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Anterior cervical plate instrumentation is useful in the maintenance of cervical alignment, the prevention of graft extrusion, and the development of late deformity as well as potentially avoiding the need for a secondary posterior cervical procedure in the setting of cervical trauma. Its role in cervical reconstruction after decompression for cervical spondylosis is evolving. The definite risks of anterior cervical instrumentation should be considered, that is, screw and plate displacement or screw violation of neurologic structures, before the implementation of this form of fixation.

The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 was used preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively to compare patients' self reported assessment of health and function between 151 patients who had primary total hip replacement and 49 patients who had total hip revision, 149 patients who had primary total knee replacements, 41 patients who had lumbar laminectomy, and 43 patients who had scoliosis surgery. Primary total hip arthroplasty and lumbar laminectomy posted equivalent followup scores. Primary total hip arthroplasty showed significant improvements in physical function and health perception when compared with revision total hip arthroplasty; all other health parameters were similar. Primary total hip arthroplasty showed significantly better followup scores and greater improvement in scores in four of nine categories of the SF-36 when compared with primary total knee arthroplasty (despite identical scores preoperatively). Despite a higher level of assessed health preoperatively, patients who had scoliosis surgery compared least favorably with patients who had primary total hip arthroplasty at 2 years followup. In terms of patient self assessment of health and function, primary total hip arthroplasty and lumbar laminectomy for radiculopathy gave the best results.

One hundred patients had total hip arthroplasty (THA) with either a modified Hardinge approach or transtrochanteric lateral approach. Perioperative data showed that osteotomies resulted in significantly more blood loss but required shorter operative time. Postoperative pain, using a visual analog scale, showed no statistical difference between the two groups. Postoperative hip scores for pain, function, and range of motion (ROM), presence of limp, and abductor muscle strength scores showed no significant difference between groups at six months and one year. Roentgenographic follow-up evaluation showed a mean acetabular cup angle of 40 degrees and a neutral-to-valgus femoral stem position in all patients. Trochanteric union was present in 92%. Heterotopic ossification occurred predominantly in the Hardinge patients but was not functionally significant. Therefore, the ability to achieve adequate pain relief and function with THA is not affected by the type of approach.

Seventy-one cemented total hip arthroplasties (THAs) in 66 patients were compared with 70 cementless THAs in 61 patients. The cemented and cementless components were identical except for the presence of a porous proximal surface on the cementless component. The mean follow-up time was 4.3 years in the cemented group and 4.1 years in the cementless group, with a minimum follow-up of two years. Postoperative Charnley pain scores were identical for both groups, as was the incidence of limp. The final Charnley function score, however was significantly higher in the cementless group (5.6) than in the cemented group (5.1). One revision was performed in the cemented group, none in the cementless group. Complete demarcation of the bone-cement interface was presented in two cemented components and was associated with subsidence. Three cementless components had early subsidence, and two of these had complete radiopaque lines around the porous surface. None of these three patients, however, had unsatisfactory pain or function scores. The most important finding of this study is the equivalence of clinical results noted in both cemented and cementless THA as late as six years after operation.

Cemented total hip arthroplasties (THAs) were performed through a Charnley transtrochanteric approach in 1162 patients from 1970 through 1986. Trochanteric separations numbered 58 (5%). Rate of nonunion was related to gender, preoperative diagnosis, and prior THA or endoprosthesis. Nonunion patients had lower mean Charnley pain and function mean scores than union patients at the 45- and 49-month examinations, respectively. A Trendelenberg gait was noted in 17% of nonunions compared with 6% of united patients. Revision rates were nearly three times higher in nonunion patients. These results indicate there is a quantifiable risk for a surgeon who chooses to use a trochanteric osteotomy.

This study was designed to identify those total arthroplasty patients at high risk for embolism even while on a proven warfarin prophylactic regimen and to identify the measure of anticoagulation that would be most efficacious in the prevention of pulmonary embolism (PE). A series of 2348 total arthroplasty patients had a preoperative perfusion scan and a postoperative ventilation/perfusion scan. All patients were placed on a low-dose warfarin protocol. Eighty-one patients were identified as having a PE by pulmonary arteriography (incidence of 3.4%). Of these, 89% were asymptomatic and no case was fatal. A control group of 159 patients without PE was used for comparison. Patients older than 65 years of age with a history of genitourinary infection were identified as being at higher risk of PE while on a proven warfarin prophylactic program. These patients may need additional prophylactic measures to reduce the risk of PE. In contrast, patients with a history of phlebitis, PE, obesity, or varicosities were not at excess risk for PE while on warfarin prophylaxis; therefore, no additional prophylactic measures are required. All prothrombin time profiles were within the prophylactic range. Therefore, the actual prothrombin time may not be the critical determinant of the level of anticoagulation or prophylaxis achieved.

Posterior dislocation of the prosthesis after total knee arthroplasty is an infrequent but serious complication. Seven patients with this complication were treated from January 1985 until October 1989. Five of the seven dislocations occurred in primary total knee arthroplasties and two occurred after revision arthroplasty. Limb alignment before arthroplasty, when it could be determined, was valgus in all patients, averaging 25 degrees. In each case there was an identifiable problem with the knee extensor mechanism: five had patellar dislocations, one a patellar tendon rupture, and one a patellar fracture. In three of the posterior dislocations, there was also an imbalance of the flexion and extension gaps with excessive laxity of the ligaments in flexion. Treatment was individualized. In two patients, the knee was reduced closed and the patella subsequently tracked so that no reoperation was necessary. One ruptured patellar tendon could not be repaired in a 94-year-old patient with cardiac disease. A cylinder cast was applied with poor results. Operative intervention was required in four patients, one of whom required only a patellar realignment procedure. The three other patients required component revision procedures, however, in addition to patellar realignment procedures. In these three patients, laxity of the knee in flexion was so severe that posterior instability could not be corrected merely by patellar relocation. At a follow-up examination (average, 21 months postoperatively), all six patients who were treated as recommended had good results with no further dislocations, with the exception of the one patient with a patellar tendon rupture.

Primary total knee arthroplasty was performed in four patients with acute intraarticular fractures. All four were at high risk of failure for standard operative and nonoperative treatment because of severe osteopenia, preexisting intraarticular pathology, or a limited life expectancy. All benefited by early pain relief, functional range of motion, and early ambulation, with no early perioperative morbidity.

Patellofemoral pain due to an unusual suprapatellar fibrous nodule developed in three patients after posterior stabilized total knee arthroplasty. Each patient had a "catch" or "clunk" associated with pain on extension of the knee. At revision, a prominent fibrous nodule was found at the junction of the proximal patellar pole and the quadriceps tendon. The pathogenesis of this proximal fibrous nodule may involve impingement of the anterosuperior edge of the intercondylar notch area of the femoral component into the proximal quadriceps tendon or may involve impingement of the patellar prosthesis itself on the quadriceps tendon. Roentgenographic examination revealed an abnormally proximal placement of the patellar prosthesis on the patella. Surgical removal of the fibrous nodule resolved the symptoms. Revision of the patellar prosthesis may be necessary.