Abstract. Introduction. The number of total knee replacements (TKRs) performed continues to increase and is marked in patients under the age of 60. Increased number of younger patients raises concerns about potentially increased rates of implant failure or revision. Previous studies used small cohorts with only short to medium term follow-up. This study is the largest of its kind reporting long term outcomes and clinical survivorship of patients 50 years or less undergoing TKR. Methods. This is a retrospective cohort study using data from the Scottish Arthroplasty Project. A total of 3727 patients 50 years or less undergoing TKR between 2000 and 2019. Data was also collected for the same time period on patients aged 50–79 years undergoing TKR for comparison. Results. Mean age for under 50 years cohort at initial TKR was 45.4 years. Primary reason for TKR was osteoarthritis (3025 cases) and 321 revisions were performed. The primary reason for revision was aseptic loosening (206 cases), or infection (18 cases). Average time to revision was 5.5 years. In the 50–79 years cohort, average age was 67.5 years. Primary reason for TKR was osteoarthritis (87776 cases) and 2997 revisions were performed. Principle reason for revision was infection (256 cases), or aseptic loosening (2042 cases). Average time to revision was 4 years. Conclusion. This study suggests long-term outcome of patients aged 50 years or less undergoing TKR remain promising. Patients should be aware of relatively higher rates of aseptic loosening requiring revision in patients aged 50 years or less undergoing TKR

Purpose of Study. In this review, we present the data of one of the largest non-designer, mid- to long-term follow-ups of the AGC carried out by surgeons of differing grades and sub-specialty. Summary of methods and Results. We present a total of 1538 AGC knees during a 15 year period, of which 902 were followed up by postal or telephone questionnaire focused on Oxford Knee Scores, Visual analogues of function and pain and survival analyses performed. 85.7% of patients had an Oxford knee score of between 0 and 40, with 71.2% scoring between 0 - 30. 65.6% of patients responded with a Visual Analogue Score (VAS) of 0 or 1 at rest (minimum pain = 0) and 53.9% reporting VA scores of 0 or 1 while walking. 87.5% of patients reported Excellent or good functional reports at final follow up and 90.3% reporting excellent or good pain control compared to per-operative levels. There is a survivorship of 95.88% at 15years. This large cohort and multi-surgeon & multi-experience level trial reproduces the excellent results as demonstrated by the designer centre (Ritter et al.) and is better than most others in the literature. Mid to long term outcome shows excellent function and analgesia. Complication rates are low and the necessity for revision remains low. Conclusion. In the hands of most orthopaedic surgeons, the AGC knee continues to deliver reproducible and satisfactory results and have good survivorship

Introduction. Current problem – Multiple surgical interventions for patellar instability and no defined criteria for use of medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction. Aims. Investigate the functional outcomes of MPFL reconstructions that had been performed following selection for treatment based on a defined patellar instability algorithm. Methods. Study design – prospective case series. Treatment number – 19 knees in 17 patients. Intervention – medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction using free gracillis tendon graft. Inclusion critieria – Recurrent patellar dislocation with a trochlear groove - tibial tubercle (TG-TT) offset of 20mm or less, and trochlear dysplasia and patellar alta classed as normal, mild or moderate. Primary outcome measure – Kujala patellofemoral questionnaire, assessed preoperatively and postoperatively at 6 weeks and 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 months and at final follow up. Secondary outcome measures – Fulkerson patellofemoral scores, return to work, return to preoperative sport and complications. Results. Median follow up time was 24 months (range 12 – 36 months). Kujala scores improved from 58 to 96 (p < 0.05) and Fulkerson scores improved from 56 to 95 (p < 0.05) pre- and postoperatively respectively. The median return to work was 8 weeks and return to preoperative sport was 12 weeks. There was one complication of post-operative stiffness, which settled with intensive physiotherapy. There were no instances of repeat dislocation or patellar fracture. There were no cases needing further surgery. Conclusions. MPFL reconstruction, when performed following selection using our defined treatment algorithm is safe and effective for the treatment of patellar instability. Longer follow up is required to see long term outcomes

Background. The management of chondral lesions in the knee, especially in young fit patients, remains an area of considerable controversy. Articular cartilage repair or reconstruction techniques may offer these patients alternatives to arthroplasty or realignment osteotomy. The TruFit plug (Smith & Nephew, London, UK) is a synthetic biphasic polymer scaffold that is designed for implantation at the site of a focal chondral defect. It is intended to resorb and allow tissue ingrowth 6-9 months following implantation and may be placed either arthroscopically or via an open approach depending on the site of the lesion. Methods. 11 patients with focal chondral defects in the knee underwent TruFit plug implantation. Postoperative management entailed a period of 6 weeks of restricted weight bearing or restricted knee flexion according to implantation site. Radiological evaluation with MRI or CT arthrogram (or both) was conducted at various time points postoperatively according to clinical indication. Functional scoring with the Oxford knee score (OKS), Tegner activity scale and Lysholm score were completed. Results. 35 TruFit plugs were implanted in 12 knees of 11 patients (4 men, 7 women) between June 2007 and December 2009. Mean age at time of surgery 46.9 years (range32-72years). Mean change in OKS 1.33 (range -13 to 29), Lysholm 13.8 (range -19 to 61), Tegner 0.33 (range -2 to 2 levels). Imaging characteristics on MRI and CT arthrogram show delayed incorporation of the grafts in all patients with no osseous integration at up to 24 months follow up. Conclusions. Early results from the TruFit plug show variable functional outcome scores which appear independent of patient age, number of plugs used and site of implantation. All show delayed tissue integration. Our group is currently not implanting any further TruFit plugs pending longer term outcomes from larger case series

We reviewed professional sportsmen who had undertaken Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction to determine their actual and perceived sporting performance and long term outcome. The specific aim was to determine whether the players returned to the same standard of play, following reconstructive surgery. After IRAS approval, a questionnaire survey was distributed to 55 professional players on the Sports Injury Surgery ACL database. 24players returned questionnaires (response rate of 43.6%). Dates of surgery ranged from January 1998-February 2006. The mean elapsed time following surgery was 48 months (range 13-120 months). 12 patients had injured their left knee, 8 their right and 4 both knees. The respondents played rugby league 37% (9), soccer 33.3% (8), rugby union 21% (5) and netball 8.3% (2). 12 respondents were playing in the top leagues in their sports. 15 were regular first team players and 6 were squad players. 62.5% (15) thought they had returned to their previous standard of play, 29% (7) said that they had not and 2 did not know. 71% (17) of respondents thoughts their knee returned to normal however 25% (6) did not. The mean time for RTP was 10 months (5-21 months). Those that returned to the same standard were younger (21yrs) compared to those who did not (25yrs) (P=0.108). 4 players had torn the ACL in the opposite knee or ruptured their reconstruction. Additional meniscal injuries did not influence outcome and at 4 years most players had no or only slight symptoms with sport or activities of daily living. The rupture of the ACL is no longer a career ending injury for the professional sportsman. The majority (62.5%) of players will return to their pre-injury standard of play following reconstruction. The age at injury and additional meniscal injuries were not shown to be significant factors in this series

Aims

The management of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is challenging. The correct antibiotic management remains elusive due to differences in epidemiology and resistance between countries, and reports in the literature. Before the efficacy of surgical treatment is investigated, it is crucial to analyze the bacterial strains causing PJI, especially for patients in whom no organisms are grown.

Aims

The purpose of this study was to assess total knee arthroplasty (TKA) volume and rates of early complications in morbidly obese patients over the last decade, where the introduction of quality models influencing perioperative care pathways occurred.

Aims

This study aims to evaluate a new home medical stretching device called the Self Treatment Assisted Knee (STAK) tool to treat knee arthrofibrosis.

Aim

There has been a significant reduction in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) procedures recorded in Australia. This follows several national joint registry studies documenting high UKA revision rates when compared to total knee arthroplasty (TKA). With the recent introduction of robotically assisted UKA procedures, it is hoped that outcomes improve. This study examines the cumulative revision rate of UKA procedures implanted with a newly introduced robotic system and compares the results to one of the best performing non-robotically assisted UKA prostheses, as well as all other non-robotically assisted UKA procedures.

Aims

This non-blinded randomised controlled trial compared the effect of patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) versus local infiltration analgesia (LIA) within an established enhanced recovery programme on the attainment of discharge criteria and recovery one year after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The hypothesis was that LIA would increase the proportion of patients discharged from rehabilitation by the fourth post-operative day but would not affect outcomes at one year.

This study demonstrates a significant correlation between the American Knee Society (AKS) Clinical Rating System and the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and provides a validated prediction tool to estimate score conversion.

A total of 1022 patients were prospectively clinically assessed five years after TKR and completed AKS assessments and an OKS questionnaire. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated significant correlations between OKS and the AKS knee and function scores but a stronger correlation (r = 0.68, p < 0.001) when using the sum of the AKS knee and function scores. Addition of body mass index and age (other statistically significant predictors of OKS) to the algorithm did not significantly increase the predictive value.

The simple regression model was used to predict the OKS in a group of 236 patients who were clinically assessed nine to ten years after TKR using the AKS system. The predicted OKS was compared with actual OKS in the second group. Intra-class correlation demonstrated excellent reliability (r = 0.81, 95% confidence intervals 0.75 to 0.85) for the combined knee and function score when used to predict OKS.

Our findings will facilitate comparison of outcome data from studies and registries using either the OKS or the AKS scores and may also be of value for those undertaking meta-analyses and systematic reviews.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:503–9.