Comparison of the results of cemented, porous-ingrowth, and threaded acetabular cup fixation. A meta-analysis of the orthopaedic literature.

A meta-analysis of the orthopaedic literature was performed to evaluate the clinical performance of cementless, threaded acetabular cups. The hypothesis for the study was that the clinical performance of the cementless, threaded acetabular cup is equivalent to that of the cemented and porous-ingrowth acetabular cups. Ninety-five articles were included in the study. There were 1,269 cases in the threaded cup group, 1,979 in the porous control group, and 10,230 in the cemented control group. The primary outcome variable tested was the rate of aseptic loosening of the acetabular components as measured by the revision rates following the index total hip arthroplasty procedure. Other measures of acetabular component loosening that were analyzed included clinical rating scores, pain scores, frequency of radiolucencies according to location and size, frequency of radiolucencies as a separately defined outcome variable, progressive radiolucencies, and component migration. The threaded cup group was found to have a significantly higher rate of revision, clinical and pain score failures, progressive radiolucencies and migrations when compared with the cemented and porous control groups (P < .05). Despite the many limitations of meta-analyses and the poor state of the orthopaedic literature database, this study provides a reasonable comparison of the clinical performance of threaded acetabular cups with that of cemented and porous-ingrowth acetabular cups.

Fixation strengths of patellar tendon-bone grafts.

Secure fixation of bone-patellar tendon-bone grafts is essential to allow early joint mobilization after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery. This study was designed to evaluate four fixation methods of patellar tendon-bone grafts in cadaveric knees. Fifty-one fresh cadaveric patellar tendon-bone specimens were anchored in tibial or femoral metaphyseal bone tunnels. Group I grafts were fixed with Kurosaka interference screws. In Group II the grafts were initially fixed as in Group I, but the screws were then removed, the bone plugs repositioned, and the grafts resecured with screws. In Group III the grafts were anchored with three no. 2 nonabsorbable sutures tied over a screw and washer, whereas in Group IV no. 5 nonabsorbable sutures were used. Each bone specimen was mounted in the biomechanical testing machine, and a vertical tensile load was applied at a strain rate of 51 cm/min until failure of fixation, bone plug fracture, or tendon disruption occurred. The mean force to failure in Groups I, II, III, and IV were 435.0 N, 458.2 N, 454.2 N, and 415.8 N, respectively. There was no significant difference in the force to failure among the four methods of fixation. However, the modes of failure were diverse. In three specimens the Kurosaka screws diverged from the plugs and failed to achieve fixation. These specimens were excluded and will be discussed separately. Although technique-related difficulties may arise, interference screw fixation of patellar tendon-bone grafts affords strong graft fixation--often stronger than the graft itself. Secondary screw fixation appears to be equal in strength to primary screw fixation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Continuous passive motion after internal fixation of distal humerus fractures.

Two patients with severe intra-articular fractures of the distal humerus were treated with internal fixation and postoperative continuous passive motion (CPM) of the elbow. The CPM machine's range of motion was initially set at 30 degrees to 70 degrees of flexion for one patient and 45 degrees to 90 degrees of flexion for the other. The arc of motion was gradually increased daily without discomfort. There was no occurrence of wound complications, nonunion, loss of reduction, heterotopic ossification, or failure of fixation. At last evaluation, both patients had full pronation and supination. One patient had 0 degrees to 135 degrees of elbow flexion, and the other had 30 degrees to 110 degrees. Both patients had pain-free elbows. CPM was found to be a valuable therapeutic modality in the postoperative management of intra-articular fractures of the elbow.

Arthroscopic stabilization procedures for recurrent anterior shoulder instability.

Anterior shoulder instability is a common and functionally disabling problem in young athletes. The goal in treatment of this condition is a stable, yet mobile, joint. Current methods now being utilized in the arthroscopic stabilization of the anterior shoulder include staple capsulorrhaphy, removable rivet capsulorrhaphy, cannulated screw fixation, and the transglenoid suture technique. These techniques and the clinical experience with each are reviewed, with an emphasis on providing stability, improving function, and allowing earlier rehabilitation in the unstable shoulder of the athlete.