Aim. Decubitus ulcers are found in approximately 4.7% of hospitalized patients, with a higher prevalence (up to 30%) among those with spinal cord injuries. These ulcers are often associated with hip septic arthritis and/or osteomyelitis involving the femur. Girdlestone resection arthroplasty is a surgical technique used to remove affected proximal femur and acetabular tissues, resulting in a substantial defect. The vastus lateralis flap has been employed as an effective option for managing this dead space. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of this procedure in a consecutive series of patients. Method. A retrospective single-center study was conducted from October 2012 to December 2022, involving 7 patients with spinal cord injuries affected by chronic severe septic hip arthritis and/or femoral head septic necrosis as a consequence of decubitus ulcers over trochanter area. All patients underwent treatment using a multidisciplinary approach by the same surgical team (orthopedic and plastic surgeons) along with infectious disease specialists. The treatment consisted of a one-stage procedure combining Girdlestone resection arthroplasty with unilateral vastus lateralis flap reconstruction, alongside targeted antibiotic therapy. Complications and postoperative outcomes were assessed and recorded. The mean follow-up period was 8 years (range 2-12). Results. Of the 7 patients, 5 were male and 2 were female, with a mean age of 50.3 years at the time of surgery. Minor wound dehiscence occurred in 28.6% of the flap sites, and 2 patients required additional revisional procedures—one for hematoma and the other for bleeding. There were no instances of flap failure, and complete wound healing was achieved in an average of 32 days (range 20-41), with the ability to load over the hip area. No cases of infection recurrence or relapse were observed. Conclusions. An aggressive surgical approach is strongly recommended for managing chronic hip septic arthritis or proximal femur osteomyelitis in patients with spinal cord injuries. A single-stage procedure combining Girdlestone resection arthroplasty with immediate vastus lateralis muscle flap reconstruction proves to be an effective strategy for dead space management and localized antibiotic delivery through the vastus muscle, giving reliable soft tissue coverage around the proximal femur to avoid the recurrence of pressure ulcers. The implementation of a standardized multidisciplinary protocol contributes significantly to the success of reconstruction efforts

Aim. Unexpected negative-cultures (UNC) are a common diagnostic problem in periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) of the hip and knee when using culture-based methods. A novel molecular approach (MC)1 based on the identification of the vast majority of bacterial species in a single assay using species-specific bacterial interspacing region length polymorphisms and phylum-specific 16S rDNA sequence polymorphisms has demonstrated clinical utility in PJI diagnostics (1). In addition, MC provides an estimate of the leukocyte concentration in the specimen analysed. The aim of this retrospective, blinded study was to evaluate the performance of MC in identifying the microbiological content and determining the leukocyte count in synovial fluid (SF) collected from hip and knee revision arthroplasty cases with UNC. It was also assessed whether antibiotic treatment would have been changed if the result from MC had been known. Method. A total of 89 SF samples from 70 patients (43 female; 27 male) who underwent revision arthroplasty (14 hip; 75 knee) were included. Using European and Bone Joint Infection Society (EBJIS) criteria, 82 cases were classified as infected (77 UNC and 5 septic culture-positive controls), five as non-infected (aseptic culture-negative controls), and two as likely infected, but infected by clinical observation. MC was performed and evaluated together with SF parameters. Antibiotic treatment, clinical outcome, patient demographics and surgical details were analysed. Results. Overall, 29.1% (23/79) of UNC had a positive yield by MC, of which 2/23 (8.7%) had two microorganisms detected simultaneously. Of the 25 microorganisms identified by MC, 12/25 (48%) were clinically relevant after re-evaluation of the patients’ microbiological history. The microorganisms detected were 5/25 (20%) Streptococcus pneumoniae/mitis, 4/25 (16%) Staphylococcus epidermidis, 3/25 (12%) Cutibacterium acnes, 3/25 (12%) Streptococcus agalactiae, 2/25 (8%) Streptococcus bovis, 2/25 (8%) Staphylococcus aureus, and 2/25 (8%) Haemophilus parainfluenzae. The prevalence of Enterococcus faecalis, Bacteroides fragillis, Staphylococcus lugdunensis, Corynebacterium striatum among all MC results was 1/25 (4%) each species. In total, 13/23 (56%) cases were associated with patients receiving antibiotic therapy at the time of SF collection. The yield for leukocyte counts provided the molecular technique was consistently much higher in the UNC and clearly septic groups than in the clearly aseptic group. Overall, 20/61 (32.8%) patients with UNC could have been managed differently and more accurately after MC assessment. Conclusions. MC shows clinical value in the diagnosis and management of PJI with UNC. The included leukocyte count shows promising results. Acknowledgments. This work was partially funded by Inbiome

Aim. This study aimed to externally validate promising preoperative PJI prediction models in a recent, multinational European cohort. Method. Three preoperative PJI prediction models (by Tan et al., Del Toro et al., and Bülow et al.) which previously demonstrated high levels of accuracy were selected for validation. A multicenter retrospective observational analysis was performed of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) between January 2020 and December 2021 and treated at centers in the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. Patient characteristics were compared between our cohort and those used to develop the prediction models. Model performance was assessed through discrimination and calibration. Results. A total of 2684 patients were included of whom 60 developed a PJI (2.2%). Our patient cohort differed from the models’ original cohorts in terms of demographic variables, procedural variables, and the prevalence of comorbidities. The c-statistics for the Tan, Del Toro, and Bülow models were 0.72, 0.69, and 0.72 respectively. Calibration was reasonable, but precise percentage estimates for PJI risk were most accurate for predicted risks up to 3-4%; the Tan model overestimated risks above 4%, while the Del Toro model underestimated risks above 3%. Conclusions. In this multinational cohort study, the Tan, Del Toro, and Bülow PJI prediction models were found to be externally valid for classifying high risk patients for developing a PJI. These models hold promise for clinical application to enhance preoperative patient counseling and targeted prevention strategies. Keywords. Periprosthetic Joint Infection (PJI), High Risk Groups, Prediction Models, Validation, Infection Prevention

Introduction. Postvoid residualurine (PVR) can be an unknown chronic disorder, but it can also occur after surgery. A pilot-study initiated in Elective Surgery Center, Silkeborg led to collaboration with a urologist to develop a flowchart regarding treatment of PVR. Depending on the severity, men with significant PVR volumes were either recommend follow up by general practitioner or referred to an urologist for further diagnose and/or treatment. Aim: to determine the prevalence of pre- and postoperative PVR in men >65 years undergoing orthopedic surgeries and associated risk factors. Method. A single-center, prospective cohort study. Male patients were consecutively included during one year from April 2022. Data was extracted from the electronic patient files: age, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), co-morbidity (e.g. diabetes), type of surgery and anesthesia, opioid use, pre- and postoperative PVR. Result. 796 participants; 316 knee-, 276 hip-, 26 shoulder arthroplasties and 178 lower back spinal surgeries. 95% (755) were bladder scanned preoperatively. 12% (89) had PVR 150-300ml, and 3% (23) had PVR >300ml. There was a higher risk of preoperative PVR ≥150ml in patients reporting LUTS, OR 1.97(1.28;3.03), having known neurological disease, OR 3.09(1.41;6.74), and the risk increased with higher age, OR 1.08 per year (1.04;1.12). Diabetes and the type of surgery was not associated with higher risk of PVR. 72% (569) had a postoperative bladder scan. 15% (95%CI: 12-19%) (70) patients without PVR preoperatively had PVR ≥150ml postoperatively. Conclusion. Approximately 15% of the men had PVR ≥150ml preoperatively. Neurological disease was the most severe risk factor and secondary if reporting LUTS. As expected, the risk increased with age. Neither diabetes nor the type of surgery was associated with higher risk. 15% of men without preoperative PVR had PVR after surgery. It is not possible to conclude if it is transient or chronic but further studies are ongoing

Introduction. The concept of same-day discharge has garnered increasing significance within orthopedic surgery, particularly in hip and knee procedures. Despite initial concerns surrounding the absence of prolonged hospital care, a burgeoning body of evidence highlights numerous advantages associated with same-day discharge, ranging from mitigating in-hospital infections to offering substantial financial and psychosocial benefits for both patients and healthcare providers. In this study, we aim to scrutinize the trends in same-day discharge specifically within the realm of total hip arthroplasties. Method. This retrospective analysis delves into the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database spanning from 2017 to 2021. Leveraging patient data sourced from the ACS NSQIP database, we sought to elucidate patterns and shifts in same-day discharge practices pertaining to total hip arthroplasties. Result. The preoperative analysis illuminated several notable disparities between patients undergoing same-day hip arthroplasty and those necessitating hospitalization. Notably, same-day hip patients skewed younger, comprising 48.3%females compared to 55.6% in hospitalized hip patients. Furthermore, a lower prevalence of medical comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus (8.5% vs.12.9%), current smoking (9.3% vs. 12.2%), and severe COPD(1.9% vs. 4.1%) was observed among same-day hip group. Operatively, same-day hip surgeries boasted shorter durations, averaging 83.9 minutes, in contrast to the 92.3minutes for hospitalized hip procedures. Postoperatively, same-day hip patients exhibited significantly diminished rates of 30-day readmissions (1.7%vs. 3.5%), procedure-related readmissions (1.0%vs.2.1%), reoperations (1.1%vs.1.9%), and mortality (0.02% vs. 0.04%). Moreover, the prevalence of the same-day discharge concept experienced a remarkable ascent from 2016 to 2021, with rates escalating from 1.5% to 25.6% of all total hip arthroplasties over a span of just six years. Conclusion. In conclusion, same-day discharge is a feasible and safe option for selected THA patients

Introduction. The increased prevalence of osteoporosis in the patient population undergoing reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) results in significantly increased complication rates. Mainly demographic and clinical predictors are currently taken into the preoperative assessment for risk stratification without quantification of preoperative computed tomography (CT) data (e.g. bone density). It was hypothesized that preoperative CT bone density measures would provide objective quantification with subsequent classification of the patients’ humeral bone quality. Methods. Thirteen bone density parameters from 345 preoperative CT scans of a clinical RSA cohort represented the data set in this study. The data set was divided into testing (30%) and training data (70%), latter included an 8-fold cross validation. Variable selection was performed by choosing the variables with the highest descriptive value for each correlation clustered variables. Machine learning models were used to improve the clustering (Hierarchical Ward) and classification (Support Vector Machine (SVM)) of bone densities at risk for complications and were compared to a conventional statistical model (Logistic Regression (LR)). Results. Clustering partitioned this cohort (training data set) into a high bone density subgroup consisting of 96 patients and a low bone density subgroup consisting of 146 patients. The optimal number of clusters (n = 2) was determined based on optimization metrics. Discrimination of the cross validated classification model showed comparable performance for the training (accuracy=91.2%; AUC=0.967) and testing data (accuracy=90.5 %; AUC=0.958) while outperforming the conventional statistical model (Logistic Regression (LR)). Local interpretable model-agnostic explanations (LIME) were created for each patient to explain how the predicted output was achieved. Conclusion. The trained and tested model provides preoperative information for surgeons treating patients with potentially poor bone quality. The use of machine learning and patient-specific calibration showed that multiple 3D bone density scores improved accuracy for objective preoperative bone quality assessment

Introduction. The most frequent diagnosis in young adults undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) is osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), an evolving and disabling condition with an increasing prevalence worldwide. Treatment of ONFH remains a challenge mainly because of a lack of understanding of the disease's pathophysiological basis. This study investigated the biological processes that could be affected by ONFH by comparing the microstructure, histological characteristics and transcriptomic profile of trabecular bone from the femoral head (FH) and the intertrochanteric region (IT) of patients suffering from this condition. Method. A total of 18 patients with idiopathic ONFH undergoing THA in our institution were included. Trabecular bone explants were taken intraoperatively from the FH and the IT of patients. Bone microstructure was examined by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). After bone sectioning, histological features were studied by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Differential gene expression was investigated using a microarray platform. Result. Micro-CT imaging showed higher trabecular separation and lower trabecular thickness and bone volume in trabecular bone from the FH than from the IT. Histological staining revealed that the number of osteoblasts on the bone surface and the percentage of empty lacunae were higher in trabecular bone from the FH. Transcriptome analysis identified a differential signature in trabecular bone from the FH compared to the IT. The gene ontology analyses of the genes overexpressed in trabecular bone from the FH revealed a range of enriched biological processes related to cell division and immune response. In contrast, most downregulated transcripts were involved in bone formation. Conclusion. This study identified changes in the microarchitecture, histological features and transcriptomic signature of trabecular bone from the FH of patients with idiopathic ONFH, which might underlie the pathophysiology of this condition. This work was supported by PI22/00939 grant from ISCIII-FEDER-MICINN-AES and Luis Alvarez grant from IdiPAZ

Introduction. Unplanned reoperations (UROs) following corrective surgery for adult spinal deformity (ASD) present significant challenges for both patients and surgeons. Understanding the specific UROs types is crucial for improving patient outcomes and refining surgical strategies in ASD correction. Method. This retrospective analysis utilized data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database spanning from 2017 to 2021. Patient information was extracted using specific CPT codes related to posterior pedicle fixation. Result. In a cohort of 1088 patients undergoing posterior spinal deformity corrections, we examined various preoperative factors to discern their correlation with reoperation prevalence. Our analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in reoperation prevalence concerning gender (male: 4.0%, p=0.131) or ethnicity (Hispanic: 4.2%, p=0.192). Similarly, no notable associations were identified for diabetes mellitus, smoking status, dyspnea, history of severe COPD, hypertension, ASA classification, or functional health status before surgery, with reoperation prevalences ranging from 3.2% to 8.8% and p-values spanning from 0.146 to 0.744. Overall, the reoperation prevalence within the entire cohort stood at 5.2% (55 cases). In terms of the types of reoperations investigated, spinal-related procedures emerged as the most prevalent, accounting for 43.7% (24 cases), followed closely by wound site revisions at 23.6% (13 cases). Additionally, gastrointestinal-related procedures and various other miscellaneous interventions, such as uroscopy, demonstrated reoperation prevalences of 7.2% (4 cases) and 25.5% (14 cases), respectively. Conclusion. our findings highlight the diverse spectrum of reoperation procedures encountered following posterior spinal deformity corrections, with wound site revisions and spinal-related interventions being the most prevalent categories. These results emphasize the complexity of managing UROs in spinal surgery and the need for tailored approaches and infection/incision protocols to address the specific challenges associated with each type of reoperation

Aims

The incidence of limb fractures in patients living with HIV (PLWH) is increasing. However, due to their immunodeficiency status, the operation and rehabilitation of these patients present unique challenges. Currently, it is urgent to establish a standardized perioperative rehabilitation plan based on the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS). This study aimed to validate the effectiveness of ERAS in the perioperative period of PLWH with limb fractures.

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Lower limb fractures are common in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and represent a significant burden to the existing orthopaedic surgical infrastructure. In high income country (HIC) settings, internal fixation is the standard of care due to its superior outcomes. In LMICs, external fixation is often the surgical treatment of choice due to limited supplies, cost considerations, and its perceived lower complication rate. The aim of this systematic review protocol is identifying differences in rates of infection, nonunion, and malunion of extra-articular femoral and tibial shaft fractures in LMICs treated with either internal or external fixation.

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The mechanism by which synovial fluid (SF) kills bacteria has not yet been elucidated, and a better understanding is needed. We sought to analyze the antimicrobial properties of exogenous copper in human SF against Staphylococcus aureus.

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Though most humeral shaft fractures heal nonoperatively, up to one-third may lead to nonunion with inferior outcomes. The Radiographic Union Score for HUmeral Fractures (RUSHU) was created to identify high-risk patients for nonunion. Our study evaluated the RUSHU’s prognostic performance at six and 12 weeks in discriminating nonunion within a significantly larger cohort than before.

Understanding spinopelvic mechanics is important for the success of total hip arthroplasty (THA). Despite significant advancements in appreciating spinopelvic balance, numerous challenges remain. It is crucial to recognize the individual variability and postoperative changes in spinopelvic parameters and their consequential impact on prosthetic component positioning to mitigate the risk of dislocation and enhance postoperative outcomes. This review describes the integration of advanced diagnostic approaches, enhanced technology, implant considerations, and surgical planning, all tailored to the unique anatomy and biomechanics of each patient. It underscores the importance of accurately predicting postoperative spinopelvic mechanics, selecting suitable imaging techniques, establishing a consistent nomenclature for spinopelvic stiffness, and considering implant-specific strategies. Furthermore, it highlights the potential of artificial intelligence to personalize care.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(11):1206–1215.

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Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a potential complication of foot and ankle surgery. There is a lack of agreement on contributing risk factors and chemical prophylaxis requirements. The primary outcome of this study was to analyze the 90-day incidence of symptomatic VTE and VTE-related mortality in patients undergoing foot and ankle surgery and Achilles tendon (TA) rupture. Secondary aims were to assess the variation in the provision of chemical prophylaxis and risk factors for VTE.

Aims. Developmental cervical spinal stenosis (DcSS) is a well-known predisposing factor for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) but there is a lack of consensus on its definition. This study aims to define DcSS based on MRI, and its multilevel characteristics, to assess the prevalence of DcSS in the general population, and to evaluate the presence of DcSS in the prediction of developing DCM. Methods. This cross-sectional study analyzed MRI spine morphological parameters at C3 to C7 (including anteroposterior (AP) diameter of spinal canal, spinal cord, and vertebral body) from DCM patients (n = 95) and individuals recruited from the general population (n = 2,019). Level-specific median AP spinal canal diameter from DCM patients was used to screen for stenotic levels in the population-based cohort. An individual with multilevel (≥ 3 vertebral levels) AP canal diameter smaller than the DCM median values was considered as having DcSS. The most optimal cut-off canal diameter per level for DcSS was determined by receiver operating characteristic analyses, and multivariable logistic regression was performed for the prediction of developing DCM that required surgery. Results. A total of 2,114 individuals aged 64.6 years (SD 11.9) who underwent surgery from March 2009 to December 2016 were studied. The most optimal cut-off canal diameters for DcSS are: C3 < 12.9 mm, C4 < 11.8 mm, C5 < 11.9 mm, C6 < 12.3 mm, and C7 < 13.3 mm. Overall, 13.0% (262 of 2,019) of the population-based cohort had multilevel DcSS. Multilevel DcSS (odds ratio (OR) 6.12 (95% CI 3.97 to 9.42); p < 0.001) and male sex (OR 4.06 (95% CI 2.55 to 6.45); p < 0.001) were predictors of developing DCM. Conclusion. This is the first MRI-based study for defining DcSS with multilevel canal narrowing. Level-specific cut-off canal diameters for DcSS can be used for early identification of individuals at risk of developing DCM. Individuals with DcSS at ≥ three levels and male sex are recommended for close monitoring or early intervention to avoid traumatic spinal cord injuries from stenosis. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(11):1333–1341

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The evidence base within trauma and orthopaedics has traditionally favoured quantitative research methodologies. Qualitative research can provide unique insights which illuminate patient experiences and perceptions of care. Qualitative methods reveal the subjective narratives of patients that are not captured by quantitative data, providing a more comprehensive understanding of patient-centred care. The aim of this study is to quantify the level of qualitative research within the orthopaedic literature.

Aims. The prevalence of obesity is increasing substantially around the world. Elevated BMI increases the risk of complications following total hip arthroplasty (THA). We sought to evaluate trends in BMI and complication rates of obese patients undergoing primary THA over the last 30 years. Methods. Through our institutional total joint registry, we identified 15,455 primary THAs performed for osteoarthritis from 1990 to 2019. Patients were categorized according to the World Health Organization (WHO) obesity classification and groups were trended over time. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis controlling for confounders was used to investigate the association between year of surgery and two-year risk of any reoperation, any revision, dislocation, periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), venous thromboembolism (VTE), and periprosthetic fracture. Regression was stratified by three separate groups: non-obese; WHO Class I and Class II (BMI 30 to 39 kg/m. 2. ); and WHO Class III patients (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m. 2. ). Results. There was a significant increase in the proportion of all obesity classes from 1990 to 2019, and the BMI values within each WHO class significantly increased over time. Risk of any reoperation did not change over time among non-obese or WHO Class I/II patients, but increased for WHO Class III patients (hazard ratio (HR) 1.04; p = 0.044). Risk of dislocation decreased over time for non-obese (HR 0.96; p < 0.001) and WHO Class I/II (HR 0.96; p = 0.002) patients, but did not change over time for WHO Class III (HR 0.94; p = 0.073) patients. Risks of any revision and PJI did not change over time for any group. Conclusion. The proportion of patients undergoing THA who are obese has increased dramatically at our institution between 1990 and 2019. Despite BMI values increasing within all WHO classes over time, two-year complication risks have remained stable or decreased in WHO Class I/II patients. However, continued efforts will be required to mitigate risks in the heaviest WHO Class III patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(11):1223–1230

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We aimed to compare reoperations following distal radial fractures (DRFs) managed with early fixation versus delayed fixation following initial closed reduction (CR).

Aims

Machine learning (ML), a branch of artificial intelligence that uses algorithms to learn from data and make predictions, offers a pathway towards more personalized and tailored surgical treatments. This approach is particularly relevant to prevalent joint diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA). In contrast to end-stage disease, where joint arthroplasty provides excellent results, early stages of OA currently lack effective therapies to halt or reverse progression. Accurate prediction of OA progression is crucial if timely interventions are to be developed, to enhance patient care and optimize the design of clinical trials.