First generation cephalosporins remain the gold standard perioperative antibiotic for total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA, TKA). However, some patients have documented or self-reported allergies to antibiotics, most commonly penicillin, that result in changes to perioperative antibiotic coverage. Furthermore, patients testing positive for methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) represent another group where an alternative to cefazolin, typically vancomycin, is often chosen for perioperative prophylaxis. The aims of this study were to 1) characterize the antibiotic choices for perioperative prophylaxis at the time of primary TKA and THA, 2) assess the efficacy of a preoperative antibiotic allergy testing program, and 3) determine rates of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) based on perioperative antibiotic regimen. We evaluated all patients undergoing primary TKA or THA at a single academic institution from January 2004-May 2017, yielding a cohort of 29,695 patients. A series of institutional databases were combined to determine which patients underwent antibiotic allergy testing prior to surgery, outcomes from the allergy consultation, perioperative antibiotic management strategy, and survivorship free of infection until final follow-up.Introduction
Methods
Historically, the most common indications for re-revision of a total hip arthroplasty (THA) have been aseptic loosening, instability, infection, and peri-prosthetic fracture. As revision implants and techniques have evolved and improved, understanding why contemporary revision THAs fail is important to direct further improvement and innovation. As such, the goals of this study were to determine the implant survivorship of contemporary revision THAs, as well as the most common indications for re-revision. We retrospectively reviewed 2568 aseptic revision THAs completed at our academic institution between 2005 and 2015 through our total joint registry. There were 34% isolated acetabular revisions, 18% isolated femoral revisions, 28% both component revisions, and 20% modular component exchanges. The mean age at index revision THA was 66 years, and 46% were males. The most common indications for the index revision THA were aseptic loosening (21% acetabular, 15% femoral, 5% both components), polyethylene wear and osteolysis (18%), instability (13%), fracture (11%), and other (17%). Mean follow-up was 6 years.Introduction
Methods
The American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR) was created to capture total hip (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedural data in order to conduct implant-specific survivorship analyses, produce risk-adjusted patient outcome data, and provide hospitals and surgeons with quality benchmarks. The purpose of this study is to compare early reports from the AJRR to other national registries to identify similarities and differences in surgeon practice and potential topics for future analysis. Hip arthroplasty data were extracted from the annual reports from the AJRR and other national registries including: the Australian registry; the New Zealand registry; the United Kingdom, Wales, and Isle of Man registry; the Norwegian registry; and the Swedish registry from 2014 to 2016. Data regarding femoral and acetabular fixation, bearing surface type, femoral head size, the use of dual mobility articulation bearings, hip resurfacing utilization, and THA revision burden were evaluated. Revision burden is defined as the ratio of implant revisions to the total number of arthroplasties performed in a given time period. Registry characteristics and patient demographic data were recorded across all registries. The results were compared between the various registries and reported using descriptive statistics.Introduction
Methods
Manual chart review is labor-intensive and requires specialized knowledge possessed by highly-trained medical professionals. The cost and infrastructure challenges required to implement this is prohibitive for most hospitals. Natural language processing (NLP) tools are distinctive in their ability to extract critical information from raw text in the electronic health records (EHR). As a simple proof-of-concept, for the potential application of this technology, we examined its ability to discriminate between a binary classification (periprosthetic fracture [PPFFx] vs. no PPFFx) followed by a more complex classification of the same problem (Vancouver). PPFFx were identified among all THAs performed at a single academic institution between 1977 and 2015. A training cohort (n = 90 PPFFx) selected randomly by an electronic program was utilized to develop a prototype NLP algorithm and an additional randomly-selected 86 PPFFx were used to further validate the algorithm. Keywords to identify, and subsequently classify, Vancouver type PPFFx about THA were defined. The algorithm was applied to consult and operative notes to evaluate language used by surgeons as a means to predict the correct pathology in the absence of a listed, precise diagnosis (e.g. Vancouver B2). Validation statistics were calculated using manual chart review as the gold standard.Introduction
Methods
There is no literature regarding the risk of a patient developing PJI after primary TKA if the patient has previously experienced PJI of a TKA or THA in another joint. The goal of this study was to compare the risk of PJI of primary TKA in this patient population compared to matched controls. We retrospectively reviewed 95 patients (102 primary TKAs) from 2000–2014 with a history of a TKA or THA PJI in another joint. Mean age was 69 years; mean BMI was 36 kg/m2. 27% high-risk patients were on chronic antibiotic suppression. Mean follow-up was 6 years. We 1:3 matched (to age, sex, BMI, and surgical year) these to 306 primary TKAs performed in patients with a THA or TKA of another joint without a subsequent PJI. Competing risk with death was used for statistical analysis. Multivariate analysis was utilized to evaluate risk factors for PJI in the study cohort.Introduction
Methods
Advances in polyethylene (PE) in total hip arthroplasty
have led to interest and increased use of highly crosslinked PE
(HXLPE) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Biomechanical data suggest
improved wear characteristics for HXLPE inserts over conventional
PE in TKA. Short-term results from registry data and few clinical
trials are promising. Our aim is to present a review of the history
of HXLPEs, the use of HXLPE inserts in TKA, concerns regarding potential mechanical
complications, and a thorough review of the available biomechanical
and clinical data. Cite this article:
To demonstrate, with concrete examples, the value of in-depth
exploration and comparison of data published in National Joint Arthroplasty
registry reports. The author reviewed published current reports of National Joint
Arthroplasty registries for findings of current significance to
current orthopaedic practice.Aims
Patients and Methods
The purpose of this study was to determine the lifetime risk
of revision surgery for patients undergoing Charnley cemented total
hip arthroplasty (THA), with 40-year follow up, using death as a
competing risk. We retrospectively reviewed 2000 cemented Charnley THAs, with
51 living hips available at 40 years. Aims
Materials and Methods
The goals of this study were to define the risk factors, nature,
chronology, and treatment strategies adopted for periprosthetic
femoral fractures in 32 644 primary total hip arthroplasties (THAs). There were 564 intra-operative fractures (1.7%); 529 during uncemented
stem placement (3.0%) and 35 during cemented stem placement (0.23%).
Intra-operative fractures were more common in females and patients
over 65 years (p <
0.001). The majority occurred during placement
of the femoral component (60%), and involved the calcar (69%). There
were 557 post-operative fractures (20-year probability: 3.5%; 95%
confidence interval (CI) 3.2 to 3.9); 335 fractures after placement
of an uncemented stem (20-year probability: 7.7%; 95% CI 6.2 to
9.1) and 222 after placement of a cemented stem (20-year probability:
2.1%; 95% CI 1.8 to 2.5). The probability of a post-operative fracture
within 30 days after an uncemented stem was ten times higher than
a cemented stem. The most common post-operative fracture type was
a Vancouver AG (32%; n = 135), with 67% occurring after
a fall. In all, 36% (n = 152) were treated with revision arthroplasty. Aim and Methods
Results
The goals of this study were to define the risk factors, characteristics,
and chronology of fractures in 5417 revision total hip arthroplasties
(THAs). From our hospital’s prospectively collected database we identified
all patients who had undergone a revision THA between 1969 and 2011
which involved the femoral stem. The patients’ medical records and
radiographs were examined and the relevant data extracted. Post-operative
periprosthetic fractures were classified using the Vancouver system.
A total of 5417 revision THAs were identified.Aims
Patients and Methods
Revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) is challenging
when there is severe loss of bone in the proximal femur. The purpose
of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes
of revision THA in patients with severe proximal femoral bone loss
treated with a fluted, tapered, modular femoral component. Between
January 1998 and December 2004, 92 revision THAs were performed
in 92 patients using a single fluted, tapered, modular femoral stem
design. Pre-operative diagnoses included aseptic loosening, infection
and peri-prosthetic fracture. Bone loss was categorised pre-operatively
as Paprosky types III-IV, or Vancouver B3 in patients with a peri-prosthetic
fracture. The mean clinical follow-up was 6.4 years (2 to 12). A
total of 47 patients had peri-operative complications, 27 of whom
required further surgery. However, most of these further operations
involved retention of a well-fixed femoral stem, and 88/92 femoral
components (97%) remained Revision THA in patients with extensive proximal femoral bone
loss using the Link MP fluted, tapered, modular stem led to a high
rate of osseointegration of the stem at mid-term follow-up. Cite this article:
Total hip replacement (THR) after acetabular
fracture presents unique challenges to the orthopaedic surgeon.
The majority of patients can be treated with a standard THR, resulting
in a very reasonable outcome. Technical challenges however include
infection, residual pelvic deformity, acetabular bone loss with
ununited fractures, osteonecrosis of bone fragments, retained metalwork,
heterotopic ossification, dealing with the sciatic nerve, and the
difficulties of obtaining long-term acetabular component fixation.
Indications for an acute THR include young patients with both femoral
head and acetabular involvement with severe comminution that cannot
be reconstructed, and the elderly, with severe bony comminution.
The outcomes of THR for established post-traumatic arthritis include
excellent pain relief and functional improvements. The use of modern
implants and alternative bearing surfaces should improve outcomes
further. Cite this article:
This conversation represents an attempt by several
arthroplasty surgeons to critique several abstracts presented over
the last year as well as to use them as a jumping off point for trying
to figure out where they fit in into our current understanding of
multiple issues in modern hip and knee arthroplasty.
Metal-on-metal bearings have become popular in the last ten years because of a low wear rate combined with the ability to use large head sizes for conventional total hip arthroplasty (THA) and to facilitate resurfacing hip arthroplasty. Further advantages of metal-metal bearings include the fact that they are not at risk for fracture, and they can be made as modular or non-modular acetabular implants. It was recognized early that metal-on-metal implants had the potential to increase serum ion levels, and this was demonstrated in a number of studies. The significance of elevated ion levels, however, for most patients has been primarily a theoretical concern of toxicity, carcinogenesis or mutagenicity, and to date very few, if any, systemic problems related to systemic metal ions have been documented with certainty. Nevertheless, most surgeons have avoided use of the implants in patients who are likely to become pregnant, patients with renal disease, or patients with major systemic illnesses which have a high likelihood of leading to renal disease. Furthermore, most have avoided using them in patients with known dermal metal allergies, even though the connection between dermal metal allergies and metal bearings has not been established. Unexpectedly, an extremely important concern has emerged with metal bearings: the finding of local inflammatory reactions related to metal bearings. These inflammatory reactions can take several forms including pain with a milky effusion, local tissue necrosis, or large fluid collections or pseudotumors. The histology of these different reactions appears to be predominantly lymphocytic in nature and a term for at least some of these reactions has been coined “AVALS”. Whether these local reactions are primarily immunologic in nature or primarily related to dose of local metal ions or debris remains uncertain. While there is much still to be learned, it appears that certain patient populations may be at increased risk for metal reactions, possibly related to implant size (women and smaller patients). It also seems verticallyoriented implants, which create edge loading, increase wear and increase risk of local metal reactions. Perhaps the most important question is the incidence of local metal reactions, which remains to be defined. To date the problems in most series have been infrequent, less than 1 or 2 percent. However, in a few selected series the incidence has been higher, and when screening has been done for asymptomatic patients with fluid or masses around the joint, the rate has been higher in at least one reported series. Surgeons may interpret the importance of local metal reactions differently, but certainly ultimately incidence of this problem will have a very major effect on the future of these bearings.
It has become a platitude that total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an excellent operation, provides good pain relief, and over 90% survivorship at 20 years in many series. While all these points are true, total knee arthroplasty as practiced currently still will not meet the demands of many patients who will desire the procedure in the next ten years. The reasons for this include changing demographics of TKA and the changing demands of TKA candidates. TKA is being performed more frequently in patients under 60, in fact this is the fastest growing group of patients by percent growth. We performed a population-based study of trends utilization of TKA and found increasing TKA utilization in all age groups over time but the greatest increase by percent in the youngest patients. Furthermore, younger patients now no longer tend to be lowactivity patients with inflammatory disease. The percentage of patients with primary osteoarthritis and post traumatic arthritis has increased dramatically. Long-term studies of TKA have shown such durability in part because many of the younger patients were Charnley Class C patients, and because historically most TKA patients were older with an average age of most early series of around 69 years. This means there were far fewer young patients in early TKA series than in early THA series. This is important because material failures occur predominantly in younger patients and durability is a greater concern in younger patients, so one may predict that this younger, more active group will not enjoy the same level of TKA durability reported in the literature unless technology improves. Total knee arthroplasty patients are more active than one might predict. In a study of 1200 patients surveyed at five years the average UCLA score was 7 out of 10. Younger patients achieved a higher activity level but were in general less satisfied with activity provided by TKA than older patients. This implies there is a need for better designs and surgery to facilitate more normal kinematics, more flexion, and more quadriceps strength. A study by Weiss and Noble (CORR 2002) identified specific activities associated with limitations after knee arthroplasty. Furthermore, a study by Bourne and associates demonstrated lower satisfaction scores after total knee arthroplasty than hip arthroplasty. Finally, in our study of activity levels after knee arthroplasty we found that 16% of current patients participate in heavy labor or sports not recommended by Knee Society guidelines. These patients tend to be younger and predominantly male. This implies there is a subset of the population already doing things that will challenge the current generation of total knee arthroplasty and more patients want to do these activities and already do so. Therefore, there is a need for improved implant durability and improved knee function after knee arthroplasty. This suggests the methods of fixation may need to evolve to accommodate higher demands, and bearing surfaces definitely need to evolve to accommodate higher demands. Finally, more sophisticated implant kinematics to avoid or compensate for anterior cruciate ligament and posterior collateral ligament deficiency and more sophisticated surgery to optimize implant alignment and soft tissue balancing in the individual patient will be necessary to achieve more normal patient knee kinematic stability, strength and “feel”. Finally, we will need better and more sensitive scoring systems to detect improvements in future TKA surgery and design in the future.