Early clinical evaluation of total hip arthroplasty by three-dimensional gait analysis and muscle strength testing

After a total hip arthroplasty, a limited range of motion and lower-limb disability continue to be observed, with these being mainly associated with the implant design and the head-to-neck ratio. Larger diameters of the head bearings were assumed to provide better stability, a larger range of motion, and smaller risks of dislocation and stem-to-liner impingement. However, these claims have never been demonstrated in real patients. The specific aim of this study was to assess, via multi-instrumental analysis, whether the range of motion of a replaced hip is limited by the stem-to-liner contact in patients with large femoral head diameters. Twenty-three patients with a total hip arthroplasty were evaluated at their one-year follow-ups using clinical and instrumental examinations. A combined three-dimensional gait analysis of the full body and videofluoroscopy analysis of the replaced hip were performed during the execution of standard, i.e., daily living, and more demanding motor tasks. The latter were meant to reach the extreme range of motion at the replaced hip site, thus revealing possible stem-to-liner contact. An original technique based on imaging and computer-aided design (CAD) models of the prosthesis components was developed to calculate the stem-to-liner distance. Excellent clinical scores were observed in the study. The gait analysis showed that the range of motion of the replaced hip in the sagittal plane, averaged over all patients, ranged from 28° to 78° in standard activities. In more demanding tasks, single peaks were as high as 110°, 39°, and 60° in the sagittal, frontal, and transverse anatomical planes, respectively. In all motor tasks, the stem-to-liner distances ranged from 8.7 to 13.0 mm on average, with one outlier minimum distance being 2.2 mm. This study shows that, even in demanding motor tasks and with an extreme range of motion, the hip joint replaced with large femoral head diameters did not experience impingement between the prosthesis components.

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A higher reliability with a computed tomography scan-based three dimensional technique than with a two dimensional measurement for lower limb discrepancy in total hip arthroplasty planning

International Orthopaedics ◽

10.1007/s00264-021-05148-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Elhadi Sariali ◽

Matthias Mueller ◽

Shahnaz Klouche

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Total Hip Arthroplasty ◽

Hip Arthroplasty ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Two Dimensional ◽

Computed Tomography Scan ◽

Total Hip ◽

Dimensional Measurement ◽

Tomography Scan

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Could the Evaluation of Muscle Strength Imbalances Be Used as a Predictor of Total Hip Arthroplasty?

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18105082 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (10) ◽

pp. 5082

Author(s):

Tomáš Vodička ◽

Michal Bozděch ◽

Marta Gimunová ◽

Lenka Svobodová ◽

Jiří Zháněl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Muscle Strength ◽

Total Hip Arthroplasty ◽

Hip Arthroplasty ◽

Clinical Predictor ◽

Total Hip ◽

Logistic Regressions

Loss of muscle strength characterizes the period before total hip arthroplasty (THA). Little is known about whether muscle strength imbalances caused by muscle strength decline could be considered another clinical predictor for THA. This study aimed to determine whether muscle imbalances may be used as a clinical predictor for THA surgery. Thirty-six participants were enrolled in the study. Eighteen patients had THA (THA group), while 18 were healthy elders (CON group). Ipsilateral (H/Q) and bilateral (% Def) muscle imbalances of the knee were assessed. THA patients showed impairment of the extensors on the affected extremity compared to those unaffected. A comparison between the groups proved there were weakened flexors in the THA group on both extremities. A comparison of the imbalances revealed a significant bilateral imbalance of the extensors and ipsilateral imbalance of both extremities in the THA group. We computed two logistic regressions using bilateral and ipsilateral imbalance as the predictors of THA surgery. We found that bilateral extensor imbalance may be used as a predictor for THA (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.22). A decrease of the bilateral extensors imbalance by 8% decreases the probability of THA by 8%. The most interesting finding is that the evaluation of the bilateral extensor imbalance may be used as another clinical predictor for THA.

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Abductor Muscle Force after Straight-Stem Compared to Short-Stem Total Hip Arthroplasty through a Modified Direct Lateral Approach: Functional Assessment of 70 Consecutive Patients of a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10061235 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 1235

Author(s):

Michael Fuchs ◽

Marie-Anne Hein ◽

Martin Faschingbauer ◽

Mirco Sgroi ◽

Ralf Bieger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Total Hip Arthroplasty ◽

Hip Arthroplasty ◽

Lateral Approach ◽

Short Stem ◽

Abductor Muscle ◽

Total Hip ◽

Straight Stem ◽

Direct Lateral Approach

Because of preservation of proximal femoral bone stock and minimized soft tissue trauma, short-stem implants are becoming increasingly important in total hip arthroplasty (THA). The postulated advantage regarding the functional outcome has not been verified. We hypothesized an increased abductor muscle strength by the use of a short-stem design. Seventy consecutive patients of a randomized clinical trial were included. Of these, 67 patients met the inclusion criteria after 12 months. Thirty-five patients received a standard straight stem and 32 patients a short-stem femoral component. All surgeries were performed by a modified direct lateral approach. Isometric muscle strength of the hip abductors was evaluated preoperatively 3 and 12 months after surgery. Harris hip score (HHS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores were evaluated. After three months, there were no differences between the two groups; the abductor force was comparable to the preoperative initial values. After 12 months, a significant increase in muscle strength for the short stem patient group compared to preoperative baseline values was measured (straight-stem THA, 0.09 Nm/kg ± 0.4, p = 0.32; short-stem THA, 0.2 Nm/kg ± 0.3, p = 0.004). Comparison of the 12-month postoperative total HHS and WOMAC revealed no significant differences between both groups. A significant increase in hip abductor muscle strength 12 months after short-stem THA compared to conventional-stem THA was observed.

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The impact of reducing the femoral stem length in total hip arthroplasty during gait

Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery ◽

10.1007/s00402-021-03852-w ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Anatole Vilhelm Wiik ◽

Adeel Aqil ◽

Bilal Al-Obaidi ◽

Mads Brevadt ◽

Justin Peter Cobb

Keyword(s):

Total Hip Arthroplasty ◽

Gait Analysis ◽

Hip Arthroplasty ◽

Femoral Stem ◽

Short Stem ◽

Stem Length ◽

Practical Consideration ◽

Total Hip ◽

Long Stem ◽

The Impact

Abstract Aim The length of the femoral stem in total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a practical consideration to prevent gait impairment. The aim of this study was to determine if reducing the femoral stem length in THA would lead to impaired gait biomechanics. Methods Patients uniformly with the same brand implant of differing lengths (100 mm vs 140–166 mm) were taken retrospectively from a prospective trial introducing a new short stem. Twelve patients without any other disorder to alter gait besides contralateral differing length stem THA were tested at differing gradients and speed on a validated instrumented treadmill measuring ground reaction forces. An anthropometrically similar group of healthy controls were analysed to compare. Results With the same posterior surgical approach, the offset and length of both hips were reconstructed within 5 mm of each other with an identical mean head size of 36 mm. The short stem was the last procedure for all the hips with gait analysis occurring at a mean of 31 and 79 months postoperatively for the short and long stem THA, respectively. Gait analysis between limbs of both stem lengths demonstrated no statistical difference during any walking condition. In the 90 gait assessments with three loading variables, the short stem was the favoured side 51% of the time compared 49% for the long stem. Conclusion By testing a range of practical walking activities, no lower limb loading differences can be observed by reducing the femoral stem length. A shorter stem demonstrates equivalence in preference during gait when compared to a reputable conventional stem in total hip arthroplasty.

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