Purpose

Little information is available relating to patient demographics, reasons for failure and types of implants used at time of revision following failure of patellofemoral joint (PFJ) replacement.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate how psychological factors and illness perception can influence the recovery and functional outcome after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Patients and Methods: 100 patients who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty were included in this study. Pre-operatively patients were asked to complete a psychological questionnaire consisting of the revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-r), Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS) and Recovery Locus of Control scale (RLOC). Function was assessed using Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and range of motion (ROM) pre-operatively and at six weeks and one year after surgery.

Results: Early results show that individual phychological variables correlate with the post-operative OKS at six weeks. Beliefs that the condition has a major effect on life and less understanding of the illness are associated with a poorer recovery. Women were found to have a higher degree of personal control, but this was not correlated with functional outcome. Patients with higher pre-operative OKS were more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression.

None of the investigated parameters predicted ROM at six weeks.

Discussion: Recovery from TKA surgery can be difficult to predict. This study showed that several psychological variables influence early functional outcome. These should be taken into account when considering patients for TKA surgery. Improving patient education, looking at home environment and social network as well as adressing anxiety and depression may help to improve overall outcome after TKA surgery.

Purpose: To compare the survivorship, at 15 years, of cemented versus cementless fixation of press-fit condylar primary total knee replacements.

Methods: A prospective randomised consecutive series of 501 primary knee replacements received either cemented (219 patients, 277 implants) or cementless (177 patients, 224 implants) fixation. All operations were performed either by, or under the direct supervision of, a single surgeon (PJG). Patients were followed up to establish the rate of implant survival. No patients were lost to follow up. Revision was defined as further surgery, irrespective of indication, that involved replacement of any of the three original components. Life table analysis was used to assess survival. Cox’s proportional hazards regression analysis was used to compare the cumulative survival rates for the two groups.

Results: Altogether 44 patients underwent revision surgery (24 cemented vs. 20 cementless). 11 cases were revised secondary to infection, 26 were revised due to aseptic loosening and 7 cases were revised for other reasons (instability, anterior knee pain, polyethylene wear, patellar malallignment). At time of analysis a further 7 had revision planned.

For cemented knees 15-year survival=80.7% (95%CI, 71.5–87.4), 10-year survival=91.7 (95%CI, 87.1–94.8). For cementless knees 15-year survival=75.3% (95% CI, 63.5–84.3), 10-year survival=93.3% (95%CI, 88.4–96.2). There was no difference between these two groups.

When comparing the covariates (operation, sex, age, diagnosis, side), there was no significant difference between operation type (Hazard ratio=0.83 (95%CI, 0.45–1.52) p=0.545), side of operation (HR=0.58 (95%CI, 0.32–1.05) p=0.072), age (HR=0.97 (95%CI, 0.93–1.01) p=0.097), diagnosis (OA vs. non OA, (HR=1.25 (95%CI,0.38–4.12) p=0.718). However, there was a significant gender difference (Males vs. Females (HR=2.48 (95%CI, 1.34–4.61) p=0.004).

The worst case scenario was calculated to include those patients that have also been listed for revision. Cemented 15-yr survival = 78.3%, (95%CI, 68.9–85.4), cementless 15-yr survival = 72.0%, (95%CI, 59.9–81.5).

Conclusion: This single surgeon series, with no loss to follow up, provides reliable data of the revision rates of the most commonly used total knee replacement. The survival of the press-fit condylar total knee replacement remains good at 15 years irrespective of the method of fixation. This information is useful for strategic health authorities when establishing future requirements for revision knee surgery.

Purpose: To examine how patients viewed the outcome of their joint replacement at least one year post surgery. Emphasis was placed on investigating the relative influence of ongoing pain and functional limitation on patient satisfaction.

Method: Questionnaire based assessment of the Oxford Knee Score (OKS), patient satisfaction, and need for reoperation in a group of 10,000 patients who had undergone primary unilateral knee replacement between April and December 2003. Questionnaires were linked to the NJR database to provide data on background demographics, clinical parameters and intraoperative surgical information for each patient.

Data was analysed to investigate the relationship between the OKS, satisfaction rate and the background factors. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to establish which factors influenced patient satisfaction.

Results: 87.4% patients returned questionnaires. Overall 81.8% indicated they were satisfied with their knee replacement, with 7.0% unsatisfied and 11.2% unsure. The mean OKS varied dependent upon patients’ satisfaction (satisfied=22.04 (S.D 7.87), unsatisfied=41.70 (S.D 8.32), unsure=35.17 (S.D 8.24)). These differences were statistically significant (p< 0.001).

Regression modelling showed that patients with higher scores relating to the pain and function elements of the OKS had lower levels of satisfaction (p< 0.001) and that ongoing pain was a stronger predictor of lower levels of satisfaction. Other predictors of lower levels of satisfaction included female gender (p< 0.05), a primary diagnosis of osteoarthritis (p=0.02) and unicondylar replacement (p=0.002). Differences in satisfaction rate were also observed dependent upon age and ASA grade

609 patients (7.4%) had undergone further surgery and 1476 patients (17.9%) indicated another procedure was planned. Both the OKS and satisfaction rates were significantly better in patients who had not suffered complications.

Conclusion: This study highlights a number of clinically important factors that influence patient satisfaction following knee replacement. This information could be used when planning surgery to counsel patients and help form realistic expectations of the anticipated postoperative result.

Upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in patients who undergo hip and knee arthroplasty tends to be associated with NSAID use, steroid intake, pre-existing peptic ulcers and smoking. The use of Aspirin for thromboprophylaxis is an added risk for the occurrence of GI Bleed. The aim of this study was to determine if the use of peri-operative oral Ranitidine reduces the incidence of GI bleeding when Aspirin thromboprophylaxis is used for hip and knee arthroplasty.

Data from 1491 consecutive patients who underwent Hip and knee replacements at the James cook university hospital (Group 1) and 886 patients who underwent Hip and Knee replacements at the Friarage hospital, Northallerton (Group 2) was analysed to determine the incidence of Gastro intestinal Bleeding. All patients received 150 mg of Aspirin per day for a period of six weeks from the day of surgery. Additionally patients operated at the Friarage Hospital received 300 mg of oral Ranitidine per day, for three postoperative days. Patients with clinically symptomatic GI bleeding were evaluated by the Upper GI team.

We observed that patients in Group 1 had a higher incidence of overt upper GI haemorrhage (n=14), which was statistically significant (p < 0.014) compared with patients in group 2(n=1). From the pooled data of both groups, there were 18 reported patients with symptomatic pulmonary embolism (0.75%) 3 of which were fatal (0.12%), phlebitis of deep leg veins in 31 patients (1.3%), deep vein thrombosis in 34 patients (1.43%), 5 of whom had embolic episodes, post operative infection in 22 patients (1.13%), and postoperative haemorrhage in 5 patients (0.2%). Thromboembolic phenomenon and pulmonary embolism was confirmed by autopsy in the three cases.

Based on this experience, we recommend the use of peri-operative gastric protection when aspirin is used for thromboprophylaxis in hip and knee arthroplasty.

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and clinical outcome measurements in a series of 610 patients who did not receive routine chemical thromboprophylaxis for lower limb arthroplasty were studied. Patients who had undergone primary total hip or knee replacement under the care of two orthopaedic consultants were identified from the Trent Arthroplasty Database. Surgery was performed between 1992 and 1999 in one hospital only. Venography was undertaken on the seventh to tenth postoperative day. Patients with proximal thrombosis were anti-coagulated with warfarin as per protocol. Venogram reports were available for 81% of cases.

One year following surgery a standard postal questionnaire was sent to all patients. A response rate of 88% was achieved. Data was captured with respect to residual pain, ability to walk and the overall satisfaction with joint replacement.

DVT following total hip (THR) or knee replacement (TKR) in patients who did not receive routine chemical thromboprophylaxis was common (46. 4%) in line with other studies.

Knee surgery was associated with a high prevalence of thrombosis (57. 6%) compared to hip replacement although only one fifth of DVTs were found to extend into a proximal vein. Approximately half (44. 2%) of all THR associated thrombus was above knee DVT. Questionnaire responses evaluating clinical outcome and satisfaction were correlated to venographic results and analysed using an SPSS statistical package. Using Chi-squared analysis no statistically significant differences were found between deep venous thrombosis and patient-perceived pain (p=0. 12), mobility (p=0. 07) or overall satisfaction (p=0. 23). It is generally assumed that chemical thromboprophylaxis will diminish DVT related complications such as post-phlebitic limb syndrome. Despite a high prevalence of thrombosis in patients who did not receive pharmacological agents for prophylaxis, this study did not demonstrate an adverse outcome on pain, function or patient satisfaction. Morbidity as a result of DVT needs to be studied further before the role of chemical thromboprophylaxis can be determined.

We have performed a study comparing the radiological results of Total hip replacements performed by a single, experienced specialist hip surgeon with those reported from the Trent Regional Arthroplasty Study (TRAS) [presented at BOA congress 2000]. Results from TRAS have revealed that inadequate cementation grades and a cement mantle width of < 2mm were the most significant associations predicting early aseptic loosening. Interestingly, their respective incidences were as large as 20% and 50% in a random sample of THRs from the TRAS register.

Data is lacking as to whether poorer radiographic cementation grades have a trend towards individual surgeons or whether they are more evenly distributed amongst the surgical population including those adhering to modem techniques.

Therefore, we have undertaken an independent review of A-P and lateral radiographs of 33 consecutive Charnley THRs performed by a specialist hip surgeon using carefully controlled modem cementing techniques and compared the results with the same random cohort of THRs from the TRAS.

Our results show that the specialist surgeon achieved a significantly higher proportion (82%) of complete cement mantles (> 2mm in all zones) than those achieved by TRAS (50%) [Chi²=7. 79, p=0. 0052]. This suggests that improved cement mantles can be achieved by the adoption of carefully controlled modem cementing techniques. However, use of the Barrack system of grading was unable to detect differences in cementation quality between specialist (88%) and TRAS group (81%) [Chi²=0. 235; p=0. 631 suggesting less sensitivity in this technique for assessing cementation quality. These results are important for the following reasons. Achievement of adequate mantle (> 2mm) can be improved upon by adoption of carefully controlled modem cementing technique. However, regardless of the method of assessment of cementation quality, approximately 18% will appear ‘inadequate’ despite modern techniques suggesting that factors outside the surgeon’s control are involved in determining cementation grade. This has important medico-legal implication in the current climate in which surgeons are being criticised, in negligence cases arising out of the 3M Capital Hip experience, for achieving ‘inadequate’ cementation.

Aims: To determine which radiological features were most significant in aseptic loosening (AL) of Charnley total hip replacement (THR) and to compare the prevalence of these features between a specialist hip surgeon and those from the general setting. Method: An analysis was performed of the initial post-operative radiographs of three groups of Charnley femoral stems: I: Failed stems within 5 years due to AL, as registered in the Trent Regional Arthroplasty Study (TRAS). II: 44 consecutive Charnley THRs performed by a single, ‘specialist’ hip surgeon. III Controls: A randomly selected cohort group from the TRAS (proven to be clinically and radiologically intact at 5 years). Results: The most significant radiographic features of failure were: (i) mantle width < 2mm in any zone giving an odds ratio of 21.0 for failure (CI 3.3 to∞; p< 0.05); (ii) “inadequate” cementation grade (Barrack grades C and D) giving an odds ratio of 9.5 for failure (CI 3.2 to 28; p< 0.05). The specialist hip surgeon achieved a significantly higher proportion (79.5%) of complete cement mantles (> 2mm) than the controls (50%) (Chi^2 = 9.455, df = 1, p=0.002). There were also a higher proportion of adequate cementation grades (88.6% vs 82%) although this difference was not significant (Chi^2= 0.947, df = 1, p=0.330). Conclusion: We have demonstrated features identified on radiographs of Charnley femoral stems predictive of failure. In our study a specialist hip surgeon achieved fewer flaws than those detected across a regional ‘average’. This suggests surgical technique can influence radiological results and thus outcome. This needs to be emphasized, particularly during training, in the hope of improving overall results in the future. However, even a specialist’s cementation appeared inadequate in 11.4% of cases, suggesting that factors outside the surgeon’s control, influence cement grading. This is important from a medico-legal standpoint because surgeons are being criticised for not achieving adequate cementation in negligence cases.

Introduction: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), in its “Guidance on the Selection of Prostheses for Primary Total Hip Replacement”, states that a revision rate of 10% or less at ten years should be regarded as the “benchmark” in the selection of prostheses for primary Total Hip Replacement (THR). Furthermore, they state that evidence for this, in relation to a particular prosthesis, should relate to data from a number of centres, obtained via adequately sized, well conducted observational studies, preferably with consecutive patients from non selected populations. Aim: This paper presents the results of such a study for primary Charnley THR. Methods: All patients undergoing primary Charnley THR during 1990 where prospectively registered with the Trent Regional Arthroplasty Study (TRAS). During 1990, 1198 Charnley THRs were performed on 1152 patients, under the care of 56 consultants, in 18 national health service and 6 private hospitals. The cohort contains 39.0 % male and 61.0 % female patients, with an average age at operation of 69.1years (21–103 years). At 10 years all surviving patients at 5 years were registered with the ONS to ascertain living patients. These patients were contacted by letter to determine whether or not their THR had been revised. The status of the THR, for non-responding patients, was determined by contacting the patient’s GP through the Contractor Services Agency (CSA). Survival analysis was performed using life table analysis as described by Armitage and Berry and the endpoint was defined as revision surgery to replace an original implant component. Results: At 10 years, the recipients of 246 THRs had died. The recipients of 86 THRs did not respond to the questionnaire at ten years. There was no follow–up data on 42 implants at both 5 and 10 years intervals. Thus, implant status at five or ten years, in living patients was known for 910 of 952 (95.6%) THRs. The ten-year crude revision rate was 43 out of 1198 (3.59%) and cumulative survival rate was 95.4% (95% CI, 93.2% – 96.9%). Conclusion: This is the first study to assess the survivorship at 10 years for primary Charnley THRs performed in the “general setting“ of the NHS as opposed to specialist centres and shows a result well within the NICE benchmark.