Predicting outcomes of total joint arthroplasty using the distress and risk assessment method.

BACKGROUND: Psychological distress is presumed to be an important factor that can adversely impact the outcome of orthopaedic procedures. The Distress and Risk Assessment Method (DRAM) is an evaluation tool which assesses psychological distress in patients with low back pain. The purpose of this prospective study was to assess the influence of preoperative psychological distress, as determined by the DRAM score, on the functional outcomes of total joint arthroplasty (TJA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study of 61 TJAs was performed at a single institution. The DRAM questionnaire and a variety of functional measures (12-Item Short Form Health Survey [SF-12], visual analogue scale [VAS], Oxford Hip Score [OHS], Oxford Knee Score [OKS], and Oswestry Disability Questionnaire [ODQ]) were administered to the patient at baseline, 1 month, and 6 months postoperatively. Mixed model regressions and Mann-Whitney tests were utilised to evaluate the relationship of the DRAM score with functional outcomes. RESULTS: The summed quantitative DRAM score was predictive of functional outcomes. With each 1 point increase in psychological distress, VAS pain increased by 0.023 (p = 0.015), OKS decreased by 0.34 (p = 0.01), ODQ increased by 0.065 (p = 0.02), and MCS decreased by 0.14 (p = 0.015). In addition, patients with lower preoperative distress scores had higher rates of improvement than patients with higher preoperative distress scores for VAS pain (p = 0.034). DISCUSSION: Psychological distress was associated with decreased baseline mental health and function in the early postoperative period, which has important implications for bundled payments. However, patients with psychological distress still demonstrated functional improvements and TJA should thus not be contraindicated in these patients.

Aspirin Thromboprophylaxis Confers No Increased Risk for Aseptic Loosening Following Cementless Primary Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Aspirin has been shown to be a safe and cost-effective thromboprophylaxis agent with equivalent preventive efficacy to warfarin and fewer side-effects. However, animal studies have suggested delayed bone healing with aspirin and other inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis. The impact of aspirin on aseptic loosening following cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) has yet to be explored. Our aim was to determine if patients receiving aspirin for thromboprophylaxis had higher rates of aseptic loosening vs patients receiving warfarin after THA. METHODS: We identified 11,262 consecutive primary uncemented THA performed between 2006 and 2017. Postoperatively, either warfarin (target international normalized ratio 1.5-2.0) or aspirin chemoprophylaxis were prescribed for 4 weeks. We recorded demographics, length of stay, body mass index, preoperative nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use, and Elixhauser comorbidity index. All revisions because of aseptic loosening within 1 year of the index procedure were identified radiographically, confirmed intraoperatively, and did not fulfill Musculoskeletal Infection Society criteria for periprosthetic infection. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: There was no difference (P = .14) in the rates of revision for aseptic loosening between patients in the aspirin cohort (14/4530; 0.31%; P = .14) and the warfarin cohort (36/6682; 0.54%). After accounting for confounding variables, no significant difference was noted in aseptic loosening rates between patients treated with aspirin vs those treated with warfarin (adjusted odds ratio 0.51; P = .11). Perioperative nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug was not significantly associated with aseptic loosening (adjusted odds ratio 1.20; P = .67). CONCLUSION: While multiple agents are available for venous thromboprophylaxis, there is increasing evidence in favor of the use of aspirin. This study allays the notion that aspirin increases the rates of aseptic loosening following uncemented hip arthroplasty.

Acetabular Retroversion Is a Risk Factor for Less Optimal Outcome After Femoroacetabular Impingement Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acetabular retroversion are at risk of labral tear and hip pain. It is unknown whether femoroacetabular osteoplasty (FAO) without reverse periacetabular osteotomy can be used in these patients. This study evaluated the outcome of mini-open FAO in patients with acetabular retroversion and compared that to patients without acetabular retroversion. METHODS: Fifty-one patients (29 male, 22 female) with acetabular retroversion who had undergone FAO between 2007 and 2015 were identified. The minimum 2-year clinical and radiological outcome was compared with 550 patients without dysplasia or retroversion who underwent FAO by the same surgeon. The preoperative and postoperative alpha angle, center-edge angle, Tonnis grade, joint space, and presence of labral tear and chondral lesion were determined. RESULTS: The mean age in the retroversion cohort was 27.4 ± 9.5 years compared to 34.5 ± 11.2 years in the control. The mean follow-up was 4.8 ± 1.5 years for retroversion and 4.1 ± 1.2 years for the control. The mean preoperative Short-Form 36 Health Survey and modified Harris hip score were not different between the cohorts. At the latest follow-up, the mean modified Harris hip score and Short-Form 36 Health Survey were significantly lower in the retroversion group (75.4 and 76.5) compared to the control (83.4 and 85.6). There was a higher percentage of failure among retroversion patients (13.7%) compared to the control (2.5%). CONCLUSION: Acetabular retroversion resulting in femoroacetabular impingent may be treated by FAO, but the outcome appears to be less optimal compared to patients with femoroacetabular impingent and no evidence of dysplasia and acetabular retroversion. Hip preservation surgeons should be aware of this anatomic variation and possible inferior treatment results after FAO in these patients.

Total Joint Arthroplasty in Patients With Parkinson's Disease: Survivorship, Outcomes, and Reasons for Failure.

BACKGROUND: Gait instability and muscle rigidity are known characteristics of Parkinson's disease (PD), putting PD patients at risk for complications following total joint arthroplasty (TJA). The outcomes of Parkinson's patients undergoing TJA are largely unknown. This study evaluated the outcomes of TJA in this population. METHODS: A single institution retrospective cohort of 123 TJAs (52 hips, 71 knees) from 2000 to 2016 was reviewed. An electronic chart query was performed using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth revision codes to identify this population. A manual chart review was performed to confirm the diagnosis of PD, survivorship, and reason for failure. A control cohort was matched 2:1 based on age, body mass index, joint, and comorbidities. Outcomes were assessed using revision for any reason as the primary endpoint. Functional outcomes were assessed using Short-Form 12 scores. RESULTS: At an average follow-up of 5.3 years, 23.6% of patients required revision surgery. The most common reasons for revision for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were periprosthetic infection and for total hip arthroplasty (THA) were periprosthetic fracture and dislocation. Overall survivorship of TJA at years 2, 5, and 10 respectively were 94.9%, 87.9%, and 72.3%. The survivorship of TKA was 95.2%, 89.8%, and 66.2%. THA implant survivorship was 94.3%, 85.3%, and 78.7%. Functional score improvement was less in PD cohort than the control. CONCLUSION: Patients with PD are at increased risk for complications, particularly periprosthetic infection following TKA and periprosthetic fracture and dislocation following THA. Despite this increased risk of complications, patients with PD can demonstrate improved functional outcomes but not as high as patients without PD. Patients with PD should be counseled appropriately prior to undergoing TJA.

Survivorship and Outcomes in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis Undergoing Total Joint Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently require total joint arthroplasty (TJA). The outcomes of TJA in patients with MS, who are frequently on immunomodulatory medications and physically deconditioned, remain largely unknown. The aim of this study is to elucidate the survivorship and reasons for failure in this patient population. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective review of 108 TJAs (46 knees and 62 hips) was performed from 2000 to 2016. An electronic chart query based on MS medications and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes was used to identify this population followed by a manual review to confirm the diagnosis. Outcomes were then assessed using revision for any reason as the primary end point. Functional outcomes were assessed using Short Form 12 scores. Survivorship curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: At an average follow-up of 6.2 years, 19.4% (21/108) of patients required a revision surgery. Instability (5.6%, P = .0278) and periprosthetic joint infection (4.6%, P = .0757) were among the most common reasons for revision. The overall survivorship of TJA at years 2, 5, and 7, respectively, was 96.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 92.6-100), 86.3% (95% CI, 77.7-94.5), and 75.3% (95% CI, 63.5-87.0). Functional score improvement was less in MS cohort than patients without MS. CONCLUSION: Patients with MS are at increased risk of complications, particularly instability and periprosthetic joint infection. Despite this increased risk of complications, patients with MS can demonstrate improved functional outcomes, but not as much as patients without MS. Patients with MS should be counseled appropriately before undergoing TJA.