Bilateral total hip arthroplasty in ankylosing spondylitis: a systematic review

Dual-mobility with modular components for primary total hip arthroplasty in bilateral bony ankylosis of the hips: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a procedure performed in the United States for a variety of indications, with operation rates slated to increase over 275 % by 2040 when compared to 2014 (Thilak et al., 2015). Dual-mobility (DM) implants have gained popularity in the United States since gaining approval in the early 2010s (Heckmann et al., 2020). It has been well reported that DM implants decrease the risk of dislocation after primary and revision THA (Vielpeau et al., 2011; Donovan et al., 2022; Heifner et al., 2023; Foissey et al., 2023; Schmidt et al., 2020; Neri et al., 2019).

CASE PRESENTATION

We present the case of a 33-year-old male with a suspected ankylosing spondylitis (AS) diagnosis and bilateral bony ankylosis of the hips who underwent staged THA with modular dual-mobility (MDM) implants. At one year post-operatively, the patient is walking without the use of an assistive device and reports a VAS pain score of 0 at rest and 2 with activity and HHS of 90.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Implant selection is important in this patient population due to the increased risk of dislocation. Contemporary reports reveal MDM implants have demonstrated a substantial reduction in dislocation risk compared to fixed-bearing implants in patients with a high risk of dislocation. We opted to place the acetabular component inside the safe zone to improve stability and use the dual-mobility prosthesis to achieve our desired range of motion.

CONCLUSION

The improved stability of DM implants allows for a greater range of acetabular positions in patients who have a highly unpredictable functional outcome at the time of surgery. Our preliminary results contribute to the growing list of indications for MDM total hip arthroplasty.

Therapeutic potential of single-nucleotide polymorphism-mediated IL6R inhibitors in ankylosing spondylitis treatment

Objective

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multiple-effect cell factor implicated in the etiopathogenesis of several rheumatologic disorders. The blockade of the IL-6 pathway via IL6R inhibitors effectively treats these disorders. However, the clinical significance of the IL6R blockade for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) therapy remains controversial. With advances in genomics, increasing evidence has revealed the role of heritability in the etiology of disease, and Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses are being used more broadly to infer causation. Therefore, this MR study aims to evaluate the potential therapeutic utility of IL6R-targeted approaches in AS.

Methods

The C-reactive protein (CRP) level was used as an exposure factor, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was used as a positive control. As-related genome-wide association study (GWAS) data were used as the primary outcome of drug-targeted MR analyses to test the relation between IL6R blockers and AS. Inverse variance weighting (IVW) is the primary analytical approach. Various sensitivity tests were performed to check the robustness and trustworthiness of the causality estimation, including consistency, heterogeneity, and pleiotropy analyses. In addition, repeated analysis was conducted using different GWAS data related to exposures and outcomes to examine the results for stability.

Results

According to the IVW results, IL6R inhibitors significantly reduced the risk of AS in ukb-b-18194 (OR: 0.995, 95% CI 0.993-0.996, P = 5.12 × 10-08) and ukb-a-88 (OR: 0.994, 95% CI 0.993-0.996, P = 6.25 × 10-15). Moreover, repeated analyses were performed using different exposure-related GWAS data, yielding similar results, ukb-b-18194 (OR: 0.995, 95% CI 0.993-0.997, P = 1.25 × 10-06) and ukb-a-88 (OR: 0.995, 95% CI 0.994-0.997, P = 7.81 × 10-09). Heterogeneity analyses and pleiotropy analyses indicated no significant heterogeneity or pleiotropy.

Conclusion

This MR analysis result further validates that the IL-6 pathway may contribute to the pathogenesis of AS and that the inhibition of IL6R reduces the risk of AS. These findings may guide future studies and provide more favorable drug treatment options for people at high risk of AS.

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.

Bilateral Total Hip Prosthesis in Coxarthritis of Inflammatory Origin: Technical Features and Intraoperative Complications Encountered in Five Cases

Total hip arthroplasty remains the treatment of last resort in inflammatory coxarthritis, where joint destruction is bilateral as well as the treatment which must be bilateral. We present in this work the experience of our orthopaedic department with a series of five cases (10 hips) operated for total hip arthroplasty. the first particularity observed in this series is the abnormal bone fragility present in 55% of the cases. For this reason, we had two other intraoperative complications that are related to this bone fragility, during the preparation of the acetabulum, we had a destruction of the medial wall by the burr that went unnoticed intraoperatively and was discovered during the patient's recovery from acute ischemia secondary to the burr, which led to an extensive rupture of the common femoral vein and partial sectioning of the common femoral artery. We also had an exceptional incident in a case with two ankylosed hips; in fact, when the approach was performed, the sciatic nerve was found pressed against the posterior surface of the greater trochanter, which was unusual but was explained by the retraction of the structures of the gluteal region secondary to prolonged immobilization. Thus, there was one case of cement shock manifested by hypotension occurring immediately after cement placement. In front of this inflammatory disease and ankylosis terrain, the surgeon must always be prepared for any complication and must keep in mind that he is operating on a hip that is anatomically not normal due to ankylosis and retraction of the vascular, nerve, and muscle structures.

Single-stage bilateral conversion arthroplasty for hip fusion via direct anterior approach in a patient with severe ankylosing spondylitis and kyphoscoliosis: a case report

BACKGROUND

Severe ankylosing spondylitis (AS) frequently involves hip joints and, occasionally, presents with concurrent spinal deformities, such as kyphoscoliosis, creating complex challenges for surgical management.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a 26-year-old Persian male with a history of AS and severe kyphoscoliosis, leading to bilateral hip fusion and immobility. Following spinal deformity correction, a one-stage bilateral conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA) was conducted through the direct anterior approach.

CONCLUSION

Primary correction of spinal deformities allows for extended surgical procedures under general anesthesia. Single stage bilateral hip conversion arthroplasty via the direct anterior approach enhances postoperative mobilization, reduce the risk of re-ankylosis, and improve the overall quality of life for AS patients with this unique presentation.

Revision total hip arthroplasty in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: Mid-term results

BACKGROUND

Few studies have reported on the outcome of revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) for ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Therefore, we sought to investigate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of revision THA in patients with AS.

HYPOTHESIS

The mid-term outcome of revision THA in AS patients was comparable to conventional revision THA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-one patients with AS who underwent revision THA (on a total of 51 hips) between April 2004 and June 2018 were included. The mean follow-up duration was 7.5±3.6 years (3.0-15.8 years). Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Harris Hip Score (HHS), and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) index. Complications were assessed at each follow-up. Radiological outcomes were examined by reviewing postoperative plain radiographs.

RESULTS

Significant improvements were seen in BASFI, HHS, and WOMAC scores (p<0.01). Postoperative combined range of motion (ROM) was 128.9±45.3° (range, 60-300°). Complications included heterotopic ossification, periprosthetic fractures, aseptic loosening, osteolysis, reinfection, residual pain or stiffness, delayed wound healing, numbness, deep vein thrombosis, leg length discrepancy, and posterior dislocation. Five (9.8%) of the 51 hips were treated with re-revision due to aseptic loosening, re-infection, or re-fracture. The incidence of dislocation was 1.9% at 7.5 years. Implant survival for all reasons was estimated to be 96.3% at 5 years, 85.9% at 10 years and 61.0% at 15 years. Forty-two (82.4%) hip revisions were rated "satisfactory" or "very satisfactory" by the patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The mid-term result of revision THA for patients with AS is comparable to conventional revisions in terms of implant survival, despite high complication rates. The benefit-risk ratio of these indications is acceptable but deserves specific information for these patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV; case series.

Korean treatment recommendations for patients with axial spondyloarthritis

We aimed to develop evidence-based recommendations for treating axial spondylarthritis (axSpA) in Korea. The development committee was constructed, key clinical questions were determined, and the evidence was searched through online databases including MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, KoreaMed, and Kmbase. Systematic literature reviews were conducted, quality of evidence was determined, and draft recommendations were formulated according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluations methodology. Recommendations that reached 80% consensus among a voting panel were finalized. Three principles and 21 recommendations were determined. Recommendations 1 and 2 pertain to treatment strategies, regular disease status assessment, and rheumatologist-steered multidisciplinary management. Recommendations 3 and 4 strongly recommend patient education, exercise, and smoking cessation. Recommendations 5-12 address pharmacological treatment of active disease using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, sulfasalazine, biologics, and Janus kinase inhibitors. Recommendations 13-16 address treatment in stable disease. We suggest against spa and acupuncture as therapies (Recommendation 17). Recommendations 18 and 19 pertain to total hip arthroplasty and spinal surgery. Monitoring of comorbidities and drug toxicities are recommended (Recommendations 20 and 21). Recommendations for axSpA treatment in a Korean context were developed based on comprehensive clinical questions and evidence. These are intended to guide best practice in the treatment of axSpA.

Korean treatment recommendations for patients with axial spondyloarthritis

We aimed to develop evidence-based recommendations for treating axial spondylarthritis (axSpA) in Korea. The development committee was constructed, key clinical questions were determined, and the evidence was searched through online databases including MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, KoreaMed, and KMbase. Systematic literature reviews were conducted, quality of evidence was determined, and draft recommendations were formulated according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluations methodology. Recommendations that reached 80% consensus among a voting panel were finalized. Three principles and 21 recommendations were determined. Recommendations 1 and 2 pertain to treatment strategies, regular disease status assessment, and rheumatologist-steered multidisciplinary management. Recommendations 3 and 4 strongly recommend patient education, exercise, and smoking cessation. Recommendations 5~12 address pharmacological treatment of active disease using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, sulfasalazine, biologics, and Janus kinase inhibitors. Recommendations 13~16 address treatment in stable disease. We suggest against spa and acupuncture as therapies (Recommendation 17). Recommendations 18 and 19 pertain to total hip arthroplasty and spinal surgery. Monitoring of comorbidities and drug toxicities are recommended (Recommendations 20 and 21). Recommendations for axSpA treatment in a Korean context were developed based on comprehensive clinical questions and evidence. These are intended to guide best practice in the treatment of axSpA.

No Evidence of a Genetic Causal Relationship between Ankylosing Spondylitis and Gut Microbiota: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study

Objective: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is associated with a variety of gut microbiotas. We aim to analyze the causal relationship between the two at the genetic level. Methods: Mendelian randomization (MR) is a type of instrumental variables (IVs) analysis; MR follows the Mendelian genetic rule of "parental alleles are randomly assigned to offspring" and takes genetic variation as IVs to infer the causal association between exposure factors and study outcome in observational studies. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data of AS were from the FinnGen consortium, and the gut microbiota (Bacteroides, Streptococcus, Proteobacteria, Lachnospiraceae) were from the MiBioGen consortium. The TwoSampleMR and MRPRESSO packages of the R were used to perform a two-sample MR study. Random-effects inverse variance weighted (IVW) was the main analysis method, and MR Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode were used as supplementary methods. We examined heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy, and examined whether the analysis results were influenced by a single SNP. We applied radial variants of the IVW and MR-Egger model for the improved visualization of the causal estimate. We further examined the causal relationship between AS and gut microbiota, and the robustness of the analysis results. Finally, we performed maximum likelihood, penalized weighted median, and IVW (fixed effects) to further identify the potential causal association. Results: The random-effects IVW results showed that Bacteroides (p = 0.965, OR 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.990 [0.621-1.579]), Streptococcus (p = 0.591, OR 95% CI = 1.120 [0.741-1.692]), Proteobacteria (p = 0.522, OR 95% CI = 1.160 [0.737-1.826]), and Lachnospiraceae (p = 0.717, OR 95% CI = 1.073 [0.732-1.574]) have no genetic causal relationship with AS. There was no heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy or outliers, and results were normally distributed. The MR analysis results were not driven by a single SNP. Conclusions: This study showed that Bacteroides, Streptococcus, Proteobacteria and Lachnospiraceae, four common gut microbiotas associated with AS, had no causal relationship with AS at the genetic level. This study makes a positive contribution to the genetics of AS, but the insufficient number of gut microbiota included is a limitation.

Comprehensive AI-assisted tool for ankylosing spondylitis based on multicenter research outperforms human experts

Introduction

The diagnosis and treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a difficult task, especially in less developed countries without access to experts. To address this issue, a comprehensive artificial intelligence (AI) tool was created to help diagnose and predict the course of AS.

Methods

In this retrospective study, a dataset of 5389 pelvic radiographs (PXRs) from patients treated at a single medical center between March 2014 and April 2022 was used to create an ensemble deep learning (DL) model for diagnosing AS. The model was then tested on an additional 583 images from three other medical centers, and its performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 scores. Furthermore, clinical prediction models for identifying high-risk patients and triaging patients were developed and validated using clinical data from 356 patients.

Results

The ensemble DL model demonstrated impressive performance in a multicenter external test set, with precision, recall, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values of 0.90, 0.89, and 0.96, respectively. This performance surpassed that of human experts, and the model also significantly improved the experts' diagnostic accuracy. Furthermore, the model's diagnosis results based on smartphone-captured images were comparable to those of human experts. Additionally, a clinical prediction model was established that accurately categorizes patients with AS into high-and low-risk groups with distinct clinical trajectories. This provides a strong foundation for individualized care.

Discussion

In this study, an exceptionally comprehensive AI tool was developed for the diagnosis and management of AS in complex clinical scenarios, especially in underdeveloped or rural areas that lack access to experts. This tool is highly beneficial in providing an efficient and effective system of diagnosis and management.

[Effectiveness analysis of MAKO robotic-arm assisted total hip arthroplasty via direct anterior approach for bony fused hips]

Objective

To investigate the effectiveness of MAKO robotic-arm assisted total hip arthroplasty (THA) via direct anterior approach (DAA) for bony fused hips in ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods

Between June 2021 and January 2022, MAKO robotic-arm assisted THA via DAA was applied to treat 10 cases (12 hips) of AS with bony fused hips. There were 7 males and 3 females; the age ranged from 30 to 71 years, with an average age of 42.4 years. The duration of AS was 12-35 years, with an average of 21.4 years. The preoperative hip was ankylosed in flexion in 3 cases, with a flexion angle of 20°, 30°, 35°, respectively; 9 cases were ankylosed in extension. The operation time and complications were recorded; the visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Harris score, and Oxford hip scale (OHS) score before and after operation, and postoperative range of motion (flexion, extension, internal rotation, external rotation, adduction, and abduction) were used to evaluate the recovery of joint function; according to the postoperative anteroposterior X-ray film and CT scan of both hip joints, the abduction angle, anteversion angle, the difference between bilateral combined off-set and the lower limb length discrepancy were measured.

Results

The operation time ranged from 80 to 190 minutes (mean, 134.6 minutes). All 10 patients were followed up 5-11 months (mean, 7.4 months). There was no serious adverse events such as incision infection, deep vein thrombosis of lower extremities, hip redislocation, aseptic loosening of the prosthesis, or death. At 5 months after operation, the acetabular prosthesis angle of abduction was 37°-45° (mean, 40.3°), anteversion angle was 9°-20° (mean, 15.8°). The difference between bilateral combined off-set was 0-10 mm (mean, 4.3 mm); the lower limb length discrepancy was 0-12 mm (mean, 3.5 mm). At last follow-up, the average range of motion of the hip joint was 89.2° in flexion (range, 80°-100°), 1.7° in extension (range, -5°-10°), 7.1° in internal rotation (range, 0°-15°), 20.4° in external rotation (range, 10°-30°), 7.9° in adduction (range, 0°-20°), and 16.5° in abduction (range, 10°-25°). At last follow-up, the VAS score, Harris score, and OHS score significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05).

Conclusion

The MAKO robotic-arm assisted THA via DAA can achieve satisfactory results in the treatment of AS with bony fused hip, which has the advantages of accurate prosthesis installation, soft tissue release, and less trauma during operation.

Application Value of Total Knee Arthroplasty plus Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy in Traumatic Arthritis of the Knee

Purpose

This work is aimed at determining the application value of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy plus total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in traumatic arthritis (TA) of the knee.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on 78 cases of TA of the knee admitted between March 2021 and January 2022 to the Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University. Based on different treatment methods, 38 cases treated with TKA were assigned to the control group, and 40 cases intervened by PRP+TKA were included in the observation group. The operation time (OT), drainage volume (DV), total blood loss (TBL), incision inflammatory reaction rate, and grade A healing rate were recorded. Besides, preoperative and postoperative knee joint Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) scores, knee joint pain assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS), knee joint range of motion (ROM), and bone metabolism parameters (osteocalcin (OST), total N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (tPINP), and β-isomerized C-terminal telopeptides (β-CTX)) were recorded.

Results

The observation group showed reduced postoperative DV and TBL than the control group (P < 0.05). The two cohorts differed insignificantly in OT, incision inflammatory response rate, and grade A healing rate (P > 0.05). The observation group also had better improvement in the HSS score, pain VAS score, and knee ROM (P < 0.05). And higher postoperative OST and tPINP levels while lower β-CTX were determined in the observation group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

PRP+TKA can validly improve the levels of bone metabolism markers in patients with TA of the knee and promote their knee functional recovery, with favorable safety.

Combination of C-reactive protein and fibrinogen is useful for diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection in patients with inflammatory diseases

BACKGROUND

The screening of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in patients with inflammatory diseases before revision arthroplasty remains uncertain. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), plasma fibrinogen (FIB), monocyte/lymphocyte ratio, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can help screening PJI, but their values in patients with inflammatory diseases have not been determined.

METHODS

Patients with inflammatory diseases who underwent revision hip or knee arthroplasty at West China Hospital, Sichuan University, from January 2008 to September 2020 were divided into infected and non-infected groups based on the 2013 International Consensus Meeting criteria. Sensitivity and specificity of the tested biomarkers for diagnosing infection were determined based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and optimal cutoffs were determined based on the Youden index. The diagnostic ability of these biomarkers was re-assessed after combining them with each other.

RESULTS

A total of 62 patients with inflammatory diseases were studied; of them 30 were infected. The area under the ROC curve was 0.813 for CRP, 0.638 for ESR, 0.795 for FIB, and 0.656 for NLR. The optimal predictive cutoff of CRP was 14.04 mg/L with a sensitivity of 86.2% and a specificity of 68.7%, while FIB had a sensitivity of 72.4% and a specificity of 81.2% with the optimal predictive cutoff of 4.04 g/L. The combinations of CRP with FIB produced a sensitivity of 86.2% and specificity of 78.1%.

CONCLUSION

CRP with a slightly higher predictive cutoff and FIB are useful for screening PJI in patients with inflammatory diseases, and the combination of CRP and FIB may further improve the diagnostic values.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ChiCTR.org.cn, ChiCTR2000039989.

Functional and clinical outcome with modified lateral approach total hip arthroplasty in stiff hips with ankylosing spondylitis

BACKGROUND

Ankylosing spondylitis at total hip arthroplasty (THA) has significant hip stiffness with flexion deformity, restricted mobility, and function. Range of movement (ROM) improvement with good functional outcome is seen following THA in these hips. The modified Hardinge approach without abductor compromise is helpful in these stiff hips with associated flexion deformity.

AIM

To assess improvement in ROM and functional outcomes with a modified lateral approach THA in ankylosing spondylitis with stiff hips.

METHODS

A total of 69 hips that underwent THA with a modified Hardinge approach in 40 patients were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 38.33 mo. All individuals ambulated with weight-bearing as tolerated and ROM exercises from the 1^st postoperative day. Modified Harris hip score and ROM were assessed during follow-up. Quality of life assessments using the 36-item and 12-item short form health surveys were done along with clinical and functional outcomes at follow-up. SPSS 22.0 was used for statistical analysis. The correlation of ROM and functional score change was performed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine hips with a significant decrease in ROM preoperatively with 32 clinically fused hips showed significant improvement in flexion range. The mean flexion in 69 hips improved from 29.35 ± 31.38 degrees to 102.17 ± 10.48 degrees. The mean difference of 72.82 with a P value < 0.0001 was significant. In total, 45 out of 69 hips had flexion deformity, with 13 hips having a deformity above 30 degrees. The flexion during the follow-up was below 90 degrees in 3 hips. Eleven hips had flexion of 90 degrees at follow-up, while the remaining 55 hips had flexion above 100 degrees. Modified Harris hip score improved from 17.03 ± 6.02 to 90.66 ± 7.23 (P value < 0.0001). The 36-item short form health survey at the follow-up indicated health status in 40 patients as excellent in 11, very good in 20, good in 5, fair in 3, and poor in 1. The mean mental health score was 84.10 ± 11.58. Pain relief was good in all 69 hips. Altogether, 28/40 patients (70%) had no pain, 9 patients (22%) had occasional pain, and 3 patients (8%) had mild to moderate pain with unusual activity. Heterotopic ossification was seen in 21 hips with Brooker class 1 in 14 hips.

CONCLUSION

Modified Hardinge approach THA in ankylosing spondylitis with stiff hips with flexion deformity significantly improved ROM, Harris hip score, and quality of life indicated by the 36-item and 12-item short form health surveys.

Spinopelvic Mobility Pattern and Acetabular Anteversion in Stiff Hips With Ankylosing Spondylitis After Total Hip Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Fused hips with spine stiffness in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) reduce spinopelvic mobility. We aimed to assess spinopelvic mobility pattern and acetabular anteversion in AS after total hip arthroplasty (THA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Ninety-four stiff hips in 58 AS individuals (mean age: 37.05) who underwent THA between 2012 and 2018 with a modified lateral approach were included. Twenty-three hips were fused, and 71 hips had mean flexion of 37.67°. Pelvic tilt, pelvic inclination, sacral slope (SS), and lumbar lordosis were correlated with THA, and functional outcomes were assessed at 34.6-month mean follow-up.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven had a stuck sitting pattern with stuck standing seen in 4 individuals. SS standing before and after THA were 25.08° and 27.30°. SS sitting was 8.99° compared to 16.80°. SS from sitting to standing was reduced (17.7°) in 17 individuals. Spine stiffness in extension was seen in 4 out of 37. Mean acetabular inclination after THA was 42.67°, and acetabular anteversion was 17.48°. Flexion after THA improved to mean 98.47°. Changes in SS from sitting to standing were correlated with THA (r-value: 0.93, P-value: .0001). The Harris Hip Score improved from 25.31 to 82.39 (P-value <.05), and the mean 12-item Short Form Survey at review was 52.18 and 59.55 (physical and mental components). The mean Western Ontario and Mc Master Universities Arthritis Index score was 17.56.

CONCLUSIONS

Spinopelvic mobility change was <10° after THA in AS, stuck sitting was seen in 37 of 58 (63.8%), and stuck standing was seen in 4 of 58 (6.9%), including spine stiffness in flexion or extension. Acetabular anteversion assessed was 17.48° (standard deviation: 4.41), with significant functional improvement.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 4.

Robotic total hip arthroplasty for fused hips in ankylosing spondylitis patients: Our experience with robotic arm technology

The conversion from a fused hip to conventional total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis can be challenging. The problems are related to patient positioning, surgical exposure, femoral neck osteotomy, identifying the true acetabulum, and proper implant positioning. This case series describes our experience using the Mako Robotic-Arm in four bilateral THA procedures (each conducted in a single session) and one unilateral procedure in a fifth patient. Robotic total hip arthroplasty (RTHA) simplified THA by providing real-time information on the relative positions of the femur, pelvis, instruments, and implants to guide the surgery and implant placement.

Influence of obstructive sleep apnea on postoperative cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients undergoing joint replacement

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the influence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in elderly patients undergoing joint replacement.

METHODS

This study retrospectively enrolled130 patients who underwent joint replacement in the Department of Orthopaedics of Taizhou Municipal Hospital between January 2019 and March 2021 for analysis. According to polysomnography (PSG) results, 80 patients without OSA were included in group A and 50 with OSA were assigned to group B. The two groups were compared with respect to the following items: surgical indications (length of stay (LOS), intraoperative blood loss (IBL) and operation time (OT), incidence of postoperative delirium (POD), postoperative cognitive function (Mini-mental State Examination, MMSE), neurological function recovery (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, NIHSS) and (Scandinavian Stroke Scale, SSS)), mental health (Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS)), compliance, overall response rate (ORR), complications and patient satisfaction.

RESULTS

The LOS and OT were shorter, and the IBL was less in group A compared with those in group B. Group A also showed reduced NIHSS and SSS scores as well as SAS and SDS scores when compared with group B. In addition, lower incidence of POD, and higher compliance, ORR and satisfaction were observed in group A than in group B. In terms of cognitive function, although the MMSE score in both groups decreased after surgery, patients in group B had a lower MMSE score and a milder form of POCD.

CONCLUSIONS

OSA may affect the postoperative cognitive function and adversely influence the treatment outcome of elderly patients undergoing joint replacement.

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.

Hip Replacement in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients with Advanced Hip Involvement: Factors Associated with Bilateral Total Hip Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to compare the clinical data of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients who underwent unilateral and bilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA) due to advanced hip involvement. Furthermore, to determine the factors associated with bilateral THA.

METHODS

Utilizing a single-institution database, we selected 373 consecutive AS patients undergoing primary THA from 2012 to 2017 and compared the clinical characteristics and anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy of the patients who underwent unilateral and bilateral THA. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with bilateral THA.

RESULTS

Bilateral THA was performed in 67.3% (n=251) of the patients. Male patients had a higher frequency of undergoing bilateral THA compared with female ones (P<0.05). The proportion of the patients who had bilateral onset in hips, administration of TNF inhibitors, flexion contracture in the hip, and a BASRI-hip score of 4 was significantly higher in patients with bilateral THA than that with unilateral THA (P<0.05). Patients with bilateral THA experienced longer disease duration than those with unilateral THA (P<0.05). The results of the logistic regression showed that factors related to bilateral THA were bilateral onset in hips, administration of TNF inhibitors, a BASRI-hip score of 4, and an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) level (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Bilateral THA is more common in AS patients with advanced hip involvement. Bilateral onset in hips, a BASRI-hip score of 4, and a higher level of ESR are risk factors associated with bilateral THA, while anti-TNF therapy is a protective factor reducing the progression of hip involvement to bilateral THA.

Peri-operative Morbidity Associated with Bilateral Hip Arthroplasty for Inflammatory Arthritis: Results from a Consecutive Series of 168 Hips

AIM

This study aims to assess the risks and peri-operative morbidity associated with a single-stage sequential bilateral hip arthroplasty (SBHA) when performed in patients with arthritis secondary to inflammatory arthropathy.

METHODS

Data of patients who underwent SBHA between 2012 and 2018 for inflammatory arthritis were extracted from a database, for peri-operative complications and functional improvement. SBHA for other causes was excluded.

RESULTS

Data of 84 consecutive patients with a mean age of 34.5 years were analyzed. The mean follow-up was 2.4 years. 66% had ankylosing spondylitis, while 14% had rheumatoid arthritis. 50% of the patients had bilateral fusion of the hips, and 34% had flexion deformity > 30°.None of the patients had peri-operative cardiac or pulmonary complications. 2.4% had per-operative hypotension (MAP < 50 mmHg) and 1.2% had desaturation (SpO₂ < 90%). The mean drop in hematocrit was 9.3%. While 31% did not require blood transfusion, 35% required more than 1 unit of blood. Patients with pre-operative PCV of > 36% had a significantly lower risk of being transfused > 1 unit of blood (p = 0.02). ICU admission was 6%-mostly for post-operative monitoring. While one patient had a local hematoma that needed a wash-out, there were no infections, dislocations, or mortality in these patients. The modified Harris hip score improved from a mean of 26.5-85. The mean hip flexion improved post-operatively from 32° to 92°.

CONCLUSIONS

SBHA for inflammatory arthritis can be performed with minimum complications in a multidisciplinary setting. Pre-operatively, PCV of > 36 is advised to reduce transfusion rates.

Surgical strategies in management of ankylosed bilateral hips and knees in crouched posture

A 26-year-old wheelchair-bound man was brought to our institute with progressive painful deformity of both lower limbs involving bilateral hip and knee for the past 5 years. The patient was wheelchair-bound for the past 18 months. He was only able to crawl to meet his locomotor demands. On examination, the patient was in a crouched posture with mild kyphosis at the thoracolumbar region and ankylosis of bilateral hip and knee in an unfavourable position. Radiological and serological evaluation diagnosed him to be a case of neglected ankylosing spondylosis. We planned for arthroplasty of the bilateral hip and knee for correcting his posture and to regain his locomotor ability. The severity of the deformity mandated extensive releases and the handling of neurovascular structures. Hence, a holistic treatment plan with various surgical strategies was devised to manage his deformities. The patient made a good recovery and regained his locomotor ability without any major complications at a 2-year follow-up.

Does the Femoral Head Size Influence Outcomes After Uncemented Total Hip Arthroplasty for Fused Hips? A Prospective Study in Ankylosing Spondylitis

BACKGROUND

Uncemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) with large size femoral heads have shown greater advantage with good stability, range of motion and decreased dislocation rate in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Meticulous planning is needed to address the unique surgical challenges in such patients with fused hip and spinal deformity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty fivefused hip joints in twenty-five AS patients who underwent uncemented THA (April 2014 to December 2016) were included in our prospective study and were followed up for a minimum period of 36 months. Pain relief, functional improvement and patient satisfaction were statistically assessed using "Visual Analogue Score" (VAS), "Harris Hip Score" (HHS) and "AJRI 10-Point Satisfaction Score" (A10PSS), respectively.

RESULTS

The overall mean preoperative VAS improved from 6.9 ± 1.5 to 1.5 ± 1, HHS improved from 50.0 ± 12 to 88.4 ± 7.8 and A10PSS improved from 2.2 ± 1.2 to 7.6 ± 0.8. Our study results were significant with zero dislocation and good functional score in comparison to the other available studies in literature. First subdivision study in AS patients with bilateral THA performed better than unilateral THA. Second subdivision study showed no significant statistical difference in terms of VAS, HHS, A10PSS and dislocation rate in relation to femoral head size between 32 mm, 36 mm and 40 mm.

CONCLUSION

Uncemented THA with large size femoral head equal or greater than 32 mm provides better stability and good functional outcome with less dislocation rate in comparison to older studies of literature with femoral head size less than 32 mm.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

A Level II study. (Data collected from the ongoing prospective study) (https://www.spine.org/Documents/LevelsofEvidenceFinal.pdf).