Cannabinoid and Opioid Use Among Total Joint Arthroplasty Patients: A 6-Year, Single-Institution Study.

Evidence is limited regarding cannabinoid use among total joint arthroplasty (TJA) patients, despite increased availability and popularity for treating chronic pain. The authors hypothesized that preoperative cannabinoid use increased and opioid use decreased during a 6-year interval in total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients, and also asked whether complications were associated with use of these substances. This retrospective, single-institution study reviewed electronic medical records and the Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program (VASQIP) database for TJA cases from 2012 through 2017. Primary outcomes were the prevalence and trends of active cannabinoid and opioid use, as determined by routine preoperative urine toxicology screening. Multivariable regression analyses were conducted to investigate a secondary outcome, whether there was an association between cannabinoid or opioid use and postoperative complications. A total of 1778 operations (1161 TKAs and 617 THAs) performed on 1519 patients were reviewed. The overall prevalence of pre-operative cannabinoid and opioid use was 11% and 23%, respectively. Comparing 2012 with 2017, cannabinoid use increased from 9% to 15% (P=.049), and opioid use decreased from 24% to 17% (P=.040). Cannabinoid users were more likely to be taking opioids than nonusers (P=.002). Controlling for age, sex, surgery type, and American Society of Anesthesiologists score, cannabinoid use was not associated with 90-day readmission, infection, reoperation, or other VASQIP-captured complications. Laboratory testing indicated a much higher prevalence of cannabinoid use among TJA patients than previously reported. During a 6-year period, cannabinoid use increased more than 60%, and opioid use decreased approximately 30%. These findings indicate that cannabinoid use did not appear to be associated with perioperative complications. [Orthopedics. 2021;44(1):e101-e106.].

A survey of Hip Society surgeons concerning the direct anterior approach total hip arthroplasty.

AIMS: To establish whether there was a consensus among the members of the Hip Society (HS) on the role of direct anterior approach (DAA) contemporary primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: An online survey was sent to all 112 active and senior members of the HS, to which 71 members responded. The survey was constructed to determine whether they believed that evidence-based medicine proves, in modern clinical practice, that the DAA has significant benefits compared to risks when contrasted with other approaches. In addition, they were asked if they currently used the DAA. RESULTS: While only 16.9% (12/71) of respondents had been trained in a generic anterior approach during residency, 49.3% (35/71) had used the DAA in their clinical practice in the past or were using it at the present time. Unexpectedly, 42.9% (15/35) of respondents who had used the DAA in the past had abandoned it by the time of this survey. Only 22.5% (16/71) of all respondents believed that evidence-based medicine proves that the DAA has significant benefits compared to risks in contrast to other approaches. CONCLUSION: A comprehensive literature review found only three prospective randomized clinical trials (RCT) comparing the DAA with another approach with greater than one-year follow-up. Two showed minor benefits within the early postoperative period only, and one of those showed poorer mid-term results. Most of the published comparison studies with short follow-up show longer surgical times and greater blood loss for the DAA, and many three-month comparison studies show higher complication rates for the DAA using a proprietary traction table. The complications included problems with wound healing, lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injury, femoral component loosening, and femoral fractures. Because of the lack of evidence from RCTs showing superiority of the DAA over other approaches and reports of higher complications, the opinion of a large majority (77.5%; 55/71) of HS surgeons was that the DAA lacks sufficient evidence to warrant its use. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(7 Supple B):57-61.

Mobile Compression Reduces Bleeding-related Readmissions and Wound Complications After THA and TKA.

BACKGROUND: The use of chemoprophylaxis to prevent thromboembolic disease after primary THA and TKA can be associated with postoperative bleeding complications. Mechanical prophylaxis has been studied as an alternative to chemoprophylaxis with greater safety in patients undergoing THA, but no data have been published comparing the safety of chemoprophylaxis versus mechanical methods for patients undergoing TKA. The risk of readmission resulting from bleeding and venous thromboembolism (VTE) has also not been determined for patients undergoing THA or TKA when treated with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) alone compared with mechanical prophylaxis plus aspirin (ASA). QUESTION/PURPOSES: We sought to answer four questions: For the THA and TKA cohorts, respectively, (1) was the incidence of readmission resulting from VTE and bleeding complications higher with LMWH than mobile compression plus ASA; and (2) was the incidence of wound bleeding complications higher with LMWH than mechanical compression plus ASA? For the TKA cohort specifically, (3) was the frequency of systemic bleeding events and complications related to chemical prophylaxis higher with LMWH compared with mechanical compression plus ASA? (4) Was there a difference in symptomatic VTEs between LMWH and mechanical compression plus ASA? METHODS: Between November 2008 and April 2011, 632 patients underwent primary THA and TKA. Seventy-two patients (11%) were identified before surgery as being at high risk for VTE (31 patients) or bleeding (41 patients) and were excluded from the study. Five hundred sixty patients (89%) were considered to be at standard risk for VTE and bleeding and comprise the study cohort. Between November 2008 and November 2009, 252 patients (76 THAs, 176 TKAs) underwent THA and TKA and were treated with LMWH (5 mg dalteparin given subcutaneously daily for 14 days) and in-hospital nonmobile mechanical compression. Between November 2009 and April 2011, a total of 308 patients undergoing THA and TKA (108 THAs, 200 TKAs) were treated using a mobile compression device plus oral aspirin once daily for 2 weeks after surgery. All complications and readmissions that occurred within 6 weeks of surgery were noted. There were no differences between the VTE treatment groups with regard to age, sex, or body mass index. RESULTS: For the THA cohort, there was no difference in the frequency of readmission for a bleeding complication (wound or systemic) between the two groups (2.6% for LMWH versus 0.9% for mobile compression; p = 0.57; odds ratio [OR], 2.9). Patients undergoing TKA treated with LMWH had higher readmission rates within 6 weeks of surgery because of a bleeding complication, a wound infection, or the development of a VTE (6.8% for LMWH versus 1.5% for mobile compression; p = 0.015; OR, 4.8). For the THA cohort, there was higher wound bleeding complication frequency with LMWH (9.2% for LMWH versus 0.9% for mechanical compression; p = 0.009; OR, 10.9). Patients undergoing TKA treated with LMWH had a higher frequency of wound bleeding complications or infection (3.9% for LMWH versus 0.5% for mobile compression; p = 0.028; OR, 8.2). Patients undergoing TKA treated with LMWH had higher rates of systemic bleeding or a complication secondary to LMWH administration (2.8% for LMWH versus 0% for mobile compression; p = 0.022; OR, 12.8). No difference was noted in the rate of symptomatic VTEs between either group (for THA: 2.6% for the LMWH group versus 1.9% for the mechanical compression group; p = 1; for TKA: 1.1% versus 0%, respectively; p = 0.22). CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, we advocate for routine use of mobile mechanical compression devices in the prevention of VTEs and complications associated with more potent chemical anticoagulants. However, more focused randomized clinical trials are needed to validate these findings. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.

An ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca catheter technique does not impair ambulatory ability within a clinical pathway for total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Both neuraxial and peripheral regional analgesic techniques offer postoperative analgesia for total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients. While no single technique is preferred, quadriceps muscle weakness from peripheral nerve blocks may impede rehabilitation. We designed this study to compare postoperative ambulation outcome in THA patients who were treated with a new ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca catheter (FIC) technique or intrathecal morphine (ITM). METHODS: We reviewed the electronic health records of a sequential series of primary unilateral THA patients who were part of a standardized clinical pathway; apart from differences in regional analgesic technique, all other aspects of the pathway were the same. Our primary outcome was total ambulation distance (meters) combined for postoperative days 1 and 2. Secondary outcomes included daily opioid consumption (morphine milligram equivalents) and analgesic-related side effects. We examined the association between the primary outcome and analgesic technique by performing crude and adjusted ordinary least-squares linear regression. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically-significant. RESULTS: The study analyzed the records of 179 patients (fascia iliaca, n = 106; intrathecal, n = 73). The primary outcome (total ambulation distance) did not differ between the groups (P = 0.08). Body mass index (BMI) was the only factor (ß = -1.7 [95% CI -0.5 to -2.9], P < 0.01) associated with ambulation distance. Opioid consumption did not differ, while increased pruritus was seen in the intrathecal group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: BMI affects postoperative ambulation outcome after hip arthroplasty, whereas the type of regional analgesic technique used does not. An ultrasound-guided FIC technique offers similar analgesia with fewer side effects when compared with ITM.

History of Nocturia May Guide Urinary Catheterization for Total Joint Arthroplasty.

Urinary tract infection is a common complication after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and can be related to urethral catheterization. This study attempted to determine whether nocturia could be used as an indicator of risk for postoperative urinary retention to limit the need for prophylactic catheterization in men undergoing TKA. A retrospective study was performed in a consecutive series of men undergoing TKA at a single Veterans Affairs medical center. Patients reporting 0 episodes or 1 episode of nocturia per night were not catheterized prophylactically, and patients reporting 2 or more episodes of nocturia each night were catheterized preoperatively. Of 100 consecutive patients, 51 reported no more than 1 episode of nocturia and did not undergo preoperative catheterization. Of these patients, 10 required 1 postoperative straight catheterization for urinary retention. In the 49 patients who were catheterized prophylactically, all catheters were removed on postoperative day 1. Only 1 of these patients required reinsertion of a catheter. No patient in either group was discharged with a catheter or had a urinary tract infection. Previously, the authors' standard protocol was to use a prophylactic urinary catheter for all men after TKA. In this 100-patient cohort, with this new protocol, 41 patients were not catheterized at all and 10 patients had only 1 straight catheterization. In this study, the frequency of nocturia in men undergoing TKA was an effective screening tool that safely reduced the need for an indwelling catheter in 51% of patients. [Orthopedics. 2016; 39(4):e749-e752.].

How do I get out of this jam? Early postoperative problems of primary total hip arthroplasty.

Acute postoperative problems associated with total hip arthroplasty typically require prompt attention. Because the circumstances surrounding these problems provide limited time for consultation or literature review, effective management depends on the surgeon being aware of treatment options and favored treatment methods and executing the best treatments. Surgeons should be aware of management strategies for the most common and difficult early postoperative complications after primary total hip arthroplasty, including wound problems, periprosthetic femur fractures, nerve dysfunction, and venous thromboembolism. State-of-the-art knowledge will help the treating surgeon successfully manage complications.

A retrospective comparative provider workload analysis for femoral nerve and adductor canal catheters following knee arthroplasty.

Adductor canal catheters preserve quadriceps strength better than femoral nerve catheters and may facilitate postoperative ambulation following total knee arthroplasty. However, the effect of this newer technique on provider workload, if any, is unknown. We conducted a retrospective provider workload analysis comparing these two catheter techniques; all other aspects of the clinical pathway remained the same. The primary outcome was number of interventions recorded per patient postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included infusion duration, ambulation distance, opioid consumption, and hospital length of stay. Adductor canal patients required a median (10-90th percentiles) of 0.0 (0.0-2.6) interventions compared to 1.0 (0.3-3.0) interventions for femoral patients (p < 0.001); 18/23 adductor canal patients (78 %) compared to 2/22 femoral patients (9 %) required no interventions (p < 0.001). Adductor canal catheter infusions lasted 2.0 (1.4-2.0) days compared to 1.5 (1.0-2.7) days in the femoral group (p = 0.016). Adductor canal patients ambulated further [mean (SD)] than femoral patients on postoperative day 1 [24.5 (21.7) vs. 11.9 (14.6) meters, respectively; p = 0.030] and day 2 [44.9 (26.3) vs. 22.0 (22.2) meters, respectively; p = 0.003]. Postoperative opioid consumption and length of stay were similar between groups. We conclude that adductor canal catheters offer both patient and provider benefits when compared to femoral nerve catheters.

A randomized comparison of proximal and distal ultrasound-guided adductor canal catheter insertion sites for knee arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVES: Proximal and distal (mid-thigh) ultrasound-guided continuous adductor canal block techniques have been described but not yet compared, and infusion benefits or side effects may be determined by catheter location. We hypothesized that proximal placement will result in faster onset of saphenous nerve anesthesia, without additional motor block, compared to a distal technique. METHODS: Preoperatively, patients receiving an ultrasound-guided nonstimulating adductor canal catheter for knee arthroplasty were randomly assigned to either proximal or distal insertion. A local anesthetic bolus was administered via the catheter after successful placement. The primary outcome was the time to achieve complete sensory anesthesia in the saphenous nerve distribution. Secondary outcomes included procedural time, procedure-related pain and complications, postoperative pain, opioid consumption, and motor weakness. RESULTS: Proximal insertion (n = 23) took a median (10th-90th percentiles) of 12.0 (3.0-21.0) minutes versus 6.0 (3.0-21.0) minutes for distal insertion (n = 21; P= .106) to anesthetize the medial calf. Only 10 of 25 (40%) and 10 of 24 (42%) patients in the proximal and distal groups, respectively, developed anesthesia at both the medial calf and top of the patella (P= .978). Bolus-induced motor weakness occurred in 19 of 25 (76%) and 16 of 24 (67%) patients in the proximal and distal groups (P = .529). Ten of 24 patients (42%) in the distal group required intravenous morphine postoperatively, compared to 2 of 24 (8%) in the proximal group (P = .008), but there were no differences in other secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous adductor canal blocks can be performed reliably at both proximal and distal locations. The proximal approach may offer minor analgesic and logistic advantages without an increase in motor block.

Component alignment during total knee arthroplasty with use of standard or custom instrumentation: a randomized clinical trial using computed tomography for postoperative alignment measurement.

BACKGROUND: Patient-specific femoral and tibial cutting blocks produced with use of data from preoperative computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans have been employed recently to optimize component alignment in total knee arthroplasty. We report the results of a randomized controlled trial in which CT scans were used to compare postoperative component alignment between patients treated with custom instruments and those managed with traditional instruments. METHODS: The in-hospital data and early clinical outcomes, including Knee Society scores, were determined in a randomized clinical trial of forty-seven patients who had undergone a total of forty-eight primary total knee arthroplasties with patient-specific instruments (twenty-two knees) or standard instruments (twenty-six knees). Orientation of the implants was compared by using three-dimensional CT data. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the study and control groups with respect to any clinical outcome after a minimum of six months of follow-up. The patient-specific tibial cutting block was abandoned in favor of a standard external alignment jig in seven of the twenty-two study knees because of possible malalignment. A detailed analysis of intent-to-treat and per-protocol groups of study and control knees did not show any significant improvement in component alignment, including femoral component rotation in the axial plane, in the patients treated with the custom instruments. The percentage of outliers--defined as less than -3° or more than 3° from the correct orientation of the tibial slope--was significantly higher in the group treated with use of patient-specific blocks than it was in the control group, in both the intent-to-treat (32% versus 8%, p = 0.032) and the per-protocol (47% versus 6%, p = 0.0008) analysis. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant improvements in clinical outcomes or knee component alignment in patients treated with patient-specific cutting blocks as compared with those treated with standard instruments. The group treated with patient-specific cutting blocks had a significantly higher prevalence of malalignment in terms of tibial component slope than the knees treated with standard instruments.

Continuous adductor canal blocks are superior to continuous femoral nerve blocks in promoting early ambulation after TKA.

BACKGROUND: Femoral continuous peripheral nerve blocks (CPNBs) provide effective analgesia after TKA but have been associated with quadriceps weakness and delayed ambulation. A promising alternative is adductor canal CPNB that delivers a primarily sensory blockade; however, the differential effects of these two techniques on functional outcomes after TKA are not well established. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We determined whether, after TKA, patients with adductor canal CPNB versus patients with femoral CPNB demonstrated (1) greater total ambulation distance on Postoperative Day (POD) 1 and 2 and (2) decreased daily opioid consumption, pain scores, and hospital length of stay. METHODS: Between October 2011 and October 2012, 180 patients underwent primary TKA at our practice site, of whom 93% (n = 168) had CPNBs. In this sequential series, the first 102 patients had femoral CPNBs, and the next 66 had adductor canal CPNBs. The change resulted from a modification to our clinical pathway, which involved only a change to the block. An evaluator not involved in the patients' care reviewed their medical records to record the parameters noted above. RESULTS: Ambulation distances were higher in the adductor canal group than in the femoral group on POD 1 (median [10(th)-90(th) percentiles]: 37 m [0-90 m] versus 6 m [0-51 m]; p < 0.001) and POD 2 (60 m [0-120 m] versus 21 m [0-78 m]; p = 0.003). Adjusted linear regression confirmed the association between adductor canal catheter use and ambulation distance on POD 1 (B = 23; 95% CI = 14-33; p < 0.001) and POD 2 (B = 19; 95% CI = 5-33; p = 0.008). Pain scores, daily opioid consumption, and hospital length of stay were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Adductor canal CPNB may promote greater early postoperative ambulation compared to femoral CPNB after TKA without a reduction in analgesia. Future randomized studies are needed to validate our major findings. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

A randomized comparison of long-and short-axis imaging for in-plane ultrasound-guided femoral perineural catheter insertion.

OBJECTIVES: Continuous femoral nerve blocks provide effective analgesia after knee arthroplasty, and infusion effects depend on reliable catheter location. Ultrasound-guided perineural catheter insertion using a short-axis in-plane technique has been validated, but the optimal catheter location relative to target nerve and placement orientation remain unknown. We hypothesized that a long-axis in-plane technique for femoral perineural catheter insertion results in faster onset of sensory anesthesia compared to a short-axis in-plane technique. METHODS: Preoperatively, patients receiving an ultrasound-guided nonstimulating femoral perineural catheter for knee surgery were randomly assigned to either the long-axis in-plane or short-axis in-plane technique. A local anesthetic was administered via the catheter after successful insertion. The primary outcome was the time to achieve complete sensory anesthesia. Secondary outcomes included the procedural time, the onset time of the motor block, pain and muscle weakness reported on postoperative day 1, and procedure-related complications. RESULTS: The short-axis group (n = 23) took a median (10th-90th percentiles) of 9.0 (6.0-20.4) minutes compared to 6.0 (3.0-14.4) minutes for the long-axis group (n = 23; P = .044) to achieve complete sensory anesthesia. Short-axis procedures took 5.0 (4.0-7.8) minutes to perform compared to 9.0 (7.0-14.8) minutes for long-axis procedures (P < .001). In the short-axis group, 19 of 23 (83%) achieved a complete motor block within the testing period compared to 18 of 23 (78%) in the long-axis group (P = .813); short-axis procedures took 12.0 (6.0-15.0) minutes versus 15.0 (5.1-27.9) minutes for long-axis procedures (P = .048). There were no statistically significant differences in other secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Long-axis in-plane femoral perineural catheters result in a slightly faster onset of sensory anesthesia, but placement takes longer to perform without other clinical advantages.

MI TKA: a risk factor for early revision surgery.

Minimal incision total knee arthroplasty (MI TKA) was developed with the potential to decrease surgical trauma, pain, and recovery time. While this procedure has increased in popularity, some surgeons have questioned its safety and long-term efficacy. In this study 58 consecutive revision total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) (57 patients) performed at one academic medical center from 2006 to 2008 are reviewed. Prospectively collected clinical and radiographic data included: incision length, gender, age, time to revision surgery, and primary diagnosis at time of revision. Of these, 34 knees involving infection and rerevision were excluded. Of the remaining 24 knees, 11 knees that met inclusion criteria had undergone MI TKA. There were no differences between the groups with regard to age, diagnosis, body mass index, and gender. Average time to revision was shorter for the MI TKA patients (29 vs. 65 months, p < 0.032, odds ratio 14.7). Reasons for revision were aseptic loosening (55%), pain/stiffness (27%), malrotation (9%), and instability (9%) in the MI TKA group and aseptic loosening (53%), instability (15%), pain/stiffness (8%), malrotation (8%), combined malrotation and instability (8%), and polyethylene wear/osteolysis (8%) in the traditional TKA group. These data suggest that MI TKA may be a risk factor for early revision.

Long-term comparison of mobile-bearing vs fixed-bearing total knee arthroplasty.

Few published reports have been published regarding a comparison of the long-term outcomes between mobile- (MB) and fixed-bearing component designs for knee arthroplasty. The minimum 10-year clinical and radiologic follow-up of an unselected consecutive series of 89 patients (107 knees) who were randomized to have one of these different designs for primary arthroplasty was done. Twenty-six patients (30 knees) who had a fixed-bearing design and 24 patients (33 knees) who had an MB prosthesis were available for follow-up. Two MB knees were revised for aseptic loosening of a tibial component in one and femoral component fracture in the other. In patients who did not have revision surgery, there were no differences between the groups with respect to mean Knee Society scores, knee flexion, or pain scores.

Local infiltration analgesia in TKA patients reduces length of stay and postoperative pain scores.

Numerous postoperative pain protocols exist for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We compared the length of stay, early range of motion (ROM), and pain scores of a control group with a femoral nerve block to those of a group with femoral nerve block and local infiltration analgesia following TKA. In a consecutive series of patients undergoing primary TKA at a Veteran's Administration hospital, 40 patients (40 TKAs) who had local infiltration analgesia were compared to a historical group of 43 patients (43 TKAs) who had a long-acting femoral nerve block without local infiltration analgesia. Local infiltration analgesia consisted of intraoperative injection of 150 mL of 300 mg ropivacaine, 30 mg ketorolac, and 500 µg epinephrine using 50 mL into each of 3 areas: (1) posterior capsule, (2) medial and lateral capsule, and (3) anterior capsule and subcutaneous tissues. A 17-gauge intra-articular catheter was used to inject an additional 100 mg of ropivacaine on postoperative day 1. The control group had a single-shot femoral nerve block using 150 mg of ropivacaine with epinephrine. Mean length of stay for the local infiltration analgesia group compared to controls was 3.2±1.4 days vs 3.8±1.6 days, respectively (P=.03). No significant differences existed in average ROM (6 weeks), discharge hematocrit, transfusions, and temperature. Mean pain scores were lower in the local infiltration analgesia group on postoperative day 1 (P=.04), but not on postoperative day 2 or 3. Maximum visual analog scale scores (P<.01) were reduced in the local infiltration analgesia group. Our early experience with local infiltration analgesia demonstrated a significantly reduced length of stay due to decreased postoperative pain.

Acetabular component positioning using the transverse acetabular ligament: can you find it and does it help?

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported that the transverse acetabular ligament (TAL) can be used to orient the acetabular component during total hip arthroplasty and that it can be identified in nearly all patients. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We attempted to determine how often the TAL could be identified during primary THA and its accuracy as a guide for acetabular component positioning. METHODS: In a prospective series of 63 patients (64 hips) undergoing primary THA, two surgeons attempted to identify the TAL and, if it was found, to use it for acetabular component orientation. Patients in whom the TAL was identified served as the study group and the ligament was used for cup orientation in those patients; the remaining patients in whom the ligament could not be identified served as a control group and had free-hand cup positioning. Anteversion was determined by radiographic measurement from true lateral views. RESULTS: The TAL was identified in only 30 hips (47%) and was more likely to be found in patients who did not have inferior acetabular osteophytes. Acetabular position was not improved using this ligament for reference. CONCLUSIONS: The TAL could not be routinely identified at surgery and when used for cup orientation it was no more accurate for cup positioning than free-hand technique.

Incidence of radiographic unicompartmental arthritis in patients undergoing knee arthroplasty.

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty is increasing in popularity with the advent of less invasive procedures for knee arthritis. The percentage of patients undergoing knee arthroplasty who could be candidates for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty depends on the surgeon's evaluation of the radiographs, and this evaluation may depend on the surgeon's bias regarding partial knee arthroplasty. A retrospective radiographic and chart review was performed on a consecutive series of patients who had undergone tricompartmental knee arthroplasty to determine the percentage of those patients who could have been candidates for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. Two hundred eighty-eight patients who underwent 308 tricompartmental knee arthroplasties over a 3-year period at a Veteran's Administration Hospital comprised the study group. Assessment of preoperative radiographs was done by 2 surgeons, 1 who favored unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and the other who preferred tricompartmental knee arthroplasty, to determine the percentage of these patients, from each surgeon's viewpoint, who had unicompartmental arthritis. Patients who had radiographic unicompartmental arthritis were then eliminated as candidates for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, if, on chart review, they had a flexion contracture >10°, an arc of motion <100°, or inflammatory arthritis. The surgeon who was a proponent of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty found that 26% of these patients had acceptable radiologic and clinical indications for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, whereas the surgeon who had a bias against the procedure felt that only 12% of these patients were unicompartmental knee arthroplasty candidates. A considerable percentage of Veteran's Administration patients undergoing arthroplasty for knee arthritis may be potential candidates for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, despite the surgeon's bias for or against the procedure.

Minimal incision surgery as a risk factor for early failure of total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Minimal incision total hip arthroplasty (MI THA) techniques were developed to decrease postoperative pain and recovery time. Although these techniques have increased in popularity, the long-term survivorship of these procedures is unknown. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We therefore investigated whether the time to revision in our referral practice was shorter for patients who underwent primary MI THA compared to primary traditional THA. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 46 revision THAs performed during a 3-year period. We excluded revisions performed for infection and rerevisions. Patients with incisions less than or equal to 10 cm were defined as having had MI THA. Fifteen of the 46 patients (33%) had undergone primary MI THA. At the time of primary index THA, the mean ages of the MI and non-MI patients were 65 years and 55 years, respectively. RESULTS: The mean time to revision was 1.4 years for the MI patients compared with 14.7 years for the non-MI patients. Twelve of the 15 patients having MI THA required revision within 2 years of primary THA compared to 4 of the 31 patients without MI surgery (OR = 26.5, 95% CI 4.4-160.0). There were no differences between the groups with regard to age, gender, or body mass index. The most common reasons for revision in the MI THA group were intraoperative fracture and failure of femoral component osseointegration. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest MI THA may be a risk factor for early revision surgery and the long-term survival therefore may be lower than that for non-MI surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Candida infection in total knee arthroplasty with successful reimplantation.

Fungal infections associated with prosthetic joints are uncommon. The first case report describes a woman with insidious onset of a candidal infection of a revision total knee arthroplasty. After multiple joint debridements and prolonged antibacterial and antifungal therapy, she had a successful reimplantation of a knee prosthesis. The second case report concerns a man who had a primary cemented total knee arthroplasty that became infected with Candida albicans. He underwent resection arthroplasty with eventual replant without recurrence at 20 years. Although resection arthroplasty should be maintained as the gold standard in the surgical treatment of this problem, the first case shows a successful short-term outcome ofreimplantation of a patient with fungal infection of long-stemmed, revision total knee replacement. It also shows a treatment failure with fluconazole that was cured by voriconazole and caspofungin, two more recently developed antifungal agents.

Hylamer vs conventional polyethylene in primary total hip arthroplasty: a long-term case-control study of wear rates and osteolysis.

The long-term results of Hylamer implants have not been reported previously. Clinical and radiographic results of a consecutive series of 43 patients (45 hips) who had primary total hip arthroplasty using Hylamer liners were compared with those of 37 patients (43 hips) who had conventional liners after 10-year follow-up. The linear wear rates for Hylamer and conventional polyethylene acetabular liners were 0.21 and 0.20 mm/y, respectively. The number of pelvic osteolytic lesions and their size detected on plain radiographs were significantly greater for Hylamer liners. Seven Hylamer hips were revised or are pending revision for osteolysis (16%) compared with 1 control hip. Close radiographic surveillance of patients who have Hylamer liners and evidence of osteolysis found on plain radiographs is warranted.