The Journal of arthroplasty
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Bone ingrowth into uncemented acetabular components requires intimate cup-bone contact and rigid fixation, which can be difficult to achieve in revision hip arthroplasty. This study compares polyaxial compression locking screws with non-locked and cancellous screw constructs for acetabular cup fixation. An acetabular cup modified with screw holes to provide both compression and angular stability was implanted into a bone substitute. ⋯ Polyaxial locking compression screws significantly improved construct stiffness compared with non-locked or cancellous screws. This increased construct stiffness will likely reduce interfacial micromotion. Further research is required to determine whether this will improve bone ingrowth in vivo and reduce cup failure.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Patients respond similarly to paper and electronic versions of the WOMAC and SF-12 following total joint arthroplasty.
The purpose of this study was to determine agreement between responses on electronic and paper versions of the WOMAC and SF-12(v2) questionnaires following total hip and total knee arthroplasty. Patients completed both electronic and paper questionnaires with a one week interval in-between. ⋯ The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were high, indicating excellent agreement (WOMAC ICC = 0.96, 95% CI 0.94-0.98), SF-12 (PCS) ICC = 0.95, 95% CI 0.92-0.97; SF-12 (MCS) ICC = 0.92, 95%CI 0.86-0.95). Online data collection may be substituted for the traditional paper method with no significant effect on the criterion validity of the questionnaires.
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Due to the well-documented problems surrounding metal-on-metal bearings, the use of hip resurfacing has declined. Since the potential benefits of hip resurfacing remain desirable, it may be beneficial to investigate the long-term outcome of hip resurfacings using metal-on-polyethylene in the 1980's. ⋯ While acetabular loosening was absent, a high incidence of femoral failures (femoral loosening = 18.1%, osteolytic neck fracture = 21%) occurred despite using the same ingrowth surface for both components. Ongoing developments using the lessons learned from these previous generation components and utilizing modern low wear materials, e.g., cross-linked polyethylene, may lead to improved implants for future hip resurfacings.
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Mechanically assisted crevice corrosion (MACC) at metal/metal modular junctions in which at least one of the components is fabricated from cobalt-chromium alloy, has reemerged as a potential clinically significant complication in total hip arthroplasty. The clinical manifestation of MACC may include the development of an adverse local tissue reaction (ALTR), similar to what has been described in association with metal-on-metal bearing total hip and resurfacing arthroplasty. The clinical presentation of MACC-associated ALTRs may include pain and possibly late recurrent dislocations. Abnormal metal artifact reduction sequence magnetic resonance images and elevated serum metal levels (cobalt elevations out of proportion to chromium elevations) can be helpful in the diagnosis of these MACC-associated ALTRs.
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Previous studies have demonstrated no significant difference in overall functional outcomes of patients discharged to a sub acute setting versus home with health services after total joint arthroplasty. These findings coupled with pressure to reduce health care costs and the implementation of a prospective payment system under Medicare have supported the use of home rehabilitation services and the trend towards earlier discharge after hospitalization. ⋯ Our study demonstrated patients discharged home with health services had a significantly lower 30 day readmission rate compared to those discharged to inpatient rehab facilities. Patients discharged to rehab facilities have a higher incidence of comorbidity and this association could be responsible for their higher rate of readmission.