Total Hip Arthroplasty in Ankylosing Spondylitis With Extension Contracture of Hips

An Overview of Adalimumab Therapy for Ankylosing Spondylitis

BACKGROUND

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease known for causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility in the axial skeleton. Adalimumab, a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor, has emerged as a promising therapeutic option for AS.

METHODS

This systematic review involved a comprehensive search of randomized controlled trials related to AS treatment, conducted in major databases such as MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and PubMed. The search terms encompassed ankylosing spondylitis, adalimumab, methotrexate, other non-biologic DMARDs, glucocorticoids, NSAIDs, and analgesics. A total of 14 randomized controlled trials with 4,500 participants were included in the review.

RESULTS

The review's results revealed that adalimumab demonstrated notable superiority when compared to a placebo. It effectively reduced disease activity, improved physical function, and lowered inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Adalimumab demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with adverse events comparable to those observed with placebo.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results, adalimumab is deemed an effective treatment for AS, showcasing its potential as a first-line therapeutic option. Notably, no significant increase in adverse events was observed compared to placebo. However, the conclusion emphasizes the need for further studies with extended follow-up durations to ascertain the long-term efficacy and safety of adalimumab in AS management. This systematic review provides valuable insights supporting the use of adalimumab in the treatment of AS and underscores the importance of ongoing investigations into its long-term effects to optimize its clinical utilization in AS patients.

A Femoral Neck Osteotomy for the Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis and Thoracolumbar Kyphosis Combined with Hip Flexion Contracture

OBJECTIVE

The surgical treatment of patients with ankylosing spondylitis and severe thoracolumbar kyphosis combined with hip flexion contracture is very difficult for all the surgeons. The femoral neck osteotomy (FNO) is the first step to break the ice. The evaluation of a new modified FNO method is very important to improve the curative effect.

METHODS

Five male patients with nine bone-fused hips who underwent the new femoral neck osteotomy were included from October 2021 to March 2022. The FNO was designed that the saw blade was manipulated from the lateral femoral neck base to the inferior part of the femoral head, keeping Pauwels' angle less than 30° on the coronal plane. On the transverse plane, the angle between the saw blade and the coronal plane was more than 15°. On the sagittal plane, the saw blade cut through the femoral neck. They accepted pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) after FNO according to the patient' recovery. Then, 2 weeks later, the patients underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA). The visual analogue scale (VAS), Harris hip score (HHS) and passive hip flexion-extension range of motion (ROM) were used to evaluate hip function. The data were analyzed by paired t-test.

RESULTS

The average operation time and blood loss of FNO, the average interval between FNO and THA were collected. The average angle of the trunk and lower limb (ATL) was 36.33° ± 16.36° pre-FNO, 82.89° ± 13.51° post-FNO and 175.22° ± 3.42° post-THA. The average VAS scores were 0 pre-FNO, 5 ± 1.58 post-FNO and 2.6 ± 0.55 post-THA. The average HHS was 43.56 ± 1.59 preoperatively and 83.89 ± 2.21 postoperatively. The average hip extension ROM was 23.89° ± 12.69° pre-FNO, -22.67° ± 14.18° post-FNO and - 3.33° ± 2.50 post-THA°. The average hip flexion ROM was 23.89° ± 12.69° pre-FNO, 35.56° ± 12.11° post-FNO and 104.44° ± 5.27° post-THA. The differences among them were significant (p < 0.05). Only one hip (11.11%) displaced completely after FNO.

CONCLUSION

A new modified FNO was developed, which can provide osteotomy with a certain degree of stability and greater ease for performing PSO and THA.

Sagittal alignment in patients with flexion contracture of the hip before and after total hip arthroplasty

INTRODUCTION

In hip osteoarthritis, hip flexion contracture can severely alter the patient's alignment, and, therefore, affect the patient's quality of life (QOL). Hip contracture is not well-studied, partly because of the difficulties of its diagnosis. The aim of this study was to propose a quantitative definition of hip flexion contracture, and to analyse sagittal alignment in these patients compared to non-contracture ones, before and 12 months after total hip arthroplasty (THA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Consecutive patients with hip arthrosis and an indication for THA were included (N = 123). Sagittal full-body radiographs were acquired in free standing position and in extension. QOL questionnaires were administered before and after surgery. Spinopelvic parameters were measured, including the pelvic-femur angle (PFA). Patients with low pelvic incidence (< 45°) were included in the hip contracture group if PFA > 5°, or PFA > -5° when pelvic incidence ≥ 45°.

RESULTS

29% of patients were in the hip flexion contracture group, and they showed lower pelvic tilt than the no-contracture group (p < 0.001), larger lumbar lordosis (LL) and smaller PI-LL (p < 0.001), as well as a forward position of the head. 16% of patients still had hip contracture 12-months postop. Contracture patients showed higher QOL scores after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed method to diagnose hip contracture group allowed to define a group of patients who showed a specific pattern of sagittal spinopelvic alignment. These patients improved their alignment and quality of life postoperatively, but their hip mobility was not always restored. Diagnosing these patients is a first step toward the development of more specific surgical approaches, aiming to improve their surgical outcome.

Conversion of a Fused or Ankylosed Hip to Total Hip Arthroplasty: Is the Direct Anterior Approach in the Lateral Decubitus Position an Ideal Solution?

Background

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) using the direct anterior approach (DAA) is becoming increasingly popular due to its potential benefits over the posterolateral approach (PLA). However, few studies have compared the efficacies of these two surgical approaches in hip fusion treatment. This study compared early clinical direct anterior and posterolateral THA outcomes in hip fusion treatment.

Methods

Here, 127 hips (65 DAA, 62 PLA) were retrospectively evaluated. Early postoperative functional outcomes of DAA and PLA groups were assessed using Harris score and Oxford Hip Score (OHS) and standard anteroposterior hip radiographs. Surgical characteristics, perioperative results, and complications within 6 months postoperatively were recorded.

Results

Though baseline values were similar, Harris and OHS scores were better in the DAA group than in the PLA group at 1 and 3 months postoperatively. The average cup anteversion angle was significantly greater in the DAA group than in the PLA group (12.7° vs. 11.1°). More hips undergoing DAA were successfully orientated in both inclination and anteversion angles (46 vs. 32). Early postoperative hip function predictors were preoperative fused hip position, surgical approach, and range of motion. DAA was associated with reduced postoperative blood loss and shorter hospital stays. Furthermore, 14 vs. 8 complications occurred in the DAA vs. PLA group. Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injuries were observed in eight hips (12.3%) of the DAA group.

Conclusion

For fused or ankylosed hips, THA using DAA in the lateral decubitus position may result in excellent prosthesis positioning and faster postoperative recovery throughout early follow-up vs. PLA.

Total hip arthroplasty in fused hips with spine stiffness in ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is characterized by involvement of the spine and hip joints with progressive stiffness and loss of function. Functional impairment is significant, with spine and hip involvement, and is predominantly seen in the younger age group. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) for fused hips with stiff spines in AS results in considerable improvement of mobility and function. Spine stiffness associated with AS needs evaluation before THA. Preoperative assessment with lateral spine radiographs shows loss of lumbar lordosis. Spinopelvic mobility is reduced with change in sacral slope from sitting to standing less than 10 degrees conforming to the stiff pattern. Care should be taken to reduce acetabular component anteversion at THA in these fused hips, as the posterior pelvic tilt would increase the risk of posterior impingement and anterior dislocation. Fused hips require femoral neck osteotomy, true acetabular floor identification and restoration of the hip center with horizontal and vertical offset to achieve a good functional outcome. Cementless and cemented fixation have shown comparable long-term results with the choice dependent on bone stock at THA. Risks at THA in AS include intraoperative fractures, dislocation, heterotopic ossification, among others. There is significant improvement of functional scores and quality of life following THA in these deserving young individuals with fused hips and spine stiffness.

Cementless total hip arthroplasty for three different degrees of hip involved secondary to ankylosing spondylitis: an analysis of 195 hips

Background

Hip involved secondary to ankylosis spondylitis (AS) had a huge influence on hip function. Cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) can improve hip function. However, no previous study compared the outcomes of THA for AS patients with three different degrees of hip involvement.

Methods

The 195 hips were retrospectively analyzed and divided into non-ankylosed group (group A, 94 hips), fibrous ankylosed group (group B, 49 hips), and bony ankylosed group (group C, 52 hips). postoperative range of motion (ROM), harris hip scores (HHS), the short-form 12 health survey (SF-12), length of stay (LOS), cost, radiological assessments, and complications were compared.

Results

The follow-up time was (79.4 ± 29.5) months for group A, (80.6 ± 28.9) months for group B, and (79.1 ± 28.9) months for group C (P = 0.966). Group A had the best postoperative hip ROM (P < 0.001), while group A and B can realize better HHS than group C (P < 0.001). The three groups had similar SF-12 postoperatively. For group A, LOS and cost for unilateral procedure were the least than that for group B and C (P = 0.003 and P = 0.001). Similar radiological assessments were achieved for three groups. 1 hip in group A encountered delay union of wound. 1 hip in group C encountered delay union of wound and dislocation and another patient encountered femoral fracture intraoperatively. 12 hips (12.8%) in group A, 6 hips (12.2%) in group B, and 6 hips (11.5%) in group C encountered asymptomatic heterotopic ossification (P = 0.977).

Conclusion

For AS patients with hip involvement, THA can improve hip ROM and function. THA for the non-ankylosed hip can realize the better hip function and postoperative ROM than ankylosed hip.

Assessment of hip involvement in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: reliability and validity of the Hip Inflammation MRI Scoring System

Background

This study aimed to test the reliability and validity of the Hip Inflammation MRI Scoring System (HIMRISS) in assessing hip involvement of AS patients with AS at different stages of the bath ankylosing spondylitis radiology index (BASRI-hip) scoring system.

Methods

Fifty-two outpatients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) were included in this study. The subjects’ data includes demographics, clinical characteristics, disease activity score, and functional index. Based on the Harris hip scoring (HHS) of involved hip and BASRI-hip score, we devided these patients into no hip involvement group((HHS ≥ 80 and BASRI ≤ 1) (Group A), mild hip involvement subgroup (BASRI = 2 or BASRI ≤ 1 and HHS ≤ 79) (Group B), and moderate to advanced hip involvement subgroup (BASRI ≥ 3) (Group C). Data was analyzed statistically by SPSS software.

Results

In total of 44 patients (88 hips), group A consisted of 21 hips, group B consisted of 42 hips and group C consisted of 25 hips. The test–retest intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) in four raters were 0.955 ~ 0.977 and interrater ICC was 0.993. HIMRISS correlated moderately with the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) (r = 0.540, p < 0.001), the Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI) (r = 0.540, p < 0.001), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) (r = 0.581, p < 0.001), ASDAS-ESR (r = 0.604, p < 0.001), and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS)-C reactive protein (CRP) (r = 0.575, p < 0.001). HIMRISS in groups B and C was significantly higher than that in group A: 29.38 (17.00, 40.94) vs. 14.50 (11.38, 22.25), p = 0.009; 38 (31.13, 64.38) vs 14.50 (11.38, 22.25), p < 0.001.

Conclusions

HIMRISS applied to patients with AS demonstrated a satisfactory reliability, meaning it is a reliable quantitive assessment tool for evaluating early hip involvement in patients with AS.

Synchronous or sequential cementless bilateral total hip arthroplasty for osseous ankylosed hips with ankylosing spondylitis

Background

Bilateral osseous ankylosed hips secondary to ankylosis spondylitis (AS) are relatively rare but impact the quality of life hugely. Cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) for bilateral osseous ankylosed hips with AS is a challenging procedure. No previous literature compares the clinical outcomes of synchronous and sequential bilateral THA for these special patients.

Methods

23 patients (46 hips) were retrospectively analyzed and divided into bilateral THA synchronously (group A) and sequentially (group B). The clinical measurement, radiological assessments, and complications were compared. Independent sample T test was used for data analysis.

Results

Harris Hip Scores (HHS) improved greatly for both groups (P = 0.58) as well as the range of motion (P = 0.64). But group B can realize shorter time (3.6 ± 1.2 days) to walk for the first time postoperatively (P = 0.02). Group A needed more blood transfusions (P = 0.028). For group A, no statistical difference was found in the bilateral inclination of cup (IC) (P = 0.48) and femoral offset (FO) (P = 0.07). For group B, no statistical difference was observed in bilateral IC (P = 0.37) but in bilateral FO (P = 0.04). Group A showed the fewer difference of bilateral IC (P = 0.02), while comparative measurements were found for two groups in the difference of bilateral FO (P = 0.78) and leg length discrepancy (P = 0.83). For both groups, the total hospital expense for each patient was similar and almost all patients were very satisfied with the outcomes. For group A, one patient encountered femoral fracture intraoperatively and another patient encountered hip dislocation and delay union of wound. 3 hips from group A and 3 hips from group B encountered heterotopic ossification.

Conclusions

Our retrospective research demonstrated that cementless bilateral THA was a reliable treatment for osseous ankylosed hip due to AS. Synchronous and sequential bilateral THA can realize similarly satisfactory clinical outcomes and radiographic evaluation.

Comparison of postoperative effectiveness of less invasive short external rotator sparing approach versus standard posterior approach for total hip arthroplasty

Background

Most of the studies assessing the corrective posterior total hip arthroplasty (THA) mainly focused on the mini-incision approach. Studies exploring the short external rotator sparing approach are rare. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effectiveness of standard posterior approach and short external rotator sparing approach.

Methods

This prospective observational study included 126 patients who underwent THA in June 2017–June 2018. Patients were assigned to standard (standard posterior approach) and corrective (short external rotator sparing approach) groups based on the surgical method. Surgical data were recorded postoperatively. Postoperative hip joint recovery was assessed using the times to ambulation and independent stair use, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score, Harris score, and Oxford hip score (OHS) at 2 and 8 postoperative weeks. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used for postoperative pain assessment.

Results

Postoperative changes of creatine kinase (CK), myoglobin, CRP, and prosthesis position were similar in both groups (P > 0.05). However, intraoperative blood loss (P < 0.001) and postoperative 6-h drainage volume (P = 0.03), hospital stay, blood transfusion rate, and times to ambulation and independent stair use were significantly reduced in the corrective group. Postoperatively, Oxford, and WOMAC scores significantly decreased in both groups. After surgery, the VAS score was more overtly decreased in the corrective group compared with the standard group.

Conclusions

This study concluded that the less invasive short external rotator sparing approach for THA caused less damage, reducing perioperative blood loss, shortening functional recovery time, maintaining prosthesis stability, and improving postoperative pain.

Total hip arthroplasty and lumbar spine disorders: Plain co-existence or mutual influence?

Lumbar spine disorders (LSD) might influence the outcome after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Despite a known common prevalence of LSD and degenerative hip disorders, this study investigates their mutual influence in case of co-existence with the purpose to advance surgeons planning and patient’s prognosis. Patients with and without LSD were compared before and at the one-year postoperative examination. For clinical evaluation the WOMAC was assessed. The radiological analysis focused on cup anteversion and inclination. The total group included 203 consecutive patients. The overall incidence of LSD was 51.0%. Patients with LSD were on average 4.3 years older and had a 1.8 higher BMI than non-LSD patients (P<0.05). The cup positioning and the clinical results were comparable between both groups before and at the last time of follow up (P>0.05). No hip dislocations nor clinical signs of impingement were seen.We can conclude that there is a high degree of co-existence of LSD and hip disorders. However, a strong negative impact of LSD to clinical or radiologic results could not be confirmed in our study.