Single-stage revision in the management of prosthetic joint infections after total knee arthroplasty - A review of current concepts.

Introduction: Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a devastating complication following total knee arthroplasty (TKA); and the gold standard surgical approach involves a two-staged, revision TKA (TSR). Owing to the newer, emerging evidence on this subject, there has been gradual shift towards a single-stage revision approach (SSR), with the purported benefits of mitigated patient morbidity, decreased complications and reduced costs. However, there is still substantial lacuna in the evidence regarding the safety and outcome of the two approaches in chronic PJI. This study aimed to comprehensively review of the literature on SSR; and evaluate its role within Revision TKA post PJI. Methods: The narrative review involved a comprehensive search of the databases (Embase, Medline and Pubmed), conducted on 20th of January 2024 using specific key words. All the manuscripts discussing the use of SSR for the management of PJI after TKA were considered for the review. Among the screened manuscripts, opinion articles, letters to the editor and non-English manuscripts were excluded. Results: The literature search yielded a total 232 studies. Following a detailed scrutiny of these manuscripts, 26 articles were finally selected. The overall success rate following SSR is reported to range from 73 % to 100 % (and is comparable to TSR). SSR is performed in PJI patients with bacteriologically-proven infection, adequate soft tissue cover, immuno-competent host and excellent tolerance to antibiotics. The main difference between SSR and TSR is that the interval between the 2 stages is only a few minutes instead of 6 weeks. Appropriate topical, intraoperative antibiotic therapy, followed by adequate postoperative systemic antibiotic cover are necessary to ascertain good outcome. Some of the major benefits of SSR over TSR include reduced morbidity, decreased complications (such as arthrofibrosis or anesthesia-associated adverse events), meliorated extremity function, earlier return to activities, mitigated mechanical (prosthesis-associated) complications and enhanced patient satisfaction. Conclusion: SSR is a reliable approach for the management of chronic PJI. Based on our comprehensive review of the literature, it may be concluded that the right selection of patients, extensive debridement, sophisticated reconstruction strategy, identification of the pathogenic organism, initiation of appropriate antibiotic therapy and ensuring adequate follow-up are the key determinants of successful outcome. To achieve this will undoubtedly require an MDT approach to be taken on a case-by-case basis.

Short versus standard duration tourniquet use during Total Knee Replacement: A pilot study.

We performed a prospective, randomized, controlled trial to know whether a short duration of tourniquet application affects surgical time, post-operative swelling, pain, early rehabilitation and complications compared to standard use of tourniquet throughout the procedure. Sixty knees were randomized. There were no differences in terms of surgical time and pain experienced between the two groups. Patients in the short duration tourniquet group had significantly less thigh swelling (3.7±1.6 versus 4.8±2.35 p<0.01). There were no differences in the early rehabilitation between the groups. Soft tissue complications were higher in standard duration group. The use of tourniquet only during cementation of the implants reduces the thigh swelling and soft tissue complications associated with tourniquet use throughout the procedure.

Aseptic loosening of total hip replacement presenting as an anterior thigh mass.

Aseptic loosening is one of the commonest complications of total hip replacement that can cause pain and instability. The chronic inflammatory response to the wear debris from the polyethylene or metal can cause osteolysis and implant failure. We report a case of aseptic loosening of the hip, presented with a swelling over the anterior thigh without any pain or instability in the joint. This mass was a foreign body granuloma formed secondary to the polyethylene wear debris due to the instability of the polyethylene in the metal shell. The patient underwent successful revision hip arthroplasty after the removal of the foreign body granuloma.

Results of total knee replacement with/without resurfacing of the patella.

OBJECTIVE: To study the difference of post-op patellofemoral pain, clunk and crepitus in patients with/without resurfacing at 5 years who had pre-op patellofemoral pain. To study the incidence of post-operative patellofemoral pain, clunk and crepitus following patelloplasty in both the groups. METHODS: Retrospective review of 765 patients who had total knee replacement with/without resurfacing.Patients were asked about both pre-operative pain and also post-operative pain 5 years after the operation. Patients were examined by a specialist nurse at 5 years post-operatively to check for any patellofemoral clunk/crepitus. CONCLUSION: In patients with pre-op PF pain, there is significant (p<0.005) higher incidence of post-op clunk in the R group. In patients without pre-op PF pain, there is significantly (p<0.005) higher incidence of post-op crepitus in the R group. In patients with/without pre-op PF pain, the incidence of post-op PF pain, clunk and crepitus is lower than in patients who underwent patelloplasty when compared to the other members of the NR group (statistically significant p<0.005). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Type 4, Case series .

Resultados de artroplastia total de joelho com e sem implante de recapeamento (resurfacing) patelar / Results of total knee replacement with/without resurfacing of the patella

OBJETIVO: Estudar a diferença de dor, estalido e crepitação patelofemoral no pós-operatório em pacientes com ou sem recapeamento patelar após 5 anos, os quais tinham dor patelofemoral antes da cirurgia. Estudar a incidência de dor, estalido e crepitação patelofemoral depois de pateloplastia em ambos os grupos. MÉTODOS: Revisão retrospectiva de 765 pacientes submetidos a artroplastia total do joelho (ATJ) com ou sem recapeamento patelar. Os pacientes foram perguntados sobre dor pré e pós-operatória, 5 anos depois da cirurgia. Foram examinados por enfermeiro especializado 5 anos, após a cirurgia para verificar estalidos ou crepitação patelofemoral (PF). RESULTADOS: 688 pacientes (89,9%) tinham dor PF pré-operatória. De 688 pacientes, 449 tinham recapeamento patelar (R) e 239 não tinham (NR). Trinta e seis pacientes do grupo NR tinham pateloplastia. A incidência de dor PF pós-operatória foi 13,3% no grupo R e 13,6% no grupo NR. A incidência de estalido PF pós-operatório no grupo R foi 10,4% e apenas 1,3% no grupo NR (estatisticamente significante, p < 0,005 comparado com o grupo R. CONCLUSÃO: Nos pacientes com dor PF pré-operatória, houve incidência significantemente maior (p< 0,005) de estalido pós-operatório no grupo R. Nos pacientes sem dor PF antes da cirurgia, verificou-se incidência significantemente maior (p <0,005) de crepitação pós-operatória no grupo R. Nos pacientes com ou sem dor PF pré-operatória, a incidência de dor, estalido e crepitação PF pós-operatória foi menor que nos pacientes submetidos a pateloplastia, em comparação com outros membros do grupo NR (estatisticamente significante, p<0,005). Nível de evidência Tipo 4, Série de casos.

OBJECTIVE: To study the difference of post-op patellofemoral pain, clunk and crepitus in patients with/without resurfacing at 5 years who had pre-op patellofemoral pain. To study the incidence of post-operative patellofemoral pain, clunk and crepitus following patelloplasty in both the groups. METHODS: Retrospective review of 765 patients who had total knee replacement with/without resurfacing.Patients were asked about both pre-operative pain and also post-operative pain 5 years after the operation. Patients were examined by a specialist nurse at 5 years post-operatively to check for any patellofemoral clunk/crepitus. RESULTS: 688 patients (89.9%) had preoperative PF pain. Of 688 patients, 449 had patellar resurfacing and 239 had not (NR). Thirty-six patients from the NR group had patelloplasty. The incidence of postoperative PF pain was 13.3% in the R group and 13.6% in the NR group. The incidence of postoperative PF clunk in was 10.4% in the R group and only 1.3% in the NR group (statistically significant, p < 0.005 compared to the R group). CONCLUSION: In patients with pre-op PF pain, there is significant (p<0.005) higher incidence of post-op clunk in the R group. In patients without pre-op PF pain, there is significantly (p<0.005) higher incidence of post-op crepitus in the R group. In patients with/without pre-op PF pain, the incidence of post-op PF pain, clunk and crepitus is lower than in patients who underwent patelloplasty when compared to the other members of the NR group (statistically significant p<0.005). Level of Evidence Type 4, Case Series.