Background: Cementation of a constrained liner is a viable option for treating instability after total hip arthroplasty (THA) when the acetabular component is well fixed and well aligned. However, concerns regarding long-term mechanical failure and recurrent instability remain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term survivorship, complications, and clinical and radiographic outcomes of constrained polyethylene liners cemented into well-fixed acetabular components at the time of revision THA. Methods: We identified 125 cases in which a constrained liner of 1 design was cemented into a retained, osseointegrated acetabular component during revision THA between 1998 and 2006. The mean patient age at revision was 70 years. Mean follow-up was 7 years. Survivorship data, risk of instability, and clinical and radiographic outcomes were analyzed. Results: Survivorship free from revision for instability was 86% at 5 years and 81% at 10 years. Survivorship free from aseptic acetabular component revision was 78% at 5 years and 65% at 10 years, with the most common failure mechanism being dissociation of the constrained liner from the acetabular component. Survivorship free from revision for any reason was 76% at 5 years and 60% at 10 years. The most common complications were instability and periprosthetic joint infection, with cumulative incidences at 7 years of 18% and 11%, respectively. Harris hip scores did not significantly improve. Cup position did not affect implant survivorship or risk of dislocation. Conclusions: Cementing a constrained liner into a retained acetabular shell at the time of revision THA has durable long-term results, with 8 in 10 patients free from instability at 10 years. Aseptic acetabular survivorship was worse (65%) at 10 years, primarily due to dissociation of the constrained liner from the acetabular component. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Joint contracture is reduced by intra‐articular implantation of rosiglitazone‐loaded hydrogels in a rabbit model of arthrofibrosis
Aims Animal models have been developed that allow simulation of post-traumatic joint contracture. One such model involves contracture-forming surgery followed by surgical capsular release. This model allows testing of antifibrotic agents, such as rosiglitazone. Methods A total of 20 rabbits underwent contracture-forming surgery. Eight weeks later, the animals underwent a surgical capsular release. Ten animals received rosiglitazone (intramuscular initially, then orally). The animals were sacrificed following 16 weeks of free cage mobilisation. The joints were tested biomechanically, and the posterior capsule was assessed histologically and via genetic microarray analysis. Results There was no significant difference in post-traumatic contracture between the rosiglitazone and control groups (33° (standard deviation (sd) 11) vs 37° (sd14), respectively; p = 0.4). There was no difference in number or percentage of myofibroblasts. Importantly, there were ten genes and 17 pathways that were significantly modulated by rosiglitazone in the posterior capsule. Discussion Rosiglitazone significantly altered the genetic expression of the posterior capsular tissue in a rabbit model, with ten genes and 17 pathways demonstrating significant modulation. However, there was no significant effect on biomechanical or histological properties. Cite this article: M. P. Abdel. Effectiveness of rosiglitazone in reducing flexion contracture in a rabbit model of arthrofibrosis with surgical capsular release: A biomechanical, histological, and genetic analysis. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:11–17. doi: 10.1302/2046-3758.51.2000593