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Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 104-B, Issue SUPP_12 | Pages 27 - 27
1 Dec 2022
Falsetto A Bohm E Wood G
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Recent registry data from around the world has strongly suggested that using cemented hip hemiarthroplasty has lower revision rates compared to cementless hip hemiarthroplasty for acute femoral neck hip fractures. The adoption of using cemented hemiarthroplasty for hip fracture has been slow as many surgeons continue to use uncemented stems. One of the reasons is that surgeons feel more comfortable with uncemented hemiarthroplasty as they have used it routinely. The purpose of this study is to compare the difference in revision rates of cemented and cementless hemiarthroplasty and stratify the risk by surgeon experience. By using a surgeons annual volume of Total Hip Replacements performed as an indicator for surgeon experience. The Canadian Joint Replacement Registry Database was used to collect and compare the outcomes to report on the revision rates based on surgeon volume. This is a large Canadian Registry Study where 68447 patients were identified for having a hip hemiarthroplasty from 2012-2020. This is a retrospective cohort study, identifying patients that had cementless or cemented hip hemiarthroplasty. The surgeons who performed the procedures were linked to the procedure Total Hip Replacement. Individuals were categorized as experienced hip surgeons or not based on whether they performed 50 hip replacements a year. Identifying high volume surgeon (>50 cases/year) and low volume (<50 cases/year) surgeons. Hazard ratios adjusted for age and sex were performed for risk of revision over this 8-year span. A p-value <0.05 was deemed significant. For high volume surgeons, cementless fixation had a higher revision risk than cemented fixation, HR 1.29 (1.05-1.56), p=0.017. This pattern was similar for low volume surgeons, with cementless fixation having a higher revision risk than cemented fixation, HR 1.37 (1.11-1.70) p=0.004 We could not detect a difference in revision risk for cemented fixation between low volume and high volume surgeons; at 0-1.5 years the HR was 0.96 (0.72-1.28) p=0.786, and at 1.5+ years the HR was 1.61 (0.83-3.11) p=0.159. Similarly, we could not detect a difference in revision risk for cementless fixation between low volume and high volume surgeons, HR 1.11 (0.96-1.29) p=0.161. Using large registry data, cemented hip hemiarthroplasty has a significant lower revision rate than the use of cementless stems even when surgeons are stratified to high and low volume. Low volume surgeons who use uncemented prostheses have the highest rate of revision. The low volume hip surgeon who cements has a lower revision rate than the high volume cementless surgeon. The results of this study should help to guide surgeons that no matter the level of experience, using a cemented hip hemiarthroplasty for acute femoral neck fracture is the safest option. That high volume surgeons who perform cementless hemiarthroplasty are not immune to having revisions due to their technique. Increased training and education should be offered to surgeons to improve comfort when using this technique


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 104-B, Issue SUPP_12 | Pages 1 - 1
1 Dec 2022
Falsetto A Bohm E Wood G
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Recent registry data from around the world has strongly suggested that using cemented hip hemiarthroplasty has lower revision rates compared to cementless hip hemiarthroplasty for acute femoral neck hip fractures. The adoption of using cemented hemiarthroplasty for hip fracture has been slow as many surgeons continue to use uncemented stems. One of the reasons is that surgeons feel more comfortable with uncemented hemiarthroplasty as they have used it routinely. The purpose of this study is to compare the difference in revision rates of cemented and cementless hemiarthroplasty and stratify the risk by surgeon experience. By using a surgeons annual volume of Total Hip Replacements performed as an indicator for surgeon experience. The Canadian Joint Replacement Registry Database was used to collect and compare the outcomes to report on the revision rates based on surgeon volume. This is a large Canadian Registry Study where 68447 patients were identified for having a hip hemiarthroplasty from 2012-2020. This is a retrospective cohort study, identifying patients that had cementless or cemented hip hemiarthroplasty. The surgeons who performed the procedures were linked to the procedure Total Hip Replacement. Individuals were categorized as experienced hip surgeons or not based on whether they performed 50 hip replacements a year. Identifying high volume surgeon (>50 cases/year) and low volume (<50 cases/year) surgeons. Hazard ratios adjusted for age and sex were performed for risk of revision over this 8-year span. A p-value <0.05 was deemed significant. For high volume surgeons, cementless fixation had a higher revision risk than cemented fixation, HR 1.29 (1.05-1.56), p=0.017. This pattern was similar for low volume surgeons, with cementless fixation having a higher revision risk than cemented fixation, HR 1.37 (1.11-1.70) p=0.004 We could not detect a difference in revision risk for cemented fixation between low volume and high volume surgeons; at 0-1.5 years the HR was 0.96 (0.72-1.28) p=0.786, and at 1.5+ years the HR was 1.61 (0.83-3.11) p=0.159. Similarly, we could not detect a difference in revision risk for cementless fixation between low volume and high volume surgeons, HR 1.11 (0.96-1.29) p=0.161. Using large registry data, cemented hip hemiarthroplasty has a significant lower revision rate than the use of cementless stems even when surgeons are stratified to high and low volume. Low volume surgeons who use uncemented prostheses have the highest rate of revision. The low volume hip surgeon who cements has a lower revision rate than the high volume cementless surgeon. The results of this study should help to guide surgeons that no matter the level of experience, using a cemented hip hemiarthroplasty for acute femoral neck fracture is the safest option. That high volume surgeons who perform cementless hemiarthroplasty are not immune to having revisions due to their technique. Increased training and education should be offered to surgeons to improve comfort when using this technique


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 105-B, Issue SUPP_2 | Pages 56 - 56
10 Feb 2023
Vaotuua D O'Connor P Belford M Lewis P Hatton A McAuliffe M
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Deep infection is a devastating complication of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study aimed to determine if there was a relationship between surgeon volume and the incidence of revision for infection after primary TKA. Data from the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR) from 1 September 1999 to 31 December 2020 for primary TKA for osteoarthritis that were revised for infection. Surgeon volume was defined by the number of primary TKA procedures performed by the surgeon in the year the primary TKA was performed and grouped as <25, 25-49, 50-74, 75-99, >100 primary TKA procedures per year. Kaplan Meir estimates for cumulative percent revision (CPR) and Cox Proportional Hazard Ratios were performed to compare rates of revision for infection by surgeon volume, with sub-analyses for patella and polyethylene use, age <65 years and male gender. 5295 of 602,919 primary TKA for osteoarthritis were revised for infection. High volume surgeons (>100 TKA/year) had a significantly lower rate of revision for infection with a CPR at 1 and 17 years of 0.4% (95% CI 0.3, 0.4) and 1.5% (95% CI 1.2, 2.0), respectively, compared with 0.6% (95% CI 0.5, 0.7) and 2.1% (95% CI 1.8, 2.3), respectively, for low volume surgeons (<25 TKR/year). Differences between the high-volume group and the remaining groups remained when sub-analysis for age, gender, ASA, BMI, patella resurfacing and the use of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE). High volume surgeons have lower rates of revision for infection in primary TKA


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 102-B, Issue SUPP_1 | Pages 131 - 131
1 Feb 2020
Greene A Parsons I Jones R Youderian A Byram I Papandrea R Cheung E Wright T Zuckerman J Flurin P
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INTRODUCTION. The advent of CT based 3D preoperative planning software for reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) provides surgeons with more data than ever before to prepare for a case. Interestingly, as the usage of such software has increased, further questions have appeared over the optimal way to plan and place a glenoid implant for RTSA. In this study, a survey of shoulder specialists from the American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) was conducted to examine thought patterns in current RTSA implant selection and placement. METHODS. 172 ASES members completed an 18-question survey on their thought process for how they select and place a RTSA glenoid implant. Data was collected using a custom online Survey Monkey survey. Surgeon answers were split into two cohorts based on number of arthroplasties performed per year: between 0–75 was considered low volume (LV), and between 75–200+ was considered high volume (HV). Data was analyzed for each cohort to examine differences in thought patterns, implant selection, and implant placement. RESULTS. 70 surgeons were grouped into the LV cohort, and 102 surgeons were grouped into the HV cohort. 46.1% of surgeons in the HV cohort reported using a preoperative planning software for the majority of cases, 48% reported seldom use, and 5.9% reported no use. In the LV cohort, 41.4% reported use for the majority of cases, 24.3% reported seldom use, and 34.3% reported no use (Figure 1). When questioned on what percentage of RTSA cases do surgeons use augmented glenoid implants, 26.7% in the HV cohort responded never using augments vs. 32.4% in the LV cohort, 32.7% responded using augments <15% of the time in the HV cohort vs. 30.9% in the LV cohort, 26.7% responded using augments between 15–45% of the time in the HV cohort vs. 27.9% in the LV cohort, and 13.8% responded using augments >45% of the time in the HV cohort vs. 8.8% in the LV cohort (Figure 2). When asked what the maximum allowable superior inclination for a RTSA glenoid implant is, surgeons answered 10° 20.6% of the time in the HV cohort vs. 30% in the LV cohort, 5° 18.6% of the time in the HV cohort vs. 25.7% in the LV cohort, 0° 38.2% of the time in the HV cohort vs. 25.7% in the LV cohort, and no fixed degree 22.5% of the time in the HV cohort vs. 18.6% in the LV cohort (Figure 3). CONCLUSION. The results of this study show that even within a group of highly trained surgeons, there are widely varying opinions on how to plan the optimal RTSA case. Variation between high and low volume surgeons reveals even greater differences, suggesting that experience affects thought pattern. Despite these differences, there is no way to prove the optimal implant selection and placement without consistent data collection and long-term clinical outcomes. Machine learning on large preoperative planning databases combined with clinical outcomes data may provide further clarity on optimal implant placement and selection. For any figures or tables, please contact the authors directly


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 106-B, Issue SUPP_8 | Pages 31 - 31
10 May 2024
Clatworthy M Rahardja R Young S Love H
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Background. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with concomitant meniscal injury occurs frequently. Meniscal repair is associated with improved long-term outcomes compared to resection but is also associated with a higher reoperation rate. Knowledge of the risk factors for repair failure may be important in optimizing patient outcomes. Purpose. This study aimed to identify the patient and surgical risk factors for meniscal repair failure, defined as a subsequent meniscectomy, following concurrent primary ACL reconstruction. Methods. Data recorded by the New Zealand ACL Registry and the Accident Compensation Corporation, the New Zealand Government's sole funder of ACL reconstructions and any subsequent surgery, was reviewed. Meniscal repairs performed with concurrent primary ACL reconstruction was included. Root repairs were excluded. Univariate and multivariate survival analysis was performed to identify the patient and surgical risk factors for meniscal repair failure. Results. Between 2014 and 2020, a total of 3,024 meniscal repairs were performed during concurrent primary ACL reconstruction (medial repair = 1,814 and lateral repair = 1,210). The overall failure rate was 6.6% (n = 201) at a mean follow-up of 2.9 years, with a failure occurring in 7.8% of medial meniscal repairs (142 out of 1,814) and 4.9% of lateral meniscal repairs (59 out of 1,210). The risk of medial failure was higher in patients with a hamstring tendon autograft (adjusted HR = 2.20, p = 0.001), patients aged 21–30 years (adjusted HR = 1.60, p = 0.037) and in those with cartilage injury in the medial compartment (adjusted HR = 1.75, p = 0.002). The risk of lateral failure was higher in patients aged ≤ 20 years (adjusted HR = 2.79, p = 0.021) and when the procedure was performed by a surgeon with an annual ACL reconstruction case volume of less than 30 (adjusted HR = 1.84, p = 0.026). Conclusion. When performing meniscal repair during a primary ACL reconstruction, the use of a hamstring tendon autograft, younger age and the presence of concomitant cartilage injury in the medial compartment increases the risk of medial meniscal repair failure, whereas younger age and low surgeon volume increases the risk of lateral meniscal repair failure


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 100-B, Issue SUPP_6 | Pages 2 - 2
1 Apr 2018
Wang Y Huang H
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Introduction. Satisfaction and survival rates after total knee arthroplasty were high according to literatures. However, around 8% of revision surgeries were still noted and almost half of them were early failures, which were most seen in 2 years after primary surgery. This study aimed to find out the factors lead to early failures after total knee arthroplasty. Materials and Methods. Data were collected based on the National Health Insurance Research Data Base of Taiwan from 1996 to 2010. Primary total knee arthroplasty surgeries were included. Revisional total knee arthroplasty, removal of total knee implant and arthrotomy surgeries registered after primary total knee surgeries are seen as failures. Results. 1. Overall prevalence. Total failure rate is 3.67% (4820 in 131441) and 44.46% of them are early failures in two years after primary surgery (2143 in 4820). 2. Characters of patient. Higher early failure rates were found in patients who accepted primary surgery under 56 years old, compared to 56∼64 years old and <65 years old groups (>65years/old compared to <56years/old, HR:0.51 [95% CI 0.44–0.58]; 56–64 years/old compared to <56years old, HR:0.61 [95% CI 0.52–0.72]). Male patients were found to have higher early failure rates compared to female group (compared to female, HR:1.55, [95% CI 1.41–1.69]). 3. Character of disease. Diagnosis of Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis would have no difference in failure rates, but gouty arthritis and other reasons would lead to higher early failure rates (compared to osteoarthritis, HR:1.94, [95% CI 1.55- 2.42]). 4. Influences of comorbidity. Diabetes Mellitus would lead to higher early failure rate (compared to non-DM, HR:1.28, [95% CI 1.13–1.46]). No significant differences were found in Renal disease and higher Charlson Comorbidity Index. 5. Character of Health Care Provider. 41.50% surgeries were performed in Medical Centers(>500 beds), 27.20% in Metropolitan Hospitals(>250 beds) and 31.20% in Local Community Hospitals(>20 beds). Surgeries performed in Metropolitan and Local Community Hospitals would have higher early failure rates (Local compared to center H, HR:1.42 [95% CI 1.28 −1.57]; Metropolitan compared to center H, HR:1.23 [95% CI 1.11 −1.37]). 83.40% surgeries were performed by high volume surgeons. High volume surgeons would have lower early failure rates (compared to low volume, HR:0.62, [95% CI 0.52–0.75]). 87.20% surgeries were performed in high volume hospitals. High volume hospitals would have lower early failure rates (compared to low volume, HR:0.51, [95% CI 0.41- 0.63]). Conclusion and Discussion. Early failure rate (<2 years after primary surgery) in Taiwan is compatible to global data. Younger patients accepted total knee arthroplasty would have more failures, which might be a result of higher activity demand. Reasons other than osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis such as gouty arthritis, hemophilia, post-traumatic arthritis and osteonecrosis can complicate the surgery and lead to higher failure rates. Patients with diabetes mellitus would have more infection risks and therefore lead to higher failures. High volume surgeons, high volume hospitals and even non-local hospitals could provide better trainings and facilities to patients, which can therefore lead to lower failures


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 97-B, Issue SUPP_13 | Pages 9 - 9
1 Nov 2015
Sperling J
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A primary goal of shoulder arthroplasty is to place the components in anatomic version. However, traditional instrumentation does not accommodate glenoid wear patterns. Therefore, many investigators have attempted to use computer modeling or CT-based algorithms to create custom targeting guides to achieve this goal. There are some recent studies investigating the use of custom guides. Iannotti et al. published in JBJS-American in 2012 on the use of patient specific instrumentation. There were 31 patients included in the study. The authors found that the planning software and patient specific instrumentation were helpful overall, but particularly of benefit in patients with retroversion in excess of 16 degrees. In this group of patients, the mean deviation was 10 degrees in the standard surgical group and 1.2 degrees in the patient specific instrumentation group. Throckmorton presented a study at the AAOS in 2014 on 70 cadaveric shoulders. There was one high volume surgeon (>100 shoulder arthroplasties a year), two middle volume surgeons (20–50 shoulder arthroplasties a year), and two low volume surgeons (less than 20 shoulder arthroplasties per year). Overall, the custom guide was significantly more accurate than standard instrumentation. The custom guides were found to be especially more accurate among specimens with associated glenoid wear. There were no strong trends to indicate consistent differences between high, medium, and low volume surgeons. The authors concluded that custom guides have narrower standard deviation and fewer significant errors than standard instrumentation. Custom guides continue to evolve for use in shoulder arthroplasty including some guides that allow the surgeon to decide intra-operatively between anatomic shoulder arthroplasty and reverse arthroplasty. Additional studies will be necessary to further define the role of patient specific instrumentation in practice


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 102-B, Issue SUPP_1 | Pages 136 - 136
1 Feb 2020
Greene A Parsons I Jones R Youderian A Byram I Papandrea R Cheung E Wright T Zuckerman J Flurin P
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INTRODUCTION. 3D preoperative planning software for anatomic and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (ATSA and RTSA) provides additional insight for surgeons regarding implant selection and placement. Interestingly, the advent of such software has brought previously unconsidered questions to light on the optimal way to plan a case. In this study, a survey of shoulder specialists from the American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) was conducted to examine thought patterns in current glenoid implant selection and placement. METHODS. 172 ASES members completed an 18-question survey on their thought process for how they select and place a glenoid implant for both ATSA and RTSA procedures. Data was collected using a custom online Survey Monkey survey. Surgeon answers were split into three cohorts based on their responses to usage of 3D preoperative planning software: high users, seldom users, and non-users. Data was analyzed for each cohort to examine differences in thought patterns, implant selection, and implant placement. RESULTS. 76 surgeons were grouped into the high user cohort, 66 into the seldom user cohort, and 30 into the non-user cohort. 61.9% of high users and 74.1% of seldom users performed >75 shoulder arthroplasties per year, whereas only 19.9% of non-users performed >75 arthroplasties per year (Figure 1). When questioned on glenoid implant type selection (augmented vs. non-augmented components), 80.3% of high users reported augment usage for both ATSA and RTSA, with using augments >45% of the time in 18.4% of ATSA cases and in 22.3% of RTSA cases. For seldom users, 80.3% reported augment usage in ATSA cases, and 70.3% in RTSA cases. Seldom users reported augment usage >45% of the time in 4.5% of ATSA cases and in 1.6% of RTSA cases. For non-preoperative planning users, 53.3% reported using augments in ATSA cases, and 48.3% for RTSA cases. Non-users used augmented glenoid components >45% of the time in 6.6% of ATSA cases and in 6.8% of RTSA cases. For resultant implant superior inclination in RTSA, 40.8% of high users aim for 0° of inclination, followed by 31.8% for seldom users and 16.7% of non-users (Figure 2). CONCLUSION. The results of this study show that 3D preoperative planning software has an influence on the decision making process when planning a shoulder arthroplasty. High volume shoulder arthroplasty surgeons report higher preoperative planning software usage than low volume surgeons, suggesting the utility of such software. Augmented glenoid component usage for both ATSA and RTSA is also higher for surgeons that use preoperative planning software, which either suggests the utility of augmented glenoid components, or that the use of such software creates the perceived need for augmented glenoid components. Lastly, surgeons who preoperatively plan tend to orient their glenoid components differently, which could suggest either a better understanding of the anatomy through the use of the software, or an influence on mindset regarding implant orientation resulting from software usage. This highlights an area for future work that could correlate clinical outcome data to implant selection and placement to prove what is the optimal plan for a given patient. For any figures or tables, please contact the authors directly


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 102-B, Issue SUPP_1 | Pages 134 - 134
1 Feb 2020
Greene A Parsons I Jones R Youderian A Byram I Papandrea R Cheung E Wright T Zuckerman J Flurin P
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INTRODUCTION. 3D preoperative planning software for anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (ATSA) provides surgeons with increased ability to visualize complex joint relationships and deformities. Interestingly, the advent of such software has seemed to create less of a consensus on the optimal way to plan an ATSA rather than more. In this study, a survey of shoulder specialists from the American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) was conducted to examine thought patterns in current ATSA implant selection and placement. METHODS. 172 ASES members completed an 18-question survey on their thought process for how they select and place an ATSA glenoid implant. Data was collected using a custom online Survey Monkey survey. Surgeon answers were split into two cohorts based on number of arthroplasties performed per year: between 0–75 was considered low volume (LV), and between 75–200+ was considered high volume (HV). Data was analyzed for each cohort to examine differences in thought patterns, implant selection, and implant placement. RESULTS. 70 surgeons were grouped into the LV cohort, and 102 surgeons were grouped into the HV cohort. 46.1% of surgeons in the HV cohort reported using a preoperative planning software for the majority of cases vs. 41.4% in the LV cohort, 48% of surgeons in the HV cohort reported seldom use vs. 24.3% in the LV cohort, and 5.9% of surgeons in the HV cohort reported no use vs. 34.3% in the LV cohort (Figure 1). When questioned on what percentage of ATSA cases do surgeons use augmented glenoid implants, 20.6% in the HV cohort responded never using augments vs. 30% in the LV cohort, 39.2% responded using augments <15% of the time in the HV cohort vs. 34.3% in the LV cohort, 26.5% responded using augments between 15–45% of the time in the HV cohort vs. 28.6% in the LV cohort, and 13.7% responded using augments >45% of the time in the HV cohort vs. 7.2% in the LV cohort (Figure 2). When asked what the maximum allowable residual retroversion for an ATSA glenoid implant is, surgeons answered 0–5° 6.9% of the time in the HV cohort vs. 4.3% in the LV cohort, 6–9° 35.6% of the time in the HV cohort vs. 50% in the LV cohort, 10–12° 34.7% of the time in the HV cohort vs. 32.9% in the LV cohort, 13–15° 10.9% of the time in the HV cohort vs. 8.6% in the LV cohort, and lastly >16° 11.9% of the time in the HV cohort vs. 4.3% in the LV cohort (Figure 3). CONCLUSION. Research suggests ATSA glenoid implants may be less forgiving of malalignment than reverse shoulder glenoid implants, but the contrasting survey results in this study reveal that a consensus in optimal placement has yet to be reached. Interestingly, even though HV use more augmented glenoid components than LV surgeons, HV surgeons are more accepting of residual glenoid component retroversion than LV surgeons. Despite these differences, there is no way to prove the optimal implant selection and placement without long-term clinical outcomes. For any figures or tables, please contact the authors directly


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 94-B, Issue SUPP_XXXVIII | Pages 72 - 72
1 Sep 2012
Schemitsch EH Investigators S Bhandari M
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Purpose. Our hypothesis was that closed tibia fractures treated with intramedullary nails are impacted by surgeon and center volumes. Method. Data from 813 patients with closed tibia fractures were obtained from the SPRINT study. Using multiple regression, we examined the effect of center and surgeon volume (categorized as high, moderate, or low), and geographic differences by country (Canada, USA, and the Netherlands) on health-related quality-of-life and revision surgeries to gain union at one year. Our measures of quality-of-life were the Short-Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36 PCS) and the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA). Results. Patients treated by moderate volume surgeons had a reduced risk of reoperation versus patients treated by low volume surgeons (odds ratio =0.54, 95% CI = 0.33 to 0.89, p=0.02). No effects of surgeon volume were seen for the other outcomes. Patients treated at moderate volume centers had poorer quality of life at one year than patients treated at low volume centers, based on the SMFA Bother score (difference = 7.33, 95% CI = 2.65 to 12.01). This effect was not seen with the other outcomes. Patients with isolated fractures have better quality-of-life at one year, based on all three measures, p<0.001. Older patients have poorer SMFA scores at one year than younger patients, p<0.001. There were no significant differences by country. Conclusion. The traditional volume versus outcome relationship for closed tibial fractures within intramedullary nailing does not hold. Further analyses in other areas of orthopaedic trauma surgery are advisable


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 101-B, Issue SUPP_4 | Pages 147 - 147
1 Apr 2019
Frankel W Navarro S Haeberle H Mont M Ramkumar P
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BACKGROUND. High-volume surgeons and hospital systems have been shown to deliver higher value care in several studies. However, no evidence-based volume thresholds for cost currently exist in total hip arthroplasty (THA). The objective of this study was to establish clinically meaningful volume thresholds based on cost for surgeons and hospitals performing THA. A secondary objective was to analyze the relative market share of THAs among the newly defined surgeon and hospital volume strata. METHODS. Using 136,501 patients from the New York State Department of Health's SPARCS database undergoing total hip arthroplasty, we used stratum-specific likelihood ratio (SSLR) analysis of a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to generate volume thresholds predictive of increased costs for both surgeons and hospitals. Additionally, we examined the relative proportion of annual THA cases performed by each of these surgeon and hospital volume strata we had established. RESULTS. SSLR analysis of cost by annual surgeon THA volume produced stratifications at: 0–73 (low), 74–123 (medium), and 124 or more (high) (Figure 1). Analysis by annual hospital THA volume produced stratifications at: 0–121 (low), 122–309 (medium), and 310 or more (high) (Figure 2). Hospital costs decreased significantly (P < .05) in progressively higher volume stratifications. The largest proportion of THA cases are performed at high-volume hospitals (48.6%); however, low-volume surgeons perform the greatest share of these cases (44.6%) (Figure 3). CONCLUSIONS. Our study establishes economies of scale in total hip arthroplasty by demonstrating a direct relationship between volume and cost reduction. High volume hospitals are performing the greatest proportion of total hip arthroplasties; however, low volume, surgeons perform the largest share of these cases, which highlights a potential area for enhanced value in the care of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 100-B, Issue SUPP_10 | Pages 9 - 9
1 Jun 2018
Callaghan J
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Contemporary crosslinked polymers didn't just happen. The material was, has, and continues to be studied more than any other bearing surface material used in the total hip and total knee replacement construct. Historical failures and successes provided the information needed to make it the success that it is today as we approach the end of the second decade of extensive use. Recognition that wear particles, not cement, was the major cause of osteolysis was important. Next, understanding that oxidation from free radical formation was deleterious to wear resistant polyethylene was understood and finally, that crosslinking was responsible for magnitude increases in wear resistance. Although manufacturers have developed multiple processes to develop their crosslinked polymers (gamma and e beam radiation, melting and annealing, and most recently the addition of antioxidants) there are excellent 10-year results demonstrating head penetration rates (indicative of wear and creep) in the 0.02 to 0.04 mm/year range for many materials with minimal if any detection of osteolysis on radiographs and close to 0% revised for wear at 10+ years. Are there any cautions? Recently, at 10- to 15-year follow up, some clinically insignificant osteolysis has been noted in one study and in that same study, 36 mm heads had twice the volumetric wear as 32 mm heads, but it was still a relatively low volume compared to the previous generation polyethylenes. We need further follow up, but at two decades of use, crosslinked polymers have dramatically reduced the osteolysis problem


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 100-B, Issue SUPP_10 | Pages 62 - 62
1 Jun 2018
Garbuz D
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The goals of revision total hip on the femoral side are to achieve long term stable fixation, improve quality of life and minimise complications such as intra-operative fracture or dislocation. Ideally these stems will preserve or restore bone stock. Modular titanium stems were first introduced in North America around 2000. They gained popularity as an option for treating Paprosky 3B and 4 defects. Several studies at our institution have compared modular titanium stems with monoblock cobalt chromium stems. The main outcomes of interest were quality of life. We also looked at complications such as intra-operative fracture and post-operative dislocation. We also compared these 2 stems with respect to restoration or preservation of bone stock. In 2 studies we showed that modular titanium stems gave superior functional outcomes as well as decreased complications compared to a match cohort of monoblock cobalt chromium stems. As mentioned, one of the initial reasons for introduction of these stems was to address larger femoral defects where failure rates with monoblock cobalt chromium stems were unacceptably high. We followed a group of 65 patients at 5–10 years post revision with a modular fluted titanium stem. Excellent fixation was obtained with no cases of aseptic loosening. However, there were 5 cases of fracture of the modular junction. Due to concerns of fracture of the modular junction, more recently, at our institution, we have switched to almost 100% monoblock fluted titanium stems. We recently reviewed our first 100 cases of femoral revision with a monoblock stem. Excellent fixation was achieved with no cases of aseptic loosening. Quality of life outcomes were similar to our previous reported series on modular tapered titanium stems. Both monoblock and modular fluted titanium stems can give excellent fixation and excellent functional outcomes. This leaves a choice for the surgeon. For the low volume revision surgeon modular tapered stems are probably the right choice. Higher volume surgeons or surgeons very comfortable with performing femoral revision may want to consider monoblock stems. If one is making the switch it would be easiest to start with a simple case. Such a case would be one that can be done with a endofemoral approach. In this approach the greater trochanter is available as the key landmark for reaming. After the surgeon is comfortable with this stem more complex cases can easily be handled with the monoblock stem. In summary, both modular and monoblock titanium stems are excellent options for femoral revision. As one becomes more familiar with the monoblock stem it can easily become your workhorse for femoral revision. At our institution we introduced a monoblock titanium stem in 2011. It started out at 50% of cases and now it is virtually used in almost 100% of revision cases


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 98-B, Issue SUPP_17 | Pages 13 - 13
1 Nov 2016
Iannotti J
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Peri-prosthetic joint infection (PJI) can be both a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in shoulder arthroplasty, due to the indolent nature of the common infecting organisms. Proprionobacterium acnes (P. acnes) is the most common pathogen cultured in revision shoulder arthroplasty. It is a slow growing, anaerobic organism – requires longer incubation period (7–21 days). Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species (CNSS) is also a common organism responsible for PJI. Established diagnostic tests for hip and knee PJI are often negative in the shoulder despite post-operative growth of intra-operative cultures. Pre-operative synovial aspiration often low volume due to indolent pathogens and successful aspiration is often reported to be 50% or less with Dilisio et al, JBJS 2014: reporting 16.7% sensitivity, 100% specificity. Variable culture length for P. acnes culture protocols are reported from 7–28 days with most groups recommending 14 days. From our research, we demonstrated time to culture growth was significantly shorter in probable true positive culture group (median, 5 vs. 9 days, p=0.002). Frozen section analysis may help intra-operative decision-making (one- vs. two-stage reimplantation) yet the reported sensitivity and specificity in shoulder arthroplasty is far less than in hip and knee arthroplasty. Synovial fluid biomarkers have been identified as part of the innate response to pathogens include pro-inflammatory cytokines and antimicrobial peptides. In a series of prospective studies of revision shoulder arthroplasty, synovial fluid analysis reported by Frangiamore et al, JBJS 2015: IL-6, Frangiamore et al, JSES 2015: α-defensin (Synovasure. TM. ), Frangiamore et al, AAOS 2015: Broader cytokine analysis it was demonstrated that these markers are much more predictive of infection than synovial fluid cultures, frozen section or serum markers


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 99-B, Issue SUPP_15 | Pages 96 - 96
1 Aug 2017
Garbuz D
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The goals of revision total hip on the femoral side are to achieve long term stable fixation, improve quality of life and minimise complications such as intra-operative fracture or dislocation. Ideally these stems will preserve or restore bone stock. Modular titanium stems were first introduced in North America around 2000. They gained popularity as an option for treating Paprosky 3B and 4 defects. Several studies at our institution have compared the modular titanium stems with monoblock cobalt chromium stems. The main outcomes of interest were quality of life. We also looked at complications such as intra-operative fracture and post-operative dislocation. We also compared these 2 stems with respect to restoration or preservation of bone stock. In 2 studies we showed that modular titanium stems gave superior functional outcomes as well as decreased complications compared to a match cohort of monoblock cobalt chromium stems. As mentioned one of the initial reasons for introduction of these stems was to address larger femoral defects where failure rates with monoblock cobalt chromium stems were unacceptably high. We followed a group of 65 patients at 5–10 years post-revision with a modular fluted titanium stem. Excellent fixation was obtained with no cases of aseptic loosening. However, there were 5 cases of fracture of the modular junction. Due to concerns of fracture of the modular junction more recently at our institution we have switched to almost 100% monoblock fluted titanium stems. We recently reviewed our first 100 cases of femoral revision with monoblock stem. Excellent fixation was achieved with no cases of aseptic loosening. Quality of life outcomes were similar to our previous reported series on modular tapered titanium stems. Both monoblock and modular fluted titanium stems can give excellent fixation and excellent functional outcomes. This leaves a choice for the surgeon. For the low volume revision surgeon modular tapered stems are probably the right choice. Higher volume surgeons or surgeons very comfortable with performing femoral revision may want to consider monoblock stems. If one is making the switch it would be easiest to start with a simple case. Such a case would be one that can be done with an endofemoral approach. In this the greater trochanter is available as the key landmark for reaming. After the surgeon is comfortable with this stem more complex cases can easily be handled with the monoblock stem. In summary, both modular and monoblock titanium stems are excellent options for femoral revision. As one becomes more familiar with the monoblock stem it can easily become your workhorse for femoral revision. At our institution we introduced a monoblock titanium stem in 2011. It started out at 50% of cases and now it is virtually used in almost 100% of revision cases


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 98-B, Issue SUPP_17 | Pages 97 - 97
1 Nov 2016
Garbuz D
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The goals of revision total hip on the femoral side are to achieve long term stable fixation, improve quality of life and minimise complications such as intra-operative fracture or dislocation. Ideally these stems will preserve or restore bone stock. Modular titanium stems were first introduced in North America around 2000. They gained popularity as an option for treating Paprosky 3B and 4 defects. Several studies at our institution have compared the modular titanium stems with monoblock cobalt chromium stems. The main outcomes of interest were quality of life. We also looked at complications such as intra-operative fracture and post-operative dislocation. We also compared these 2 stems with respect to restoration or preservation of bone stock. In two studies we showed that modular titanium stems gave superior functional outcomes as well as decreased complications compared to a matched cohort of monoblock cobalt chromium stems. As mentioned one of the initial reasons for introduction of these stems was to address larger femoral defects where failure rates with monoblock cobalt chromium stems were unacceptably high. We followed a group of 65 patients at 5–10 years post-revision with a modular fluted titanium stem. Excellent fixation was obtained with no cases of aseptic loosening. However, there were 5 cases of fracture of the modular junction. Due to concerns of fracture of the modular junction more recently, at our institution we have switched to almost 100% monoblock fluted titanium stems. We recently reviewed our first 100 cases of femoral revision with monoblock stem. Excellent fixation was achieved with no cases of aseptic loosening. Quality of life outcomes were similar to our previous reported series on modular tapered titanium stems. Both monoblock and modular fluted titanium stems can give excellent fixation and excellent functional outcomes. This leaves a choice for the surgeon. For the low volume revision surgeon modular tapered stems are probably the right choice. Higher volume surgeons or surgeons very comfortable with performing femoral revision may want to consider monoblock stems. If one is making the switch it would be easiest to start with a simple case. Such a case would be one that can be done through an endofemoral approach. In this the greater trochanter is available as the key landmark for reaming. After the surgeon is comfortable with this system more complex cases can easily be handled with the monoblock stem. In summary, both modular and monoblock titanium stems are excellent options for femoral revision. As one becomes more familiar with the monoblock stem it can easily become your workhorse for femoral revision. At our institution, we introduced a monoblock titanium stem in 2011. It started out at 50% of cases and now it is virtually used in almost 100% of revision cases


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 98-B, Issue SUPP_2 | Pages 1 - 1
1 Jan 2016
Giardina F Guerra G Stea S Bordini B Sudanese A Toni A
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After a few years from its introduction, the limits of the THA became evident, mainly due to high rates of mobilization for polyethylene wear and to the release of metal ions from MOM and MOP couplings. Ceramic bearings were thus introduced in surgery to obtain lower levels of friction and wear. These issues have now been well recognized by several studies, which show that ceramic-on-ceramic joint has the lowest wear rate among various articulations and that ceramic particles induce less macrophage reaction and decrease cytokine secretion, allowing to have little periprosthetic osteolysis. After the first results in the late 70′s and early 80′s, the mechanical reliability was improved due to the manufacturers' efforts to reduce the ceramic fragility evolving average grain microstructure and lowering the degree of impurity. Betterment and standardization of production have led to 3. rd. generation alumina, Biolox Forte in 1994, that achieved a lower incidence of fracture. The purpose of our study has been to assess long-term follow-up results of alumina-on-alumina 3. rd. generation ceramic total hip cementless arthroplasty performed at our institution from January 1995 to December 2000. We prospectively followed more than 200 patients operated of THA for primary or secondary hip osteoarthritis analyzing clinical and radiographs features. In this period, the total hip replacement were performed by a single surgeon, who is the senior author (A.T.) in our Institution. All patients were clinically examined to confirm the diagnosis and all of them were checked with a standard plain radiographs in two projections and, when necessary, the radiographic examination was completed by CT scans. The same prosthesis was used in all patients, a 3. rd. generation alumina COC articulation, composed of a hemispherical titanium alloy cup and a 28-mm alumina ceramic femoral head. The modular ceramic head was fixed to a 12/14 taper cone. Proximally plasma-spray hydroxyapatite coated Ti alloy stems completes the implant features. Modular necks were used in retro or anteversion and varus or valgus offset, allowing changes in neck-shaft angle and giving a perfect intraoperative stability. Clinical assessment was performed using the Merle-D'Aubigne and Postel hip score. Each patient was assessed before surgery, after 30 days, afterwards at 4 months and annually after surgery. The mode of femoral component fixation was radiographically classified as bone ingrowth fixation, stable fibrous fixation or unstable fixation, according to the criteria Engh-Bobyn. Osteolysis was evaluated on the femoral side at each Gruen zone. Osteolysis on the acetabular side was evaluated by DeLee and Chanley zone. Our study has concluded that cementless modular hip arthroplasty with 3. rd. generation ceramic-on-ceramic bearing, with a 13 to 18 years follow-up, shows an excellent survivorship, in particular for the very low volume release of microparticles during friction, which consequently reduction of cytokine release, thus diminishing the risk of periprosthetic osteolysis and loosening of implant components


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 98-B, Issue SUPP_9 | Pages 45 - 45
1 May 2016
Mihalic R Trebse R
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Background. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is one of the most successful surgical procedures ever performed. Nevertheless if procedure is performed by high or low volume surgeons; more than 50% of cups are still placed out of the safe zone, which is connected to lower survival rate of the prosthesis. The idea was to develop an imageless navigation system for safe and accurate positioning of the cup in THA procedures, without a need of any preoperative computer tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imagining (MRI). Methods. The validation of the system was approved by National Ethics Committee. The committee allowed the validation on 10 patients who all signed the agreement for participation in the study. Unselected patients undergoing THA were included. All patients had had performed preoperative x-rays of pelvis and hips for standard preoperative planning. Immediately before skin incision, anterior pelvic plane (APP) was defined with help of specially developed electromagnetic navigation system (Guiding Star, E-Hip module, Ekliptik d.o.o., Ljubljana, Slovenia) and specificaly designed hardware tool which is essential for accurate APP determination [Fig.1]. In all patients THAs were performed through direct lateral approach and all implanted components (Allofit S cup and Alloclassic stem, Zimmer Inc., Warsaw, Indiana, USA) were implanted with freehand technique according to preoperative plan. After placement of the cups their inclination and anteversion angles were determined with aforementioned navigation system [Fig. 2]. The day after surgery, low dose CT scans of pelvises of operated patients were performed and DICOM format files were up-loaded into EBS software (Ekliptik d.o.o., Ljubljana, Slovenia), a multipurpose application for perioperative planning, measuring and constructing where virtual copies of pelvises were generated. On virtual pelvises the position of the cups was measured by independent person [Fig.3]. Measurements were compared, statistically analysed and the deviation calculated with root mean square error (RMSE) method. Afterwards the average error (eaver) and standard deviation (σ) between intraoperatively determined and postoperatively measured angles were calculated. Results. We included 10 patients in the study, with 6 left and 4 right hips. The maximal and minimal differences between navigation and CT measurements for inclination angles were 5.3° and 0.3° respectively, with calculated eaver of 0.7°, σ of 2.6° and RMSE of 2.6°. The maximal and minimal differences between navigation and CT measurements for anteversion angles were 4.6° and 0.7° respectively, with calculated eaver of −1.9°, σ of 1.8° and RMSE of 2.6°. Conclusion. We determined that the imageless navigation system we validated is a very accurate tool for cup placement in THA. The accuracy of the system is within 2° which by far exceeds the abilities of the best freehand techniques. In line to the trends, supporting more precise and less invasive surgery, the THA with help of imageless navigation should in our opinion become a golden standard, especially in minimally invasive procedures


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 95-B, Issue SUPP_15 | Pages 94 - 94
1 Mar 2013
Keith P
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Rural surgical practice in Australia provides a unique environment to the Orthopaedic Surgeon. Whilst most of the work load mimics that of city practice, the rural surgeon has little choice but to master a broad schema of surgical skills, and keeping up with the current literature and techniques can be challenging. At our public hospital over the last audited twelve month period, 108 primary total knee replacements were performed by 4 surgeons out of 236 joint replacements including revision surgeries. At the Private hospital a total of 215 joint replacements were performed in the same period including revision surgeries, of which 127 were knee arthroplasties. It is recognised that the incidence of complications from arthroplasty can be increased in low volume joint replacement surgeons. This centre is a mid volume centre, but rural and generally underfunded. In light of this, it is not unreasonable to look at techniques or evolving technologies that may improve the ability of an individual surgeon to position a joint replacement in an optimal position and with economic consideration. Conventional navigation has a number of factors associated with it that may make its use in a rural centre less attractive. These include capital cost of both hardware and software; Most rural centres do not have the ability to purchase the hardware and thus the issue of transporting hard ware on site, and representative support, may all be issues. The potential benefit of patient specific implants [PSI] may thus be two-fold in this setting. The surgeon and the patient benefit from the technology, but the technology does not need to be transported to the site. As a result of these considerations, a single surgeon in a rural centre, commenced using PSI's after gaining initial experience with the implant using traditional techniques. This early study looks at this experience and attempts to quantify some of the issues around this technology


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 94-B, Issue SUPP_II | Pages 34 - 34
1 Feb 2012
Gupta A Kamineni S Ankem H
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To study the surgical outcome of multi-fragmentary, un-reconstructable radial head fractures managed acutely by a radial head prosthetic replacement, we retrospectively reviewed nineteen radial head fractures that were treated acutely with a radial head replacement, over a four-year period in three district general hospitals. Nineteen patients were clinically and radiologically assessed for this study. Functional assessment was performed with the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS). No patient achieved full functional range of motion. The average range of flexion was 110° (range 80° to 120°), average extension deficit of 35° (range 30° to 45°), average pronation was 35° (range 0° to 65°), and average supination was 50° (range 30° to 85°). Complications included implant removal due to loosening (n=1), elbow stiffness (n=2), and instability (n=1), the latter case requiring a revision of the radial head prosthesis. Some degree of persistent discomfort was noticed in all cases. Five patients were tolerant of the final functional outcome. The average Mayo elbow score was 68/100 (range 55 to 80). One patient had an intra-operative fracture of the radial metaphysis during insertion of the implant. Conclusions. Radial head replacement in general orthopaedic, low volume practice failed to achieve satisfactory results. Contrary to popular belief, it is a technically demanding operation, for which surveillance should be continued for a minimum of one year. Strict indications for prosthetic replacement should be followed and implant selection has yet to be proven to make a significant positive contribution. Our review highlights the need for a stricter adherence to indications; surgery should not be under-estimated and devolved to trainees, and our understanding of the radial axis of the elbow and forearm remains relatively rudimentary