Perception of Perioperative Risk for Arthroplasty Patients: A Poll of Indian Orthopedic Surgeons.

BACKGROUND: A survey of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) reported that 95% of respondents attempted to modify risk factors prior to arthroplasty. This study investigated Indian arthroplasty surgeons' approach to patients who have modifiable risk factors. METHODS: The AAHKS survey tool was adapted for Indian surgeons and distributed to the membership of the Indian Society of Hip and Knee Surgeons and Indian Arthroplasty Association via a Survey Monkey. A total of 92 survey responses were received, representing a response rate of 12%. RESULTS: Overall, 87% of respondents restricted access to arthroplasty surgery for patients who have modifiable risk factors, but only 51% of respondents reported delays or restricted treatment because of risk factors. Respondents reported that financial implications were more likely to delay or restrict treatment in 97% and social/family reasons in 66%. Poor diabetic control (81%), previous infection (57%), and malnutrition/hypoalbuminemia (47%) were the most frequent modifiable risk factors. There were 82% of surgeons reporting that the patient's socioeconomic status influenced treatment including: 71% of patients who have low socioeconomic status, 57% who do not have insurance, and 45% who have limited social supports. Most surgeons (92%) reported that funding influenced the type of care provided and the choice of implants. CONCLUSION: Over 97% of Indian arthroplasty surgeons thought socioeconomic factors impaired access to orthopaedic treatment. Only half the surgeons restricted access for comorbidities and these were more often related to infection risks and diabetes. These findings contrast dramatically to the practice patterns of American AAHKS members.

Microbiological profile of septic arthritis in adults: Lessons learnt and treatment strategies.

Objective: The aim of this study is to characterise the clinical and microbiological profile of adult patients treated at our orthopaedic unit with septic arthritic between 2006 and 2017. Materials and Methods: A total of 70 patients who were admitted with a diagnosis of septic arthritis between 2006 and 2017 were included in the study. The patients' clinical and epidemiological characteristics were surveyed; microbiological profile and the complications relating to the patients' treatment were identified. Results: Septic arthritis was more common among males (83%). About 75% of the patients presented with a history of fever. The knee was the most commonly affected joint (71%), followed by the hip. While C-reactive protein was found to be consistently >75, total blood white blood cell (WBC) counts were found not to be reflective of the presence of infection with a mean WBC count of only 13,561/cu.mm, and Gram stain examination had a poor sensitivity of 47%. Among the co-morbidities, the most prevalent association was with diabetes mellitus. The infectious agent most frequently isolated was Staphylococcus aureus(42.85%). The antibiotic sensitivity pattern has evolved since the early years, with resistant strains becoming increasingly prevalent. Unusually, high incidence of streptococci was noted (30%), contrary to the published literature. One-third of the patients had multi-resistant organisms. Septic arthritis left 70% of the patients with a significant residual disability at 6 months follow-up and had 4.25% mortality. Conclusion: Changing sensitivity patterns of microbes in septic arthritis point to a need for reconsidering empirical antibiotic therapy. Joint damage following infection can lead to significant disability.

An uncommon cause of polyarthralgia.

Tumour induced osteomalacia (TIO) is a paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by renal phosphate wasting and hypophosphatemic osteomalacia, caused by FGF-23 (Fibroblast growth factor-23) producing mesenchymal tumours. Here, we report the case of a 40 year old lady referred by her family physician for multiple joint pains of 2 years duration. There was no evidence of inflammatory arthritis. Biochemical investigations revealed low phosphorus, with raised alkaline phosphatase and high levels of FGF-23. As a TIO was considered likely, functional imaging with a DOTATATE PET scan was done, which revealed a DOTA avid lesion in the right foot. Following surgical excision of the tumour, there was significant relief in symptoms and gradual recovery of phosphate to normal levels. It is relevant and important for family physicians as in subjects with symptom like polyarthralgia, a simple measurement of analytes like phosphate, calcium and alkaline phosphatase in primary care setting will help to arrive at a cause and referral for further evaluation as this condition is potentially treatable.

Microbiological profile of infections of the hip joint: An Indian perspective.

Background: Knowledge of the local microbiological epidemiology helps in formulating protocols for appropriate treatment of hip infections. The aim of this study was to profile the organisms cultured from infected hips. Methods: The microbiological profile and sensitivity pattern of organisms in eighty infected hips were reviewed. Results: Infection was secondary to arthroplasty in 35, fracture surgery in 34 and primary septic arthritis in 11. Twenty percent of the infections were polymicrobial, whereas the rest were monomicrobial. Fifty-five percent were Gram-positive, of which 45% were Staphylococcus species (36% methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, 20% methicillin-resistant S. aureus, and 44% coagulase sensitive Staphylococcal species). All Staphylococcus species were sensitive to vancomycin, but 20% of Enterococcus species were resistant to vancomycin. One-third of the Enterococcus species and 2% of Staphylococcus species were resistant to teicoplanin. Escherichia coli (n = 10) and Pseudomonas sp. (n = 13) were the most common Gram-negative organism. Although 18% of the Gram-negative organisms were carbapenem resistant, all were sensitive to colistin. Conclusion: Staphylococcus sp. was the most common pathogen found in hip infections. However, the high incidence of Gram-negative infection requires that prophylactic antibiotics cover these organisms as well. The high resistance to first-line antibiotics should be taken into consideration while making protocols. The knowledge of the microbial profile is especially important when considering arthroplasty for arthritis secondary to hip infections.

Biomechanical assessment of an alternative method of staple fixation for anchoring the Bone Patellar Tendon Bone graft to the tibia.

INTRODUCTION: The Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most commonly injured ligament around the knee and is best reconstructed with a biological graft. For ideal graft fixation, there should be sufficient initial strength to avoid failure of fixation and sufficient stiffness to restore the stability of the knee and to avoid gradual loosening in the post-operative period.When considering fixation of Bone Patellar Tendon Bone (BPTB) grafts to the tibia, the interference screw is considered to be the gold standard. As an alternative, we have used of staples and stainless steel (SS) wire to anchor the BPTB graft to the tibia and femur. The aim of this study was to assess the biomechanical efficacy of this fixation technique for anchoring the BPTB graft to the proximal tibia. We used a bovine model to compare three fixation techniques -interference screw, braided polyester sutures tied to a screw post and SS wire tied to a staple. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen fresh bovine knees specimens were used for the study. The patella was fixed to a load cell and the construct was pre-tensioned to 40N to allow for creep of the tendon. The BPTB graft was fixed to the tibia using the three fixation techniques - the interference screw, polyester suture tied to a post, and SS wire anchored to a staple. After fixation, the graft was subjected to a single load to failure test, and the forces generated were recorded. The ultimate failure load (the pullout strength), stiffness, and mode of failure were noted. RESULTS: In the single load-to-failure biomechanical testing, the ultimate failure load and stiffness for Staple with SS wire were 726.40N and 61.9N/mm respectively. For the screw post and polyester suture, it was 733.20N and 53.22N/mm, and for Interference screw - 594.00N and 79.50 N/mm respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the stiffness or ultimate failure load between the three fixation techniques. The graft fixation using interference screws failed at the bone- tunnel interface by slippage of the bone block from the tunnel in all 5 specimens. In all 5 of the specimens fixed with polyester suture and the screw post, the fixation failed when the polyester suture snapped. When the SS wire and staple construct was stressed, the graft failed as the SS wire cut through the graft in 4 specimens, and in the fifth construct, the knot over the staple unraveled as the load was applied. CONCLUSION: The biomechanical properties of BPTB graft fixation with SS wire tied to a staple is similar to that of other fixation devices like the interference screw and suture post. This technique provides a simple, yet effective fixation for the graft - but needs further clinical assessment.

Is pre-operative assessment of coagulation profile with Thrombelastography (TEG) useful in predicting venous thromboembolism (VTE) following orthopaedic surgery?

INTRODUCTION: Epidemiologic data on the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in Indian population vary widely. Most studies show that the incidence of VTE is lower in Asian patients than in Western population. Screening tools to identify high-risk patients should enable us to reduce this complication. METHODS: The incidence of VTE in 101 patients who underwent knee or hip arthroplasty, or surgery for hip fractures, without chemoprophylaxis for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was documented. Diagnosis of DVT was made with Duplex ultrasonography. We also assessed the usefulness of pre-operative assessment of the hypercoagulable status of the patient in predicting the occurrence of VTE, using the Thrombelastography (TEG) test. RESULTS: The incidence of DVT in the study population was 7%. Six of the 7 patients who developed DVT had surgery for hip fractures, while one had knee replacement. The thrombus was above the knee joint level in 6 of the 7 patients. Pre-operative TEG was positive in only one of the 7 patients, but was positive in 37 of the remaining 94 patients. CONCLUSION: Incidence of DVT in the study population is sufficiently high to recommend some form of prophylaxis to prevent VTE following hip and knee surgery. Pre-operative assessment of the patients' coagulation status with Thrombelastography does not predict the risk of VTE. The use of other lab parameters that could help in selective chemoprophylaxis needs to be explored.

Accuracy of templating the acetabular cup size in Total Hip Replacement using conventional acetate templates on digital radiographs.

OBJECTIVE: Templating of the acetabular cup size in Total Hip Replacement (THR) is normally done using conventional radiographs. As these are being replaced by digital radiographs, it has become essential to create a technique of templating using digital films. We describe a technique that involves templating the digital films using the universally available acetate templates for THR without the use of special software. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preoperative digital radiographs of the pelvis were taken with a 30 mm diameter spherical metal ball strapped over the greater trochanter. Using standard acetate templates provided by the implant company on magnified digital radiographs, the size of the metal ball (X mm) and acetabular cup (Y mm) were determined. The size of the acetabular cup to be implanted was estimated using the formula 30*Y/X. The estimated size was compared with the actual size of the cup used at surgery. RESULTS: Using this technique, it was possible to accurately predict the acetabular cup size in 28/40 (70%) of the hips. When the accuracy to within one size was considered, templating was correct in 90% (36/40). When assessed by two independent observers, there was good intra-observer and inter-observer reliability with intra-class correlation coefficient values greater than 0.8. CONCLUSION: It was possible to accurately and reliably predict the size of the acetabular cup, using acetate templates on digital films, without any digital templates.

Distal femoral rotational alignment in the Indian population - An important consideration in total knee arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the angular relationships of distal femoral rotational axes in the normal Indian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans of the knee of 40 Indian subjects were used to define the posterior condylar axis, the transepicondylar axis and the Whiteside's line (anteroposterior axis). The posterior condylar angle (PCA) - the angle between the posterior condylar axis and the transepicondylar axis, and the Whiteside-epicondylar angle (W-EP angle) were then calculated. RESULTS: The mean posterior condylar angle in the Indian knee was 4.67° and the mean Whiteside-epicondylar angle was 92.7°. CONCLUSION: There are differences in the distal femoral rotational axes among various races. The mean PCA and the W-EP angle are more externally rotated in the Indian than in the Western, population, but similar to the Chinese. Using fixed values to define the angular relationships between the axes could lead to malrotation of the femoral component. An understanding of the racial differences is essential while designing implants for the Indian population.

Musculoskeletal outcome in hemophilia: bleeds, joint structure and function, activity, and health-related fitness.

Treatment in hemophilia is designed to reduce bleed frequency, minimize joint damage, and maximize functional independence and quality of life. Therefore, success of a factor replacement protocol is usually gauged by its ability to produce near "normal joints"-without any significant pathology. The most commonly used outcome measurement tools are based on the radiological and clinical assessment of joint arthropathy. To improve the sensitivity to early changes, the clinical scores have been refined, and imaging based on magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography has been initiated. Although these scores are useful in assessing the structure and function of a joint, they do not consider the impact of arthropathy on overall musculoskeletal function. They are also not capable of assessing the efficacy of interventions on functional independence, participation in life activities, and quality of life. The development of functional scores such as the Functional Independence Score for Hemophilia, the pediatric Hemophilia Activities List, and some quality of life measurement tools have helped provide a more comprehensive assessment of health. This article describes the psychometric properties and limitations of the various clinimetric tools that are used to assess musculoskeletal outcome in hemophilia and suggests an algorithm for their use in clinical practice.

Outcome of Schatzker type V and VI tibial plateau fractures.

BACKGROUND: Schatzker type V and VI tibial fractures are complex injuries, usually treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using dual plates or ring fixators. ORIF has the advantage of not requiring pin tract care, but has a higher infection rate, especially in open fractures. We have combined the advantages of these two methods to treat these difficult fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten Schatzker type V and 11 Schatzker type VI fractures were treated between 2006 and 2010. ORIF with dual plates was performed, only if there was marked articular displacement (> 2 mm) in a closed fracture. All other fractures including open fractures and closed fractures with soft tissue compromise or minimal articular displacement were treated with ring fixators. The outcomes were analyzed and documented using the Honkonen and Jarvinen subjective, clinical, functional, and radiological criteria and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC). RESULTS: Nine closed fractures with marked articular displacement (> 2 mm) were treated with dual plates. Eight closed fractures with minimal articular displacement (< 2 mm) and poor skin condition and four open fractures were treated with ring fixators. The mean follow-up period was 2 ½ years. The mean postoperative knee flexion was 128°. All patients could walk, jump, and climb steps. 90% could squat, though only 50% could duck walk properly. Radiologically, 85% had a plateau tilt of less than 5°, 92% had an articular step of less than 2 mm, and a residual articular widening of less than 5 mm. There were no major infections. Two patients had minor pin tract infections and two requested that their plates be removed subsequently. CONCLUSION: The protocol used to treat Schatzker type V and VI tibial plateau fractures has had excellent results and we suggest that all open fractures be treated with ring fixators and that ORIF should be done only for closed fractures with marked displacement.

The anteromedial approach to the psoas tendon in patients with cerebral palsy.

PURPOSE: Release of the psoas tendon for flexion deformity of the hip in children with cerebral palsy has traditionally been performed at the pelvic brim, lateral to the neurovascular bundle, or at its insertion into the lesser trochanter. As the psoas tendon is lateral to the pectineus, the traditional exposure of the tendon through an approach medial to the pectineus is limited by the extent to which the pectineus can be retracted proximally. TECHNICAL NOTE: We describe the use of the anteromedial approach used for the developmentally dislocated hip to expose the psoas tendon between the pectineus and the neurovascular bundle. This provides a much better visualisation of the tendon as it crosses the superior pubic ramus to its insertion. The use of this approach has not been described in cerebral palsy.

Functional assessment of arthropathy--an international perspective.

Treatment of hemophilia aims to minimize structural damage to joints and maximize patients' functional independence and quality of life. From an orthopedic perspective, treatment efficacy can be judged by quantifying the extent of musculoskeletal damage. Joint scores--both clinical and radiologic--have traditionally been measured in patients with hemophilia. However, such scores may lack the sensitivity to detect early changes in the hemophilic joint, and this has prompted the development of more sensitive measures. In addition, scores based on the status of individual joints do not consider the impact of arthropathy on overall musculoskeletal function. It would prove valuable to understand the implications of small differences in clinical/radiologic scores in terms of overall musculoskeletal function and patients' quality of life. The development of functional scores such as the Functional Independence Score for Haemophilia (FISH) and the Haemophilia Activities List (HAL), along with the quality-of-life (QoL) measurement tools, have helped to provide a more comprehensive assessment of health in hemophilia. Such improved understanding should assist with the development of contextually relevant guidelines for the management of hemophilia.