[Biomechanical aspects of preoperative planning: What is really important?] / Biomechanische Aspekte der präoperativen Planung: Was ist wirklich wichtig?

BACKGROUND: Sagittal balance is dependent on a complex interplay of the spinal curves, shape and setting of the pelvis, but also the position of the joints of the lower limb. Degenerative processes such as stiffening of the spine, aging of musculature, or reduction of the range of motion of the joints lead to imbalance of the spine after all compensatory mechanisms have been exhausted. OBJECTIVES: Based on standardized imaging, compensation mechanisms must be identified within a biomechanical analysis of the spine, the original sagittal spine profile anticipated and included in the planning of the corrective intervention. RESULTS: This review presents the most important global and spinopelvic parameters for the biomechanical analysis of the spine. In addition, normal variations of the sagittal alignment are discussed, compensation mechanisms are shown, and the planning of the rebalancing of the sagittal alignment is shown according to the full balance integrated model.

[Total knee arthroplasty in the elderly]. / Kniegelenkersatz des älteren Menschen.

BACKGROUND: The number of total knee arthroplasties in elderly patients is increasing in accordance with the demographic shift in the population. OBJECTIVE: Analysis of the special situation in the elderly, conservative treatment options, perioperative risk factors, preoperative preparation, special intraoperative features and outcome. METHODS: Analysis of currently available scientific data and presentation of own scientific study results. RESULTS: Total knee arthroplasty in elderly patients is related to an increased perioperative risk of complications. A thorough interdisciplinary preparation is required to reduce risk factors. Ligament stability of the knee does not correlate with age. The postoperative outcome after total knee arthroplasty in elderly patients is decisively influenced by the preoperative function and psychosocial parameters. CONCLUSION: Total knee arthroplasty in elderly patients is particularly challenging for orthopedic surgeons and requires close interdisciplinary cooperation.

Implementing a benchmarking and feedback concept decreases postoperative pain after total knee arthroplasty: A prospective study including 256 patients.

Perioperative pain reduction, particularly during the first two days, is highly important for patients after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Problems are not only caused by medical issues but by organization and hospital structure. The present study shows how the quality of pain management can be increased by implementing a standardized pain concept and simple, consistent benchmarking. All patients included into the study had undergone total knee arthroplasty. Outcome parameters were analyzed by means of a questionnaire on the first postoperative day. A multidisciplinary team implemented a regular procedure of data analyzes and external benchmarking by participating in a nationwide quality improvement project. At the beginning of the study, our hospital ranked 16th in terms of activity-related pain and 9th in patient satisfaction among 47 anonymized hospitals participating in the benchmarking project. At the end of the study, we had improved to 1st activity-related pain and to 2nd in patient satisfaction. Although benchmarking started and finished with the same standardized pain management concept, results were initially pure. Beside pharmacological treatment, interdisciplinary teamwork and benchmarking with direct feedback mechanisms are also very important for decreasing postoperative pain and for increasing patient satisfaction after TKA.

[Course of pain after operative orthopedic interventions: Characterization exemplified by total knee arthroplasty]. / Schmerzverlauf nach operativer orthopädischer Intervention : Charakterisierung am Beispiel der Knieendoprothetik.

BACKGROUND: The number of cases of orthopedic surgery is still increasing and postoperative pain management is of great importance for the patients. Therefore, in this study factors influencing the pain and the developement of pain in general in the first 7 days after total knee arthroplasty were examined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 28 patients were included in this prospectively designed trial and underwent total knee arthroplasty with psoas compartment and sciatic nerve regional anesthesia and additionally propofol sedation. Postoperative pain scores were documented using a numerical rating scale (NRS) and anthropometric data and perioperative parameters were correlated with the postoperative pain score. RESULTS: Evaluation of the pain values per interval showed that the maximum and the mean postoperative pain levels decreased up to day 4 after surgery and then increased. No significant effects of the analyzed parameters age, body mass index (BMI), duration of surgery and catheter indwelling time could be found. Female patients had significantly more pain than males in this collective. CONCLUSION: The results show that there were no factors which have a significant influence on the degree of postoperative pain. Female patients suffered from more pain than males. There was an increase in pain after postoperative day 4 which might be the effect of more extensive mobilization and reduced effects of regional anesthesia. It is important that pain is treated in the early postoperative period.

[Surgical treatment of scoliosis in childhood and adolescence: Age group and etiology-related indications and choice of instrumentation]. / Operative Behandlung der Skoliose im Kindes- und Jugendalter: Differenzialindikation und Verfahrenswahl bei verschiedenen Altersgruppen und in Abhängigkeit der Ätiologie.

The indications for a corrective surgical procedure for the complex 3-dimensional deformations of the spine collectively known under the term scoliosis, essentially depend on knowledge of the underlying etiology, the time of initial diagnosis in relation to the growth curve of the child and on considerations about the general operability of the patient. An early onset of scoliosis in childhood under defined diagnostic criteria is usually associated with a fast progression of spinal curvature and requires early surgical intervention during the growth period, while scoliosis in adolescence often allows a delayed surgical intervention until all conservative means have been taken into consideration. Corrective measures in the growing spine require procedures and adjustable hardware which can be adapted to vertebral and thoracic growth and thus anticipate the threat of pulmonary insufficiency due to postural and spinal collapse. Towards the end of puberty when spinal growth slowly comes to an end, corrective spinal fusion procedures are considered in those cases of early and late onset scoliosis, where curvature progression is likely to occur.

The validity of a novel radiological method for measuring femoral stem version on anteroposterior radiographs of the hip after total hip arthroplasty.

Femoral stem version has a major influence on impingement and early post-operative stability after total hip arthroplasty (THA). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the validity of a novel radiological method for measuring stem version. Anteroposterior (AP) radiographs and three-dimensional CT scans were obtained for 115 patients (female/male 63/72, mean age 62.5 years (50 to 75)) who had undergone minimally invasive, cementless THA. Stem version was calculated from the AP hip radiograph by rotation-based change in the projected prosthetic neck-shaft (NSA*) angle using the mathematical formula ST = arcos [tan (NSA*) / tan (135)]. We used two independent observers who repeated the analysis after a six-week interval. Radiological measurements were compared with 3D-CT measurements by an independent, blinded external institute. We found a mean difference of 1.2° (sd 6.2) between radiological and 3D-CT measurements of stem version. The correlation between the mean radiological and 3D-CT stem torsion was r = 0.88 (p < 0.001). The intra- (intraclass correlation coefficient ≥ 0.94) and inter-observer agreement (mean concordance correlation coefficient = 0.87) for the radiological measurements were excellent. We found that femoral tilt was associated with the mean radiological measurement error (r = 0.22, p = 0.02). The projected neck-shaft angle is a reliable method for measuring stem version on AP radiographs of the hip after a THA. However, a highly standardised radiological technique is required for its precise measurement.