Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of a new biodegradable magnesium internal fixation screw for vascularized iliac bone flap grafting in treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Methods Patients with ONFH admitted between July 2020 and February 2021 were selected as the research objects, and 20 patients (20 hips) met the selection criteria and were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups (n=10) by central random method. The iliac bone flap was fixed with a new biodegradable magnesium internal fixation screw in the trial group, and the iliac bone flap was wedged directly in the control group. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in gender, age, and side, type, Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) stage, and disease duration of ONFH between the two groups. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss of the two groups were recorded. Laboratory tests were performed at each time point before and after operation, including white blood cell (WBC), electrolytes (K, Ca, P, Mg), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), lymphocyte ratio (CD4/CD8), immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST). After operation, Harris score was used to evaluate the hip joint function. CT of the hip joint and X-ray films in anteroposterior and frog positions of the pelvis were used to review the iliac bone flap position, fusion, and screw biodegradation in the trial group. Results The vital signs of the two groups were stable, the incisions healed by first intention, and no adverse events occurred after operation. One patient in the control group refused to return to the hospital for follow-up at 3 months after operation, and 1 patient in the trial group refused to return to the hospital for follow-up at 1 year after operation. The rest of the patients completed the follow-up at 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after operation. Laboratory tests showed that there was no significant difference in WBC, electrolytes (K, Ca, P, Mg), BUN, Scr, eGFR, CD4/CD8, IgG, IgM, ALT, and AST between the two groups at each time point before and after operation (P>0.05). The operation time and intraoperative blood loss of the trial group were significantly less than those of the control group (P<0.05). The Harris scores of the two groups at 1 year significantly increased when compared with the values before operation and at 6 months after operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in Harris score between the two groups at each time point (P>0.05). Postoperative CT of hip joint and X-ray films of pelvis showed that the iliac bone flap reached osseous fusion with the fenestration of the head and neck junction of femoral head in the two groups at 1 year after operation, and no loosening or shedding of iliac bone flap was observed during follow-up. In the trial group, there were signs of dissolution and absorption of the new biodegradable magnesium internal fixation screws after operation, and the diameter of the screws gradually decreased (P<0.05); no screw breakage or detachment occurred during follow-up. Conclusion In the treatment of ONFH with vascularized iliac bone flap grafting, the new biodegradable magnesium internal fixation screws can fix the iliac bone flap firmly. Compared with the traditional iliac bone flap wedging directly, it has a shorter operation time, less intraoperative blood loss, and can obtain similar joint function.
Objective To retrospectively analyze the cl inical effect of l ightbulb operation with nano-hydroxyapatite/ collagen in a consecutive series of patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Methods From January 2001to July 2005, 26 patients (35 hips) were treated, 16 males and 10 females, aged 19-54 years old (33.5 on average). The course of disease was 12-36 months (18 months on average). Based on the etiology, 15 cases (22 hips) were steroid induced type, 10 (12 hips) were alcohol induced type and the other one (1 hip ) was idiopathic type. According to the system of Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO), there were 6 hi ps of stage IIB, 16 hi ps of stage IIC, 9 hi ps of stage IIIA, 3 hi ps of stage IIIB and 1 hip of stage IIIC. The Harris score was 62.2 ± 7.5. All the patients who had undergone l ightbulb operation with nano-hydroxyapatite/collagen were evaluated both cl inically and radiographically. The bone graft mixture rate of nanohydroxyapatite/ collagen and autogenous bone was 1 ∶ 1, and the mixed bone graft was 6 times of the scraped osteonecrosis volume (30-48 mL). Results The incisions of all 26 patients (35 hi ps) obtained heal ing by first intention. The 2 cases, which got lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injury during the operation, recovered 3-6 months after the operation without any treatment. Another 2 cases got heterotopic ossification 3 months after operation, with no special treatment. All the 26 patients (35 hips) were followed up for 2-7 years (3.5 on average). The patients’ bone heal ing began from the 3rd month after operation. The postoperative Harris score was 85.1 ± 16.2, and there was significant difference compared with the preoperative one (P lt; 0.001). There were 15 hips of excellent, 11 of good, 5 of fair, and 4 of poor which received total hip arthroplasty at the end of the follow-up. According to imaging, 5 hips were progressed from preoperative IIC to IIIA, while the other hips were radiologically stable, with no progress of ONFH. Conclusion Lightbulb operation with nano-hydroxyapatite/collagen provides a surgical treatment to treat early ONFH with satisfactory cl inical outcomes. Nano-hydroxyapatite/collagen is beneficial for the repair and reconstruction of ONFH and suitable for femoral-head-preserving operation for the patients with ONFH of stage II.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided intra-articular injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head.MethodsWe retrospectively collected and analyzed the clinical characteristics, imaging data, and clinical outcomes of patients with femoral head necrosis who received ultrasound-guided intra-articular PRP injection in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University between June 2019 and June 2020. All the patients received 4 injections at one-week intervals. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Harris Hip Joint Function Scale (HHS) were evaluated before treatment and 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after the first injections. Adverse events were recorded. The normally distributed data were presented as mean±standard deviation, and analyzed by one-way repeated measures analysis of variance; the non-normally distributed data were presented as median (lower quartile, upper quartile), and analyzed by Friedman test.ResultsA total of 29 patients were included. According to the Association Research Circulation Osseous classification standard, 2 patients were classified as stageⅠ, 11 as stageⅡ, 11 as stage Ⅲ, and 5 as stage Ⅳ. Before treatment and 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment, the VAS scores were 7.0 (5.5, 8.0), 4.0 (3.0, 5.0), 3.0 (2.0, 3.0), and 3.0 (2.0, 5.0), respectively, the WOMAC scores were 39.27±11.70, 28.34±8.08, 22.82±6.09, and 24.13±7.55, respectively, and the HHS were 46.0 (40.0, 64.0), 71.0 (57.5, 75.0), 78.0 (68.0, 80.5), and 78.0 (64.0, 80.0), respectively. The time effects in VAS (χ2=65.423, P<0.001), WOMAC (F=46.710, P<0.001), and HHS (χ2=66.347, P<0.001) were all statistically significant. There were significant differences in each index between the values 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment and those before treatment respectively, and there was also a significant difference in each index between the value 1 month after treatment and that 3 months after treatment (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in any indicator between the value 6 months after treatment and that 3 months after treatment (P>0.05). Significant difference was shown between the value 6 months after treatment and that 1 month after treatment in WOMAC (P=0.016), but not in VAS or HHS (P>0.05). No obvious adverse event was reported during the follow-up period.ConclusionsUltrasound-guided intra-articular PRP injection can effectively alleviate the pain and improve the hip joint function of patients with femoral head necrosis for at least 6 months. However, randomized controlled studies with a larger sample size and longer-term follow-up are needed in the future to confirm the efficacy and safety of PRP injection in femoral head necrosis.
Objective To compare the efficiency of secondary total hip arthroplasty (THA) for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) after failed internal fixation of femoral neck fracture and the primary THA for non-traumatic ONFH and to evaluate if the two groups have significant difference. Methods From June 2004 to July 2007, 203 cases of ONFH were treated by THA. In group A, 83 patients (83 hips) with ONFH after failed internal fixation included 56 males (56 hips) and 27 females (27 hips) with an average age of 58.3 years (range 45-75 years). According to Ficat classification, there were 61 cases atstage III and 22 cases at stage IV. The Harris score was 37.6 ± 2.0. The disease course was 1-6 years with an average of 2.6 years. In group B, 120 patients (167 hips) with non-traumatic ONFH included 67 males (94 hips) and 53 females (73 hips) with an average age of 52.6 years (range 41-67 years). According to Ficat classification, there were 56 cases (83 hips) at stage III and 64 cases (84 hips) at stage IV. The Harris score was 38.2±1.0. The disease course was 1.5-5.0 years with an average of 2.6 years. There were no significant differences in general data between two groups (P gt; 0.05). Results All 203 cases were followed up for 2 to 5 years (average 3.4 years). There were no significant differences in the operation time of single-hip, the blood loss, the blood transfusion between two groups (P gt; 0.05). Intraoperative fractures occurred in 4 hips (4.8%) of group A and 2 hips (1.2%) of group B, showing significant difference (P lt; 0.05). There were no significant differences (P gt; 0.05) in the incidence of dislocation [3 hips (3.6%) in group A and 1 hip (0.6%) in group B], continuous femoral pain [2 hips (2.4%) in group A and 1 hip (0.6%) in group B] and infection [1 hip (0.6%) in group B] between two groups. There were no significant differences (P gt; 0.05) in acetabular abduction, anteversion, femoral anteversion, and combined anteversion angles as well as the recovery rate of acetabular rotational center between two groups. The Harris scores of groups A and B after 2 years were 79.4 ± 2.1 and 84.2 ± 3.5.There was no significant difference between two groups (P gt; 0.05). The Harris score postoperation had significant differences compared with preoperation (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Compared to the primary THA to non-traumatic ONFH, secondary THA to ONFH after failed internal fixation has no significant increase in operative difficulty, the postoperative hip function isgood, but the incidence of intraoperative fracture is higher.
Objective To explore the relationship between alcohol induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) and the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677 C/T. Methods From July 2005 to May 2008, eighty-nine male patients with alcohol induced ONFH were selected as the patient group, aged from 24 to58 years old (mean 44.3 years old). The time of drinking was about 17 years, 375 mL/day. The imaging evidence showed ONFH with no other history associated to ONFH. Seventy-seven male healthy adults were selected as the control group, aged from 23 to 52 years old (mean 42.7 years old). The time of drinking was about 14 years, 335 mL/day. The imaging evidence showed no ONFH. The 2 mL blood sample was acquired from every subject. DNA was purified from leucocyte at first, then was ampl icated by PCR, the product of PCR was sequenced at last. The SNP of MTHFR 677 C/T was analyzed with SPSS 12.0 software package. Results The TT genotype and T allele frequencies of MTHFR 677 C/T were 27.2% and 52.0% (P gt; 0.05) in the control group, and the distribution of genotype was consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equil ibrium. The genotype frequencies of CC, CT and TT were 23.4% (18 cases), 49.4% (38 cases) and 27.2% (21 cases) in the control group, were 14.6% (13 cases), 36.0% (32 cases) and 49.4% (44 cases) in the patient group; showing statistically significant differences (P lt; 0.05). The allele frequencies of C and T were 48.0% (74) and 52.0% (80) in the control group, and were 32.6% (58) and 67.4% (120) in the patient group; showing statistically significant differences (P lt; 0.05). The frequencies of C, T alleles and TT genotype were higher in the patient group than in the control group, showing statistically significant differences (P lt; 0.05). The odds ratios were 0.523, 1.914 and 2.607, respectively; the 95% confidence interval were 0.335-0.816, 1.226-2.987, 1.359-5.001, respectively. Conclusion The relationship may exist between the SNP of MTHFR 677 C/T and alcohol induced ONFH.
Objective To summarize surgical procedures of hip-preservation based on peri-collapse stage of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Methods The basic points of peri-collapse stage theory was expounded. The related literature on surgical procedures was summarized and analyzed based on the theory. Results Surgical procedures of hip-preservation tend to emphasize on mechanical repair, giving consideration to biological repair. It is consistent with the essence of peri-collapse stage theory, which attaches great importance to biomechanical stability. Conclusion Peri-collapse stage theory has a guiding significance to the choice of surgical timing and approach, and it is one of the important theoretical basis for hip-preservation treatment.
ObjectiveTo explore the predictive effect of the femoral neck strength composite indexes on femoral head collapse in non-traumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) compared with bone turnover marker.MethodsThe non-traumatic ONFH patients who were admitted and received non-surgical treatment between January 2010 and December 2016 as the research object. And 96 cases (139 hips) met the selection criteria and were included in the study. There were 54 males (79 hips) and 42 females (60 hips), with an average age of 40.2 years (range, 22-60 years). According to whether the femoral head collapsed during follow-up, the patients were divided into collapsed group and non-collapsed group. The femoral neck width, hip axis length, height, body weight, and bone mineral density of femoral neck were measured. The femoral neck strength composite indexes, including the compressive strength index (CSI), bending strength index (BSI), and impact strength index (ISI), were calculated. The bone turnover marker, including the total typeⅠcollagen amino terminal elongation peptide (t-P1NP), β-crosslaps (β-CTx), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], and N-terminal osteocalcin (N-MID), were measured. The age, gender, height, body weight, body mass index (BMI), bone mineral density of femoral neck, etiology, Japanese Osteonecrosis Investigation Committee (JIC) classification, femoral neck strength composite indexes, and bone turnover marker were compared between the two groups, and the influencing factors of the occurrence of femoral head collapse were initially screened. Then the significant variables in the femoral neck strength composite indexes and bone turnover marker were used for logistic regression analysis to screen risk factors; and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the significant variables’ impact on non-traumatic ONFH. ResultsAll patients were followed up 3.2 years on average (range, 2-4 years). During follow-up, 46 cases (64 hips) had femoral head collapse (collapsed group), and the remaining 50 cases (75 hips) did not experience femoral head collapse (non-collapsed group). Univariate analysis showed that the difference in JIC classification between the two groups was significant (Z=–7.090, P=0.000); however, the differences in age, gender, height, body weight, BMI, bone mineral density of femoral neck, and etiology were not significant (P>0.05). In the femoral neck strength composite indexes, the CSI, BSI, and ISI of the collapsed group were significantly lower than those of the non-collapsed group (P<0.05); in the bone turnover marker, the t-P1NP and β-CTx of the collapsed group were significantly lower than those of the non-collapsed group (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in N-MID, 25(OH)D or ALP between groups (P>0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the CSI, ISI, and t-P1NP were risk factors for femoral collapse in patients with non-traumatic ONFH (P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the cut-off points of CSI, BSI, ISI, t-P1NP, and β-CTx were 6.172, 2.435, 0.465, 57.193, and 0.503, respectively, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) were 0.753, 0.642, 0.903, 0.626, and 0.599, respectively. ConclusionThe femoral neck strength composite indexes can predict the femoral head collapse in non-traumatic ONFH better than the bone turnover marker. ISI of 0.465 is a potential cut-off point below which future collapse of early non-traumatic ONFH can be predicted.
Objective To provide the objective basis for the evaluation of the operative results of vascularized greater trochanter bone flap in treating osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) by three-dimensional gait analysis. Methods Between March 2006 and March 2007, 35 patients with ONFH were treated with vascularized greater trochanter bone flap, and gait analysis was made by using three-dimensional gait analysis system before operation and at 1, 2 years afteroperation. There were 23 males and 12 females, aged 21-52 years (mean, 35.2 years), including 8 cases of steroid-induced, 7 cases of traumatic, 6 cases of alcohol ic, and 14 cases of idiopathic ONFH. The left side was involved in 15 cases, and right side in 20 cases. According to Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) classification, all patients were diagnosed as having femoral-head necrosis at stage III. Preoperative Harris hip functional score (HHS) was 56.2 ± 5.6. The disease duration was 1.5-18.6 years (mean, 5.2 years). Results All incisions healed at stage I without early postoperative compl ications of deep vein thrombosis and infections of incision. Thirty-five patients were followed up 2-3 years with an average of 2.5 years. At 2 years after operation, the HHS score was 85.8 ± 4.1, showing significant difference when compared with the preoperative score (t=23.200, P=0.000). Before operation, patients showed a hip muscles gait, short gait, reduce pain gait, and the pathological gaits significantly improved at 1 year after operation. At 1 year and 2 years after operation, step frequency, pace, step length and hip flexion, hip extension, knee flexion, ankle flexion were significantly improved (P lt; 0.01). Acceleration-time curves showed that negative wave and spinous wave at acceleration-stance phase of front feet and hind feet in affected l imb were obviously reduced at 1 year and 2 years after operation. Postoperative petronas wave appeared at swing phase; the preoperative situation was three normal phase waves. Conclusion These results suggest that three-dimensional gait analysis before and after vascularized greater trochanter for ONFH can evaluate precisely hip vitodynamics variation.
ObjectiveTo explore the different imaging manifestations of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) and their correlation with the occurrence of pain during the peri-collapse period.MethodsThe 372 patients (624 hips) with ONFH in the peri-collapse stage who were admitted between December 2016 and October 2019 and met the selection criteria were selected as the research objects. Among them, there were 270 males and 102 females, with an average age of 35.3 years (mean, 15-65 years). There were 120 cases of unilateral hip and 252 cases of bilateral hips. There were 39 cases (39 hips) of traumatic ONFH, 196 cases (346 hips) of hormonal ONFH, 102 cases (178 hips) of alcoholic ONFH, and 35 cases (61 hips) of idiopathic ONFH. Among them, there were 482 hips with pain symptoms and 142 hips without pain. The pain duration was less than 3 months in 212 hips, 3-6 months in 124 hips, 6-12 months in 117 hips, and more than 12 months in 29 hips. According to the Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) staging, the ONFH was rated as stage Ⅱ in 325 hips and stage Ⅲ in 299 hips. The patients were grouped according to ONFH etiology and ARCO staging, and hip joint pain and X-ray film (crescent sign and cystic changes), CT (subchondral bone fractures and cystic changes), and MRI (bone marrow edema, joint effusion, and subchondral hypointensity zone) were compared. Spearman rank correlation was used to determine the correlation between ONFH pain duration and X-ray film, CT, and MRI imaging manifestations.ResultsThere were significant differences (P<0.05) between ONFH patients with different etiologies in crescent sign on X-ray film, subchondral bone fracture on CT, and joint effusion on MRI. And there were significant differences (P<0.05) between ONFH patients with different ARCO stages in hip pain duration and all imaging manifestations. Correlation analysis showed that the pain duration of ONFH patients was correlated with all imaging manifestations (P<0.05). The cystic change on CT was correlated with the subchondral hypointensity zone and joint effusion grade on MRI, and subchondral hypointensity zone and joint effusion grade on MRI were also correlated (P<0.05).ConclusionThe cystic changes, subchondral hypointensity zone, and joint effusion are closely related to the collapse of the femoral head and hip pain in patients with ONFH in the peri-collapse stage. The above-mentioned signals in stage Ⅱ ONFH indicate the instability of the femoral head, which is to predict the development of ONFH and the rational choice of hip-preserving treatment methods provides a basis.
Objective To perfect the theory system of minimally invasive treatment for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) with β tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) bioceramic system and evaluate the effectiveness. Methods Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits aged 7-8 months were used to establish an animal model to verify the vascularization of porous β-TCP bioceramic rods. Micro-CT based three-dimensional reconstruction and fluorescence imaging were used to display the new blood vessels at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after operation. The inserting depth, number and diameter of vessels in the encapsulated area were analyzed. Nine pig femoral specimens were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=3): group A was normal femur; group B had cavity (core decompression channel+spherical bone defect in femoral head); in group C, mixed bioceramic granules were implanted to fill the defect in femoral head, and porous β-TCP bioceramic rod was implanted into decompression channel. The stiffness and yield load of specimens were analyzed by biomechanical test. A multicenter retrospective study was conducted to analyze 200 patients (232 hips) with femoral head necrosis treated with bioceramic system in 7 hospitals in China between January 2012 and July 2018. There were 145 males and 55 females, with an average age of 42 years (range, 17-76 years). According to the Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) stage, 150 hips were in stage Ⅱ and 82 hips in stage Ⅲ. Postoperative imaging assessment was carried out regularly, and hip function was evaluated by Harris score. The effectiveness of ARCO stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ was also compared. Results Animal experiments showed that blood vessels could grow into the encapsulated area and penetrate it at 12 weeks. The inserting depth, number and diameter of blood vessels in the encapsulated area gradually increased, and there was significant difference between different time points (P<0.05). Biomechanical tests showed that the stiffness and yield load of specimens in groups B and C were significantly lower than those in group A, while the yield load in group B were significantly lower than that in group C (P<0.05). The stiffness in group C was restored to 41.52%±3.96% in group A, and the yield load was restored to 46.14%±7.85%. Clinical study showed that 200 patients were followed up 6-73 months, with an average of 22.7 months. At last follow-up, 12 patients (16 hips) underwent total hip arthroplasty, and the hip survival rate was 93.10%. According to the imaging evaluation, 184 hips (79.31%) were stable and 48 (20.69%) were worse. Harris score (79.3±17.3) was significantly higher than that before operation (57.3±12.0) (t=18.600, P=0.000). The excellent rate of hip function was 64.22% (149/232). The survival rate of hip joint, imaging score and Harris score of patients in ARCO stage Ⅱ were better than those in ARCO stage Ⅲ (P<0.05). Conclusion β-TCP bioceramic system can guide the abundant blood supply of greater trochanter and femoral neck to the femoral head to promote repair; it can partly restore the mechanical properties of the femoral head and neck in the early stage, providing a new minimally invasive hip-preserving method for patients with ONFH, especially for those in early stage.