Patients with Aims
Methods
Periprosthetic joint infection represents a devastating complication after total elbow arthroplasty. Several measures can be implemented before, during, and after surgery to decrease infection rates, which exceed 5%. Debridement with antibiotics and implant retention has been reported to be successful in less than one-third of acute infections, but still plays a role. For elbows with well-fixed implants, staged retention seems to be equally successful as the more commonly performed two-stage reimplantation, both with a success rate of 70% to 80%. Permanent resection or even amputation are occasionally considered. Not uncommonly, a second-stage reimplantation requires complex reconstruction of the skeleton with allografts, and the extensor mechanism may also be deficient. Further developments are needed to improve our management of infection after elbow arthroplasty. Cite this article:
Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a challenging complication of any arthroplasty procedure. We reviewed our use of static antibiotic-loaded cement spacers (ABLCSs) for staged management of PJI where segmental bone loss, ligamentous instability, or soft-tissue defects necessitate a static construct. We reviewed factors contributing to their failure and techniques to avoid these complications when using ABLCSs in this context. A retrospective analysis was conducted of 94 patients undergoing first-stage revision of an infected knee prosthesis between September 2007 and January 2020 at a single institution. Radiographs and clinical records were used to assess and classify the incidence and causes of static spacer failure. Of the 94 cases, there were 19 primary total knee arthroplasties (TKAs), ten revision TKAs (varus-valgus constraint), 20 hinged TKAs, one arthrodesis (nail), one failed spacer (performed elsewhere), 21 distal femoral endoprosthetic arthroplasties, and 22 proximal tibial arthroplasties.Aims
Methods
The Open-Fracture Patient Evaluation Nationwide (OPEN) study was performed to provide clarity in open fracture management previously skewed by small, specialist centre studies and large, unfocused registry investigations. We report the current management metrics of open fractures across the UK. Patients admitted to hospital with an open fracture (excluding phalanges or isolated hand injuries) between 1 June 2021 and 30 September 2021 were included. Institutional information governance approval was obtained at the lead site and all data entered using Research Electronic Data Capture software. All domains of the British Orthopaedic Association Standard for Open Fracture Management were recorded.Aims
Method
Spinopelvic mobility plays an important role in functional acetabular component position following total hip arthroplasty (THA). The primary aim of this study was to determine if spinopelvic hypermobility persists or resolves following THA. Our second aim was to identify patient demographic or radiological factors associated with hypermobility and resolution of hypermobility after THA. This study investigated patients with preoperative posterior hypermobility, defined as a change in sacral slope (SS) from standing to sitting (ΔSSstand-sit) ≥ 30°. Radiological spinopelvic parameters, including SS, pelvic incidence (PI), lumbar lordosis (LL), PI-LL mismatch, anterior pelvic plane tilt (APPt), and spinopelvic tilt (SPT), were measured on preoperative imaging, and at
six weeks and a minimum of
one year postoperatively. The severity of bilateral hip osteoarthritis (OA) was graded using Kellgren-Lawrence criteria.Aims
Methods
Total hip arthroplasty (THA) using the direct anterior approach (DAA) is undertaken with the patient in the supine position, creating an opportunity to replace both hips under one anaesthetic. Few studies have reported simultaneous bilateral DAA-THA. The aim of this study was to characterize a cohort of patients selected for this technique by a single, high-volume arthroplasty surgeon and to investigate their early postoperative clinical outcomes. Using an institutional database, we reviewed 643 patients who underwent bilateral DAA-THA by a single surgeon between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2018. The demographic characteristics of the 256 patients (39.8%) who underwent simultaneous bilateral DAA-THA were compared with the 387 patients (60.2%) who underwent staged THA during the same period of time. We then reviewed the length of stay, rate of discharge home, 90-day complications, and readmissions for the simultaneous bilateral group.Aims
Methods
Despite long-standing dogma, a clear relationship between the timing of surgical irrigation and debridement (I&D) and the development of subsequent deep infection has not been established in the literature. Traditionally, I&D of an open fracture has been recommended within six hours of injury based on animal studies from the 1970s, however the clinical basis for this remains unclear. Using data from a multicentre randomized controlled trial of 2,447 open fracture patients, the primary objective of this secondary analysis is to determine if a relationship exists between timing of wound I&D (within six hours of injury vs beyond six hours) and subsequent reoperation rate for infection or healing complications within one year for patients with open limb fractures requiring surgical treatment. To adjust for the influence of patient and injury characteristics on the timing of I&D, a propensity score was developed from the dataset. Propensity-adjusted regression allowed for a matched cohort analysis within the study population to determine if early irrigation put patients independently at risk for reoperation, while controlling for confounding factors. Results were reported as odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and p-values. All analyses were conducted using STATA 14.Aims
Methods
Many patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have severe osteoarthritis (OA) in both knees and may consider either simultaneous or staged bilateral TKA. The implications of simultaneous versus staged bilateral TKA for return to work are not well understood. We hypothesized that employed patients who underwent simultaneous bilateral TKA would have significantly fewer days missed from work compared with the sum of days missed from each operation for patients who underwent staged bilateral TKA. The prospective arthroplasty registry at the Hospital for Special Surgery was used. Baseline characteristics and patient-reported outcome scores were evaluated. We used a linear regression model, adjusting for potential confounding variables including age, sex, preoperative BMI, and type of work (sedentary, moderate, high activity, or strenuous), to analyze time lost from work after simultaneous compared with staged bilateral TKA.Aims
Methods
The treatment of tibial aplasia is controversial. Amputation represents the gold standard with good functional results, but is frequently refused by the families. In these patients, treatment with reconstructive limb salvage can be considered. Due to the complexity of the deformity, this remains challenging and should be staged. The present study evaluated the role of femoro-pedal distraction using a circular external fixator in reconstructive treatment of tibial aplasia. The purpose of femoro-pedal distraction is to realign the limb and achieve soft tissue lengthening to allow subsequent reconstructive surgery. This was a retrospective study involving ten patients (12 limbs) with tibial aplasia, who underwent staged reconstruction. During the first operation a circular hexapod external fixator was applied and femoro-pedal distraction was undertaken over several months. Subsequent surgery included reconstruction of the knee joint and alignment of the foot.Aims
Methods
Type IIIB open tibial fractures are devastating high-energy injuries. At initial debridement, the surgeon will often be faced with large bone fragments with tenuous, if any, soft-tissue attachments. Conventionally these are discarded to avoid infection. We aimed to determine if orthoplastic reconstruction using mechanically relevant devitalized bone (ORDB) was associated with an increased infection rate in type IIIB open tibial shaft fractures. This was a consecutive cohort study of 113 patients, who had sustained type IIIB fractures of the tibia following blunt trauma, over a four-year period in a level 1 trauma centre. The median age was 44.3 years (interquartile range (IQR) 28.1 to 65.9) with a median follow-up of 1.7 years (IQR 1.2 to 2.1). There were 73 male patients and 40 female patients. The primary outcome measures were deep infection rate and number of operations. The secondary outcomes were nonunion and flap failure.Aims
Patient and Methods
Increasingly, patients with bilateral hip arthritis wish to undergo staged total hip arthroplasty (THA). With the rise in demand for arthroplasty, perioperative risk assessment and counselling is crucial for shared decision making. However, it is unknown if complications that occur after a unilateral hip arthroplasty predict complications following surgery of the contralateral hip. We used nationwide linked discharge data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project between 2005 and 2014 to analyze the incidence and recurrence of complications following the first- and second-stage operations in staged bilateral total hip arthroplasty (BTHAs). Complications included perioperative medical adverse events within 30 to 60 days, and infection and mechanical complications within one year. Conditional probabilities and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to determine whether experiencing a complication after the first stage of surgery increased the risk of developing the same complication after the second stage.Aims
Patients and Methods
There is little literature about total knee arthroplasty (TKA) after distal femoral osteotomy (DFO). Consequently, the purpose of this study was to analyze the outcomes of TKA after DFO, with particular emphasis on: survivorship free from aseptic loosening, revision, or any re-operation; complications; radiological results; and clinical outcome. We retrospectively reviewed 29 patients (17 women, 12 men) from our total joint registry who had undergone 31 cemented TKAs after a DFO between 2000 and 2012. Their mean age at TKA was 51 years (22 to 76) and their mean body mass index 32 kg/m2 (20 to 45). The mean time between DFO and TKA was ten years (2 to 20). The mean follow-up from TKA was ten years (2 to 16). The prostheses were posterior-stabilized in 77%, varus-valgus constraint (VVC) in 13%, and cruciate-retaining in 10%. While no patient had metaphyseal fixation (e.g. cones or sleeves), 16% needed a femoral stem.Aims
Patients and Methods
The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes of combined total joint arthroplasty (TJA) (total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) performed during the same admission) versus bilateral THA, bilateral TKA, single THA, and single TKA. Combined TJAs performed on the same day were compared with those staged within the same admission episode. Data from the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample recorded between 2005 and 2014 were used for this retrospective cohort study. Postoperative in-hospital complications, total costs, and discharge destination were reviewed. Logistic and linear regression were used to perform the statistical analyses. p-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.Aims
Patients and Methods
As the population ages, there is projected to be an increase in the level of demand for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in octogenarians. We aimed to explore whether those aged ≥ 80 years achieved similar improvements in physical function to younger patients while also comparing the rates of length of stay (LOS), discharge to rehabilitation, postoperative complications, and mortality following TKA in older and younger patients. Patients from one institution who underwent primary elective TKA between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2014 were dichotomized into those ≥ 80 years old (n = 359) and those < 80 years old (n = 2479) for comparison. Multivariable regression was used to compare the physical status component of the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), LOS, discharge to rehabilitation, complications, and mortality between the two groups.Aims
Patients and Methods
The aim of this study was to describe the technique of distraction
osteogenesis followed by arthrodesis using internal fixation to
manage complex conditions of the ankle, and to present the results
of this technique. Between 2008 and 2014, distraction osteogenesis followed by arthrodesis
using internal fixation was performed in 12 patients with complex
conditions of the ankle due to trauma or infection. There were eight
men and four women: their mean age was 35 years (23 to 51) at the
time of surgery. Bone healing and functional recovery were evaluated
according to the criteria described by Paley. Function was assessed
using the ankle-hindfoot scale of the American Orthopedic Foot and
Ankle Society (AOFAS).Aims
Patients and Methods
The aim of the study was to compare measures of the quality of
life (QOL) after resection of a chordoma of the mobile spine with
the national averages in the United States and to assess which factors
influenced the QOL, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and coping
with pain post-operatively in these patients. A total of 48 consecutive patients who underwent resection of
a primary or recurrent chordoma of the mobile spine between 2000
and 2015 were included. A total of 34 patients completed a survey
at least 12 months post-operatively. The primary outcome was the
EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D-3L) questionnaire. Secondary outcomes were
the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS)
anxiety, depression and pain interference questionnaires. Data which
were recorded included the indication for surgery, the region of
the tumour, the number of levels resected, the status of the surgical
margins, re-operations, complications, neurological deficit, length
of stay in hospital and rate of re-admission.Aims
Patients and Methods
Children treated for osteosarcoma around the knee often have
a substantial leg-length discrepancy at skeletal maturity. The aim
of this study was to investigate the results of staged skeletal
reconstruction after a leg lengthening procedure using an external
fixator in these patients. We reviewed 11 patients who underwent staged reconstruction with
either an arthroplasty (n = 6) or an arthrodesis (n = 5). A control
group of 11 patients who had undergone wide excision and concurrent
reconstruction with an arthroplasty were matched for gender, location,
and size of tumour. We investigated the change in leg-length discrepancy,
function as assessed by the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Scale
(MSTS) score and complications.Aims
Patients and Methods
Chronic osteomyelitis may recur if dead space management, after
excision of infected bone, is inadequate. This study describes the
results of a strategy for the management of deep bone infection
and evaluates a new antibiotic-loaded biocomposite in the eradication
of infection from bone defects. We report a prospective study of 100 patients with chronic osteomyelitis,
in 105 bones. Osteomyelitis followed injury or surgery in 81 patients.
Nine had concomitant septic arthritis. 80 patients had comorbidities
(Cierny-Mader (C-M) Class B hosts). Ten had infected nonunions. All patients were treated by a multidisciplinary team with a
single-stage protocol including debridement, multiple sampling,
culture-specific systemic antibiotics, stabilisation, dead space
filling with the biocomposite and primary skin closure. Aims
Patients and Methods
We describe the use of a protocol of irrigation and debridement
(I&
D) with retention of the implant for the treatment of periprosthetic
infection of a total elbow arthroplasty (TEA). This may be an attractive
alternative to staged re-implantation. Between 1990 and 2010, 23 consecutive patients were treated in
this way. Three were lost to follow-up leaving 20 patients (21 TEAs)
in the study. There were six men and 14 women. Their mean age was
58 years (23 to 76). The protocol involved: component unlinking,
irrigation and debridement (I&
D), and the introduction of antibiotic
laden cement beads; organism-specific intravenous antibiotics; repeat
I&
D and re-linkage of the implant if appropriate; long-term
oral antibiotic therapy. Aims
Patients and Methods
The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the outcomes
of coccygectomy for patients with chronic coccydynia. Between 2007 and 2011, 98 patients underwent coccygectomy for
chronic coccydynia. The patients were aged >
18 years, had coccygeal
pain, local tenderness and a radiological abnormality, and had failed
conservative management. Outcome measures were the Short Form 36
(SF-36), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and a visual analogue
scale (VAS) for pain. Secondary analysis compared the pre-operative
features and the outcomes of patients with successful and failed
treatment, two years post-operatively. The threshold for success
was based on a minimum clinically important difference (MCID) on
the ODI of 20 points. All other patients, including those lost to
follow-up, were classified as failures.Aims
Patients and Methods