Periprosthetic joint infection in aseptic total hip arthroplasty revision.

PURPOSE: There is no consensus regarding systematic screening for infection in aseptic revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). The rationale for systematic intra-operative samples is to increase the sensitivity of latent infections detection, which may require specific treatment. However, the incidence of occult infection in revision THAs is not precisely known. As such, the aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of occult infection in presumed aseptic revision THAs and identify associated risk factors. METHOD: Bacteriological samples from 523 aseptic THA revisions performed for five years were analyzed. Revisions performed for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) or clinical suspicion of PJI were excluded. Microbiological cultures were performed using tissue samples in 505 cases (97%), synovial fluid in blood culture vials in 158 (30%), and in dry tubes in 263 (50%). Implants were sent for sonication in 12 cases (2.6%). The mean number of microbiological samples per patient was 3.6 (range, 1-15). Histology samples were collected for 300 patients (57%). RESULTS: The incidence of occult infection was 7% (36 cases) and contamination 8% (42 cases). Among occult infections, the primary reasons for revision were dislocation (42%), aseptic loosening (25%), fracture (19%), and others (14%). The infection rate in the dislocation group was significantly higher than that of other reasons for revision (p < 0.001). Among the patients determined with PJI, the revision THA was performed less than a year after primary in 19 (53%). CONCLUSION: The incidence of occult PJI justifies systematic intraoperative sampling. A short time between primary arthroplasty and revision or an early postoperative dislocation is a factor to suspect infections.

Posterior drawer after olecranization of the patella in posterior cruciate-injured knees: A cadaver study.

INTRODUCTION: Olecranization of the patella (OP) is a surgical technique that anchors the patella to the tibia using a Steinmann pin to reduce the posterior drawer in cases of acute posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tears. The advantage of this procedure is that rehabilitation can start early with passive and active mobilization, all the while maintaining the reduced position. The primary objective of this cadaver study was to evaluate the reduction in the posterior drawer induced by OP. The hypothesis was that OP significantly reduces the posterior drawer at 0°, 45° and 90° flexion after isolated PCL transection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A Steinman pin was inserted in 70° flexion on seven fresh cadaver knees. Changes in the posterior drawer were measured on radiographs at 0°, 45° and 90° flexion before and after adding a posterior load (150N) in the following sequence: intact knee, after PCL transection, after OP. Posterior translation was measured in millimetres. RESULTS: In unloaded knees, the posterior drawer was significantly reduced after OP in 45° flexion (4.1mm to-1.2mm, p<0.05) and 90° flexion (7.9mm to 3.8mm, p<0.05). When a posterior load was applied, the posterior drawer was significantly reduced in 0° flexion (4.9mm to 0.2mm, p<0.05), 45° flexion (6.7mm to 0.6mm, p<0.05) and 90° flexion (11.8mm to 7.6mm, p<0.05). DISCUSSION: Anchoring the patella to the tibia in 70° flexion led to a significant reduction in the posterior drawer after PCL transection in cadaver knees. Olecranization of the patella may help optimize the healing of an injured PCL treated conservatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, controlled laboratory study.

Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture: Ultrasonography and Endoscopy-Assisted Percutaneous Repair.

To date, there is no consensus concerning the treatment of acute Achilles tendon ruptures. Although surgical treatment decreases the risk of a recurrent rupture, it is not without complications. In particular, percutaneous sutures may cause a lesion of the sural nerve. The purpose of this Technical Note is to describe a reliable and reproducible surgical procedure for treating these lesions. The first operative phase consists of an ultrasound detection that makes it possible to identify the tendon extremities and the sural nerve, which is necessary to secure the posterolateral arthroscopic tract as well as to perform the percutaneous suture. The entry point is thus centered on the lesion and placed at a distance from any surrounding nerve risk. The second arthroscopic phase makes it possible to release the tendon lesion, control the transtendon passage of the surgical threads, and evaluate the dynamic contact of the tendon edges. At the end of the intervention, the complete disappearance from the transillumination via the rupture also makes it possible to ensure the disappearance of the tendon gap. Achilles tendon percutaneous sutures after the ultrasound detection and under arthroscopic control thus makes it possible to control the contact of the tendon edges, while at the same time decreasing the risk of a lesion of the sural nerve, with minimal scarring.

Remission in psoriatic arthritis: is it possible and how can it be predicted?

INTRODUCTION: Since remission is now possible in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) we wished to examine remission rates in PsA patients following anti tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) therapy and to examine possible predictors of response. METHODS: Analysis of a prospective patient cohort attending a biologic clinic, between November 2004 and March 2008, was performed prior to commencing therapy and at regular intervals. Baseline clinical characteristics including demographics, previous disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) response, tender and swollen joint counts, early morning stiffness, pain visual analogue score, patient global assessment, C reactive protein (CRP) and health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) were collected. RESULTS: A total of 473 patients (152 PsA; 321 rheumatoid arthritis (RA)) were analyzed. At 12 months remission, defined according to the disease activity score using 28 joint count and CRP (DAS28-CRP), was achieved in 58% of PsA patients compared to 44% of RA patients, significant improvement in outcome measures were noted in both groups (P<0.05). Analysis of a subgroup of PsA and RA patients matched for DAS28-CRP at baseline also showed higher numbers of PsA patients achieving remission. Linear regression analysis identified the HAQ at baseline as the best predictor of remission in PsA patients (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: DAS28 remission is possible in PsA patients at one year following anti-TNF therapy, at higher rates than in RA patients and is predicted by baseline HAQ.