JBJS

Impact of Stem Design on Periprosthetic Femoral Fracture Risk: Findings from 182,118 Primary Total Hip Arthroplasties in the Swiss National Joint Registry

J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2026 Feb 19. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.25.01203. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic femoral fractures (PFFs) are an increasingly common indication for revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). While patient-related risk factors are well documented, the influence of femoral stem design on PFF risk remains poorly characterized. In this study using nationwide data, we assessed the association between stem design and PFF risk.

METHODS: We analyzed 182,118 primary THAs (performed from 2015 to 2023) from the Swiss National Joint Registry (SIRIS). Cementless stems were categorized according to the Kheir classification, and cemented stems were categorized as double-tapered polished, triple-tapered polished, composite-beam, or custom. A multivariable Cox regression model, including variables such as age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, body mass index (BMI), surgical indication, prior ipsilateral hip surgery, stem design, collar, dual-mobility cup, bearing, and head size, was analyzed. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are reported.

RESULTS: Among 182,118 THAs (mean patient age, 68.9 ± 11.5 years; female sex in 53.1% of cases), 1,226 (0.7%) were complicated by PFF. The cumulative incidence of PFF reached 0.7% at 5 years and 1.3% at 10 years. Higher PFF risk was associated with an age of 75 to 84 years (HR = 1.68 [95% CI = 1.44 to 1.96]) and ≥85 years (HR = 1.86 [95% CI = 1.47 to 2.35]), ASA class of 3 to 5 (females, HR = 1.70; males, HR = 1.73), BMI of <18.5 kg/m2 (HR = 1.61) or ≥40 kg/m2 (HR = 1.64), prior ipsilateral hip surgery (HR = 1.32), and use of a dual-mobility cup (HR = 1.56). Elective procedures (HR = 0.36) and collared stems (HR = 0.26) were associated with a lower risk. Compared with cementless type-3 stems, cementless type-7 (anatomic) stems showed a higher risk of PFF (HR = 1.88), whereas cementless type-1B (HR = 0.62) and composite-beam cemented stems (HR = 0.45) were protective.

CONCLUSIONS: In this large nationwide registry study, femoral stem design independently influenced PFF risk after primary THA. Cementless anatomic stems increased the risk, whereas composite-beam cemented stems and the presence of a collar conferred a protective effect. These findings support personalized implant selection, particularly for older patients or those with frailty.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

PMID:41985069 | DOI:10.2106/JBJS.25.01203

Multiligament Knee Injuries

J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2026 Apr 15. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.26.00134. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

➢ Multiligament knee injuries (MLKIs) encompass a heterogeneous spectrum of severe knee trauma, presenting ongoing challenges in their diagnosis, classification, management, and postoperative rehabilitation. This review synthesizes the current evidence with expert clinical perspectives to summarize key principles in evaluation and management.➢ Thorough clinical examination, stress radiography, and magnetic resonance imaging can improve injury characterization and objective quantification of pathologic laxity to guide surgical planning.➢ Contemporary reconstruction strategies emphasize the detection of posteromedial corner, posterolateral corner, and meniscal pathologies, while recognizing that appropriate management of these associated injuries protects cruciate reconstruction grafts.➢ Treatment timing remains controversial, with increasing evidence and consensus for early, comprehensive single-stage surgery when feasible in selected patients.➢ Modern approaches to MLKI management should prioritize restoration of anatomy, biomechanical stability, meticulous planning to avoid tunnel convergence, and rehabilitation strategies.

PMID:41984925 | DOI:10.2106/JBJS.26.00134

A Novel Hybrid Training Model for Open Fracture Management in Rwanda

J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2026 Apr 13. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.26.00129. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

➢ Open fractures are a critical global health challenge that disproportionately affect individuals in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), primarily due to road traffic collisions. Surgical management of open fractures is 1 of the 3 essential bellwether procedures identified by The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery.➢ We developed and evaluated a novel hybrid course on open fracture management for surgical trainees and practicing surgeons in Rwanda, combining a self-directed, virtual, pre-course curriculum with a live, in-person workshop in Kigali in June 2025 that was simultaneously live-streamed for virtual attendees. Prerecorded multilingual lectures (English and French) and curated peer-reviewed articles provided foundational knowledge in advance and prepared learners for in-person didactics, case discussions, and skills training.➢ The in-person workshop included didactic sessions and discussions of local clinical cases from Rwanda related to open fracture management and other orthopaedic emergencies, along with hands-on practice in fracture external fixation and negative pressure wound therapy using affordable devices designed for resource-constrained practice.➢ The workshop engaged 160 active learners (37 in-person, 123 virtual) and demonstrated high overall satisfaction among 84 survey respondents, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5.➢ Self-reported confidence in managing open fractures increased substantially following the course, from a mean rating of 3.83 to 4.69 on a 5-point scale (p < 0.001). Most survey respondents reported that the course moderately or significantly improved their knowledge (96.4%) and would change their clinical practice (96.5%).➢ Participant feedback highlighted opportunities for improvement, including extending the workshop duration to increase hands-on time, expanding the content on complex soft-tissue management, and improving the engagement of remote learners through mechanisms such as the provision of low-cost external fixation models for at-home practice.➢ Future directions include integrating the course into medical student and general practitioner education in Rwanda, adapting it for major surgical conferences regionally and internationally, and continuing to prioritize hands-on training modules. Iterative refinement of the course is planned on the basis of participant feedback.

PMID:41973832 | DOI:10.2106/JBJS.26.00129

Beyond Case Counts: Defining Quality and Accountability in Short-Term Arthroplasty Missions

J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2026 Apr 13. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.26.00279. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Short-term surgical missions have expanded access to total joint arthroplasty (TJA) in regions where degenerative joint disease remains undertreated. Reports from these initiatives frequently highlight procedural volume and low early complication rates, reinforcing the perception of success. However, these metrics capture only the earliest phase of outcome assessment following TJA. Durable arthroplasty quality is defined by implant survivorship, complication surveillance, revision capacity, and longitudinal follow-up. In many short-term mission models, long-term tracking, implant traceability, and local capacity for complication management are described incompletely. Without standardized benchmarks, the orthopaedic community risks equating surgical throughput with sustained impact. This article examines the limitations of the current reporting practices in mission-based arthroplasty and proposes an accountability framework that is centered on safety surveillance, follow-up infrastructure, implant traceability, revision capability, capacity development, and financial transparency. As global TJA efforts expand, defining meaningful quality metrics is essential to ensure that episodic interventions translate into durable patient benefit and resilient local systems.

PMID:41973830 | DOI:10.2106/JBJS.26.00279

Survivorship of Femoroacetabular Impingement Surgery at Mean 10-Year Follow-up: A Prospective, Multicenter Cohort Study

J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2026 Apr 13. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.25.01341. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Long-term outcomes of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) surgery, particularly survivorship, are critical to guide treatment decision-making and patient counseling, yet only a limited number of studies have reported mid- to long-term survivorship. The purpose of this study was to report survivorship rates at a mean 10-year follow-up in a large, multicenter FAI surgery cohort and to identify clinical predictors of survivorship.

METHODS: A prospective, multicenter cohort study assessed patients treated for FAI with hip arthroscopy or surgical dislocation from 2008 to 2012. At a minimum of 8 years, 362 hips (80.1%) had follow-up that permitted assessment of total hip arthroplasty (THA)-free survivorship. A Cox proportional-hazards model was developed to identify risk factors for THA.

RESULTS: The cohort included 362 hips with a mean patient age of 32.1 years; 53% were in females, and 95.6% were in Caucasian patients. The THA-free survivorship of the cohort was 90.6% at a mean of 10.4 ± 1.6 years postoperatively. Risk factors for THA were older age at surgery (p = 0.01), male sex (p = 0.02), body mass index of ≥30 kg/m2 (p = 0.009), and femoral head chondromalacia (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that FAI surgery yielded durable 10-year THA-free survivorship of 90.6%. Older age at surgery, obesity, male sex, and femoral head chondromalacia were key predictors of conversion to THA.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

PMID:41973826 | DOI:10.2106/JBJS.25.01341

Intraoperative Bone-Quality Assessments Are Reliable Compared with Opportunistic CT-Based Hounsfield Unit Measurements

J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2026 Apr 10. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.25.00551. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Bone density can impact treatment decisions for orthopaedic conditions. While ad-hoc intraoperative surgeon assessment of bone quality is common, the accuracy of such evaluation remains unknown. The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether orthopaedic surgeons' intraoperative assessment of bone quality closely correlated with validated measures.

METHODS: In this prospective cross-sectional study, we enrolled adult patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery at a Level-I trauma center. Eligibility required an opportunistic computed tomography (CT) scan of the lumbar spine, glenoid, wrist, pelvis/femur, proximal tibia, or calcaneus. Seven surgeons, blinded to objective measures of bone quality, provided intraoperative bone-quality assessments using a 10-point Likert scale and categorized bone quality as normal, osteopenic, or osteoporotic. Hounsfield units (HUs) were measured on CT using a previously published technique. All images were reviewed by a single orthopaedic surgeon, blinded to intraoperative bone-quality assessments.

RESULTS: Of the 229 patients enrolled, 215 had available CT data and were included in the study. The average age of these patients was 44 years (range, 18 to 95 years), with 40.5% being female. Over half of the patients (61%) were Black or African American, while a quarter of the patients (25%) were White. The most common surgical sites included the femur (39 patients, 18.1%), ankle (31, 14.4%), and acetabulum (26, 12.1%). A positive linear relationship between HU and surgeon bone-quality assessments was observed (r = 0.66; p < 0.0001), which was consistent across surgical anatomic sites. Abnormal bone quality was correctly identified by surgeon assessment with 84% sensitivity and 97% specificity.

CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that surgeons can reliably detect abnormal bone quality through intraoperative assessment across numerous surgical sites. Intraoperative assessments may provide actionable and reliable feedback regarding bone density without additional cost or radiation in cases when opportunistic scans are not available. This information can inform intraoperative decision-making and presents opportunities for bone-health interventions.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

PMID:41961974 | DOI:10.2106/JBJS.25.00551

Oocyte Cryopreservation Experiences and Attitudes Among Female Orthopaedic Surgeons

J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2026 Apr 10. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.25.01438. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Female surgeons more commonly delay childbearing and experience higher rates of infertility than women in the general population. More women are entering orthopaedic surgery but face unique challenges in family building. The accessibility of fertility preservation strategies among female orthopaedic surgeons remains underexplored. We aimed to investigate facilitators of and barriers to oocyte cryopreservation, especially during orthopaedic residency.

METHODS: A survey regarding family planning and experiences surrounding oocyte cryopreservation was designed and distributed via residency program directors, regional orthopaedic societies, and the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society. Female orthopaedic surgery residents, fellows, and attending physicians were invited to participate.

RESULTS: Of 169 participants, 107 (63%) reported intentionally delaying childbearing and 58 (34%) reported delaying or planning to delay for ≥4 years. Although 91 respondents (54%) had considered oocyte cryopreservation, only 36 (21%) had undergone or planned to undergo at least 1 cycle and 55 (33%) ultimately decided not to undergo it. Inflexible scheduling of work, lack of insurance coverage, and restrictive leave policy were the most important barriers to oocyte cryopreservation during residency. Among current residents and fellows, 30 (38%) would not have been comfortable telling program leadership that they were planning to undergo oocyte cryopreservation and 25 (32%) reported that they would not have been provided adequate scheduling flexibility. When given 5 multiple-choice questions about female fertility and the oocyte cryopreservation process, respondents answered a mean of 1.46 questions correctly.

CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a high degree of interest in oocyte cryopreservation among survey respondents but identified persistent barriers of financial burden, inflexible scheduling, institutional stigma, and limited fertility knowledge. Residency programs should prioritize schedule flexibility, proactive leadership support, and privacy-conscious accommodations for fertility-related care as well as structured reproductive health education for trainees.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Barriers to fertility preservation during orthopaedic training directly affect physician well-being and the ability to recruit and retain women in this specialty, which, in turn, impact patient access to quality care from a diverse physician workforce.

PMID:41961966 | DOI:10.2106/JBJS.25.01438

Significant Anxiolytic Effect and Enhanced Recovery Benefits of Perioperative Low-Dose Olanzapine in Patients with Anxiety Undergoing THA: A Randomized Controlled Trial

J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2026 Apr 10. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.25.01236. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Major anxiety symptoms are commonly observed in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA); these symptoms exacerbate pain and compromise hip recovery. Olanzapine demonstrates clinically meaningful efficacy in reducing anxiety; thus, we investigated its anxiolytic effect and benefits for enhancing recovery in these high-risk patients.

METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 135 patients who were scheduled for primary THA at our institution between April 2024 and March 2025 and who scored at least 40 points on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State (STAI-S) before surgery. Patients randomly received oral olanzapine (2.5 mg), alprazolam (0.4 mg), or a placebo once nightly for 5 days beginning on the day of admission. The 3 groups (45 patients in the olanzapine group, 45 in the alprazolam group, and 44 in the placebo group after 1 patient was lost to follow-up) were compared postoperatively in terms of the STAI-S score, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, opioid consumption, and functional recovery of the hip. Adverse events related to drugs and surgery were recorded.

RESULTS: Compared with placebo and alprazolam, olanzapine was associated with significantly lower STAI-S scores on postoperative days (PODs) 1 and 3, significantly lower resting VAS pain scores on PODs 1 to 3, and significantly lower incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. The olanzapine group and the alprazolam group demonstrated significantly better sleep quality based on the PSQI on POD 3 compared with the placebo group. Moreover, the olanzapine group had lower opioid consumption on PODs 1 to 3 than the placebo group. Patients in the olanzapine group exhibited better Harris hip scores and Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores. The 3 groups did not significantly differ in terms of adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative low-dose olanzapine may be an effective option for reducing anxiety levels, sleep disorders, and postoperative nausea and vomiting, mitigating postoperative pain and enhancing hip recovery among patients with anxiety symptoms undergoing THA.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

PMID:41961954 | DOI:10.2106/JBJS.25.01236

Surprisingly Low Rates of Aseptic Loosening in 575 Rotating-Hinge Total Knee Arthroplasties

J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2026 Apr 10. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.25.00837. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Contemporary rotating-hinge total knee arthroplasties (RH-TKAs) have shown reasonable short-term survivorship in smaller series, but concerns remain regarding risks of aseptic and septic failure. The purpose of this study was to assess outcomes of contemporary RH-TKAs in one of the largest series to date.

METHODS: We retrospectively identified 575 RH-TKAs (60% used for aseptic etiologies and 40% used during reimplantation in 2-stage treatment of periprosthetic joint infection [PJI]) from 2002 to 2021 at a single institution. The mean age was 67 years, 58% were female, and the mean body mass index was 33 kg/m2. Sixty-five percent had Anderson Orthopaedic Research Institute (AORI) type-2B or 3 bone loss. Kaplan-Meier survivorship analyses were performed. The mean follow-up was 6 years (range, 2 to 19 years).

RESULTS: Survivorship free from any revision was 76% at 5 years and 64% at 10 years. The most common revision indications were PJI (54%) and aseptic loosening (20%). RH-TKA used in the primary setting showed better survivorship compared with RH-TKA used during reimplantation after PJI (79% versus 60% at 10 years). Survivorship free from revision for aseptic loosening was 96% at 5 years and 90% at 10 years. Survivorship free from revision for PJI was 84% at 5 years and 81% at 10 years. Survivorship free from revision for PJI was even lower for RH-TKAs used during reimplantation, 74% at 5 years and 73% at 10 years. RH-TKA used during reimplantation in the treatment of PJI was associated with an increased risk of any revision (HR = 2, p < 0.001). Radiographic analysis of 425 knees that were not revised and had radiographs available for review showed that 6% of femoral components and 8% of tibial components had evidence of loosening at the time of final follow-up. The mean Knee Society Score improved from 33 to 69 at 2 years (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: The 10-year survivorship free from aseptic loosening was 90% in this large series of RH-TKAs. This represents one of the best survivorships free from aseptic loosening published to date. Knees with prior PJI had markedly poorer survivorship than knees treated for aseptic etiologies, with double the risk of revision.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

PMID:41961950 | DOI:10.2106/JBJS.25.00837

Nontraumatic Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head: An International Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline

J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2026 Apr 10. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.25.01616. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) can lead to major disability in patients of all ages. It presents at various levels of severity and can be either symptomatic or asymptomatic. There is a vast array of management strategies. Treatment is often subject to physician bias. Clinical practice guidelines that are broad-based, internationally developed, consensus-driven, and strictly evidence-based are needed. The aim of this guideline by the Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) was to develop international evidence-based recommendations to assist physicians and patients in managing ONFH.

METHODS: ARCO convened an international, multidisciplinary guideline panel that was balanced to minimize potential bias from conflicts of interest. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was utilized, including GRADE Evidence-to-Decision frameworks. The panel prioritized clinical questions, defined criteria for the systematic review of evidence, evaluated the statistical analysis, and, by consensus, approved recommendation statements, which were then subject to external review by content experts and stakeholders (a health policy-maker and a patient).

RESULTS: The panel agreed on 12 recommendations for the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of ONFH.

CONCLUSIONS: Key recommendations of these guidelines require accurately staging ONFH and determining when pain may be due to ONFH. They establish principles for optimal decision-making by assessing the quality of evidence backing various treatments and identifying numerous areas for additional investigation.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This international evidence-based guideline provides standardized recommendations for the diagnosis and management of nontraumatic ONFH. It synthesizes all available evidence using GRADE methodology and offers practical, consensus-supported guidance for accurate staging, imaging selection, treatment decision-making, and the identification of patients who would benefit from joint-preserving interventions. The guideline supports clinicians in reducing practice variation, improving diagnostic accuracy, and optimizing treatment pathways for patients with ONFH.

PMID:41961916 | DOI:10.2106/JBJS.25.01616

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