Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients with Skeletal Dysplasia

Primary Staged Bilateral Total Hip Arthroplasty in a Patient With Short Stature and Hartofilakidis Type I Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip

Syndromes associated with osteochondrodysplasia, short stature, and DDH are rarely reported in the literature. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) in such cases is a complex procedure with a high rate of complications and difficulties. In this case report, we describe the staged bilateral complex primary THA of a patient with the rare occurrence of a syndrome involving osteochondrodysplasia and DDH, highlighting the surgical challenges and importance of the right prosthesis selection.

Conventional cementless total hip arthroplasty in patients with dwarfism with height less than 140 cm and minimum 10-year follow up: A clinical study

BACKGROUND

Orthopedic complications can cause issues and severe disability in patients with dwarfism. Thus, these individuals frequently undergo total hip arthroplasty to mitigate decline in daily functioning. Although studies have reported on the difficulties of orthopedic surgery in patients with dwarfism, many do not clearly define dwarfism and have a short follow-up period. We aimed to retrospectively investigate the clinical and radiographic results of total hip arthroplasty for patients with dwarfism.

METHODS

A total of 68 hips of 49 patients with height <140 cm and at least 10-year follow-up periods were enrolled. All patients had conventional cementless implants. All hips were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association hip score.

RESULTS

The main hip disease etiologies were primary hip osteoarthritis (58%) and secondary osteoarthritis due to developmental dysplasia (31%). Rheumatoid arthritis, rapidly destructive coxarthrosis, spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, childhood infection, and femoral head aseptic necrosis were also causative pathologies. Hip scores significantly improved from 44 to 82 out of 100. Overall implant-associated survival rate after 10 years was 94.1%. Cup loosening was observed in 2 hips, and subsidence >5 mm was observed in 9 hips. Presence of Crowe IV in hips was a significant risk factor for total hip arthroplasty in patients with dwarfism (p < 0.05); leg lengthening had a weak but significant correlation (r = 0.253, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Total hip arthroplasty using conventional cementless implants for patients with dwarfism shows good clinical and radiological outcomes and has a relatively low perioperative risk.

Joint Replacements in Individuals With Skeletal Dysplasias: One Institution's Experience and Response to Operative Complications

BACKGROUND

Skeletal dysplasias are a heterogeneous group of >400 genetic disorders characterized by abnormal bone growth. Many individuals experience joint pain and limitation, coming to require joint replacement much earlier than the average-statured population. In addition, prosthesis survival rate is less in the dysplastic population. The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors for surgery and provide recommendations to improve surgical outcomes.

METHODS

This a retrospective review of 29 individuals with a skeletal dysplasia who had 64 joint replacements between April 1985 and January 2019 at a single institution. We collected demographics, physical examination, medical history, imaging studies, surgical indication, and complications.

RESULTS

Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia was the most common skeletal dysplasia (7), followed by pseudoachondroplasia (4) and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (4). Average age of the cohort was 40.6 years (range 14-64). Hip arthroplasty (34) was the most commonly performed surgery. The majority of arthroplasties (75%) required custom components. Complication rate was 37.3%, most commonly pulmonary embolism (3) and pneumonia (3). Most complications (81.8%) occurred in individuals with either a pre-existing cardiopulmonary comorbidity or lumbar/sacral deformity. Body mass index did not correlate with complication severity (R = -0.042, P = .752) or rate (R = 0.006, P = .963).

CONCLUSION

Surgical complications are highest in patients with pre-existing cardiopulmonary conditions. Body mass index does not predict complications in this cohort. Preoperative evaluations for individuals with skeletal dysplasias should include comprehensive work-up of spine issues and extraskeletal systems that present an operative risk. Intraoperative protocol should include special consideration for placement on the table, airway maintenance, and spinal cord monitoring in select cases.

Revision Arthroplasty with Total Femur Replacement for the Management of Complex Post-traumatic Bone Defect in a Patient with Dwarfism

Dwarfism leads to an early onset of osteoarthritis of the joints of the lower limb. Due to bone deformities, arthroplasty is challenging. The incidence of implant-associated complications is higher compared to the normal population and often ends up with multiple revision arthroplasties. We report the first case in the literature of a 48-year-old patient with dwarfism who required implantation of a custom-made total femoral replacement due to aseptic stem loosening and a concomitant valgus gonarthrosis.

Perioperative Outcomes and Complications After Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients With Disproportionately Short Stature: A Matched Cohort Analysis

BACKGROUND

This study compared (1) perioperative outcomes, (2) postoperative complications, and (3) reoperation rates after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) between short stature patients and matched control patients.

METHODS

A review of primary THA patients from 2012 to 2017 using an institutional database was conducted. This yielded 12,850 patients of which 108 were shorter than 148 cm. These patients were matched 1:1 by age (P = .527), gender (P = .664), and body mass index (P = .240) to controls. The final study population with minimum 1-year follow-up that was included for analysis comprised 47 patients in the short stature cohort and 57 patients in the control cohort. The following outcomes/complications were compared: operative times, lengths of stay (LOSs), intraoperative fractures, minor complications, 90-day readmissions, and revisions.

RESULTS

Operative times were significantly longer in the short stature cohort than in the matched control cohort (133 ± 65 minutes vs 104 ± 30 minutes, P = .005). In addition, hospital LOS was slightly longer in the short stature group than in the matched control groups (3.2 ± 1.5 days vs 2.6 ± 1.0, P = .017). Rates of intraoperative fractures (P = 1.000), minor complications P = .406), 90-day readmissions (P = .5000), and revision (P = .202) were similar between the short stature and control cohorts.

CONCLUSION

Patients with disproportionately short stature had longer operative times and slight longer LOS. However, complication and readmission rates were similar. Future studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to confirm these findings and further evaluate implant survivorship in this unique THA patient population.

Total Hip Arthroplasty Reduces Pain and Improves Function in Patients With Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia: A Long-Term Outcome Study of 50 Cases

BACKGROUND

Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia (SED) is rare genetic condition which leads to skeletal and joint deformities that can predispose patients to degenerative joint disease. There are limited reports on the results of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in this patient population. The purpose of this study is to review clinical and radiographic outcomes of THA performed in patients with SED at one institution.

METHODS

Among 43,917 patients undergoing primary THA from 1970 to 2015, we identified 50 THAs performed in 29 patients with SED; 21 patients underwent bilateral THA (none simultaneous). There were 16 females and 13 males; mean age, body mass index, and height were 39 years, 28.7 kg/m², and 145 cm, respectively. All patients were able to ambulate prior to the THA. Mean follow-up was 11 years (range 2-38).

RESULTS

Mean implant survival for primary THA in SED patients at the 5, 10, and 20-year time points was 96%, 85%, and 55%, respectively. Thirteen patients required revision THA, most commonly for polyethylene wear (n = 6) and aseptic loosening (n = 5), and 4 additional patients underwent nonrevision reoperations. Prior to surgery, 90% of patients had severe or moderate pain, which was reduced to 8% of patients postoperatively (P < .001). Mean Harris Hip Score improved from 47 to 87 (P < .001). Prior to surgery, 64% of patients required gait aids, which reduced to 34% postoperatively (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

THA provided significant pain reduction and improvement in function, with a majority of patients ambulating independently following the procedure. There was a high incidence of complications following THA in patients with SED, most commonly secondary to polyethylene wear and osteolysis from conventional polyethylene and historical implants.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, Therapy.

Midterm Survivorship and Complications of Total Knee Arthroplasty in Patients With Dwarfism

BACKGROUND

Dwarfism is associated with skeletal dysplasias and joint deformities that frequently result in osteoarthritis requiring treatment with total knee arthroplasty (TKA). These surgeries can be challenging because of alignment deformities, poor bone stock, and smaller components. This study aims to compare TKA implant survivorship and complications between dwarf and nondwarf patients.

METHODS

A retrospective case-control study was performed from 1997-2014 evaluating 115 TKAs in patients under the height threshold of 147.32 cm. This cohort was compared with 164 patients of normal height. Medical records were reviewed for demographics, surgical characteristics, and outcomes. All cases had 2-year minimum follow-up.

RESULTS

The revision rate was 8.7% in dwarfs compared with 3.7% in controls (P = .08). The 2-, 5-, and 10-year implant survivorship in dwarfs was 96.4%, 92.5%, and 90.2%, respectively; and 96.6%, 95.6%, and 94.8% for controls, respectively (P = .24). Dwarfs underwent significantly more manipulations for arthrofibrosis (P = .002). There was greater femoral (17.4% vs 2.1%, P < .01) and tibial (6.5% vs 2.7%, P < .01) component overhang in dwarfs compared with controls.

CONCLUSION

Despite a 2-fold increase in the revision rate of the dwarf cohort, the midterm survivorship is comparable between the dwarf and nondwarf patients. However, dwarfs were more likely to become stiff and undergo manipulation; the increased propensity for stiffness may be associated with oversized components, as evidenced by greater component overhang. Surgeons should be aware of this increased risk and may consider using smaller or customized implants to account for the morphological differences in this patient population.

Survivorship and complications of total hip arthroplasty in patients with dwarfism

BACKGROUND

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a common procedure used to treat bony hip deformities and skeletal dysplasia in dwarfism. These surgeries are often more difficult than conventional THA as they may involve malformed joints and poor bone quality, and may require smaller prostheses. This study aims to investigate whether implant survivorship and revision rates vary among patients with and without dwarfism undergoing THA.

METHODS

A retrospective case-control study was performed for 102 THAs completed between 1997 and 2014 in patients under the height threshold of 147.32 cm. This cohort was matched 1:1.5 with patients of normal height with respect to age, gender, year of surgery, and Charlson comorbidities. All cases had a minimum follow-up of 1 year. A chart review was performed to identify patient and surgical characteristics, including outcomes. Radiographs were assessed for deformity, loosening, and periprosthetic fractures among other factors.

RESULTS

The 2-, 5-, and 10-year survivorship of THA in patients with dwarfism was 92.9%, 92.9%, and 80.7%, respectively; and 94.4%, 86.4%, and 86.4% for controls, respectively (p = 0.95). The dwarfism cohort demonstrated an OR of 3.81 and 3.02 for revision for periprosthetic fractures (p = 0.11) and mechanical wear (p = 0.21), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

THA in patients with dwarfism achieves comparable results to a non-dwarfism population with regards to implant survivorship; however, there is a trend toward increased periprosthetic fractures and wear-related failures. Surgeons should be aware of this potentially higher risk in this population and take morphological differences into account during surgical planning and technique.

Shoulder arthroplasty in patients with osteo-chondrodysplasias

PURPOSE

Osteo-chondrodysplasias are a rare cause of limb malalignment, deformity and degenerative joint disease. Earlier in life, deformities may be managed with bony realignment and soft tissue releases; however, as degenerative changes progress, arthroplasty may be considered. There are limited reports examining shoulder arthroplasty in this population. This study aims to assess pain relief, function, and re-operation rate of shoulder arthroplasty in patients with osteo-chondrodysplasias.

METHODS

Between January 1984 and December 2012, 13 shoulders with end-stage arthritis secondary to osteo-chondrodysplasia underwent shoulder arthroplasty. Three were treated with hemiarthroplasty (HA), nine with anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), and one with a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). All shoulders were followed for two years or until reoperation (mean 7.9 years, range 2-25).

RESULTS

Shoulder arthroplasty significantly improved pain, elevation, external rotation, and internal rotation. All but one patient considered their shoulder to be better than pre-operatively; however, only two shoulders received an excellent Neer rating. Seven shoulders had satisfactory Neer ratings and four unsatisfactory. One TSA was converted to a RSA for aseptic glenoid loosening at 9.5 years (re-operation rate 8%).

DISCUSSION

Pain relief and improved function can be expected in patients with osteo-chondrodysplasias despite challenging anatomy. Unlike the only previous case series reporting a 31% revision rate at mean follow-up of seven years, our series shows the incidence of failure to be much lower.

CONCLUSIONS

With the advent of smaller humeral components, the need for custom implants may not be necessary, and surgeons may intervene earlier and more confidently in this population.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV case series.