Aims. It has previously been shown that higher-volume hospitals have better outcomes following revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA). We were unable to identify any studies which investigated the effect of
The August 2023 Shoulder & Elbow Roundup360 looks at: Motor control or strengthening exercises for rotator cuff-related shoulder pain? A multi-arm randomized controlled trial; Does the choice of antibiotic prophylaxis influence reoperation rate in primary shoulder arthroplasty?; Common shoulder injuries in sport: grading the evidence; The use of medial support screw was associated with axillary nerve injury after plate fixation of proximal humeral fracture using a minimally invasive deltoid-splitting approach; MRI predicts outcomes of conservative treatment in patients with lateral epicondylitis; Association between
Aims. This study aims to determine difference in annual rate of early-onset (≤ 90 days) deep surgical site infection (SSI) following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for osteoarthritis, and to identify risk factors that may be associated with infection. Methods. This is a retrospective population-based cohort study using prospectively collected patient-level data between 1 January 2013 and 1 March 2020. The diagnosis of deep SSI was defined as per the Centers for Disease Control/National Healthcare Safety Network criteria. The Mann-Kendall Trend test was used to detect monotonic trends in annual rates of early-onset deep SSI over time. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the effect of different patient, surgical, and healthcare setting factors on the risk of developing a deep SSI within 90 days from surgery for patients with complete data. We also report 90-day mortality. Results. A total of 39,038 patients underwent primary TKA for osteoarthritis during the study period. Of these, 275 patients developed a deep SSI within 90 days of surgery, representing a cumulative incidence of 0.7%. The annual infection rate did not significantly decrease over the seven-year study period (p = 0.162). Overall, 13,885 (35.5%) cases were excluded from the risk analysis due to missing data. Risk factors associated with early-onset deep SSI included male sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade ≥ 3, blood transfusion, acute length of stay, and
Aims. This study aimed to describe practice variation in the use of total hip arthroplasty (THA) for older patients with femoral neck fracture and to determine the association between patient, surgeon, and institution factors and treatment with THA. Methods. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 49,597 patients aged 60 years and older from Ontario, Canada, who underwent hemiarthroplasty or THA for femoral neck fracture between 2002 and 2017. This population-based study used routinely collected healthcare databases linked through ICES (formerly known as the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences). Multilevel logistic regression modelling was used to quantify the association between patient, surgeon, and institution-level variables and whether patients were treated with THA. Variance partition coefficient and median odds ratios were used to estimate the variation attributable to higher-level variables and the magnitude of effect of higher-level variables, respectively. Results. Over the study period, 9.4% of patients (n = 4,638) were treated with THA. Patient factors associated with higher likelihood of treatment by THA included: younger age, male sex, and diagnosis with rheumatoid arthritis. Long-term care residence, use of home care services prior to hip fracture, diagnosis of dementia, higher comorbidity burden, and the most marginalized group were negatively associated with treatment by THA. Treating surgeon and institution accounted for 54.2% and 17.8% of the total variation in treatment with THA, respectively.
Aims. Patients with a high comorbidity burden (HCB) can achieve similar improvements in quality of life compared with low-risk patients, but greater morbidity may deter surgeons from operating on these patients. Whether
Aims. The aim of this study is to evaluate the change in incidence rate of shoulder arthroplasty, indications, and
Aims. The aim of this study was to measure the effect of hospital case volume on the survival of revision total knee arthroplasty (RTKA). Methods. This is a retrospective analysis of Scottish Arthroplasty Project data, a nationwide audit which prospectively collects data on all arthroplasty procedures performed in Scotland. The primary outcome was RTKA survival at ten years. The primary explanatory variable was the effect of hospital case volume per year on RTKA survival. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to determine the lifespan of RTKA. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards were used to estimate relative revision risks over time. Hazard ratios (HRs) were reported with 95% CI, and p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. From 1998 to 2019, 8,301 patients (8,894 knees) underwent RTKA surgery in Scotland (median age at RTKA 70 years (interquartile range (IQR) 63 to 76); median follow-up 6.2 years (IQR 3.0 to 10.2). In all, 4,764 (53.6%) were female, and 781 (8.8%) were treated for infection. Of these 8,894 knees, 957 (10.8%) underwent a second revision procedure. Male sex, younger age at index revision, and positive infection status were associated with need for re-revision. The ten-year survival estimate for RTKA was 87.3% (95% CI 86.5 to 88.1). Adjusting for sex, age,
The current evidence comparing the two most common approaches for reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA), the deltopectoral and anterosuperior approach, is limited. This study aims to compare the rate of loosening, instability, and implant survival between the two approaches for rTSA using data from the Dutch National Arthroplasty Registry with a minimum follow-up of five years. All patients in the registry who underwent a primary rTSA between January 2014 and December 2016 using an anterosuperior or deltopectoral approach were included, with a minimum follow-up of five years. Cox and logistic regression models were used to assess the association between the approach and the implant survival, instability, and glenoid loosening, independent of confounders.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study is to report the implant survival and factors associated with revision of total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) using data from the Dutch national registry. All TEAs recorded in the Dutch national registry between 2014 and 2020 were included. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis, and a logistic regression model was used to assess the factors associated with revision.Aims
Methods
This study describes the variation in the annual volumes of revision hip arthroplasty (RHA) undertaken by consultant surgeons nationally, and the rate of accrual of RHA and corresponding primary hip arthroplasty (PHA) volume for new consultants entering practice. National Joint Registry (NJR) data for England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Isle of Man were received for 84,816 RHAs and 818,979 PHAs recorded between April 2011 and December 2019. RHA data comprised all revision procedures, including first-time revisions of PHA and any subsequent re-revisions recorded in public and private healthcare organizations. Annual procedure volumes undertaken by the responsible consultant surgeon in the 12 months prior to every index procedure were determined. We identified a cohort of ‘new’ HA consultants who commenced practice from 2012 and describe their rate of accrual of PHA and RHA experience.Aims
Methods
The aims of this study were to identify and evaluate the current literature examining the prognostic factors which are associated with failure of total elbow arthroplasty (TEA). Electronic literature searches were conducted using MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane. All studies reporting prognostic estimates for factors associated with the revision of a primary TEA were included. The risk of bias was assessed using the Quality In Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) tool, and the quality of evidence was assessed using the modified Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) framework. Due to low quality of the evidence and the heterogeneous nature of the studies, a narrative synthesis was used.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with the estimated lifetime risk of revision surgery after primary knee arthroplasty (KA). All patients from the Scottish Arthroplasty Project dataset undergoing primary KA during the period 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2019 were included. The cumulative incidence function for revision and death was calculated up to 20 years. Adjusted analyses used cause-specific Cox regression modelling to determine the influence of patient factors. The lifetime risk was calculated as a percentage for patients aged between 45 and 99 years using multiple-decrement life table methodology.Aims
Methods
Despite excellent results, the use of cemented
total hip replacement (THR) is declining. This retrospective cohort study
records survival time to revision following primary cemented THR
using the most common combination of components that accounted for
almost a quarter of all cemented THRs, exploring risk factors independently associated
with failure. All patients with osteoarthritis who had an Exeter
V40/Contemporary THR (Stryker) implanted before 31 December 2010
and recorded in the National Joint Registry for England and Wales
were included in the analysis. Cox’s proportional hazard models
were used to analyse the extent to which risk of revision was related
to patient, surgeon and implant covariates, with a significance
threshold of p <
0.01. A total of 34 721 THRs were included in
the study. The overall seven-year rate of revision for any reason
was 1.70% (99% confidence interval (CI) 1.28 to 2.12). In the final
adjusted model the risk of revision was significantly higher in
THRs with the Contemporary hooded component (hazard ratio (HR) 1.88,
p <
0.001) than with the flanged version, and in smaller head
sizes (<
28 mm) compared with 28 mm diameter heads (HR 1.50,
p = 0.005). The seven-year revision rate was 1.16% (99% CI 0.69
to 1.63) with a 28 mm diameter head and flanged component. The overall
risk of revision was independent of age, gender, American Society
of Anesthesiologists grade, body mass index,
Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is one of the most successful surgical procedures. The objectives of this study were to define whether there is a correlation between socioeconomic status (SES) and surgical complications after elective primary unilateral THA, and investigate whether access to elective THA differs within SES groups. We conducted a retrospective, population-based cohort study involving 202 hospitals in Ontario, Canada, over a 17-year period. Patients were divided into income quintiles based on postal codes as a proxy for personal economic status. Multivariable logistic regression models were then used to primarily assess the relationship between SES and surgical complications within one year of index THA.Aims
Methods
Simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been used due to its financial advantages, overall resource usage, and convenience for the patient. The training model where a trainee performs the first TKA, followed by the trainer surgeon performing the second TKA, is a unique model to our institution. This study aims to analyze the functional and clinical outcomes of bilateral simultaneous TKA when performed by a trainee or a supervising surgeon, and also to assess these outcomes based on which side was done by the trainee or by the surgeon. This was a retrospective cohort study of all simultaneous bilateral TKAs performed by a single surgeon in an academic institution between May 2003 and November 2017. Exclusion criteria were the use of partial knee arthroplasty procedures, staged bilateral procedures, and procedures not performed by the senior author on one side and the trainee on another. Primary clinical outcomes of interest included revision and re-revision. Primary functional outcomes included the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and patient satisfaction scores.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to investigate the potentially increased risk of dislocation in patients with neurological disease who sustain a femoral neck fracture, as it is unclear whether they should undergo total hip arthroplasty (THA) or hemiarthroplasty (HA). A secondary aim was to investgate whether dual-mobility components confer a reduced risk of dislocation in these patients. We undertook a longitudinal cohort study linking the Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Register with the National Patient Register, including patients with a neurological disease presenting with a femoral neck fracture and treated with HA, a conventional THA (cTHA) with femoral head size of ≤ 32 mm, or a dual-mobility component THA (DMC-THA) between 2005 and 2014. The dislocation rate at one- and three-year revision, reoperation, and mortality rates were recorded. Cox multivariate regression models were fitted to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs).Aims
Methods
The main aims were to identify risk factors predictive of a radiolucent line (RLL) around the acetabular component with an interface bioactive bone cement (IBBC) technique in the first year after THA, and evaluate whether these risk factors influence the development of RLLs at five and ten years after THA. A retrospective review was undertaken of 980 primary cemented THAs in 876 patients using cemented acetabular components with the IBBC technique. The outcome variable was any RLLs that could be observed around the acetabular component at the first year after THA. Univariate analyses with univariate logistic regression and multivariate analyses with exact logistic regression were performed to identify risk factors for any RLLs based on radiological classification of hip osteoarthritis.Aims
Methods
The goal of the current systematic review was to assess the impact of implant placement accuracy on outcomes following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A systematic review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines using the Ovid Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central, and Web of Science databases in order to assess the impact of the patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) and implant placement accuracy on outcomes following TKA. Studies assessing the impact of implant alignment, rotation, size, overhang, or condylar offset were included. Study quality was assessed, evidence was graded (one-star: no evidence, two-star: limited evidence, three-star: moderate evidence, four-star: strong evidence), and recommendations were made based on the available evidence.Aims
Methods
The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of asymmetric crosslinked polyethylene liner use on the risk of revision of cementless and hybrid total hip arthroplasties (THAs). We undertook a registry study combining the National Joint Registry dataset with polyethylene manufacturing characteristics as supplied by the manufacturers. The primary endpoint was revision for any reason. We performed further analyses on other reasons including instability, aseptic loosening, wear, and liner dissociation. The primary analytic approach was Cox proportional hazard regression.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to compare ten-year longitudinal healthcare costs and revision rates for patients undergoing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The Humana database was used to compare 2,383 patients undergoing UKA between 2007 and 2009, who were matched 1:1 from a cohort of 63,036 patients undergoing primary TKA based on age, sex, and Elixhauser Comorbidity Index. Medical and surgical complications were tracked longitudinally for one year following surgery. Rates of revision surgery and cumulative mean healthcare costs were recorded for this period of time and compared between the cohorts.Aims
Methods
Hospital case volume is shown to be associated with postoperative outcomes in various types of surgery. However, conflicting results of volume-outcome relationship have been reported in hip fracture surgery. This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the association between hospital case volume and postoperative outcomes in patients who had hip fracture surgery. We hypothesized that higher case volume would be associated with lower risk of in-hospital and one-year mortality after hip fracture surgery. Data for all patients who underwent surgery for hip fracture from January 2008 to December 2016 were extracted from the Korean National Healthcare Insurance Service database. According to mean annual case volume of surgery for hip fracture, hospitals were classified into very low (< 30 cases/year), low (30 to 50 cases/year), intermediate (50 to 100 cases/year), high (100 to 150 cases/year), or very high (> 150 cases/year) groups. The association between hospital case volume and in-hospital mortality or one-year mortality was assessed using the logistic regression model to adjust for age, sex, type of fracture, type of anaesthesia, transfusion, comorbidities, and year of surgery.Aims
Methods
The primary aim of this study was to assess whether the postoperative Oxford Knee Score (OKS) demonstrated a ceiling effect at one and/or two years after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The secondary aim was to identify preoperative independent predictors for patients that achieved a ceiling score after TKA. A retrospective cohort of 5,857 patients undergoing a primary TKA were identified from an established arthroplasty database. Patient demographics, body mass index (BMI), OKS, and EuroQoL five-dimension (EQ-5D) general health scores were collected preoperatively and at one and two years postoperatively. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent preoperative predictors of patients achieving postoperative ceiling scores. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to identify a preoperative OKS that predicted a postoperative ceiling score.Aims
Methods
This combined clinical and in vitro study aimed to determine the incidence of liner malseating in modular dual mobility (MDM) constructs in primary total hip arthroplasties (THAs) from a large volume arthroplasty centre, and determine whether malseating increases the potential for fretting and corrosion at the modular metal interface in malseated MDM constructs using a simulated corrosion chamber. For the clinical arm of the study, observers independently reviewed postoperative radiographs of 551 primary THAs using MDM constructs from a single manufacturer over a three-year period, to identify the incidence of MDM liner-shell malseating. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), cup design, cup size, and the MDM case volume of the surgeon. For the in vitro arm, six pristine MDM implants with cobalt-chrome liners were tested in a simulated corrosion chamber. Three were well-seated and three were malseated with 6° of canting. The liner-shell couples underwent cyclic loading of increasing magnitudes. Fretting current was measured throughout testing and the onset of fretting load was determined by analyzing the increase in average current.Aims
Methods
This study aims to determine the proportion of patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis (OA) possibly suitable for partial (PKA) or combined partial knee arthroplasty (CPKA) according to patterns of full-thickness cartilage loss and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) status. A cross-sectional analysis of 300 consecutive patients (mean age 69 years (SD 9.5, 44 to 91), mean body mass index (BMI) 30.6 (SD 5.5, 20 to 53), 178 female (59.3%)) undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for Kellgren-Lawrence grade ≥ 3 knee OA was conducted. The point of maximal tibial bone loss on preoperative lateral radiographs was determined as a percentage of the tibial diameter. At surgery, Lachman’s test and ACL status were recorded. The presence of full-thickness cartilage loss within 16 articular surface regions (two patella, eight femoral, six tibial) was recorded.Aims
Methods
The primary aim of the study was to compare the knee-specific functional outcome of robotic unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (rUKA) with manual total knee arthroplasty (mTKA) for the management of isolated medial compartment osteoarthritis. Secondary aims were to compare length of hospital stay, general health improvement, and satisfaction between rUKA and mTKA. A powered (1:3 ratio) cohort study was performed. A total of 30 patients undergoing rUKA were propensity score matched to 90 patients undergoing mTKA for isolated medial compartment arthritis. Patients were matched for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and preoperative function. The Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D) were collected preoperatively and six months postoperatively. The Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) and patient satisfaction were collected six months postoperatively. Length of hospital stay was also recorded.Aims
Methods
Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is gaining popularity as a treatment for displaced femoral neck fractures (FNFs), especially in physiologically younger patients. While THA for osteoarthritis (OA) has demonstrated low complication rates and increased quality of life, results of THA for acute FNF are not as clear. Currently, a THA performed for FNF is included in an institutional arthroplasty bundle without adequate risk adjustment, potentially placing centres participating in fracture care at financial disadvantage. The purpose of this study is to report on perioperative complication rates after THA for FNF compared with elective THA performed for OA of the hip. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database between 2008 and 2016 was queried. Patients were identified using the THA Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code and divided into groups by diagnosis: OA in one and FNF in another. Univariate statistics were performed. Continuous variables were compared between groups using Student’s Aims
Patients and Methods
Elevated proximal tibial bone strain may cause unexplained pain, an important cause of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) revision. This study investigates the effect of tibial component alignment in metal-backed (MB) and all-polyethylene (AP) fixed-bearing medial UKAs on bone strain, using an experimentally validated finite element model (FEM). A previously experimentally validated FEM of a composite tibia implanted with a cemented fixed-bearing UKA (MB and AP) was used. Standard alignment (medial proximal tibial angle 90°, 6° posterior slope), coronal malalignment (3°, 5°, 10° varus; 3°, 5° valgus), and sagittal malalignment (0°, 3°, 6°, 9°, 12°) were analyzed. The primary outcome measure was the volume of compressively overstrained cancellous bone (VOCB) < -3000 µε. The secondary outcome measure was maximum von Mises stress in cortical bone (MSCB) over a medial region of interest.Objectives
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
Deep infection was identified as a serious complication in the earliest days of total hip arthroplasty. It was identified that airborne contamination in conventional operating theatres was the major contributing factor. As progress was made in improving the engineering of operating theatres, airborne contamination was reduced. Detailed studies were carried out relating airborne contamination to deep infection rates. In a trial conducted by the United Kingdom Medical Research Council (MRC), it was found that the use of ultra-clean air (UCA) operating theatres was associated with a significant reduction in deep infection rates. Deep infection rates were further reduced by the use of a body exhaust system. The MRC trial also included a detailed microbiology study, which confirmed the relationship between airborne contamination and deep infection rates. Recent observational evidence from joint registries has shown that in contemporary practice, infection rates remain a problem, and may be getting worse. Registry observations have also called into question the value of “laminar flow” operating theatres. Observational evidence from joint registries provides very limited evidence on the efficacy of UCA operating theatres. Although there have been some changes in surgical practice in recent years, the conclusions of the MRC trial remain valid, and the use of UCA is essential in preventing deep infection. There is evidence that if UCA operating theatres are not used correctly, they may have poor microbiological performance. Current UCA operating theatres have limitations, and further research is required to update them and improve their microbiological performance in contemporary practice. Cite this article:
We aimed to determine the effect of dementia and Parkinson’s
disease on one, three and 12-month mortality following surgery for
fracture of the hip in elderly patients from an Asian population. Using a random sample of patients taken from the Taiwan National
Health Insurance Research Database, this retrospective cohort study
analyzed the data on 6626 elderly patients who sustained a fracture
of the hip between 1997 and 2012 who had ICD-9 codes within the
general range of hip fracture (820.xx). We used Cox regression to estimate
the risk of death associated with dementia, Parkinson’s disease
or both, adjusting for demographic, clinical, treatment, and provider
factors.Aims
Patients and Methods
Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a serious complication
of total hip arthroplasty (THA). Different bearing surface materials
have different surface properties and it has been suggested that
the choice of bearing surface may influence the risk of PJI after
THA. The objective of this meta-analysis was to compare the rate
of PJI between metal-on-polyethylene (MoP), ceramic-on-polyethylene
(CoP), and ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) bearings. Electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane library, Web
of Science, and Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature)
were searched for comparative randomized and observational studies
that reported the incidence of PJI for different bearing surfaces.
Two investigators independently reviewed studies for eligibility, evaluated
risk of bias, and performed data extraction. Meta-analysis was performed
using the Mantel–Haenzel method and random-effects model in accordance
with methods of the Cochrane group.Aims
Patients and Methods
To determine ten-year failure rates following 36 mm metal-on-metal
(MoM) Pinnacle total hip arthroplasty (THA), and identify predictors
of failure. We retrospectively assessed a single-centre cohort of 569 primary
36 mm MoM Pinnacle THAs (all Corail stems) followed up since 2012
according to Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulation Agency
recommendations. All-cause failure rates (all-cause revision, and
non-revised cross-sectional imaging failures) were calculated, with predictors
for failure identified using multivariable Cox regression.Aims
Patients and Methods
The aim of the present study was to compare the 30- and 90-day
re-admission rates and complication rates of outpatient and inpatient
total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). The United States Medicare Standard Analytical Files database
was questioned to identify patients who had undergone outpatient
or inpatient TSA between 2005 and 2012. Patient characteristics
were compared between the two groups using chi-squared analysis. Multivariate
logistic regression analysis was used to control for differences
in baseline patient characteristics and to compare the two groups
in terms of post-operative complications within 90 days and re-admission
within 30 days and 90 days.Aims
Patients and Methods
Patients seeking cervical spine surgery are thought to be increasing
in age, comorbidities and functional debilitation. The changing
demographics of this population may significantly impact the outcomes
of their care, specifically with regards to complications. In this
study, our goals were to determine the rates of functionally dependent
patients undergoing elective cervical spine procedures and to assess
the effect of functional dependence on 30-day morbidity and mortality
using a large, validated national cohort. A retrospective analysis of the American College of Surgeons
National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data files from 2006
to 2013 was conducted to identify patients undergoing common cervical
spine procedures. Multivariate logistic regression models were generated
to analyse the independent association of functional dependence
with 30-day outcomes of interest.Aims
Patients and Methods
The purpose of our study is to summarise the current scientific
findings regarding the impact of obesity on total hip arthroplasty
(THA); specifically the influence of obesity on the timing of THA,
incidence of complications, and effect on clinical and functional
outcomes. We performed a systematic review that was compliant with the
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
guidelines to identify prospective studies from the PubMed/Medline,
Embase, and Cochrane Library databases that evaluated primary THA
in obese (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2) patients.Aims
Materials and Methods
Early and accurate prediction of hospital length-of-stay
(LOS) in patients undergoing knee replacement is important for economic
and operational reasons. Few studies have systematically developed
a multivariable model to predict LOS. We performed a retrospective
cohort study of 1609 patients aged ≥ 50 years who underwent elective,
primary total or unicompartmental knee replacements. Pre-operative
candidate predictors included patient demographics, knee function,
self-reported measures, surgical factors and discharge plans. In
order to develop the model, multivariable regression with bootstrap
internal validation was used. The median LOS for the sample was
four days (interquartile range 4 to 5). Statistically significant
predictors of longer stay included older age, greater number of comorbidities,
less knee flexion range of movement, frequent feelings of being
down and depressed, greater walking aid support required, total
( Cite this article:
Risk of revision following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is higher
in patients under 55 years, but little data are reported regarding
non-revision outcomes. This study aims to identify predictors of
dissatisfaction in these patients. We prospectively assessed 177 TKAs (157 consecutive patients,
99 women, mean age 50 years; 17 to 54) from 2008 to 2013. Age, gender,
implant, indication, body mass index (BMI), social deprivation,
range of movement, Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade of osteoarthritis
(OA) and prior knee surgery were recorded. Pre- and post-operative
Oxford Knee Score (OKS) as well as Short Form-12 physical (PCS)
and mental component scores were obtained. Post-operative range
of movement, complications and satisfaction were measured at one
year.Aims
Patients and Methods
Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has
advantages over total knee arthroplasty but national joint registries report
a significantly higher revision rate for UKA. As a result, most
surgeons are highly selective, offering UKA only to a small proportion
(up to 5%) of patients requiring arthroplasty of the knee, and consequently
performing few each year. However, surgeons with large UKA practices
have the lowest rates of revision. The overall size of the practice
is often beyond the surgeon’s control, therefore case volume may
only be increased by broadening the indications for surgery, and
offering UKA to a greater proportion of patients requiring arthroplasty
of the knee. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal UKA usage
(defined as the percentage of knee arthroplasty practice comprised
by UKA) to minimise the rate of revision in a sample of 41 986 records
from the for National Joint Registry for England and Wales (NJR). UKA usage has a complex, non-linear relationship with the rate
of revision. Acceptable results are achieved with the use of 20%
or more. Optimal results are achieved with usage between 40% and
60%. Surgeons with the lowest usage (up to 5%) have the highest
rates of revision. With optimal usage, using the most commonly used
implant, five-year survival is 96% (95% confidence interval (CI)
94.9 to 96.0), compared with 90% (95% CI 88.4 to 91.6) with low
usage (5%) previously considered ideal. The rate of revision of UKA is highest with low usage, implying
the use of narrow, and perhaps inappropriate, indications. The widespread
use of broad indications, using appropriate implants, would give
patients the advantages of UKA, without the high rate of revision. Cite this article:
The best method of managing a fracture of the
distal humerus in a frail low-demand patient with osteoporotic bone remains
controversial. Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) has been recommended
for patients in whom open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF)
is not possible. Conservative methods of treatment, including the
‘bag of bones’ technique (acceptance of displacement of the bony
fragments and early mobilisation), are now rarely considered as
they are believed to give a poor functional result. We reviewed 40 elderly and low-demand patients (aged 50 to 93
years, 72% women) with a fracture of the distal humerus who had
been treated conservatively at our hospital between March 2008 and
December 2013, and assessed their short- and medium-term functional
outcome. In the short-term, the mean Broberg and Morrey score improved
from 42 points (poor; 23 to 80) at six weeks after injury to 67
points (fair; 40 to 88) by three months. In the medium-term, surviving patients (n = 20) had a mean Oxford
elbow score of 30 points (7 to 48) at four years and a mean Disabilities
of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score of 38 points (0 to 75): 95%
reported a functional range of elbow flexion. The cumulative rate
of fracture union at one year was 53%. The mortality at five years approached
40%. Conservative management of a fracture of the distal humerus in
a low-demand patient only gives a modest functional result, but
avoids the substantial surgical risks associated with primary ORIF
or TEA. Cite this article:
The February 2015 Children’s orthopaedics Roundup360 looks at: Hip dislocation in children with CTEV: two decades of experience; Population-based prevention of DDH in cerebral palsy: 20 years’ experience; Shoulder derotation in congenital plexus palsy; Back pain in the paediatric population: could MRI be the answer?; Intercondylar fracture of the humerus in children; The Dunn osteotomy in SUFE; Radiocapitellar line a myth!; Do ‘flatfooted’ children suffer?
We examined patient and surgical factors associated
with deep surgical site infection (SSI) following total hip replacement
(THR) in a large integrated healthcare system. A retrospective review
of a cohort of primary THRs performed between 2001 and 2009 was
conducted. Patient characteristics, surgical details, surgeon and
hospital volumes, and SSIs were identified using the Kaiser Permanente
Total Joint Replacement Registry (TJRR). Proportional-hazard regression
models were used to assess risk factors for SSI. The study cohort
consisted of 30 491 THRs, of which 17 474 (57%) were performed on
women. The mean age of the patients in the whole series was 65.5
years (13 to 97; A comprehensive infection surveillance system, combined with
a TJRR, identified patient and surgical factors associated with
SSI. Obesity and chronic medical conditions should be addressed
prior to THR. The finding of increased SSI risk with bilateral THR
requires further investigation.
The August 2014 Hip &
Pelvis Roundup360 looks at: Serial MRIs best for pseudotumour surveillance; Is ultrasound good enough for MOM follow-up?; Does weight loss in obese patients help?; Measuring acetabular anteversion on plain films; Two-stage one-stage too many in fungal hip revisions? and 35 is the magic number in arthroplasty.
Total hip replacement causes a short-term increase
in the risk of mortality. It is important to quantify this and to identify
modifiable risk factors so that the risk of post-operative mortality
can be minimised. We performed a systematic review and critical
evaluation of the current literature on the topic. We identified
32 studies published over the last 10 years which provide either
30-day or 90-day mortality data. We estimate the pooled incidence
of mortality during the first 30 and 90 days following hip replacement
to be 0.30% (95% CI 0.22 to 0.38) and 0.65% (95% CI 0.50 to 0.81),
respectively. We found strong evidence of a temporal trend towards
reducing mortality rates despite increasingly co-morbid patients.
The risk factors for early mortality most commonly identified are
increasing age, male gender and co-morbid conditions, particularly
cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular complications appear to have
overtaken fatal pulmonary emboli as the leading cause of death after
hip replacement. Cite this article:
The orientation of the acetabular component can
influence both the short- and long-term outcomes of total hip replacement
(THR). We performed a prospective, randomised, controlled trial
of two groups, comprising of 40 patients each, in order to compare
freehand introduction of the component with introduction using the transverse
acetabular ligament (TAL) as a reference for anteversion. Anteversion
and inclination were measured on pelvic radiographs. With respect to anteversion, in the freehand group 22.5% of the
components were outside the safe zone With respect to inclination, in the freehand group 37.5% of the
components were outside the safe zone The transverse acetabular ligament may be used to obtain the
appropriate anteversion when introducing the acetabular component
during THR, but not acetabular component inclination. 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:
The December 2013 Shoulder &
Elbow Roundup360 looks at: Platelet-rich plasma; Arthroscopic treatment of sternoclavicular joint osteoarthritis; Synchronous arthrolysis and cuff repair; Arthroscopic arthrolysis; Regional blockade in the beach chair; Recurrent instability; Avoiding iatrogenic nerve injury in elbow arthroscopy; and Complex reconstruction of total elbow revisions
This is the second of a series of reviews of registries. This review looks specifically at worldwide registry data that have been collected on knee arthroplasty, what we have learned from their reports, and what the limitations are as to what we currently know.
The December 2013 Hip &
Pelvis Roundup360 looks at: Enhanced recovery works; Acetabular placement; Exercise better than rest in osteoarthritis patients; if Birmingham hip resurfacing is immune from pseudotumour; HIV and arthroplasty; Labral tears revisited; Prophylactic surgery for FAI; and Ceramics and impaction grafting
The June 2013 Shoulder &
Elbow Roundup360 looks at: whether suture anchors are still the gold standard; infection and revision elbow arthroplasty; the variable success of elbow replacements; sliding knots; neurologic cuff pain and the suprascapular nerve; lies, damn lies and statistics; osteoarthritis; and one- or two-stage treatment for the infected shoulder revision.
We evaluated the impact of pre-coating the tibial
component with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) on implant survival
in a cohort of 16 548 primary NexGen total knee replacements (TKRs)
in 14 113 patients. In 13 835 TKRs a pre-coated tray was used while
in 2713 TKRs the non-pre-coated version of the same tray was used.
All the TKRs were performed between 2001 and 2009 and were cemented.
TKRs implanted with a pre-coated tibial component had a lower cumulative
survival than those with a non-pre-coated tibial component (p =
0.01). After adjusting for diagnosis, age, gender, body mass index,
American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, femoral coupling design, surgeon
volume and hospital volume, pre-coating was an independent risk
factor for all-cause aseptic revision (hazard ratio 2.75, p = 0.006).
Revision for aseptic loosening was uncommon for both pre-coated
and non-pre-coated trays (rates of 0.12% and 0%, respectively).
Pre-coating with PMMA does not appear to be protective of revision
for this tibial tray design at short-term follow-up. Cite this article:
The December 2012 Hip &
Pelvis Roundup360 looks at: swimming against the tide with resurfacing; hip impingement surgery; the relationship between obesity and co-morbidities and joint replacement infection; cemented hips; cross-linked polyethylene notching; whether cement is necessary in oncological arthroplasty; and how total hip replacement may result in weight gain.
As part of the national initiative to reduce
waiting times for joint replacement surgery in Wales, the Cardiff
and Vale NHS Trust referred 224 patients to the NHS Treatment Centre
in Weston-Super-Mare for total knee replacement (TKR). A total of
258 Kinemax TKRs were performed between November 2004 and August
2006. Of these, a total of 199 patients (232 TKRs, 90%) have been
followed up for five years. This cohort was compared with 258 consecutive
TKRs in 250 patients, performed at Cardiff and Vale Orthopaedic
Centre (CAVOC) over a similar time period. The five year cumulative
survival rate was 80.6% (95% confidence interval (CI) 74.0 to 86.0)
in the Weston-Super-Mare cohort and 95.0% (95% CI 90.2 to 98.2)
in the CAVOC cohort with revision for any reason as the endpoint.
The relative risk for revision at Weston-Super-Mare compared with
CAVOC was 3.88 (p <
0.001). For implants surviving five years,
the mean Oxford knee scores (OKS) and mean EuroQol (EQ-5D) scores
were similar (OKS: Weston-Super-Mare 29 (2 to 47) The results show a higher revision rate for patients operated
at Weston-Super-Mare Treatment Centre, with a reduction in functional
outcome and quality of life after revision. This further confirms
that patients moved from one area to another for joint replacement
surgery fare poorly.
We examined the association between patient-related factors and the risk of initial, short- and long-term implant failure after primary total hip replacement. We used data from the Danish Hip Arthroplasty Registry between 1 January 1995 and 31 December 2002, which gave us a total of 36 984 patients. Separate analyses were carried out for three follow-up periods: 0 to 30 days, 31 days to six months (short term), and six months to 8.6 years after primary total hip replacement (long term). The outcome measure was defined as time to failure, which included re-operation with open surgery for any reason. Male gender and a high Charlson co-morbidity index score were strongly predictive for failure, irrespective of the period of follow-up. Age and diagnosis at primary total hip replacement were identified as time-dependent predictive factors of failure. During the first 30 days after primary total hip replacement, an age of 80 years or more and hip replacement undertaken as a sequela of trauma, for avascular necrosis or paediatric conditions, were associated with an increased risk of failure. However, during six months to 8.6 years after surgery, being less than 60 years old was associated with an increased risk of failure, whereas none of the diagnoses for primary total hip replacement appeared to be independent predictors.
Randomised controlled trials represent the gold standard in the evaluation of outcome of treatment. They are needed because differences between treatment effects have been minimised and observational studies may give a biased estimation of the outcome. However, conducting this kind of trial is challenging. Several methodological issues, including patient or surgeon preference, blinding, surgical standardisation, as well as external validity, have to be addressed in order to lower the risk of bias. Specific tools have been developed in order to take into account the specificity of evaluation of the literature on non-pharmacological intervention. A better knowledge of methodological issues will allow the orthopaedic surgeon to conduct more appropriate studies and to better appraise the limits of his intervention.
