Long-term performance of oxidized zirconium on conventional and highly cross-linked polyethylene in total hip arthroplasty.

Introduction: Polyethylene wear and subsequent osteolysis remain obstacles to the long-term survivorship of total hip arthroplasty (THA). Highly cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) with radical quenching represents a massive leap forward with dramatically improved wear rates compared to ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). In this study we evaluate the wear of UHMWPE and XLPE coupled with oxidized zirconium (OxZr) femoral heads.

Posterior Soft Tissue Repair After Primary THA is Durable at Mid-term Followup: A Prospective MRI Study.

Background: The enhanced posterior soft tissue repair has reduced the frequency of dislocation after primary THA performed through the posterolateral approach. However, the long-term integrity of the repair is unknown and could influence surgeon choice regarding surgical technique and THA approach.

Questions/purposes: We asked: (1) What is the durability of the enhanced posterior soft tissue repair at a minimum of 49 months using MRI to evaluate soft tissue to bone integrity? (2) How does the appearance of the posterior soft tissues change during this time? (3) Are there patient characteristics associated with the long-term imaging appearance of the posterior repair?

Methods: All patients without a contraindication for MRI who were undergoing unilateral primary uncemented THA through a posterior approach between February and May 2005 were eligible for inclusion.

Ceramic liner fractures presenting as squeaking after primary total hip arthroplasty.

Background: Squeaking after ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty is a relatively uncommon phenomenon. It usually does not require treatment in the absence of pain, mechanical symptoms, and/or relentless squeaking. The purpose of this investigation was to report on four patients who presented with hip pain and squeaking due to fractured ceramic liners after ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty.

Failure mechanisms and closed reduction of a constrained tripolar acetabular liner.

Unlike traditional bipolar constrained liners, the Osteonics Omnifit constrained acetabular insert is a tripolar device, consisting of an inner bipolar bearing articulating within an outer, true liner. Every reported failure of the Omnifit tripolar implant has been by failure at the shell-bone interface (Type I failure), failure at the shell-liner interface (Type II failure), or failure of the locking mechanism resulting in dislocation of the bipolar-liner interface (Type III failure). In this report we present two cases of failure of the Omnifit tripolar at the bipolar-femoral head interface.

MRI shows biologic restoration of posterior soft tissue repairs after THA.

Although posterior capsule repair reduces the incidence of dislocation after THA, radiographic imaging studies suggest a high failure rate of the repair. Using MRI, we prospectively followed patients to evaluate the integrity of the posterior soft tissue repair after primary THA. Thirty-six patients (21 men, 15 women) underwent arthroplasty using a standard posterior approach.