Temporal changes in sleep quality and knee function following primary total knee arthroplasty: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: Several patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have been used to assess improvement in the quality of life following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, there is paucity of studies evaluating the sleep quality and knee function following TKA. The primary aim of our study was to evaluate the sleep quality and knee function in primary TKA patients using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Knee Society Score (KSS), respectively. The secondary aim was to assess the correlation between the two outcome measures over the course of first post-operative year following TKA. METHODS: One hundred sixty-eight patients (female-140/male-28) with mean age of 64.63 years (± 7.50) who underwent 168 primary unilateral TKA using a cemented posterior-stabilised implant without patella resurfacing between June 2018 and October 2018 were included in the study. Global PSQI and KSS were recorded pre-operatively and post-operatively weekly up to six weeks and at one year. Body mass index (BMI) and Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) were recorded during pre-operative assessment. RESULTS: Mean(± SD) BMI and CCI were 28.45(± 4.64) and 2.48(± 0.93), respectively. Pre-operative global PSQI of 1.98(± 0.97) increased to 13.48(± 3.36) in the first post-operative week (p < 0.001) and remained high during all the six weeks following TKA (p < 0.001), whereas at the first post-operative year, it reduced to 2.10(± 1.15) (p = 0.15). Pre-operative KSS of 52.00(± 9.98) increased to 71.67(± 6.58) and 85.49(± 4.67) at 6 weeks and the first post-operative year respectively (p < 0.001). Pre-operative global PSQI had moderate correlation with pre-operative KSS (r = 0.39) (p < 0.001). Strong correlation was noted between pre-operative global PSQI and six week post-operative KSS (r = 0.47) (p < 0.001). Low correlation was noted between pre-operative global PSQI and KSS at the first post-operative year (r = 0.10, p = 0.19) following TKA. Multiple regression analysis revealed age, CCI, and pre-operative range of motion as independent predictors of global PSQI. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing TKA experience changes in sleep quality but report an overall improvement in knee function during the first post-operative year. Sleep quality has moderate to strong correlation with knee function in the early post-operative period beyond which there is a low correlation with knee function thereby suggesting a transient phenomenon. Hence patients undergoing TKA can be appropriately counselled regarding the variation in sleep quality in the post-operative period and reassured accordingly.

Long-term follow-up of a cemented titanium stem.

We present the outcome of 270 cemented titanium alloy femoral stems. These patients were followed up annually both clinically and radiologically, and were included up until their last follow-up. 120 patients completed a 10-year follow-up. The 10-year survival of the Ultima Straight Stem cemented femoral component (defined by revision of the femoral stem) was 90.1% (95% CI=84.0-94.0%), with aseptic loosening being the major reason for failure. The preoperative Harris Hip Score improved from 35.3 to 79.3 at 10 years. There were 17 cases of stem subsidence, radiolucent lines in 11 hips, 5 cases of cement fracture and 18 hips had osteolysis in 2 adjacent Gruen zones. This is the largest study in the English literature of this implant, and reflects UK district general hospital practice with surgery performed by a variety of surgical grades and via different surgical approaches. Although the outcome of this implant was within the previous standard set by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and is comparable to other series of titanium stems, it is inferior to that of more modern cemented and uncemented implants, and falls outside the new NICE recommendation of <5% revision rate at ten year. As a result this implant is no longer used in our institution, and it has also now been withdrawn from the market. We suggest that patients with this implant should be followed up radiologically due to the relatively high rate of stem subsidence and lucency between the cement and prosthesis, to identify those who may be at risk of failure.

Subclinical neuropathy in diabetic patients: a risk factor for bilateral lower limb neurological deficit following spinal anesthesia?

Total knee arthroplasty performed under spinal or general anesthesia is a common successful orthopedic procedure. Nonetheless, in patients with diabetes mellitus this procedure can present unique challenges to orthopedic surgeon and anesthesiologist alike. We describe a case of an elderly male diabetic patient who developed bilaterally symmetrical lower limb neurological deficit following an uneventful total knee arthroplasty performed under spinal anesthesia. Postoperative nerve conduction study with electromyography confirmed symmetrical extensive denervation of lower limb muscles, including low-voltage fibrillation potentials and positive sharp waves. These findings were consistent with a preexisting neuropathy, thereby suggesting a subclinical neuropathy as a potential risk factor for this neurological complication. Our case highlights the fact that patients with longstanding comorbidities, namely peripheral vascular disease and diabetes mellitus, may be at an increased risk of neurological injury following regional anesthesia. Hence, we believe that preoperative evaluation of diabetic patients should include neurophysiological studies to identify subclinical neuropathy and minimize the risk of neurological injury.

Long Term Outcomes of Computer-Navigated Lateral Opening Wedge Distal Femoral Osteotomy for Lateral Compartment Knee Arthrosis.

Objective The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes including survivorship of computer navigated distal femoral lateral opening wedge osteotomy (DFLOWO). The secondary aim was to identify the potential factors that may influence its survivorship. Methods A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data for patients with lateral compartment arthritis who underwent navigated DFLOWO from December 2006 to November 2012 was performed. The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) scores were analyzed for outcome measures. Conversion to arthroplasty during the follow-up was the end point. Results A total of 19 DFLOWOs were performed in 17 patients with a mean age of 46.6 ± 6.5 years formed the study cohort. The coronal alignment was corrected from a mean of 7.1° (2-11°) valgus to a mean of 2.1° (0.5°-3°) varus. The IKDC scores improved from mean of 39 preoperatively to 53 at the mean long-term follow-up of 9.1 years. The mean KOOS scores at the long-term follow-up were pain 71, symptoms 56, activities of daily living 82, sports and recreation 59, quality of life 43. Survivorship of the DFLOWO was 78.9% at a follow-up of 9.1 years. Presence of ≥ grade 2 according to the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) cartilage degeneration in the medial compartment of the knee and >7° preoperative valgus deformity were strongly correlated with conversion to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) at the long-term follow-up ( r = 0.66). Conclusions Computer navigated DFLOWO has satisfactory clinical outcomes and 79% survivorship in long-term follow-up. Presence of more than ICRS ≥ grade 2 degenerative changes in the medial compartment of knee with > 7° preoperative valgus deformity negatively affects the survivorship of DFLOWO in the long-term follow-up.

Lower limb elevation: useful and effective technique of exsanguination prior to knee arthroscopy.

The use of a Rhys-Davies (R-D) mechanical exsanguinator prior to the application of tourniquet is routine clinical practice in knee arthroscopy. However, this technique has been reported to cause injuries and is contraindicated in conditions like malignancy and latex allergy. Lower limb elevation alone has also been described as a technique of exsanguination. We conducted a prospective audit of two groups of patients (25 each) undergoing routine knee arthroscopy comparing the practice of mechanical exsanguination (R-D) with lower limb elevation technique. Average total operative times of the two groups were similar (R-D exsanguinator-23 min, limb elevation-21 min, n.s). Time interval between tourniquet inflation and skin incision was significantly lower in limb elevation technique (R-D exsanguinator-5 min, limb elevation-0.2 min, P < 0.001). Limb elevation technique of exsanguination helps avoid the risks associated with mechanical exsanguination and may potentially reduce the non-operative tourniquet application time.

Autologous cell-free serum preparations in the management of knee osteoarthritis: what is the current clinical evidence?

BACKGROUND: There is paucity in the current literature regarding clinical outcomes of autologous cell-free serum preparations. The objective of this paper is to collate the clinical evidence and review the results of intraarticular injections of autologous cell-free serum preparations in the management of knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: A comprehensive English literature search was undertaken using the healthcare database website (https://hdas.nice.org.uk/). The PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, Embase and the Cochrane library databases were searched to identify all studies of autologous protein solution/autologous conditioned serum (ACS/APS) in the management of knee OA. We evaluated the reported clinical outcomes with respect to pain, function, morbidity, adverse effects and complications. RESULTS: Fifteen relevant articles were identified in the current literature. Outcomes following injection of ACS/APS have been reported in patients with age range (34-87 years) and unilateral or bilateral knee OA. Seven studies reported improvement in visual analog scale (VAS) whereas the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis instrument (WOMAC) score improved in nine studies. Considerable variation was noted in the injection technique and duration of post-procedure assessment with only one study reporting long-term follow-up beyond 24 months. Joint swelling and injection-site pain were reported to be the most common complications; only one study reported a case of septic arthritis. However, no evidence is available to clearly identify factors that may predict the outcomes following this procedure. CONCLUSION: Current data from the clinical studies would suggest that the intraarticular administration of autologous cell-free serum preparations, such as ACS/APS, in patients with knee OA may improve pain and function, with limited morbidity. High-quality clinical trials with stratified patient cohorts, longer follow-up duration and robust reporting of outcome measures are essential to improve the understanding of the indications and clinical effectiveness of these novel products.

Long Term Outcomes of Computer-Navigated Lateral Opening Wedge Distal Femoral Osteotomy for Lateral Compartment Knee Arthrosis / Resultados a longo prazo de osteotomia varizante femoral distal (OVFD) com cunha de abertura lateral para artrose do compartimento lateral do joelho utilizando navegação computadorizada

Abstract Objective The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes including survivorship of computer navigated distal femoral lateral opening wedge osteotomy (DFLOWO). The secondary aim was to identify the potential factors that may influence its survivorship. Methods A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data for patients with lateral compartment arthritis who underwent navigated DFLOWO from December 2006 to November 2012 was performed. The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) scores were analyzed for outcome measures. Conversion to arthroplasty during the follow-up was the end point. Results A total of 19 DFLOWOs were performed in 17 patients with a mean age of 46.6 ± 6.5 years formed the study cohort. The coronal alignment was corrected from a mean of 7.1° (2-11°) valgus to a mean of 2.1° (0.5°-3°) varus. The IKDC scores improved from mean of 39 preoperatively to 53 at the mean long-term follow-up of 9.1 years. The mean KOOS scores at the long-term follow-up were pain 71, symptoms 56, activities of daily living 82, sports and recreation 59, quality of life 43. Survivorship of the DFLOWO was 78.9% at a follow-up of 9.1 years. Presence of ≥ grade 2 according to the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) cartilage degeneration in the medial compartment of the knee and >7° preoperative valgus deformity were strongly correlated with conversion to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) at the long-term follow-up (r= 0.66). ConclusionsComputer navigated DFLOWO has satisfactory clinical outcomes and 79% survivorship in long-term follow-up. Presence of more than ICRS ≥ grade 2 degenerative changes in the medial compartment of knee with > 7° preoperative valgus deformity negatively affects the survivorship of DFLOWO in the long-term follow-up.

Resumo Objetivo O objetivo principal do presente estudo foi avaliar os resultados a longo prazo, incluindo a sobrevivência em Osteotomia Varizante Femoral Distal com Cunha de Abertura Lateral (OVFD-CAL) utilizando navegação computadorizada. O objetivo principal do presente estudo foi avaliar os resultados a longo prazo, incluindo a sobrevivência. Métodos Foi realizada uma análise retrospectiva dos dados coletados prospectivamente de pacientes com artrite do compartimento lateral submetidos a OVFD-CAL por navegação de dezembro de 2006 a novembro de 2012. As pontuações International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC, na sigla em inglês) e Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS, na sigla em inglês) foram analisadas para medição de resultados. Conversão para artroplastia durante o acompanhamento foi o ponto final. Resultados Um total de 19 OVFD-CAL foram realizados em 17 pacientes com média de idade de 46,6 ± 6,5 anos formaram a coorte do estudo. O alinhamento coronal foi corrigido a partir de uma média de 7,1° (2-11°) de valgo para uma média de 2,1° (0,5°-3°) de varo. As pontuações do IKDC melhoraram de uma média pré-operatória de 39 para 53 no acompanhamento de médio de longo prazo de 9,1 anos. Os escores do KOOS no acompanhamento a longo prazo foram: dor 71, sintomas 56, atividades da vida diária 82, esportes e recreação 59, qualidade de vida 43. A sobrevivência do OVFD-CAL foi de 78,9% em um acompanhamento de 9,1 anos. Presença de degeneração da cartilagem segundo a Sociedade Internacional de Reparação de Cartilagem (International Cartilage Repair Society [ICRS, na sigla em inglês])≥ grau 2 no compartimento medial do joelho e deformidade pré-operatória em valgo > 7° fortemente correlacionado com a conversão para artroplastia total do joelho (ATJ) no acompanhamento a longo prazo (r - 0,66). ConclusõesA OVFD-CAL por navegação computadorizada apresentou resultados clínicos satisfatórios e sobrevida de 79% no acompanhamento a longo prazo. Presença de alterações degenerativas ICRS ≥ grau 2 no compartimento medial do joelho com > 7° de deformidade pré-operatória em valgo afeta negativamente a sobrevivência da OVFD-CAL no acompanhamento de longo prazo.