The midterm results of a cohort study of patellofemoral arthroplasty from a non-designer centre using an asymmetric trochlear prosthesis.

PURPOSE: Patellofemoral arthroplasty (PFA) prosthesis with asymmetric trochlear component was introduced as an improvement from existing designs for surgical treatment of symptomatic isolated patellofemoral arthritis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate midterm results in patients who underwent PFA procedure using such prosthesis. METHODS: Our study involved a continuous retrospective cohort of patients who underwent PFA using Journey PFA prosthesis with an asymmetric trochlear component, performed between June 2007 and July 2016 at a non-designer centre. The Patient Reported Outcome Measures and patient satisfaction questionnaires were collected for final evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 103 PFA performed on 79 patients were evaluated. Median age at the time of surgery was 58years (range 42 to 78years); the mean follow-up period was 6 years (range 2 to 11years). Four knees were revised to Total Knee Arthroplasty for reasons not related to the implant. The cumulative survival estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method was 94.3% (95% confidence interval: 88.4%-100%). There were statistically significant improvements in functional outcome scores. CONCLUSION: This series of patients who underwent PFA with the asymmetric trochlear component has shown promising mid-term results with no implant-related complications.

Long term results of the Toefit-Plus replacement for first metatarsophalangeal joint arthritis.

Hallux rigidus is osteoarthritis affecting the metatarsophalangeal joint of the first toe. Patients often complain of pain and stiffness with pain being aggravated by walking, particularly during toe-off in the gait cycle. Osteoarthritis of the metatarsophalangeal joint is commonly treated with arthrodesis or resection arthroplasty. Metallic replacement of this joint is used sometimes but is not widely accepted. The use of silastic joints has problems with synovitis and implant failure. The authors used titanium implants, which can be screwed into the metatarsal and phalanx, allowing good fixation without the use of bone cement. Release of the tight plantar capsule and tissues is necessary to achieve better range of movement and correct implant positioning. Fifty five cases of arthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint were treated surgically with Toefit-Plus™ joint replacement. The implant consists of both metatarsal and phalangal components and a fixed-bearing polyethylene insert. All patients had a release of tight soft tissues on the plantar side. Follow up occurred at 84 to 144 months after surgery (mean of 134 months), and the results showed increasing numbers of implant failures and revisions (21%) of Toefit-Plus™ implants. 47 patients were available for review. Twenty four (51%) out of 47 patients reported satisfactory results with Toefit-Plus™ arthroplasty. Ten of these patients (21%) had removal of implants and further surgical procedures were needed due to implant failure. Eleven (23%) out of 47 patients still complained of pain despite having joint replacement with the Toefit-Plus ™ implant. There is a high rate of complications with the Toefit-Plus™ implant resulting in revision surgery. Patients should have the risks associated with arthroplasty clearly explained, including the risk of revision, and the option of arthrodesis should be discussed when planning surgery. Further trials and redesign of implants may help to improve results. The authors would not recommend the Toefit-Plus™ implant due to poor results seen in one third of patients.