No abstract

The purpose of this study was to record the effect of the addition of vancomycin on the compression strength of antibiotic-loaded bone cement and to compare the results with the international standards (ISO 5833-2). The formulations tested were: Palamed G and Copal. Vancomycin concentrations of 2.5%, 5% and 10% per powder weight were added. Samples of Palamed G with 5% vancomycin and nonstandardised mixing procedures were also tested. The ISO requirements for the testing procedures were followed. None of the combinations tested fall short of the ISO standards for compression strength. Copal with 10% and Palamed G with 5% vancomycin and non-standardised mixing procedures, however, did not significantly exceed them. The addition of up to 5% vancomycin per powder weight to the Palamed G and Copal bone cements can be considered safe. Care should be given to the mixing procedure of the cement, as it significantly affects its compression strength.

No abstract

Hip resurfacing arthroplasty (RS) is said to be an operation that is suitable for the younger osteoarthritic population, allowing them to rehabilitate more rapidly. We wished to establish whether this was true and compared 35 consecutive RS (33 patients) with 41 consecutive total hip replacements (THR) (40 patients) and looked specifically at postoperative pain, speed of rehab-ilitation and length of hospital stay. A rehabilitation score was used. RS patients were significantly younger than THR patients (mean 53.0 years for RS, 64.7 years for THR; p<0.0001). However, no significant difference was found in the mean rehabilitation score at any stage after surgery or in the speed of rehabilitation between the two groups. Neither postoperative pain nor the length of hospit-alisation was significantly different between the two groups. We conclude that resurfacing arthroplasty has no evidence of an advantage over total hip replacement in the speed of postoperative rehabilitation. (Hip International 2005; 15: 189-94).

Hip resurfacing arthroplasty (RS) is said to be an operation that is suitable for the younger osteoarthritic population, allowing them to rehabilitate more rapidly. We wished to establish whether this was true and compared 35 consecutive RS (33 patients) with 41 consecutive total hip replacements (THR) (40 patients) and looked specifically at postoperative pain, speed of rehab-ilitation and length of hospital stay. A rehabilitation score was used. RS patients were significantly younger than THR patients (mean 53.0 years for RS, 64.7 years for THR; p<0.0001). However, no significant difference was found in the mean rehabilitation score at any stage after surgery or in the speed of rehabilitation between the two groups. Neither postoperative pain nor the length of hospit-alisation was significantly different between the two groups. We conclude that resurfacing arthroplasty has no evidence of an advantage over total hip replacement in the speed of postoperative rehabilitation. (Hip International 2005; 15: 189-94).