There is growing clinical and policy emphasis on minimizing transfusion use in elective joint arthroplasty, but little is known about the degree to which transfusion rates vary across US hospitals. This study aimed to assess hospital-level variation in use of allogeneic blood transfusion in patients undergoing elective joint arthroplasty, and to characterize the extent to which variability is attributable to differences in patient and hospital characteristics. The study population included 228,316 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) at 922 hospitals and 88,081 patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) at 606 hospitals from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2011, in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database, a 20% stratified sample of US community hospitals.Background
Methods
Inpatient dislocation after total hip arthroplasty (THA) is considered a non-reimbursable “never event” by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. There is extensive evidence that technical procedural factors affect dislocation risk, but less is known about the influence of non-technical factors. We evaluated inpatient dislocation trends following elective primary THA, and identified patient and hospital characteristics associated with the occurrence of dislocation. We used discharge records from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2002–2011). Temporal trends were assessed and multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to identify factors associated with dislocation.Background
Methods
With the introduction of minimally invasive surgery techniques and improved polyethylene wear properties, there has been a renewed interest in Unicondylar Knee Replacements (UKR). Customized, Individually Made (CIM) UKR have been in the market for some time, and have shown to provide improved coverage and fit. The purpose of this study was to assess clinical and patient-reported outcomes utilizing CIM-UKR prostheses. A prospectively recruited cohort of 118 patients was implanted with 120 CIM-UKR (110 medial/10 lateral) at multiple centers across the US. Patients were diagnosed with uni-compartmental osteoarthritis of the medial or lateral compartment. Patients with compromised cruciate or collateral ligaments or having a varus/valgus deformity <15° were excluded. Patients were assessed for Knee Society Knee and Function Scores, WOMAC & ROM pre-operatively (120 patients), at 6-weeks post-op (119), 6-months post-op (71 optional visit), 1 year post-op (113) and 2 years post-operatively (96). For the 3 and 4 year post-operative time points, patients were contacted to report on any possible adverse events.Introduction
Methods
When performing a total hip arthroplasty (THA), some surgeons routinely perform an intraoperative anteroposterior (AP) pelvis radiograph to assess components. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the intraoperative radiograph to accurately reflect acetabular inclination, leg length, and femoral offset as compared to the immediate postoperative supine AP radiograph. The intraoperative (lateral decubitus position) and immediate postoperative (supine position) AP pelvis x-rays of 100 consecutive patients undergoing primary THA were retrospectively reviewed. Acetabular inclination, leg length, and femoral offset were measured on both radiographs. We analyzed the correlation coefficient of the recorded measurements between the two films as well as the interobserver reliability of each measurement obtained.Introduction
Methods
The use of tranexamic acid (TEA) can significantly reduce the need for allogenic blood transfusions in elective primary joint arthroplasty. Revision total hip arthroplasty requires increased utilization of post-operative blood transfusions for acute blood loss anemia compared to elective primary hip replacement. There is limited literature to support the routine use of TEA in revision THA. We performed a retrospective review of 161 consecutive patients who underwent revision total hip arthroplasty from 2012–14 at a single institution by two fellowship-trained surgeons. We compared the transfusion requirements and the post-operative hemoglobin drop of the TEA Group (109 patients, 114 hips) versus the No TEA group (52 patients, 56 hips). Our standard protocol for administering TEA is 1000mg IV at incision, and the same dose repeated two hours later. The No TEA group did not receive the medication because of previous hospital contraindication criteria.Background
Methods
Utilization of a patient management support system in our clinical pathway has been successfully demonstrated to both reduce the length of hospital stay after primary THA, as well as reducing the number of hospital readmissions. While successful in a general patient population, the ability of a patient management support system to reduce readmissions in subsets of high risk THA patients has not been evaluated. We identified all primary THAs performed at a single institution between 2013 and 2015. Patient sex, age at the time of surgery, race, ASA grade, and 120-day readmissions were retrieved from the patient medical record. Similar to previous studies, the patient's home address was used as a proxy for socioeconomic status, with the estimated median income of a given patient being estimated as the median household income for patients of similar ethnicity living within their zip code as reported in the 2014 U.S. Census. A binary regression was used to determine if a model of patient factors (age, sex, race, socioeconomic status, and/or ASA grade) could accurately predict 120-day readmission after primary THA. Age and socioeconomic status were treated as a continuous variable and all other factors were categorical in nature, and the individual effects of each categorical factor on readmissions were also assessed.INTRODUCTION
METHODS
Medicare intermediary denial of primary joint replacements has become common over the past couple of years. Our community hospital had a marked increase in denials following the assignment of a new intermediary. Our purpose is to document the initial impact of these denials. A retrospective review of the first 361 Medicare total joints (181 hips and 180 knees) after a new intermediary began processing claims was performed. Initial denial rate, positive response rate to first appeal, as well as delay in payments because of these denials were documentedPURPOSE:
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Wright Medical has a long history of modular neck hip implants but had fracture issues with the original titanium necks. They subsequently changed to chrome cobalt modular necks. Direct contact between these dissimilar metal parts in the modular femoral component brings into consideration the possibility of similar adverse reactions of metal-on-metal articulations that have been previously described in other designs. A retrospective review of 10 patients with Wright Medical chrome cobalt modular necks who were evaluated with chromium and cobalt metal ion levels as well as Metal Artifact Reduction Sequence (MARS) MRI's was performed. Pseudotumors were classified by MRI based on wall thickness, T1/T2 signal, shape, and location and given a corresponding type of I, II, or III. For each patient, symptoms or lack thereof were recorded, and time since surgery noted.PURPOSE:
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Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is becoming more commonly performed and is more technically challenging than total knee replacement. Retention of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments requires more accurate re-creation of the patient's normal anatomic posterior slope with UKA. Purpose of this study was to accurately determine the posterior tibial slope in patients having medial or lateral UKA performed. Retrospective review was performed of 2,395 CT scans performed for a customized UKA implant. Standard CT technique was used and the posterior slope was measured on the involved side of the proximal tibia.PURPOSE:
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Postoperative stiffness is a relatively uncommon issue in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, it can be a debilitating complication when it occurs. Manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) is commonly used as the primary treatment modality following failed physiotherapy. The ADVANCE® Medial Pivot Knee (Wright Medical Technology) was created in an effort to prevent stiffness postoperatively and increase range of motion. The EVOLUTION® Medial Pivot Knee is a second generation design that builds upon the technology of the ADVANCE® knee. We performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected data on 881 primary medial pivot knees (592 ADVANCE® knees, 289 EVOLUTION® knees). We theorized that the design changes made to the EVOLUTION® knees might contribute toward reducing the need for MUA. We found that the EVOLUTION® knees required significantly fewer manipulations under anesthesia (p = 0.036). The design modifications made to the EVOLUTION® knees may have contributed to the lower rate of MUA.
Tibial component fit, specifically significant overhang of tibial plateau or underhang of cortical bone, can lead to pain, loosening and subsidence. The purpose was to utilize morphometric data to compare size, match, and fit between patient specific and incrementally sized standard unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) implants. CT images of 20 medial UKA knees and 10 lateral UKA knees were retrospectively reviewed. Standard and patient-specific implants were modeled in CAD, utilizing sizing templates and patient-specific CAD Designs. Virtual surgery maximized coverage of tibial plateau while minimizing implant overhang. Tibial plateau implant coverage was evaluated for fit and incidence of overhang/undercoverage.Introduction:
Methods:
Until recently, there has been no consensus of the best approach to dIfferentiating aseptic from septic loosening in joint replacement patients. The recent AAOS Clinical Practice Guideline Summary that was published in 2010, tasks orthopedic surgeons with the strong recommendation of obtaining ESR and CRP for all patients needing hip and knee arthroplasty revision surgery and aspirating the joint based upon these results. The purpose of this study is to determine from our patients whether this guideline has been helpful and cost effective in determining periprosthetic joint infections. We retrospectively reviewed charts of 50 consecutive patients who underwent revision total hip or knee arthroplasty. Each patient received an ESR and CRP level prior to operation and patients with known periprosthetic joint infections were excluded from the study. As guidelines recommend, aspiration with cultures and cell count were obtained on all knees with either elevated ESR or CRP and all hips with both ESR and CRP elevated. We then determined how many patients needing revision arthroplasty of the hip or knee benefited from ESR, CRP, and aspiration by finding subclinical periprosthetic infection and changing the intraoperative treatment. Hospital charge data was used to report cost of this protocol.Background:
Methods:
Total knee and hip arthroplasty is a commonly performed surgical procedure. As the population ages the numbers of these procedures are predicted to increase. Maximizing patient outcomes and decreasing healthcare delivery costs will be essential to creating a higher value U.S. healthcare system. The purpose of our study was to analyze the effect of a multidisciplinary preoperative education program (Joint Academy) on various outcomes that effect overall cost of primary hip and knee arthroplasty. A retrospective review of 904 patients' charts that underwent primary total hip and knee arthroplasty from October 1, 2010 to September 31, 2011 at a single institution was performed. We then compared 102 patients who did not have preoperative education to 802 patients who did have preoperative education through the Joint Academy (JA). We looked at patient length of stay (LOS), discharge disposition, and internal hospital cost. Linear regression was performed on all data to look for statistical significance.Purpose:
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