Background: Few data address modalities for speeding up functional independence in subjects included in a fasttrack approach after total hip arthroplasty (THA). The study aim was to assess short-term effects of mobilization and walking the day of THA (WDS) on independence, pain, function and quality of life. Methods: Seventy-one patients were allocated in a study (SG: n = 36) or control (CG: n = 35) groups according to time of surgery and recovery from anesthesia. Patients who recovered lower limbs sensitivity (disappearance of sensation deficits) and motility (MRC scale ≥3 at knee, ankle and great toe extension) by 7.00 p.m. made up the SG, whereas patients who underwent surgery later and recovered from anesthesia after 7.00 p.m. made up the CG. SG underwent WDS, whereas CG performed mobilization and walking the day after surgery starting the same physiotherapy program 1 day later. Patients were evaluated for independence (Functional Independence Measure-FIM), pain (Numeric Rating Scale-NRS), hip function (Harris Hip Score-HHS) and quality of life (EuroQoL-5Dimension-EQ. 5D and EQ. 5D-VAS)the day before surgery, at 3 and 7 days in a hospital setting. Analysis of Covariance with age (SG: mean 60.9, SD 9.0; CG: mean 65.5, SD 8.9) and BMI (SG: mean 27.4, SD 2.8; CG: mean 26.7, SD 2.4) as covariates was used to assess between-group differences over time. Results: Between-groups differences were observed for FIM total and motor scores (p = 0.002, mean difference: 2.1, CI 95 : 0.64, 3.7) and FIM self-care (p = 0.01, mean difference: 1.7, CI 95 : 0.41, 3) in favor of SG at 3 days. Between-group differences were found for FIM self-care (p = 0.021, mean difference: 1.2, CI 95 : 0.18, 2.1) in favor of SG at 7 days. FIM total and motor scores (p < 0.001), FIM self-care (p = 0.027) and transfer-locomotion (p < 0.001) and HHS (p = 0.032) decreased after surgery followed by improvements in postoperative days (p ≤ 0.001). No differences were found for NRS, EQ. 5D and EQ. 5D-VAS.

Purpose: In total hip arthroplasty (THA), the functional anatomy of the spinopelvic unit should be taken into account to provide the correct functional positioning of the implant. The relationship between the spine and the pelvis in the sagittal plane is represented by pelvic tilt (PT). The sacral slope (SS) has been proposed as a more reliable parameter than the anterior pelvic plane (APP) to express the PT. This study investigated the relationship between the APP and the SS; and the relationship between the APP and the SS, respectively, with the postoperative acetabular orientation. Methods: 45 patients undergoing primary THA were prospectively enrolled. The EOS 2D/3D system was used to perform the radiographic evaluation before and 3 months after surgery. The following parameters were measured in both standing and sitting position: SS, APP, acetabular anteversion (AA) and inclination (AI). Results: The SS values did not show any correlation with the values of the APP angle. The changes of the SS in the transition from the standing to the sitting position significantly correlated with the changes of the AA ( r = −0.61; p < 0.0001). A weak correlation was found between the APP angle and the AA in standing position ( r = −0.35; p = 0.02). Conclusions: The SS accurately expresses the functional orientation of the pelvis in the sagittal plane, and the functional orientation of the cup after hip replacement. Therefore, SS could be taken into account by navigation systems in order to achieve a patient-specific functional position of the acetabular cup.

Background: Acetabular microfractures for cartilage lesions have been shown to be a safe procedure able to improve patient reported outcomes (PROs). Nevertheless, the return to sport activity rate represents a crucial outcome to be investigated in these young athletic patients. Methods: Patients undergoing acetabular microfracture for full chondral acetabular lesions were compared to a 1:1 matched-pair by age and gender control group undergoing hip arthroscopy without microfractures. Clinical assessment was performed with PROs and participation in sports in terms of type and level of activities was evaluated preoperatively and at 2-years follow-up. Results: A total of 62 patients with an average age of 35.1 ± 8.1 (microfracture group) and 36.4 ± 6.3 (control group) were included. In both groups, the average values of PROs significantly increased from preoperatively to the last follow-up. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the number of patients playing at the amateur and elite level preoperatively and at the last follow-up. Conclusions: Microfractures for the management of full-thickness acetabular chondral defect provides good clinical results at a minimum follow-up of two years, which are not inferior to a matched-pair control group. Patients undergoing this procedure are likely able to return at the same level of sport before surgery.