7–20 % of the patients with a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are dissatisfied without an indication for revision. Therapeutic options for this patient population with mostly a lack of quadriceps strength are limited. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of six weeks low load resistance training with blood flow restriction (BFR) on the clinical outcome in these unhappy TKA patients. Thirty-one unhappy TKA patients (of the scheduled fifty patients) without mechanical failure were included in this prospective study since 2022. The patients participate in a supervised resistance training combined with BFR, two times a week during nine weeks. Patients were evaluated by the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Knee Society Score: satisfaction (KSSs) and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Functionality was tested using the Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and the 30-Second Chair Stand Test (30CST). Follow-up took place at six weeks, three months and six months after the start. Six weeks training with BFR provided statistically significant improvements in all the KOOS subscales compared to the baseline, especially for symptoms (55.1 (±15.4) versus 48.0 (±16.5); p<0.001), activities in daily living (50.3 (±21.1) versus 43.7 (±17.2); p<0.00) and quality of life (24.6 (±18.5) versus 17.3 (±13.0); p<0.001). The PCS reduced from 27.4 (±11.0) to 23.2 (±11.4) at six weeks (p<0.01), whereas the KSSs increased from 11.8 (±6.5) to 14.9 (±7.6) (p=0.021). Both the 6MWT and the 30CST improved statistically significant from respectively 319.7 (±15.0) to 341.6m (±106.5) (p<0.01) and 8.6 (±3.9) to 9.3 times (±4.5) (p<0.01). Blood flow restriction appears to enhance the quality of life and functional performance of unhappy TKA patients. Based on these preliminary results, BFR seems to be a promising and valuable alternative for these TKA patients with limited therapeutic options

Introduction and Objective. Evidence in literature is contradicting regarding outcomes of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) and whether they are inferior to TKA in primary osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this review was to find out if any difference exists in the results of TKA between the two indications. Materials and Methods. The electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Collaboration, and PubMed were searched and screened in duplicate for relevant studies. The selected studies were further subjected to quality assessment using the modified Coleman method. The primary outcome measure was patient reported outcome, and secondary outcome measures were infection, revision, stiffness, and patella tendon rupture. Results. A total of 18 studies involved 1129 patients with a mean age of 60.6 years (range 45.7–69) and follow up of 6.3 years. The time interval from index injury to TKA was 9.1 years. Knee Society Score (KSS) in PTOA reported in 12/18 studies showed functional improvement from 42.5 to 70 post-TKA exceeding minimally clinically important difference. In TKA for primary OA vs PTOA, deep peri-prosthetic joint infection (PJI) was reported in 1.9% vs 5.4% of patients, whilst revision of prosthesis at an average of 6 years post-operatively was performed in 2.6 vs 9.7% of patients. Conclusions. TKA is a successful treatment option for PTOA. However, the risk of significant complications like PJI and implant failure requiring revision is higher than primary OA cases. Patients should be counselled about those risks. Further well-designed comparative cohort-matched studies are needed to compare outcomes between the two populations

Introduction and Objective. Difficult primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and revision TKA are high demanding procedures. Joint exposure is the first issue to face off, in order to achieve a good result. Aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of a series of patients, who underwent TKA and revision TKA, where tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO) was performed. Materials and Methods. We retrospectively reviewed a cohort of 79 consecutives TKAs where TTO was performed, from our Institution registry. Patients were assessed clinically and radiographically at their last follow-up (mean, 7.4 ± 3.7 years). Clinical evaluation included the Knee Society Score (KSS), the pain visual analogue scale (VAS), and range of motion. Radiological assessment included the evaluation of radiolucent lines, osteolysis, cortical bone hypertrophy, time of bone healing of the TTO fragment, and the hardware complication. Results. KSS raised from 40.7 ± 3.1 to 75 ± 4.3 (p < 0.0001). Knee flexion increased from 78.7 ± 9.9° to 95.0 ± 9.5° (p < 0.0001), and VAS improved from 7.9 ± 0.9 to 3.8 ± 1 (p < 0.0001). No signs of loosening or evolutive radiolucency lineswere found. Osteolytic areas around the stem were detected. No significant association was found between the implant design and the outcomes, while aseptic loosening showed significantly better results. Complications were: 4 painful hardware, 3 late periprosthetic infections, 1 extension lag of 5°, and 3 flexion lag. Conclusions. Our experience suggests the use of TTO to improve the surgical approach in difficult primary TKA or revision TKA. A strict surgical technique leads to good results with low risk of complications

Introduction and Objective. TKA have shown both excellent long-term survival rate and symptoms and knee function improvement. Despite the good results, the literature reports dissatisfaction rates around 20%. This rate of dissatisfaction could be due to the overstuff that mechanically aligned prostheses could produce during the range of motion. Either size discrepancy between bone resection and prosthetic component and constitutional mechanical tibiofemoral alignment (MTFA) alteration might increase soft tissue tension within the joint, inducing pain and functional limitation. Materials and Methods. Total knee arthroplasties performed between July 2019 and September 2020 were examined and then divided into two groups based on the presence (Group A) or absence (Group B) of patellofemoral overstuff, defined as a thickness difference of more than 2 mm between chosen component and bone resection performed, taking into account at least one of the following: femoral medial and lateral condyle, medial or lateral trochlea and patella. Based on pre and post-operative MTFA measurements, Group A was further divided into two subgroups whether the considered alignment was modified or not. Patients were assessed pre-operatively and at 6 months post-op using the Knee Society Score (KSS), Oxford Knee Score (OKS), Forgotten Joint Score (FJS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Range of Motion (ROM). Results. One hundred total knee arthroplasties were included in the present study, 69 in Group A and 31 in group B. Mean age and BMI of patients was respectively 71 and 29.2. The greatest percentage of Patellofemoral Overstuff was found at the distal lateral femoral condyle. OKS, KSS functional score, and FJS were statistically significant higher in patients without Patellofemoral Overstuff. Therefore, Group A patients with a non-modified MTFA demonstrated statistically significant better KSS, ROM and FJS. Conclusions. Patellofemoral Overstuff decrease post-operative clinical scores in patients treated with TKA. The conventional mechanically aligned positioning of TKA components might be the primary cause of prosthetic overstuffing leading to worsened clinical results. Level of evidence: III; Prospective Cohort Observational study;

Introduction. This study aimed to compare MIPO and IMNr in the treatment of supracondylar femur fracture following TKA in respect of fracture healing, complications and functional results. Materials and Methods. A retrospective analysis was made of 32 supracondylar femur fractures classified according to the Rorabeck classification, comprising 20 cases treated with MIPO and 12 with IMNr. The two techniques were compared in respect of ROM, KSS, SF-12 scores, intraoperative blood loss, surgery time, and radiological examination findings. Results. No significant difference was determined between the two groups in respect of age, gender and fracture type, or in the median time to union (MIPO 4.3 months, IMNr 4.2 mths) (p >0.05). In the MIPO group, 2 patients had delayed union, so revision surgery was applied. The mean postoperative ROM was comparable between IMNr and MIPO (86.2 °vs 86 °, p > 0.05). The mean Knee Society Score (KSS) and SF-12 score did not differ between the IMN and MIPO groups. (p>0.05). Reduction quality in the sagittal plane was better in the MIPO group and no difference was determined in coronal alignment. Greater shortening of the lower extremity was seen in the IMNr group than in the MIPO group. (20.3 vs 9.3mm, p<0.05). Perioperative blood loss was greater (2 units vs.1.2 units) and mean operating time was longerin the MIPO group. (126.5 min vs 102.2 min, p<0.05). Conclusion. In patients with good bone stock, supracondylar femur fracture following TKA can be treated successfully with IMN or MIPO. IMN has the advantage of less blood loss and a shorter operating time. Reduction quality may be improved with the MIPO technique. Both surgery techniques can be successfully used by orthopaedic surgeons taking a case-by-case approach

Objectives. This study reports on a secondary exploratory analysis of the early clinical outcomes of a randomised clinical trial comparing robotic arm-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) for medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee with manual UKA performed using traditional surgical jigs. This follows reporting of the primary outcomes of implant accuracy and gait analysis that showed significant advantages in the robotic arm-assisted group. Methods. A total of 139 patients were recruited from a single centre. Patients were randomised to receive either a manual UKA implanted with the aid of traditional surgical jigs, or a UKA implanted with the aid of a tactile guided robotic arm-assisted system. Outcome measures included the American Knee Society Score (AKSS), Oxford Knee Score (OKS), Forgotten Joint Score, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) activity scale, Short Form-12, Pain Catastrophising Scale, somatic disease (Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders Score), Pain visual analogue scale, analgesic use, patient satisfaction, complications relating to surgery, 90-day pain diaries and the requirement for revision surgery. Results. From the first post-operative day through to week 8 post-operatively, the median pain scores for the robotic arm-assisted group were 55.4% lower than those observed in the manual surgery group (p = 0.040). At three months post-operatively, the robotic arm-assisted group had better AKSS (robotic median 164, interquartile range (IQR) 131 to 178, manual median 143, IQR 132 to 166), although no difference was noted with the OKS. At one year post-operatively, the observed differences with the AKSS had narrowed from a median of 21 points to a median of seven points (p = 0.106) (robotic median 171, IQR 153 to 179; manual median 164, IQR 144 to 182). No difference was observed with the OKS, and almost half of each group reached the ceiling limit of the score (OKS > 43). A greater proportion of patients receiving robotic arm-assisted surgery improved their UCLA activity score. Binary logistic regression modelling for dichotomised outcome scores predicted the key factors associated with achieving excellent outcome on the AKSS: a pre-operative activity level > 5 on the UCLA activity score and use of robotic-arm surgery. For the same regression modelling, factors associated with a poor outcome were manual surgery and pre-operative depression. Conclusion. Robotic arm-assisted surgery results in improved early pain scores and early function scores in some patient-reported outcomes measures, but no difference was observed at one year post-operatively. Although improved results favoured the robotic arm-assisted group in active patients (i.e. UCLA ⩾ 5), these do not withstand adjustment for multiple comparisons. Cite this article: M. J. G. Blyth, I. Anthony, P. Rowe, M. S. Banger, A. MacLean, B. Jones. Robotic arm-assisted versus conventional unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: Exploratory secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial. Bone Joint Res 2017;6:631–639. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.611.BJR-2017-0060.R1

Summary. The 80% porous structure of trabecular metal allows for bone ingrowth in more than 90% of the available surface. The Nexgen LPS Uncemented Knee using a trabecular metal tibial component has performed well at minimum of 5 years’ follow-up. Introduction. Total Knee Arthroplasty prostheses most frequently used in today's practice have cemented components. These have shown excellent clinical results. The fixation can however weaken with time, and cement debris within the articulation can lead to accelerated wear. Cementless implants are less commonly used, but some have also shown good long-term clinical results. The potential advantages of cementless implants are retention of bone stock, less chance of third-body wear due to the absence of cement, shorter operative time, and easier treatment of periprosthetic fractures. The posterior stabilised knee replacement has been said to increase tangential shear stresses on the tibial component and increases contact stresses on the cam and post mechanism hence the great debate of cruciate retaining or cruciate sacrificing implants. Objectives. We report the results of a prospective cohort of consecutive primary total knee arthroplasties using an uncemented posterior stabilised prosthesis using a trabecular metal (tantalum) tibial component at a minimum 5-year follow-up. Methods. Prospective 5 year follow-up of patients undergone an uncemented posterior stabilised total knee replacement using a trabecular metal tibial component (NexgenLPS). Clinical examination, Oxford knee score, Knee society score, SF12 and radiological evaluation undertaken at review. Results. 81 patients, 45 female, 36 male. Left 31, Right 50. Mean age 74.3 yrs range (51–90). SF12, mean: 31.8 range (25–37). Oxford Knee Score Pre-op Mean 20.1 range (9–36) Post op: Mean 32.1 range (9–48). Knee Society score. Pain Mean 91.8; range (60–100). Functional score mean 76.2; range (30–100). Mean Range of movement 110.5 degrees range (90–125). No evidence of loosening at 5 yrs. No deep infection. No Revisions. Conclusion. Although there are a variety of methods of achieving satisfactory initial fixation in cementless components, trabecular metal has an advantage owing to its cellular structure resembling bone. The 80% porous structure of trabecular metal allows for bone ingrowth in more than 90% of the available surface. The Nexgen LPS Uncemented Knee using a trabecular metal tibial component used in this series has shown no evidence of loosening at a minimum of 5 years’ follow-up and the prosthesis as a whole has performed very well clinically. Its early results are comparable to those prostheses most commonly used as reported by the arthroplasty registers. The longer term results from this prosthesis are awaited with interest

Background. Innovative developments for total knee arthroplasty enhanced anatomical design and fixation in order to decrease particle-induced aseptic implant loosening. As hypersensitivity reactions to metallic implant materials have been recognized to possibly cause premature implant failure, ceramic materials might constitute a proper alternative solution. The aim of this prospective short-term study was the initial comparison of a completely metal-free ceramic with a geometrically identical metallic arthroplasty over a one-year follow-up period. Methods. Eighty patients requiring primary total knee arthroplasty were enrolled within this open-label prospective comparative study. Patients were randomly divided among two groups to either undergo implantation of a completely metal-free system using a composite matrix material containing aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and zirconium oxide (ZrO2) (n=40), or an anatomically identical metallic knee system made of a cobalt-chromium alloy (Co28Cr6Mo) (n=40) produced by the same manufacturer. Clinical assessment was performed preoperatively, and during follow-up at three and twelve months using the Knee Society Score, Oxford Knee Score and EQ-5D-VAS. For radiological evaluation, standard preoperative and postoperative standardized radiographs were taken at mentioned follow-up visits. Results. Demographical data were not significantly different among our two study groups, and no patient has been lost to follow-up. The postoperative clinical scores improved significantly at three and twelve month follow-ups, but did not differ statistically among groups. The radiologically evaluated mean postoperative mechanical and anatomical axes showed proper alignment within both groups at all times. Notably, no revision surgery had to be performed, and no complications were recorded whatsoever. Conclusion. To our knowledge, this is the first study comparing a total ceramic metal-free knee system with a geometrically identical metallic TKR. Within the short-term follow-up of minimally one year, no significant differences could be demonstrated clinically or radiologically, therefore making this ceramic knee system a suitable option for patients with a known hypersensitivity to metal. Mid-term and long-term studies will be required to demonstrate the overall efficiency of this TKR to potentially expand its medical indication

Background. Total knee replacement (TKR) is an effective operation for many patients, however approximately 20% of patients experience chronic pain and functional limitations in the months and years following their TKR. If modifiable pre-operative risk factors could be identified, this would allow patients to be targeted with individualised care to optimise these factors prior to surgery and potentially improve outcomes. Psychosocial factors have also been found to be important in predicting outcomes in the first 12 months after TKR, however their impact on long-term outcomes is unknown. This study aimed to identify pre-operative psychosocial predictors of patient-reported and clinician-assessed outcomes at one year and five years after primary TKR. Patients and methods. 266 patients listed for a Triathlon TKR because of osteoarthritis were recruited from pre-operative assessment clinics at one orthopaedic centre. Knee pain and function were assessed pre-operatively and at one and five years post-operative using the WOMAC Pain score, WOMAC Function score and American Knee Society Score (AKSS) Knee score. Pre-operative depression, anxiety, catastrophizing, pain self-efficacy and social support were assessed using patient-reported outcome measures. Statistical analyses were conducted using multiple linear regression and mixed effect linear regression, and adjusted for confounding variables. Results. Higher anxiety was a predictor of worse self-reported pain at one year post-operative. Higher anxiety and catastrophizing were predictive of worse self-reported function at one year post-operative. No psychosocial factors were associated with any outcome measures at five years post-operative. Analysis of change over time found that patients with higher pain self-efficacy had lower pre-operative pain and experienced less improvement in pain up to one year. Higher pain self-efficacy was associated with less improvement in the AKSS up to one year post-operative but more improvement between one and five years post-operative. Conclusion. This study found that pre-operative anxiety and catastrophizing influence outcomes at one year after TKR, highlighting that some patients may benefit from targeted psychological interventions to reduce these risk factors and improve outcomes. However, none of the psychosocial variables assessed were predictors of outcomes at five years post-operative, suggesting that the negative effects of anxiety and catastrophizing on outcome do not persist in the longer term

Whether it is best to retain the posterior cruciate ligament in the degenerated knee, i.e. using a cruciate-retaining (CR) total knee prosthesis (TKP), or to use a more constraint posterior-stabilized (PS) TKP is of debate. There are limited studies comparing the effect of both methods on implant fixation and clinical outcome, leaving it up to the surgeon to base this decision on anything but conclusive evidence. We assessed the effect of two different philosophies in knee arthroplasty on clinical outcome and tibial component migration measured with radiostereometric analysis (RSA), by directly comparing the CR and PS version of an otherwise similarly designed cemented TKP. Sixty patients were randomized and received a Triathlon TKP (Stryker, NJ, USA) of either CR (n=30) or PS (n=30) design. RSA measurements (primary outcome) and clinical scores including the Knee Society Score and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score were evaluated at baseline, at three months postoperatively and at one, two, five and seven years. A linear mixed-effects model was used to analyse the repeated measurements. Both groups showed a similar implant migration pattern, with a maximum total point motion at seven years follow-up of around 0.8 mm of migration (mean difference between groups 95% CI −0.11 to 0.15mm, p=0.842). Two components (one of each group) were considered to have an increased risk of aseptic loosening. Both groups improved equally after surgery on the KSS and KOOS scores and no differences were seen during the seven years of follow-up. No differences in implant migration nor clinical results were seen seven years after cruciate-retaining compared to posterior-stabilized total knee prostheses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of body mass index (BMI) on patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis. Data was collected on 664 patients at 4 centres all of whom received a Depuy PFC Sigma prosthesis. Data collected included patient demographics, Oxford Knee Score (OKS), American Knee Society Score, SF-12, complications of surgery and the need for revision. 14% of patients had a BMI<25, 35% were overweight (BMI-25–30), 32% suffered from Grade 1 obesity (BMI-30–35) and 19% had grade 2 obesity (BMI>35). Obese patients were more likely to be female, have a higher ASA grade, present at a younger age and do sedentary work or no work at all. Pre-operative Oxford knee score was significantly worse in the BMI>35 group (p<0.001). After surgery there was a significant improvement in functional outcome measures at 5 years post-operatively with all BMI groups improved by an average of 18 or 19 points in the OKS. However because those patients with high BMI have poorer pre-operative Oxford scores their post-operative scores were lower compared to patients with a normal BMI. Similar findings were noted with range of motion of the knee joint. Overall complication rates were found to be significantly higher in obese patients and both revision surgery and deep infection rates increased stepwise with increasing BMI levels. Deep Infection rates were as follows: BMI<25 0%, BMI-25–30 1.3%, BMI-30–35 1.4%, BMI-35–40 3.2% and BMI>40 6.1%. Revision rates were as follows: BMI<25 0%, BMI-25–30 0.9%, BMI-30–35 0.9%, BMI-35–40 3.2% and BMI>40 6.1%. Although obese patients with knee osteoarthritis do benefit from joint arthroplasty, they suffer from an increased rate of complications and need for revision surgery

Recent projections expect the number of revision knee replacements performed to grow from 38,000 in 2005 to 270,000 by the year 2030. 1. Although the results of primary total knee arthroplasty are well documented, with overall implant survivorship at 15 years greater than 95%. 2. the results of revision procedures are not as well known. What if the revision TKR fails and what is the prevalence of failure of revision TKRs, the complications and re-operation rates? There are various studies which has either exclusively dealt with the causes or outcomes of revision with a particular prosthesis and survivorship analysis. The effectiveness of revision total knee replacement must be considered in the light of complications rates which could be either medical, orthopaedic surgery related complications or combination of both. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of complications, reoperation rates and outcomes in a single surgeon's series between 1984 and 2008. Ninety nine index revision cases were studied. Incidences of surgical complications were 52.5%. The total reoperation rate was 34.3% whilst single re revision accounted for 19.9% whereas multiple re-revision incidences were 4%. The mean outcome in terms of Knee Society Score, Knee Society Function, and Knee society range of motion was statistically and clinically significant between pre operative and posts operative score at one year and remained consistent with time. These results suggest that modern revision total knee replacement are satisfactory operations and the outcomes perhaps can be improved if relatively simple strategies are followed by focusing these operations to specialized that accumulate enough experience from these demanding surgeries. Overall the results asserts that even in the hands of an experienced surgeon the complications do occur which is usually multi factorial, whilst in the light of complications and reoperation incidence the patients can be counselled thoroughly before the procedure

Summary Statement. This project proves that Patellofemoral (PF) joint degeneration is not a contraindication to medial unicompartmental knee replacement. Introduction. Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is a recognised procedure for treatment of medial compartment osteoarthritis. Patellofemoral (PF) joint degeneration is widely considered to be a contraindication to medial unicompartmental knee replacement. We examined the validity of this preconception using information gathered prospectively on consecutive patients who underwent UKA using the Repicci II® UKA prosthesis for medial compartment osteoarthritis. Methods. We prospectively collected data on 147 consecutive patients who underwent the Repicci II® UKA for medial compartment osteoarthritis. All operations were performed between July 1999 and September 2000 by the same surgeon. The status of the PF joint was assessed intra-operatively in all patients, and accordingly patients were divided into two groups, one group with a normal PF joint, and the second group with degenerative changes of the PF joint. Variables measured for outcome included the International Knee Society (IKS) score, limb alignment, and range of motion. Radiographs were assessed for progression of disease or failure of implant. The mean follow-up was 9.4 years (range: 5–10.7 years). Patients were reviewed initially at 2 weeks, and then at 6 months post-operatively. They were subsequently reviewed on an annual basis.. All patients completed an IKS score preoperatively and at last follow-up. Age, gender, BMI, length of hospital stay, perioperative complications, all subsequent surgery, including revision of the prosthesis, and survivorship at 10 years was recorded, and results of the 2 groups compared. Results. A total of 147 patients were included in the study. None were lost to follow-up. Sixty nine had associated PF osteoarthritis (group A) while 78 patients had a normal PF compartment when assessed intra-operatively (group B). Post-operative outcomes of the two groups were compared using the ANCOVA analysis with adjustment for pre-operation values firstly, and adjusting also for gender, age, BMI and follow-up secondly. There were no significant differences in terms of IKS, alignment, and flexion between the two groups. However, patients in group B had significantly better extension post-operatively than patients in group A (p<0.05). Conclusion. We concluded that damage to the articular cartilage of the patellofemoral joint to the extent of full-thickness cartilage loss is not a contraindication to the Repicci II® unicondylar knee arthroplasty for medial compartment osteoarthritis. However, extension is significantly improved post-operatively in those patients with minimal or no PF joint degenerative disease