Total Knee Arthroplasty in the Younger Patient.

The rate of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) utilization in younger patients (< 65 years old) is increasing. Little is known regarding demographics and in-hospital outcomes in this population. The National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) database was searched using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) procedure codes for patients admitted to U.S. hospitals for unilateral primary TKA between 2001 and 2010. Patients were separated into young (< 65 years of age) and senior cohorts (≥ 65 years of age). ICD-9 diagnosis and procedure codes were used to identify demographics, hospital length of stay, in-hospital adverse events, mortality, and discharge disposition. Trends were evaluated by linear regression with Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and statistical comparisons were made using Student t-test and chi-square analysis. The young cohort accounted for 38.4% of TKAs performed from 2001 to 2005, increasing to 42.7% of TKAs from 2006 to 2010. They had a higher percentage of males (36.4 vs. 34.2%, p < 0.001). Rates of obesity (11.1 vs. 6.0%, p < 0.001) and morbid obesity (5.8 vs. 1.9%, p < 0.001) were significantly higher, yet they had less comorbidities (4.7 vs. 5.2, p < 0.001), and lower rates of transfusion (12.2 vs. 19.8%, p < 0.001), pulmonary embolism (PE) (0.31 vs. 0.49%, p < 0.020), and mortality (0.03 vs. 0.18%, p < 0.001). Patients < 65 years old undergoing TKA have almost double the rate of obesity of patients ≥ 65 years old. This could explain the higher rates of periprosthetic infection and aseptic mechanical failure seen in younger patients. However, the young cohort had a more favorable discharge disposition and lower mortality and risk of PE than elderly patients.

Gender Role in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Analysis of Perioperative Outcomes in US Patients.

BACKGROUND: Women present later than men for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with more severe osteoarthritic disease but achieve comparable functional improvement and implant survival and also lower rates of revision. Despite these findings, there is significant underutilization of the procedure for women compared to men. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study to address the lack of information in the literature concerning the immediate and short-term perioperative outcomes between genders. The National Hospital Discharge Survey was evaluated between 2001 and 2010 for men and women undergoing primary TKA in the United States. Differences in gender, patient demographics, comorbidities, complications, length of stay, and discharge disposition were analyzed and identified. RESULTS: The growth in TKA was 145% for men and 131% for women over the 10-year period. Women presented with significantly higher rates of obesity, morbid obesity, postoperative transfusion rate, and length of stay. In contrast, men showed a greater proportion of diabetes, postoperative wound infections, and increased mortality rates. Males were also more likely to be discharged to home, whereas females were more likely to be discharged to rehabilitation facilities. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide important insight into the perioperative outcomes that may be influencing gender disparity in TKA.