Are percutaneous epiphysiodesis and Phemister technique effective in the treatment of leg-length discrepancy? A systematic review.

Epiphysiodesis is considered the preferred treatment for children predicted to have leg length discrepancies (LLDs) 2-5 cm at maturity. The aim of this study was to systematically review the existing literature on the effectiveness of permanent epiphysiodesis for LLD treatment, and secondarily to address the reported complications of permanent epiphysiodesis techniques. This systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. We searched MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Scopus for studies on skeletally immature patients with LLD treated with permanent epiphysiodesis. The extracted outcome categories were effectiveness of epiphysiodesis (LLD measurements pre/post-operatively, successful/unsuccessful), physeal fusion/arrest, and complications that were graded on severity. Forty-nine studies (3051 patients) were included, 1550 underwent Phemister/modified Phemister epiphysiodesis and 1501 percutaneous epiphysiodesis (PE). Total successful permanent epiphysiodesis surgeries (16 studies) were 73.7% (516/700). Only 13 out of 23 studies had a mean final LLD of less than 1.5 cm. In total, 17.5% (513/2936) of complications were reported. 57 angular deformities were reported (1.9%). Phemister technique had higher percentage of complications (39%) than PE (19.1%) in total, but when failure to achieve adequate reduction in LLD was not included, complication rates for both were close to 14%. However, severe complications were 10.2% for Phemister group and 5.1% for PE. The high complication rates and the relative low success rate call for optimization of the timing and the applied techniques when treating LLD with permanent epiphysiodesis. Phemister technique was found to have higher percentage of severe complications than PE. Registration: PROSPERO (CRD42023435177).

The anatomical location of cystic pseudotumors and muscle atrophy in metal-on-metal resurfacing hip arthroplasty is related to the surgical approach used for implantation. A subgroup analyses of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Pseudotumors and muscle atrophy have been associated with metal-on-metal (MoM) resurfacing hip arthroplasty (RHA). We aimed to investigate the influence of the anterolateral (AntLat) and the posterior (Post) surgical approach on the location, grade and prevalence of pseudotumors and muscle atrophy in MoM RHA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-nine patients were randomized to MoM RHA by the AntLat (n = 25) or the Post (n = 24) approach at Aarhus University Hospital. Patients underwent metal artifact reduction sequence (MARS) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for investigation of location, grade and prevalence of pseudotumors and muscle atrophy. Plain radiographs, metal-ions concentrations and clinical outcome scores were evaluated to compare outcomes of the surgical approaches. RESULTS: MRI-detected pseudotumors were seen in 7 of 18 patients (39%) in the AntLat group and in 12 of 22 patients (55%) in the Post group (p = 0.33). Pseudotumors were mainly located anterolaterally to the hip joint in the AntLat group and postero-lateral to the hip joint in the Post group. Higher grades of muscle atrophy of the caudal part of the gluteus medius and minimus (p < 0.004) were seen in the AntLat group, and higher grades of muscle atrophy of the small external rotators were seen in the Post group (p < 0.001). The AntLat group had higher anteversion angles of mean 15.3° (range 6.1-7.5) versus mean 11.5° (range 4.9-22.5) in the Post group (p = 0.02). Metal-ion concentrations and clinical outcome scores were similar between groups (p > 0.08). CONCLUSION: Muscle atrophy and pseudotumor location after MoM RHA follow the surgical approach used for implantation. This knowledge may help differentiate between "normal postoperative appearance" and "MoM disease."

Ten-year comparison of two different techniques for femoral bone cavity preparation-broaching versus compaction in patients with cementless total hip arthroplasty : a randomized radiostereometric study of 30 total hip arthroplasties in 15 patients operated bilaterally.

AIMS: Femoral bone preparation using compaction technique has been shown to preserve bone and improve implant fixation in animal models. No long-term clinical outcomes are available. There are no significant long-term differences between compaction and broaching techniques for primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) in terms of migration, clinical, and radiological outcomes. METHODS: A total of 28 patients received one-stage bilateral primary THA with cementless femoral stems (56 hips). They were randomized to compaction on one femur and broaching on the contralateral femur. Overall, 13 patients were lost to the ten-year follow-up leaving 30 hips to be evaluated in terms of stem migration (using radiostereometry), radiological changes, Harris Hip Score, Oxford Hip Score, and complications. RESULTS: Over a mean follow-up period of 10.6 years, the mean stem subsidence was similar between groups, with a mean of -1.20 mm (95% confidence interval (CI) -2.28 to -0.12) in the broaching group and a mean of -0.73 mm (95% CI -1.65 to 0.20) in the compaction group (p = 0.07). The long-term migration patterns of all stems were similar. The clinical and radiological outcomes were similar between groups. There were two intraoperative fractures in the compaction group that were fixed with cable wire and healed without complications. No stems were revised. CONCLUSION: Similar stem subsidence and radiological and clinical outcomes were identified after the use of compaction and broaching techniques of the femur at long-term follow-up. Only the compaction group had intraoperative periprosthetic femur fractures, but there were no long-term consequences of these. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(12):1035-1042.

The correlation between activity level, serum-ion concentrations and pseudotumours in patients with metal-on-metal hip articulations and metal-on-polyethylene total hip articulations.

PURPOSE: Young and physically active patients have mainly received metal-on-metal (MoM) total hip arthroplasty (THA) and resurfacing hip arthroplasty (RHA). However, the correlation between daily physical activity (PA) levels, serum-ion concentrations of chromium and cobalt and pseudotumours formation of patients who underwent MoM THA/RHA is insufficiently explored. METHODS: Ninety-nine patients with 134 hip articulations, 71 MoM THA/RHA and 63 MoP THA participated in a cross-sectional study at XXX University Hospital, Denmark, at mean 7.3 (range: 0.4-21.7) years after surgery. Patients' daily PA was monitored during a two-week period using a triaxial accelerometer. Metal artefact reduction sequence magnetic resonance imaging scans, estimation of serum-ion concentrations of chromium and cobalt and the Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS) questionnaire were completed on Day 14. RESULTS: Patients with a pseudotumour who underwent MoM THA/RHA had a higher average cadence of median 101.4 [interquartile range (IQR: 95.5-105)] steps/min than patients without a pseudotumor, median 96.7 (IQR: 92.2-103) steps/min (p = 0.02). Serum-ion concentrations of chromium and cobalt were higher in patients with a pseudotumour who underwent MoM THA/RHA, median 2.57 (IQR: 1.4-3.4) µg/L and 1.80 (IQR: 1.2-2.6) µg/L, respectively, than in patients without a pseudotumour, median 1.85 (IQR: 1.1-3.2) µg/L and 1.34 (IQR: 0.9-2.2) µg/L in MoM THA/RHA (p = 0.04 and p = 0.03). There was no statistical difference in these parameters between patients with and without a pseudotumour who underwent MoP THA. Daily PA levels of patients who underwent MoM THA/RHA were significantly correlated with serum-ion concentrations of chromium (p = 0.0002, r = 0.44) and cobalt (p = 0.005, r = 0.34), whereas no correlations were seen among patients who underwent MoP THA (p > 0.12). CONCLUSION: The daily PA level of patients who underwent MoM THA/RHA influences the serum-ion concentrations of chromium and cobalt and the risk of pseudotumour formation. TRANSLATIONAL POTENTIAL OF THIS ARTICLE: Results of this article add important knowledge on potential recommendations of prosthesis selection for patients with a high level of physical activity.

Higher Prevalence of Mixed or Solid Pseudotumors in Metal-on-Polyethylene Total Hip Arthroplasty Compared With Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Arthroplasty and Resurfacing Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Pseudotumors are a common finding in metal-on-metal (MoM) total hip arthroplasty (THA) and resurfacing hip arthroplasty (RHA). However, information on pseudotumors in metal-on-polyethylene (MoP) THA is limited. METHODS: One hundred eleven patients with 148 hip articulations-30 MoM THA, 47 MoM RHA, and 71 MoP THA-participated in a cross-sectional study at mean 7.1 (range: 0.2-21.5) years postoperatively. Patients were evaluated with metal artifact reducing sequence magnetic resonance imaging, measurements of metal ions, clinical scores of Harris Hip Score, Oxford Hip Score, the Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score, and conventional radiographs. RESULTS: Pseudotumors were present in 13 of 30 (43%) MoM THA, 13 of 47 (28%) MoM RHA, and 29 of 71 (41%) MoP THA patients, which was a similar prevalence (P = .10). The prevalence of mixed or solid pseudotumors was significantly higher in patients with MoP THA (n = 10) compared to MoM THA (n = 3) and MoM THA (n = 0), (P = .01). Hips with a mixed or solid pseudotumor had significantly poorer scores of Harris Hip Score (P = .01) and OHS (P = .002) and higher metal ion levels of cobalt (P = .0009) compared to hips without a pseudotumor or with a cystic pseudotumor. CONCLUSION: Pseudotumors have primarily been associated with MoM hip articulations, but we found a similar pseudotumor prevalence in MoP THA, which is the most common bearing worldwide. Mixed or solid pseudotumors were more often seen in MoP THA compared with MoM hip articulations, and patients with a mixed or solid pseudotumor had poorer clinical scores and higher metal ion levels than patients without a pseudotumor or with a cystic pseudotumor.

No association between pseudotumors, high serum metal-ion levels and metal hypersensitivity in large-head metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty at 5-7-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between metal wear debris, pseudotumor formation and metal hypersensitivity is complex and not completely understood. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of pseudotumor formation in a consecutive series of metal-on-metal (MoM) total hip arthroplasty (THA) and to investigate its relationship to serum metal-ion levels and hypersensitivity to metal. METHODS: Forty-one patients (31 males), mean age 52 (28-68) years, with a total of 49 large-head MoM THA participated in a 5-7-year follow-up study. Patients underwent ultrasonography, serum metal-ion concentrations were measured, metal allergy and atopic dermatitis were evaluated, and the questionnaires of the Oxford Hip Score (OHS), Harris Hip Score (HHS) and the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) were completed. RESULTS: Pseudotumors were found in eight patients, but they were asymptomatic and their serum metal-ion levels were similar to those observed in patients with no pseudotumors (p > 0.36). The capsule-stem distance of mean 8.6 mm (SD 3.82, 95% CI: 5.40-11.79) was wider (p = 0.02) in patients with pseudotumours than in patients without pseudotumors of mean 5.6 mm (SD 2.89, 95% CI: 4.68-6.58). Positive patch test reactions were seen in three patients. Higher serum metal-ion levels of chromium and cobalt were significantly correlated with steeper cup inclination and smaller femoral head sizes, and were associated with female gender (p < 0.04). CONCLUSION: We found no association between pseudotumor formation, serum metal-ion levels, metal patch test reactivity, and atopic dermatitis. However, clinicians should be aware of asymptomatic pseudotumors, and we advise further exploration into the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of pseudotumors.

No association between serum metal ions and implant fixation in large-head metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The mechanism of failure of metal-on-metal (MoM) total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been related to a high rate of metal wear debris, which is partly generated from the head-trunnion interface. However, it is not known whether implant fixation is affected by metal wear debris. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 49 cases of MoM THA in 41 patients (10 women) with a mean age of 52 (28-68) years were followed with stereoradiographs after surgery and at 1, 2, and 5 years to analyze implant migration by radiostereometric analysis (RSA). Patients also participated in a 5- to 7-year follow-up with measurement of serum metal ions, questionnaires (Oxford hip score (OHS) and Harris hip score (HHS)), and measurement of cup and stem positions and systemic bone mineral density. RESULTS: At 1-2 years, mean total translation (TT) was 0.04 mm (95% CI: -0.07 to 0.14; p = 0.5) for the stems; at 2-5 years, mean TT was 0.13 mm (95% CI: -0.25 to -0.01; p = 0.03), but within the precision limit of the method. For the cups, there was no statistically significant TT or total rotation (TR) at 1-2 and 2-5 years. At 2-5 years, we found 4 cups and 5 stems with TT migrations exceeding the precision limit of the method. There was an association between cup migration and total OHS < 40 (4 patients, 4 hips; p = 0.04), but there were no statistically significant associations between cup or stem migration and T-scores < -1 (n = 10), cup and stem positions, or elevated serum metal ion levels (> 7µg/L (4 patients, 6 hips)). INTERPRETATION: Most cups and stems were well-fixed at 1-5 years. However, at 2-5 years, 4 cups and 5 stems had TT migrations above the precision limits, but these patients had serum metal ion levels similar to those of patients without measurable migrations, and they were pain-free. Patients with serum metal ion levels > 7 µg/L had migrations similar to those in patients with serum metal ion levels < 7 µg/L. Metal wear debris does not appear to influence the fixation of hip components in large-head MoM articulations at medium-term follow-up.

[Pseudotumour in metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty]. / Pseudotumor ved metal-metal-hofteprotese.

Pseudotumours are sterile inflammatory lesions that can be found in soft tissues surrounding metal-on-metal and more rare metal-on-polyethylene hip arthroplasties. They may cause local tissue and bone destruction and necessitate revision surgery. The pathogenesis of these lesions remain unclear; however, cups in an adverse position lead to high metal ion levels which is associated with pseudotumours. The prodromal symptom of pseudotumour is persistent inguinal pain, but lesions may also be silent. All patients with MoM hip arthroplasties should be monitored according to the national recommendations.