Relationship of the Pelvic-Trochanteric Index with greater trochanteric pain syndrome

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to correlate a higher Pelvic-Trochanteric Index (PTI) with an increased varus of the femoral neck with greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS). The secondary objective was to check whether the pelvic width changes with age. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted to compare female patients diagnosed with GTPS (case group) with asymptomatic female participants (control group) from March 2011 to June 2017. On an anteroposterior pelvic radiograph, lines were drawn by two radiologists, and the PTI (ratio of the distance between the greater trochanters and distance between the iliac crests) was defined and the femoral neck-shaft angle was measured. RESULTS: Data collected based on radiographs of 182 female patients (cases) and 150 female participants (controls) showed that the mean PTI was 1.09 (SD=0.01) in the case group and 1.07 (SD=0.01) in the control group (p<0.05), regardless of age. The distance between iliac crests increased with age (p<0.05) in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. It was also found that the mean femoral neck-shaft angle was 130.6° (SD=0.59) and progression of the varus angulation occurred with age in both groups, with a significance level of 5%. CONCLUSIONS: The PTI was higher in patients with GTPS. The femoral neck-shaft angle does not differ between individuals with and without GTPS; however, it does decrease with age. The pelvic width tends to increase with aging in symptomatic or asymptomatic individuals; therefore, the increase in the pelvic width and decrease in the femoral neck-shaft angle can be interpreted as normal in aging women, which could alter the biomechanics of the hips and pelvis.

Morphofunctional and ultrastructural evaluation of hip joint development in human fetuses / Evaluación morfofuncional y ultraestructural del desarrollo de la articulación de la cadera en fetos humanos

SUMMARY: The normal sequential development of the hip joint (HJ) was considered for the evaluation of the morphological and ultrastructural aspects of the joint cartilage of the proximal femoral head epiphysis in human fetuses between 16 to 31 weeks of intra uterine life (IUL). Twenty human fetuses were fixed in 10 % formalin solution. Fetuses were divided into 4 groups (n=5): Group 1 (G1): 16-19 weeks IUL; Group 2 (G2): 20-23 weeks IUL; Group 3 (G3): 24-27 weeks IUL and Group 4 (G4): 28-31 weeks IUL. The right moieties of the HJ were subjected to light microscopy to determine the chondrocyte area, volume, and density and the extracellular matrix (ECM) density. The collagen component in ECM was qualitatively evaluated using Safranin-O and picrosirius techniques under polarized light. The left portions were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The advance of age revealed a gradual increase in chondrocyte area and volume and in ECM density, and a decrease in chondrocyte density. The apparent prevalence of type II collagen fibers in G1 and type III collagen fibers in G4, as well as a balance between type I and III collagen fibers in G2 and G3 suggest a process of cartilaginous evolution and repair. The pantographic organization of the collagen fiber meshes from the depth to the cartilage surface of the femoral head suggests that the arcade collagen network architecture starts at the fetal stage, regardless of the compressive forces applied. The morphological data may contribute not only to a better understanding of the maturation and cartilage organization in this area but also to serve as a theoretical basis for aspects related to diseases and joint malformations.

RESUMEN: El desarrollo secuencial normal de la articulación de la cadera (AC) se consideró para la evaluación de los aspectos morfológicos y ultraestructurales del cartílago articular de la epífisis proximal y de la cabeza femoral en fetos humanos entre 16 y 31 semanas de vida intrauterina (SVIU). Veinte fetos humanos fueron fijados en solución de formalina al 10 %. Los fetos se dividieron en 4 grupos (n = 5): Grupo 1 (G1), 1619 semanas de IUL; Grupo 2 (G2), 20-23 semanas SVIU; Grupo 3 (G3), 24-27 semanas SVIU y Grupo 4 (G4), 28-31 semanas SVIU. Las muestras derechas de la AC se sometieron a microscopía óptica para determinar el área, el volumen y la densidad de los condrocitos y la densidad de la matriz extracelular (MEC). El componente de colágeno en la MEC se evaluó cualitativamente utilizando técnicas de safranina-O y picrosirius bajo luz polarizada. Las muestras de la AC izquierda se analizaron utilizando microscopía electrónica de barrido (MEB). El avance de la edad reveló un aumento gradual en el área y el volumen de los condrocitos y en la densidad de la MEB, y una disminución en la densidad de los condrocitos. La aparente prevalencia de las fibras de colágeno tipo II en G1 y tipo III en G4, así como el equilibrio entre las fibras de colágeno tipo I y III en G2 y G3 sugieren un proceso de evolución y reparación cartilaginosa. La organización pantográfica de las mallas de fibra de colágeno desde la profundidad a la superficie del cartílago de la cabeza femoral sugiere que la arquitectura de la red de colágeno comienza en la etapa fetal, independientemente de las fuerzas compresivas aplicadas. Los datos morfológicos pueden contribuir no solo a una mejor comprensión de la organización de la maduración y el cartílago en esta área, sino también servir de base teórica para los aspectos relacionados con enfermedades y malformaciones articulares.

Artroscopia de quadril / Hip arthroscopy

A artroscopia de quadril é um método seguro para o tratamento de diversas patologias desconhecidas até a última década. O impacto femoroacetabular é a patologia mais comum e com melhores resultados quando tratada precocemente. O instrumental e a técnica cirúrgica da artroscopia de quadril continuam em evolução. Novas indicações de artroscopia de quadril vem sendo estudadas, como o tratamento das lesões do ligamento redondo, capsulorrafia nas instabilidades, dissecação do nervo ciático e reparo de lesões dos músculos glúteos (lesões do manguito rotador do quadril), porém ainda com reprodutibilidade discutível. A taxa de complicações é baixa e resultados cada vez melhores e com menor número de complicações devem ser esperados com a progressão da curva de aprendizado.

Hip arthroscopy is a safe method for treating a variety of pathological conditions that were unknown until a decade ago. Femoroacetabular impingement is the commonest of these pathological conditions and the one with the best results when treated early on. The instruments and surgical technique for hip arthroscopy continue to evolve. New indications for hip arthroscopy has been studied as the ligamentum teres injuries, capsular repair in instabilities, dissection of the sciatic nerve and repair of gluteal muscles tears (injuries to the hip rotator cuff), although still with debatable reproducibility. The complication rate is low, and ever-better results with fewer complications should be expected with the progression of the learning curve.

Anterograde removal of broken femoral nails without opening the nonunion site: a new technique

OBJECTIVE: We describe a new technique for removing the distal fragments of broken intramedullary femoral nails without disturbing the nonunion site. METHODS: This technique involves the application of an AO distractor prior to the removal of the nail fragments, with subsequent removal of the proximal nail fragment in an anterograde fashion and removal of the distal fragment through a medial parapatellar approach. Impaction of the fracture site is then performed with a nail that is broader than the remaining fragmented material. RESULTS: Nails were removed from five patients using the technique described above without any complications. After a mean follow-up period of 61.8 months, none of these patients showed worsened knee osteoarthritis. CONCLUSION: The original technique described in this article allows surgeons to remove the distal fragment of fractured femoral intramedullary nails without opening the nonunion focus or using special surgical instruments.

Estudo comparativo do tratamento das artroplastias infectadas do quadril sem e com o uso do espaçador de cimento com antibiótico / Prospective study of the treatment of chronically infected hip replacements with and without the use of an antibioticloaded acrylic cement spacer

Em um estudo prospectivo sobre o tratamento das artroplastias de quadril infectadas, com perdas ósseas e fístulas ativas, 25 pacientes foram tratados em dois tempos e 36 pacientes foram tratados em dois tempos com espaçador de cimento impregnado com vancomicina. O acompanhamento médio foi de dois anos e onze meses. A taxa de recidiva infecciosa foi de 29,2 por cento nos tratados em dois tempos e de 8,8 por cento nos tratados com espaçador. O Escore de Harris para Quadril médio passou de 19,3 para 69,0 pontos nos casos tratados em dois tempos e de 19,7 para 72,2 pontos nos pacientes tratados com espaçador. Ao final do estudo, 86,1 por cento dos tratados com espaçador e em 33,3 por cento dos tratados em dois tempos tinham próteses em bom funcionamento e sem infecção. O espaçador de cimento com antibiótico é o tratamento de escolha nas próteses infectadas de quadril/We report a prospective study of 61 patients with chronically deep infected hip replacements with actively discharging sinuses, treated with a two-stage revision protocol, with and without a cement spacer impregnated with vancomycin. The average follow-up was two years and eleven months. Twenty-five patients were treated without a spacer and seven had recurrence of infection. Thirty-three patients were treated with a spacer and three had recurrence of infection. The average Harris Hip score increased from 19,3 to 69,0 on the non-spacer patients and from 19,7 to 75,2 on the spacer group. At the end of the study, the success rate was 86,1 per cent for the spacer group and 33,3 per cent for the non-spacer group. The use of the spacer increased the results of the two-stage chronic infected hip replacements...

Trombose venosa profunda em artroplastia total de quadril / Deep venous thrombosis in total hip arthroplasty

Total hip arthroplasty is a common surgical procedure in a population with the organic frailty of aging. Deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism are the more common and dangerous complications of this procedure. Therefore, surgeon knowledge of diagnosis, prevention and treatment of these complications is mandatory both technically and ethically. The authors make a descriptive and critical revision of the literature regarding the most recent acquisitions in diagnosid, prevention, and treatment of these complications