The natural trends of C-reactive protein after hip arthroplasty for femoral neck fracture without infection.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to estimate the degree of normalization of C-reactive protein (CRP) at 2-weeks and 4-weeks after hip arthroplasty after femoral neck fracture. We also wished to determine whether the degree of CRP normalization differs after total hip arthroplasty (THA) compared to bipolar hemiarthroplasty (BH). We also wanted to analyze the patient factors that may influence CRP normalization.We conducted a retrospective study of 135 patients who had undergone THA (32 cases) or BH (103 cases) for femoral neck fracture by single surgeon from January 2015 to December 2019. We analyzed CRP levels during the preoperative period, the early postoperative period, the 2-week postoperative period, and the 4-week postoperative period.In THA, CRP was normalized in 4 patients (12.5%) and in 15 patients (46.9%) within 2-weeks and 4-weeks after surgery, respectively. In BH, CRP was normalized in 16 patients (15.5%) and in 52 patients (50.5%) within 2-weeks and 4-weeks after surgery, respectively. There were no statistical differences between THA and BH. Compared to women, men were 3.78 (95% confidence interval, 1.05-13.63) times less likely to have normalized CRP at 2-weeks after surgery (P = .042). Compared to women, men were 3.01 (95% confidence interval, 1.44-6.27) times less likely to have normalized CRP at 4-weeks after surgery (P = .003).Only 50% of patient's CRP level was normalized during 4-week postoperative period. In men, CRP levels were significantly higher than women in whole period. In the case of THA, the CRP level was higher only in early postoperative period compared to BH, and there was no difference since then.

Natural course of hemoglobin level after total knee arthroplasty and the benefit of tranexamic acid injection in the joint.

ABSTRACT: We retrospectively investigated the natural course of hemoglobin (Hb) level after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and identified the benefit of tranexamic acid injection at the operation field for unilateral TKA patients who have not received blood transfusions.There were 115 cases conducted by a surgeon who performed TKA without injecting tranexamic acid and 62 cases by another surgeon with injection. During 2-weeks of hospitalization, Hb level was checked on the day of surgery and 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11 days after surgery.Regardless of whether whom the operator was and tranexamic acid was injected or not, the same natural course of Hb level after TKA was observed. The lowest value of Hb was shown at postoperative day 3, after which it tended to recover. In repeated measures analysis of variance test, mean difference from preoperative Hb level showed a statistically significant difference between tranexamic acid injected and noninjected groups (P = .01). In post hoc test, the differences from preoperative Hb levels were significantly lower at all measurements in surgeon with injection of tranexamic acid.When deciding whether to transfuse after TKA, it should be noted that the patient tends to show the lowest Hb level on postoperative day 3. Also, the authors emphasize that tranexamic acid injection in the joint at the operation field is an effective method to reduce the loss of Hb after TKA.

Results of primary THA using 36 mm femoral heads on first-generation highly cross-linked polyethylene in patients less than 60 years of age: Minimum 10-year follow-ups.

PURPOSE: Long-term results of total hip arthroplasty (THA) using highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) and metal femoral head with more than 10 years of follow-up have already been reported. However, most studies included results with a head size of 28 mm that could affect wear rates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of 36-mm metallic femoral heads on first-generation HXLPE in patients less than 60 years of age with a minimum follow-up of 10 years. METHODS: Retrospective analysis included 54 cases from 47 patients. The mean age at the time of surgery was 47.22 years and the mean follow-up period was 131.04 months. Porous-coated cementless acetabular cups (Trilolgy®; Zimmer Inc., Warsaw, Indiana, USA) and HXLPE acetabular liners (Longevity®; Zimmer Inc.) were used for all cases. Acetabular cup abduction angles, anteversion angles, and wear rates of liner were measured using polyWare pro 3D distal version 5.10. RESULTS: The average modified Harris hip score at the final follow-up was 88.48 (range 80-96). Average Merle d'Aubigne and Postel score was 15.57 (range 14-18). There was no acetabular cup or femoral stem failing due to aseptic loosening. The average steady-state wear rate determined using radiographs taken at 1 year postoperatively and at the latest follow-up was 0.053 ± 0.025 mm/year. There were no statistically significant differences in liner wear rate with respect to age, variety of the femoral stem, or liner thickness. CONCLUSION: Results of THA with 36-mm metallic femoral heads on first-generation HXLPE in patients less than 60 years of age were satisfactory.

Pseudotumor mimicking iliacus muscle abscess following a total hip arthoplasty with metal on metal articulation: A case report.

RATIONALE: Cases of pseudotumor complicated after THA with metal-on-metal articulation as a bearing surface have been reported. Most of the pseudotumors occurred near or inside the hip joint, and usually have similar features with the infectious condition. We herein report a case of pseudotumor with huge size in the pelvic cavity mimicking features of iliacus muscle abscess. PATIENTS CONCERNS: A 70-year-old female was referred to our emergency department due to huge mass in her right pelvic area on abdominal CT. She complained of mild febrile sensation, generalized weakness, and pain in her right leg for several months. The patient underwent metal-on-metal bearing THA 11 years ago for treatment of right-sided hip pain due to avascular necrosis. DIAGNOSIS: Percutaneous catheter drainage was performed for both therapeutic and diagnostic reasons. No microbes were cultured from the drained fluid, and signs of chronic inflammation were shown on pathology slide samples. The patient showed positive allergic reactions to cobalt and captan on allergic patch test, and serum cobalt levels was increased as 46.78 µg/L (normal value, 0.11-0.64 µg/L). Biopsy samples of the cyst were consistent with the histological findings of pseudotumor reported by Willert et al. INTERVENTION:: For the treatment of infection, primarily, the patient was surgically treated by irrigation, debridement, and bone bead insertion. Then, after 4 weeks of antibiotic treatment, revision surgery changing the metal-on-metal articulation into poly-on-metal articulation was performed. OUTCOMES: CT scan at 1 year after surgery showed no findings of cyst inside the pelvic cavity. Although the patient complained of right sided hip pain (VAS score 2), she was able to perform activities of daily living. LESSONS: In patients who underwent metal-on-metal THA, pseudotumor mimicked the feature of periprosthetic infection may occur not only inside the hip joint but also in the pelvic cavity.

Preoperative Temporary Discontinuation of Aspirin Medication Does Not Increase the Allogeneic Transfusion Rate and Blood Loss in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine whether preoperative temporary discontinuation of aspirin (100 mg/d) use is a safe procedure does not increase blood loss and the need for transfusion after total hip arthroplasty (THA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study retrospectively reviewed 219 patients who underwent consecutive primary THA from January 2012 to December 2018. They were divided into the experimental group (42 cases) that discontinued aspirin intake 7 days before surgery and the control group (150 cases) that had no history of use of antiplatelet agents. To compare initial blood loss between the two groups, we analyzed the changes hemoglobin (Hb) levels and hematocrit values measured preoperatively and in lowest values measured during three days after surgery. In addition, transfusion rate was compared within the first two postoperative weeks between the two groups. A multiple logistic regression was performed to assess the association of transfusion with age, gender, use of antiplatelet agents, preoperative anesthetic risk, body weight and preoperative Hb. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found in the changes in lowest Hb level (P=0.30) and hematocrit value (P=0.14) measured preoperatively and for three days after surgery between the experimental group and the control group. There was no statistically significant association between transfusion and the use of antiplatelet agents, and preoperative Hb level was identified as a factor that affected the need for transfusion (odds ratio, 0.427; P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Preoperative temporary discontinuation of aspirin use for 7 days before surgery did not increase initial blood loss after THA and the need for transfusion in the first two postoperative weeks compared to patients with no history of use of antiplatelet agents.

A Comparative Study on Internal Fixation Using Long Proximal Intramedullary Nail for the Treatment of Humeral Shaft Fracture according to Fracture Types.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to compare the radiological and clinical outcomes of internal fixation using a Polarus humeral nail for treatment of a humeral shaft fracture according to fracture types. METHODS: From 43 patients, 13 were excluded and 30 patients were included. The 30 patients were divided into 2 groups: 15 in group I (Orthopaedic Trauma Association/Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen classification type A and B) and 15 in group II (type C). The mean age was 63.1 years (range, 20-87 years), and mean follow-up period was 2.3 years (range, 1.0-6.1 years). The causes of injuries were as follows: 12, traffic accidents; 14, simple slips; 2, simple falls; 2, contusions after lower energy trauma. Radiological and clinical evaluations were performed. RESULTS: Radiological union was confirmed by plain anteroposterior and lateral radiographs on average of 5.0 months in group I, and 8.4 months in group II, respectively. Differences between the two groups were statistically significant (p<0.01). The clinical union value was 1.6 in group I, and 2.0 months in group II, but these values did not differ significantly (p=0.441). The mean Korean shoulder scoring system scores were 89.7 and 90.6, which did not differ significantly (p=0.352). CONCLUSIONS: Intramedullary nailing using the Polarus humeral nail is considered to be a good treatment modality for all types of humeral shaft fractures. Additionally, the Polarus humeral nail can be an optimal choice for the treatment of complex type fractures such as segmental or comminuted humeral shaft fractures.