Peri-prosthetic wound infections can complicate total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in 1–1.5% of cases and may require the input of a combined orthopaedic and plastic surgery team. Failure of optimal management can result in periprosthetic joint infection, arthrodesis or in severe cases limb amputation. A retrospective 11-year review of TKA patients was undertaken in a single unit. Data was collected on a proforma and patient demographics were identified by case note analysis. Incidence of periprosthetic wound infections was recorded. A protocol to standardise treatment was subsequently developed following multidisciplinary input. 56 patients over 11 years developed periprosthetic wound infection. 33 patients were available for analysis. The male:female ratio 1:0.7 with a mean age of 70 years (range: 32–88 years). 5 (15%) developed superficial infections, 4 (12%) patients developed cellulitis requiring antibiotics, 14 (42%) with superficial wound dehiscence and 2 (6%) required washout of the prosthesis with long-term antibiotic therapy. 4 (12%) were managed without plastics involvement, one leading to arthrodesis and 4 (12%) had plastic surgical input, with one leading to arthrodesis. The mean time before plastic surgical review after initial suspicion of infection was 13 weeks. The management of periprosthetic wound infections following TKA are variable and can require a multidiscplinary ortho-plastic approach. Early plastic surgical involvement in specific cases may improve outcome. Our proposed management protocol would facilitate in standardising the management of these complex patients

We aim to determine the differences in lower limb joint kinematics during the golf swing of patients who had undergone Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) and a control group of native knee golfers. A case-control study was undertaken with ten golfers who had undergone TKA (cruciate retaining single radius implant) and five age and matched golfers with native knees. Each golfer performed five swings with a driver whilst being recorded at 200Hz by a ten-camera motion capture system. Knee and hip three-dimensional joint angles (JA) and joint angular velocities (JAV) were calculated and statistically compared between the groups at six swing events. The only significant differences in knee joint kinematics between TKA and control groups was a lower external rotation JA in the left knee during the backswing (p=0.010). There was no significant difference in knee JAV between the groups. Both hips demonstrated significantly (p=0.023 for left and p=0.037 for right) lower flexion in the TKA group during the takeaway swing event, and there was lower internal rotation in the backswing and greater external rotation in the downswing of the right hip. There was also slower left hip extension JAV in the downswing. Normal knee kinematics were observed during the golf swing following TKA, with the exception of reduced external rotation in the left knee during the back swing and the right during the down swing. The differences demonstrated in the hip motion indicate that they may make compensatory movements to adjust to the reduced external rotation demonstrated in the knee

Accurate evaluation of lower limb coronal alignment is essential for effective pre-operative planning of knee arthroplasty. Weightbearing hip-knee-ankle (HKA) radiographs are considered the gold standard. Mako SmartRobotics uses CT-based navigation to provide intra-operative data on lower limb coronal alignment during robotic assisted knee arthroplasty. This study aimed to compare the correlation between the two methods in assessing coronal plane alignment. Patients undergoing Mako partial (PKA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were identified from our hospital database. The hospital PACS system was used to measure pre-operative coronal plane alignment on HKA radiographs. This data was correlated to the intraoperative deformity assessment during Mako PKA and TKA surgery. 443 consecutive Mako knee arthroplasties were performed between November 2019 and December 2021. Weightbearing HKA radiographs were done in 56% of cases. Data for intraoperative coronal plane alignment was available for 414 patients. 378 knees were aligned in varus, and 36 in valgus. Mean varus deformity was 7.46° (SD 3.89) on HKA vs 7.13° (SD 3.56) on Mako intraoperative assessment, with a moderate correlation (R= 0.50, p<0.0001). Intraoperative varus deformity of 0-4° correlated to HKA measured varus (within 3°) in 60% of cases, compared to 28% for 5-9°, 17% for 10-14°, and in no cases with >15° deformity. Mean valgus deformity was 6.44° (SD 4.68) on HKA vs 4.75° (SD 3.79) for Mako, with poor correlation (R=0.18, p=0.38). In this series, the correlation between weightbearing HKA radiographs and intraoperative alignment assessment using Mako SmartRobotics appears to be poor, with greater deformities having poorer correlation

We aimed to determine the rate of and risk factors for post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) requirement after operative management of tibial plateau fractures (TPF) in older adults. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 182 operatively managed TPFs in 180 patients ≥60 years old over a 12-year period with minimum follow up 1 year. Data including patient demographics, clinical frailty scores, mechanism of injury, management, reoperation and mortality were recorded. Radiographs were reviewed for: Schatzker classification; pre-existing knee osteoarthritis (KOA); severe joint depression >15mm; and development of PTOA. Kaplan Meier survival analysis was performed. Regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for radiographic indication for TKA and actual TKA. Forty-seven percent were Schatzker II fractures. Radiographic KOA was present at fracture in 32.6%. Fracture fixation was performed in 95.6% cases and acute TKA in 4.4%. Thirteen patients underwent late TKA (7.5%). At five-years, 11.8% (6.0-16.7 95% CI) had required TKA and 20.9% (14.4-27.4 95% CI) had a radiographic indication for TKA. Severe joint depression and pre-existing KOA were associated with worse survival for endpoints radiographic indication for TKA and actual TKA. Severe joint depression (HR 2.49(1.35-4.61 95% CI), p=0.004), pre-existing KOA (HR 2.23(1.17-4.23), p=0.015) and inflammatory arthropathy (HR 2.4(1.04-5.53), p=0.039) were independently associated with radiographic indication for TKA. In conclusion, severe joint depression and pre-existing arthritis are independent risk factors for both severe PTOA and TKA after TPFs in older adults. These features should be considered as an indication for primary management with acute TKA

Unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis can be treated with either Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) or Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty (UKA) and controversy remains as to which treatment is best. UKA has been reported to offer a variety of advantages, however many still see it as a temporary procedure with higher revision rates. We aimed to clarify the role of UKA and evaluate the long-term and revision outcomes. We retrospectively reviewed the pain, function and total Knee Society Score (KSS) for 602 UKA and 602 TKA in age and gender matched patients over ten years. The total pre-operative KSS scores were not significantly different between UKA and TKA (42.67 vs 40.54 P=0.021). KSS (pain) was significantly better in the TKA group (44.39 vs 41.38 P= 0.007) at one year and at five years post-operatively (45.33 vs 43.12 P=0.004). There was no statistically significant difference for KSS (total) in TKA and UKA during the study period. 16.3% of UKA and 20.1% of TKA had a documented complication. 79 UKA (13%) and 36 TKA (6%) required revision surgery. Despite the higher revision rate, pre-operative KSS (total) before revision was not significantly different between UKA and TKA (42.94 vs 42.43 P=0.84). Performance for UKAs was inferior to TKAs in Kaplan-Meier cumulative survival analysis at 10 years (P<0.001). Both UKA and TKA are viable treatment options for unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis, each with their own merits. UKA is associated with fewer complications whereas TKA provides better initial pain relief and is more durable and less likely to require revision

There is a lack of evidence surrounding selective patella resurfacing, but patella cartilage loss at time of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is often used as an indication in those who perform it. This study compares the outcomes of TKA without patella resurfacing in patients with and without patella cartilage loss (PFOA). Prospective case control study of 209 consecutive patients undergoing cruciate retaining single radius TKA without patella resurfacing for KL≥3 osteoarthritis. The presence and location of full thickness patella cartilage loss was documented intra-operatively at TKA, identifying n=108 cases with PFOA (mean age 70±9.7, mean BMI 31±6.2, 72 (67%) female) Vs n=101 controls without PFOA (age 68±9.2, BMI31±5.6, 52 (51%) female). Primary outcome measure was improvement in the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) at one year. There were more females in the PFOA group (67% Vs 51%, p=0.037), but no other preoperative differences. There was no difference in preoperative OKS between patients with patella cartilage loss (20.6±7.9) and those without (21.0±7.2, p=0.720). There was no difference in OKS improvement following TKA without patella resurfacing between those with full thickness patella cartilage loss (14.2±9.8) and those without (15.4±9.5, p=0.365). Facet involvement (number and location) did not affect OKSs. No differences were found in the individual OKS questions between groups (p>0.05). There was no difference in one-year OKS or improvements therein between patients with and without full thickness patella cartilage loss treated with single radius cruciate retaining TKA without patella resurfacing, questioning its use an indication for selective patella resurfacing

Though knee osteoarthritis (OA) is diagnosed and monitored radiographically, full thickness cartilage loss (FTCL) has rarely been correlated with radiographic classification. This study aims to analyse which classification system correlates best with FTCL and assessing their reliability. Prospective study of 300 consecutive patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for OA. Two blinded examiners independently graded preoperative radiographs using 5 systems: Kellgren-Lawrence (KL); International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC); Fairbank; Brandt; and Ahlback. Interobserver agreement was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Intraoperatively, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) status and FTCL in 16 regions of interest were recorded. Radiographic classification and FTCL were correlated using the Spearman correlation coefficient. On average, each knee had 6.8±3.1 regions of FTCL, most common medially. The commonest patterns of FTCL were medial with patellofemoral (48%) and tricompartmental (30%). ACL status was associated with pattern of FTCL (p=0.02). All classification systems demonstrated moderate ICC, but this was highest for IKDC: whole knee 0.68 (95%CI 0.60–0.74); medial compartment 0.84 (0.80–0.87); and lateral compartment 0.79 (0.73–0.83). Correlation with FTCL was strongest for Ahlback (Spearman rho 0.27–0.39) and KL (0.30–0.33), though all systems demonstrated medium correlation. The Ahlback was the most discriminating in severe OA. Osteophyte presence in the medial compartment had high positive predictive value for FTCL, but not in the lateral compartment. The Ahlback and KL systems had the highest correlation with confirmed cartilage loss. However, the IKDC system displayed best interobserver reliability, with favourable correlation with FTCL in medial and lateral compartments, though less discriminating in severe disease

The objective of this study was to compare differences in alignment following robotic arm-assisted bi-unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (Bi-UKA) and conventional total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This was a prospective, randomised controlled trial of 70 patients. 39 TKAs were implanted manually, as per standard protocol at our institution, and 31 Bi-UKA patients simultaneously received fixed-bearing medial and lateral UKAs, implanted using robotic arm-assistance. Preoperative and 3-month postoperative CT scans were analysed to determine hip knee ankle angle (HKAA), medial distal femoral angle (MDFA), and medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA). Analysis was repeated for 10 patients by a second rater to validate measurement reliability by calculating the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Mean change in HKAA towards neutral was 2.7° in TKA patients and 2.3° in Bi-UKA patients (P=0.6). Mean change in MDFA was 2.5° for TKA and 1.0° for Bi-UKA (P<0.01). Mean change in MPTA was 3.7° for TKA and 0.8° for Bi-UKA (P<0.01). Mean postoperative MDFA and MPTA for TKAs were 89.8° and 89.6° respectively, indicating orientation of femoral and tibial components perpendicular to the mechanical axis. Mean postoperative MDFA and MPTA for Bi-UKAs were 91.0° and 86.9° respectively, indicating a more oblique joint line orientation. Inter-rater agreement was excellent (ICC>0.99). Early functional activities, according to the new Knee Society Scoring System, favoured Bi-UKAs (P<0.05). Robotic arm-assisted, cruciate-sparing Bi-UKA better maintains the natural anatomy of the knee in the coronal plane and may therefore preserve normal joint kinematics, compared to a mechanically aligned TKA. This has been achieved without significantly altering overall HKAA

Anterior knee pain (AKP) is the commonest complication of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study aims to assess whether sagittal femoral component position is an independent predictor of AKP after cruciate retaining single radius TKA without primary patellofemoral resurfacing. From a prospective cohort of 297 consecutive TKAs, 73 (25%) patients reported AKP and 89 (30%) reported no pain at 10 years. Patients were assessed pre-operatively and at 1, 5 and 10 years using the short form 12 and Oxford Knee Score (OKS). Variables assessed included demographic data, indication, reoperation, patella resurfacing, and radiographic criteria. Patients with AKP (mean age 67.0 (38–82), 48 (66%) female) had mean Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) Pain scores of 34.3 (range 5–100). VAS scores were 0 in patients with no pain (mean age 66.5 (41–82), 60 (67%) female). Femoral component flexion (FCF), anterior femoral offset ratio, and medial proximal tibial angle all differed significantly between patients with AKP and no pain (p<0.001), p=0.007, p=0.009, respectively). All PROMs were worse in the AKP group at 10 years (p<0.05). OKSs were worse from 1 year (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis confirmed FCF and Insall ratio <0.8 as independent predictors of AKP (R. 2. = 0.263). Extension of ≥0.5° predicted AKP with 87% sensitivity. AKP affects 25% of patients following single radius cruciate retaining TKA, resulting in inferior patient-reported outcome measures at 10 years. Sagittal plane positioning and alignment of the femoral component are important determinants of long-term AKP with femoral component extension being a major risk factor

The primary aim was to assess survival of the opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) for medial compartment osteoarthritis. The secondary aim was to identify independent predictors of early (before 12 years) conversion to total knee arthroplasty (TKA). During the 18-year period (1994–2011) 111 opening wedge HTO were performed at the study centre. Mean patient age was 45 years (range 18–68) and the majority were male (84%). Mean follow-up was 12 (range 6–21) years. Failure was defined as conversion to TKA. Kaplan-Meier, Cox regression and receiver operating curve (ROC) analyses were performed. Forty (36%) HTO failed at a mean follow-up of 6.3 (range 1–15) years. The five-year survival rate was 84% (95% confidence interval (CI) 82.6–85.4), 10-year rate 65% (95% CI 63.5–66.5) and 15-year rate 55% (95% CI 53.3–56.7). Cox regression analysis identified older age (p<0.001) and female gender (hazard ratio (HR) 2.37, 95% CI 1.06–5.33, p=0.04) as independent predictors of failure. ROC analysis identified a threshold age of 47 years above which the risk of failure increased significantly (area under curve 0.72, 95% CI 0.62–0.81, p<0.001). Cox regression analysis, adjusting for covariates, identified a significantly greater (HR 2.49, 95% CI 1.26–4.91, p=0.01) risk of failure in patients aged 47 years old or more. The risk of early conversion to TKA after an opening wedge HTO is significantly increased in female patients and those older than 47 years old. These risk factors should be considered pre-operatively and discussed with patients when planning surgical intervention for isolated medial compartment osteoarthritis

Aims

Femoral periprosthetic fractures are rising in incidence. Their management is complex and carries a high associated mortality. Unlike native hip fractures, there are no guidelines advising on time to theatre in this group. We aim to determine whether delaying surgical intervention influences morbidity or mortality in femoral periprosthetic fractures.

Aims

To investigate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of older adults (aged ≥ 60 years) after tibial plateau fracture (TPF) compared to preinjury and population matched values, and what aspects of treatment were most important to patients.

Aims

Postoperative malalignment of the femur is one of the main complications in distal femur fractures. Few papers have investigated the impact of intraoperative malalignment on postoperative function and bone healing outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate how intraoperative fracture malalignment affects postoperative bone healing and functional outcomes.

Cephalasporin antibiotics have been commonly used for prophylaxis against surgical site infection. To prevent Clostridium difficile, the preferential use of agents such as flucloxacillin and gentamicin has been recommended. The aim of this study was to investigate the bone penetration of these antibiotics during hip and knee arthroplasty, and their efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis. Bone samples were collected from 21 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and 18 patients undergoing total hip replacement (THA). The concentration of both antibiotics was analysed using high performance liquid chromatography. Penetration was expressed as a percentage of venous blood concentration. The efficacy against common infecting organisms was measured using the epidemiological cut-off value for resistance (ECOFF). The bone penetration of gentamicin was higher than flucloxacillin. The concentration of both antibiotics was higher in the acetabulum than the femoral head or neck (p=0.007 flucloxacillin; p=0.021 gentamicin). Flucloxacillin concentrations were effective against S. aureus and S. epidermis in all THAs and 20 (95%) TKAs. Gentamicin concentrations were effective against S.epidermis in all bone samples. Gentamicin was effective against S. aureus in 11 (89%) femoral samples. Effective concentrations of gentamicin against S. aureus were only achieved in 4 (19%) femoral and 6 (29%) tibial samples in TKA. Flucloxacillin and gentamicin was found to effectively penetrate bone during arthroplasty. Gentamicin was effective against S. epidermidis in both THA and TKA, while it was found to be less effective against S. aureus during TKA. Bone penetration of both antibiotics was less in TKA than THA

Kinematic alignment has increased in popularity over the last few years in an attempt to improve clinical outcomes following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). In our unit kinematic alignment has been used with patient-specific cutting guides as part of on-going clinical trials. We performed a retrospective analysis on all the TKA which had been planned to be implanted outside of the mechanical axis (0° ± 3°) based on pre-operative MRI scans and looked at their radiographic and clinical outcomes. We identified 21 knees which had been implanted as ‘planned outliers’. All had clinical and radiographic follow up to a mean 11.6 months post op. All had a standard long leg alignment radiograph performed at 6 weeks post op to confirm alignment. All patients had a good improvement in their Oxford Knee Scores with mean improvement from 23 pre-op to 42 at 1 year. Of our patients none had a poor clinical outcome due to the alignment of their TKA, 1 patient had a poor outcome because of a quadriceps rupture which occurred 4 months post-op. There were no post-operative radiographic abnormalities. In our unit kinematic alignment outside of the mechanical axis is not associated with an increased rate of short term complications

Tibial plateau fractures are common intraarticular fractures. The principal long-term complication is post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) with the usual salvage procedure being total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Our aim was to define the incidence of PTOA requiring TKA following tibial plateau fractures and identify the risk factors. We looked at all tibial plateau fractures between 1995 and 2008. There were 888 tibial plateau fractures. 23% were Schatzker I, 25% II, 14% III, 22% IV, 8% V and 8% VI. To date 25 have undergone TKA (2.8%). The mean age of patients at time of fracture was 56 in the overall cohort and 65 in those requiring TKA; this was statistically significant (p=0.04). 4% of females with tibial plateau fractures required TKA in comparison to 2% of males. The Schatzker I fractures were the least likely to require TKA at 1% with the most likely requiring arthroplasty surgery being type III at 6%. Only 1% of the patients treated non-operatively later underwent TKA. The overall incidence of TKA after tibial plateau fractures was 3%. For displaced fractures requiring internal fixation this rose to 4%. Risk factors were increasing age, split depression fractures and female gender. Although tibial plateau fractures are commonly associated with degenerative radiographic changes, we concluded that the incidence of symptomatic OA severe enough to require TKA is low

The purpose of this study is to analyze what kind of pattern of change in each posterior femoral condyle allows for a greater degree of flexion after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The flexion angle was assessed pre-operatively, and at 12 months after the surgery in 98 patients (106 knees) who underwent consecutive TKA. We used a quantitative 3 dimensional technique using computed tomography for the assessment of changes in both the medial and lateral femoral condylar offset. There were no significant correlation between changes of each posterior condylar offset and post flexion angle (medial condyle; R=−0.038, p=0.70, lateral condyle; R=−0.090, p=0.36). There were no significant differences between changing patterns and increase rate of flexion (p=0.443). Additionally there were no significant differences between changing patterns and increase of flexion angle (p=0.593). Changes of each posterior condylar offset were no correlation to knee flexion after TKA in the current design prosthesis

Component malalignment has long been implicated in poor implant survival in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA). Malalignment can occur in orientation of bony cuts, and in component cementation/implantation. Several systems exist to aid bony cut alignment (navigation, shape matching), but final implantation technique is common to all TKA. Correction of errors in bony cut alignment at cementation/implantation by surgeons has been described. Changes in alignment at this stage are likely to result in asymmetrical cement penetration, which is implicated in early failure. This study reviewed a consecutive series of 150 primary cemented TKAs using an imageless navigation system (aiming for neutral overall limb alignment). Deviation at implantation was calculated by comparing limb alignment recorded using the trial components with limb alignment recorded with the final implanted components, prior to closure. 136 patients (91%) had a final overall limb alignment within 2° of neutral. Three patients (2%) had a final overall limb alignment greater than 3° from neutral. Deviation occurring at implantation is shown in Figure 1 with deviations distributed around zero (mode 0, median 0.3, range −2 to +4,)

Background. Randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) are generally accepted as the “gold standard” for the provision of the most unbiased measures of the efficacy of interventions but are often criticized for the lack of external validity. We assessed the external validity of a RCT examining the efficacy of local infiltration analgesia (LIA) compared with continuous epidural infusion after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods. During a one-year period, all patients consecutively admitted for elective, unilateral, primary TKA were identified as potential participants. All underwent eligibility screening to determine who were eligible for participation in a randomized controlled trial. We investigated the distribution of preoperative characteristics and postoperative variables among excluded patients, non-consenters, and enrolled and randomized participants. Results. In all 157 patients were identified as potential participants. Only 49 patients (31%) were enrolled and randomized. A significant difference was found in both preoperative characteristics and clinical outcome variables. Non-participants were less healthy and needed more help from the home care service than did participants. Furthermore, they were hospitalized longer. Interpretation. Our findings demonstrate the importance of reporting the results of RCTs in a way that allows clinicians to judge to whom the results can reasonably be applied

Patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) experience significant postoperative pain. This impedes early mobilization and delays hospital discharge. A prospective audit of 1081 patients undergoing primary TKA during 2008 was completed. All patients followed a programme including preoperative patient education, pre-emptive analgesia, spinal/epidural anaesthesia with propofol sedation, intra-articular soft tissue wound infiltration, postoperative high volume ropivacaine boluses with an intra-articular catheter and early mobilization. Primary outcome measure was length of stay. Secondary outcomes were verbal analogue pain scores on movement, time to mobilization, nausea and vomiting scores, urinary catheterization for retention, need for rescue analgesia, range of motion at discharge and six weeks postoperatively. The median day of discharge was postoperative day four. Median pain score on mobilization was three for first postoperative night, day one and two. 35% of patients ambulated on the day of surgery and 95% of patients within 24 hours. 79% patients experienced no nausea or vomiting. Catheterization rate was 6.9%. Rescue analgesia was required in 5% of cases. The median day of discharge was postoperative day four. Median range of motion was 85° on discharge and 93° at six weeks postoperatively. This comprehensive care plan provides satisfactory postoperative analgesia allowing early safe ambulation and discharge