Comparison of Patellofemoral Outcomes between Attune and PFC Sigma Designs: A Prospective Matched-Pair Analysis

Background@#Attune (DePuy Synthes) prosthesis was designed to overcome patellofemoral complications associated with PFC Sigma (DePuy Synthes) prosthesis. The aim of our study was to compare the incidence of anterior knee pain (AKP), patellofemoral crepitus (PCr), and functional outcome between them. @*Methods@#This prospective matched-pair study was conducted between January 2014 and June 2015, during which 75 consecutive Attune total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) were matched with 75 PFC Sigma TKAs based on age, sex, body mass index, pathology, and deformity. A single surgeon performed all the operations with aid of computer navigation, using a posterior-stabilized prosthesis with patellar resurfacing. Outcome was assessed by new Knee Society Score (NKSS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score. AKP and PCr were assessed by a patient-administered questionnaire till 2 years of follow-up. Three pairs were lost to follow-up and finally 72 pairs were analyzed. @*Results@#One patient in each group reported AKP and 1 patient from each group had PCr at 2 years postoperatively. None of these patients required additional surgery. The incidence of lateral retinacular release was higher with PFC Sigma (5/72) than Attune (2/72); however, this was statistically not significant (p = 0.4). The Attune group had a significantly greater range of motion (ROM) at 3 months postoperatively (p = 0.049). At final follow-up, ROM was comparable between two prosthesis designs. NKSS and WOMAC scores were also comparable between the groups. @*Conclusions@#We observed that both Attune and PFC Sigma had a low and comparable incidence of AKP and PCr up to 2 years of follow-up. The Attune group achieved a significantly greater ROM at 3 months postoperatively. At 2 years of follow-up, both prostheses had excellent and comparable clinical and functional results.

Role of Suction Drain after Knee Arthroplasty in the Tranexamic Acid Era: A Randomized Controlled Study

BACKGROUND: Postoperative suction drains are used after total knee arthroplasty to avoid intra-articular hematoma formation although they can increase blood loss due to a negative suction effect. The use of tranexamic acid to reduce blood loss may nullify this. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty with or without drains and to analyze whether the drain's diameter also has an impact. METHODS: This is a prospective randomized study of patients undergoing unilateral total knee arthroplasty performed by a single surgeon. The study population was divided into three groups (A, 10G drain; B, 12G drain; and C, no drain). Pain, blood loss, swelling, wound-related complications, functional outcomes and questionnaire-based outcomes were assessed postoperatively. RESULTS: Each group had 35 patients comparable in most demographic and pre- and intraoperative characteristics. During the first 6 hours postoperatively, opioid consumption was significantly higher when the drain was not used (p = 0.036). At 3 months postoperatively, new Knee Society Score (NKSS) was highest with the use of 12G drain (p = 0.018). However, NKSS at 1 year was comparable across the three groups. With the use of tranexamic acid, blood loss and incidence of soakage of dressing were unaffected by the presence or absence of a drain. The calf girth, suprapatellar girth, soakage of dressing and range of motion were comparable in all three groups. There was no incidence of surgical site infection or deep vein thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of a suction drain significantly reduces opioid consumption during the first 6 hours after total knee arthroplasty. Use of a drain made no difference to the functional outcome at 1 year postoperatively. With the use of tranexamic acid in total knee arthroplasty, the total blood loss and the requirement of blood transfusion were unaffected by the presence or absence of closed suction drainage or by the bore of the drain used. The clinical parameters such as swelling, range of motion, infection and deep vein thrombosis also remained the same.

Effect of Preoperative Vitamin D Levels on Functional Performance after Total Knee Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND: Low vitamin D levels affects muscle function. Vitamin D and calcium deficiency cause osteomalacic myopathy and poor functional recovery after hip fractures. The relationship of vitamin D and functional performance after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is not previously reported. METHODS: Influence of vitamin D on functional performance before and after TKA was reviewed retrospectively in 120 patients. Of these, 64 had vitamin D deficiency (25-hydroxy vitamin D < 30 ng/mL) preoperatively. All 120 patients received vitamin D oral supplementation postoperatively. Functional parameters including Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire, and Knee Society Score were assessed pre- and postoperatively at 3 months. RESULTS: Preoperative function was significantly lower in osteoarthritic patients with vitamin D deficiency (WOMAC score; p = 0.040), but at 3 months all functional scores were similar. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that vitamin D deficiency has a negative effect on function in knee osteoarthritic patients. However, postoperative vitamin D supplementation can lead to functional recovery in these patients. Thus, TKA should not be delayed in vitamin D deficient patients; rather supplementation in the postoperative period is preferable to achieve comparable functional outcome at 3 months to patients with vitamin D sufficiency.

Effect of Preoperative Vitamin D Levels on Functional Performance after Total Knee Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND: Low vitamin D levels affects muscle function. Vitamin D and calcium deficiency cause osteomalacic myopathy and poor functional recovery after hip fractures. The relationship of vitamin D and functional performance after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is not previously reported. METHODS: Influence of vitamin D on functional performance before and after TKA was reviewed retrospectively in 120 patients. Of these, 64 had vitamin D deficiency (25-hydroxy vitamin D < 30 ng/mL) preoperatively. All 120 patients received vitamin D oral supplementation postoperatively. Functional parameters including Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire, and Knee Society Score were assessed pre- and postoperatively at 3 months. RESULTS: Preoperative function was significantly lower in osteoarthritic patients with vitamin D deficiency (WOMAC score; p = 0.040), but at 3 months all functional scores were similar. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that vitamin D deficiency has a negative effect on function in knee osteoarthritic patients. However, postoperative vitamin D supplementation can lead to functional recovery in these patients. Thus, TKA should not be delayed in vitamin D deficient patients; rather supplementation in the postoperative period is preferable to achieve comparable functional outcome at 3 months to patients with vitamin D sufficiency.