One of the most common bacteria in orthopaedic prosthetic infections is Staphylococcus Aureus. Infection causes implant failure due to biofilm production. Biofilms are produced by bacteria once they have adhered to a surface. Nanotopography has major effects on cell behaviour. Our research focuses on bacterial adhesion on nanofabricated materials. We hypothesise that surface nanotopography impacts the differential ability of staphylococci species to adhere via altered metabolomics and may reduce orthopaedic implant infection rate. Bacteria were grown and growth conditions optimised. Polystyrene and titanium (Ti) nanosurfaces were studied. The polystyrene surfaces had different nanopit arrays, while the Ti surfaces expressed different nanowire structures. Adhesion analysis was performed using fluorescence imaging, quantitative PCR and bacterial percentage coverage calculations. Further substitution with ‘heavy’ labelled glucose into growth medium allowed for bacterial metabolomic analysis and identification of any up-regulated metabolites and pathways. Our data demonstrates reduced bacterial adhesion on specific nanopit polystyrene arrays, while nanowired titanium showed increased bacterial adhesion following qPCR (P<0.05) and percentage coverage calculations (P<0.001). Further metabolomic analysis identified significantly increased intensity counts of specific metabolites (Pyruvate, Aspartate, Alanine and Carbamoyl aspartate). Our study shows that by altering nanotopography, bacterial adhesion and therefore biofilm formation can be affected. Specific nanopatterned surfaces may reduce implant infection associated morbidity and mortality. The identification of metabolic pathways involved in adhesion may allow for a targeted approach to biofilm eradication in S. aureus. This is of significant benefit to both the patient and the surgeon, and may well extend far beyond the realms of orthopaedics.
Joint aspiration is a useful tool during preoperative workup in suspected periprosthetic infection. The aim of this study was to review efficacy of joint aspiration in our unit and compare results with the published literature. We undertook a retrospective review of 153 consecutive patients who underwent joint aspirations for suspected periprosthetic infection between 03/2011 and 10/2012 who were identified from the hospital electronic database. As per protocol, joint fluid was sent in an EDTA tube for cell count, Paediatric blood culture bottle and the remainder in a specimen pot. 105 (69%) were TKRs and 48 (31%) were THRs. Intraoperative samples were sent as per protocol in only 40 (26%) cases. The hit rate of positive cultures was 11/153 (7%) and specimens sent in paediatric culture bottles identified more positives than if it was omitted (10.5 Vs 5.5%). In conclusion, the hit rate of positive cultures is low in this study compared to the literature (7% Vs 33%) and this is likely due to blanket aspiration of all patients who are undergoing revision. In addition, specimens sent in paediatric culture bottles seem to identify more positives. We recommend cases are selected for aspiration according to AAOS guidelines.
The most common bacteria in orthopaedic prosthetic infections are Staphylococcus, namely Staphylococcus Epidermidis (SE) and Staphylococcus Aureus (SA). Infection causes implant failure due to biofilm production. Biofilms are produced by bacteria once they have adhered to a surface. Nanotopography has major effects on cell behaviour. Our research focuses on bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on nanofabricated materials. Bacteria studied were clinically relevant from an orthopaedic perspective, SA and SE. We hypothesise that that nanosurfaces can modulate bacterial adherence and biofilm formation and may reduce orthopaedic implant infection rate. Isolated bacteria were grown and growth conditions optimised. Bacterial concentrations were calculated by using qPCR. Statistical analysis allowed identification of optimal biofilm growth conditions. These were refined on standard, non-nanopatterned surfaces, and then control and nanopatterned polystyrene (nanopits) and titanium plates (nanowires). Adhesion analysis was performed using fluorescence imaging and quantitative PCR. 4 bacterial strains were isolated and cultured. Growth kinetics based on 24hr cultures allowed isolation of optimal media for biofilm conditions (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium with additional supplements). Highest bacterial concentrations were found following 2hrs incubation with Lysozyme during qPCR. Bacterial concentration significantly increased between 30, 60 and 90 minutes incubation. Differences in percentage coverage on different polysyrene nanosurfaces (nanopits) were noted varying. This was confirmed by qPCR extractions that showed different bacterial concentrations on different nanopatterns. Titanium nanowire surfaces significantly increased bacterial adhesion (P<0.05). Our study cultured and quantified bacterial biofilm and suggests that by altering nanotopography, bacterial adhesion and therefore biofilm formation can be affected. Specific nanopatterned surfaces may reduce implant infection associated morbidity and mortality. Clearly this is of significant benefit to the patient, the surgeon and the NHS, and may well extend far beyond the realms of orthopaedics.
We compared the use of broth culture medium for
samples taken in theatre with the standard practice of placing tissue
samples in universal containers. A total of 67 consecutive patients
had standard multiple samples of deep tissue harvested at surgery
and distributed equally in theatre either to standard universal
containers or to broth culture medium. These samples were cultured
by direct and enrichment methods. The addition of broth in theatre to
standard practice led to an increase in sensitivity from 83% to
95% and an increase in negative predictive value from 77% to 91%.
Placing tissue samples directly into broth in the operating theatre
is a simple, inexpensive way to increase the sensitivity of cultures
from infected patients, and does not appear to compromise the specificity
of these cultures. Cite this article:
Background. Just under 2% of the joint infection work performed over the last 10 years in our institution has involved organisms found in the oropharynx. The issue of antibiotic prophylaxis for dental work in the presence of a joint prosthesis is controversial. However, advanced dental sepsis requires detection and treatment prior to joint replacement. Methods. Patients from whom non B-haemolytic streptococcal were recovered from revisions of prosthetic joints over the period 1993–2003 were retrospectively reviewed for predisposing factors. Results. 9 patients had viridans streptococcal infection detected and confirmed by histology and culture at excision arthroplasty. There were 5 total hip joints, 3 knee arthroplasties and 1 shoulder affected. No patient had a history of endocarditis. Two of the patients had previously had multiple revisions. Mean interval in these patients since last surgery was 7.6 years. All patients underwent 2 stage revision procedures. All patients required multiple dental extractions in the interval between 1st and 2nd stage surgery. On reviewing the patients’ histories further: One patient had reported a broken tooth reported at the time of surgery and been given reassurancethat it was safe to proceed. One patient had an overt dental abscess ongoing for 15 years and one patient had an occult dental abscess revealed on radiology. Two other patients had extensive dental caries with blackened stumps as teeth. Follow-up after antibiotic treatment and revision arthroplasty is limited in these cases but results appear satisfactory at up to five years. Conclusion. Poor dental care is associated with an increased risk of
Aims. This study aims to identify the top unanswered research priorities in the field of knee surgery using consensus-based methodology. Methods. Initial research questions were generated using an online survey sent to all 680 members of the British Association for Surgery of the Knee (BASK). Duplicates were removed and a longlist was generated from this scoping exercise by a panel of 13 experts from across the UK who provided oversight of the process. A modified Delphi process was used to refine the questions and determine a final list. To rank the final list of questions, each question was scored between one (low importance) and ten (high importance) in order to produce the final list. Results. This consensus exercise took place between December 2020 and April 2022. A total of 286 clinicians from the BASK membership provided input for the initial scoping exercise, which generated a list of 105 distinct research questions. Following review and prioritization, a longlist of 51 questions was sent out for two rounds of the Delphi process. A total of 42 clinicians responded to the first round and 24 responded to the second round. A final list of 24 research questions was then ranked by 36 clinicians. The topics included
Preventing
The aim of this study is to examine the differences in long-term mortality rates between infected and aseptic revision total hip arthroplasty (rTHA) in a single specialist centre over an 18-year period. Retrospective consecutive study of all patients who underwent rTHA at our tertiary centre between 2003 and 2020 was carried out. Revisions were classified as infected or aseptic. We identified patients’ age, gender, American Society of Anaesthesiologists grade (ASA) and body mass index (BMI). The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality at 5 years, 10 years and over the whole study period at 18 years. Death was identified through both local hospital electronic databases and linked data for the National Joint Registry. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to estimate time to death. Where two-stage revision techniques were used of the management of infected cases, these were grouped as a single revision episode for the purpose of analysis. In total, 1138 consecutive hip revisions were performed on 1063 patients (56 bilateral revisions – aseptic, 10 Excision
Total femoral arthroplasty (TFA) is a rare procedure used in cases of significant femoral bone loss, commonly from cancer, infection, and trauma. Low patient numbers have resulted in limited published work on long-term outcomes, and even less regarding TFA undertaken for non-oncological indications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of all TFAs in our unit. Data were collected retrospectively from a large tertiary referral revision arthroplasty unit’s database. Inclusion criteria included all patients who underwent TFA in our unit. Preoperative demographics, operative factors, and short- and long-term outcomes were collected for analysis. Outcome was defined using the Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) outcome reporting tool.Aims
Methods
The April 2024 Hip & Pelvis Roundup360 looks at: Impaction bone grafting for femoral revision hip arthroplasty with the Exeter stem; Effect of preoperative corticosteroids on postoperative glucose control in total joint replacement; Tranexamic acid in patients with a history of venous thromboembolism; Bisphosphonate use may be associated with an increased risk of periprosthetic hip fracture; A balanced approach: exploring the impact of surgical techniques on hip arthroplasty outcomes; A leap forward in hip arthroplasty: dual-mobility bearings reduce groin pain; A new perspective on complications: the link between blood glucose and joint infection risks.
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) screening has reduced rates of MRSA infection in primary total hip (THR) and total knee (TKR) replacements. There are reports of increasing methicillin resistance (MR) in Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (CNS) causing
Aim. Propionibacterium acnes is an emerging pathogen especially in orthopedic implant infection. Interestingly, we previously reported a difference in the distribution of the clades involved in spine versus hip or knee prosthetic infection. To date, no study has previously explored the direct impact and close relationship of P. acnes on bone cells according to their own genetic background. The aim of this study was to investigate this interaction of P. acnes clinical strains involved in spine material
The aim of this study was to evaluate the optimal deep tissue specimen sample number for histopathological analysis in the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). In this retrospective diagnostic study, patients undergoing revision surgery after total hip or knee arthroplasty (n = 119) between January 2015 and July 2018 were included. Multiple specimens of the periprosthetic membrane and pseudocapsule were obtained for histopathological analysis at revision arthroplasty. Based on the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) 2013 criteria, the International Consensus Meeting (ICM) 2018 criteria, and the European Bone and Joint Infection Society (EBJIS) 2021 criteria, PJI was defined. Using a mixed effects logistic regression model, the sensitivity and specificity of the histological diagnosis were calculated. The optimal number of periprosthetic tissue specimens for histopathological analysis was determined by applying the Youden index.Aims
Methods
Infection is a complication in hip arthroplasty. It increases mortality and morbidity and is a cause for patient's dissatisfaction. Previous Works report an infection rate between 0,4% e 1,5% in primary hip replacement and between 3,2% in revision hip replacement. The aim of this work was to access the infection rates in one hospital, compare them with the reported rates and investigate possible risk factors for infection. Electronic clinical records were consulted. Patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (primary or revision) or hemiarthroplasty in one hospital, between the 1st February 2011 and 31st February 2013, were included. Two hundred and sixty one patients (267 surgeries) were included. Demographically, 57,5% were female patients and 42,5% were male patients with an average age of 77,1 years (± 12,3 years). Infection rate for hemiarthroplasty 3,1%, for primary total hip arthroplasty was 1,4% and for revision procedures 4,8%. A statistically significant relation was found between
Protocols for processing of tissue from
Introduction: Papers about high-virulence infections are not usual, results contradictory, and orthopaedic outcomes not described. Purpose: to compare infectious and orthopaedic results after late
The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of liner malseating in two commonly used dual-mobility (DM) designs. Secondary aims included determining the risk of dislocation, survival, and clinical outcomes. We retrospectively identified 256 primary total hip arthroplasties (THAs) that included a DM component (144 Stryker MDM and 112 Zimmer-Biomet G7) in 233 patients, performed between January 2012 and December 2019. Postoperative radiographs were reviewed independently for malseating of the liner by five reviewers. The mean age of the patients at the time of THA was 66 years (18 to 93), 166 (65%) were female, and the mean BMI was 30 kg/m2 (17 to 57). The mean follow-up was 3.5 years (2.0 to 9.2).Aims
Methods
The December 2012 Hip &
Pelvis Roundup. 360 . looks at: swimming against the tide with resurfacing; hip impingement surgery; the relationship between obesity and co-morbidities and