Establishing patient-centered metrics for the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score following medial unicompartmental knee arthropalsty.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and the patient acceptable symptoms state (PASS) threshold for the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) pain subscore, KOOS physical short form (PS), and KOOS joint replacement (JR) following medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (mUKA). METHODS: Prospectively collected data from 743 patients undergoing mUKA from a single academic institution from April 2015 through March 2020 were analyzed. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were collected both pre-operatively and 1-year post-operatively. Distribution-based and anchored-based approaches were used to estimate MCIDs and PASS, respectively. The optimal cut-off point and the percentage of patients who achieved PASS were also calculated. RESULTS: MCID for KOOS-pain, KOOS-PS, and KOOS-JR following mUKA were calculated to be 7.6, 7.3, and 6.2, respectively. The PASS threshold for KOOS pain, PS, and JR were 77.8, 70.3, and 70.7, with 68%, 66%, and 64% of patients achieving satisfactory outcomes, respectively. Cut-off values for delta KOOS pain, PS, and JR were found to be 25.7, 14.3, and 20.7 with 73%, 69%, and 68% of patients achieving satisfactory outcomes, respectively. CONCLUSION: The current study identified useful values for the MCID and PASS thresholds at 1 year following medial UKA of KOOS pain, KOOS PS, and KOOS JR scores. These values may be used as targets for surgeons when evaluating PROMS using KOOS to determine whether patients have achieved successful outcomes after their surgical intervention. Potential uses include the integration of these values into predictive models to enhance shared decision-making and guide more informed decisions to optimize patient outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Distal femoral valgus cut angles unreliable in total knee arthroplasty.

We hypothesized that valgus distal femoral cut angle made using a conventional cutting guide would be reproducible in a Sawbone model, regardless of training level. 3°, 5°, or 7° valgus cuts were made on lower extremity Sawbone specimens and were measured with radiographic imaging. 66 patient radiographs were also analyzed to compare pre and post-operative femoral cut angles, and VR12 measurements from each patient were collected. All femoral cuts deviated significantly from target cuts. Also, pre-TKA valgus angles showed no correlation with the angles post-TKA, and final cut angle did not correlate with functional outcomes at 1 year post-surgery.

In-depth Analysis of Adult Reconstruction Fellowship Websites.

This investigation assessed the availability and comprehensiveness of adult reconstruction fellowship websites. A list of adult reconstruction fellowship programs was compiled using 4 online directories: American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, San Francisco Match, Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database Access, and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. These directories and Google (Alphabet Inc, Menlo Park, California) searches were used to assess for the presence and functionality of websites for each program. Each website was reviewed for the presence of 21 variables related to education and recruitment. The relationship between several program characteristics and presence of a website or website comprehensiveness was evaluated. In total, 81 programs were identified, of which 80.2% (65 of 81) had a functional website and 19.8% (16 of 81) did not. The mean±SD number of variables present on a website was 11.3±3.8 of 21 total variables, equating to mean comprehensiveness of 54.0%. Fellowships affiliated with an orthopedic residency were more likely to have a website than those that were not (91.8% vs 62.5%, P=.001). Fellowships that were accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education were more likely to have a website than those that were not (100.0% vs 73.8%, P=.009). Website comprehensiveness was not associated with any program characteristics assessed. This study highlights deficits in online resources available for adult reconstruction fellowship program information and the gap that exists between the current means of information sharing. Efforts to encourage an online presence and optimize a program's online content may be of benefit to prospective applicants and the program itself. [Orthopedics. 2020;43(5):e447-e453.].

Adding a Fibular Strut Allograft to Intramedullary Nail and Cancellous Autograft During Stage II of the Masquelet Technique for Segmental Femur Defects: A Technique Tip.

Reconstruction of segmental diaphyseal bone defects has been a major challenge in limb salvage surgery. Staged reconstruction as first described by Masquelet is a common strategy to deal with this problem in limb salvage surgery. One consequence of this technique is a time period of prolonged limited weightbearing while the segmental defect heals. The purpose of this study was to describe an adjunctive technique for stage II of the Masquelet procedure and retrospectively analyze the outcome and weight bearing progression of 3 patients who sustained femur fractures with significant bone loss and underwent this technique. A retrospective chart review was performed. The patients (2 males, 1 female with an average age of 36.6 years) all sustained segmental femur fractures which resulted in significant bone loss. Induced membrane technique with adjunct use of a fibular strut allograft was performed after initial stabilization and PMMA spacer placement. All three patients went on to union and full weight bearing after being treated by the described technique. All the patients were allowed toe-touch weight bearing immediately after surgery and all progressed to weight bearing as tolerated at an average of 3.6 months. Using a fibular strut allograft as an adjunct to the induced membrane technique serves as a biologic and mechanical scaffold and may allow earlier weightbearing.

Outpatient Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Review of the Current Stance and Future Direction.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this review is to outline some of the major considerations when transitioning to performing total hip and knee arthroplasty in the out- patient setting. The review will discuss patient selections, peri-operative management pathways, and outcomes related to outpatient total joint arthroplasty (TJA). PATIENT SELECTION: Appropriate patient selection is key to successful outpatient TJA. Multiple indices have been proposed to estimate patient risk before undergoing outpatient TJA. Perioperative Management: In order to provide a successful outpatient TJA experience, pre-operative education class and physical therapy session can set expectations and prepare the patient for the post-operative recovery at home. Specific anesthesia techniques focus on regional blocks, multi-modal pain control, and reduction of post-operative nausea and vomiting and rapid recovery protocols have been developed to provide early mobilization and physical therapy. OUTCOMES: Nationwide analyses have found improved complication rates ranging from 1.3%-3% in outpatient TJA group compared to 3%-12% in the inpatient TJA group. Financial analyses have found significant cost savings for outpatient TJA mostly related to reduction in surgical floor care. CONCLUSION: Outpatient TJA has the potential to improve patient experience with cost savings and no increased risk of complications in the appropriately selected patient population.

Surgical Treatment of Patients With Dual Hip and Spinal Degenerative Disease: Effect of Surgical Sequence of Spinal Fusion and Total Hip Arthroplasty on Postoperative Complications.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVE: To determine how lumbar spinal fusion-total hip arthroplasty (LSF-THA) operative sequence would affect THA outcomes. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Outcomes following THA in patients with a history of lumbar spinal degenerative disease and fusion are incompletely understood. METHODS: The PearlDiver Research Program (http://www.pearldiverinc.com) was used to identify patients undergoing primary THA. Patients were divided into four cohorts: 1) Primary THA without spine pathology, 2) remote LSF prior to hip pathology and THA, and patients with concurrent hip and spinal pathology that had 3) THA following LSF, and 4) THA prior to LSF. Postoperative complications and opioid use were assessed with multivariable logistic regression to determine the effect of spinal degenerative disease and operative sequence. RESULTS: Between 2007 and 2017, 85,595 patients underwent primary THA, of whom 93.6% had THA without lumbar spine degenerative disease, 0.7% had a history of remote LSF, and those with concurrent hip and spine pathology, 1.6% had THA prior to LSF, and 2.4% had THA following LSF. Patients with hip and lumbar spine pathology who underwent THA prior to LSF had significantly higher rates of dislocation (aOR = 2.46, P < 0.0001), infection (aOR = 2.65, P < 0.0001), revision surgery (aOR = 1.91, P < 0.0001), and postoperative opioid use at 1 month (aOR: 1.63, P < 0.001), 3 months (aOR = 1.80, P < 0.001), 6 months (aOR: 2.69, P < 0.001), and 12 months (aOR = 3.28, P < 0.001) compared with those treated with THA following LSF. CONCLUSION: Patients with degenerative hip and lumbar spine pathology who undergo THA prior to LSF have a significantly increased risk of postoperative dislocation, infection, revision surgery, and prolonged opioid use compared with THA after LSF. Surgeons should consider the surgical sequence of THA and LSF on outcomes for patients with this dual pathology. Shared decision making between patients, spine surgeons, and arthroplasty surgeons is necessary to optimize outcomes in patients with concomitant hip and spine pathology. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.