Treatment of femoral neck fractures with total hip replacement versus cemented and noncemented hemiarthroplasty. Unipolar or bipolar prosthesis for displaced intracapsular hip fracture in octogenarians: a randomised prospective study. Treatment for displaced intracapsular fracture of the proximal femur. A prospective, randomised trial in patients aged 65 to 79 years. Randomized comparison of reduction and fixation, bipolar hemiarthroplasty, and total hip arthroplasty. Treatment of displaced intracapsular hip fractures in healthy older patients. Bipolar hemiarthroplasty for subcapital fracture of the femoral neck. A prospective randomised trial of cemented Thompson and uncemented Moore stems. A randomised controlled trial comparing bipolar hemiarthroplasty with total hip replacement for displaced intracapsular fractures of the femoral neck in elderly patients. Tranexamic acid reduces early post-operative blood loss after total knee arthroplasty: a prospective randomised controlled trial of 29 patients. Displaced subcapital fractures of the femur: a prospective randomized comparison of internal fixation, hemiarthroplasty and total hip replacement. [Bipolar shoulder prosthesis for rheumatoid arthritis with irreparable rotator cuff tear: results after 5 years' follow-up]. Cemented versus uncemented hemiarthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fractures. Copeland surface replacement arthroplasty of the shoulder in rheumatoid arthritis. Total shoulder arthroplasty with the Neer prosthesis: long-term results. Internal fixation versus hemiarthroplasty versus total hip arthroplasty for displaced subcapital fractures of femur--13 year results of a prospective randomised study. Internal fixation versus hemiarthroplasty for displaced fractures of the femoral neck in elderly patients with severe cognitive impairment.
A prospective study of displaced femoral neck fractures was conducted with patients randomized into three groups: cemented total hip replacement (THR), cemented hemiarthroplasty (UHR-C), and noncemented hemiarthroplasty (UHR-NC). Eighty-nine patients were treated for displaced (Garden type 3 or 4) fracture with a prosthesis; 39 patients had THR, 37 had UHR-C, and 13 had UHR-NC. No difference was found in the level of pain, ambulation, or aids required between the THR group and the UHR-C group, except for active community ambulators, who demonstrated decreased endurance capability when treated with UHR-C. The patients treated with UHR-NC had increased pain and decreased ambulation and required assistive devices. The most significant complication was dislocation, which occurred in 7 patients with THR and 2 with UHR-C. The mortality rate at 2 years was 18%; all but two of the deaths were in patients with one of five different medical diseases: clinically significant cardiac or pulmonary disease, cancer, alcoholism, or psychosis. The mortality rate was insignificant in patients younger than 70 years of age. Roentgenographic review showed only 2 of 76 cemented stems with progressive cement-bone demarcation, with one patient requiring revision for a loose prosthesis. No evidence of protrusio was seen with the use of the bipolar cap. The uncemented hemiarthroplasties demonstrated lucency between the metal and bone in the proximal femur in 9 of 13 stems. The authors make recommendations regarding hip replacement. We performed a randomised prospective trial to compare a cemented unipolar prosthesis (Thompson) with a cemented bipolar prosthesis (Monk) in the treatment of displaced intracapsular fractures of the hip in patients over 80 years of age. Patients with a mental test score of less than 5/13 were excluded but the mortality was still about 30% at one year in both groups. We therefore feel that subjective criteria such as the level of pain and the return to the preinjury state are of paramount importance. Two years after operation there was no statistical difference between the rate of complications in the two groups. After adjusting for confounding factors such as differences in the level of function before injury between the groups, the degree of return to the preinjury state was significantly greater (p = 0.04) when using the unipolar prosthesis, which is one-quarter of the price of the bipolar. We cannot therefore justify the use of an expensive bipolar prosthesis in patients over 80 years of age. We performed a prospective, randomised trial comparing three treatments for displaced intracapsular fractures of the hip in 280 patients aged 65 to 79 years. The mean patient survival was significantly higher in the group undergoing reduction and internal fixation (79 months) compared with that with a cemented Thompson hemiarthroplasty or a cemented Monk bipolar hemiarthroplasty (61 months and 68 months, respectively). After three years, 32 of 93 patients (34.4%) who had undergone fixation had local complications, necessitating further intervention in 28 (30%). There were no significant differences in the functional outcome in survivors, who were reviewed annually to five years. Either reduction and internal fixation or cemented hemiarthroplasty may be offered as alternative treatments for a displaced intracapsular fracture in a mobile and mentally competent patient under the age of 80 years. The choice of procedure by the patient and the surgeon should be determined by the realisation that the use of internal fixation is associated with a 30% risk of failure requiring further surgery. If this is accepted, however, hemiarthroplasty is avoided, which, in our study has a significantly shorter mean survival time. The use of a bipolar prosthesis has no significant advantage. Orthopaedic surgeons vary in their management of displaced intracapsular fractures of the hip in healthy older patients. The aim of this investigation was to determine the functional, clinical, and resource consequences of three different types of surgical treatment.
                The study was a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Reduction and fixation was compared with bipolar hemiarthroplasty with cement and total hip replacement with cement. Participating surgeons elected to randomize their patients to be treated with either one of the three types of procedures or with either fixation or bipolar hemiarthroplasty. Functional outcomes were measured with a hip-rating questionnaire and the EuroQol health status measure. Clinical outcomes included mortality and complications. The direct health service costs were compared. Participants were followed up for two years.
                Two hundred and seven patients were randomized to be treated with one of the three operations, and ninety-one were randomized to be treated with either fixation or bipolar hemiarthroplasty. There were no differences in the mortality rates among the treatment groups. The rate of secondary surgery was highest in the fixation group (39% compared with 5% in the group treated with bipolar hemiarthroplasty and 9% in the group treated with total hip replacement). The fixation group had the worst hip-rating-questionnaire and EuroQol scores at four and twelve months. The total hip replacement group had significantly better functional outcome scores at twenty-four months than the other two groups. Although fixation was initially the least costly procedure, this short-term advantage was eroded by significantly higher costs for subsequent hip-related hospital admissions.
                Arthroplasty is more clinically effective and cost-effective than reduction and fixation in healthy older patients with a displaced intracapsular fracture of the hip. The long-term results of total hip replacement may be better than those of bipolar hemiarthroplasty. We performed a randomised prospective trial to compare the results of 27 cemented and 26 uncemented bipolar hemiarthroplasties in active patients with displaced subcapital fractures of the femoral neck. After a mean follow-up of 17 months, significantly more of the uncemented group were experiencing pain in the hip and using more walking aids than the patients in the cemented group. The incidence of postoperative complications, the early mortality rate and the operating time and blood loss were not significantly different. Using otherwise identical prostheses the early results were much better with a cemented Thompson stem than with an uncemented Austin Moore stem. The best treatment for the active and lucid elderly patient with a displaced intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck is still controversial. Randomised controlled trials have shown that a primary total hip replacement is superior to internal fixation as regards the need for secondary surgery, hip function and health-related quality of life. Despite good results achieved with total hip replacement in this group, most orthopaedic surgeons still advocate hemiarthroplasty for this injury. We studied 120 patients with a mean age of 81 years (70 to 90) with an acute displaced intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck. They were randomly allocated to be treated with either a bipolar hemiarthroplasty or total hip replacement. Outcome measurements included peri-operative data, general and hip-specific complications, hip function and health-related quality of life. The patients were reviewed at four and 12 months. The duration of surgery was longer in the total hip replacement group (102 minutes (70 to 151)) versus 78 minutes (43 to 131) (p<0.001), and the intra-operative blood loss was increased 460 ml (100 to 1100) versus 320 ml (50 to 850) (p<0.001), but there were no differences between the groups regarding any complications or mortality. There were no dislocations in either group. Hip function measured by the Harris hip score was significantly better in the total hip replacement group at both follow-up periods (p=0.011 and p<0.001, respectively). The health-related quality of life measure was in favour of the total hip replacement group but did not reach statistical significance (p=0.818 at four months and p=0.636 at 12 months). These results indicate that a total hip replacement provides better function than a bipolar hemiarthroplasty as soon as one year post-operatively, without increasing the complication rate. We recommend total hip replacement as the primary treatment for this group of patients. Extensive blood loss related to knee arthroplasty is quite normal and many patients require blood transfusions. Surgery and the use of pneumatic tourniquets lead to an increase in the activity of the fibrinolytic system, which in turn may accentuate the blood loss. Drugs that inhibit the fibrinolytic system may thus be used to reduce blood loss. Tranexamic acid (TA) acts by binding to one of the enzymes at the start of the coagulation cascade, so inhibiting the fibrinolytic system. A concern is that this inhibition may have the side effect of increasing thromboembolic disease, a common complication of joint replacement surgery. We aimed to confirm the reductions in blood loss and to assess the impact of TA usage on clinical and sub-clinical DVT.
                We performed a prospective, randomised, double blind, controlled trial, using patients due to undergo primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty. Patients were randomised to receive either 15 mg/kg of tranexamic acid or a similar volume of normal saline at the time of cementing of the prosthesis. Perioperative blood loss was recorded and patients were screened for DVT with duplex ultrasound assessment of both legs on the fifth post-operative day.
                A statistically significant (p=0.006) decrease in blood loss in the early post-operative period was noted in the group receiving tranexamic acid. This was not associated with a significant difference in total blood loss (p=0.55) or in transfusion requirements. There was no of evidence in DVT in either group on duplex ultrasound screening of the lower limbs.
                One injection of 15 mg/kg of tranexamic given at the time of cementing the prosthesis in total knee arthroplasty, before deflation of the tourniquet, significantly decreases the amount of blood loss in the early post-operative period. The treatment was not associated with an increase in thromboembolic complications. In a prospective trial of 278 patients aged over 65 years, treatment of displaced subcapital fractures was randomly allocated to closed reduction and internal fixation with a sliding compression screwplate, Moore hemiarthroplasty, or total hip treatment with a Howse semicaptive prosthesis. One year after operation there was little difference between the three groups in mortality (25 per cent) or general complications. The revision rate within the first year was highest for internal fixation (25 per cent), but many of the replacements also required a further anaesthetic for reduction of a dislocation (Moore, 11 per cent; Howse 12.5 per cent). Total hip replacement resulted in the least pain and most mobility at 1 year, while hemiarthroplasty was worst in these respects. We conclude that internal fixation and particularly primary total hip replacement should be given serious consideration in the management of the elderly patient with a displaced subcapital fracture. The goal of this study was to assess the clinical and radiological outcome of bipolar shoulder prosthesis in twelve shoulders with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and irreparable rotator cuff tears.
                The follow-up was more than five years (range 2-9 years). In addition, in order to investigate the effect of rheumatoid arthritis on outcome, results were compared with ten bipolar shoulder prostheses implanted for osteoarthritis with massive rotator cuff tears.
                The mean preoperative Constant score was 16.9 points with 2.6 points for pain, 4.2 points for activity, 9.5 points for motion and 0.6 points for force. The preoperative active motion was 63.8 degrees for forward flexion, 45 degrees for abduction and 12 degrees for active external rotation. At last follow-up, the average Constant score was 39.4 points with 10.7 points for pain, 10.8 points for activity, 13.8 points for motion and 4.1 points for force. Regarding the active motion, mean forward flexion was 83.7 degrees, 70.4 degrees for abduction and 29.1 degrees for external rotation. The complication rate was low, mainly superior migration due to infraspinatus tear and glenoid wear. Satisfactory deltoid arm level was achieved in all patients and no loosening was observed. Preoperative and postoperative scores of the rheumatoid group were not significantly different from the arthritis group (p<0.001).
                Our findings suggest that bipolar shoulder prosthesis provides a viable replacement alternative in RA combined with massive rotator cuff tear with a low rate of complication. Bipolar shoulder prosthesis demonstrates no clear superiority over conventional hemiarthroplasty regarding improved motion and glenoid wear. In addition, no significant difference with arthritis was observed (p<0.05), assuming that outcome depends principally on the preoperative condition of the rotator cuff.
                Some massive tears involving the subscapularis tendon can lead to anterior recurrence after bipolar shoulder prosthesis. They might be a limit to the procedure and require a reversed shoulder prosthesis or a glenohumeral arthrodesis. Hemiarthroplasty is the most commonly used treatment for displaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly. There is limited evidence in the literature of improved functional outcome with cemented implants, although serious cement-related complications have been reported. We performed a randomized, controlled trial in patients 70 years and older comparing a cemented implant (112 hips) with an uncemented, hydroxyapatite-coated implant (108 hips), both with a bipolar head. The mean Harris hip score showed equivalence between the groups, with 70.9 in the cemented group and 72.1 in the uncemented group after 3 months (mean difference, 1.2) and 78.9 and 79.8 after 12 months (mean difference, 0.9). In the uncemented group, the mean duration of surgery was 12.4 minutes shorter and the mean intraoperative blood loss was 89 mL less. The Barthel Index and EQ-5D scores did not show any differences between the groups. The rates of complications and mortality were similar between groups. Both arthroplasties may be used with good results after displaced femoral neck fractures. Shoulder arthroplasty with a stemmed prosthesis is a recognized treatment for rheumatoid arthritis of the shoulder. The humeral component of the Copeland cementless surface replacement arthroplasty consists of a cup for surface replacement with a short central peg for primary fixation to the bone. We hypothesized that surface replacement may offer some advantages over stemmed prostheses.
                Between 1986 and 1998, seventy-five shoulders underwent surface replacement arthroplasty (thirty-three hemiarthroplasties and forty-two total shoulder arthroplasties) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The results of these procedures were reviewed after an average duration of follow-up of 6.5 years. Patients were assessed with use of the Constant score, a patient satisfaction score, and radiographs.
                The average Constant score was 47.9 points (age and sex-adjusted score, 71%) in the hemiarthroplasty group and 53.4 points (age and sex-adjusted score, 76%) in the total shoulder replacement group. The mean range of active flexion improved from 50 degrees in the hemiarthroplasty group and 47 degrees in the total shoulder replacement group to 101 degrees and 104 degrees, respectively. Seventy-two of the seventy-five shoulders were considered by the patients to be much better or better at the time of the review. Of the sixty-eight humeral implants that were evaluated radiographically, fifty-six (82%) showed no lucencies, eleven (16%) showed localized lucencies of <1 mm in width, and one was definitely loose. Of the thirty-nine glenoid implants that were evaluated radiographically, nineteen (49%) showed no lucencies, nineteen showed localized lucencies of <1 mm, and one was definitely loose. No lucencies were observed adjacent to the hydroxyapatite-coated implants. Thirty-nine (57%) of the sixty-eight shoulders showed some degree of superior subluxation. Three patients required a major reoperation: two required a revision because of loosening of both components, and one patient with pain at the site of a hemiarthroplasty had a revision to a total shoulder arthroplasty to provide relief.
                The indications for this surface replacement are the same as those for the conventional stemmed prostheses, but the surface replacement has the advantage of bone preservation as well as avoidance of the potential complications associated with a long humeral stem in rheumatoid bone. This procedure is not suitable for severely damaged joints in which the humeral head is insufficient or too soft. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic study, Level IV (case series [no, or historical, control group]). See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. We determined the outcome of 113 total shoulder replacement arthroplasties performed with a Neer prosthesis between 1975 and 1981. The operations were performed for the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and old fractures or dislocations with traumatic arthritis. The probability of implant survival was 93% after 10 years and 87% after 15 years. Complications requiring reoperation developed in 14 shoulders. Seventy-nine patients with 89 replacements were available for follow-up a minimum of 5 years after the operation (mean 12.2 years, range 5 to 17 years). Relief from moderate or severe pain was achieved in 83% of shoulders. Active abduction improved by an average of 40 degrees to an average of 117 degrees. The amount of elevation that was regained was related to the amount of rotator cuff disease. Seventy-five glenoid components developed bone-cement radiolucencies, and 39 (44%) glenoid components had radiographic evidence of definite loosening. Glenoid loosening was associated with pain. A shift in position of the humeral component occurred in 49% of the press-fit stems and in none of the cemented stems. Humeral component loosening was not associated with pain. In this prospective randomised trial we compare the mortality, morbidity and functional results of patients following each of the three principal methods of treatment for displaced subcapital fractures of the femur. Two hundred and ninety patients over the age of 65 years were included and randomly allocated to undergo closed reduction and internal fixation with a sliding compression screw plate or uncemented Austin Moore hemiarthroplasty or cemented Howse II total hip arthroplasty (THA). Nineteen patients were subsequently excluded. The 13 year results show that there was no statistical difference in the mortality between the three groups (81, 85 and 91% respectively). Internal fixation and hemiarthroplasty groups fared poorly with a revision rate of 33 and 24%, respectively, compared with 6.75% in the THA group. The dislocation rate was 13% following hemiarthroplasty and 20% following THA. Average Harris hip scores were 62, 55 and 80, respectively, for the internal fixation, hemiarthroplasty and THA groups. In the long term, both internal fixation and hemiarthroplasty resulted in a poor outcome with respect to pain and mobility. Despite high early complications, THA resulted in least pain and most mobility both in the short and long-term and was encouraging with a revision rate of only 6.25%. THA should be seriously considered in physiologically active patients with a displaced subcapital fracture of the femur. We studied 60 patients with an acute displaced fracture of the femoral neck and with a mean age of 84 years. They were randomly allocated to treatment by either internal fixation with cannulated screws or hemiarthroplasty using an uncemented Austin Moore prosthesis. All patients had severe cognitive impairment, but all were able to walk independently before the fracture. They were reviewed at four, 12 and 24 months after surgery. Outcome assessments included complications, revision surgery, the status of activities of daily living (ADL), hip function according to the Charnley score and the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) according to the Euroqol (EQ-5D) (proxy report). General complications and the rate of mortality at two years (42%) did not differ between the groups. The rate of hip complications was 30% in the internal fixation group and 23% in the hemiarthroplasty group; this was not significant. There was a trend towards an increased number of re-operated patients in the internal fixation group compared with the hemiarthroplasty group, 33% and 13%, respectively (p = 0.067), but the total number of surgical procedures which were required did not differ between the groups. Of the survivors at two years, 54% were totally dependent in ADL functions and 60% were bedridden or wheelchair-bound regardless of the surgical procedure. There was a trend towards decreased mobility in the hemiarthroplasty group (p = 0.066). All patients had a very low HRQOL even before the fracture. The EQ-5D(index) score was significantly worse in the hemiarthroplasty group compared with the internal fixation group at the final follow-up (p < 0.001). In our opinion, there is little to recommend hemiarthroplasty with an uncemented Austin Moore prosthesis compared with internal fixation, in patients with severe cognitive dysfunction.
There is good evidence that cementing the prostheses in place will reduce post-operative pain and lead to better mobility. From the trials to date there is no evidence of any difference in outcome between bipolar and unipolar prosthesis. There is some evidence that a total hip replacement leads to better functional outcome than a hemiarthroplasty. Further well-conducted randomised trials are required.