Aims. The aim of this prospective multicentre study was to describe trends in length of stay and early complications and readmissions following unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) performed at eight different centres in Denmark using a
Bilateral simultaneous total knee replacement (TKR) has been considered by some to be associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Our study analysed the outcome of 150 consecutive, but selected, bilateral simultaneous TKRs and compared them with that of 271 unilateral TKRs in a standardised
Aims. To investigate the impact of consecutive perioperative care transitions on in-hospital recovery of patients who had primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) over an 11-year period. Methods. This observational cohort study used electronic health record data from all patients undergoing preoperative screening for primary TKA at a Northern Netherlands hospital between 2009 and 2020. In this timeframe, three perioperative care transitions were divided into four periods: Baseline care (Joint Care, n = 171; May 2009 to August 2010), Function-tailored (n = 404; September 2010 to October 2013),
We present detailed information about early morbidity
after aseptic revision knee replacement from a nationwide study.
All aseptic revision knee replacements undertaken between 1st October
2009 and 30th September 2011 were analysed using the Danish National
Patient Registry with additional information from the Danish Knee
Arthroplasty Registry. The 1218 revisions involving 1165 patients
were subdivided into total revisions, large partial revisions, partial
revisions and revisions of unicondylar replacements (UKR revisions).
The mean age was 65.0 years (27 to 94) and the median length of
hospital stay was four days (interquartile range: 3 to 5), with
a 90 days re-admission rate of 9.9%,
re-operation rate of 3.5% and mortality rate of 0.2%. The age ranges
of 51 to 55 years (p = 0.018), 76 to 80 years (p <
0.001) and ≥ 81
years (p <
0.001) were related to an increased risk of re-admission.
The age ranges of 76 to 80 years (p = 0.018) and the large partial
revision subgroup (p = 0.073) were related to an increased risk
of re-operation. The ages from 76 to 80 years (p <
0.001), age ≥ 81
years (p <
0.001) and surgical time >
120 min (p <
0.001)
were related to increased length of hospital stay, whereas the use
of a tourniquet (p = 0.008) and surgery in a low volume centre (p
= 0.013) were related to shorter length of stay. In conclusion, we found a similar incidence of early post-operative
morbidity after aseptic knee revisions as has been reported after
primary procedures. This suggests that a length of hospital stay ≤ four
days and discharge home at that time is safe following aseptic knee
revision surgery in Denmark. Cite this article:
After implementation of a ‘fast-track’ rehabilitation
protocol in our hospital, mean length of hospital stay for primary
total hip arthroplasty decreased from 4.6 to 2.9 nights for unselected
patients. However, despite this reduction there was still a wide
range across the patients’ hospital duration. The purpose of this
study was to identify which specific patient characteristics influence
length of stay after successful implementation of a ‘fast-track’
rehabilitation protocol. A total of 477 patients (317 female and
160 male, mean age 71.0 years; 39.3 to 92.6, mean BMI 27.0 kg/m2;18.8
to 45.2) who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty between 1
February 2011 and 31 January 2013, were included in this retrospective
cohort study. A length of stay greater than the median was considered
as an increased duration. Logistic regression analyses were performed
to identify potential factors associated with increased durations.
Median length of stay was two nights (interquartile range 1), and
the mean length of stay 2.9 nights (1 to 75). In all, 266 patients
had a length of stay ≤ two nights. Age (odds ratio (OR) 2.46; 95%
confidence intervals (CI) 1.72 to 3.51; p <
0.001), living situation
(alone Cite this article:
The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effect of
an enhanced recovery program (ERP) on the short-term functional
outcome after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Secondary outcomes included
its effect on rates of dislocation and mortality. Data were gathered on 1161 patients undergoing primary THA which
included 611 patients treated with traditional rehabilitation and
550 treated with an ERP. Aims
Patients and Methods
Data on early morbidity and complications after
revision total hip replacement (THR) are limited. The aim of this nationwide
study was to describe and quantify early morbidity after aseptic
revision THR and relate the morbidity to the extent of the revision
surgical procedure. We analysed all aseptic revision THRs from 1st
October 2009 to 30th September 2011 using the Danish National Patient
Registry, with additional information from the Danish Hip Arthroplasty
Registry. There were 1553 procedures (1490 patients) performed in
40 centres and we divided them into total revisions, acetabular
component revisions, femoral stem revisions and partial revisions.
The mean age of the patients was 70.4 years (25 to 98) and the median
hospital stay was five days (interquartile range 3 to 7). Within 90
days of surgery, the readmission rate was 18.3%, mortality rate
1.4%, re-operation rate 6.1%, dislocation rate 7.0% and infection
rate 3.0%. There were no differences in these outcomes between high-
and low-volume centres. Of all readmissions, 255 (63.9%) were due
to ‘surgical’ complications Cite this article:
The outcome after total hip replacement has improved
with the development of surgical techniques, better pain management
and the introduction of enhanced recovery pathways. These pathways
require a multidisciplinary team to manage pre-operative education,
multimodal pain control and accelerated rehabilitation. The current economic
climate and restricted budgets favour brief hospitalisation while
minimising costs. This has put considerable pressure on hospitals
to combine excellent results, early functional recovery and shorter
admissions. In this review we present an evidence-based summary of some common
interventions and methods, including pre-operative patient education,
pre-emptive analgesia, local infiltration analgesia, pre-operative
nutrition, the use of pulsed electromagnetic fields, peri-operative
rehabilitation, wound dressings, different surgical techniques, minimally
invasive surgery and
The primary aim of this study was to compare the migration of the femoral and tibial components of the cementless rotating platform Attune and Low Contact Stress (LCS) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) designs, two years postoperatively, using radiostereometric analysis (RSA) in order to assess the risk of the development of aseptic loosening. A secondary aim was to compare clinical and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) between the designs. A total of 61 TKAs were analyzed in this randomized clinical RSA trial. RSA examinations were performed one day and three, six, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. The maximal total point motion (MPTM), translations, and rotations of the components were analyzed. PROMs and clinical data were collected preoperatively and at six weeks and three, six, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Linear mixed effect modelling was used for statistical analyses.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness and safety of thromboprophylactic treatments in patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Using nationwide medical registries, we identified patients with a primary TKA performed in Denmark between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2018 who received thromboprophylactic treatment. We examined the 90-day risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), major bleeding, and all-cause mortality following surgery. We used a Cox regression model to compute hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each outcome, pairwise comparing treatment with dalteparin or dabigatran with rivaroxaban as the reference. The HRs were both computed using a multivariable and a propensity score matched analysis.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to report our experience at 3.5 years with outpatient total hip arthroplasty (THA). In this prospective cohort study, we included all patients who were planned to receive primary THA through the anterior approach between 1 April 2014 and 1 October 2017. Patient-related data and surgical information were recorded. Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) related to the hip and an anchor question were taken preoperatively, at six weeks, three months, and one year after surgery. All complications, readmissions, and reoperations were registered.Aims
Methods
The primary objective of this study was to compare migration of the cemented ATTUNE fixed bearing cruciate retaining tibial component with the cemented Press-Fit Condylar (PFC)-sigma fixed bearing cruciate retaining tibial component. The secondary objectives included comparing clinical and radiological outcomes and Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs). A single blinded randomized, non-inferiority study was conducted including 74 patients. Radiostereometry examinations were made after weight bearing, but before hospital discharge, and at three, six, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. PROMS were collected preoperatively and at three, six, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Radiographs for measuring radiolucencies were collected at two weeks and two years postoperatively.Aims
Methods
The transition from shutdown of elective orthopaedic services to the resumption of pre-COVID-19 activity presents many challenges. These include concerns about patient safety, staff safety, and the viability of health economies. Careful planning is necessary to allow patients to benefit from orthopaedic care in a safe and sustainable manner. Cite this article:
The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the severity of anaemia on postoperative complications following total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database. All patients who underwent primary TKA or THA between January 2012 and December 2017 were identified and stratified based upon hematocrit level. In this analysis, we defined anaemia as packed cell volume (Hct) < 36% for women and < 39% for men, and further stratified anaemia as mild anaemia (Hct 33% to 36% for women, Hct 33% to 39% for men), and moderate to severe (Hct < 33% for both men and women). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate the incidence of multiple adverse events within 30 days of arthroplasty.Aims
Methods
Radiostereometric analysis (RSA) studies of vitamin E-doped, highly crosslinked polyethylene (VEPE) liners show low head penetration rates in cementless acetabular components. There is, however, currently no data on cemented VEPE acetabular components in total hip arthroplasty (THA). The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of a new cemented VEPE component, compared with a conventional polyethylene (PE) component regarding migration, head penetration, and clinical results. We enrolled 42 patients (21 male, 21 female) with osteoarthritis and a mean age of 67 years (Aims
Patients and Methods
To investigate whether pre-operative functional mobility is a
determinant of delayed inpatient recovery of activities (IRoA) after
total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in three periods that coincided with
changes in the clinical pathway. All patients (n = 682, 73% women, mean age 70 years, standard
deviation 9) scheduled for TKA between 2009 and 2015 were pre-operatively
screened for functional mobility by the Timed-up-and-Go test (TUG)
and De Morton mobility index (DEMMI). The cut-off point for delayed
IRoA was set on the day that 70% of the patients were recovered,
according to the Modified Iowa Levels of Assistance Scale (mILAS)
(a 5-item activity scale). In a multivariable logistic regression
analysis, we added either the TUG or the DEMMI to a reference model
including established determinants.Aims
Patients and Methods
The aim of this study was to investigate mortality and risk of intraoperative medical complications depending on delay to hip fracture surgery by using data from the Norwegian Hip Fracture Register (NHFR) and the Norwegian Patient Registry (NPR). A total of 83 727 hip fractures were reported to the NHFR between 2008 and 2017. Pathological fractures, unspecified type of fractures or treatment, patients less than 50 years of age, unknown delay to surgery, and delays to surgery of greater than four days were excluded. We studied total delay (fracture to surgery, n = 38 754) and hospital delay (admission to surgery, n = 73 557). Cox regression analyses were performed to calculate relative risks (RRs) adjusted for sex, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, type of surgery, and type of fracture. Odds ratio (OR) was calculated for intraoperative medical complications. We compared delays of 12 hours or less, 13 to 24 hours, 25 to 36 hours, 37 to 48 hours, and more than 48 hours.Aims
Patients and Methods
Cementless primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) is associated with risks of bleeding and thromboembolism. Anticoagulants are effective as venous thromboprophylaxis, but with an increased risk of bleeding. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an efficient antifibrinolytic agent, but the mode and timing of its administration remain controversial. This study aimed to determine whether two intravenous (IV) TXA regimens (a three-hour two-dose (short-TXA) and 11-hour four-dose (long-TXA)) were more effective than placebo in reducing perioperative real blood loss (RBL, between baseline and day 3 postoperatively) in patients undergoing THA who receive rivaroxaban as thromboprophylaxis. The secondary aim was to assess the non-inferiority of the reduction of blood loss of the short protocol A multicentre, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was undertaken involving 229 patients undergoing primary cementless THA using a posterior approach, whose extended rivaroxaban thromboprophylaxis started on the day of surgery. There were 98 male and 131 female patients, with a mean age of 65.5 years (32 to 91). The primary outcome, perioperative RBL, was evaluated at 72 hours postoperatively. The efficacy of short- and long-TXA protocols in the reduction of perioperative RBL was compared with a placebo group.Aims
Patients and Methods
In order to prevent dislocation of the hip after total hip arthroplasty
(THA), patients have to adhere to precautions in the early post-operative
period. The hypothesis of this study was that a protocol with minimal
precautions after primary THA using the posterolateral approach
would not increase the short-term (less than three months) risk
of dislocation. We prospectively monitored a group of unselected patients undergoing
primary THA managed with standard precautions (n = 109, median age
68.9 years; interquartile range (IQR) 61.2 to 77.3) and a group
who were managed with fewer precautions (n = 108, median age 67.2
years; IQR 59.8 to 73.2). There were no significant differences between
the groups in relation to predisposing risk factors. The diameter
of the femoral head ranged from 28 mm to 36 mm; meticulous soft-tissue
repair was undertaken in all patients. The medical records were
reviewed and all patients were contacted three months post-operatively
to confirm whether they had experienced a dislocation. Aims
Patients and Methods
The patient with a painful arthritic knee awaiting
total knee arthroplasty (TKA) requires a multidisciplinary approach.
Optimal control of acute post-operative pain and the prevention
of chronic persistent pain remains a challenge. The aim of this
paper is to evaluate whether stratification of patients can help
identify those who are at particular risk for severe acute or chronic
pain. Intense acute post-operative pain, which is itself a risk factor
for chronic pain, is more common in younger, obese female patients
and those suffering from central pain sensitisation. Pre-operative
pain, in the knee or elsewhere in the body, predisposes to central
sensitisation. Pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee may also trigger
neuropathic pain and may be associated with chronic medication like
opioids, leading to a state of nociceptive sensitisation called
‘opioid-induced hyperalgesia’. Finally, genetic and personality
related risk factors may also put patients at a higher risk for
the development of chronic pain. Those identified as at risk for chronic pain would benefit from
specific peri-operative management including reduction in opioid
intake pre-operatively, the peri-operative use of antihyperalgesic
drugs such as ketamine and gabapentinoids, and a close post-operative
follow-up in a dedicated chronic pain clinic. Cite this article:
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a major orthopaedic
intervention. The length of a patient's stay has been progressively
reduced with the introduction of enhanced recovery protocols: day-case
surgery has become the ultimate challenge. This narrative review shows the potential limitations of day-case
TKA. These constraints may be social, linked to patient’s comorbidities,
or due to surgery-related adverse events (e.g. pain, post-operative
nausea and vomiting, etc.). Using patient stratification, tailored surgical techniques and
multimodal opioid-sparing analgesia, day-case TKA might be achievable
in a limited group of patients. The younger, male patient without
comorbidities and with an excellent social network around him might
be a candidate. Demographic changes, effective recovery programmes and less invasive
surgical techniques such as unicondylar knee arthroplasty, may increase
the size of the group of potential day-case patients. The cost reduction achieved by day-case TKA needs to be balanced
against any increase in morbidity and mortality and the cost of
advanced follow-up at a distance with new technology. These factors
need to be evaluated before adopting this ultimate ‘fast-track’
approach. Cite this article:
The aim of this study was to identify patient- and surgery-related
risk factors for sustaining an early periprosthetic fracture following
primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) performed using a double-tapered
cementless femoral component (Bi-Metric femoral stem; Biomet Inc.,
Warsaw, Indiana). A total of 1598 consecutive hips, in 1441 patients receiving
primary THA between January 2010 and June 2015, were retrospectively
identified. Level of pre-operative osteoarthritis, femoral Dorr
type and cortical index were recorded. Varus/valgus placement of
the stem and canal fill ratio were recorded post-operatively. Periprosthetic
fractures were identified and classified according to the Vancouver
classification. Regression analysis was performed to identify risk
factors for early periprosthetic fracture.Aims
Patients and Methods
We examined the risk of thrombotic and major
bleeding events in patients undergoing total hip and knee replacement
(THR and TKR) treated with thromboprophylaxis, using nationwide
population-based databases. We identified 83 756 primary procedures
performed between 1997 and 2011. The outcomes were symptomatic venous thromboembolism
(VTE), myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, death and major bleeding
requiring hospitalisation within 90 days of surgery. A total of 1114 (1.3%) and 483 (0.6%) patients experienced VTE
and bleeding, respectively. The annual risk of VTE varied between
0.9% and 1.6%, and of bleeding between 0.4% and 0.8%. The risk of
VTE and bleeding was unchanged over a 15-year period. A total of
0.7% of patients died within 90 days, with a decrease from 1% in
1997 to 0.6% in 2011 (p <
0.001). A high level of comorbidity
and general anaesthesia were strong risk factors for both VTE and
bleeding, with no difference between THR and TKR patients. The risk
of both MI and stroke was 0.5%, which remained unchanged during
the study period. In this cohort study of patients undergoing THR and TKR patients
in routine clinical practice, approximately 3% experienced VTE,
MI, stroke or bleeding. These risks did not decline during the 15-year
study period, but the risk of dying fell substantially. Cite this article:
Revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a complex
procedure which carries both a greater risk for patients and greater
cost for the treating hospital than does a primary TKA. As well
as the increased cost of peri-operative investigations, blood transfusions,
surgical instrumentation, implants and operating time, there is
a well-documented increased length of stay which accounts for most
of the actual costs associated with surgery. We compared revision surgery for infection with revision for
other causes (pain, instability, aseptic loosening and fracture).
Complete clinical, demographic and economic data were obtained for
168 consecutive revision TKAs performed at a tertiary referral centre
between 2005 and 2012. Revision surgery for infection was associated with a mean length
of stay more than double that of aseptic cases (21.5 Current NHS tariffs do not fully reimburse the increased costs
of providing a revision knee surgery service. Moreover, especially
as greater costs are incurred for infected cases. These losses may
adversely affect the provision of revision surgery in the NHS. Cite this article:
Total knee replacement (TKR) is one of the most
common operations in orthopaedic surgery worldwide. Despite its
scientific reputation as mainly successful, only 81% to 89% of patients
are satisfied with the final result. Our understanding of this discordance
between patient and surgeon satisfaction is limited. In our experience,
focus on five major factors can improve patient satisfaction rates:
correct patient selection, setting of appropriate expectations,
avoiding preventable complications, knowledge of the finer points
of the operation, and the use of both pre- and post-operative pathways.
Awareness of the existence, as well as the identification of predictors
of patient–surgeon discordance should potentially help with enhancing
patient outcomes. Cite this article:
Interest in football continues to increase, with ever younger age groups participating at a competitive level. Football academies have sprung up under the umbrella of professional clubs in an attempt to nurture and develop such talent in a safe manner. However, increased participation predisposes the immature skeleton to injury. Over a five-year period we have prospectively collected data concerning all injuries presenting to the medical team at Newcastle United football academy. We identified 685 injuries in our cohort of 210 players with a mean age of 13.5 years (9 to 18). The majority of injuries (542;79%) were to the lower limb. A total of 20 surgical procedures were performed. Contact injuries accounted for 31% (210) of all injuries and non-contact for 69% (475).The peaks of injury occurred in early September and March. The 15- and 16-year-old age group appeared most at risk, independent of hours of participation. Strategies to minimise injury may be applicable in both the academy setting and the wider general community.
