Comparison of ultrasonographic, radiographic and intra-operative findings in severe hip osteoarthritis

The ultrasound assessment of osteoarthritis: the current status

Traditionally, osteoarthritis (OA) is diagnosed with the clinical examination supplemented by the conventional radiography (CR). In the research literature, the role of ultrasound (US) imaging in the diagnostics of OA has risen steadily during the last two decades. US imaging is cheap and globally widely available often already in primary healthcare. Here, we reviewed the most essential US literature focusing on OA diagnostics and progression prediction using the various search engines. Starting from the year 2000, our search provided 1 445 journal articles. After reviewing the abstracts, 89 articles were finally included. Most of the reviewed articles focused on the imaging of knee and hand OA, whereas only a minority dealt with the imaging of hip, ankle, midfoot, acromioclavicular, and temporomandibular joints. Overall, during the last 20 years, the use of US imaging for OA assessment has increased in the scientific literature. In knee and hand joints, US imaging has been reported to be a promising tool to evaluate OA changes. Furthermore, the reproducibility of US as well as its association to MRI findings are excellent. Importantly, US seems to even outperform CR in certain aspects, such as detection of osteophytes, joint inflammation, meniscus protrusion, and localized cartilage damage (especially at the medial femoral condyle and sulcus area). Based on the reviewed literature, US can be truly considered as a complementary tool to CR in the clinical setup for OA diagnostics. New technical developments may even enhance the diagnostic value of the US in the future.

A novel efficient and precise technique for removing acetabular osteophytes in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty: the SH-9Hospital acetabular edge file

Background

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is frequently performed in patients with end-stage hip disease. Periacetabular osteophytes are common during THA; however, these osteophytes should be removed intraoperatively to avoid potential impingement between osteophytes and femoral prostheses and decrease dislocation risk. There are no current standard procedures or surgical technique criteria to remove these osteophytes. Osteophytes around the acetabulum are usually removed with an osteotome, yet this presents certain disadvantages. Hence, this study aimed to introduce a novel and more efficient technique than the aforementioned one, the SH-9Hospital acetabular edge file.

Methods

Fifty-four patients (54 hips) who underwent primary THA using osteotome and the SH-9Hospital acetabular edge file to remove periacetabular osteophytes intraoperatively were retrospectively studied. Clinical and radiographic data were obtained for all patients intra- and postoperatively.

Results

The mean osteophyte removal time was 274.6±102.7 s and 51.3±21.1 s in the osteotome and SH-9Hospital acetabular edge file groups, respectively. Intraoperative images and postoperative radiographs showed that acetabular osteophytes were removed thoroughly and precisely by the acetabular edge file and that there was no iatrogenic injury and prostheses malposition in both groups.

Conclusions

The SH-9Hospital acetabular edge file was a novel, efficient, highly precise, and repeatable method for removing periacetabular osteophytes in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty.