Improvements in lower-extremity patient-reported outcomes after lumbar interbody fusion.

OBJECTIVE: Recently, new patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of the spine were designed to overcome the limitations of previous spinal PROMs and to consider the whole spine as a single kinetic functional unit. Owing to the significance of spine-hip-knee and global body balance, the spine and lower extremities cannot be considered separately. However, no reports have evaluated lower-extremity functional outcome using PROMs after lumbar spine surgery. The authors aimed to elucidate changes in hip and knee PROMs after lumbar interbody fusion and to evaluate the sagittal spinopelvic radiographic parameters that were most strongly correlated with lower-extremity PROMs. METHODS: In 2018, the authors consecutively evaluated patients who underwent lumbar interbody fusion surgery with at most three levels. Preoperative and 1-year postoperative clinical and radiographic data were assessed. Spinal functional outcomes were measured with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, and Scoliosis Research Society-22r (SRS-22r) questionnaire. Lower-extremity functional outcomes were evaluated with the Harris Hip Score (HHS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Linear regression was used to evaluate the relationship between spinal and lower-extremity PROMs and spinopelvic radiographic parameters. RESULTS: The authors enrolled 67 patients, with a mean age of 66.4 years. The average number of surgical levels was 1.7. All assessed PROMs improved significantly after surgery (p < 0.001 for ODI, p < 0.001 for VAS, p = 0.017 for SRS-22r, p = 0.042 for HHS, and p = 0.033 for WOMAC). Spinopelvic parameters, including lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic tilt (PT), C7 sagittal vertical axis, and sagittal radiographic parameters of hip and knee, significantly improved after surgery. On linear regression analysis, HHS and WOMAC correlated with LL and PT, respectively (ß = 0.554 and p = 0.043 for correlation of HHS with LL; ß = 1.573 and p = 0.021 for correlation of WOMAC with PT). CONCLUSIONS: The current study demonstrated that lumbar fusion surgery may induce postoperative improvements in lower-extremity functional and radiological outcomes. However, among radiographic parameters, changes in LL and PT were the most strongly associated with lower-extremity PROMs.

Hip Resurfacing Arthroplasty after Failure of Tantalum Rod Insertion in Patients with Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical outcomes and efficacy of hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA) in patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head after the failure of porous tantalum rod insertion without rod removal. Materials and Methods: Conversion to hip resurfacing arthroplasty was performed in 10 patients (11 hips) with a mean period of 14.9 months after the primary surgery. The mean follow-up period was 73.7 months. Analysis of pre and postoperative range of motion (ROM), University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) activity score, modified Harris hip score, and visual analog scale (VAS) pain score was performed. Radiographic analysis of component loosening and osteolysis was performed. Results: The postoperative ROM showed significant improvement (P<0.05), excluding flexion contracture. The modified Harris hip score showed improvement from 65.82 to 96.18, the UCLA score showed improvement from 4.18 to 8.00, and the VAS pain score was reduced from 6.09 to 1.80. All scores showed statistically significant improvement (P<0.05). No component loosening or osteolysis was detected by radiographic analysis. Conclusion: Satisfactory results were obtained from conversion hip resurfacing arthroplasty after failure of porous tantalum rod insertion without rod removal. The findings of this study demonstrate the advantages of HRA, including no risk of trochanteric fracture and no bone loss around the tantalum rod. In addition, the remaining porous tantalum rod provided mechanical support, which reduced the potential risk of femoral neck fracture or loosening. This technique can be regarded as a favorable treatment option.

Does postoperative quantitative bone scintigraphy reflect outcomes following medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy?

PURPOSE: The present study evaluated changes in bone tracer uptake (BTU) after medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) and determined whether postoperative BTU correlates with clinical symptoms, radiologic parameters, or cartilage regeneration following MOWHTO. METHODS: A total of 210 knees underwent MOWHTO for medial compartmental osteoarthritis (OA) were enrolled in this study. Mean follow-up period was 42.7 months. We assessed BTU for the medial compartment of the knee before MOWHTO and at the time of plate removal. Radiologic parameters included Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grade and Hip-Knee-Ankle angle (HKAA). Clinical evaluation included American Knee Society (AKS) score and cartilage status was graded at the time of MOWHTO and second-look arthroscopy according to the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grading system and articular cartilage regeneration stage. Statistical analysis performed to assess the relationships among postoperative BTU of the medial compartment, radiologic parameters, arthroscopic changes and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: BTU of medial femoral condyle and tibial plateau were significantly decreased at 2 years after MOWHTO (p<0.001). AKS scores and arthroscopic cartilage status were also significantly improved following MOWHTO. BMI and postoperative HKAA showed significant correlations with postoperative changes of BTU in uni- and multi-variable analysis. Meanwhile, postoperative changes of BTU did not show significant correlation with clinical outcomes or cartilage regeneration following MOWHTO. CONCLUSION: Lower BMI and postoperative valgus alignment were significant predictor for postoperative BTU decrease of the medial compartment following MOWHTO. However, postoperative changes of BTU did not reflect cartilage regeneration or clinical outcomes until the midterm follow-up.

Tranexamic acid in a periarticular multimodal cocktail injection for blood management in total knee arthroplasty: a prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of tranexamic acid (TXA) mixed in a periarticular multimodal cocktail (PAMC) as a topical administration and to determine whether combined use of intravenous and topical administration is more effective than a single administration of TXA. METHODS: A total of 240 patients who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was enrolled for this prospective randomized controlled study. Patients were divided into three groups of 80 patients each. Baseline data were comparable for all groups. Average follow-up was 18.7 months. Group 1 consisted of patients who received intravenous (IV) TXA, Group 2 patients were those who received TXA in a PAMC injection for topical administration, and Group 3 consisted of patients who received a combination of both intravenous and topical administration of TXA. Primary outcomes were postoperative hemoglobin drop and amount of suction drainage. Secondary outcomes were estimated blood loss (EBL), postoperative transfusion rate, and complications. RESULTS: The mean postoperative hemoglobin drop was significantly lower in Group 3 (2.13 ± 0.77 g/dL, p=0.004), and there was no difference between Group 1 and Group 2 (2.56 ± 1.07 g/dL vs 2.55 ± 0.86 g/dL, p=0.999). The mean drainage amount was significantly lower in Group 3 (326.58 ± 57.55 ml, p<0.001), and there was no difference between Group 1 and Group 2 (367.93 ± 87.26 ml vs 397.66 ± 104.10 ml, p=0.072). Similarly, the mean EBL was significantly lower in Group 3 (p=0.003), and there was no significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2 (p=0.992). There were no significant differences in requirement for postoperative transfusion rate or incidence of complications among the three groups. CONCLUSION: TXA mixed in a PAMC injection showed a similar effect to IV administration of TXA following TKA. Furthermore, combined use of both IV and PAMC injection provided better perioperative bleeding control with similar safety in patients without relevant comorbidities. TRIAL REGISTRATION: WHO ICTRP identifier KCT0005703 . Retrospectively registered: 12/24/2020.

Clinical Outcomes of Arthroscopic Notchplasty and Partial Resection for Mucoid Degeneration of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament.

BACKGROUND: Mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament (MD-ACL) is a chronic degenerative process involving a hypertrophied ACL, which may lead to notch impingement syndrome. As a treatment method, there is consensus regarding arthroscopic resection for MD-ACL resulting in good clinical outcomes; however, additional notchplasty remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical outcomes after arthroscopic partial resection of the ACL and additional notchplasty performed to minimize volume reduction of the ACL. STUDY DESIGN: Level IIIb retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Of 1810 individuals who underwent knee arthroscopic surgery performed by the same surgeon between July 2011 and October 2020, 52 were included, while 10 were excluded due to a follow-up period of <1 year. Clinical data including pain location, terminal flexion or extension pain, range of motion (ROM), Lysholm knee score, and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score were assessed pre- and postoperatively. Additionally, according to the resected volume of the ACL, patients were classified into two groups: <25% (Group 1), and 25-50% (Group 2). Clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were 17 (40.5%) men and 25 (59.5%) women with a mean age of 53.9 years (range, 16-81 years) at the time of surgery. The mean duration of symptoms before surgery was 14.4 months (range, 3-66 months). Arthroscopic partial resection of the MD-ACL was performed in all patients, and concomitant notchplasty was performed in 36 (81.8%). All clinical scores improved postoperatively, and were statistically significant (p < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference in clinical outcomes between groups 1 and 2 classified according to the resected ACL volume. Recurrence of MD-ACL was recorded in only one patient, 11 months after arthroscopic treatment. No patients underwent ACL reconstruction because of symptoms of anterior instability. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic partial resection of the ACL and concomitant notchplasty yielded satisfactory outcomes for the treatment of MD-ACL. Notchplasty may be an alternative procedure to avoid total ACL resection and postoperative instability.

Complications associated with volar locking plate fixation for distal radius fractures in 1955 cases: A multicentre retrospective study.

PURPOSE: Since volar locking plates (VLPs) have the benefits of more stable fixation and fewer complications, VLP osteosynthesis is now the preferred osteosynthesis method in the operative management of distal radius fractures (DRF). Along with the increases in operative management of VLP, the character and frequency of complications have changed. Thus, this multicentre study aimed to identify the characteristics of patients with DRFs who were treated with VLP fixation, describe the complication types and rates related to the procedure, and compare the results with those found in the literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective multicentre study was conducted between January 2008 and December 2017. In total, data from 2225 patients over 17 years old who underwent VLP fixation for DRF were screened. Patients with closed reduction and pinning, external fixation, dorsal plate fixation, and screw-only fixation were excluded. Finally, 1955 wrists from 1921 patients (86.3%) were included. The following types of complications were investigated: (1) tendon injury, (2) nerve-related, (3) fixation- and instrument-related, (4) osteosynthesis-related, (5) infection, and (6) others. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 60.3 ± 14.6 years with 587 males (30.6%). Distal ulnar fractures were found in 940 wrists (48.1%). The mean interval between fracture and surgery was 6.2 days, while the mean operative time was 68.3 ± 30.3 minutes. The following complications were found: (1) nine (0.46%) and 12 (0.61%) cases of flexor pollicis longus and complete extensor pollicis longus tears, respectively; (2) nine cases (0.46%) of palmar sensory median nerve branch damage, 15 cases (0.77%) of complex regional pain syndrome, and 36 cases (1.84%) of carpal tunnel syndrome; (3) five cases (0.26%) of fracture displacement even after plate fixation, six cases (0.31%) of screw breakage, 26 cases (1.33%) of radiocarpal joint screw penetration, and 511 cases (26.14%) of implant removal; (4) five cases (0.26%) of delayed union and three cases (0.15%) of non-union; (5) 83 (4.25%) and two (0.1%) cases of superficial and deep infection, respectively; and (6) two cases (0.1%) of compartment syndrome and three cases (0.15%) of radial artery damage. CONCLUSIONS: After 10 years of experience performing VLP fixation for DRFs in a multicentre setting, the results regarding complication types and rates support its use as a reasonable treatment option with low rates of complication.