MAKO Robotic-Arm Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty: Surgical Technique From the Office to the Operating Room.

Recently, robotic assistance has become more readily available to perform total knee arthroplasties. However, training can often be time consuming and there can be a learning curve. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to clearly and concisely describe the preoperative planning and surgical technique for using one version of robotic assistance, specifically the MAKO platform (MAKO Surgical Corp. [Stryker], Fort Lauderdale, Florida), for a standard osteoarthritic knee with a varus deformity that is commonly encountered by joint arthroplasty surgeons.

Nonoperative Applications of Placental Tissue Matrix in Orthopaedic Sports Injuries: A Review of Literature.

OBJECTIVE: Recently, various amniotic tissue and placental-based tissue matrix (PTM) products have become increasingly available as a nonoperative treatment for tendinopathies and orthopaedic sports injuries. The aim of this review was to evaluate: (1) safety and efficacy of nonoperative use of PTM products, in acute and chronic tendon injuries and (2) the commercially available tissue options to better understand their differences. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive literature search was performed. Inclusion criteria were studies reporting on: (1) nonoperative uses of PTM therapy in sports injuries; and (2) clinical outcomes; in (3) human subjects. We excluded: (1) animal studies; (2) basic science studies; (3) non-English language literature; (4) review articles; and (5) duplicate studies. In addition, to determine the various product formulations, their tissue contents, and indications for use, we searched publicly available website content, marketing literature, and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) registration documents. MAIN RESULTS: Current evidence investigated various PTM products for the treatment of various tendon injuries with demonstrated efficacy mainly in the short term with follow-up ranging between 6 weeks and 3 months. In addition, across all studies, no specific adverse events were reported. Substantial differences exist among the currently available products due to variations in their tissue source, formulations, processing methods, method of sterilization, preservation, and storage, indications for use, and FDA regulation. CONCLUSIONS: Placental- and amniotic membrane-derived tissues seem to be safe for the nonoperative treatment of tendinopathies. However, several factors may affect the efficacy and safety profile of these products, and the orthopaedic surgeons should be aware of the differences.

Patient-Recorded Physician Ratings: What Can We Learn From 11,527 Online Reviews of Orthopedic Surgeons?

BACKGROUND: Physician rating websites have become an increasingly popular medium for patients to give feedback and to obtain information about physicians. Each physician rating website uses different criteria to evaluate physicians, with the option for patients to provide written reviews. Our goal is to identify factors that patients value when seeking an orthopedic surgeon. METHODS: The study design was observational. We analyzed 7 common physician rating websites (RateMDs.com, HealthGrades.com, Vitals.com, WebMD.com, CareDash.com, Wellness.com, and ZocDoc.com) to evaluate orthopedic surgeon ratings and examine the variables that influence these ratings. Numeric ratings were standardized on a scale from 0-100 (higher number = positive rating). Multilevel mixed-effect Poisson regression models were used where appropriate. RESULTS: A total of 11,527 online reviews of orthopedic surgeons in a single metropolitan area were evaluated in April 2019. The average overall rating was positive at 83.66 (±12.33) on our scale. The majority of surgeons amassed ≤20 reviews on each website. Higher ratings were correlated with staff friendliness (P = .010), punctuality (P = .009), and knowledge/expertise (P = .031). Analysis of written reviews showed that resolution of original patient complaints was associated with a high-scoring review. CONCLUSION: This study may impact the ability of orthopedic surgeons to improve patient satisfaction and experience. The online image of orthopedic surgeons is positive in general, with weight placed on timeliness, knowledge, and staff friendliness. Further study is needed to examine whether differences exist in patient-centric domains reviewing orthopedic subspecialties. Future multiple geographic area studies will help elucidate any regional variation in patient-recorded data, as well as the role of any participation bias.

What Factors Influence Operative Time in Total Knee Arthroplasty? A 10-Year Analysis in a National Sample.

BACKGROUND: Changes in reimbursement in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have been tied to a perceived decrease in the total surgical time required to perform these operations. However, little information is available to CMS about recorded surgical times for TKA across the United States and the variables that drive these values. Therefore, the purpose of our study, is to evaluate (1) changes in operative time over time and (2) factors associated with variations in operative time. METHODS: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried to identify all primary TKAs conducted between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2017. All TKAs conducted within our study period that had operative time data available were included. Multivariable linear models were created to assess factors that influence operative time over the study period. RESULTS: Our final analysis included 140,890 TKAs. The mean operative time across the study period was found to be 92.60 minutes. Examining quarterly values, operative time stayed within 5 minutes of this mean (range, 89.80-97.51 minutes). Age, sex, functional status, anesthesia type, body mass index, operative year, transfusion requirements, and preoperative laboratory findings significantly influenced operative time (P < .05 for all). CONCLUSION: Our analysis indicates that while there are numerous factors that influence procedure duration, operative times have remained stable. This information should be heavily considered in regard to physician reimbursement, because providers are maintaining operative times and work effort while mitigating factors that influence outcomes in the perioperative period.

Utilization of Telemedicine Virtual Visits in Pediatric Spinal Deformity Patients: A Comparison of Feasibility and Patient Satisfaction at a Large Academic Center.

BACKGROUND: Telemedicine platforms have been developed to support the convenient delivery of health care services to their patients while maintaining appropriate quality of care. However, it is unclear whether they can be utilized effectively in patients with pediatric spinal deformity (PSD). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and patient satisfaction associated with virtual visit (VV) utilization in PSD patients in comparison to general pediatric orthopaedic indications. METHODS: Of the 482 VVs offered to pediatric orthopaedic patients at a large academic health care system between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2018, a total of 189 VVs conducted by board-certified orthopaedic surgeons were included in the final analysis. Patient satisfaction scores were collected at the end of each VV by patient and parent rankings of the surgeon and the telemedicine service. Data on patients, visits, and connectivity sessions characteristics were collected and statistically compared between PSD visits (n=33) versus those conducted for general pediatric orthopaedic indications (n=156). RESULTS: Although PSD patients were older (15±3.7 vs. 12±4.7 y; P<0.01), mostly female (76% vs. 47%, P=0.003), and had longer VVs (8±4.6 vs. 5±3.6 min; P=0.003) versus their general pediatric orthopaedic counterparts, they demonstrated similarly high satisfaction scores for surgeon performance (5±0 vs. 4.8±0.1 points; P=0.08) and overall satisfaction (3±2.4 vs. 3.5±2.1; P=0.23). Approximately 80% of all VVs were conducted over mobile devices. Wait time was substantially less for PSD VVs relative to subsequent office visits (13±10 vs. 41±30 min; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis found that telemedicine VVs provided a convenient alternative to traditional in-office visits for PSD patients. Specifically, we found that PSD patients received faster care with comparable satisfaction. The findings of our present analysis should encourage health care systems to continually evaluate and implement telehealth platforms to improve both the accessibility and appropriate quality of care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Positive Alpha-defensin at Reimplantation of a Two-stage Revision Arthroplasty Is Not Associated with Infection at 1 Year.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) represents a challenge that relies on multiple clinical and laboratory criteria that may not be consistently present. The synovial alpha-defensin-1 (AD-1) test has been shown to correlate accurately with the Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria for the diagnosis of PJI, however, its association with persistent PJI has not been elucidated in the setting of patients receiving antibiotic spacers during second-stage reimplantation. Applying a Delphi-based consensus to define successful eradication of PJI offers an opportunity to test the utility of AD-1 in this setting. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) Can the AD-1 test determine whether infection has been controlled using the Delphi criteria for persistent PJI as a surrogate for infection eradication during two-stage revision for PJI treatment with a spacer? (2) How does the performance of the AD-1 test compare with the MSIS criteria? METHODS: This was a multicenter analysis of retrospectively collected data on patients who underwent a two-stage revision arthroplasty between May 2014 and July 2016. We included patients who had a previously confirmed PJI and received a cement spacer, underwent the second stage, had MSIS criteria data and a synovial fluid AD-1 test, and had a minimum followup of 1 year. We were unable to determine for all study sites how many patients had the test but did not meet all the criteria and so could not be studied; however, we were able to identify 69 patients (43 knees, 26 hips) who met all criteria. During the period in question, indications for use of AD-1 varied by surgeon; however, during that time, in general if a surgeon ordered it as part of the initial workup, the test would have been repeated before the second-stage reimplantation procedure. To assess the validity of AD-1 against persistence of PJI criteria at 1 year, the following were calculated using the Delphi criteria for persistent PJI as the gold standard: sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, accuracy, and area under the curve (AUC) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Concordance index (c-index) and its Wald 95% CI with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were calculated in relation to Delphi criteria for persistent PJI using AD-1 and then MSIS criteria. The two c-indices of AD-1 and MSIS were compared using the DeLong nonparametric approach. RESULTS: The AD-1 test showed poor sensitivity (7%; 95% CI, 0.2-34), and poor overall accuracy (73%; 95% CI, 60-83; AUC = 0.5; 95% CI, 0.3-0.6) in detecting infection eradication at 1 year. The c-index for AD-1 versus Delphi criteria for persistent PJI was 0.519 (95% CI, 0.44-0.60), and the c-index for MSIS criteria versus Delphi criteria for persistent PJI was 0.518 (95% CI, 0.49-0.54), suggesting the weak diagnostic abilities of these models. The contrast estimate between MSIS criteria and AD-1 were not different from one another at -0.001 (95% CI%, -0.09 to 0.09; p = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: We found that a positive synovial fluid AD-1 test correlated poorly with the presence of persistent infection 1 year after two-stage revision arthroplasty for PJI. For this reason, we recommend against the routine use of AD-1 in patients with cement spacers, until or unless future studies demonstrate that the test is more effective than we found it to be. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, diagnostic study.

Patients with a History of Treated Septic Arthritis are at High Risk of Periprosthetic Joint Infection after Total Joint Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: In patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty (TJA), increasing attention has been directed recently toward identifying specific patient-related risk factors that may predispose patients to periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Currently, it is unclear whether having a history of a treated native septic arthritis is a risk factor for PJI after TJA in the same joint. Previous studies have reported contradictory evidence and results varied between a substantially higher rates of PJIs to very low or no reported PJIs. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) What is the risk of PJI in patients who received TJA and had a history of treated same-joint native joint septic arthritis and (2) What are the associated risk factors for these patients developing PJI? METHODS: This was a multicenter retrospective analysis of patients who received primary THA or TKA between January 2000 and December 2016 and who had a history of treated native joint septic arthritis in the same joint. Patients were included in the study only if they were considered to have resolved their joint infection based on a preoperative evaluation that included: (1) the absence of clinical symptoms and signs of active infection or local joint inflammation, (2) recent plain radiographs showing only advanced degenerative changes without evidence of active osteolysis or bone infection, (3) preoperative laboratory investigations for infection, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and total leukocyte counts within normal ranges. Patients were reviewed for the occurrence of postoperative PJI. The final cohort included 62 patients who had a mean followup of 4.4 years (range, 3 months-17 years) from the time of TJA. A total of 21 patients (34%) had less than 2 years of followup, including six (10%) mortalities. In total, eight patients (13%) died during the study period, none of which were due to PJI. Patient characteristics, time interval from treatment of septic arthritis to TJA, and Charlson comorbidity index adjusted for age were collected. We used a Kaplan-Meier analysis to estimate the overall survivorship among all TJAs as well as those who underwent THA versus TKA, and we performed a statistical comparison using the Mantel-Cox log-rank test. We performed a Cox regression hazard ratio (HR) survival analysis to identify risk factors for PJI. The PJI odds ratios (OR) for patients who underwent TJA within 2 years of septic arthritis were calculated as an additional temporal analysis. RESULTS: In patients with a history of treated same-joint native septic arthritis, the proportion of PJI was five of 62 patients (8%). The Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated an overall survivorship free from PJI of 92% at 14.5 ± 1.14 years (95% confidence interval [CI] = 12.3-16.8 years). All PJI cases occurred only in patients who underwent TKA, which when analyzed separately, yielded a survivorship of 85% at 10.5 ± 0.9 years (95% CI = 8.7-12.3 years) versus 100% in patients who underwent THA (p = 0.068). Mean time to PJI occurrence was 10 months (range, 2-20 months). After controlling for relevant confounding variables, such as age, sex, affected joint and comorbidities, we found smoking (HR, 8.06; 95% CI, 1.33-48.67; p = 0.023) to be associated with increased risk for PJI development. CONCLUSION: Patients with history of native joint infections are at higher risk of PJI, especially smokers. Despite our limitations, this study suggests careful assessment of several other factors in these patients, including allowing a minimum interval of 2 years from the time of resolving native joint septic arthritis to TJA. Patients who are undergoing TKA seem to be more prone to the PJI risk and may benefit from more aggressive planning. In addition, medical optimization of comorbidities that may confer additional risk, such as diabetes, become exceptionally important in these patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.

Arthroscopic irrigation and debridement is associated with favourable short-term outcomes vs. open management: an ACS-NSQIP database analysis.

PURPOSE: Septic arthritis of the knee is an orthopaedic emergency that is associated with marked morbidity and can potentially be life threatening. Surgical debridement can be performed either arthroscopically or via an arthrotomy. The aim of this study was to compare the 30-day complications and adverse outcomes between the two procedures. METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of septic arthritis of the knee between 2011 and 2015 were identified using the ACS-NSQIP database. The study population included 695 patients, who had knee septic arthritis and underwent either an arthroscopic irrigation or debridement (I&D) (n = 464) or open irrigation and debridement (n = 231). Preoperative data included demographics, independent functional status, and comorbidities. Outcomes of interest included wound complications, infectious complications, cardiovascular events, hospital readmissions, and reoperations, or any of the previous adverse events. RESULTS: Both cohorts were similar in most baseline characteristics. Bleeding requiring transfusion was significantly lower in the arthroscopic (n = 13; 3.6%) compared to the open procedure (n = 31; 13.4%; p = 0.0001). Home discharge was significantly higher in the arthroscopic irrigation and debridement group (n = 310; 67.5%) compared to the open group (n = 126; 55%; p = 0.0013). The overall incidence of adverse events was lower in the arthroscopic group (n = 158; 34%) compared to the open group (n = 112; 49%; p = 0.0002). There was no difference in rates of infectious complications, thromboembolic events, hospital readmission, reoperation, or mortality between the groups. Open irrigation and debridement was associated with higher risk of bleeding requiring transfusion (OR = 3.79; 95% CI: 2.02-7.13; p = 0.0001), higher risk of incidence of adverse events (OR = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.02-2.08; p = 0.039), and lower home discharge (OR = 3.79; 95% CI: 2.02-7.13; p = 0.0001) within 30 days after the procedure. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic irrigation and debridement demonstrated favourable short-term outcomes. Patients who underwent arthroscopic irrigation and debridement had lower rates of blood transfusions, lower rates of adverse events, and higher home discharge rates compared to open irrigation and debridement. This study is the largest analysis comparing arthroscopic vs. open irrigation and debridement in a national database sample. These findings conclude that arthroscopic debridement can be an alternative first-line option in managing septic arthritis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

The Quality of Diagnostic Studies in Periprosthetic Joint Infections: Can We Do Better?

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) continues to be a subject of extensive debate. This is in part due to the lack of a single "gold standard" test, and the marked heterogeneity in the design of studies evaluating the accuracy of different diagnostic modalities. The goal of this review is to critically analyze the evidence cited by the proceedings of the 2013 International Consensus Meeting (ICM) on PJI with regards to the diagnosis of PJI. METHODS: References from the Proceedings of the ICM on PJI related to PJI minor criteria were retrieved and manually reviewed. A total of 25 studies were analyzed using a Validated Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool. RESULTS: A large number of studies were determined to have a high risk of bias for flow and timing domains due to the large numbers of exclusions. Studies of synovial white blood cells count and polymorphonuclear neutrophils percentage suffered from threshold optimization and lack of internal validity. Furthermore, due to the lack of homogeneity across studies, index test and reference standard domains showed high risk of bias for white blood cell/polymorphonuclear neutrophil percentage and the utility histological analysis, respectively. Leukocyte esterase testing lacked standardization with regard to the strip reagent used, and the exclusion of bloody samples limited sample sizes. CONCLUSION: The 2013 ICM minor criteria were based on studies with a low quality of evidence. As the committee continues to adjust these guidelines, they should encourage future studies with sound clinical design, patient selection, and testing procedures.

Medical Malpractice Litigation Following Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Comprehensive, Nationwide Analysis of the Past Decade.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to (1) characterize the most common reasons of medical malpractice litigation against adult reconstruction surgeons and (2) report on the outcomes of these lawsuits. METHODS: The Westlaw legal research database was queried for cases between 2008 and 2018 related to total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA and TKA) in the United States. Causes of the lawsuit, patient characteristics, demographics, state/outcome of verdict or settlement, and indemnity payments were noted. RESULTS: A total of 148 records (81 females [55%], 67 males [45%]; 83 TKAs [56%], 65 THAs [44%]) were included in the final analysis. For all patients, infection was the leading cause for malpractice litigation (22%) followed by nerve injury (20%). For TKA, infection was the most common cause of lawsuit (33%). In THA cases, nerve injury was the most common reason for lawsuit (38%), followed by leg-length discrepancy (26%). Procedural errors were alleged in 72% of cases, while diagnostic and post-surgical errors were cited in 55% and 32% of cases. A defense verdict occurred in 74% of cases, plaintiff verdict in 21%, and parties settled in 5%. CONCLUSION: Infection and nerve injury were the most common reasons for litigation in TKA and THA, respectively. The most likely outcome of these lawsuits was a jury verdict in favor of the surgeon. Regardless, surgeons should be cognizant of the potential for lawsuit due to these complications and should ensure they inform patients of these potential complications of TJA preoperatively.

Emergency Department Visits Within Thirty Days of Discharge After Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Hidden Quality Measure.

BACKGROUND: Thirty-day hospital readmissions following total hip arthroplasty (THA) have received increasing scrutiny by policy makers and hospitals. Emergency department (ED) visits may not necessarily result in an inpatient readmission but can be a measure of performance and can incur costs to the health system. The purpose of this study is to describe the following: (1) the frequency and subsequent disposition; (2) patient characteristics; (3) reasons; and (4) potential risk factors for ED visits that did not result in a readmission within 30 days of discharge after THA. METHODS: All primary THAs performed at a large healthcare system between 2013 and 2015 were identified. Patients who received unplanned hospital services for complications within 30 days following surgery were identified and analyzed. A multiple regression analysis was utilized to identify risk factors predisposing for returning to the ED without readmission. RESULTS: From a total of 6270 primary THAs, 440 patients (7%) had an unplanned return to the hospital within 30 days. Of those, 227 (3.6%) patients presented to the ED and were not readmitted. Higher percentage of African Americans was noted among patients who returned to the ED versus those who did not (20.2% vs 9.8%, P < .01). The most common medical diagnoses were nonspecific medical symptoms (24.8%) followed by minor gastrointestinal problems (10.5%). The most common surgery-related diagnoses were pain and swelling (35%), followed by wound complications (12%) and hip dislocations (7.3%). Nearly 50% of wound complications and 40% of hip dislocations were managed and discharged from the ED without a readmission. Both African Americans (odds ratio 2.28, 95% confidence interval 1.55-3.36) and home discharge (odds ratio 1.90, 95% confidence interval 1.28-2.82) were independent risk factors for return to the ED without readmission. CONCLUSION: ED visits that do not result in hospital readmissions, many of which may be due to serious complications, are more frequent than inpatient readmission. This is extremely relevant to policy makers and quality metrics, especially as comprehensive and bundled payment initiatives become more prevalent.

The Association Between Operative Time and Short-Term Complications in Total Hip Arthroplasty: An Analysis of 89,802 Surgeries.

BACKGROUND: It has been established by previous studies that longer operative times can lead to higher rates of complications and poorer outcomes after total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, these studies were heterogeneous, examined limited complications, and have not provided a clear time after which complications increase. The aims of this study were to (1) assess whether longer operative time increases risk of complications within 30 days of THA, (2) investigate the relationship between operative time and various complications after THA, and (3) identify possible operative times beyond which complication rates increase. METHODS: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database was queried to identify 89,802 procedures that were included in the final analysis. The effect of operative time on complications within 30 days was evaluated using multivariate logistic regression models. Spline regression models were created to investigate the relationship between operative time and complications. RESULTS: Longer operative times were associated with higher risk of readmissions (P < .001), reoperations (P < .001), surgical site infection (P < .001), wound dehiscence (P < .001), renal or systemic complications (P < .001), and blood transfusion (P < .001). A linear relationship was observed between operative time and readmission, reoperation, surgical site infection, and transfusions with increased rate of these complications when the operative time exceeded 75 to 80 minutes. Venous thromboembolic complications had a U-shaped relationship with operative time with the trough around 90 to 100 minutes. CONCLUSION: While our findings cannot establish a clear cause and effect relation, they do suggest strong correlation between increased operative time and perioperative complications. Additionally, this study suggests an optimal time of approximately 80 minutes, as a goal for surgeons, that may be associated with less risk of complications following THA.

Metaphyseal Fixation Using Highly Porous Cones in Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty: Minimum Two Year Follow Up Study.

BACKGROUND: Highly porous metaphyseal cones have been introduced to restore metaphyseal integrity for improved cement interdigitation to achieve durable fixation in revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study is to review the survivorship, clinical results, and complications of revision TKA using highly porous 3-dimensionally printed titanium metaphyseal cones. METHODS: This is a review of 62 revision TKAs using metaphyseal tibial cones, with 15 cases utilizing both tibial and femoral cones. The mean age of the patients was 66 years (range 32-84) who had a mean follow-up of 27 months (range 24-34). There were 38 women and 24 men, who had a mean body mass index of 33 (range 18.3-62). RESULTS: Revision-free survival of the cones was 90.2%. If infection was excluded, survivorship was 100%. There were no cases of aseptic loosening. The mean Knee Society Score improved from 51 points preoperatively to 80 points at the time of latest follow-up. The mean Knee Society Functional Score improved from 48 points preoperatively to 68 points. A total of 15 of the 62 patients (24%) required additional surgery: 10 (16%) for infection, 3 (5%) for contracture, 1 for patellar subluxation, and 1 for quadriceps tendon rupture. CONCLUSION: Metaphyseal fixation is important for survivorship in revision TKA which can be challenging due to cancellous and structural bone loss encountered at the time of revision. Prosthetic joint infection continues to be the leading cause of failure in revision TKA. The use of highly porous titanium metaphyseal cones produced from 3-dimensionally printed technology used in this study demonstrated excellent short-term results with no cases of aseptic loosening. Further follow-up is required to determine if these results can be durable over a longer period.

Spontaneous Closed Rupture of Achilles Tendon Following Minimally Invasive Ultrasonic Energy Therapy: A Report of Two Cases.

This paper presents two patients who sustained spontaneous closed Achilles tendon ruptures following minimally invasive ultrasonic energy therapy for non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy. In both cases, the patients underwent minimally invasive ultrasonic energy therapy using a commercially available device. In addition, the current evidence, through available literature, has been reviewed and presented.

Operative Applications of Placental Tissue Matrix in Orthopaedic Sports Injuries: A Review of the Literature.

INTRODUCTION: Placental and amniotic membrane-based tissues have gained widespread popularity for their ability to promote healing and tissue regeneration and have manifested multiple applications in wound care, burn treatment, and management of various ocular conditions. Recently, there have been multiple studies that investigated the nonoperative uses of placental tissue-based products in orthopaedic sports injuries. However, there is a relative paucity of studies that have attempted to evaluate their adjuvant operative uses. Therefore, the aim of this review was to evaluate the use of placental and amniotic tissue-based products as an adjuvant treatment to the operative management of orthopaedic sports injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed on PubMed, EBSCO Host, EMBASE, and SCOPUS. Studies published between January 1, 2000 and June 1, 2018 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were that studies should have reported on: 1) operative uses of placental tissue matrix therapy in tendons and ligaments injuries; and 2) clinical outcomes; in 3) human subjects. In addition, the following studies were excluded: 1) animal studies; 2) basic science studies; 3) non-English language studies; 4) review studies; and 5) duplicate studies across databases. Additionally, to determine the various product compositions and indications for use, we searched publicly available manufacturer's website content, marketing literature, FDA registration documents, and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services submissions to assess the key differences for each of the products. RESULTS: Current evidence has led to investigation of various placental and amniotic membrane products used as an adjuvant treatment to surgical reconstruction of various types of tendon injuries, with a demonstrated effectiveness found mostly in the short-term, with follow up ranging between five weeks and two years. In addition, their safety and minimal complication profile have been demonstrated. Marked differences exist among the currently available products due to variations in their formulations, tissue source, processing methodology, sterilization method, preservation and storage methods, indications for use, and FDA regulation. CONCLUSION: Operative uses of placental and amniotic membrane-derived tissues appear to be safe when utilized as an adjuvant or augmentation option along with surgical reconstruction. However, several factors may come into play when considering the diversity of commercially available products. Future clinical trials will need to confirm the safety and demonstrate clearer indications and specific guidelines for use in each clinical scenario involving operative management of tendon injuries. Nevertheless, this review will serve as an up-to-date reference and provide an impetus for future investigations.

Outcomes of Dual Mobility Acetabular Cups in Total Hip Arthroplasty Patients.

BACKGROUND: Instability can account for over 20% of all revision total hip arthroplasties (THAs). Although a number of surgical techniques have been developed to limit the number of dislocations, prevention still remains a challenge. More recently, dual mobility (DM) cups have been developed to potentially target this problem. Although this implant design has been shown to have a number of potential advantages in the revision setting, there is limited data in the literature on the use of modular dual mobility (MDM) implants for primary THAs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate cup survivorships, patient satisfaction outcomes, and complications of this device used for primary THA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 143 consecutive hips (131 patients) who underwent primary THA using DM prostheses by a high-volume academic surgeon were longitudinally followed up for a minimum of five years (mean: 6 years, 11 months; range, 6 years 3 months to 7 years 5 months). There were 77 women (54%) and 66 men (44%) who had a mean age 65 years (range, 34 to 90 years; SD, 11 years), and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 32 kg/m2 (range, 22 to 52; SD, 8 kg/m2). Patient demographics, (gender, BMI), as well as clinical outcomes were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to determine aseptic, septic, and all-cause cup survivorship. Additionally, clinical outcomes based on Harris Hip Scores (HHS) and other modalities, as well as complications, were tabulated. Institutional review board (IRB) approval was received prior to initiating this study. RESULTS: Septic survivorship was found to be 99.3% (95% CI: 0.98 to 1.0), while all-cause survivorship was 98.6% (95% CI: 0.97 to 1.0). There were a total of two revision surgeries; however, these were not related to the MDM cup. Specifically, one patient had femoral stem loosening, while another patient had a late deep infection treated with a two-stage procedure. At most recent follow up, both patients were progressing well and had HHS scores of 85 and 92 points. The mean total HHS score was 95 points (range, 64 to 100) at most recent follow up. Other complications affecting patient outcomes included two patients who presented with concerns for deep vein thrombi, which were both medically managed, as well as one patient who had a non-fatal pulmonary embolism, which was also medically managed. The final HHS scores for these three patients were 83, 100, and 96 points. CONCLUSION: DM cups were designed with the intent of reducing hip instability. Most studies on these cups have reported on revision THA, where the problem of instability may be more paramount; however, fewer studies have reported on the use of this cup for primary THA. The findings from this study indicate excellent survivorship and overall clinical and patient satisfaction results using this construct. These five-year results are very encouraging and hopefully will portend excellent further survivorship with longer follow up.

A Systematic Review of Suture Technologies in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Over time, various materials and techniques have been developed for superficial and deep wound closure. However, potential complications, such as infections and dehiscences, can still occur, driving the development of new closure modalities. As wound closure technology continues to advance and change, the need to continuously evaluate the current techniques and materials persists. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the current literature on the various closure materials and techniques utilized for total knee arthroplasty. Specifically, we evaluated: 1) closure times; 2) infections and complication rates; as well as 3) costs related to superficial and deep wound closures. Based on the findings from the current literature, barbed suture was associated with significantly shorter closing times in all five studies when compared to interrupted sutures (p<0.05). Additionally, the use of barbed sutures may result in similar postoperative complication rates. Although the cost of an individual barbed suture is potentially higher than the cost of an individual conventional suture, a knotless technique can require a shorter suture length, which might also help decrease costs.

Difficult Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty Cases Treated with an Offset Head Center Acetabular Shell.

Acetabular bone loss is common during revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). A new acetabular shell was developed with a goal of maintaining native hip center-of-rotation (COR) while achieving good fixation with standard instrumentation and technique. Previous radiographic studies have demonstrated the efficacy of this shell in lowering hip COR. In this case series, we demonstrate the use of this shell in patients undergoing difficult revision THAs. Based on these cases, we have presented how this offset COR acetabular shell may help bring down the hip COR in patients who undergo revision total hip arthroplasty with severe bone loss.

Current Concepts in Osteoarthritis of the Ankle: Review.

Ankle osteoarthritis constitutes a large burden to society and is a leading cause of chronic disability in the United States. Most commonly, it is post-traumatic, occurs in younger individuals, and is associated with obesity. This entity presents similarly to osteoarthritis of the other joints, with the typical nonspecific symptoms of stiffness, swelling, and pain. Radiographic investigation includes four weight-bearing standard views: antero-posterior and lateral foot, mortise view of the ankle, and a specialized view of the hindfoot. In this review, we covered epidemiology, anatomy and biomechanics, etiology, pathology, differential diagnoses, symptoms, physical examination, appropriate radiological investigation, as well as current treatment options and algorithms. Non-operative treatment options include weight loss, physical therapy, bracing, orthoses, pharmacologic treatments, corticosteroid injections, viscosupplementation, and biologic modalities. Viscosupplementation with hyaluronic acid has the most evidence-based support and has been shown to be safe and efficacious. For patients who have moderate to severe disease, surgery may be indicated. However, current surgical options are either associated with high rates of complications or restrict ankle range of motion (ROM). Early stages of the ankle osteoarthritis should be treated with the above-mentioned non-surgical methods, and once the disease progresses, surgical options can be utilized.

Robotic-Arm Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty More Accurately Restored the Posterior Condylar Offset Ratio and the Insall-Salvati Index Compared to the Manual Technique; A Cohort-Matched Study.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the demonstrated success of modern total knee arthroplasty (TKA), it remains a procedure that involves sophisticated preoperative planning and meticulous technique to reconstruct the mechanical axis, achieve ideal joint balance, and restore maximal range-of-motion (ROM). Recently, robotic-arm assisted TKAs have emerged as a promising new technology offering several technical advantages, and it is achieving excellent radiological results, including establishing the posterior condylar offset ratio (PCOR) and the Insall-Salvati Index (ISI). Studies have demonstrated that these parameters are surgically modifiable, and their accurate restoration (fewer mean differences) correlate with improved final joint range-of-motion. However, there is a paucity of studies that evaluate these parameters in light of performing robotic-arm assisted TKA. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to compare: 1) PCOR and 2) ISI restoration in a cohort of patients who underwent robotic-arm assisted versus manual TKA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated a series of 43 consecutive robotic-arm assisted (mean age 67 years; range, 46 to 79 years) and 39 manual total knee arthroplasties (mean age 66 years; range, 48 to 78 years) performed by seven fellowship-trained joint reconstructive surgeons. All surgeries were performed using medial para-patellar approaches by high-volume surgeons. Using the Knee Society Radiographic Evaluation System, preoperative and four-to six-week postoperative radiographs were analyzed to determine the PCOR and patella height based on the ISI. RESULTS: The mean postoperative PCOR was larger in manual TKA when compared to the robotic-assisted cohort (0.53 vs. 0.49; p=0.024). The absolute mean difference between pre- and postoperative PCOR was larger in manual when compared to robotic-arm assisted TKA (0.03 vs. 0.004; p=0.01). In addition, the number of patients who had postoperative ISI outside of the normal range (0.8 to 0.12) was higher in the manual cohort (12 vs. 4). CONCLUSION: Patients who underwent TKA using robotic-arm assisted technology had smaller mean differences in PCOR which has been previously shown to correlate with better joint ROM at one year following surgery. In addition, these patients were less likely to have values outside of normal ISI, which means they are less likely to develop patella baja, a condition in which the patella would impinge onto the patellar component, leading to restricted flexion and overall decreased ROM.