RESUMO
Background: Anterior skin numbness is a common complication after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) that may impact postoperative functional outcomes. This study aimed to compare skin numbness area, functional outcomes, and patient satisfaction between patients undergoing TKA with a medial parapatellar approach (medial group) and a lateral parapatellar approach (lateral group). Methods: A prospective randomized study included 68 knees undergoing TKA via the medial parapatellar approach (n = 32) and the lateral parapatellar approach (n = 32) through the midline skin incision. Anterior skin numbness was assessed as the primary outcome using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments at 6 postoperative timepoints (2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years). Knee range of motion, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and patient satisfaction scores were collected. Fifty-nine patients were retrieved at the 2-year final follow-up. Statistical analysis considered repeated outcome measurements with adjusted P-values. Results: The lateral group had a significantly smaller area of anterior skin numbness at 2 weeks (11.2 vs 20.2 sq.cm.), 6 weeks (8.2 vs 17.2 sq.cm.), and 3 months (7.8 vs 14.4 sq.cm.) postoperatively compared to the medial group. No difference in the area of numbness was found at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. Although the lateral group showed significantly higher satisfaction scores (P = .027) and the KOOS symptoms subdomain (P = .018), there were no differences in knee range of motion and other components of KOOS in both groups. Conclusions: Compared to the medial approach, the lateral parapatellar approach in TKA demonstrates a reduced area of early postoperative skin numbness and expedited 6-month recovery, along with marginally superior patient satisfaction scores. However, both approaches yield comparable outcomes in terms of postoperative knee motion and overall functional outcomes.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Hemiarthroplasty is a treatment option for femoral neck fractures in patients aged more than 60 years and postoperative dislocation after a posterior approach is not uncommon. The piriformis tendon is one of the structures providing posterior hip stability. However, evidence of piriformis-sparing approach in hemiarthroplasty is unclear regarding a reduced dislocation rate. METHODS: Between January 2017 and December 2019, 321 patients underwent a posterior approach in consecutive cohorts for a hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fractures with the minimum 24 months follow-up time (24-60 months). There were two cohorts: (1) 129 underwent the conventional posterior (CP) approach and (2) 192 underwent the piriformis-sparing (PS) approach. The differences in dislocation rate, postoperative Harris Hip Society at 1 and 2 years and other surgical complications were compared in both groups. RESULTS: There were 6 dislocations of 129 (4.7%) underwent the CP approach and 0 dislocation from 192 underwent the PS approach that had posterior hip dislocations (P = .004). In addition, the CP group had a significantly higher mortality rate (14.7% versus 7.3%, P = .031) and lower functional outcomes as assessed by mean Harris Hip Scores at 1 year (73 versus 78, P = .005) and 2 years postoperatively (73 versus 80, P < .001) relative to the PS group. CONCLUSION: PS hemiarthroplasty was associated with a lower dislocation and mortality rate. Moreover, this approach gained a superior early to the mid-term functional outcome than the conventional posterior approach in elderly femoral neck fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II, prospective cohort study.
