Shoulder Arthroplasty for Patients With Proximal Humeral Paget's Disease

Poorly controlled Paget's disease leads to excessive blood loss following total hip arthroplasty. The effect in shoulder arthroplasty is unknown. The authors reviewed 3 patients with Paget's disease involving the proximal humerus, comparing them with 17 patients with Paget's disease but no humeral involvement. The 3 patients had an estimated blood loss of 1400 mL, 1100 mL, and 350 mL, compared with an average of 280 mL in the control group. The first 2 cases required 4 units of packed red blood cells intraoperatively, and both were not managed with bisphosphonates. Paget's disease of the humerus leads to more intraoperative blood loss and higher blood transfusion requirements, particularly in cases not managed with bisphosphonates. [Orthopedics. 2021;44(4):e614-e619.].

Clinical and radiological outcomes of total hip arthroplasty in patients affected by Paget's disease: a combined registry and single-institution retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with Paget's disease can be associated with technical difficulties related to deformities and altered mechanical bone properties, and hypervascularity leads to significative intra-operative bleeding. The purpose of this registry and single-institution study was to investigate overall survival and causes of failure of THA in pagetic patients, together with an analysis of the clinical and radiological complications.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Registry-based survival and complication analysis, type of fixation, intra- and post-operative complications, clinical (pharmacological history, blood transfusions, Harris hip score [HHS]) and radiographic (cup orientation, stem axial alignment, osteolysis around the cup and the stem and heterotopic ossification [HO]) data were reviewed.

RESULTS

In total, 66 patients (27 males and 39 females, mean age at surgery 71.1 years for males and 74.8 years for female) from the registry study presented a 10-year survival of 89.5%. In the institutional study, involving 26 patients (14 males and 12 females, 69 years average) and 29 THAs, hip function improved significantly. Average cup orientation was 40.5°, while varus stem alignment was 13.8%. In total, 52% of hips had heterotopic ossifications. Peri-acetabular osteolysis was in 13.8% of implants and in 45% of hips was found around the stem. Allogenic and autologous blood transfusion rate were 68.2% and 31.8%, respectively, with an average transfusion of 2 units of blood (range 1-6 units). HHS improved by an average of 34 points, with excellent result in 64.3% of patients. Two implants failed, one due to traumatic ceramic head fracture 64 months after surgery, and one due to mobilization of the cup on the second post-operative day.

CONCLUSION

THA surgery in Paget's patients is a safe procedure, and implant survival is only partly affected by bone remodelling and choice of fixation. The post-operative functional outcome is largely similar to that of other patients. Bleeding-related complications are the main complications; a careful pharmacological strategy should be recommended to decrease the risk of transfusions and of HO development.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Five polyostotic conditions that general orthopedic surgeons should recognize (or should not miss)

General orthopedic surgeons frequently encounter patients with conditions affecting multiple bones. It is important to recognize common polyostotic diseases. This article describes five polyostotic conditions: Multipe Enchondromatosis (Ollier Disease and Maffucci syndrome), Multiple Hereditary Exostosis (Diaphyseal Aclasis), Fibrous Dysplasia (McCune-Albright syndrome and Mazabraud syndrome), Paget's Disease of bone (Osteitis Deformans), and Skeletal Metastases. This is a survey of the clinical, pathologic and radiographic features that assist in diagnosing these conditions. Also, an overview of the laboratory findings, treatment, follow-up, and prognosis is presented. Recognizing these diseases will aid in prompt and accurate diagnosis and appropriate referral and therapy.

Cementless total hip arthroplasty in Paget's disease of bone: a retrospective review

Paget's disease of bone (PDB) is a localised chronic osteopathy leading to bone deformities, bone hypervascularity, structural weakness and altered joint biomechanics. The pelvis and upper femur are frequently involved, resulting in disabling hip disease, and total hip arthroplasty (THA) may be required. We performed a retrospective study on the management and the outcome of 39 uncemented hydroxyapatite fully-coated THA in patients with PDB of the hip. The follow-up averaged 79.4 months (range 24-194). Functional scores improved significantly and, using the Harris hip score, 84% of patients had an excellent clinical outcome at the latest follow-up. Despite one case of an uncemented acetabular component with probable loosening, no implant revision had been required at our latest follow-up. Signs of implant loosening were found to be significantly more frequent in patients with active disease. For this reason, we advocate the use of pre-operative medication with bisphosphonates to reduce disease activity. Another benefit of this treatment is the significant decrease of intra-operative blood loss. Provided the control of disease activity in the pre-operative period with bisphosphonates is achieved, good outcome of cementless THAs can be expected. Bisphosphonates reduced the risk of implant loosening and excessive intra-operative blood loss.

[Diagnosis and treatment of Paget disease of the spinal vertebrae]

Paget disease, localized only on thoracic spine is extremly rare. It is a huge diagnostic problem and an equally big therapy challenge. Course of this disease is slow, it chronically worsens, thus demanding differentiation of various conditions, along with orthopaedic, neurological, radiographic and endocrine evaluation. Paget disease is followed by back pain, progressive weakening of legs and sphincter functions, due to pathological spine fractures and spinal stenosis. The treatment is surgical, in form of decompression and applying biphosphonates. Three patients are presented, all with worsening back pain which lasted several months. Hyperthonia and hyperreflexion of lower extremities were developed significantly. Over the course of time, neurological deficite got worse, almost to the point of spastic parapalegia. All of the patients were male, 50 to 68 years old. They had higher values of alcaline phosphatase and serum calcium than usual. In all cases, bone scintigraphy was positive where the lesion of thoracic spine existed. Biopsy suggested hyperparathyroidism, but, as it turned out, wrongly. After surgical treatment, neurological improvement was noticed on all three patients. In case of two, recidives occurred after three and five years respectively, so surgical reinterventions were made. These recidives are consequences of Paget disease progression. Aside from surgical treatment, they were treated by encrinologist. Remission of the disease lasted for seven and twelve years, respectively. Third patient had his condition recognized almost two years after first reception, and, due to big changes on vertebral body and paraplegia, posterior and anterior decompression of spinal canal and stabilization were done simultaneously. Biopsy confirmed Paget disease. During the postoperative course, nearly complete neurological improvement occured almost instantly. Only moments after hospital release, twenty four days after the operation, patient got sick in the hall. Unfortunately, he passed away due to massive lung embolism, even though he recieved adequate thromboembolic prophylaxion. Monoostotic form of Paget disease localized on vertebral body must be taken and considered seriously, especially when the patients suffer from progressive evolution of neurological deficite, followed by adequate biochemical blood and urine analysis, as well as radiographic signs of pathological fracture or invasive vertebral process. Surgical treatment can lead to significant improvement of clinical findings, but due to recidive, biphosphonate treatment is recommended.

A rare emergency condition in neurosurgery: foot drop due to Paget's disease

Paget's disease is a chronic, focal skeletal disorder that usually affects the pelvis and spine. Spinal cases are generally asymptomatic; in the symptomatic cases, the neurological dysfunctions are related to non-compressive vascular defects, hemorrhage, sarcomatoid degeneration, spinal stenosis, or pathological fractures, primarily in the lumbar region. The Neurosurgeon should have a fundamental understanding of the complications of Paget's disease and should be familiar with the indications for treatment, as well as available medical and surgical therapies. In the present paper, we report a case of Paget's disease that presented with an isolated foot drop due to a pathological fracture of L5 vertebra, and then discuss the therapeutic strategies presented in the literature.

Paget's disease 2: exploring diagnosis, management and support strategies

This is the second of a two-part unit on Paget's disease. Part 1 outlined the epidemiology, pathophysiology, causes and clinical features of the condition. This part outlines advice on diagnosis, drug therapy, surgery, other management options and emotional support.

Monostotic Vertebral Paget's Disease of the Lumbar Spine

Paget's disease in the Far East is quite rare. Age at diagnosis is usually greater than 50 years, and the disease typically affects the spine. Most patients are usually diagnosed with Paget's disease following radiographic examination for other purposes. It usually occurs at multiple vertebral levels, with only 10-25% of vertebral Paget's disease being monostotic. The disease rarely causes neurologic complications resulting from compression of intraspinal nerve tissue. Here, we present 2 cases of monostotic vertebral Paget's disease of the third lumbar vertebra. The first patient, who may be the first documented case of Paget's disease in the lumbar spine with progressive neurologic deficiency in an Asian population, received decompressive laminectomy due to marked spinal stenosis with neurologic deficits. The symptoms were greatly relieved following surgery, and ambulatory ability was restored. The second patient was diagnosed with Paget's disease following surgical biopsy. He remained asymptomatic at the most recent follow-up.

Cementless hip arthroplasty in Paget's disease at medium-term follow-up (average of 6.7 years)

We performed 33 cementless total hip arthroplasties for arthritis in 27 patients with an established diagnosis of Paget's disease on the acetabular or femoral side of the hip. There were 3 revisions. One stem for aseptic loosening at 55 months, and 2 stems after periprosthetic fractures at 9 and 70 months. Twenty-three cases were available for follow-up at an average of 6.7 years (range, 2-14 years). Harris hip score improved from 56/100 preoperatively (16-98/100) to 90/100 postoperatively (78-100/100). All surviving components were radiographically bone ingrown. Based on our findings, it appears that a cementless total hip arthroplasty can have a good outcome in Paget's disease.

Clinical determinants of quality of life in Paget's disease of bone

Paget's disease of bone (PDB) can adversely affect quality of life, but relatively little is known about the clinical predictors of reduced quality of life in patients with the disease. Here, we studied quality of life and its determinants in a large cohort of PDB patients who had been enrolled into the PRISM study, a randomized comparative trial of intensive versus symptomatic treatment for PDB. Health-related quality of life was assessed using the Short-Form 36 (SF36) questionnaire and other validated assessment instruments in 1,324 subjects with PDB. Clinical predictors of quality of life were identified by multivariate regression analysis. The physical summary (mean +/- standard deviation) score of the SF36 was substantially reduced in PDB to 36.3 +/- 11.3 compared with the expected population norm of 50 (P < 0.001). The mental summary score was only slightly reduced, to 48.7 +/- 11.8, in PDB; but this was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Bone pain due to PDB, previous bisphosphonate therapy, and increasing age were identified as negative predictors of the SF36 physical summary score (P < 0.001); but serum levels of total alkaline phosphatase (ALP) did not predict physical summary score. We conclude that PDB has a substantial negative impact on health-related quality of life, which mainly affects physical functioning. The lack of correlation between ALP and quality of life observed in this study emphasizes the importance of addressing quality-of-life issues when treating PDB and not just focussing on response of ALP levels.

Monostotic Paget's disease of the patella

Paget's disease is a common skeletal disorder in the elderly; however, monostotic Paget's disease of the patella is very rare and only a few cases have been reported. We present the clinical, radiographic, surgical and histological findings in a patient with monostotic Paget's disease of the patella, presenting with knee pain.

Surgical management of Paget's disease of bone

Paget's disease is a chronic nonmetabolic bone disorder that is characterized by increased bone resorption, bone formation, and remodeling. This unbalanced process may lead to osseous deformities, structural weakness, and altered joint biomechanics, all of which can make surgical reconstruction difficult. Although few patients with Paget's disease ever need surgical treatment, successful surgical management of orthopedic manifestations of the disease has improved the quality of life for these patients. Surgical options include corrective osteotomy for long bone deformity, fracture fixation, joint arthroplasty, spinal decompression, and tumor resection. Patients are at increased risk for surgical complications such as blood loss and heterotopic bone formation. Issues relating to the surgical management of patients with Paget's disease such as appropriate preoperative diagnosis, technical challenges of surgery, and strategies to improve the long-term outcome of surgical intervention are discussed.

Spontaneous rapid osteolysis in Paget's disease after internal fixation of subtrochanteric femoral fracture

Rapidly-progressive spontaneous progression of the osteolysis following internal fixation of pathological fracture in patients with Paget's disease has not been previously reported. We describe two patients, aged 59 and 65 years, respectively, who had pathological subtrochanteric fractures in Pagetic femora fixed internally using an interlocked intramedullary nail, and who developed spontaneous rapid osteolysis. Both patients responded favourably to long-term treatment with alendronate, with resultant fracture union and resolution of osteolysis.

A case of Paget's disease treated by distraction osteogenesis

Paget's disease is a localized bone disorder marked by increased turnover usually associated with a deformity of the affected bone. Distraction osteogenesis may be a useful method for correcting the deformity. A 57-year-old woman with Paget's disease had a 3 cm limb-length discrepancy with a 47 degrees procurvatum deformity of the ipsilateral femur. Distraction osteogenesis using a Taylor Spatial Frame was performed, leading to complete correction of the procurvatum deformity and limb-length discrepancy. After improvement of the limb-length discrepancy, the patient felt more comfortable than she had before surgery with less low back pain. This result suggests distraction osteogenesis may be appropriate for the treatment of some severe, complex deformities of the lower limbs in patients with Paget's disease.

Spinal decompression and vertebroplasty in Paget's disease of the spine

Paget's disease is an osteometabolic disorder affecting in particular long bones. The spine is the second most commonly involved site in Paget's disease. This pathology can cause low back pain, spinal stenosis, myeloradiculopathy, and vertebral collapse. Medical therapy is the first choice for the treatment of Paget's disease of the spine; in case of failure, surgery remains a valid option. In the present article, we report a case of a patient with leg disability due to myelopathy caused by spinal Paget's disease treated with spinal decompression and vertebroplasty. To our knowledge, this is the first case report in which these procedures have been performed together in the same operation to treat spinal pathologies due to Paget's disease.

[Paget's disease as a cause for symptomatic basilar impression--a case report and review of the literature]

INTRODUCTION

We report a case of a 52-years old women with Paget's disease. A secondary symptomatic basilar impression was observed, causing quadriparesis, bulbar palsy and ataxia

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

We report a case of a 52-year old woman with history of/periodic headache. In the last 6 months the complaints became more intensive and continuous. Additionally quadriparesis, disphagia, hoarsness and gait instability occurred. A cranial form of Paget's disease was found and a secondary basilar impression with compression of the cerebellum and brain stem was proven. A median suboccipital decompression and C1 laminectomy were performed. The occipital bone was thick, porous, with lacunas full of blood, causing unusually intensive hemorrhage. The postoperative period was uneventful with resolution of the preoperative symptomatology.

CONCLUSION

In cases with Paget's disease a secondary basilary impression with ensuing cerebellar and brain stem compression may be observed. Decompressive suboccipital craniectomy may be a therapeutic option. The surgical team should be prepared for an excessive hemorrhage from the porous occipital bone.

Total knee arthroplasty in patients with Paget's disease of bone at the knee

The purpose of this study was to identify the technical difficulties, complications, and long-term outcome of total knee arthroplasty in patients with Paget's disease. Twenty consecutive patients (21 knees) with Paget's disease at the knee who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty were retrospectively reviewed. All arthroplasties employed cemented condylar implants. Two patients died at less than 2 years and one was lost to follow-up; the remaining 17 (18 knees) were followed for an average of 9 years. Mean Knee Society scores for pain and function improved from 41 and 36 points preoperatively to 87 and 67 points, respectively, postoperatively. One patient underwent femoral revision for aseptic loosening at 10 years. None developed substantial heterotopic ossifications or deep infection. Total knee arthroplasty in patients with Paget's disease can provide good clinical results with low revision rate and good implant durability, despite technical challenges.

Sarcomatous change in the Pagetoid tibiae

We reviewed 13 cases of tibial Paget's sarcoma constituting 14% of all registered Paget's sarcoma cases of the Scottish Bone Tumour Registry between January 1947 and June 2004. Eleven patients were male, and in ten patients the tumour involved the upper half of the tibia. In all cases, the main presenting feature was progressively worsening pain followed by a mass in six, a pathological fracture in five and tibial bowing in four. In nine patients, a lytic lesion was seen radiologically. Histologically, there were three osteosarcomas and ten malignant fibrous histiocytomas. Limb ablation was carried out in 11 patients, of whom nine had trans-femoral amputation. Six patients received adjuvant radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Post-operative complications included stump revision in two cases, non-union of a pathological fracture of the tibial tuberosity and a stress fracture. The median survival was 17 months.

Hereditary Bilateral Conductive Hearing Loss Caused by Total Loss of Ossicles: a Report of Familial Expansile Osteolysis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to report on three members of a family with familial expansile osteolysis; the important point about these patients was that none of them had middle-ear ossicles.

STUDY DESIGN AND SUBJECTS

A retrospective case review including three cases with familial expansile osteolysis.

SETTING

Department of Otolaryngology in a tertiary referral center.

INTERVENTIONS

Each patient underwent computerized tomography of the temporal bone in the coronal view, audiometric and tympanometric evaluations, biochemical investigation, whole body isotope scans by Tc-99 mMDP and X-ray. Also the patients' pedigree was studied. Two of the patients had exploratory middle-ear surgery as well.

RESULTS

The temporal-bone computed-tomography scan in the coronal view of all three patients and also exploratory middle-ear surgery, which was done on two of the patients, showed no ossicles in the middle ear of either ear in all three cases. This feature hadn't been reported in previous studies. Hearing loss was revealed in the medical histories since childhood. Audiometry indicated mild to moderate conductive and mixed hearing loss and also an AD-type tympanogram pattern along with an absence of acoustic reflexes in both ears of the cases. Both serum alkaline phosphatase and hydroxyproline levels were elevated. There was an increase in uptake and activity at multiple foci of the whole skeleton. No improvement in hearing thresholds was obtained after reconstruction of the middle ear.

CONCLUSION

The total absence of middle-ear ossicles can probably be regarded as a new symptom in some patients with familial expansile osteolysis. Common ossiculoplasty for improving the hearing thresholds in this condition may be unsuccessful; therefore, both surgeons and patients must be completely aware of the contingent undesirable results.

Paget's sarcoma: limb salvage by custom mega prosthesis: four case reports

Of 4 Paget's sarcoma patients (age range, 55-68 years) underwent limb salvage surgery by custom mega prosthesis, 3 had lesions in the upper extremity and one in the proximal femur. Three of the patients were at stage IIB of the disease, according to Enneking's system of staging musculoskeletal tumours. All 4 patients underwent wide resection with a mean length of 152.5 mm. The defects were reconstructed with custom-made prostheses: proximal humeral prostheses in 2 of the patients, total elbow prosthesis in one, and total hip prosthesis in one. During a mean postoperative follow-up period of 40 months, one died of disseminated disease 14 months after surgery; one remained disease-free; 2 had local recurrence and required amputation, of whom one died of disseminated disease one year after amputation, the other had no further evidence of the disease. We report the functional outcomes of the 2 patients who were alive at the latest follow-up. The 2-year patient survival rate was 50%.

Vertebroplasty in focal Paget disease of the spine. Case report

Paget disease is an idiopathic metabolic disease of bone that may involve the axial and appendicular skeleton. In up to one third of patients there may be pagetoid involvement of the spine, which can cause back pain and vertebral collapse, with instability or myeloradiculopathy. Although medical therapy is the mainstay of treatment, decompressive surgery or stabilization may be required. The authors report on a case of localized Paget disease of the spine treated successfully by performing percutaneous vertebroplasty. They propose this procedure as a useful intervention that can be undertaken safely in patients with spinal Paget disease, in whom acquisition of a transpedicular biopsy sample is required as part of diagnosis.

Corrective osteotomy for deformity in Paget disease

BACKGROUND

Severe deformity resulting from Paget disease is not uncommon. Malalignment of the extremity may lead to intractable pain, mechanical overload of the neighboring joints, limitation of motion and function, and dysmorphic appearance. Although corrective osteotomy has been used to treat osseous deformities, the outcome of corrective osteotomy for long-bone deformities resulting from Paget disease remains largely unknown.

METHODS

The results after twenty-five corrective osteotomies (twenty-two patients), performed between 1975 and 1995, in sixteen tibiae, eight femora, and one radius were evaluated. There were thirteen men and nine women with a mean age of sixty-seven years. The indication for osteotomy was pain in twenty limbs, recurrent stress fractures in three, and limitation of function in two. A variety of osteotomies and fixation methods were used. Two patients underwent simultaneous total hip arthroplasty and proximal femoral osteotomy.

RESULTS

Twenty-three of twenty-five osteotomies healed with an average time to union of six months. Both nonunions were in patients who had been managed with intramedullary fixation. The time to union was significantly shorter in metaphyseal osteotomies fixed with plates than in diaphyseal osteotomies (p < 0.04). There was a substantial improvement in the deformities. Satisfaction was rated excellent or good by fourteen patients, fair by six, and poor by two. Complications included a pin-track infection in two patients, peroneal nerve palsy in one, and loss of fixation following external fixation in one. Disease activity, as measured by serum alkaline phosphatase level, and medical treatment with calcitonin and/or bisphosphonates did not have a significant impact on time to union.

CONCLUSIONS

Corrective osteotomy for the treatment of severe deformity in Paget disease can be challenging and yet rewarding. A higher prevalence of complications was observed following intramedullary nailing and external fixation. Fracture-healing seems to be particularly protracted in diaphyseal osteotomies.

Rapid osteolysis after revision hip arthroplasty in Paget's disease

Rapid bone turnover in Paget's disease has been of concern to many surgeons performing hip arthroplasties. We present the case of a 71-year-old man with Paget's disease affecting the proximal femur. He had undergone total hip arthroplasty 14 years before. He sustained a fracture at the tip of the femoral component, which was managed with revision total hip arthroplasty. His postoperative course was complicated by rapid and profound osteolysis of the femur distal to the fracture site, secondary to disease activity. This case highlights the need for awareness of Paget's disease activity and this potential complication.

Outcome of uncemented hip arthroplasty components in patients with Paget's disease

The outcome of uncemented hip arthroplasty in patients with Paget's disease is unknown. The clinical and radiographic records of patients with Paget's disease affecting the hip who had total hip arthroplasty using uncemented components against pagetic bone were reviewed. There were 18 patients (19 hips) with an average age of 71.3 years (range, 54-85 years). Followup averaged 7 years (range, 2-15 years). Surgery often was reported to be demanding technically because of hard sclerotic bone and excessive bleeding in some patients. Estimated blood loss averaged 996 mL (range, 200-2500 mL). Harris hip scores improved significantly. There was clinical and radiographic evidence of bone ingrowth in all patients. Six of 19 hips had heterotopic bone. One hip had severe Brooker Grade IV heterotopic ossification and the patient required excision of the ossification at 5 years. One hip was unstable (subluxating) at the latest followup. There was no revision for component loosening and no recognized cases of clinical or radiographic loosening of any uncemented implants. Results of total hip arthroplasty using uncemented components in patients with Paget's disease are excellent overall, with an extremely low risk of component loosening during the first decade after implantation. These patients may be at higher risk for heterotopic bone formation and increased perioperative blood loss because of hypervascularity of the bone.

Failure after customized curved femoral stems in total hip arthroplasty for Paget's disease

We describe 2 patients with Paget's disease who underwent total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthrosis. In view of the femoral deformity in each case, a custom-made, long, curved femoral stem was used. Both patients have subsequently sustained periprosthetic fractures at the level of the tip of the prosthesis.

[Labyrinth aspects of cranial Paget's disease]

We report the case of a 44-year-old woman suffering, since 5 years, from repetitive vertigo seizures, lasting less than one hour, together with light neuro-sensorial deafness, fullness of the left ear and left ear tinnitus. After analysis of audiologic and imagery tests a Meniere's syndrome secondary to Paget disease--confirm histologically through cortical cranial biopsy--was established.

Charnley low-friction arthroplasty for Paget's disease of the hip

This study investigated the perceived risks and complications associated with total hip arthroplasty for Paget's disease. A total of 98 Charnley low-friction arthroplasties were performed on 76 patients, 27 men (37 hips) and 49 women (61 hips), whose average age was 67.4 years (range, 51-79 years). Intraoperative blood loss averaged 388 mL (range, 110-1,730 mL), and minor heterotopic ossification occurred in 24 hips (25%), with significant changes in 4 hips (4%). After average follow-up of 10.4 years (range, 5.5-20 years), 10 acetabular (10%) and 8 femoral (8%) implants had loosened aseptically, but there was no evidence of progressive protrusio acetabuli or femoral deformity after operation. Survivorship to revision was 98% at 10 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 95%-100%) and 91% at 15 years (95% CI, 80%-100%) for the acetabular component and 93% (95% CI, 87%-99%) and 89% (95% CI, 80%-99%) for the femur. The only increased risk identified was nonunion of the trochanteric osteotomy (13%).

Hip arthroplasty in patients with Paget's disease

In individuals with Paget's disease, the pelvis and upper femur are the areas of the skeleton most frequently involved. Associated deformities and alterations in bone quality can complicate total hip arthroplasty when required for degenerative joint changes, and can compromise outcome. A review of reported series shows that patients with Paget's disease may present unique problems during the preoperative assessment, intraoperative treatment, and postoperative followup. Preoperative determination of disease activity and assessment of the cause of hip symptoms is important. Intraoperatively, deformity such as coxa vara, femoral bowing, acetabular protrusio, and bony enlargement may cause alterations in implant choice or fixation method used and the patient may even require corrective osteotomy. Excessive bleeding and bone quality changes may complicate these efforts additionally. Postoperative problems include heterotopic bone formation, and in those patients in whom the underlying disease is highly active or poorly controlled, rapid postoperative bone resorption is possible. Results of cemented arthroplasty in patients with Paget's disease have been reported as comparable with but slightly worse than the results reported for unselected patients who underwent hip arthroplasty. The long-term results of uncemented implants in patients with Paget's disease remains to be established.

Thirty cases of concurrent Paget's disease and primary hyperparathyroidism: sex distribution, histomorphometry, and prediction of the skeletal response to parathyroidectomy

Studies of the effect of parathyroidectomy (PTX) on bone turnover in patients with the combination of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and Paget's disease (PD) are largely limited to case reports. The etiology of the combination is disputed. We report 30 patients and their biochemical (n = 17) and histomorphometric (n = 4) responses to PTX in 18. All 18 patients except one had a post-PTX fall in plasma alkaline phosphatase (pAP). There was a significant positive correlation between the degree of post-PTX fall in pAP and both the preoperative plasma total corrected calcium (CaC) (P < 0.01) and serum ionized calcium (P < 0.05). For the patients with CaC levels >3.0 mmol/liter, the mean % fall in pAP was 68% of pretreatment (to 32%). For those with CaC levels >/=2.68 mmol/liter the fall in pAP was >18%. Of 12 literature cases treated by PTX and followed up, 11 had a postoperative fall in pAP (range 6-83%). Pretreatment bone biopsies (n = 6) could not be distinguished from uncomplicated PD. No significant histomorphometric changes were documented postoperatively in the four patients studied; however, % fibrotic surfaces declined in each of the four. Of the 18 patients, only one had radiologic subperiosteal erosions preoperatively; none had clinical tetany postoperatively-thus distinguishing this combination of diseases from severe PHPT bone disease-a situation easily biochemically confused with this combination. The sex distribution of 2.75:1 F/M in this series resembles reported ratios in pure PHPT of 2.37:1, unlike the ratios found in pure PD (0.49-1.01:1). The prevalence of PHPT in PD is 2.2-6.0% (mean 4.4%) in 1836 patients. In our series, 73% of patients with both diseases were females >60 years of age. In population studies >60 years, PHPT was present in 3% of women and 1% of men. Hypercalcemia in PD is frequently attributed to immobilization. As part of this study, we examined 184 patients referred with PD for the existence of, and cause of hypercalcemia. Of this group, 21 were hypercalcemic, 19 (90%) of whom had PHPT; none had immobilization hypercalcemia. In patients with both disorders, the indications for PTX should include the potential post-PTX improvement in pagetic biochemistry and symptoms. The sex distribution (resembling pure PHPT) and the similar prevalence of PHPT in Paget's, and in the elderly population, support the likelihood, in most cases, that these two common diseases are associated by chance.

Uncemented total hip arthroplasty in Paget's disease of the hip: a report of 5 cases with 5-year follow-up

Five patients with Paget's disease localized to the acetabulum received cementless acetabular components during total hip replacement. Three were primary surgeries, and 2 were revisions of a failed cemented acetabular component. At an average of 5.8 years (range, 4.8-8.8 years) after the operation, all acetabular components were well fixed radiographically with no migration or loosening. No patients complained of clinical symptoms referable to the acetabular component. No revisions had been performed. The ability of this inherently abnormal bone to proceed through the reparative and remodeling phases of porous ingrowth adds support to the use of uncemented components for acetabular reconstruction in Paget's disease of the hip.

Surgical management of Paget's disease

Orthopedic complications of Paget's disease occur commonly and arise as a result of chronically accelerated bone remodeling in focal regions of the skeleton. Complications include pathologic fractures with delayed union, progressive skeletal deformity, chronic bone pain and pagetic arthritis. The new bisphosphonates have transformed the treatment of Paget's disease in the past decade but have not yet been studied in depth for their ability to prevent orthopaedic complications. Although few patients with Paget's disease ever require surgical intervention, successful operative management of orthopaedic complications has dramatically improved the quality of life for many sufferers. Selected modalities with promising results include total hip replacement for end-stage pagetic arthritis of the hip, total knee replacement for end-stage pagetic arthritis of the knee, proximal tibial osteotomy for painful malalignment of the knees, internal fixation for pathological fractures, and decompressive laminectomy for spinal stenosis. Complications of surgery on pagetic bone include hemorrhage, infection, pathologic fracture, delayed union, nonunion, and aseptic loosening of hardware. Medical, surgical, and rehabilitative modalities provide a wide array of options in managing orthopaedic complications of Paget's disease and are useful in improving quality of life for sufferers of the condition. Prospective studies are needed to assess the ability of antipagetic medications to prevent severe long-term complications such as deformity, arthritis, and malignancy. Localization of susceptibility genes for Paget's disease may accelerate identification of targets for gene therapy and disease prevention.

Surgical management of neoplastic complications of Paget's disease

Pagetic sarcoma is a rare anaplastic malignancy with a peak incidence in the seventh and eighth decades of life; it usually occurs in patients with polyostotic Paget's disease. The most common tumor type is osteosarcoma. In one-third of the cases, presentation is a spontaneous pathologic fracture of an affected long bone. Amputation is the most appropriate form of surgical management in most cases because of the aggressive behavior of the sarcoma and its usually late presentation in this elderly population. However, selected patients with extremity lesions may be managed by pre- and postoperative chemotherapy and wide curative resection with limb salvage reconstruction. It is essential to differentiate pagetic sarcoma from metastatic carcinoma in pagetic bone and from a benign giant cell tumor.

Periprosthetic fracture of the acetabulum during total hip arthroplasty in a patient with Paget's disease

The case of a patient with Paget's disease of the pelvis (acetabulum) who had an intraoperative posterior wall fracture during the insertion of a noncemented acetabular component into an under-reamed acetabular bed of sclerotic Pagetoid bone is reported. This unusual complication has not, to my knowledge, been previously reported. Patients with sclerotic bone, like those with osteoporotic bone, may also be at risk for periprosthetic acetabular fractures when an under-reaming technique is used.

[An attempt to treat loosening of the total hip endoprosthesis in Paget disease with Aredia]

A case history of Paget's disease around the hip is presented from 1977 (intraoperative diagnosis) to 1998. Primary Weller THR as well as revision PM replacement in 1990 failed due to loosening. The use of bisodium pamidronian (Aredia, Ciba-Geigy) allowed for loosening arrest (remission of pain, preservation of extremity length, no further radiological changes) for 4 years. Aredia was well tolerated, side effects were transient and did not required therapy.

Total knee arthroplasty in Paget's disease: technical problems and results

Eleven total knee arthroplasties performed in 10 patients with Paget's disease were reviewed at 2 to 16 years postoperatively. Cemented total knee arthroplasties were performed in all cases. Range of motion improved by 21 degrees postoperatively and the follow-up Knee Society score averaged 83 points. One knee was rated poor with a score <70 points; this knee was the only knee with a loose component. All components resting on pagetic bone had a solid interface on radiographic review at an average of 5.7 years postoperatively. Although technical difficulties are encountered in achieving correct alignment and exposing the knee with local Paget's disease, good long-term outcome can be achieved.

Total knee arthroplasty with the PFC system. Results at a minimum of ten years and survivorship analysis

A consecutive series of 235 total knee arthroplasties using the PFC system was followed prospectively for at least ten years in 186 patients. The operation was for osteoarthritis in 150 knees, for rheumatoid arthritis in 83, and for Paget's disease and femoral osteonecrosis in one knee each. At the latest review 56 patients had died, five were too ill to assess and three could not be traced. The PFC knee replacement utilised was a non-conforming posterior-cruciate-retaining prosthesis with a polyethylene insert which is flat in the sagittal plane. The patella was resurfaced using a metal-backed component in 170 cases, but later in the series we used an all-polyethylene component in 22 knees; 43 patellae were not resurfaced. The survival without need for reoperation for any reason was 90% at ten years. Nineteen revisions were component-related due to failure of nine metal-backed patellae, nine polyethylene inserts, and one unresurfaced patella; two reoperations were for synovectomy (one for recurrent haemarthrosis and one for recurrent rheumatoid synovitis) and three were for metastatic joint infection. There were no revisions for aseptic loosening of femoral or tibial components, or the all-polyethylene patellar replacement. The PFC system provides good and predictable results in tricompartmental arthritis of the knee. Loosening appeared to be negligible, but there were wear-related problems in 8%. The change from a metal-backed patella and an increase in the contact area of the tibial insert should provide further improvement by minimising wear.

The operative management of a malignant proximal humerus tumor represented by secondary Paget's osteosarcoma

PURPOSE

Malignant tumors at the proximal humerus are an operative challenge. Radical removal is a principal of tumor surgery but as much functionality as possible should be retained. These conditions often conflict so a compromise has to be reached. This paper proposes a solution to this dilemma, introducing an operative approach, with a new modular prosthesis, to a secondary Paget's osteosarcoma in the proximal humerus.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A recently developed humerus modular prosthesis is described, which has been implanted into a patient with Paget's osteosarcoma. In these, mostly elderly, patients, successful operative therapy should combine radical removal with early mobilization. Paget's osteosarcoma is a recognized complication of the disease, and its prognosis is poor. In our patient, the implanted humerus prosthesis allowed a limb-saving procedure to be combined with radical removal of the tumor and postoperative early mobilization. A 3-month follow-up yielded good results with no recurrence of the disease and the patient had satisfactory movement. She was able to resume normal daily life shortly after the operation.

CONCLUSION

Implantation of a modular prosthesis of the humerus may allow radical removal of a malignant tumor in that area while achieving early motion. In the literature, amputation is often advocated, as radical treatment with chemotherapy is not a successful option in this elderly patient group. We think the alternative use of a modular prosthesis of the humerus is possible in selected cases. We have encountered no other case in the literature where a limb-saving procedure attempts to preserve as much functionality as possible in Paget's osteosarcoma.

Porous hip replacement in Paget's disease. An 8-2/3-year followup

An 8-year 8-month followup of a now 78-year-old active woman with a painful, severe varus deformity of the femur and arthritis of the right hip associated with monostotic Paget's disease of the hip is presented. Treatment consisted of multiple osteotomies, followed by implantation of a long stemmed cobalt chrome fully coated porous ingrowth hip system. The patient had an excellent outcome, including relief of pain and restoration of excellent function, despite ongoing severe osteolytic changes that did not appear to influence the healing of the osteotomies or the clinical stability of the implant.

Interprosthetic fracture of the femoral shaft

Experience in the management of a complication of ipsilateral hip and knee arthroplasty is described. The cases of four female patients who sustained a femoral shaft fracture after ipsilateral hip and knee arthroplasty are reported. All fractures were treated operatively, and in all cases internal fixation devices failed. This complication of multiple joint arthroplasty presents a difficult management problem. Rigid fixation has a high failure rate for this type of fracture. Surface knee arthroplasty provides a better opportunity for internal fixation than a knee arthroplasty with a stemmed femoral component.

Revision total hip arthroplasty with correctional femoral osteotomy in Paget's disease

Varus alignment of the femoral component is associated with femoral component loosening in total hip arthroplasty performed for Paget's disease. Irregular and hemorrhagic bone, along with angular femoral deformity, was encountered during revision total hip arthroplasty in three pagetic patients. A diaphyseal femoral osteotomy facilitated cement removal and provided an opportunity for correction of the deformity. The step-cut configuration of the osteotomy provided intrinsic rotational stability of the femoral segments around a modular, long-stem cementless implant. Excellent clinical and radiographic results were achieved, but moderate blood loss and delayed healing of the osteotomy site were observed.