Reasons and Risk Factors for Failed Same-Day Discharge After Total Joint Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: A shift toward same-day discharge (SDD) in primary elective total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) has created a need to optimize patient selection and improve same-day recovery pathways. The objectives of this study were (1) to identify our institution's most common causes for failed SDD, and (2) to evaluate risk factors associated with failed SDD. METHODS: A retrospective review of SDD patients undergoing primary TKA or THA from January 2021 to September 2022 was conducted. Reasons for SDD failure were recorded and differences between successful and failed SDD cases were assessed via a multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Overall, 85.3% (651 of 753) of patients included were successful SDDs. Failed SDD occurred in 16.8% (74 of 441) of TKA and 11.8% (38 of 322) of THA cases. Primary reasons included failure to clear physical therapy (33.0%, 37 of 112), postoperative hypotension (20.5%, 23 of 112), and urinary retention (16.9%, 19 of 112). Analysis revealed that overall failed SDD cases were more likely to have had prior opioid use and a longer surgical time. Failed TKA SDD cases were more likely to have had a longer surgical time and not have receive a preoperative nerve block, while failed THA SDD cases were more likely to be older. CONCLUSIONS: The SDD selection criteria and pathways continue to evolve, with multiple factors contributing to failed SDD. Improving patient selection algorithms and optimizing post-operative pathways can enhance the ability to successfully choose SDD candidates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Patient specific implants versus conventional implants in primary total knee arthroplasty: No significant difference in patient reported outcomes at 5 years.

Background: Patient specific implants (PSI) represent a novel innovation aimed to improve patient satisfaction and function after total knee arthroplasty (TKA); however, longitudinal patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) for PSI are not well described. We sought to primarily evaluate PROMs of patients undergoing TKA with either PSI or off-the-shelf (OTS) implants at mid-term follow-up. Methods: A retrospective review was performed on a prospectively collected cohort of 43 primary, cruciate-retaining TKAs performed with PSI (n = 23) and OTS implants (n = 20) by a single surgeon. Patient demographics, operative characteristics, range of motion (ROM) return, reoperations, and outcomes [Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) T-score, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS), and Knee Society Score-Function (KSS-F)] were compared. Mean follow-up was 5 years. Results: TKA performed with either PSI and OTS implants demonstrated no difference in obtaining ROM by 3 months (extension 3° short of full extension vs. 0°, p = 0.16) or flexion (114° vs. 115°, p = 0.99) and final ROM was identical [0° extension to 120° flexion (p = 1)]. Although not significant (p = 0.42), 5 (22%) PSI TKA and 2 (10%) OTS implant patients required manipulation under anesthesia. KSS-F and PROMIS T-scores were higher in the PSI versus OTS TKA patients, respectively (90 vs. 73, p = 0.002; 51.6 vs. 44.5, p = 0.01). However, after multivariable analysis, none of these continuous outcome measures were significantly different (p = 0.28 for KSS and p = 0.45 for PROMIS T-score) between the groups. Conclusion: In a series of TKAs performed with PSI, no difference existed in postoperative ROM, reoperations, or patient-reported outcomes compared to OTS implants at 5 years. Surgeons may utilize the equivocal midterm results during TKA preoperative patient discussion of implant technologies.

Catcher's Knee: Posterior Femoral Condyle Juvenile Osteochondritis Dissecans in Children and Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Juvenile osteochondritis dissecans is an idiopathic condition involving subchondral bone and articular cartilage in skeletally immature patients in whom the growth plates are open, potentially leading to lesion instability. Because of the differing forces experienced by baseball/softball catchers versus position players, the age at which lesions develop and the characteristics of the lesions themselves may differ between these 2 populations. The purpose of the study was to examine relative age and characteristics of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) knee lesions in catchers compared with position players. METHODS: Using a text-based search tool that queries clinic notes and operative reports, computerized medical records from 1990 to 2014 from the Sports Medicine Program of a tertiary care Children's Hospital were searched to find children and adolescents who had OCD of the knee, played baseball/softball, had a specified field position, and had magnetic resonance imaging of the knee. Ultimately, 98 knees (78 patients) were identified: 33 knees (29 patients) in catchers and 65 knees (49 patients) in noncatchers. Data collected included position played (catcher/noncatcher), demographics (age, unilateral/bilateral, and sex), lesion severity, and sagittal and coronal lesion location. RESULTS: When compared with noncatchers, catchers presented at a younger age (P=0.035) but were similar with respect to bilateral involvement (P=0.115), sex (P=0.457), and lesion severity (P=0.484). Lesions in catchers were more posterior on the femoral condyle in the sagittal plane (P=0.004) but similar in location in the coronal plane (P=0.210). CONCLUSIONS: Catchers developed OCD at a younger age and in a more posterior location on the medial and lateral femoral condyles than noncatchers. These results may represent the effects of repetitive and persistent loading of the knees in the hyperflexed position required of catchers. Increased awareness of this risk may lead to surveillance and prevention programs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-case-control study.

Interaction of delaminations and matrix cracks in a CFRP plate, Part II: Simulation using an enriched shell finite element model.

Numerical simulations are presented of a recently developed test which creates multiple delaminations in a CFRP laminate specimen that grow and interact via transverse matrix cracks [1]. A novel shell element enriched with the Floating Node Method, and a damage algorithm based on the Virtual Crack Closure Technique, were used to successfully simulate the tests. Additionally, a 3D high mesh fidelity model based on cohesive zones and continuum damage mechanics was used to simulate the tests and act as a representative of other similar state-of-the-art high mesh fidelity modeling techniques to compare to the enriched shell element. The enriched shell and high mesh fidelity models had similar levels of accuracy and generally matched the experimental data. With runtimes of 36 minutes for the shell model and 55 hours for the high mesh fidelity model, the shell model is 92 times faster than the high-fidelity simulation.

Interaction of delaminations and matrix cracks in a CFRP plate, Part I: A test method for model validation.

Isolating and observing the damage mechanisms associated with low-velocity impact in composites using traditional experiments can be challenging, due to damage process complexity and high strain rates. In this work, a new test method is presented that provides a means to study, in detail, the interaction of common impact damage mechanisms, namely delamination, matrix cracking, and delamination-migration, in a context less challenging than a real impact event. Carbon fiber reinforced polymer specimens containing a thin insert in one region were loaded in a biaxial-bending state of deformation. As a result, three-dimensional damage processes, involving delaminations at no more than three different interfaces that interact with one another via transverse matrix cracks, were observed and documented using ultrasonic testing and x-ray computed tomography. The data generated by the test is intended for use in numerical model validation. Simulations of this test are included in Part II of this paper.

Knee Osteoarthritis: Does Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Work?

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation has been proposed as a nonoperative treatment for osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of a novel transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation device compared with those of other standard nonoperative modalities for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee.

High prevalence of cervical deformity and instability requires surveillance in Loeys-Dietz syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Loeys-Dietz syndrome is a connective tissue disorder characterized by vascular, craniofacial, and musculoskeletal malformation. Our goal was to report the manifestations, surgical treatment, and complications in the cervical spine in patients with Loeys-Dietz syndrome. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical and cervical spine imaging data of eighty patients with Loeys-Dietz syndrome who were seen at our institution from January 2005 through January 2014. Their mean age at presentation was 17.3 years (range, three months to seventy-five years). We tested associations with use of the Fisher exact test (type of TGF-ßR [transforming growth factor-beta receptor] mutation and cervical abnormalities) and the Student t test (age at presentation and type of TGF-ßR mutation) (significance, p = 0.05). RESULTS: Vertebral anomalies and cervical instability were common; we found no significant association of TGF-ßR-type with cervical abnormalities or age at presentation. Twenty-eight patients had atlas defects (anterior and/or posterior arch defects or hypoplasia), fifty-three had axis malformations (elongation, apex-anterior dens angulation, or spondylolysis), and twelve had focal kyphosis. Ten patients had hypoplastic subaxial vertebrae, leading to focal kyphosis (eight) and subaxial instability (nine). Eight patients had atlantoaxial instability. Of the thirteen patients with cervical instability, nine were treated surgically: fusion (eight patients) and halo application (one) (mean age, four years; range, three months to twelve years). Postoperative complications (seven patients) were pseudarthrosis, failure of fixation, junctional kyphosis or instability, and development of occipital-cervical instability. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical midline defects (most often C1-C3) are common in Loeys-Dietz syndrome. Patients have a high prevalence of cervical instability, particularly a pattern of instability at C2-C3 associated with C3 vertebral body hypoplasia and C2-C3 focal kyphosis. Patients requiring surgery typically present in early childhood.

Use of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Device in Early Osteoarthritis of the Knee.

Some have proposed the use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as an adjunct to the current standard of care in treatment of osteoarthritis knee pain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of TENS on the following issues in patients who have early-stage osteoarthritis of the knee: (1) pain reduction; (2) subjective and (3) objective functional improvements; (4) quality-of-life (QOL) measure improvements; and (5) isokinetic strength. A prospective, randomized, and single-blinded trial was performed on 23 patients who were randomized to either novel TENS device or standard of care. Metrics analyzed included stair-climb test; timed-up-and-go test (TUGT); 2-minute walk test; 20 times, single leg 6-inch step test; five-repetition chair-rise test; active and passive range-of-motion (ROM) score; short form health survey-36 scores (SF-36) score; Knee Society Score (KSS); lower extremity functional scale (LEFS); visual analog scale (VAS); and isokinetic quadriceps and hamstring strength. In objective functional scores, TENS had significant improvements in TUGT and objective KSS when compared with the matching cohort. Subjective functional and QOL outcomes patients had a significant improvement of their LEFS and SF-36 physical component with the use of TENS brace. The TENS device significantly improved the quadriceps strength when compared with standard therapy. In evaluation for improvement within the TENS cohort, patients had a significant improvement at 3-month follow-up in the TUG test, timed stair-climb test, 20-times single leg, KSS, LEFS, and SF-36 physical component compared to their initial visit. In addition, within the TENS cohort, patients had a significant reduction in pain via VAS at their 3-month follow-up. In conclusion, the use of TENS for 3 months has shown encouraging results to improve pain, function, and QOL in patients with painful osteoarthritic knees, and could positively contribute as an adjunct to current nonoperative treatment of knee arthritis. However, given our small sample size, larger randomized studies are needed to further evaluate these outcomes.

Osteonecrosis of the Hip in Hematologic Disease: A Review of Conditions and Treatment Options.

Osteonecrosis of the hip can lead to advanced arthritis in typically young patients. Hematologic disorders comprise one group of potential causes. These include sickle cell anemia, hemophilia, aplastic anemia, thalassemia, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Depending on the stage of disease, treatment options include non-operative management, joint-preserving procedures (percutaneous drilling, core decompression, and vascularized or non-vascularized bone grafting), and joint arthroplasty (resurfacing arthroplasty and THA). Numerous small studies have investigated the efficacy of these options in patients who have specific hematologic disorders. Therefore, this report provides a comprehensive review of the osteonecrosis treatment options and results across the spectrum of patients who have various hematologic disorders.

Prospective Case Series of NMES for Quadriceps Weakness and Decrease Function in Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Knee.

Osteoarthritis of the knee can lead to substantial disability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of a neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) device in a small case series of treatment of quadriceps muscle weakness and decreased function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. We evaluated isokinetic quadriceps muscle strength, objective functional improvement, subjective functional improvement, quality of life, and pain relief. Patients were then matched with a previously studied cohort with similar osteoarthritic characteristics. Testing demonstrated improvement in isokinetic quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength, as well as several functional and patient-reported metrics. Conversely, patients reported a decrease in Knee Society Score (KSS) functional score, short-form 36 health survey (SF-36), lower extremity functional scale (LEFS), and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain; however, no changes were observed in relation to the mean reported VAS pain score and SF-36 physical component. Control cohort analysis of the patient reported outcomes showed that patients improved from their first visit to 3 months follow-up in functional KSS, SF-36 physical component, and LEFS. However, VAS pain score and objective KSS were unchanged at follow-up. Similarly, a decrease was observed in the scores of the SF-36 mental component. In conclusion, the use of NMES for quadriceps muscle weakness has been shown to improve muscle strength. Additionally, NMES was shown to potentially improve functionality but demonstrated minimal effects on quality of life and patient-reported outcomes compared with the initial visit. However, larger, longer-term, prospective, randomized studies are needed to better evaluate these outcomes.

Strength and Functional Improvement Using Pneumatic Brace with Extension Assist for End-Stage Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective, Randomized trial.

Pneumatic unloader bracing with extension assists have been proposed as a non-operative modality that may delay the need for knee surgery by reducing pain and improving function. This prospective, randomized trial evaluated 52 patients who had knee osteoarthritis for changes in: (1) muscle strength; (2) objective functional improvements; (3); subjective functional improvements; (4) pain; (5) quality of life; and (6) conversion to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) compared to standard of care. Patient outcomes were evaluated at a minimum 3 months. Braced patient's demonstrated significant improvements in muscle strength, several functional tests, and patient reported outcomes when compared to the matched cohort. These results are encouraging and suggest that this device may represent a promising alternative to standard treatment methods for knee osteoarthritis.

Unnecessary magnetic resonance imaging of hips: an economic burden to patients and the healthcare system.

Patients referred to orthopedists for hip pain due to arthritis may already have MRI studies ordered by their referring physicians despite plain radiographs being sufficient in most cases. Hence, we prospectively evaluated every patient referred to our institution during a 36-month period to identify the number of new patients with hip osteoarthritis who had an unnecessary MRI, the additional costs of these MRIs, and the extrapolated cost to the United States healthcare system during the next 10years. Overall, 15.4% of the patients presented with unnecessary MRIs, approximately, 330 to 440.5 million dollars may be spent on unnecessary hip MRIs in this patient population in America. We believe that referring physicians should not simultaneously order a radiograph and an MRI to evaluate hip pain.

The economic impact of periprosthetic infections following total knee arthroplasty at a specialized tertiary-care center.

The purpose of this study was to measure the impact of periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) on the length of hospitalization, readmissions, and the associated costs. Between 2007 and 2011, our prospectively collected infection database was reviewed to identify PJIs that occurred following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA), which required a two-stage revision. We identified 21 consecutive patients and matched them to 21 non-infected patients who underwent uncomplicated primary TKA. The patients who had PJIs had significantly longer hospitalizations (5.3 vs. 3.0 days), more readmissions (3.6 vs. 0.1), and more clinic visits (6.5 vs. 1.3) when compared to the matched group, respectively. The mean annual cost was significantly higher in the infected cohort ($116,383; range, $44,416 to $269,914) when compared to the matched group ($28,249; range, $20,454 to $47,957). Periprosthetic infections following TKA represent a tremendous economic burden for tertiary-care centers and to patients.

Excellent early outcomes of the first 100 cruciate-retaining TriathlonTM total knee arthroplasties.

PURPOSE: Total knee arthroplasties typically have excellent survivorship (>95%) at 10 to 20 years. Implant manufacturers are attempting to address patient dissatisfaction with prostheses that recreate natural knee kinematics, which could lead to improved functional scores while still providing stability and durability. The purpose of this study was to review the outcomes of the first 100 consecutive patients who underwent a cruciate-retaining TKA. METHODS: The first 100 consecutive primary total knee arthroplasties using the TriathlonTM total knee system performed by one surgeon between 2005 and 2007 were identified: 56 women and 32 men, mean age of 59 years (range, 31-83 years). Patients were followed for a mean of 36 months (range, 24-61 months). Subsequent procedures and complications were reviewed. RESULTS: The survival rate in the study cohort was 98% (96 of 98 knees). The mean Knee Society objective and functional scores for this cohort was 89 (range, 56-100 points) and 86 (range, 45-100 points) points, respectively, having improved from 59 (range, 34-67 points) and 55 (range, 10-80 points) points preoperatively. All failures occurred within the first 40 cases performed with the new total knee system. The next 60 cases had 100% survivorship. CONCLUSIONS: Excellent clinical outcomes and functional scores were found in patients who underwent a new cruciate-retaining TKA. Functional scores reported at a minimum of 2 years follow-up were comparable and often superior to published results of previous cruciate-retaining knee designs.

Postoperative blood loss prevention in total knee arthroplasty.

Blood loss is a serious concern during lower extremity total joint arthroplasty with the estimated reduction in hemoglobin concentration known to vary between 2 and 4 g/dL after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Allogeneic transfusions are commonly used to treat the acute blood loss and postoperative anemia to diminish the potential cardiovascular risks in up to 50% of such cases with a high volume of blood loss. However, these transfusions are associated with the risks of immunologic reactions, immunosuppression, and infection transmission. Multiple blood-saving strategies have been developed to minimize blood loss, to reduce transfusion rates, to decrease complications, and to improve outcomes in the postoperative period. Currently, there are no clear guidelines on the blood management strategies adopted to lessen the blood loss associated with TKA. The aim of this study was to review the literature and provide a broad summary of the efficacy and complications associated with several blood-saving measures that are currently used in the postoperative period. Evidence suggests that simple techniques such as limb elevation, cryotherapy, compression dressings, and drain clamping may reduce external drainage, however, whether these techniques lead to less allogeneic transfusions is currently debatable. Further research on using a combination of these strategies and their cost-effectiveness are needed.

Preoperative blood management strategies for total knee arthroplasty.

Elective total knee arthroplasty is frequently associated with considerable blood loss and a concomitant decline in hemoglobin postoperatively. This often leads to high rates of allogeneic transfusions, with reports of up to 69%, to treat postoperative anemia. Allogeneic blood transfusions have been shown to be an independent risk factor for increased adverse outcomes, such as prolonged length of hospital stay and postoperative infections. Although multiple preoperative blood management strategies have been proposed, there are no concise guidelines, as few studies have compared the relative efficacy of these techniques. The aim of this review was to evaluate current evidence on the various preoperative blood management strategies for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty and to provide an overview of the safety and efficacy of these practices. Specifically, we evaluated preoperative autologous blood donation, iron therapy, and intravenous erythropoietin. Current evidence suggests that these techniques independently may be effective at reducing the incidence of allogeneic blood transfusions, correcting preoperative, and preventing postoperative anemia. However, more studies are necessary to evaluate combination protocols, as well as the cost-effectiveness and safety of these practices as part of routine preoperative blood management for total knee arthroplasty.

Intraoperative pharmacotherapeutic blood management strategies in total knee arthroplasty.

Bone and soft tissue bleeding often results in substantial amounts of blood loss following total knee arthroplasty. Multiple studies have reported that cumulative blood loss varies between 500 and 1,500 mL in primary settings. Increased perioperative blood loss frequently requires allogeneic blood transfusions to improve the hematocrit and the hemoglobin levels. However, allogeneic transfusion is associated with risks of immunosuppression, transfusion reactions, graft versus host disease, and transmission of infections. To avoid these problems and reduce costs of transfusion, multiple intraoperative pharmacotherapeutic strategies have been developed. The various pharmacotherapeutic agents currently used are tranexamic acid, epsilon-aminocaproic acid, fibrin, thrombin, lavage with epinephrine, and norepinephrine. However, the relative efficacy and the cost-effectiveness of these techniques may vary. Thus, the purpose of this study was to provide a brief overview of the relative efficacy of various intraoperative pharmacological methods currently in use for decreasing blood loss following total knee arthroplasty and describe their potential complications associated with their use.

Single-use instruments, cutting blocks, and trials increase efficiency in the operating room during total knee arthroplasty: a prospective comparison of navigated and non-navigated cases.

The purpose of this prospective controlled trial was to determine if efficiency increases could be achieved in non-navigated and navigated total knee arthroplasties by replacing traditional saws, cutting blocks, and trials with specialized saws and single-use cutting blocks and trials. Various timing metrics during total knee arthroplasty, including operating room preparation times and specific intra-operative times, were measured in 400 procedures performed by eight different surgeons at 6 institutions. Efficiency increases were the result of statistically significant reductions in combined instrument setup and cleanup times as well as in adjusted surgical episode times in navigated total knee arthroplasties. Single-use instruments show promising benefits, but adequate patient follow-up is needed to confirm safety and efficacy before they can be widely adopted. Nevertheless, the authors believe that the use of single-use instruments, cutting guides, and trial implants for total knee arthroplasty will play an increasing role in improving operating room efficiency.

Clinically significant differences exist between curves in operative idiopathic early-onset scoliosis and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. OBJECTIVE: To determine if statistically significant differences exist between operative idiopathic early-onset scoliosis (IEOS) and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) in primary curve characteristics, stable vertebra, kyphosis, or lumbar deformity and, if so, to identify the clinical significance of these differences. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: To our knowledge, no study has statistically compared radiographical measures of operative IEOS and AIS. METHODS: We identified operative patients (60, IEOS; 1537, AIS) in 2 multicenter databases and measured preoperative radiographical parameters of interest. The measurements were compared using the Student t test and other appropriate statistical methods (significance, P = 0.05). RESULTS: The IEOS and AIS groups were significantly different in primary curve magnitude (70° ± 20° vs. 54° ± 13°, respectively; P < 0.001), stable vertebra location (L3.0 ± 1.4 vs. L2.1 ± 2.2, respectively; P = 0.001), and T2 to T12 kyphosis (40° ± 15° vs. 31° ± 13°, respectively; P < 0.001). Distribution of major curve apex was unimodal centered close to the thoracolumbar junction in IEOS versus bimodal in AIS. Primary curve type was thoracic in 83% and 79% and thoracolumbar/lumbar in 17% and 21% of patients with IEOS and AIS, respectively. When the overall cohorts were separated into curve types and these subsets were compared, statistically significant differences were found between IEOS and AIS in thoracic primary curves (apex, magnitude, direction, proximal and distal Cobb vertebrae, and lumbar deformity) and thoracolumbar/lumbar primary curves (magnitude). CONCLUSION: Significant radiographical differences exist between operative IEOS and AIS curves. IEOS curves are greater in magnitude, more kyphotic, less well compensated, and have a more caudal apex and stable vertebra. These findings suggest that younger patients may require more distal instrumentation and that proximal fixation techniques should consider the additional pullout forces created by the greater kyphosis.

The effects of obesity and morbid obesity on outcomes in TKA.

The negative effects of obesity following total joint arthroplasty, such as increased morbidity and mortality, have been well documented in literature. However, little is known about whether specific body mass indices can be used as cutoffs to determine which patients are most at risk for having a poor postoperative outcome. We evaluated the effects of differing levels of obesity as measured by body mass index (BMI) on implant survivorship, Knee Society scores, complications, and radiographic outcomes. A systematic review of the literature was performed to identify all studies reporting outcomes of total knee arthroplasty in obese (30 ≤ BMI < 40 kg/m2) and morbidly obese patients (40 ≤ BMI < 50 kg/m2). Twenty-four studies were identified in our literature search. At a mean 5-year follow-up, morbidly obese patients (88%) had significantly lower implant survivorship than obese patients (95%) and nonobese patients (97%). Significantly, lower postoperative mean Knee Society objective and function scores (71 and 60 points) were observed for morbidly obese patients than for nonobese patients (75 and 90 points), but obese patients did not have significantly lower Knee Society objective and function scores than nonobese patients (78 and 84 points). Complication rates for nonobese, obese, and morbidly obese patients were 9, 15, and 22%, respectively, all of which were significantly different. However, no significant difference was observed in the incidence of radiolucent lines that were 12, 19, and 14%, respectively. Thus, we conclude that a BMI greater than 40 kg/m2 may be used as a cutoff to help guide patient education and treatment options for primary total knee arthroplasty.