W. Y. Kim

In cementless revision total hip arthroplasty (THA), achieving initial implant stability and maximising host bone contact is key to the success of reconstruction. Porous tantalum acetabular shells may represent an improvement from conventional porous coated uncemented cups in revision acetabular reconstruction associated with severe acetabular bone defects. We reviewed the results of 46 acetabular revisions with Paprosky 2 and 3 acetabular bone defects done with a hemispheric, tantalum acetabular shell and multiple supplementary screws. At a mean follow-up of 40 (24-51) months, one acetabular shell had been revised in a patient with a Paprosky 3B defect. Cementless acetabular revision with the tantalum acetabular shell demonstrated excellent early clinical and radiographic results and warrants further evaluation in revision acetabular reconstruction associated with severe acetabular bone defects.

In cementless revision total hip arthroplasty (THA), achieving initial implant stability and maximising host bone contact is key to the success of reconstruction. Porous tantalum acetabular shells may represent an improvement from conventional porous coated uncemented cups in revision acetabular reconstruction associated with severe acetabular bone defects. We reviewed the results of 46 acetabular revisions with Paprosky 2 and 3 acetabular bone defects done with a hemispheric, tantalum acetabular shell and multiple supplementary screws. At a mean follow-up of 40 (24–51) months, one acetabular shell had been revised in a patient with a Paprosky 3B defect. Cementless acetabular revision with the tantalum acetabular shell demonstrated excellent early clinical and radiographic results and warrants further evaluation in revision acetabular reconstruction associated with severe acetabular bone defects.

INTRODUCTION: Increasing subspecialisation, the introduction of reforms to surgical training, centralisation of hospitals and the reduction of working hours brought about by the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) has direct implications on the training of surgeons in the UK. The aim of this study was to determine the range and number of procedures performed for paediatric orthopaedic fractures, degree of supervision and possible implications for training. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of procedures for paediatric orthopaedic fractures performed in a district general hospital in a year was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 210 paediatric fracture procedures were performed, including 99 distal radius/ulna procedures, 28 shaft radius/ulna, 25 supracondylar procedures, 15 hand fracture procedures, 14 tibial shaft procedures. Middle grade/registrars and senior house officers performed 188 (89.5%) of all procedures. Consultant supervision was documented in 29 (13.8%) of all procedures performed. The number and type of common, as well as unusual, injuries was documented. The educational value of a training post may only be confirmed by reliable data which would provide an indication of operative opportunities and degree of supervision available to a trainee. CONCLUSIONS: This study provided a model upon which all operative training opportunities in the orthopaedic department is documented. It is suggested that such data should form the basis of the establishment of training posts within a region. To maintain the high standard of orthopaedic training in the UK, the maintenance of such posts, number of trainees and seniority of trainees appointed to any hospital within a training region should be on the basis of data such as reported in this study.

Excessive acetabular cover secondary to a retroverted acetabulum causes pincer impingement, which may cause early osteoarthritis of the hip. Our aim was to determine if there was a relationship between acetabular version and osteoarthritis of the hip. Using image processing and analysis software we studied 117 CT images of the hip in patients aged less than 65 years who had undergone a CT virtual colonoscopy. The mean CT joint space of the 18 hips with acetabular retroversion was narrower compared with the 99 hips with normal acetabular alignment (p < 0.0001). A correlation of r = 0.46 (p < 0.01) was found between right hip acetabular version and the mean right hip joint space and of r = 0.31 (p = 0.02) between left hip acetabular version and the mean left hip joint space. Acetabular retroversion is associated with radiological evidence of osteoarthritis of the hip. An understanding of the mechanical basis of osteoarthritis of the hip allows early treatment of the underlying structural abnormality and prevents progression of the degenerative condition.

The ABG I uncemented hip prosthesis has demonstrated an unacceptably high failure rate and poor functional outcome in our patients. A prospective review was performed of 38 implanted hips with a mean follow-up of 11 years. Sixteen hips have been revised or are candidates for revision hip surgery, due principally to polyethylene wear and pelvic osteolysis. Contributing factors were likely to be the poor wear characteristics of the polyethylene liners—which were gamma irradiated in air—and the thinness of these liners. Of further concern were the poor pain and function scores in the remaining hips [mean Harris Hip Scores (HHS) of 70 (SD 22) at 11-year follow-up]. The influence of the surgical learning curve on clinical results may have been an important factor. Undersized femoral components were associated with poor pain and functional scores in five patients with HHS < 60. All ABG I hip implants must remain under careful, long-term review.