One of the most popular and effective orthopedic surgical interventions for treating a variety of hip diseases is total hip arthroplasty. Despite being a radical procedure that involves replacing bone and cartilaginous surfaces with biomaterials, it produces excellent outcomes that significantly increase the patient’s quality of life. Patient factors and surgical technique, as well as biomaterials, play a role in prosthetic survival, with aseptic loosening (one of the most common causes of total hip arthroplasty failure) being linked to the quality of biomaterials utilized. Over the years, various biomaterials have been developed to limit the amount of wear particles generated over time by friction between the prosthetic head (metal alloys or ceramic) and the insert fixed in the acetabular component (polyethylene or ceramic). An ideal biomaterial must be biocompatible, have a low coefficient of friction, be corrosion resistant, and have great mechanical power. Comprehensive knowledge regarding what causes hip arthroplasty failure, as well as improvements in biomaterial quality and surgical technique, will influence the survivability of the prosthetic implant. The purpose of this article was to assess the benefits and drawbacks of various biomaterial and friction couples used in total hip arthroplasties by reviewing the scientific literature published over the last 10 years.

Numerous studies report the success and outcomes of the total knee arthroplasty (TKA); however, few papers present patients with knee osteoarthritis and ipsilateral hip fusion. One controversy when treating patients requiring a TKA with prior ipsilateral hip fusion is whether to first perform a total hip arthroplasty (THA) of the fused hip, followed by the ipsilateral TKA, or to proceed with the TKA without replacing the hip; studies suggest that the position of the fused hip is a key factor when making this therapeutical decision. In addition, performing a TKA in patients with an ipsilateral fused hip may require modifications to the surgical technique generated by the lack of joint mobility in the hip. We identified 12 studies encompassing 30 patients with hip fusion and ipsilateral TKA in current orthopedic literature, but only six offered insights on patient positioning on the operating table during surgery. This study aims to review the current literature on patients with knee osteoarthritis and prior ipsilateral hip fusion and to present some technical considerations when performing a TKA on a 75-year-old patient with hip ankylosis who underwent a total ipsilateral knee arthroplasty in our clinic.

Introduction: Chronic osteomyelitis is a persistent infection of the bone that poses significant challenges, particularly when associated with pathological fractures and extensive bone defects. This case report highlights the application of Masquelet’s induced membrane technique (MIMT) in managing a complex distal femur defect in a 50-year-old male with a long-standing history of chronic osteomyelitis. The patient presented with a non-union fracture, severe osseous destruction, and infection, requiring a multidisciplinary approach. Case report: The first stage involved radical debridement of necrotic tissue and stabilization with a titanium plate and an antibiotic-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate spacer to induce a bioactive membrane. The second stage, performed 30 days later, after infection resolution, entailed removing the spacer, harvesting an autologous iliac crest bone graft, and filling the defect within the preserved membrane. Postoperative care included a tailored antibiotic regimen and gradual weight-bearing, leading to favorable clinical and radiological outcomes. Conclusions: This case demonstrates the utility of MIMT in reconstructing extensive bone defects while addressing infection. The technique provides a reliable and effective alternative to amputation, offering high success rates and functional restoration in complex cases.