Clinical Activities, Contaminations of Surgeons and Cooperation with Health Authorities in 14 Orthopedic Departments in North Italy during the Most Acute Phase of Covid-19 Pandemic.

Background: From 10 March up until 3 May 2020 in Northern Italy, the SARS-CoV-2 spread was not contained; disaster triage was adopted. The aim of the present study is to assess the impact of the COVID-19-pandemic on the Orthopedic and Trauma departments, focusing on: hospital reorganization (flexibility, workload, prevalence of COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2, standards of care); effects on staff; subjective orthopedic perception of the pandemic. Material and Methods: Data regarding 1390 patients and 323 surgeons were retrieved from a retrospective multicentric database, involving 14 major hospitals. The subjective directors' viewpoints regarding the economic consequences, communication with the government, hospital administration and other departments were collected. Results: Surgical procedures dropped by 73%, compared to 2019, elective surgery was interrupted. Forty percent of patients were screened for SARS-CoV-2: 7% with positive results. Seven percent of the patients received medical therapy for COVID-19, and only 48% of these treated patients had positive swab tests. Eleven percent of surgeons developed COVID-19 and 6% were contaminated. Fourteen percent of the staff were redirected daily to COVID units. Communication with the Government was perceived as adequate, whilst communication with medical Authorities was considered barely sufficient. Conclusions: Activity reduction was mandatory; the screening of carriers did not seem to be reliable and urgent activities were performed with a shortage of workers and a slower workflow. A trauma network and dedicated in-hospital paths for COVID-19-patients were created. This experience provided evidence for coordinated responses in order to avoid the propagation of errors.

15-year follow-up of MoM 36-mm THA: clinical, laboratory, and radiological (CT and MRI) prospective assessment.

INTRODUCTION: There is limited knowledge of the long-term results of metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty (MoM THA), particularly concerning adverse local tissue reaction (ALTR), Co/Cr ions level and revision rate. Even if MoM bearing surfaces are no longer used, long-term data could help in defining the course and best management for these patients. The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical outcomes, describe radiological findings including CT metal artefact reduction algorithm for orthopaedic implants (O-MAR) and MRI multi acquisition variable resonance image combination (MAVRIC) in 36-mm MoM THA. METHODS: In this long-term prospective study, 46 consecutive patients with primary MoM THA (mono- or bilateral) were enrolled between 2004 and 2005. Pinnacle acetabular cup, Summit cementless stem with 36-mm metal head and Ultamet CoCr alloy liner (Depuy Inc.) were implanted, in the same centre by the same senior surgeon. Patients were reviewed at 5-, 10- and 15-years, including Co/Cr levels and standard radiographs at every follow-up, whilst the 15-year follow-up included hip sonography, MRI MAVRIC and CT O-MAR. RESULTS: At 15 years, the overall survival rate of the implants (both stems and cups) was 83% (30/36). Revisions were performed in 9% (4/46) because of ALTR, 2% (1/46) septic loosening and 2% periprosthetic fracture. Both Cr and Co concentration increased over time, even though remaining at low level risk at 15 years: Co from 0.11 (+/- 0.18) to 4.29 (+/- 3.26) and Cr from 0.38 (+/- 0.32) to 1.37 (+/- 1.15). Functional scores in non-revised patients showed good to excellent results in more than 90%. Engh-score correlated with time from surgery (p = 0.017) and with sonographic, CT and RM findings (p < 0.05). Concordance has been found between CT and MRI findings (sign-rank test, p = 0.241; Intraclass Correlation Coefficients 0.987); however, no specific MRI or CT lesion patterns could be recognised among symptomatic and non-symptomatic patients. DISCUSSION: The long-term rate of ALTR after 36-mm MoM THA was comparable with previous studies; a regular follow-up for those implants is mandatory. During follow-up Co-Cr levels increased over time and radiography was a suitable screening technique; the Engh score in particular, proved to be a reliable assessment tool. CT O-MAR and MRI with MAVRIC protocols may add valuable data in clinical practice, although MRI is significantly more efficient than CT in the identification of ALTR lesions, peri-articular effusion and in the evaluation of soft tissues.

Matrix-Augmented Bone Marrow Stimulation With a Polyglycolic Acid Membrane With Hyaluronan vs Microfracture in Local Cartilage Defects of the Femoral Condyles: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Microfracture (MF) is an established operative treatment for small, localized chondral defects of the knee joint. There is evidence from animal studies that matrix augmentation of bone marrow stimulation (m-BMS) can improve the quality of the repair tissue formation. PURPOSE: To evaluate the therapeutic outcome of a matrix made of polyglycolic acid and hyaluronan as compared with a conventional MF technique. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. METHODS: Patients between the ages of 18 and 68 years who had an articular femoral cartilage defect of 0.5 to 3 cm2 in the weightbearing area of the femoral condyles with indication for MF were included in this study. Patients were randomized and treated with either MF or m-BMS with Chondrotissue. Defect filling, as assessed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), at postoperative 12 weeks was defined as the primary outcome measure, with follow-up MRI at weeks 54 and 108. Follow-up data were also collected at 12, 54, and 108 weeks after surgery and included patient-reported clinical scores: visual analog scale for pain, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), International Knee Documentation Committee score, and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey. RESULTS: MRI scans confirmed cartilage repair tissue formation in both groups 12 weeks after treatment. There was no significant difference between the m-BMS and MF groups in the percentage of defect filling at 12, 54, and 108 weeks postoperatively. No significant difference was found in terms of patient-reported clinical scores. Both groups showed significant improvement in 4 KOOS subscales-Pain, Activities of Daily Living, Sport and Recreation, and Quality of Life-at 54 and 108 weeks after treatment. CONCLUSION: This is the first randomized controlled trial comparing m-BMS with a polyglycolic acid matrix with hyaluronan with MF. The use of the Chondrotissue implant in m-BMS has been proven to be a safe procedure. No difference was found between m-BMS and MF in terms of patient-reported outcome scores and MRI assessment until postoperative 2 years. Long-term follow-up studies including histological assessment are desirable for further investigation. REGISTRATION: EUCTR2011-003594-28-DE (EU Clinical Trials Register).

Survey of AAHKS International Members on the Impact of COVID-19 on Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Practices.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic poses an important risk to global health. METHODS: This study surveyed 370 international orthopedic surgeons affiliated with the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons to help identify the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient care. RESULTS: A total of 99 surgeons (27% of those surveyed) completed the questionnaire representing 32 different countries. Except for surgeons in Japan, all respondents noted that their practice had been affected to some degree and 70% of the surgeons have canceled elective procedures. More than a third of the surgeons have had to close their practices altogether and the remaining open practices were estimated to be sustainable for 7 weeks on average given their current situation. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in marked changes to the majority of international arthroplasty practices.

Short stems in total hip replacement: current status and future.

Short stem hip implants have been introduced as a bone preserving surgery for younger and more active people undergoing hip arthroplasty. Although many short stems are now available, clinical results and long-term survival are controversial. The aim of this paper is to describe the features of the short stems and to analyse their clinical results and long-term survival. The short-stem implants reproduce a stress distribution at the level of the proximal femur more similar to the physiological femur limiting the stress-shielding that occur with conventional cementless stems. Though short stems are an alternative to conventional stems, their use is not yet justified despite the promising short and mid-term survival results. Higher incidence of complications, such as periprosthetic fractures and malpositioning of the stem, and the lack of long-term results do not allow to predict what role in the future short stems in total hip replacement may have.