Medial congruent polyethylene design show different tibiofemoral kinematics and enhanced congruency compared to a standard symmetrical cruciate retaining design for total knee arthroplasty-an in vivo randomized controlled study of gait using dynamic radiostereometry.

PURPOSE: New total knee arthroplasty implant designs attempt to normalize kinematics patterns that may improve functional performance and patient satisfaction. It was hypothesized that a more medial congruent (MC) anatomic bearing design (1) influences the tibiofemoral kinematics and (2) enhances articular congruency compared to a standard symmetrical cruciate retaining (CR) bearing design. METHODS: In this double-blinded randomized study, 66 patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly included in two groups: MC (n = 31) and CR (n = 33). Clinical characteristics such as knee ligament lesions and knee osteoarthritis scores were graded on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and radiography. At the 1-year follow-up, dynamic radiostereometric analysis was used to assess tibiofemoral joint kinematics and articulation congruency. Patient-reported outcome measures, Oxford Knee Score, the Forgotten Joint Score, and the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, were assessed preoperatively and at the 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: Compared to the CR bearing, the MC bearing displayed an offset with approximately 3 mm greater anterior tibial drawer (p < 0.001) during the entire motion, and up to approximately 3.5 degrees more tibial external rotation (p = 0.004) from mid-swing to the end of the gait cycle at the 1-year follow-up. Furthermore, the congruency area in the joint articulation was larger during approximately 80% of the gait cycle for the MC bearing compared to the CR. The patient-reported outcome measures improved (p < 0.001), but there were no differences between groups. In addition, there were no differences in clinical characteristics and there were no knee revisions or recognized deep infections during follow-up. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that the MC-bearing design changes tibiofemoral kinematics and increases the area of congruency towards more native knee kinematics than the CR bearing. In perspective this may contribute to a more stabilized knee motion, restoring the patient's confidence in knee function during daily activities.

The Effect of Bone Quality on Tibial Component Migration in Medial Cemented Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty. A Prospective Cohort Study Using Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry and Radiostereometric Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic bone mineral density (BMD) may influence implant fixation and subsequent loosening. Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) restores normal knee kinematics and load distribution to the surrounding bone. We studied the influence of systemic and periprosthetic BMD of the proximal tibia on migration of the tibial component of cemented medial UKA. METHODS: The cohort was dichotomized into a normal BMD group (T-score ≥ -1; n = 37) and a low BMD group (T-score < -1; n = 28) according to World Health Organization criteria. BMD of the proximal tibia and migration of the tibial component were measured with dual X-ray absorptiometry scans and stereoradiographs with 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: Patients with normal systemic BMD had an 11% to15% higher BMD in all regions of interest (ROIs) compared to patients with low systemic BMD throughout follow-up. Over time, a decrease in periprosthetic BMD in ROI 1-3 was seen for both groups. The operated knees and contralateral knees showed a similar reduction in BMD in all ROIs between preoperative and 24 months. Between 12 and 24 months, the normal BMD group migrated (maximal total point motion) 0.03 mm (95% confidence interval, -0.01, 0.08) and the low BMD group migrated 0.02 mm (95% confidence interval, -0.03, 0.07). Migration over time was not influenced by change in periprosthetic BMD. CONCLUSION: Migration of cemented medial tibial UKA was low until 24 months and was neither affected by preoperative systemic BMD nor affected by postoperative change in periprosthetic BMD. This suggests good long-term fixation despite an index difference in proximal tibial BMD.

Equal tibial component fixation of a mobile-bearing and fixed-bearing medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled RSA study with 2-year follow-up.

Background and purpose - Differences in stress distribution in a mobile-bearing and fixed-bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) design might lead to a difference in fixation of the tibial component. We compared tibial component migration of a mobile-bearing (MB) UKA and a fixed-bearing (FB) UKA using radiostereometric analysis.Patients and methods - In a randomized, patient-blinded clinical trial 62 patients received either the MB Oxford UKA or the FB Sigma UKA. The patients were followed for 24 months with radiostereometric analysis. Clinical outcome was assessed with Oxford Knee Score (OKS), RAND-36 and leg extension power.Results - Migration of the tibial components was similar between groups throughout follow-up. At 12 months, MTPM of the tibial component was 0.44 mm (95% CI 0.34-0.55) for the MB group and 0.40 mm (CI 0.31-0.50) for the FB group. Between 12 and 24 months, the tibial components migrated with a median MTPM increase of 0.03 mm (CI -0.02 to 0.08) in the MB group and 0.03 mm (CI -0.02 to 0.07) in the FB group. Continuous migration of the tibial component was found for 1 MB UKA and 2 FB UKAs. Both groups showed similar and clinically relevant improvement in clinical outcome.Interpretation - MB and FB tibial components had similar good fixation and clinical improvement until 2 years. Based on this study, a low 5- to 10-year revision rate can be expected for both implants.

Low implant migration of the SIGMA® medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate implant migration of the fixed-bearing Sigma® medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). UKA is a regularly used treatment for patients with medial osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. UKA has a higher revision rate than total knee arthroplasty. Implant migration can be used as a predictor of implant loosening. METHODS: A prospective radiostereometric cohort study was performed. Forty-five patients with medial OA of the knee were included and received a cemented Sigma® UKA. The patients were followed for 24 months with radiostereometric analysis (RSA) and clinical outcome scores (Oxford knee score). Clinical precision was based on double determinations taken at 4 and 12 months. Tibial implants were classified as stable (difference in MTPM < 0.2 mm between 1 2 and 24 months) or as continuously migrating (difference in MTPM > 0.2 mm between 12 and 24 months). RESULTS: No significant differences in migration were found for the femoral component. For the tibial component, a difference of 0.05 mm was shown for translation on the x-axis between 4 months and 12 (p < 0.01) and between 4 months and 24 months (p < 0.01). A difference of - 0.23 to - 0.50° was shown for rotation around the x-axis (p < 0.01) and a difference of - 0.11° was shown for rotation around the z-axis between 4 and 12 months (p = 0.02). These differences in migration over time were small and fall within the clinical precision of the measurements. Tibial components were divided into a stable group (N = 26) and a continuously migrating group (N = 11), which showed a significant difference in maximal total point motion (MTPM) (p < 0.01). The Oxford knee score improved significantly from poor before surgery (23.2) to good at follow-up (37.5-40.9). CONCLUSIONS: The Sigma® UKA showed low implant migration and good clinical outcomes, suggesting that the Sigma UKA can be used in clinical practice. However, continuous migration was found in 30% of our patients which could indicate a risk of later revision surgery in this group. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Acceptable long-term results after Boneloc hip arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: As the only femoral stem, the Exeter stem has shown acceptable results with Boneloc cement, but no long-term results have been published. The aim of this study was to evaluate the 20-year performance of Boneloc-cemented primary Exeter hip arthroplasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From March 1992 to June 1994, a total of 200 consecutive Boneloc-cemented primary hip arthroplasties were performed in 183 patients aged 26-90 years, mean 71 years. At follow-up after 18-20 years, the primary endpoint was prosthetic survival assessed by the Kaplan-Meier analysis. Secondary endpoints were clinical and radiographic follow-up examination. RESULTS: After a mean 18.4 (17.6-19.6)-year period, 27 patients/32 hips had been revised. At endpoint revision for any reason the 20-year cumulative overall survival was 73% (95% confidence interval (CI): 49-89%); at endpoint revision for aseptic loosening the 20-year cumulative survival was 84% (95% CI: 68-96%) for the stem and 76% (95% CI: 61-92%) for the cup. Cementing technique, implant size and metal backing of the cup were not associated with revision rates. A total of 23 patients/24 hips had clinical/radiographic examination, and 10 patients/12 hips were assessed by telephone. According to patient reported evaluation, all were very satisfied or satisfied. Radiographs showed loosening of two cups and possible loosening of two stems. CONCLUSION: This study provides the first long-term results on Boneloc-cemented primary hip arthroplasty. The Exeter prosthesis, especially the stem, maintains the previously published acceptable survival and results despite the documented inferior quality of the cement. FUNDING: not relevant. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.

Early recovery after fast-track Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. 35 patients with minimal invasive surgery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: After total knee arthroplasty with conventional surgical approach, more than half of the quadriceps extension strength is lost in the first postoperative month. Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) operated with minimally invasive surgery (MIS) results in less operative trauma. We investigated changes in leg-extension power (LEP) in the first month after MIS Oxford UKA and its relation to pain, knee motion, functional performance, and knee function. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 35 consecutive Oxford UKA patients, LEP was measured 1 week before and 1 month after surgery together with knee motion, knee swelling, the 30-second chair-stand test, and Oxford knee score. Assessment of knee pain at rest and walking was done using a visual analog scale. RESULTS: 30 patients were discharged on the day after surgery, and 5 on the second day after surgery. LEP and functional performance reached the preoperative level after 1 month. Only slight postoperative knee swelling was observed with rapid restoration of knee flexion and function. A high level of pain during the first postoperative night and day fell considerably thereafter. None of the patients needed physiotherapy supervision in the first month after discharge. INTERPRETATION: Fast-track MIS Oxford UKA with discharge on the day after surgery is safe and leads to early recovery of knee motion and strength even when no physiotherapy is used.

Preoperative lateral subluxation of the patella is a predictor of poor early outcome of Oxford phase-III medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There is disagreement in the literature about the importance of patellofemoral joint degeneration and knee pain for the outcome of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). We therefore investigated the importance of selected predictors including patellofemoral joint degeneration and the location of preoperative knee pain for the early outcome of UKA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study group comprised 260 consecutive patients from 5 hospitals who underwent Oxford UKA for anteromedial osteoarthritis. Data were collected at baseline and included pain location, radiologically observed degeneration of the patellofemoral joint including subluxation of the patella, intraoperative cartilage status of the patellofemoral joint, disease-specific knee status, and Oxford knee score (OKS). Outcomes were evaluated after 1 year using the OKS, global patient satisfaction, and global patient result. RESULTS: The average OKS score at baseline was 24 (SD 7), and it was 40 (SD 8) at the 1-year follow-up. 94% of the patients claimed improvement after the operation and 90% were satisfied with the UKA. Lateral subluxation of the patella was a predictor of poor outcome, and the preoperative OKS score was also a predictor of outcome. Full-thickness cartilage loss at any location gave a similar outcome to that with a normal or near-normal joint surface, and likewise, preoperative anterior knee pain was not a predictor of outcome. INTERPRETATION: We conclude that the good early outcome after UKA in this study is in line with the best reported results. Patellofemoral degeneration should not be considered a contraindication to Oxford UKA. Patients with lateral subluxation of the patella have an increased risk of a poor result after UKA and should preferably be offered a total knee replacement.

A prospective study of prognostic factors for duration of sick leave after endoscopic carpal tunnel release.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic carpal tunnel release with a single portal technique has been shown to reduce sick leave compared to open carpal tunnel release, claiming to be a less invasive procedure and reducing scar tenderness leading to a more rapid return to work, and the purpose of this study was to identify prognostic factors for prolonged sick leave after endoscopic carpal tunnel release in a group of employed Danish patients. METHODS: The design was a prospective study including 75 employed patients with carpal tunnel syndrome operated with ECTR at two hospitals. The mean age was 46 years (SD 10.1), the male/female ratio was 0.42, and the mean preoperative duration of symptoms 10 months (range 6-12). Only 21 (28%) were unable to work preoperatively and mean sick leave was 4 weeks (range 1-4). At base-line and at the 3-month follow-up, a self-administered questionnaire was collected concerning physical, psychological, and social circumstances in relation to the hand problem. Data from a nerve conduction examination were collected at baseline and at the 3-month follow-up. Significant prognostic factors were identified through multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: After the operation, the mean functional score was reduced from 2.3 to 1.4 (SD 0.8) and the mean symptom score from 2.9 to 1.5 (SD 0.7). The mean sick leave from work after the operation was 19.8 days (SD 14.3). Eighteen patients (24%) had more than 21 days of sick leave. Two patients (3%) were still unable to work after 3 months. Significant prognostic factors in the multivariate analysis for more than 21 days of postoperative sick leave were preoperative sick leave, blaming oneself for the hand problem and a preoperative distal motor latency. CONCLUSION: Preoperative sick leave, blaming oneself for the hand problem, and a preoperative distal nerve conduction motor latency were prognostic factors for postoperative work absence of more than 21 days. Other factors may be important (clinical, demographic, economic, and workplace) in explaining the great variance in the results of sick leave after carpal tunnel release between studies from different countries.