The use of intraoperative liposomal bupivacaine (LB) peri-articular injection has been highly debated for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We evaluated the effect of an institutional-wide discontinuation of intraoperative LB on immediate postoperative pain scores, opioid consumption, and objective functional outcomes. Between July 1, 2019 and November 30, 2019, an institutional policy discontinued use of intraoperative LB, while the volume of non-LB with epinephrine was increased from 40-ml to 60-ml. A historical cohort was derived from patients undergoing TKA between January 1, 2019 and June 30, 2019. All patients received the same opioid sparing protocol, minimizing variability in prescribing habits. No adductor canal blocks/pumps were utilized. Nursing documented verbal rating scale (VRS) pain scores were collected from our electronic data warehouse and averaged per patient per 12-hour interval. Opiate administration events were derived as Morphine Milligram Equivalences (MMEs) per patient per 24-hour interval. To assess immediate postoperative functional status, the validated Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) tool was utilized. All time events were calculated relative to TKA completion instant.Introduction
Material and Methods
Revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) accounts for approximately 5% to 10% of all TKAs. Although the complexity of these procedures is well recognized, few investigators have evaluated the cost and value-added with the implementation of a dedicated revision arthroplasty service. The aim of the present study is to compare and contrast surgeon productivity in several differing models of activity. All patients that underwent primary or revision TKA from January 2016 to June 2018 were included as the primary source of data. All rTKA patients were categorized by the number of components revised (e.g. liner exchange, two or more components). Three models were used to assess the potential surgical productivity of a dedicated rTKA service : 1) work relative value unit (RVU) Aims
Materials and Methods
Despite the demonstrated success of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and higher rates of arthritis and disability from arthritis among minorities, these populations utilize TKA at lower rates than non-Hispanic white patients in the United States. In addition, women present for TKA with more advanced disease prior to TKA than their male counterparts. In order to explore potential reasons for this, we examined the relationship between race, gender, and pre-operative expectations on postoperative outcomes among patients undergoing TKA. 134 patients scheduled for primary unilateral TKA secondary to moderate to severe osteoarthritis were enrolled in this two-institution prospective study. All patient demographics were collected and recorded in an electronic data registry. In addition, patient reported outcome (PRO) questionnaires, including the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), HSS Patient Expectation Questionnaire, Social Support Survey, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS), Geriatric Depression Scale and European Quality (EQ) of Life 5-Dimensions with EQ VAS were prospectively collected at 4 time points (baseline, 4–8 weeks, 9–14 months, 20–26 months postoperative). Statistical analysis was then conducted among patients of different gender and ethnic background to assess for the effect of these demographic variables on patient expectations and outcomes.Introduction
Methods
Despite adoption of robust clinical pathways, narcotic administration within the inpatient setting is highly variable and may benefit from the implementation of standardized multi-modal pain management protocols. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) candidates have historically received high doses of opioids within the perioperative period for the management of surgical pain. Healthcare systems have responded by improving opioid prescribing documentation and implementing narcotic-sparing pain protocols into TKA integrated care pathways (ICP). Despite these efforts, there are few technological platforms specifically designed to measure the narcotic burden immediately postoperatively. Here we present an early iteration of an inpatient narcotic administration-reporting tool, which normalizes patient narcotic consumption as an average daily morphine-milligram-equivalence (MME) per surgical encounter (MME/day/encounter) among total knee arthroplasty (TKA) recipients. This information may help orthopaedic surgeons visualize their individual granular inpatient narcotic prescribing habits individually and compared to other surgeons, while taking into consideration patient and procedure specific variables in order to optimize use and curtail unnecessary narcotic prescriptions.Summary
Introduction