Arthrofibrosis following total knee replacement; does therapeutic warfarin make a difference?

Arthrofibrosis following total knee replacement (TKR) is a relatively common complication which results in a reduction in knee range of movement and patient dissatisfaction. A retrospective study examined the relationship between anticoagulation with therapeutic warfarin and rates of arthrofibrosis following TKR. Arthrofibrosis was defined as less than 80 degrees of knee flexion 6-8 weeks post-TKR. Patients were warfarinised if they had a history of thrombophilic tendencies or medical conditions necessitating anti-coagulation, rather than as routine thromboprophylaxis. All other patients received thromboprophylaxis using low molecular weight heparin. A total of 728 patients underwent 874 primary TKR between 1993 and 2002 in one centre, performed by four surgeons. Mean age was 68 years (range 48-89 years) and there were 483 female and 391 male knees. Eighty cases were warfarinised post-operatively (53 female, 27 male). Overall, 83 of 874 TKRs (9%) had arthrofibrosis (57 female, 26 male) requiring manipulation under anaesthetic (MUA). In the warfarinised group, 21 knees (26%) had an MUA (15 female, 6 male). This compared to 62 cases (8%) requiring MUA in the non-warfarinised group (42 female, 20 male). There was a statistically significant difference on Fisher's exact testing (P<0.0001) between groups. Following MUA, knee flexion improved in 95% cases to a minimum 95 degrees but 8 cases had a fixed flexion deformity of 5-10 degrees . In conclusion, therapeutic warfarinisation post-TKR leads to a statistically greater chance of the patient developing arthrofibrosis compared to prophylactic low molecular weight heparin and that patients should be counseled appropriately.

Chondral degeneration and therapeutic hip arthroscopy.

Therapeutic hip arthroscopy for the treatment of chondral degeneration remains controversial. A retrospective cohort study examined 70 patients of mean age 47 (range 22-87) years who had undergone hip arthroscopy and assessed them for evidence of chondral degeneration using radiological and arthroscopic means. Clinical outcome was assessed using a modified Farjo and Glick classification. Thirty-nine patients had evidence of chondral degeneration on arthroscopy with or without radiological diagnosis, and 31 had alternative pathology. If patients were found to have chondral degeneration at arthroscopy, they were significantly more likely to have a poor clinical result than if an alternative diagnosis such as a loose body or labral tear was made (p<0.0001). Patients with evidence of degenerative changes on plain hip radiographs were significantly more likely to have a poor clinical result following hip arthroscopy than patients with unremarkable hip radiographs (p<0.0001). Therapeutic hip arthroscopy for osteoarthritis should be used with caution, as a poor clinical result is significantly more likely compared to other pathologies such as a labral tear or loose body.

Patient-perceived outcome measures following unicompartmental knee arthroplasty with mini-incision.

We reviewed 150 patients (183 knees) who underwent mini-incision unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (Oxford). Mean age was 71.5 (36-92) years. Review was conducted at least 12 months following surgery. To assess results, we used the Oxford knee questionnaire, modified Grimby score, return to sport and work, knee "normality" and patient general health. The mean Oxford knee score was 22.17 (range 12-54). Kneeling scored worse than other activities. No significant age or gender difference was found. Mean modified Grimby score was 3.89, equating to moderate exercise less than 2 h a week. Patients with "artificial-feeling" knees had significantly worse scores than patients with normal/near-normal-feeling knees. Patients who returned to/increased sporting activity had better Oxford scores than those who did not. Ninety-four percent of patients working pre-operatively returned to work. Sixty-seven percent continued at the same level of or increased sporting activity. Oxford knee scores and return to sport compared well to published data. Results regarding modified Grimby score, return to work and pain relief were encouraging. The best results were achieved in active patients who felt their health was good and their knee felt normal or near normal following surgery.

Fracture of the upper radius with ipsilateral dislocations of the elbow and superior radio-ulnar joints. A case report.

We report the rare combination of a closed fracture of the upper third of the radius with ipsilateral posterior dislocation of the elbow joint and disruption of the superior radio-ulnar joint. Although in the Bado classification there is a fourth type that describes fractures of both radius and ulna with dislocation of the superior radio-ulnar joint, it does not include the injury we report. We review of the literature and put forward an extension of Bado's classification so that fractures of either, or both, the radius and ulna associated with pericubital dislocations will be included.