from 80 mg to 30 000 mg. The age of patients was (33 +/- 9) years old ranging from 19 to 59 years old. One hundred and thirty-one were male, and four hundred and twenty were female. MRI and X-ray film were taken in all patients including both hips, knees, shoulders, ankles and wrists. CT scan was taken in partial patients. Common classification system were used for staging of hip (ARCO), knee (Lotka) and shoulder (Cruess). Independent test, rank-sum test and multiple factor logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis.No osteonecrosis was detected in 12 patients without corticosteroid. Osteonecrosis was detected in 176 patients (32.7 percent) among 539 patients. There were ON of femoral head in 130 cases (210 hips), ON of knee in 98 cases (130 knees), ON of humeral head in 21 cases (36 shoulders), ON of talus and calcaneus in 16 cases (26 ankles), ON of scaphoid and lunate in 11 cases (17 wrists), ON of patella in 3 cases (4 patella), ON of ilium in 1 case and bone infarction (femur, tibia) in 18 cases. One hundred and nineteen cases (195 hips) with ONFH were in stage I (IA 45 hips, IB 77 hips, IC 73 hips). Eleven cases (15 hips) were in stage II. All osteonecrosis of the knee and humoral head was stage I. Thirty-four patients with ON had one joint affected, 45 patients had 2 joints, 93 patients had more than 3 joints. The dosage of corticosteroid was (5842 +/- 4988) mg in ON group and (2719 +/- 2571) mg in non-ON group (P0.0001). The duration of steroid was (38 +/- 17) d in ON group and (27 +/- 15) d in non-ON group (P0.01). The dosage of pulse treatment was (340 +/- 207) mg/d in ON group and (211 +/- 160) mg/d in non-ON group (P0.01). The duration of pulse treatment was (28 +/- 13) d in ON group and (18 +/- 11) d in non-ON group (P0.01). All patients with ON were detected within 6 months from administration.About one-third patients with SARS who were treated with a high dose of corticosteroid occurred osteonecrosis. ON is frequently multiple focuses. The actual time of onset of ON is early of steroid used. MRI is golden standard for early diagnosis of ON. The patients who were treated with a high dose of corticosteroid should be inspected initially by MRI.

To explore the correct localization of the acetabular component, surgical technique and the outcome in total hip arthroplasty (THA) for acetabular dysplasia with secondary osteoarthritis.A retrospective review was undertaken of 44 hips (38 patients) that had had a total hip arthroplasty for acetabular dysplasia with secondary osteoarthritis from September.1989 to April. 2003. 14 were male (one bilateral) and 24 patients were female (5 bilateral). The mean duration of clinical and roentgenographic follow-up was thirty-six months (range, eight to one hundred and sixty-eight months), and the mean age of the patients was fifty-one years (range, twenty-nine to eighty years). Twelve hips were classified as type I; twenty-four as type II; seven as type III; and one as type IV, according to the criteria of Crowe. The horizontal location of the center of the hip (the distance along the interior drop line extending lateral or medial from the inferior point of the teardrop to the perpendicular line dropped from the center of the femoral head) was measured.There were 24 acetabular components that were placed in the centralized position and the other 20 in no deepen placement post-operatively. At the most recent follow-up, the mean Harris hip score was 90.2, 86.3 for the centralized position and the undeepen placement hips respectively, there was a significant difference between these two groups.In order to obtain the stability of acetabular component, deepen acetabular reaming is necessary for the most acetabular dysplasia in THA. In this way the anatomical rotational center can be obtained medially and lowly. The excellent long-term function will be maintained.

To explore the indications, operative technique and clinical results of the transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy (TRO) for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH).Nineteen patients (23 hips) with ONFH underwent TRO from October 1992 to May 2001 were reviewed. There were 14 males and 5 females. The age was ranging from 22 to 43 years old with an average age of 33.4 years old. The etiology were as followed: alcoholism 10 cases (12 hips); steroid 6 cases (7 hips); trauma 2 cases (2 hips); caisson disease 1 case (2 hips). Ficat stage: II 8 cases 8 hips; III 11 cases 15 hips. Harris hip score 46 to 74 with mean score 56 preoperatively. In order to determine the location and extent of osteonecrosis, A-P view and accurate lateral view (the film should be placed parallel to the femoral neck with the hip in precisely 90 degrees and flexion 45 degrees of abduction and neutral rotation) were taken in both hips preoperatively. The surgical technique described by Sugioka were used in all patients.Seventeen patients (19 hips) were followed up ranging from 18 to 11 years with mean 54 months. The Harris hip score was from 55 to 94 with mean 80.5. Fourteen hips score more than 80 and good to excellent rate was 73.2%. Harris score were less than 79 in 5 cases and 4 hips of these 5 hips were revised by total hip arthroplasty. The rotation angle was from 55 degrees to 80 degrees with mean 60 degrees .The circumflex femoral medial artery injury was found in 1 hip; subtrochanteric fracture was found in 2 hips and 1 osteotomy site nonunion occurred.TRO can be used to treat ONFH. The indications include: (1) younger patients (less than 45 years old). (2) Ficat stage II and III with more than one third intact articular surface of the femoral head. The better results could be obtained using posterior rotation and lager rotational angle. The Sugioka osteotomy should be used carefully because of its complicated surgical technique.

To explore the correct localization of the acetabular component, surgical technique and the outcome in total hip arthroplasty (THA) for acetabular dysplasia with secondary osteoarthritis.A retrospective review was undertaken of 39 hips (33 patients) that had been performed a total hip arthroplasty for acetabular dysplasia with secondary osteoanthritis from September 1989 to January 2003. These patients were divided into two groups, 16 patients (20 hips) who were performed by regular THA of Harris method were defined as group A and the other 17 patients (19 hips) by acetabular centralization technique as group B. The hip function was evaluated using Harris hip score before and after operation. The horizontal location of the center of the hip (the distance along the intertear drop line extending lateral or medial from the inferior point of the teardrop to the perpendicular line dropped from the center of the femoral head), abduction angle of the cup, and femoral offset was measured.At the most recent follow-up, the mean Harris hip score was 88.9 +/- 5.8, and 82.3 +/- 8.4 for the anatomical position reconstruction and the lateral displacement hips, respectively (P0.05). The horizontal distance between the teardrop and the hip center was significantly shorter in B group [(37.3 +/- 3.4) mm] than in A group [(46.1 +/- 5.3) mm] (P0.05). Two patients had bone resorption of autograft and malposition of the acetabular component during follow-up, while others had no revision, loosening, or migration of the acetabular component.Accurately confirmed acetabular position, stable acetabular component, and appropriate techniques are important to guarantee the clinical efficacy of THA.

To explore the factors effecting restoring femoral offset and the relation between femoral offset and hip abductor strength during total hip arthroplasty (THA).Ninety-nine THA for 81 patients were performed from March 1998 to January 2002. And follow-up was finished. There were 53 women and 28 men and the average age was 57 years (29 to 80). The right hip had been replaced in 28 cases, the left in 35 cases and the bilateral in 18 cases. The mean duration of clinical and roentgenographic follow-up was 36.8 months (range, 19 approximately 66 months). A posterolateral approach was used in all THA. The femoral offset and the abductor lever arm were measured from each radiograph. The measurement of the hip abduction strength was made for some THA by the Cybex machine. Statistical data analysis was performed by SPSS10.0 software.Femoral offset correlated positively with the length of the abductor lever arm (r = 0.613; P0.001). Simple regression analysis showed that femoral offset was significantly and positively related to the length of femoral neck and neck-shaft angle (r = 0.451, P = 0.001; r = 0.567, P0.001). There was a highly significant and positive correlation between femoral offset (and consequently abductor lever arm) and hip abductor strength (r = 0.500, P = 0.009; r = 0.477, P = 0.014).It is very important to template both sides of hip preoperatively for restoring femoral offset in THA. Femoral component with more anatomical neck-shaft angle will be used with the increase in the femoral neck length.

To assess the efficacy of medial wedged proximal tibial osteotomy for treating knee osteoarthritis with varus deformity.From July 1996 to September 1999, 19 patients with knee osteoarthritis accompanied by varus deformity were treated by medial wedged proximal tibial osteotomy combined with internal fixation. Full-length anterior-posterior radiographs were taken preoperatively, 8 weeks and 2 years postoperatively. The parameters including the femorotibial angle, the tibial angle, the femoral angle, the femoral condyle-tibial plateau angle, and the medial joint space, were measured from these radiographs. The function of knee was evaluated according to the 100-point rating scale standard of knee.The mean postoperative score had been significantly improved from 48.6 +/- 16.6 points to 81.7 +/- 14.8 points after 2 years of operation. The medial joint space had been increased from 2.2 +/- 1.6 mm to 4.9 +/- 1.5 mm and the femoral condyle-tibial angle had been decreased from 7.4 degrees +/- 3.1 degrees to 1.7 degrees +/- 3.1 degrees. There were complications in 3 cases: 2 cases of superficial wound infections and 1 case of intra-articular fracture. There were no delayed union and recurrence of varus deformity.Medial wedged proximal tibial osteotomy combined with internal fixation provides an efficacious approach to treat knee osteoarthritis with varus deformity.

To evaluate the indications for vascularized iliac bone grafting in the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head and operative results.From October 1993 to August 2000, Twenty-six hips of 18 patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head underwent vascularized iliac bone grafting. Clinical evaluation was made according to Harris Hip Score and ARCO staging system.Twenty-three hips of 16 patients were followed up for 31.5 months (6 - 74 months) on average. The mean Harris hip score was 76 patients (mean 61.7). Thirteen hips (medial 8 hips, central 3 hips, lateral 2 hips) were graded80 points by Harris hip score were. The incidence of radiographic collapse 20% was (medial), 40% (central) and 75% (lateral) respectively.Vascularized iliac bone grafting is effective for the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head in short and middle term. We recommend this procedure for the patients with ONFH in ARCO stage I, stage IIA, IIB medial and central, and stage IIC medial.