It is undetermined which factors predict return to work following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. We aimed to identify which factors predicted return to work at any level, and return to pre-injury levels of work 6 months post-arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Multiple logistic regression analysis of prospectively collected demographic, pre-injury, preoperative, and intraoperative data from 1502 consecutive primary arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs, performed by a single surgeon, was performed to identify independent predictors of return to work, and return to pre-injury levels of work respectively, 6 months post-surgery.

Six months post-rotator cuff repair, 76% of patients returned to work (RTW), and 40% returned to pre-injury levels of work (Full-RTW). RTW at 6 months was likely if patients were still working after their injuries, but prior to surgery (Wald statistic [W]=55, p<0.0001), were stronger in internal rotation preoperatively (W=8, p=0.004), had full-thickness tears (W=9, p=0.002), and were female (W=5, p=0.030). Patients who achieved Full-RTW were likely to have worked less strenuously pre-injury (W=173, p<0.0001), worked more strenuously post-injury but pre-surgery (W=22, p<0.0001), had greater behind-the-back lift-off strength preoperatively (W=8, p=0.004), and had less passive external rotation range of motion preoperatively (W=5, p=0.034). Patients who were still working post-injury, but pre-surgery were 1.6-times more likely to RTW than patients who were not (p<0.0001). Patients who nominated their pre-injury level of work as “light” were 11-times more likely to achieve Full-RTW than those who nominated “strenuous” (p<0.0001).

Six months post-rotator cuff repair, a higher patient-rated post-injury, but pre-surgery level of work was the strongest predictor of RTW. A lower patient-rated pre-injury level of work was the strongest predictor of Full-RTW. Greater preoperative subscapularis strength independently predicted both RTW, and Full-RTW.

Purpose

Many studies have found associations between laboratory biomarkers and periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), but it remains unclear whether these biomarkers are clinically useful in ruling out PJI. This meta-analysis compared the performance of interleukin-6 (IL-6) versus procalcitonin (PCT) for the diagnosis of PJI.

Purpose

This meta-analysis was designed to compare the effectiveness and safety of intravenous (IV) versus topical administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) in patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) by evaluating the need for allogenic blood transfusion, incidence of postoperative complications, volume of postoperative blood loss, and change in hemoglobin levels.

Purpose

To promote rapid bone healing, an adequate stable fixation implant with a percutaneous reduction instrument should be used for Vancouver type B1 or C fractures. The objective of this study was to describe radiographic and clinical outcomes of patients with periprosthetic fracture (PPF) around a stable femoral stem, treated with a distal femoral locking plate alone or with a cerclage cable.

A matched comparison was made between femoral neck-preserving short, tapered stems (n = 50) and conventional length femoral stems (n = 50) in cementless total hip arthroplasty between January 2008 and January 2012. Patients were matched for age, sex, body mass index, height, surgical approach, and surgeon. In group A, mean preoperative HHS and WOMAC scores of 55.0 and 53.0, respectively, improved to mean postoperative scores of 98.6 and 3.3, respectively, at an average follow–up of 37.2 months. In group B, mean preoperative HHS and WOMAC scores of 53.0 and 49.5, respectively, improved to mean postoperative scores 97.8 and 4.4, respectively, at an average follow–up of 35.3 months. In addition, no significant differences in mean postoperative HHS (P = 0.168) or WOMAC scores (P = 0.158) were observed between the two groups according to the independent sample t-test. Table 1 shows two stems (4%) located in valgus (greater than 5° from neutral). The mean preoperative and postoperative HHS and WOMAC scores were similar to those of stems neutrally located in group A. All group A stems displayed bone bridging and endosteal spot welds distributed in Gruen zones 2 and 6 as evidence of bony ingrowth with no radiolucencies (Fig. 1). Two patients in group B had the slight decrease in bone density, mostly in Gruen zone 1 and 7. No radiographic evidence of osteolytic lesions, cortical hypertrophy, or acetabular fractures was detected in either group. Furthermore, no patient required revision surgery for aseptic loosening. The chi–square (Fisher's exact) test showed no significant difference between the two groups with respect to patient complications (Table 2). One patient in group A with a CCD angle of 135° had subsidence (greater than 2 mm, P =0.313) that displayed bony ingrowth with no further progression of subsidence at final follow-up. An intraoperative minor femur neck fracture (P =1.00) occurred in two patients (one in group A and one in group B). These patients were treated by cerclage wires without further incident. Three patients (two in group A: valgus and a CCD angle 135°, and one in group B: varus) had malalignment (P = 0.554) that was not associated with loosening. One patient in group A with a CCD angle of 135° had greater than 1 cm leg length discrepancy (shortening, P = 0.313). Two patients in group B had thigh pain (P = 0.151) that disappeared after a few months. Three patients (one in group A and two in group B) had heterotopic ossifications (P = 0.554) that were categorized as Brooker class I in two patients and class II in one patient without limiting their activities. In conclusion, no significant differences in the clinical and radiographic outcomes as well as component-specific complications were observed between the two groups, showing satisfactory performance at the 5-year follow-up. Group A had a higher incidence of malalignment and subsidence and a lower incidence of thigh pain and proximal bone resorption than group B.

We prospectively analyzed 83 patients who underwent ceramic-on-ceramic THA using preassembled (n = 22) or modular acetabular components (n = 61) between June 2010 and June 2012. No radiographic evidence of progressive radiolucency, osteolytic lesions, acetabular fractures, or component migration was detected in either group. Furthermore, no patient required revision surgery for instability or ceramic breakage. Table 1 shows the mean postoperative HHS, WOMAC score, and acetabular component inclination and anteversion in groups A and B. No significant differences in mean postoperative HHS (P < 0.056), WOMAC score (P < 0.258), acetabular component inclination (P < 0.827), or anteversion (P < 0.549) were observed between the two groups according to the independent sample t-test. However, the chi-square (Fisher's exact) test showed a significant difference between the two groups with respect to the gender of the patients (P < 0.001, Table 2). These findings indicate that half of the women had smaller acetabular diameters accommodating a cup size of only 48–50-mm. Thus a preassembled ceramic liner is a very good option for women with a small acetabulum, which could permit the use of a larger femoral head (36-mm) with thin-walled acetabular components. In contrast, the component-specific complications between the two groups were quite similar. One patient (group B) had transient squeaking that disappeared after a few months. One patient (group B) had a mild limp caused by abductor muscle weakness, and one patient (group B) had a superficial wound infection that was treated with local debridement and antibiotics. Early dislocation (P < 0.488) occurred in three patients (one in group A and two in group B). Two patients (one in group A and one in group B) reported postoperative falling events at their bedside. The other in group B was a female with rheumatoid arthritis, which can lead to a much higher risk of dislocation due to soft tissue laxity around the hip joint. All of these patients were treated by closed reduction without further incident. Three patients (one in group A and two in group B) had mild iliopsoas pain (P < 0.488) that was not associated with loosening; however, the pain did not limit their activities (Table 3). In conclusion, we found no significant differences in the mean postoperative radiographic or functional outcomes or complications between the two groups, showing satisfactory performance at the 2 year follow up. Only the gender of the patient was significantly different between the two goups, demonstrating that a larger number of women had smaller acetabular diameters accommodating a cup size of only 48–50-mm. Although a preassembled cup with a 36-mm ceramic liner has proven safety in the short term, future research should focus on its long-term risks.