How modular porous metal augments have changed the management of acetabular bone loss at primary or revision total hip arthroplasty.

The advent of modular porous metal augments has ushered in a new form of treatment for acetabular bone loss. The function of an augment can be seen as reducing the size of a defect or reconstituting the anterosuperior/posteroinferior columns and/or allowing supplementary fixation. Depending on the function of the augment, the surgeon can decide on the sequence of introduction of the hemispherical shell, before or after the augment. Augments should always, however, be used with cement to form a unit with the acetabular component. Given their versatility, augments also allow the use of a hemispherical shell in a position that restores the centre of rotation and biomechanics of the hip. Progressive shedding or the appearance of metal debris is a particular finding with augments and, with other radiological signs of failure, should be recognized on serial radiographs. Mid- to long-term outcomes in studies reporting the use of augments with hemispherical shells in revision total hip arthroplasty have shown rates of survival of > 90%. However, a higher risk of failure has been reported when augments have been used for patients with chronic pelvic discontinuity.

Evaluation and Management of Acetabular Bone Loss in Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty: A 10-year Update.

Acetabular bone loss continues to be one of the most complex and challenging scenarios facing the orthopaedic surgeon. Preoperative planning and classification systems essentially have remained the same, with the Paprosky classification still being the most commonly used. Careful radiological assessment with well-defined criteria can accurately diagnose acetabular bone loss patterns with an associated chronic pelvic discontinuity before surgery. The use of cemented reconstruction techniques has declined, and contemporary practice trends have involved the increasing use of highly porous hemispherical shells in conjunction with modular porous metal augments, which can successfully treat most acetabular revisions. Noncemented treatment options for the management of acetabular bone loss during revision include conventional porous/modular highly porous hemispherical implants, nonmodular highly porous implants with cementable acetabular liners, cup-cage reconstruction, oblong cups, and triflange reconstruction. These options can be combined with modular porous metal augments, structural allografts, impaction grafting, or reconstruction cages. Acetabular distraction is a newer technique for chronic pelvic discontinuity, which is used in conjunction with off-the-shelf revision acetabular shells and modular porous metal augments. This review is an update over the past decade, highlighting studies with mid to long-term follow-up, and presents the advantages, disadvantages, and principles associated with each of the most commonly used reconstructive techniques.

What does a department need to get involved in clinical trials?

Clinical trials are conducted to evaluate the usefulness of a drug, medical treatment, surgical intervention, radiological procedure, behavioral intervention, or preventive health care strategy. Clinical trials are challenging, time-consuming, and need careful planning and execution. There are certain requirements for an academic unit to be ready for conducting quality research, especially clinical trials. These include logistical concerns, infrastructure, appropriately trained human resources, conformity with ethical compliances and regulatory compliances as per the laws governing the respective geographical regions. Infrastructure requirements include research division space, robust data archival system, archival of imaging data, laboratory services, information technology division and facilities for the appropriate consenting process. Human resources such as principal investigators, data managers, clinical research assistants and biostatisticians are needed to execute the clinical trial as per the study design. Adherence to ethical and regulatory standards; during the conduct of the clinical trial are imperative. Strict compliance with prevailing governing laws in the country is a prerequisite for a department to get involved in clinical trials. The department also needs to put in place an institutional ethics committee; the composition of which is often governed by regulatory laws. The ethical aspects of the trial undergo a formal scrutiny by an Institute ethics committee that ensures quality care to the patient, and safeguards the patient's rights and privileges. The academic unit of any department forms the core for possible research and pursuit of clinical trials. A department with rich clinical experience and expertise in the filed aids in the execution of quality research. The academic department must consider grant writing and multiple center collaborative research projects in due course of time to further enhance the quality of clinical trials and research output.

A Novel Technique for the Surgical Management of Chronic Lateral Epicondylitis.

Lateral epicondylitis is the most common condition affecting the elbow and is self-limiting in most cases. However, when conservative treatment fails, surgery is required for resistant cases. In this study, we describe a novel technique for the management of chronic lateral epicondylitis. The advantage of our technique is that all the 3 major components of the disease (as also all types of failure described by Morrey) are simultaneously dealt with, that is, pathology of the tendon, posterior interosseous nerve compression and intra-articular pathology are all addressed. We prospectively reviewed 14 consecutive cases of resistant lateral epicondylitis operated with our technique at our Institute from 2008 to 2013 with a minimum 2 years follow up. We included patients between 18 and 65 years of age who in addition to lateral epicondylitis also had an intra-articular pathology along with symptoms/signs suggestive of posterior interosseous nerve compression and had undergone a conservative trial of atleast 12 months. Excluded were those cases with localized infection and severe ankylosis, whereas previous surgery on the same elbow was a relative contraindication. Postoperatively all patients showed improvement in the VAS score and grip strength. Twelve of the 14 patients (85.7%) in our series had good to excellent functional outcomes on the Mayo Elbow Performance Index. This technique can therefore be recommended for wider surgical use; however, prospective randomized studies with a longer follow-up would add further evidence about the effectiveness of our technique.

Parosteal Osteosarcoma of the Distal Radius Mimicking an Osteochondroma-A Diagnostic Misadventure.

We present a case of a parosteal osteosarcoma mimicking an osteochondroma with atypical clinical features, radiographic findings, and histological examination. This report serves to exemplify the importance of recognizing the similarities between these 2 entities and other peculiar features that will help to differentiate between sessile osteochondromas and parosteal osteosarcomas, to prevent misdiagnosis.