Association of hip and pelvic geometry with tibiofemoral osteoarthritis: multicenter osteoarthritis study (MOST)

The mediation effects of malalignment on the relation of sex to the risk of incidence tibiofemoral osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate to what extent the higher risk of tibiofemoral radiographic osteoarthritis (TFROA) in females vs. males can be explained by knee malalignment.

DESIGN

Using data from Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST) and Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI), we examined the relation of sex to the incident medial and lateral TFROA and performed mediation analyses to assess to what extent varus and valgus malalignments account for sex differences in the incident medial or lateral TFROA.

RESULTS

Of the 3462 knees without medial and lateral TFROA in MOST, the 7-year risks of medial and lateral TFROA were 16.9% and 10.0% in females, and 15.8% and 4.2% in males, respectively. Females had 2.31-fold (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.73 to 3.08) higher incident lateral TFROA than males, and the relative risk (RR) of the indirect effect of sex on lateral TFROA through valgus malalignment was 1.15 (95% CI: 1.09 to 1.20), accounting for 23% of its total effect on lateral TFROA. In OAI (n = 3095 knees), females had 1.54-fold (95% CI: 1.15 to 2.04) higher incident lateral TFROA than males, and RR of the indirect effect of sex on lateral TFROA through valgus malalignment was 1.10 (95% CI: 1.04 to 1.21), accounting for 26% of its total effect on lateral TFROA. No apparent sex difference in the incident medial TFROA was found in MOST (RR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.89 to 1.25) or OAI (RR = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.84 to 1.19).

CONCLUSION

Females had a higher risk of developing lateral TFROA than males; however, valgus malalignment only modestly explained such a difference.

Hip and pelvic geometry as predictors of knee osteoarthritis severity

Malalignment is one of the most critical risk factors for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Biomechanical factors such as knee varus or valgus, hip-knee-ankle angle, and femoral anteversion affect KOA severity. In this study, we aimed to investigate KOA severity predictive factors based on hip and pelvic radiographic geometry. In this cross-sectional study, 125 patients with idiopathic KOA were enrolled. Two investigators evaluated the knee and pelvic radiographs of 125 patients, and 16 radiological parameters were measured separately. KOA severity was categorized based on the medial tibiofemoral joint space widths (JSW). Based on JSW measurements, 16% (n = 40), 8.8% (n = 22), 16.4% (n = 41), and 56.8% (n = 147) were defined as grades 0, 1, 2, 3, respectively. There were significant differences between the JSW groups with respect to hip axis length, femoral neck-axis length, acetabular width, neck shaft angle (NSA), outer pelvic diameter, midpelvis-caput distance, acetabular-acetabular distance, and femoral head to femoral head length (P < .05). Two different functions were obtained using machine learning classification and logistic regression, and the accuracy of predicting was 74.4% by using 1 and 89.6% by using both functions. Our findings revealed that some hip and pelvic geometry measurements could affect the severity of KOA. Furthermore, logistic functions using predictive factors of hip and pelvic geometry can predict the severity of KOA with acceptable accuracy, and it could be used in clinical decisions.

Associations between life course longitudinal growth and hip shapes at ages 60-64 years: evidence from the MRC National Survey of Health and Development

OBJECTIVE

We sought to examine associations between height gain across childhood and adolescence with hip shape in individuals aged 60-64 years from the Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development, a nationally representative British birth cohort.

METHODS

Height was measured at ages 2, 4, 6, 7, 11 and 15 years, and self-reported at age 20 years. 10 modes of variation in hip shape (HM1-10), described by statistical shape models, were previously ascertained from DXA images taken at ages 60-64 years. Associations between (1) height at each age; (2) Super-Imposition by Translation And Rotation (SITAR) growth curve variables of height size, tempo and velocity; and (3) height gain during specific periods of childhood and adolescence, and HM1-10 were tested.

RESULTS

Faster growth velocity was associated with a wider, flatter femoral head and neck, as described by positive scores for HM6 (regression coefficient 0.014; 95% CI 0.08 to 0.019; p<0.001) and HM7 (regression coefficient 0.07; 95% CI 0.002 to 0.013; p=0.009), and negative scores for HM10 (regression coefficient -0.006; 95% CI -0.011 to 0.00, p=0.04) and HM2 (males only, regression coefficient -0.017; 95% CI -0.026 to -0.09; p<0.001). Similar associations were observed with greater height size and later height tempo. Examination of height gains during specific periods of childhood and adolescence identified those during the adolescence period as being most consistently associated.

CONCLUSION

Our analyses suggest that individual growth patterns, particularly in the adolescent period, are associated with modest variations in hip shape at 60-64 years, which are consistent with features seen in osteoarthritis.

A Radiographic Analysis of Coronal Morphological Parameters of Lower Limbs in Chinese Non-knee Osteoarthritis Populations

OBJECTIVES

Analyzing the lower limb coronal morphological parameters in populations without knee osteoarthritis (KOA) holds significant value in predicting, diagnosing, and formulating surgical strategies for KOA. This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the variability in these parameters among Chinese non-KOA populations, employing a substantial sample size.

METHODS

A cross-sectional retrospective analysis was performed on the Chinese non-KOA populations (n = 407; 49.9% females). The study employed an in-house developed artificial intelligence software to meticulously assess the coronal morphological parameters of all 814 lower limbs. The parameters evaluated included the hip-knee-ankle angle (HKAA), weight-bearing line ratio (WBLR), joint line convergence angle (JLCA), mechanical lateral-proximal-femoral angle (mLPFA), mechanical lateral-distal-femoral angle (mLDFA), mechanical medial-proximal-tibial angle (mMPTA), and mechanical lateral-distal-tibial angle (mLDTA). Differences in these parameters were compared between left and right limbs, different genders, and different age groups (with 50 years as the cut-off point).

RESULTS

HKAA and JLCA exhibited left-right differences (left vs. right: 178.2° ± 3.0° vs. 178.6° ± 2.9° for HKAA, p = 0.001; and 1.8° ± 1.5° vs. 1.4° ± 1.6° for JLCA, p < 0.001); except for the mLPFA, all other parameters show gender-related differences (male vs. female: 177.9° ± 2.8° vs. 179.0° ± 3.0° for HKAA, p < 0.001; 1.5° ± 1.5° vs. 1.8° ± 1.7° for JLCA, p = 0.003; 87.1° ± 2.1° vs. 88.1° ± 2.1° for mMPTA, p < 0.001; 90.2° ± 4.0° vs. 91.1° ± 3.2° for mLDTA, p < 0.001; 38.7% ± 12.9% vs. 43.6% ± 14.1% for WBLR, p < 0.001; and 87.7° ± 2.3° vs. 87.4° ± 2.7° for mLDTA, p = 0.045); mLPFA increase with age (younger vs. older: 90.1° ± 7.2° vs. 93.4° ± 4.9° for mLPFA, p < 0.001), while no statistical difference exists for other parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

There were differences in lower limb coronal morphological parameters among Chinese non-KOA populations between left and right sides, different genders, and age.

Stem Design in Total Hip Arthroplasty Influences Ipsilateral Knee Valgus: A Retrospective Comparative Analysis of 2953 Cases

BACKGROUND

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) affects the biomechanics of the hip and the patient gait. The stem design influences femoral lever ratios and tissue trauma. Biomechanical changes such as these have the potential to induce knee arthritis. A varus or valgus configuration of knee arthritis is formed by asymmetric loadings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of stem design in THA on knee valgus by comparing a standard implant with an implant with a short stem.

METHODS

A total of 2953 patients who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty for end-stage osteoarthritis between 2015 and 2021 were included in this retrospective data analysis. Patients were divided into three groups, depending on hip status (straight stem, short stem, and native joint). Leg alignment was distinguished as varus or valgus, and the degree of axial deviation was measured. Descriptive and explorative statistical analyses were performed, with a p value < 0.05 set as significant.

RESULTS

Ipsilateral knee valgus occurred significantly more often in patients with straight stems (57.2%) than in those with short stems (29%) and native joints (25.8%) (p < 0.001). Additionally, mean valgus deviation was significantly increased in patients with straight stems (8.9°) compared to those with short stems (6.4°) or native hip joints (6.7°). Both findings were accentuated in women.

CONCLUSIONS

Previous ipsilateral straight-stem THA is associated with knee valgus deformity, especially in women. Short-stem THA seems to be better suited to restoring physiological biomechanics and preventing the development of valgus osteoarthritis of the ipsilateral knee.

Influence of implantation of a total hip endoprosthesis on the ipsilateral leg alignment: the effect of sex and dysplasia of the hip

INTRODUCTION

Differences in leg and hip morphology exist between sexes and developmental hip dysplasia is known to alter proximal femoral morphology. The purpose of this study was to determine whether existing differences in leg alignment due to sex or developmental hip dysplasia have an effect on changes in leg alignment after total hip arthroplasty.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

30 hip osteoarthritis patients underwent biplanar full-length radiography in the standing position preoperatively and 3 months after total hip arthroplasty. Differences in leg alignment between men and women and between patients with primary hip osteoarthritis and patients with developmental dysplasia before and after surgery were tested using a general linear model for repeated measures.

RESULTS

Implantation of a hip prosthesis had no differential effect on ipsilateral leg alignment in patients with hip osteoarthritis due to dysplasia and in patients with primary hip osteoarthritis. However, patients with hip osteoarthritis due to dysplasia had a 2.1° higher valgus both before and after surgery. After total hip arthroplasty, women had a significantly greater increase in varus angle (1.6° vs. 0°) and femoral offset (10.5 vs. 4.6 mm) compared with men. Because the change in acetabular offset was smaller (2.2 vs. 6.2 mm), the global femoral offset was only increased in women. Femoral torsion was constant for men (15.0° and 16.5°), whereas femoral torsion was significantly reduced in women (19.9° and 13.2°).

CONCLUSIONS

Hip arthroplasty has a greater effect on leg axis in women than in men. The axial leg alignment of women could change from a natural valgus to a varus alignment. Therefore, surgeons should consider the effects of total hip arthroplasty on leg alignment in patients with hip osteoarthritis. Whether these changes in leg alignment are also clinically relevant and lead to premature medial or lateral knee osteoarthritis should be investigated in future work.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was registered with DRKS (German Clinical Trials Register) under the number DRKS00015053. Registered 1st of August 2018.

Relationship of lower limb geometrics with femorotibial osteoarthritis in the toei cohort

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common disease of joints that is more common in females than in males. It is characterized by severe knee degeneration, damaged cartilage and appearance of osteophytes. Hip geometry and morphometric parameters in the knee joint vary between the sexes and depend on the severity of OA and the presence of osteophytes. Very few studies have assessed this phenomenon; therefore in this study, we assessed the difference in hip geometry and morphometric parameters in the lower limbs of males and females and evaluated the association of the differences with the presence or absence of osteophytes. Three hundred and six knees volunteers (104 male knees and 202 female knees) from the Toei region were included in the study between 2012 and 2018. The parameters measured were from the anteroposterior and lateral views of the hip and anteroposterior view of the knee. The participants were divided into 4 groups based on the assessment for osteophytes: Group 1 had no osteophytes, Group 2 had lateral compartment osteophytes, Group 3 had medial compartment osteophytes, and Group 4 had osteophytes in both compartments. Males had an increased femoral neck-shaft angle, femoral-tibial angle, and plateau angle, and a decreased femoral offset, femoral neck length, fibular-tibial angle, and knee rotation index than females. Group 2 had a greater height of the hip center, the angle between the femoral mechanical axis and the femoral shaft axis, condylar-hip angle, and plateau angle than Group 1. Group 3 showed an increased abductor angle, the angle between the femoral mechanical axis and the femoral shaft axis. Group 4 showed an increased angle between the femoral mechanical axis and the femoral shaft axis, femoral-tibial angle, and a decreased patellar shift index and knee rotation index. The angle between the femoral mechanical axis and the femoral shaft axis, condylar-hip angle, femoral-tibial angle, plateau angle, patellar shift index, and knee rotation index were different in both sexes and may be dependent on the presence or absence of osteophytes.

Predictors of post-hip fracture knee pain in hospitalized older adults with intertrochanteric femoral fracture

BACKGROUND

Post-hip fracture knee pain (PHFKP) is an important issue that contributes to reduced gait speed and prolonged hospitalization. Femoral morphology has been reported to contribute to the development of PHFKP, but an independent association has not been confirmed and clinically applicable cutoffs for predicting the development of PHFKP remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether femoral morphology and knee extension range of motion limitation are independent factors in PHFKP and to determine cutoffs for predicting the development of PHFKP.

DESIGN

Retrospective chart review study.

SETTING

Convalescent inpatient rehabilitation hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients in a convalescent ward after intertrochanteric femoral fracture surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

PHFKP development, radiographic femoral morphology (leg length discrepancy and neck-shaft angle), and knee extension range of motion limitation.

RESULTS

PHFKP developed in 36 (35%) of the 103 patients enrolled. The PHFKP group had a longer hospital stay (p = .029), greater weight (p = .031), greater knee extension range of motion limitation (p = .001), and more varus neck-shaft angle (p < .001) compared to the non-PHFKP group. Varus neck-shaft angle (odds ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78-0.92; p < .001) and knee extension range of motion limitation (odds ratio, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.07-1.30; p = .001) were significant factors for PHFKP development. Neck-shaft angle discrepancy and knee extension range of motion limitation demonstrated moderate accuracy in discriminating development of PHFKP according to receiver operating characteristic analysis, with cutoffs of 9.6° and 7.5°, respectively. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.77 (95% CI, 0.66-0.88; p < .001) for neck-shaft angle discrepancy and 0.67 (95% CI, 0.56-0.79; p = .004) for knee extension range of motion limitation.

CONCLUSIONS

Varus neck-shaft angle and knee extension range of motion limitation were identified as independent predictors of PHFKP. The cutoff for neck-shaft angle may be useful for predicting PHFKP development and to define an acceptable angle of fracture reduction to prevent PHFKP.

Gender and Sex Are Key Determinants in Osteoarthritis Not Only Confounding Variables. A Systematic Review of Clinical Data

Many risk factors for osteoarthritis (OA) have been noted, while gender/sex differences have been understated. The work aimed to systematically review literature investigating as primary aim the relationship between gender/sex related discriminants and OA. The search was performed in PubMed, Science Direct and Web of Knowledge in the last 10 years. Inclusion criteria were limited to clinical studies of patients affected by OA in any joints, analyzing as primary aim gender/sex differences. Exclusion criteria were review articles, in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo studies, case series studies and papers in which gender/sex differences were adjusted as confounding variable. Of the 120 records screened, 42 studies were included. Different clinical outcomes were analyzed: morphometric differences, followed by kinematics, pain, functional outcomes after arthroplasty and health care needs of patients. Women appear to use more health care, have higher OA prevalence, clinical pain and inflammation, decreased cartilage volume, physical difficulty, and smaller joint parameters and dimensions, as compared to men. No in-depth studies or mechanistic studies analyzing biomarker differential expressions, molecular pathways and omic profiles were found that might drive preclinical and clinical research towards sex-/gender-oriented protocols.

Femoral morphology is associated with development of knee pain after hip fracture injury among older adults: A nine-year retrospective study

Introduction

We aimed to clarify differences in femoral morphology associated with post-hip fracture knee pain (PHFKP).

Methods

Medical records and radiographic examinations were retrospectively reviewed to determine the relationship between PHFKP development and femoral morphology. Leg length discrepancy (LLD) and neck-shaft angle discrepancy (NSAD) were measured from hip radiographs.

Results

202 were enrolled, of whom 64 (31.7%) developed PHFKP. The PHFKP group showed more varus NSA. Intertrochanteric femoral fractures (γ-nail or CHS) displayed a more varus NSA.

Conclusions

Femoral morphology (varus NSA) may be involved in the development of PHFKP.

Morphological changes in the lower limbs with the progression of knee osteoarthritis over 6 years in a Toei cohort

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the relationship between morphological features in the lower limbs and the progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA) in 6-years.

METHODS

Volunteer subjects from Toei (101 women and 54 men). Knee OA was evaluated on whole-leg radiographs. Subjects were divided into group 1, no knee OA; group 2, stable knee OA that showed no progression; group 3, knee OA that had progressed over 6 years. Demographic hip and knee measurement factors were compared the three groups.

RESULTS

Women, age, body mass index (BMI), abductor angle of the hip, and mechanical-axis deviation were higher in group 2 than in group 1. BMI, the mechanical axis deviation were higher in group 3 than in group 1. Femoral offset was lower in group 3 than in groups 1 and 2. Men, age, condylar-hip angle, plateau-ankle angle were higher in group 2 than in group 1. Age, BMI were higher in group 3 than in groups 1. Condylar-hip and plateau-ankle angles were lower in group 3 than in group 2.

CONCLUSIONS

Strategies aimed at strengthening the muscles around the hip, changes in lifestyle should be implemented, especially in patients with changes in geometric indices of the hip and knee.

Characteristics of radiographic morphometries of the lower leg in subjects with progression of knee osteoarthritis in the TOEI cohort

BACKGROUND

Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common orthopedic diseases. However, few studies have reported the morphometric characteristics of the lower leg related to the progression of knee osteoarthritis in regional populations. This study aimed to determine the radiographic morphometries of the lower leg in subjects who showed progression of osteoarthritis of the knee in the TOEI cohort.

METHODS

Data were collected from the TOEI study cohort, during the period from 2014 to 2016, to assess osteoarthritis of the knee and radiographic morphometries of the lower leg. The joints were divided into three groups according to osteoarthritis progression over 2 years. There were 323 legs of females and 163 legs of males. Knees which did not exhibit osteoarthritis were in group 1; knees with osteoarthritis that remained stable for 2 years were in group 2; knees that worsened osteoarthritis over 2 years were in group 3. Morphometric parameters in the lower leg were measured by radiographs taken in 2014.

RESULTS

In female subjects, group 2 had higher age, lower lever arm ratio and lower hip-knee-ankle angle, and higher height of the hip center compared with group (1). Group 3 had higher age compared with group 1 and lower height of the hip center compared with group (2). In male subjects, group 2 had lower height of the hip center and lower hip-knee-ankle angle compared with group 1. Group 3 had higher patellar shift index compared with group 1, higher height of the hip center and higher femoral neck length compared with group 2.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher age was the risk of osteoarthritis progression of the knee in female subjects but not significant risk in male subjects. Hip morphometries such as height of the hip center and femoral neck length in which showed a sex difference might be associated with the progression of knee osteoarthritis.

Influence of Hip Geometry Reconstruction on Frontal Plane Hip and Knee Joint Moments During Walking Following Primary Total Hip Replacement

BACKGROUND

Following total hip replacement (THR), hip geometry reconstruction parameters such as the femoral offset (FO) correlate with hip stability and wear. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between hip geometry parameters and knee and hip joint loading during walking.

METHODS

Forty-one patients were examined before and a minimum of 1 year after primary THR. Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was performed to identify relationships between radiographic parameters and gait data. In addition, we divided patients into 2 groups according to the restoration of the FO (within ±5 mm vs more than 5 mm increment).

RESULTS

The FO and global offset (GO) showed a positive correlation with the first (r = 0.469, P = .002; r = 0.542, P < .001) and second (r = 0.365, P = .019; r = 0.484, P = .001) knee adduction moment (KAM). The neck-shaft angle revealed a negative correlation with the first hip adduction moment (r = -0.375, P = .047). The reconstruction of FO with an increment of more than 5 mm was associated with a significant higher first KAM (+16%, P = .045) compared to the restored group.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that abnormal hip and knee joint loading during walking after THR have a biomechanical background originating from hip geometry reconstruction. Patients with a high FO/GO were more likely to have an increased KAM during walking or vice versa. Surgeons need to be aware that an accurate control of FO, GO, and neck-shaft angle restoration in THR has an impact on hip and knee joint loading that may influence degenerative changes of the knee and higher wear of the artificial hip joint, respectively.

The neck-shaft angle: an update on reference values and associated factors

Background and purpose - The neck-shaft angle (NSA) is valuable for diagnostics and therapy of the hip, but current reference values derive mostly from studies on anatomic specimens, small cohorts, or are hospital-based. Moreover, associated factors such as age, sex, or anthropometric data have rarely been considered. Therefore, we determined associated factors for NSA and reassessed the historical reference values in a general adult population.Methods - NSAs on both sides of 3,226 volunteers from the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) were measured with MRI. SHIP drew a representative sample of the population of Pomerania (northeastern Germany). NSAs were compared with sex, age, and anthropometric data by bivariable linear regression models. Reference values were assessed by quantile regressions for 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles.Results - The mean NSA was 127° (SD 7), while men had a lower NSA than women (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.4°-1.4°). The reference range was 114°-140°. Age was inversely associated with NSA (CI -0.2 to -0.1). Body height was positively associated with the NSA, while BMI and waist circumference showed a negative association. There was no association between body weight and NSA.Interpretation - The historical lower limit of 120° might be too high, so the radiological prevalence of hip pathology might have been overestimated. The previously reported influence of age, sex, and body height on the NSA has been confirmed.

Changes in Alignment of Ipsilateral Knee on Computed Tomography after Total Hip Arthroplasty for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip

Objective

To assess the changes in alignment of ipsilateral knee joint after total hip arthroplasty (THA) for patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH).

Methods

Thirty‐four patients with DDH (38 hips) who underwent THA between February and December 2008 were included in the study: 4 men and 30 women with a mean age of 56.2 years. According to Crowe classification, 11 patients were grade I, 12 were grade II, 9 were grade III, and 6 were grade IV. Computed tomography scans were performed from the anterior superior iliac spine to the tibial tubercle before surgery and at last follow‐up. Femoral anteversion angle, leg lengthening, and knee alignment, including patellar tilt angle, lateral patellar displacement, and tibiofemoral rotation angle, were measured on computed tomography scans, and their relationships were analyzed.

Results

The mean follow‐up period was 51.5 months (range, 39–70 months). There were no intraoperative fractures, and no infections occurred during the follow‐up period. One patient developed deep venous thrombosis and another suffered from femoral nerve palsy. The mean preoperative Harris Hip Score was 48.9 ± 7.5 and improved to 91.2 ± 8.3 by the last follow‐up (P < 0.001). There was no sign of prosthetic loosening in all hips. Postoperatively, mean leg lengthening was 26.08 ± 21.81 mm (P < 0.001), femoral anteversion decreased 9.03° ± 12.80° (P < 0.001), and patellar tilt, lateral patellar displacement, and tibiofemoral rotation increased by 3.58° ± 4.96° (P < 0.001), 1.78 ± 3.36 mm (P = 0.002), and 2.56° ± 3.37° (P < 0.001), respectively. Postoperative increase in patellar tilt and lateral patellar displacement had significant linear relationships with the decrease in femoral anteversion (r = 0.621, P < 0.001 and r = 0.437, P = 0.0037, respectively). These results revealed that patellofemoral alignment would change more with the decrease in femoral anteversion. Postoperative increase in external rotation of the tibia had significant positive linear relationships with leg lengthening (r = 0.34, P = 0.037) and the decrease in femoral anteversion (r = 0.693, P < 0.001). These results revealed that the external rotation of the proximal tibia would increase with the leg lengthening or the decrease of femoral anteversion. Postoperative changes in patellar tilt and lateral patellar displacement had no significant linear relationships with leg lengthening (P = 0.795 and P = 0.082, respectively).

Conclusions

Total hip arthroplasty for DDH could induce changes in alignment of ipsilateral patellofemoral and tibiofemoral joints, with increases in patellar tilt and displacement, and increases in external rotation of the tibia. These secondary alterations still existed at medium‐term follow‐up after surgery, which should be considered during THA for patients with DDH. Extended follow‐up is necessary to evaluate long‐term changes in the knee joint.

The Association of Variations in Hip and Pelvic Geometry With Pregnancy-Related Sacroiliac Joint Pain Based on a Longitudinal Analysis

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study using radiological measurements and longitudinal data analysis.

OBJECTIVE

We aim to explore hip/pelvic geometry on anteroposterior radiographs and examine if such parameters are associated with clinical symptoms.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Pregnancy-related sacroiliac joint pain is a common disease and is responsible to the disability of daily activities. The etiology is likely to be correlated with the biomechanical factors which are determined by trunk load and hip/pelvic geometry. Previous studies have already found the association between symptoms and weight increase during pregnancy. However, the relationship between bony anatomy and pregnancy-related sacroiliac joint pain remains unknown.

METHODS

In total, 72 women were included in the final analysis. In pregnant women with self-reported sacroiliac joint pain, pain scores at 12, 24, 30, and 36 weeks of pregnancy were recorded and included in a mixed-effect linear regression model as dependent variables. The radiological measurements were included as independent variables. Furthermore, to investigate the relationship between hip/pelvic geometry and the activity-specific nociceptive phenomenon, the radiological measurements between patients with and without activity-induced pain were compared using a binominal logistic regression model.

RESULTS

The relative bilateral is chial tuberosity distance (betta coefficient: 0.078; P = 0.015) and the relative bilateral femoral head length (betta coefficient: 0.011; P = 0.028) showed significant interactions with the slope of pain scores. Moreover, women whose pain exacerbate during prolonged walking had a higher odds in hip/pelvic geometry of the bilateral ischial tuberosity distance (odds ratio [OR]: 1.12; P = 0.050) and the bilateral femoral head length (OR: 1.16; P = 0.076) with approximately significant P-value.

CONCLUSION

These data indicate hip/pelvic anatomical variations are associated with the degree of pain increasing and the activity-specific pain during pregnancy, which may help to have further understanding on the biomechanical factor in developing pregnancy-related sacroiliac joint pain.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Ideal screw positions for multiple screw fixation in femoral neck fractures - Study of proximal femur morphology in a Japanese population

BACKGROUND

Despite the fact that multiple screw fixation is a common option of surgical treatment for femoral neck fractures, there is a paucity of precise morphological study of the femoral neck. To identify appropriate positions and spacing of hip screws for multiple-screw femoral neck fracture fixation, proximal femur morphology in Japanese patients was studied.

METHOD

One hundred hips in fifty knee arthroplasty candidates were studied. Following full limb CT, defined slices were created and anatomical variables measured.

RESULT

The average neck-shaft angle was 126.5° and the distance from the subcapital line to the subchondral bone on a line parallel to the femoral neck axis (FNA) was approximately 25 mm at the superior and inferior; borders of the femoral neck. The FNA was shown to run anterior to the femoral axis (FA). The cross section of the femoral neck forms a reverse right triangle. The height and width of the neck medullary canal were equal (approximately 25 mm), with the posterior wall closer to the femoral axis than the anterior wall.

CONCLUSION

Based on these data, the anterior screw positioned just above the calcar femorale, 16 mm proximal and 27° anterior to the FA, and the posterior screw positioned 12 mm proximal and 5 mm posterior to the FA is recommended. For screws inserted with a fixed angle side-plate, ≤130° is recommended.

The importance of hip shape in predicting hip osteoarthritis

Purpose of review

This narrative review summarizes the evidence relating hip shape and risk of osteoarthritis at the hip, with a focus on the most recent body of work.

Recent findings

Hip OA is a prevalent and potentially disabling condition with few effective non-surgical treatment options. Risk factors for hip OA appear to differ somewhat from those at other sites. Variations in hip morphology, whether assessed through standard geometric measures or statistical modeling methods, seem to increase hip OA risk and may provide a novel approach to interventions to reduce or prevent OA. Such variations have also led to focused surgical interventions to "correct" abnormal shape, although comparisons with non-surgical management are lacking.

Summary

There remains a lack of understanding regarding the optimal management, whether surgical, non-surgical, or a combination, for FAI syndrome. Even less is known regarding other potential morphologic variations that may contribute to OA risk. Additionally, many individuals who have shape variations that would seem to increase their risk will never develop hip OA. Questions remain regarding key risk factors for hip OA development, which individuals should be targeted for therapies, whether directed at symptoms, function, or prevention, and which therapies should be studied and offered. Trials are underway to help address some of these questions.

The failing medial compartment in the varus knee and its association with CAM deformity of the hip

BACKGROUND

Since 2011, the knee service at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre has been offering a neutralising medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) to a specific group of patients with genu varum and early knee osteoarthritis. An observation was made concerning this group of patients and the presence of CAM deformity at the hip. The aim of this study is to establish whether or not any association exists between the OA phenotype shared by our HTO group and the incidence of CAM deformity at the hip.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was designed to estimate the prevalence of CAM-type lesions across different groups of individuals. Our HTO group (n=30) was compared to a pre-arthroplasty group (n=20) and control group (n=20). A total of 70 subjects were identified across the different groups all of whom had long-leg radiographs (LLRs) available for analysis. LLRs were analysed using an in house developed Matlab®-based (Matlab R2009b; MathWorks) software package for hip measurements and MediCAD® (Hectec GmbH, Germany) for lower limb alignment measurements.

RESULTS

The HTO group had a significantly higher prevalence of CAM lesions (57%) than both the pre-arthroplasty (40%) and control (30%) groups. This difference was maintained when results were adjusted for potential confounding factors (age, gender and laterality). Across the groups, individuals with tibia vara were more likely to have CAM-deformity of the hip (p=0.021).

CONCLUSION

Patients with symptomatic early knee OA and varus deformity of the knee have a high prevalence of CAM deformity in the hip.

Ipsilateral varus knee alignment correlates with increased femoral stem anteversion in primary total hip arthroplasty

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the ipsilateral knee alignment secondary to knee osteoarthritis affect positioning of the femoral component anteversion during total hip arthroplasty.

METHODS

Preoperative and postoperative computed tomography-based 3-D femoral models were reconstructed for 20 total hip arthroplasty patients. Prosthetic femoral stem and native femoral anteversion was measured and compared.

RESULTS

An average increase by 4.5° ± 8.1° in femoral anteversion was found following total hip arthroplasty (p = 0.02). Strong positive correlation was found between the knee varus angle and the changes in femoral anteversion (R = 0.87, p&lt;0.0001). The knee alignment was an independent factor for predicting the intraoperative positioning of femoral stem anteversion.

CONCLUSIONS

The ipsilateral knee varus deformity should be considered to optimise the femoral component position during contemporary total hip arthroplasty.

Do persons with asymmetric hip pain or radiographic hip OA have worse pain and structure outcomes in the knee opposite the more affected hip? Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative

PURPOSE

To determine if asymmetry between hips in pain or radiographic osteoarthritis (RHOA) is associated with worse pain and joint space narrowing (JSN) at baseline and longitudinally in knees contralateral to more affected hips.

METHODS

We studied 279 participants in the Osteoarthritis Initiative with baseline asymmetry between hips in pain and 483 with asymmetry in RHOA none of whom had a hip replacement for ≥4 years after baseline. RHOA assessed from pelvis radiographs was categorized as none, possible or definite and hip pain on most days of a month in the past year as present/absent. Knee pain (WOMAC scale) and JSN (fixed flexion radiographs) were categorized as none, mild and moderate-severe. We compared knees contralateral and ipsilateral to more affected hips on baseline knee pain and JSN using clustered multinomial regression and on change in knee pain and JSN over 4-5 years using generalized linear and logistic estimating equations.

RESULTS

Knees contralateral to painful hips had less baseline pain ("moderate-severe" vs "none", relative risk ratio [RRR]: 0.39, 95% CI = 0.27-0.57), but greater baseline JSN ("moderate-severe" vs "none", RRR: 1.62, 95% CI = 1.09-2.38) and greater worsening of pain during follow-up (P = 0.001). Knees contralateral to hips with worse RHOA had nonsignificant trends for greater baseline JSN (P = 0.10) and JSN progression (P = 0.17).

CONCLUSION

These findings provide limited support for the hypothesis that early asymmetry in hip pain and RHOA is associated with worse pain and structural outcomes in knees contralateral to the more affected hip.

The Effect of Treatment with Resiniferatoxin and Capsaicin on Dynamic Weight Bearing Measures and Evoked Pain Responses in a Chronic Inflammatory Arthritis Murine Model

OBJECTIVE

Capsaicin (CAP) and Resiniferatoxin (RTX) are vanilloid receptor agonists that can normalize Evoked Pain Scores (EPS) and Automated Dynamic Weight Bearing (ADWB) measures in murine acute inflammatory arthritis when given by intra-articular (IA) injection. To determine whether these vanilloid receptor agonists have benefit in Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) induced chronic inflammatory arthritis pain, we measured changes in ADWB and EPS in arthritic mice with and without treatment with IA CAP and RTX.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Chronic inflammatory arthritis was produced by IA injection of 30 µl of Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) into the left knee of C57BL6 male mice 3 weeks prior to pain behavior testing. Mice were injected with either low or high dose IA RTX (10µl of 0.001 or 0.003%), or IA CAP (10 µL of 0.01%) 7 days prior to pain behavior testing.

RESULTS

Chronic Inflammatory arthritis pain produced increased EPS and reduced ADWB measures for weight bearing in the affected limb of arthritic mice compared to naïve mice. ADWB measurements for time in CFA when compared with Naive were not significantly different, but suggested off-loading the arthritic limb to the normal limb. Treatment with IA CAP or RTX 7 days prior to pain behavior testing produced significant improvement in EPS but no improvement in ADWB measures. Neither IA CAP nor IA RTX had any impact on EPS or ADWB measurements in non-arthritic mice when given 7 days prior to pain behavioral testing.

CONCLUSION

Using ADWB and EPS, we quantified pain in a murine chronic inflammatory arthritis model. IA CFA caused a significant increase in EPS and decreased ADWB measures in the affected limb. Treatment with IA RTX and CAP produced significant improvement in EPS in mice with mono-articular inflammatory arthritis. IA vanilloid treatment produced no improvement in ADWB measurements for weight and for time.

Osteoarthritis year in review 2015: clinical

The purpose of this review is to highlight clinical research in osteoarthritis (OA). A literature search was conducted using PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/) with the search terms "osteoarthritis [All Fields] AND treatment [All Fields]" and the following limits activated: humans, English language, all adult 19+ years, published between April 1, 2014 and April 1, 2015. A second literature search was then conducted with the search terms "osteoarthritis [All Fields] AND epidemiology [All Fields]", with the same limits. Reports of surgical outcome, case series, surgical technique, tissue sample or culture studies, trial protocols, and pilot studies were excluded. Of 1523, 150 were considered relevant. Among epidemiologic and observational clinical studies, themes included physical activity, early knee OA, and confidence/instability/falls. Symptom outcomes of pharmacologic treatments were reported for methotrexate, adalimumab, anti-nerve growth factor monoclonal antibodies, strontium ranelate, bisphosphonates, glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfate, and structural outcomes of pharmacologic treatments for strontium ranelate, recombinant human fibroblast growth factor 18, and glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. Symptom outcomes of non-pharmacologic interventions were reported for: neuromuscular exercise, quadriceps strengthening, weight reduction and maintenance, TENS, therapeutic ultrasound, stepped care strategies, cognitive behavior therapy for sleep disturbance, acupuncture, gait modification, booster physical therapy, a web-based therapeutic exercise resource center for knee OA; hip physical therapy for hip OA; and joint protection and hand exercises for hand OA. Structure outcomes of non-pharmacologic interventions were reported for patellofemoral bracing.

Osteoarthritis year in review 2015: imaging

PURPOSE

This narrative review covers original publications related to imaging in osteoarthritis (OA) published in English between 1 April 2014 and 30 April 2015. Novel lessons relating to imaging are described.

METHODS

An extensive PubMed database search was performed based on, but not limited to the terms "OA" in combination with "Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)", "Imaging", "Radiography", "Ultrasound", "Computed tomography (CT)" and "Nuclear medicine" to extract relevant studies. In vitro data and animal studies were excluded. This review focuses on the new developments and observations based on the aforementioned imaging modalities, as well as a 'whole-organ' approach by presenting findings from different tissues (bone, meniscus, synovium, muscle and fat) and joints (hip, lumbar spine and hand).

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Over the past year, studies using imagine have made a major contribution to the understanding of the pathogenesis of OA. Significant work has continued at the knee, with MRI now being increasingly used to assess structural endpoints in clinical trials. This offers the exciting opportunity to explore potential disease modifying OA therapies. There has been a clear interest in the role of bone in the pathogenesis of OA. There is now a growing body of literature examining the pathogenesis of OA at the hip, lumbar spine and hand. The future of imaging in OA offers the exciting potential to better understand the disease process across all joints and develop more effective preventive and therapeutic interventions.

State of the evidence

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review focuses on recent studies of osteoarthritis epidemiology, including research on prevalence, incidence, and a broad array of potential risk factors at the person level and joint level.

RECENT FINDINGS

Studies continue to illustrate the high impact of osteoarthritis worldwide, with increasing incidence. Person-level risk factors with strong evidence regarding osteoarthritis incidence and/or progression include age, sex, socioeconomic status, family history, and obesity. Joint-level risk factors with strong evidence for incident osteoarthritis risk include injury and occupational joint loading; the associations of injury and joint alignment with osteoarthritis progression are compelling. Moderate levels of physical activity have not been linked to increased osteoarthritis risk. Some topics of high recent interest or emerging evidence for association with osteoarthritis include metabolic pathways, vitamins, joint shape, bone density, limb length inequality, muscle strength and mass, and early structural damage.

SUMMARY

Osteoarthritis is a complex, multifactorial disease, and there is still much to learn regarding mechanisms underlying incidence and progression. However, there are several known modifiable and preventable risk factors, including obesity and joint injury; efforts to mitigate these risks can help to lessen the impact of osteoarthritis.

Strong correlation between the morphology of the proximal femur and the geometry of the distal femoral trochlea

PURPOSE

Previous investigations suggested that the geometry of the proximal femur may be related to osteoarthritis of the tibiofemoral joint and various patellofemoral joint conditions. This study aims to investigate the correlation between proximal and distal femoral geometry. Such a correlation could aid our understanding of patient complications after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and be of benefit for further development of kinematic approaches in TKA.

METHODS

CT scans of 60 subjects (30 males, 30 females) were used to identify anatomical landmarks to calculate anatomical parameters of the femur, including the femoral neck anteversion angle, neck-shaft angle (NSA), mediolateral offset (ML-offset), condylar twist angle (CTA), trochlear sulcus angle (TSA) and medial/lateral trochlear inclination angles (MTIA/LTIA). Correlation analyses were carried out to assess the relationship between these parameters, and the effect of gender was investigated.

RESULTS

The CTA, TSA and LTIA showed no correlation with any proximal parameter. The MTIA was correlated with all three proximal parameters, mostly with the NSA and ML-offset. Per 5° increase in NSA, the MTIA was 2.1° lower (p < 0.01), and for every 5 mm increase in ML-offset, there was a 2.6° increase in MTIA (p < 0.01). These results were strongest and statistically significant in females and not in males and were independent of length and weight.

CONCLUSIONS

Proximal femoral geometry is distinctively linked with trochlear morphology. In order to improve knowledge on the physiological kinematics of the knee joint and to improve the concept of kinematic knee replacement, the proximal femur seems to be a factor of clinical importance.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.