Postless Hip Distraction Systems Decrease the Amount of Traction Force Needed to Obtain Adequate Hip Distraction Versus a Conventional Post Hip Distractor.

PURPOSE: To directly compare hip distraction distance and traction force data for hip arthroscopy performed using a post-basedsystem versus a postless system. METHODS: Adult patients undergoing primary hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement were prospectively enrolled. Before March 26, 2019, arthroscopy was performed using a post-based system. After this date, the senior author converted to using a postless system. Intraoperative traction force and fluoroscopic distraction distance were measured to calculate hip stiffness coefficients at holding traction (k-hold) and maximal traction (k-max). We used multivariable regression analysis to determine whether postless arthroscopy was predictive of lower stiffness coefficients when controlling for other relevant patient-specific factors. RESULTS: Hip arthroscopy was performed with a post-based system in 105 patients and with a postless system in 51. Mean holding traction force (67.5 ± 14.0 kilograms-force [kgf] vs 55.8 ± 15.3 kgf) and mean maximum traction force (96.0 ± 16.6 kgf vs 69.9 ± 14.1 kgf) were significantly lower in the postless group. On multivariable analysis, postless traction was an independent predictor of decreased k-hold (ß = -31.4; 95% confidence interval, -61.2 to -1.6) and decreased k-max (ß = -90.4; 95% confidence interval, -127.8 to -53.1). Male sex, Beighton score of 0, and poor hamstring flexibility were also predictors of increased k-hold and k-max in the multivariable model. CONCLUSIONS: Postless traction systems decrease the amount of traction force required for adequate hip distraction for both maximal and holding traction forces when compared with post-based systems. Postless traction systems may help further reduce distraction-type neurologic injuries and pain after hip arthroscopy by lowering the traction force required to safely distract the hip. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, prospective cohort-historical control comparative study.

Management of the Ulnar Nerve in Throwing Athletes.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: During overhead throwing, there are tremendous forces placed on the medial elbow that can result in injury to the ulnar nerve. The purpose of this article is to review the anatomy, biomechanics, and appropriate clinical care of an overhead throwing athlete suffering from injury to their ulnar nerve. The authors preferred clinical work-up; non-operative and operative care are included in this review. RECENT FINDINGS: More recent findings support the use of subcutaneous transposition instead of the submuscular transpositions and only to perform a transposition in the setting of specific pre-operative findings. Subcutaneous transpositions have led to decreased rates of post-operative symptoms and complications. Understanding the complexity of the medial elbow is essential to making an accurate diagnosis of ulnar neuritis/neuropathy in the overhead throwing athlete. In general, non-operative management has shown to be successful; however, in those refractory or recurrent cases of ulnar neuritis, ulnar nerve decompression with or without transposition provides these athletes with a surgical procedure that has shown to provide patients with excellent outcomes. Continued refinement surgical indications and surgical technique will allow for a high percentage of athletes who return to competitive sports following surgery for ulnar neuropathy.

Outcomes of Hip Arthroscopy in the Medicare Patient: A Growing Population.

Background: Although the results of hip arthroscopy in the elderly have been inferior to the results in younger patients, there have recently been some encouraging reports in carefully selected series of older patients. The purpose of this study was to identify the utilization of hip arthroscopy in the Medicare population and to determine the rate and timing of revision arthroscopy and/or total hip arthroplasty (THA) with the goal of identifying risk factors for secondary procedures based on patient demographics, comorbidities and the diagnosis at the time of arthroscopy. Methods: The Medicare Standard Analytic Files were reviewed from 2005-2014 for all patients undergoing hip arthroscopy allowing for minimum 2 year follow-up (100% sample). Patients were tracked through the dataset for the occurrence of an ipsilateral THA or revision hip arthroscopy. Rates and timing of the subsequent procedures were then determined within 6 month intervals. Patients less than 65 years old were excluded. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the impact of patient age, sex, obesity or a diagnosis of hip osteoarthritis on need for revision procedures. Results: 3,320 Medicare patients had a hip arthroscopy during 2005-2014 (0.3% compared to THA). 73 patients (2.2%) underwent reoperation during the follow-up period. Two-thirds (n = 46) of all revision procedures occurred within one year of primary hip arthroscopy. A pre-operative diagnosis of hip osteoarthritis significantly increased the odds of reoperation (OR = 5.3). (Conclusion: Relatively few numbers of Medicare patients underwent hip arthroscopy during the time interval evaluated (0.3% when compared to THA utilization). 2.2% underwent a subsequent revision arthroscopy or THA with many occurring soon after the procedure and for the diagnosis of hip OA demonstrating the need to better define indications in this population. This study should provide baseline utilization and outcome trends for future studies.Level of Evidence: IV.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is a Risk Factor for Complications in Total Joint Arthroplasty.

Introduction: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) has been associated with increased complications following hip and knee arthroplasty. The Purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which SLE is a risk factor in outcomes following total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Methods: The nationwide inpatient sample was used to identify a cohort of 505,841 patients who had a total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) between 2009-2011. Of these patients, 2,284 patients (0.45%) had been previously diagnosed with SLE. The impact of SLE on short-term TJA outcomes was determined using multivariate logistic regression. Differences in discharge destination and length of stay were also evaluated. Results: SLE patients were more likely to have an all-cause medical complication, (OR 1.9, p<0.0001) and more likely to have an all-cause surgical complication (OR 1.3, p<0.0001). SLE patients were four times more likely to become septic in the post-operative period (OR 3.8, p<0.0487). SLE patients were more likely to have a genitourinary complication (OR 1.7, p<0.0001) and bleeding complications requiring transfusion (OR 2.1, p<0.0001). Patients with SLE also had an increased length of stay (0.38 days, p<0.0001) and increased probability of discharging to a facility (OR 2.1, p<0.0001). Discussion: Patients with SLE had an increased rate of both medical and surgical all-cause complications. Patients were specifically found to be at higher risk for sepsis, genitourinary complications, and blood transfusions. Future risk adjustment models should include SLE as a contributor to medical and surgical complications in the postoperative period.

Preoperative Opioid Use and Its Association With Early Revision of Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have evaluated the impact of preoperative opioid use on risk of subsequent revision following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to determine whether preoperative opioid use is associated with an increased risk of early revision TKA. METHODS: The Humana administrative claims database was queried to identify patients who underwent unilateral TKA during the years 2007-2015. Patients were tracked for the occurrence of an ipsilateral revision procedure within 2 years. Preoperative opioid use was defined as having an opioid prescription filled within the 3 months before TKA. Age, sex, diabetes, obesity, chronic kidney disease, and anxiety/depression were also analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 35,894 primary TKA patients were identified and 1.2% (n = 413) had a revision TKA procedure within 2 years. 29.2% of patients filled an opioid prescription within the 3 months before TKA. Preoperative opioid users were significantly more likely to undergo early TKA revision (1.6% vs 1.0%, P < .001). Preoperative opioid use (odds ratio [OR], 1.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-1.88; P < .001), younger age (OR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.43-3.95; P < .001), obesity (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.01-1.56; P = .04), and smoking (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.22-2.22; P < .001) were associated with early revision TKA. CONCLUSION: This study identified preoperative opioid use as being independently associated with a greater risk for an early revision TKA. Younger age, obesity, and smoking were also associated with elevated risk. These findings support efforts to reduce inappropriate opioid prescribing.

What Is the Impact of Smoking on Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of literature evaluating the impact of smoking on revision arthroplasty procedures. The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of smoking on complications after revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA). METHODS: We queried the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database to identify patients who underwent rTKA between 2006 and 2014. Patients were divided into current smokers and nonsmokers according to the NSQIP definitions. Each cohort was compared in terms of demographic data, preoperative comorbidities, and operative time. Infection end points were created from composite surgical site infection variables defined by the NSQIP database. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to adjust for confounding variables and calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and associated 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS: In total, 8776 patients underwent rTKA. Of these patients, 11.6% were current smokers. Univariate analyses demonstrated that smokers had a higher rate of any wound complication (3.8% vs 1.8%, P < .0001), deep infection (2.5% vs 1.0%, P < .0001), pneumonia (1.3% vs 0.4%, P < .0001), and reoperation (5.0% vs 3.1%, P = .001) compared to nonsmokers undergoing revision total knee arthroplasty. Multivariate analysis identified current smokers as being at a significantly increased risk of any wound complication (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.4-3.1) and deep infection (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-3.6) after rTKA. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that smoking significantly increases the risk of infection, wound complications, and reoperation after rTKA. The results are even more magnified for revision procedures compared to published effects of smoking on primary total knee arthroplasty complications. Further research is needed regarding the impact of smoking cessation on mitigation of these observed risks.

Complications and Obesity in Arthroplasty-A Hip is Not a Knee.

BACKGROUND: Obesity has previously been demonstrated to be an independent risk factor for increased complications after total hip and knee arthroplasties (THA and TKA). The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of obesity and body mass index (BMI) to determine whether the magnitude of the effect was similar for both procedures. METHODS: We queried the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database to identify patients who underwent primary THA or TKA between 2010 and 2014. Patients were stratified by procedure and classified as nonobese, obese, or morbidly obese according to BMI. Thirty-day rates of wound complications, deep infection, total complications, and reoperation were compared using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: We identified 64,648 patients who underwent THA and 97,137 patients who underwent TKA. Obese THA patients had significantly higher rates of wound complications (1.53% vs 0.96%), deep infection (0.31% vs 0.17%), reoperation rate (2.11% vs 1.02%), and total complications (5.22% vs 4.63%) compared with TKA patients. Morbidly obese patients undergoing THA were also found to have significantly higher rates of wound complications (3.25% vs 1.52%), deep infection (0.84% vs 0.23%), reoperation rate (3.65% vs 1.60%), and total complications (7.36% vs 5.57%). Multivariate regression analysis identified increasingly higher odds of each outcome measure as BMI increased. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the impact of obesity on postoperative complications is more profound for THA than TKA. This emphasizes the importance of considering patient comorbidities in the context of the specific procedure when assessing risks of surgery.

Total Joint Arthroplasty in Patients With Schizophrenia: How Much Does It Increase the Risk of Complications?

BACKGROUND: Mental illness is an often overlooked comorbidity in the total joint arthroplasty (TJA) population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk of schizophrenia on the outcomes of TJA. METHODS: The nationwide inpatient sample was used to identify a cohort of 505,840 patients having total hip arthroplasty between 2009 and 2012, of which 953 patients (0.2%) had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the impact of schizophrenia on short-term medical and surgical complications. Differences in length of stay and discharge disposition were also compared. RESULTS: Schizophrenic patients are 15 times more likely to have pulmonary insufficiency after surgery (odds ratio [OR] 15.1, P = .0133). Patients were 11 times more likely to have mental status changes (OR 11.1, P = .0002), 3 times more likely to have a mechanical complication of the implant (OR 3.2, P = .0031), and 2 times more likely to require a transfusion (OR 2.4, P < .0001). All-cause medical (OR 2.2, P < .0001) and surgical (OR 1.5, P < .0001) complications were higher in schizophrenic patients. Patients stayed 0.63 days longer in the hospital (P < .0001), and were 3 times more likely to discharge to a facility (OR 2.7, P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: TJA in patients with schizophrenia had markedly increased complications. Particularly, pulmonary complications, mechanical complications of the implant, mental status changes, and transfusion rates were higher. Future risk adjustment models should include schizophrenia as a major contributor to increased complications.

Does Preoperative Opioid Use Increase the Risk of Early Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of preoperative opioid use on the risk of subsequent revison after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: The Humana database was queried for unilateral THA between 2007-2015. Patients were tracked for the occurrence of an ipsilateral revision THA for 2 years. Factors analyzed included preoperative opioid use (defined as a history of opioid prescription filled within 3 months preceding primary THA), age, sex, diabetes, anxiety/depression, chronic kidney disease, and obesity (body mass index > 30 kg/m2). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine odds ratios. RESULTS: A total of 17,695 primary THA patients were analyzed and 0.88% (n = 155) underwent revision THA within 2 years. Preoperative opioid use occurred in 36.7% of all. Females comprised 58.7% of the total cohort and 80% were >50 years. Preoperative opioid users were significantly more likely to undergo early THA revision (1.2% vs 0.7%, P < .001). Other patient factors that significantly increased the risk of early THA revision included obesity (1.3% vs 0.8%, P = .03) and a preoperative diagnosis of anxiety/depression (1.9% vs 0.8%, P = .006). CONCLUSION: Opioid use within 3 months preceding THA independently predicts an increased risk of early revision. Additionally, independent predictors of early revision include obesity and a diagnosis of anxiety/depression. Factors such as these will need to be considered in risk adjustment models when assessing quality of care or implementing bundled payment initiatives. Further research is needed to evaluate whether discontinuing opioids before surgery mitigates this risk.

What is the Impact of Smoking on Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of literature evaluating the impact of smoking on revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) outcomes. The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of smoking on complications after revision THA. METHODS: We queried the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database to identify patients who underwent revision THA between 2006 and 2014. Patients were divided into current smokers and nonsmokers. Each cohort was compared in terms of demographics, preoperative comorbidities, and operative time. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) for the outcomes of any wound complication, deep infection, and reoperation within 30 days of revision THA were calculated. RESULTS: In total, 8237 patients had undergone a revision THA. Of these patients, 14.7% were current smokers and 85.3% were nonsmokers. Univariate analyses demonstrated that smokers had a higher rate of any wound complication (4.1% vs 3.0%, P = .04), deep infection (3.2% vs 1.9%, P = .003), and reoperation (6.8% vs 4.8%, P = .003). Multivariate analysis controlling for confounding demographic, comorbidity, and operative variables identified current smokers as having a significantly increased risk of deep infection (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.04-2.38) and reoperation (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.03-1.85). CONCLUSION: Smoking significantly increases the risk of infection and reoperation after revision THA. The results are even more magnified for revision procedures compared to published effects of smoking on primary THA complications. Further research is needed regarding the impact of smoking cessation on mitigation of these observed risks.

Opioid Use Following Total Hip Arthroplasty: Trends and Risk Factors for Prolonged Use.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to answer the following questions: (1) What is the prevalence of opioid use prior to primary total hip arthroplasty (THA)? (2) What is the typical trend in opioid use following THA over the first post-operative year? (3) What are the risk factors for prolonged opioid use following primary THA? METHODS: Primary THA patients were identified in the Humana database from 2007 to 2015. Pre-operative and post-operative opioid use was measured by monthly prescription refill rates. Rates of opioid use were trended monthly for 1 year post-operatively and compared based on pre-operative opioid user (OU) status as well as other patient demographics and co-morbidities. RESULTS: In total, 37,393 THA patients were analyzed and 14,309 patients (38.2%) were pre-operative opioid users (OUs). Pre-operative opioid use was the strongest predictor for prolonged opioid use following THA, with non-opioid users filling significantly less opioid prescriptions than OUs at every time point analyzed. Younger age, female sex, and all other diagnoses analyzed were found to significantly increase the rate of opioid refilling following THA throughout the entire post-operative year. CONCLUSION: Over one-third of THA patients use opioids within 3 months prior to THA and this percentage has increased 6% during the years included in this study. Pre-operative opioid use was most predictive of increased refills of opioids following THA. These data provide an important baseline for opioid use trends following THA that can be used for future comparison while identifying risk factors for prolonged use that will be helpful to prescribers as we all work to decrease opioid use, misuse, and abuse.

Use of PROMIS for Patients Undergoing Primary Total Shoulder Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) consists of question banks for health domains through computer adaptive testing (CAT). HYPOTHESIS: For patients with glenohumeral arthritis, (1) there would be high correlation between traditional patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures and the PROMIS upper extremity item bank (PROMIS UE) and PROMIS physical function CAT (PROMIS PF CAT), and (2) PROMIS PF CAT would not demonstrate ceiling effects. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Sixty-one patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis were included. Each patient completed the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) assessment form, Marx Shoulder Activity Scale, Short Form-36 physical function scale (SF-36 PF), EuroQol 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire, Western Ontario Osteoarthritis Shoulder (WOOS) index, PROMIS PF CAT, and the PROMIS UE. Correlation was defined as high (>0.7), moderate (0.4-0.6), or weak (0.2-0.3). Significant floor and ceiling effects were present if more than 15% of individuals scored the lowest or highest possible total score on any PRO. RESULTS: The PROMIS PF demonstrated excellent correlation with the SF-36 PF (r = 0.81, P < .0001) and good correlation with the ASES (r = 0.62, P < .0001), EQ-5D (r = 0.64, P < .001), and WOOS index (r = 0.51, P < .01). The PROMIS PF demonstrated low correlation with the Marx scale (r = 0.29, P = .02). The PROMIS UE demonstrated good correlation with the ASES (r = 0.55, P < .0001), SF-36 (r = 0.53, P < .01), EQ-5D (r = 0.48, P < .01), and WOOS (r = 0.34, P <.01), and poor correlation with the Marx scale (r = 0.06, P = .62). There were no ceiling or floor effects observed. The mean number of items administered by the PROMIS PRO was 4. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that for a patient population with operative shoulder osteoarthritis, PROMIS UE and PROMIS PF CAT may be valid alternative PROs. Additionally, PROMIS PF CAT offers a decreased question burden with no ceiling effects.

Are We Still Prescribing Opioids for Osteoarthritis?

BACKGROUND: The United States is in the midst of an opioid epidemic. These medications continue to be used to manage pain associated with osteoarthritis, despite mounting evidence questioning the benefits. The rate at which opioids are prescribed for osteoarthritis is largely unknown. We sought to identify rates of opioid prescriptions for osteoarthritis and identify factors associated with higher rates of prescribing. METHODS: We queried the Humana, Inc. administrative claims database from 2007 to 2014. Patients with osteoarthritis were identified using International Classification of Diseases 9th Revision codes and classified as having hip, knee, or any joint osteoarthritis. Claims data were reviewed to identify opioid prescriptions associated with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Rates of prescribing were trended over time and stratified by sex, age, and geographic region. RESULTS: From 2007 to 2014, 17.0% of patients with any joint osteoarthritis, 13.4% of patients with hip osteoarthritis, and 15.9% with knee osteoarthritis were prescribed an opioid for their condition. Yearly rates of prescription were fairly stable over this period. Patients in the South had the highest odds of opioid prescription, while those in the Northeast had the lowest. Patients ≤49 years old were more likely to receive a prescription than those ≥50 years old. CONCLUSION: This study provides important epidemiologic data about the use of opioids for osteoarthritis. Despite increasing evidence calling proposed benefits into question and increasing awareness of risks of opioids, prescribing rates remained stable between 2007 and 2014. This provides important baseline data as we work to combat excessive and inappropriate opioid use within the United States.