An automated, web-based triage tool may optimise referral pathways in elective orthopaedic surgery: A proof-of-concept study.

Introduction: Knee pain is caused by various pathologies, making evaluation in primary-care challenging. Subsequently, an over-reliance on imaging, such as radiographs and MRI exists. Electronic-triage tools represent an innovative solution to this problem. The aims of this study were to establish the magnitude of unnecessary knee imaging prior to orthopaedic surgeon referral, and ascertain whether an e-triage tool outperforms existing clinical pathways to recommend correct imaging. Methods: Patients ≥18 years presenting with knee pain treated with arthroscopy or arthroplasty at a single academic hospital between 2015 and 2020 were retrospectively identified. The timing and appropriateness of imaging were assessed according to national guidelines, and classified as 'necessary', 'unnecessary' or 'required MRI'. Based on an eDelphi consensus study, a symptom-based e-triage tool was developed and piloted to preliminarily diagnose five common knee pathologies and suggest appropriate imaging. Results: 1462 patients were identified. 17.2% (n = 132) of arthroplasty patients received an 'unnecessary MRI', 27.6% (n = 192) of arthroscopy patients did not have a 'necessary MRI', requiring follow-up. Forty-one patients trialled the e-triage pilot (mean age: 58.4 years, 58.5% female). Preliminary diagnoses were available for 33 patients. The e-triage tool correctly identified three of the four knee pathologies (one pathology did not present). 79.2% (n = 19) of participants would use the tool again. Conclusion: A substantial number of knee pain patients receive incorrect imaging, incurring delays and unnecessary costs. A symptom-based e-triage tool was developed, with promising performance and user feedback. With refinement using larger datasets, this tool has the potential to improve wait-times, referral quality and reduce cost.

A novel patient-specific instrument design can deliver robotic level accuracy in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: A previous randomised controlled trial (RCT) by our group found that robotic assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) surgery was significantly more accurate than conventional instrumentation. The aim of this study was to determine whether a low-cost novel PSI design could deliver the same level of accuracy as the robot in the same time efficient manner as conventional instruments. METHODS: Thirty patients undergoing medial UKA took part. Tibial component position was planned using a low dose CT-scan, and compared to a day 1 postoperative CT-scan to determine the difference between the planned and achieved positions. Operations were performed by one expert surgeon using PSI (Embody, London, UK). RESULTS: The mean absolute difference between planned and achieved tibial implant positions using PSI was 2.0° (SD 1.0°) in the coronal plane, 1.8° (SD 1.5) in the sagittal plane, and 4.5° (SD 3.3) in the axial plane. These results were not significantly different to the 13 historical robotic cases (mean difference 0.5°, 0.5°, and 1.7°, p = 0.1907, 0.2867 and 0.1049 respectively). PSI mean operating time was on average 62 min shorter than the robotic group (p < 0.0001) and 40 min shorter than the conventional instrument group (p < 0.0001). No complications were reported. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this clinical trial demonstrates that for tibial component positioning in UKA, a novel design PSI guide in the hands of an expert surgeon, can safely deliver comparable accuracy to a robotic system, whilst being significantly faster than conventional instruments. NIHR Clinical Research Network Reference: 16100.

Failed high tibial osteotomy: A joint preserving alternative to total knee arthroplasty.

High tibial osteotomy is an attractive treatment option for young active patients wishing to return to high-level activities. However, it is not considered a long-term solution, with 30% revised at ten years. Currently, the only revision option is a total knee arthroplasty, a procedure that might not deliver the functional level expected by these highly active patients. This paper describes a novel joint preserving approach to HTO revision, using assistive technology, in the form of 3D printed guides, to reverse the osteotomy and simultaneously perform a unicompartmental knee replacement. The indications and planning aims for this procedure are discussed, and the preliminary results in four patients presented. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

3D printing and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

In suitable patients, unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) offers a number of advantages compared with total knee arthroplasty. However, the procedure is technically demanding, with a small tolerance for error. Assistive technology has the potential to improve the accuracy of implant positioning.This review paper describes the concept of detailed UKA planning in 3D, and the 3D printing technology that enables a plan to be delivered intraoperatively using patient-specific instrumentation (PSI).The varying guide designs that enable accurate registration are discussed and described. The system accuracy is reported.Future studies need to ascertain whether accuracy for low-volume surgeons can be delivered in the operating theatre using PSI, and reflected in improved patient reported outcome measures, and lower revision rates. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2018;3 DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.3.180001.

3D printing and high tibial osteotomy.

High tibial osteotomy (HTO) is a relatively conservative surgical option in the management of medial knee pain. Thus far, the outcomes have been variable, and apparently worse than the arthroplasty alternatives when judged using conventional metrics, owing in large part to uncertainty around the extent of the correction planned and achieved.This review paper introduces the concept of detailed 3D planning of the procedure, and describes the 3D printing technology that enables the plan to be performed.The different ways that the osteotomy can be undertaken, and the varying guide designs that enable accurate registration are discussed and described. The system accuracy is reported.In keeping with other assistive technologies, 3D printing enables the surgeon to achieve a preoperative plan with a degree of accuracy that is not possible using conventional instruments. With the advent of low dose CT, it has been possible to confirm that the procedure has been undertaken accurately too.HTO is the 'ultimate' personal intervention: the amount of correction needed for optimal offloading is not yet completely understood.For the athletic person with early medial joint line overload who still runs and enjoys life, HTO using 3D printing is an attractive option. The clinical effectiveness remains unproven. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2018;3 DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.3.170075.