Aims. Prophylactic antibiotic regimens for elective primary total hip and knee arthroplasty vary widely across hospitals and trusts in the UK. This study aimed to identify antibiotic prophylaxis regimens currently in use for elective
Aims. Debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) is a widely accepted form of surgical treatment for patients with an early periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after
Aims. This study aimed to evaluate whether an enhanced recovery protocol (ERP) for arthroplasty established during the COVID-19 pandemic at a safety net hospital can be associated with a decrease in hospital length of stay (LOS) and an increase in same-day discharges (SDDs) without increasing acute adverse events. Methods. A retrospective review of 124 consecutive
Aims. Periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) and fracture-related infections (FRIs) are associated with a significant risk of adverse events. However, there is a paucity of data on cardiac complications following revision surgery for PJI and FRI and how they impact overall mortality. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the risk of perioperative myocardial injury (PMI) and mortality in this patient cohort. Methods. We prospectively included consecutive patients at high cardiovascular risk (defined as age ≥ 45 years with pre-existing coronary, peripheral, or cerebrovascular artery disease, or any patient aged ≥ 65 years, plus a postoperative hospital stay of > 24 hours) undergoing septic or aseptic major orthopaedic surgery between July 2014 and October 2016. All patients received a systematic screening to reliably detect PMI, using serial measurements of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T. All-cause mortality was assessed at one year. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to compare incidence of PMI and mortality between patients undergoing septic revision surgery for PJI or FRI, and patients receiving aseptic major bone and joint surgery. Results. In total, 911 consecutive patients were included. The overall perioperative myocardial injury (PMI) rate was 15.4% (n = 140). Septic revision surgery for PJI was associated with a significantly higher PMI rate (43.8% (14/32) vs 14.5% (57/393); p = 0.001) and one-year mortality rate (18.6% (6/32) vs 7.4% (29/393); p = 0.038) compared to aseptic revision or
Aims. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of a pilot enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programme on length of stay (LOS) and post-discharge resource usage via service evaluation and cost analysis. Methods. Between May and December 2019, 100 patients requiring hip or knee arthroplasty were enrolled with the intention that each would have a preadmission discharge plan, a preoperative education class with nominated helper, a day of surgery admission and mobilization, a day one discharge, and access to a 24/7 dedicated helpline. Each was matched with a patient under the pre-existing pathway from the previous year. Results. Mean LOS for ERAS patients was 1.59 days (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14 to 2.04), significantly less than that of the matched cohort (3.01 days; 95% CI 2.56 to 3.46). There were no significant differences in readmission rates for ERAS patients at both 30 and 90 days (six vs four readmissions at 30 days, and nine vs four at 90 days). Despite matching, there were significantly more American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade 3 patients in the ERAS cohort. There was a mean cost saving of £757.26 (95% CI £-1,200.96 to £-313.56) per patient. This is despite small increases in postoperative resource usage in the ERAS patients. Conclusion. ERAS represents a safe and effective means of reducing LOS in
Aims. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic meant that proceeding with elective surgery was restricted to minimize exposure on wards. In order to maintain throughput of elective cases, our hospital (St Michaels Hospital, Toronto, Canada) was forced to convert as many cases as possible to same-day procedures rather than overnight admission. In this retrospective analysis, we review the cases performed as same-day arthroplasty surgeries compared to the same period in the previous 12 months. Methods. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing total hip and knee arthroplasties over a three-month period between October and December in 2019, and again in 2020, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Patient demographics, number of outpatient
Aims. In countries with social healthcare systems, such as Canada, patients may experience long wait times and a decline in their health status prior to their operation. The aim of this study is to explore the association between long preoperative wait times (WT) and acute hospital length of stay (LoS) for
Aims. Use of molecular sequencing methods in periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) diagnosis and organism identification have gained popularity. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a potentially powerful tool that is now commercially available. The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of NGS, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), conventional culture, the Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria, and the recently proposed criteria by Parvizi et al in the diagnosis of PJI. Methods. In this retrospective study, aspirates or tissue samples were collected in 30 revision and 86
This study aimed to investigate the estimated change in primary and revision arthroplasty rate in the Netherlands and Denmark for hips, knees, and shoulders during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 (COVID-period). Additional points of focus included the comparison of patient characteristics and hospital type (2019 vs COVID-period), and the estimated loss of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and impact on waiting lists. All hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasties (2014 to 2020) from the Dutch Arthroplasty Register, and hip and knee arthroplasties from the Danish Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Registries, were included. The expected number of arthroplasties per month in 2020 was estimated using Poisson regression, taking into account changes in age and sex distribution of the general Dutch/Danish population over time, calculating observed/expected (O/E) ratios. Country-specific proportions of patient characteristics and hospital type were calculated per indication category (osteoarthritis/other elective/acute). Waiting list outcomes including QALYs were estimated by modelling virtual waiting lists including 0%, 5% and 10% extra capacity.Aims
Methods
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the provision of arthroplasty services in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This study aimed to quantify the backlog, analyze national trends, and predict time to recovery. We performed an analysis of the mandatory prospective national registry of all independent and publicly funded hip, knee, shoulder, elbow, and ankle replacements in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland between January 2019 and December 2022 inclusive, totalling 729,642 operations. The deficit was calculated per year compared to a continuation of 2019 volume. Total deficit of cases between 2020 to 2022 was expressed as a percentage of 2019 volume. Sub-analyses were performed based on procedure type, country, and unit sector.Aims
Methods
Total femoral arthroplasty (TFA) is a rare procedure used in cases of significant femoral bone loss, commonly from cancer, infection, and trauma. Low patient numbers have resulted in limited published work on long-term outcomes, and even less regarding TFA undertaken for non-oncological indications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of all TFAs in our unit. Data were collected retrospectively from a large tertiary referral revision arthroplasty unit’s database. Inclusion criteria included all patients who underwent TFA in our unit. Preoperative demographics, operative factors, and short- and long-term outcomes were collected for analysis. Outcome was defined using the Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) outcome reporting tool.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to estimate the 90-day periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) rates following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) for osteoarthritis (OA). This was a data linkage study using the New South Wales (NSW) Admitted Patient Data Collection (APDC) and the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR), which collect data from all public and private hospitals in NSW, Australia. Patients who underwent a TKA or THA for OA between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2017 were included. The main outcome measures were 90-day incidence rates of hospital readmission for: revision arthroplasty for PJI as recorded in the AOANJRR; conservative definition of PJI, defined by T84.5, the PJI diagnosis code in the APDC; and extended definition of PJI, defined by the presence of either T84.5, or combinations of diagnosis and procedure code groups derived from recursive binary partitioning in the APDC.Aims
Methods
Our main aim was to describe the trend in the comorbidities of patients undergoing elective total hip arthroplasties (THAs) and knee arthroplasties (KAs) between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2018 in England. We combined data from the National Joint Registry (NJR) on primary elective hip and knee arthroplasties performed between 2005 and 2018 with pre-existing conditions recorded at the time of their primary operation from Hospital Episodes Statistics. We described the temporal trend in the number of comorbidities identified using the Charlson Comorbidity Index, and how this varied by age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, index of multiple deprivation, and type of KA.Aims
Methods
Despite numerous studies focusing on periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs), there are no robust data on the risk factors and timing of metachronous infections. Metachronous PJIs are PJIs that can arise in the same or other artificial joints after a period of time, in patients who have previously had PJI. Between January 2010 and December 2018, 661 patients with multiple joint prostheses in situ were treated for PJI at our institution. Of these, 73 patients (11%) developed a metachronous PJI (periprosthetic infection in patients who have previously had PJI in another joint, after a lag period) after a mean time interval of 49.5 months (SD 30.24; 7 to 82.9). To identify patient-related risk factors for a metachronous PJI, the following parameters were analyzed: sex; age; BMI; and pre-existing comorbidity. Metachronous infections were divided into three groups: Group 1, metachronous infections in ipsilateral joints; Group 2, metachronous infections of the contralateral lower limb; and Group 3, metachronous infections of the lower and upper limb.Aims
Methods
Revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) and revision total hip arthroplasty (rTHA) are complex procedures with higher rates of re-revision, complications, and mortality compared to primary TKA and THA. We report the effects of the establishment of a revision arthroplasty network (the East Midlands Specialist Orthopaedic Network; EMSON) on outcomes of rTKA and rTHA. The revision arthroplasty network was established in January 2015 and covered five hospitals in the Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire areas of the East Midlands of England. This comprises a collaborative weekly multidisciplinary meeting where upcoming rTKA and rTHA procedures are discussed, and a plan agreed. Using the Hospital Episode Statistics database, revision procedures carried out between April 2011 and March 2018 (allowing two-year follow-up) from the five network hospitals were compared to all other hospitals in England. Age, sex, and mean Hospital Frailty Risk scores were used as covariates. The primary outcome was re-revision surgery within one year of the index revision. Secondary outcomes were re-revision surgery within two years, any complication within one and two years, and median length of hospital stay.Aims
Methods
We aim to evaluate the usefulness of postoperative blood tests by investigating the incidence of abnormal results following total joint replacement (TJR), as well as identifying preoperative risk factors for abnormal blood test results postoperatively, especially pertaining to anaemia and acute kidney injury (AKI). This is a retrospective cohort study of patients who had elective TJR between January and December 2019 at a tertiary centre. Data gathered included age at time of surgery, sex, BMI, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, preoperative and postoperative laboratory test results, haemoglobin (Hgb), white blood count (WBC), haematocrit (Hct), platelets (Plts), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), creatinine (Cr), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and Ferritin (ug/l). Abnormal blood tests, AKI, electrolyte imbalance, anaemia, transfusion, reoperation, and readmission within one year were reported.Aims
Methods
National joint registries under-report revisions for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). We aimed to validate PJI reporting to the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Arthroplasty Registry (AOANJRR) and the factors associated with its accuracy. We then applied these data to refine estimates of the total national burden of PJI. A total of 561 Australian cases of confirmed PJI were captured by a large, prospective observational study, and matched to data available for the same patients through the AOANJRR.Aims
Methods
Antibiotic prophylaxis is routinely administered during joint replacement surgery and may predispose patients to Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD). The primary aim of this study was to determine the incidence of this following joint replacement, using a cefuroxime-based regimen. Patients developing CDAD were compared with a control group of patients without CDAD. The incidence of the former was 1.7 per 1000
We studied 4253 patients undergoing
Fungal and mycobacterial periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) are rare events. Clinicians are wary of missing these diagnoses, often leading to the routine ordering of fungal and mycobacterial cultures on periprosthetic specimens. Our goal was to examine the utility of these cultures and explore a modern bacterial culture technique using bacterial blood culture bottles (BCBs) as an alternative. We performed a retrospective review of patients diagnosed with hip or knee PJI between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2019, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, USA. We included patients aged 18 years or older who had fungal, mycobacterial, or both cultures performed together with bacterial cultures. Cases with positive fungal or mycobacterial cultures were reviewed using the electronic medical record to classify the microbiological findings as representing true infection or not.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to conduct a cross-sectional, observational cohort study of patients presenting for revision of a total hip, or total or unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, to understand current routes to revision surgery and explore differences in symptoms, healthcare use, reason for revision, and the revision surgery (surgical time, components, length of stay) between patients having regular follow-up and those without. Data were collected from participants and medical records for the 12 months prior to revision. Patients with previous revision, metal-on-metal articulations, or hip hemiarthroplasty were excluded. Participants were retrospectively classified as ‘Planned’ or ‘Unplanned’ revision. Multilevel regression and propensity score matching were used to compare the two groups.Aims
Methods
Day-case arthroplasty is gaining popularity in Europe. We report outcomes from the first 12 months following implementation of a day-case pathway for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) in an NHS hospital. A total of 47 total hip arthroplasty (THA) and 24 unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) patients were selected for the day-case arthroplasty pathway, based on preoperative fitness and agreement to participate. Data were likewise collected for a matched control group (n = 58) who followed the standard pathway three months prior to the implementation of the day-case pathway. We report same-day discharge (SDD) success, reasons for delayed discharge, and patient-reported outcomes. Overall length of stay (LOS) for all lower limb arthroplasty was recorded to determine the wider impact of implementing a day-case pathway.Aims
Methods
Aims. The aim of this study was to present data on 11 459 patients
who underwent total hip (THA), total knee (TKA) or unicompartmental
knee arthroplasty (UKA) between November 2002 and April 2014 with
aspirin as the primary agent for pharmacological thromboprophylaxis. . Patients and Methods. We analysed the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary
embolism (PE) then compared the 90-day all-cause mortality with
the corresponding data in the National Joint Registry for England
and Wales (NJR). . Results. The incidence of PE was 0.6% after THA, 1.47% after TKA and 1.2%
after UKA. The 90-day mortality was 0.39% after THA and 0.44% after
TKA. No deaths occurred after UKA. The main causes of death were
ischaemic heart disease and respiratory failure. PE was responsible
for only 18% of deaths. There was a decline in 90-day mortality,
from 0.64% between 2002 and 2007, to 0.21% between 2008 and 2013
after THA, and from 0.47% to 0.39% after TKA for the corresponding
period. The standardised mortality ratio (SMR) declined from 86.5
(confidence interval (CI) 63.0 to 137.7) to 39.7 (CI 31.2 to 54.3)
p = 0.024. The incidence of proximal DVT was 0.3%. . Take home message: With individualised risk assessment and as
part of a multimodal approach, Aspirin is safe to use as the main
thromboprophylactic agent in
Fungal periprosthetic joint infections (fPJIs) are rare complications, constituting only 1% of all PJIs. Neither a uniform definition for fPJI has been established, nor a standardized treatment regimen. Compared to bacterial PJI, there is little evidence for fPJI in the literature with divergent results. Hence, we implemented a novel treatment algorithm based on three-stage revision arthroplasty, with local and systemic antifungal therapy to optimize treatment for fPJI. From 2015 to 2018, a total of 18 patients with fPJI were included in a prospective, single-centre study (DKRS-ID 00020409). The diagnosis of PJI is based on the European Bone and Joint Infection Society definition of periprosthetic joint infections. The baseline parameters (age, sex, and BMI) and additional data (previous surgeries, pathogen spectrum, and Charlson Comorbidity Index) were recorded. A therapy protocol with three-stage revision, including a scheduled spacer exchange, was implemented. Systemic antifungal medication was administered throughout the entire treatment period and continued for six months after reimplantation. A minimum follow-up of 24 months was defined.Aims
Methods
This study aims to describe the pre- and postoperative self-reported health and quality of life from a national cohort of patients undergoing elective total conventional hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in Australia. For context, these data will be compared with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) data from other international nation-wide registries. Between 2018 to 2020, and nested within a nationwide arthroplasty registry, preoperative and six-month postoperative PROMs were electronically collected from patients before and after elective THA and TKA. There were 5,228 THA and 8,299 TKA preoperative procedures as well as 3,215 THA and 4,982 TKA postoperative procedures available for analysis. Validated PROMs included the EuroQol five-dimension five-level questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L; range 0 to 100; scored worst-best health), Oxford Hip/Knee Scores (OHS/OKS; range 0 to 48; scored worst-best hip/knee function) and the 12-item Hip/Knee disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS-12/KOOS-12; range 0 to 100; scored best-worst hip/knee health). Additional items included preoperative expectations, patient-perceived improvement, and postoperative satisfaction. Descriptive analyses were undertaken.Aims
Methods
We studied the outcomes of hip and knee arthroplasties in a high-volume arthroplasty centre to determine if patients with morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2) had unacceptably worse outcomes as compared to those with BMI < 40 kg/m2. In a two-year period, 4,711 patients had either total hip arthroplasty (THA; n = 2,370), total knee arthroplasty (TKA; n = 2,109), or unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA; n = 232). Of these patients, 392 (8.3%) had morbid obesity. We compared duration of operation, anaesthetic time, length of stay (LOS), LOS > three days, out of hours attendance, emergency department attendance, readmission to hospital, return to theatre, and venous thromboembolism up to 90 days. Readmission for wound infection was recorded to one year. Oxford scores were recorded preoperatively and at one year postoperatively.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of α defensin (AD) lateral flow assay (LFA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in comparison to conventional synovial white blood cell (WBC) count and polymorphonuclear neutrophil percentage (PMN%) analysis. Patients undergoing joint aspiration for evaluation of pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA) were considered for inclusion. Synovial fluids from 99 patients (25 THA and 74 TKA) were analyzed by WBC count and PMN% analysis, AD LFA, and AD ELISA. WBC and PMN% cutoffs of ≥ 1,700 cells/mm3 and ≥ 65% for TKA and ≥ 3,000 cells/mm3 and ≥ 80% for THA were used, respectively. A panel of three physicians, all with expertise in orthopaedic infections and who were blinded to the results of AD tests, independently reviewed patient data to diagnose subjects as with or without PJI. Consensus PJI classification was used as the reference standard to evaluate test performances. Results were compared using McNemar’s test and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) analysis.Aims
Methods
The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges to healthcare systems across the globe in 2020. There were concerns surrounding early reports of increased mortality among patients undergoing emergency or non-urgent surgery. We report the morbidity and mortality in patients who underwent arthroplasty procedures during the UK first stage of the pandemic. Institutional review board approval was obtained for a review of prospectively collected data on consecutive patients who underwent arthroplasty procedures between March and May 2020 at a specialist orthopaedic centre in the UK. Data included diagnoses, comorbidities, BMI, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, length of stay, and complications. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality and secondary outcomes were prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, medical and surgical complications, and readmission within 30 days of discharge. The data collated were compared with series from the preceding three months.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to develop a single-layer hybrid organic-inorganic sol-gel coating that is capable of a controlled antibiotic release for cementless hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated titanium orthopaedic prostheses. Coatings containing gentamicin at a concentration of 1.25% weight/volume (wt/vol), similar to that found in commercially available antibiotic-loaded bone cement, were prepared and tested in the laboratory for: kinetics of antibiotic release; activity against planktonic and biofilm bacterial cultures; biocompatibility with cultured mammalian cells; and physical bonding to the material (n = 3 in all tests). The sol-gel coatings and controls were then tested in vivo in a small animal healing model (four materials tested; n = 6 per material), and applied to the surface of commercially pure HA-coated titanium rods.Aims
Methods
Since the introduction of the National Institute
for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines on thromboprophylaxis
and the use of extended thromboprophylaxis with new oral agents,
there have been reports of complications arising as a result of
their use. We have looked at the incidence of wound complications
after the introduction of dabigatran for thromboprophylaxis in our
unit. We investigated the rate of venous thromboembolism and wound
leakage in 1728 patients undergoing
Our aim was to determine the pre-operative sporting profiles of patients undergoing
The aim of this study was to further evaluate the accuracy of ten promising synovial biomarkers (bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI), lactoferrin (LTF), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), neutrophil elastase 2 (ELA-2), α-defensin, cathelicidin LL-37 (LL-37), human β-defensin (HBD-2), human β-defensin 3 (HBD-3), D-dimer, and procalcitonin (PCT)) for the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), and to investigate whether inflammatory joint disease (IJD) activity affects their concentration in synovial fluid. We included 50 synovial fluid samples from patients with (n = 25) and without (n = 25) confirmed PJI from an institutional tissue bank collected between May 2015 and December 2016. We also included 22 synovial fluid samples aspirated from patients with active IJD presenting to Department of Rheumatology, the first Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital. Concentrations of the ten candidate biomarkers were measured in the synovial fluid samples using standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The diagnostic accuracy was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.Aims
Methods
To develop and validate patient-centred algorithms that estimate individual risk of death over the first year after elective joint arthroplasty surgery for osteoarthritis. A total of 763,213 hip and knee joint arthroplasty episodes recorded in the National Joint Registry for England and Wales (NJR) and 105,407 episodes from the Norwegian Arthroplasty Register were used to model individual mortality risk over the first year after surgery using flexible parametric survival regression.Aims
Methods
Calprotectin (CLP) is produced in neutrophils and monocytes and released into body fluids as a result of inflammation or infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of blood and synovial CLP in the diagnosis of chronic periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Blood and synovial fluid samples were collected prospectively from 195 patients undergoing primary or revision hip and knee arthroplasty. Patients were divided into five groups: 1) primary total hip and knee arthroplasty performed due to idiopathic osteoarthritis (OA; n = 60); 2) revision hip and knee arthroplasty performed due to aseptic failure of the implant (AR-TJR; n = 40); 3) patients with a confirmed diagnosis of chronic PJI awaiting surgery (n = 45); 4) patients who have finished the first stage of the PJI treatment with the use of cemented spacer and were qualified for replantation procedure (SR-TJR; n = 25), and 5) patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing primary total hip and knee arthroplasty (RA; n = 25). CLP concentrations were measured quantitatively in the blood and synovial fluid using an immunoturbidimetric assay. Additionally, blood and synovial CRP, blood interleukin-6 (IL-6), and ESR were measured, and a leucocyte esterase (LE) strip test was performed.Aims
Methods
To assess how the cost-effectiveness of total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) varies with age, sex, and preoperative Oxford Hip or Knee Score (OHS/OKS); and to identify the patient groups for whom THA/TKA is cost-effective. We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis using a Markov model from a United Kingdom NHS perspective, informed by published analyses of patient-level data. We assessed the cost-effectiveness of THA and TKA in adults with hip or knee osteoarthritis compared with having no arthroplasty surgery during the ten-year time horizon.Aims
Methods
Preoperative nasal All primary total hip arthroplasties (THA) and total knee arthroplasties (TKA) performed from January 2006 to April 2018 were retrospectively reviewed for the incidence of early PJI. Demographic parameters, risk factors for PJI (American Society of Anaesthesiologists classification, body mass index, smoking status, and diabetes mellitus) and implant types were collected. A preoperative screening and eradication protocol for nasal colonization of Aims
Methods
To establish the utility of adding the laboratory-based synovial alpha-defensin immunoassay to the traditional diagnostic work-up of a prosthetic joint infection (PJI). A group of four physicians evaluated 158 consecutive patients who were worked up for PJI, of which 94 underwent revision arthroplasty. Each physician reviewed the diagnostic data and decided on the presence of PJI according to the 2014 Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria (yes, no, or undetermined). Their initial randomized review of the available data before or after surgery was blinded to each alpha-defensin result and a subsequent randomized review was conducted with each result. Multilevel logistic regression analysis assessed the effect of having the alpha-defensin result on the ability to diagnose PJI. Alpha-defensin was correlated to the number of synovial white blood cells (WBCs) and percentage of polymorphonuclear cells (%PMN).Aims
Methods
We calculated the rates for perioperative mortality and fatal pulmonary embolism (PE) after primary total hip replacement in a single UK health region, using a regional arthroplasty register and the tracing service of the Office of National Statistics. During 1990, there were 2111 consecutive
The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the synovial alpha-defensin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) in the work-up prior to revision of total hip (THA) and knee arthroplasty (TKA). Inclusion criteria for this prospective cohort study were acute or chronic symptoms of the index joint without specific exclusion criteria. Synovial fluid aspirates of 202 patients were analyzed and semiquantitative laboratory alpha-defensin ELISA was performed. Final diagnosis of PJI was established by examination of samples obtained during revision surgery.Aims
Patients and Methods
Satisfaction with care is important to both patients
and to those who pay for it. The Net Promoter Score (NPS), widely
used in the service industries, has been introduced into the NHS
as the ‘friends and family test’; an overarching measure of patient
satisfaction. It assesses the likelihood of the patient recommending
the healthcare received to another, and is seen as a discriminator
of healthcare performance. We prospectively assessed 6186 individuals
undergoing
The aims of this study were to report the efficacy of revision surgery for patients with co-infective bacterial and fungal prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) presenting to a single institution, and to identify prognostic factors that would guide management. A total of 1189 patients with a PJI were managed in our bone infection service between 2006 and 2015; 22 (1.85%) with co-infective bacterial and fungal PJI were included in the study. There were nine women and 13 men, with a mean age at the time of diagnosis of 64.5 years (47 to 83). Their mean BMI was 30.9 kg/m2 (24 to 42). We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of these PJIs, after eight total hip arthroplasties and 14 total knee arthroplasties. The mean clinical follow-up was 4.1 years (1.4 to 8.8).Aims
Patients and Methods
The aim of this study was to identify predictors of return to
work (RTW) after revision lower limb arthroplasty in patients of
working age in the United Kingdom. We assessed 55 patients aged ≤ 65 years after revision total
hip arthroplasty (THA). There were 43 women and 12 men with a mean
age of 54 years (23 to 65). We also reviewed 30 patients after revision
total knee arthroplasty (TKA). There were 14 women and 16 men with
a mean age of 58 years (48 to 64). Preoperatively, age, gender,
body mass index, social deprivation, mode of failure, length of
primary implant survival, work status and nature, activity level
(University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score), and Oxford
Hip and Knee Scores were recorded. Postoperatively, RTW status,
Oxford Hip and Knee Scores, EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D), UCLA score, and
Work, Osteoarthritis and Joint-Replacement Questionnaire (WORQ)
scores were obtained. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed.Aims
Patients and Methods
The aim of this study was to establish the diagnostic accuracy
of culture of joint aspirate with and without saline injection-reaspiration. This is a retrospective analysis of 580 hip and knee aspirations
in patients who were deemed to have a moderate to high risk of infection,
and who subsequently proceeded to revision arthroplasty over a period
of 12 years. It was carried out at a large quaternary referral centre
where preoperative aspiration is routine.Aims
Patients and Methods
The purpose of this study is to determine if higher volume hospitals
have lower costs in revision hip and knee arthroplasty. We questioned the Centres for Medicare and Medicaid Services
(CMS) Inpatient Charge Data and identified 789 hospitals performing
a total of 29 580 revision arthroplasties in 2014. Centres were
dichotomised into high-volume (performing over 50 revision cases
per year) and low-volume. Mean total hospital-specific charges and
inpatient payments were obtained from the database and stratified
based on Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) codes. Patient satisfaction
scores were obtained from the multiyear CMS Hospital Compare database.Aims
Materials and Methods
Surgical site infection (SSI) is a common complication of surgery
with an incidence of about 1% in the United Kingdom. Sutures can
lead to the development of a SSI, as micro-organisms can colonize
the suture as it is implanted. Triclosan-coated sutures, being antimicrobical,
were developed to reduce the rate of SSI. Our aim was to assess
whether triclosan-coated sutures cause a reduction in SSIs following
arthroplasty of the hip and knee. This two-arm, parallel, double-blinded study involved 2546 patients
undergoing elective total hip (THA) and total knee arthroplasty
(TKA) at three hospitals. A total of 1323 were quasi-randomized
to a standard suture group, and 1223 being quasi-randomized to the
triclosan-coated suture group. The primary endpoint was the rate
of SSI at 30 days postoperatively.Aims
Patients and Methods
Infection following total hip or knee arthroplasty is a serious
complication. We noted an increase in post-operative infection in
cases carried out in temporary operating theatres. We therefore
compared those cases performed in standard and temporary operating
theatres and examined the deep periprosthetic infection rates. A total of 1223 primary hip and knee arthroplasties were performed
between August 2012 and June 2013. A total of 539 (44%) were performed
in temporary theatres. The two groups were matched for age, gender,
body mass index and American Society of Anesthesiologists grade.Aims
Patients and methods
Recently, several synovial biomarkers have been introduced into
the algorithm for the diagnosis of a prosthetic joint infection
(PJI). Alpha defensin is a promising biomarker, with a high sensitivity
and specificity, but it is expensive. Calprotectin is a protein
that is present in the cytoplasm of neutrophils, is released upon
neutrophil activation and exhibits anti-microbial activity. Our
aim, in this study, was to determine the diagnostic potential of
synovial calprotectin in the diagnosis of a PJI. In this pilot study, we prospectively collected synovial fluid
from the hip, knee, shoulder and elbow of 19 patients with a proven
PJI and from a control group of 42 patients who underwent revision
surgery without a PJI. PJI was diagnosed according to the current diagnostic criteria
of the Musculoskeletal Infection Society. Synovial fluid was centrifuged
and the supernatant was used to measure the level of calprotectin
after applying a lateral flow immunoassay. Aims
Patients and Methods
To evaluate the effectiveness of an institutionally developed
algorithm for evaluation and diagnosis of prosthetic joint injection
and to determine the impact of this protocol on overall hospital
re-admissions.p We retrospectively evaluated 2685 total hip arthroplasty (THA)
and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients prior to (1263) and following
(1422) the introduction of an infection detection protocol. The
protocol used conservative thresholds for C-reactive protein to
direct the medical attendant to aspirate the joint. The protocol
incorporated a clear set of laboratory and clinical criteria that
allowed a patient to be discharged home if all were met. Patients were
included if they presented to our emergency department within 120
days post-operatively with concerns for swelling, pain or infection
and were excluded if they had an unambiguous infection or if their
chief complaint was non-orthopaedic in nature.Aims
Patients and Methods
Between 1972 and 1990, we performed 168
The purpose of this current multicentre study is to analyse the
presence of alpha-defensin proteins in synovial fluid using the
Synovasure lateral flow device and to determine its diagnostic reliability
and accuracy compared with the prosthetic joint infection (PJI)
criteria produced by the Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS). A cohort of 121 patients comprising 85 total knee arthroplasties
and 36 total hip arthroplasties was prospectively evaluated between
May 2015 and June 2016 in three different orthopaedic centres. The
tests were performed on patients with a chronically painful prosthesis
undergoing a joint aspiration in a diagnostic pathway or during revision
surgery.Aims
Patients and Methods
The interaction between surgical lighting and laminar airflow
is poorly understood. We undertook an experiment to identify any
effect contemporary surgical lights have on laminar flow and recommend
practical strategies to limit any negative effects. Neutrally buoyant bubbles were introduced into the surgical field
of a simulated setup for a routine total knee arthroplasty in a
laminar flow theatre. Patterns of airflow were observed and the
number of bubbles remaining above the surgical field over time identified.
Five different lighting configurations were assessed. Data were analysed
using simple linear regression after logarithmic transformation.Aims
Materials and Methods
Periprosthetic fracture is a significant complication of total
hip and knee arthroplasty. This study aimed to describe the survival
of patients sustaining periprosthetic femoral fractures and compare
this with that of the general population, as well as to identify
the factors that influence survival. A total of 151 patients (women: men 116:35, mean age 74.6 years,
standard deviation 11.5) that sustained a periprosthetic fracture
between January 2005 and October 2012 were retrospectively analysed.
Epidemiological data, comorbidities, type of surgical management,
type of implant, and mortality data were studied.Aims
Patients and Methods
Vancomycin is commonly added to acrylic bone cement during revision
arthroplasty surgery. Proprietary cement preparations containing
vancomycin are available, but are significantly more expensive.
We investigated whether the elution of antibiotic from ‘home-made’
cement containing vancomycin was comparable with more expensive
commercially available vancomycin impregnated cement. A total of 18 cement discs containing either proprietary CopalG+V;
or ‘home-made’ CopalR+G with vancomycin added by hand, were made.
Each disc contained the same amount of antibiotic (0.5 g gentamycin,
2 g vancomycin) and was immersed in ammonium acetate buffer in a
sealed container. Fluid from each container was sampled at eight
time points over a two-week period. The concentrations of gentamicin
and vancomycin in the fluid were analysed using high performance
liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.Aims
Materials and Methods
To investigate the outcomes of treatment of streptococcal periprosthetic
joint infection (PJI) involving total knee and hip arthroplasties. Streptococcal PJI episodes which occurred between January 2009
and December 2015 were identified from clinical databases. Presentation
and clinical outcomes for 30 streptococcal PJIs in 30 patients (12
hip and 18 knee arthroplasties) following treatment were evaluated
from the medical notes and at review. The Kaplan-Meier survival method
was used to estimate the probability of infection-free survival.
The influence of the biofilm active antibiotic rifampin was also
assessed.Aims
Patients and Methods
Wound complications are reported in up to 10% hip and knee arthroplasties and there is a proven association between wound complications and deep prosthetic infections. In this randomised controlled trial (RCT) we explore the potential benefits of a portable, single use, incisional negative pressure wound therapy dressing (iNPWTd) on wound exudate, length of stay (LOS), wound complications, dressing changes and cost-effectiveness following total hip and knee arthroplasties. A total of 220 patients undergoing elective primary total hip and knee arthroplasties were recruited into in a non-blinded RCT. For the final analysis there were 102 patients in the study group and 107 in the control group.Objectives
Methods
Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a devastating
complication for patients and results in greatly increased costs
of care for both healthcare providers and patients. More than 15
500 revision hip and knee procedures were recorded in England, Wales
and Northern Ireland in 2013, with infection accounting for 13%
of revision hip and 23% of revision knee procedures. We report our experience of using antibiotic eluting absorbable
calcium sulphate beads in 15 patients (eight men and seven women
with a mean age of 64.8 years; 41 to 83) as part of a treatment
protocol for PJI in revision arthroplasty. The mean follow-up was 16 months (12 to 22). We report the outcomes
and complications, highlighting the risk of hypercalcaemia which
occurred in three patients. We recommend that serum levels of calcium be routinely sought
following the implantation of absorbable calcium sulphate beads
in orthopaedic surgery. Cite this article:
Infection is a leading indication for revision
arthroplasty. Established criteria used to diagnose prosthetic joint infection
(PJI) include a range of laboratory tests. Leucocyte esterase (LE)
is widely used on a colorimetric reagent strip for the diagnosis
of urinary tract infections. This inexpensive test may be used for
the diagnosis or exclusion of PJI. Aspirates from 30 total hip arthroplasties
(THAs) and 79 knee arthroplasties (KA) were analysed for LE activity. Semi-quantitative
reagent strip readings of 15, 70, 125 and 500 white blood cells
(WBC) were validated against a manual synovial white cell count
(WCC). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed
to determine the optimal cut-off point for the semi-quantitative
results. Based on established criteria, six THAs and 15 KAs were
classified as infected. The optimal cut-off point for the diagnosis
of PJI was 97 WBC. The closest semi-quantitative reading for a positive
result was 125 WBC, achieving a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity
of 93%. The positive and negative predictive values of the LE test
strip were 74% and 95% respectively. The LE reagent strip had a high specificity and negative predictive
value. A negative result may exclude PJI and negate the need for
further diagnostic tests. Cite this article:
We hypothesised there was no clinical value in
using an autologous blood transfusion (ABT) drain in either primary total
hip (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR) in terms of limiting allogeneic
blood transfusions when a modern restrictive blood management regime
was followed. A total of 575 patients (65.2% men), with a mean age
of 68.9 years (36 to 94) were randomised in this three-arm study
to no drainage (group A), or to wound drainage with an ABT drain
for either six hours (group B) or 24 hours (group C). The primary
outcome was the number of patients receiving allogeneic blood transfusion.
Secondary outcomes were post-operative haemoglobin (Hb) levels,
length of hospital stay and adverse events. This study identified only 41 transfused patients, with no significant
difference in distribution between the three groups (p = 0.857).
The mean pre-operative haemoglobin (Hb) value in the transfused
group was 12.8 g/dL (9.8 to 15.5) Cite this article:
We evaluated the duration of hospitalisation,
occurrence of infections, hip dislocations, revisions, and mortality following
primary hip and knee replacement in 857 patients with Parkinson’s
disease and compared them with 2571 matched control patients. The
data were collected from comprehensive nationwide Finnish health
registers. The mean follow-up was six years (1 to 13). The patients
with Parkinson’s disease had a longer mean length of stay (21 days
[1 to 365] Cite this article:
The Oxford hip and knee scores (OHS and OKS)
are validated patient-reported outcome measures used in patients undergoing
total hip replacement (THR), hip resurfacing (HR), total knee replacement
(TKR) and unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR). We analysed the
absolute OHS and OKS and change in scores following THR, HR, TKR,
and UKR performed at one specialist centre. All patients undergoing
and completing at least one Oxford score were eligible for inclusion
in the study which included 27 950 OHS and 19 750 OKS in 13 682
patients. Data were analysed using non-linear quantile regression.
The median absolute Oxford scores for THR, HR, TKR and UKR were
pre-operative 68.8% (15.0/48), 58.3% (20.0/48), 66.7% (16.0/48),
60.4% (19.0/48) respectively: and post-operative asymptote was 14.6%
(41.0/48), 5.8% (45.2/48), 31.2% (33.0/48), 29.2% (34.0/48). The
median asymptotic change from the pre-operative score for THR, HR,
TKR and UKR were 47.9% (23.0/48), 47.9% (23.0/48), 33.3% (16.0/48)
and 32.4% (15.5/48), respectively. The median time at which no further
appreciable change in score was achieved post-operatively was 0.7
years for THR, 1.1 years for HR, 0.9 years for TKR and 1.1 years
for UKR. The curves produced from this analysis could be used to educate
patients, and to audit the performance of a surgeon and an institution.
The time to achieve a stable improvement in outcome varied between
different types of joint replacement, which may have implications
for the timing of post-operative review. Cite this article:
Patients with infected arthroplasties are normally
treated with a two-stage exchange procedure using polymethylmethacrylate
bone cement spacers impregnated with antibiotics. However, spacers
may act as a foreign body to which micro-organisms may adhere and
grow. In this study it was hypothesised that subclinical infection may
be diagnosed with sonication of the surface biofilm of the spacer.
The aims were to assess the presence of subclinical infection through
sonication of the spacer at the time of a second-stage procedure,
and to determine the relationship between subclinical infection
and the clinical outcome. Of 55 patients studied, 11 (20%) were
diagnosed with subclinical infection. At a mean follow-up of 12
months (interquartile range 6 to 18), clinical failure was found in
18 (32.7%) patients. Of the patients previously diagnosed with subclinical
infection, 63% (7 of 11) had failed compared with 25% (11 of 44)
of those without subclinical infection (odds ratio 5.25, 95% confidence
interval 1.29 to 21.4, p = 0.021). Sonication of the biofilm of
the surface of the spacer is useful in order to exclude subclinical infection
and therefore contributes to improving the outcome after two-stage
procedures.
We have investigated whether the use of laminar-flow theatres and space suits reduced the rate of revision for early deep infection after total hip (THR) and knee (TKR) replacement by reviewing the results of the New Zealand Joint Registry at ten years. Of the 51 485 primary THRs and 36 826 primary TKRs analysed, laminar-flow theatres were used in 35.5% and space suits in 23.5%. For THR there was a significant increase in early infection in those procedures performed with the use of a space suit compared with those without (p <
0.0001), in those carried out in a laminar-flow theatre compared with a conventional theatre (p <
0.003) and in those undertaken in a laminar-flow theatre with a space suit (p <
0.001) when compared with conventional theatres without such a suit. The results were similar for TKR with the use of a space suit (p <
0.001), in laminar-flow theatres (p <
0.019) and when space suits were used in those theatres (p <
0.001). These findings were independent of age, disease and operating time and were unchanged when the surgeons and hospital were analysed individually. The rate of revision for early deep infection has not been reduced by using laminar flow and space suits. Our results question the rationale for their increasing use in routine joint replacement, where the added cost to the health system seems to be unjustified.
Infection remains a significant and common complication after joint replacement and there is debate about which contributing factors are important. Few studies have investigated the effect of the operating time on infection. We collected data prospectively from 5277 hip and knee replacements which included the type of procedure, the operating time, the use of drains, the operating theatre, surgeon, age and gender. In a subgroup of 3449 knee replacements further analysis was carried out using the tourniquet time in place of the operating time. These variables were assessed by the use of generalised linear modelling against superficial, deep or joint-space post-operative infection as defined by the Australian Surgical-Site Infection criteria. The overall infection rate was 0.98%. In the replacement data set both male gender (z = 3.097, p = 0.00195) and prolonged operating time (z = 4.325, p <
0.001) were predictive of infection. In the knee subgroup male gender (z = 2.250, p = 0.02447), a longer tourniquet time (z = 2.867, p = 0.00414) and total knee replacement ( These findings support the view that a prolonged operating time and male gender are associated with an increased incidence of infection. Steps to minimise intra-operative delay should be instigated, and care should be exercised when introducing measures which prolong the duration of joint replacement.
Using the General Practice Research Database, we examined the temporal changes in the rates of primary total hip (THR) and total knee (TKR) replacement, the age at operation and the female-to-male ratio between 1991 and 2006 in the United Kingdom. We identified 27 113 patients with THR and 23 843 with TKR. The rate of performance of THR and TKR had increased significantly (p <
0.0001 for both) during the 16-year period and was greater for TKR, especially in the last five years. The mean age at operation was greater for women than for men and had remained stable throughout the period of study. The female-to-male ratio was higher for THR and TKR and had remained stable. The data support the notion that the rate of joint replacement is increasing in the United Kingdom with the rate of TKR rising at the highest rate. The perception that the mean age for TKR has decreased over time is not supported.
Tranexamic acid is a fibrinolytic inhibitor which reduces blood loss in total knee replacement. We examined the effect on blood loss of a standardised intravenous bolus dose of 1 g of tranexamic acid, given at the induction of anaesthesia in patients undergoing total hip replacement and tested the potential prothrombotic effect by undertaking routine venography. In all, 36 patients received 1 g of tranexamic acid, and 37 no tranexamic acid. Blood loss was measured directly per-operatively and indirectly post-operatively. Tranexamic acid reduced the early post-operative blood loss and total blood loss (p = 0.03 and p = 0.008, respectively) but not the intraoperative blood loss. The tranexamic acid group required fewer transfusions (p = 0.03) and had no increased incidence of deep-vein thrombosis. The reduction in early post-operative blood loss was more marked in women (p = 0.05), in whom this effect was dose-related (r = −0.793). Our study showed that the administration of a standardised pre-operative bolus of 1 g of tranexamic acid was cost-effective in reducing the blood loss and transfusion requirements after total hip replacement, especially in women.
Implantation of allograft bone is an integral part of revision surgery of the hip. One major concern with its use is the risk of transmission of infective agents. There are a number of methods of processing allograft bone in order to reduce this risk. One method requires washing the tissue using pulsed irrigation immediately before implantation. We report the incidence of deep bacterial infection in 138 patients (144 revision hip arthroplasties) who had undergone implantation of allograft bone. The bone used was fresh-frozen, non-irradiated and pulse-washed with normal saline before implantation. The deep infection rate at a minimum follow-up of one year was 0.7%. This method of processing appears to be associated with a very low risk of allograft-related bacterial infection.