Characterization of the Relative Change in Objective and Subjective Metrics by Baselining Patients Who Have Wearable Technology Before Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Wearable sensors and associated supporting technologies (ie, patient applications) can provide both objective (joint position, step counts, etc.) and subjective data (ie, pain scores and patient-reported outcome measures) to track a patient's episode of care. Establishing a subjective and objective baseline of a patient's experience may arguably be beneficial for multiple reasons, including setting recovery expectations for the patient and demonstrating the effectiveness or success of the intervention. METHODS: In this pilot study, we characterized a subset of patients (n = 82 from 7 surgeons) using a wearable sensor system at least 6 days before total knee arthroplasty and provided postsurgical data up to 50 days postintervention. The 5-day average before surgery for total step counts (activity), achieved flexion and extension on a progress test (functional limit) and visual analog scale daily pain score were calculated. The difference from baseline was then calculated for each patient for each day postsurgery and reported as averages. RESULTS: On average, a patient will experience a relative deficit of 4,000 steps immediately following surgery that will return to near-baseline levels 50 days postintervention. A 30° deficit in flexion and a 10° deficit in extension will return at a similar rate as steps. Relative pain scores will worsen with an increase of approximately 3 points immediately following surgery. However, pain will decrease by 2 points relative to baseline between 40 and 50 days. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this pilot study demonstrate a method to baseline a patient's presurgical subjective and objective data and to provide a reference for postsurgical recovery expectations. Applications for these data include benchmarking for evaluating intervention success as well as setting patient expectations.

Varying Complication Rates and Increased Costs in Technology-Assisted Total Hip Arthroplasty Versus Conventional Instrumentation in 1,372,300 Primary Total Hips.

BACKGROUND: The use of technology allows surgeons increased precision in component positioning in total hip arthroplasty (THA). The objective of this study was to compare (1) perioperative complications and (2) resource utilizations between robotic-assisted (RA) and computer-navigated (CN) versus conventional instrumenttaion (CI) THA. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed using a large national database to identify patients undergoing unilateral, primary elective THA from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2019 using RA, CN, or CI. There were 1,372,300 total patients identified and included RA (29,735), CN (28,480), and CI (1,314,085) THA. Demographics, complications, lengths of stay, dispositions, and costs were compared between the cohorts. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: The use of RA THA led to lower rates of intraoperative fracture (0.22% versus 0.39%), delirium (0.1% versus 0.2%), postoperative anemia (14.4% versus 16.7%), higher myocardial infarction (0.13% versus 0.08%), renal failure (1.7% versus 1.6%), blood transfusion (2.0% versus 1.9%), and wound dehiscence (0.02% versus 0.01%) compared to CI THA. The use of CN led to lower rates of respiratory complication (0.5% versus 0.8%), renal failure (1.1% versus 1.6%), blood transfusion (1.3% versus 1.9%), and pulmonary embolism (0.02% versus 0.1%) compared to CI THA. Total costs were increased in RA ($17,729 versus $15,977) and CN ($22,529 versus $15,977). Lengths of hospital stay were decreased in RA (1.8 versus 1.9 days) and CN (1.7 versus 1.9 days). CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative complication rates vary in technology-assisted THA, with higher rates in RA THA and lower rates in CN THA, relative to CI THA. Both RA THA and CN THA were associated with more costs, shorter postoperative hospital stays, and higher rates of discharge home compared to CI THA.

Normative Values for Daily Functional Recovery Patterns Following Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Wearable devices provide the ability for clinical teams to continuously monitor patients' rehabilitation progress with objective data. Understanding expected recovery patterns following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) enables prompt identification of patients failing to meet these milestones. The aim of this study was to establish normative values for daily functional recovery in the first 6 weeks after TKA using a wearable device. METHODS: This prospective study included patients who underwent TKA between 2020 and 2023, treated by 11 surgeons from 8 institutions. Eligible participants were aged 18 or older, had a primary unilateral TKA, and owned a smartphone. Knee range of motion, total daily steps, cadence, and device usage were measured continuously over 6 weeks. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance using post hoc Tukey honest significant difference tests. RESULTS: The cohort of 566 participants had a mean age of 65 and 69 for men and women, respectively (range, 50 to 80). Women comprised 61% (n = 345) of study participants. There were 82% of women and 90% of men who had a body mass index > 30. The average daily wear time of the device was 12 hours (±4) for a total of 45 days (±27). Recovery was nonlinear, with the greatest gains in the first 3 weeks postsurgery for all metrics. Men demonstrated greater total daily step counts and cadence when compared to women. Obese patients demonstrated poorer performance when compared to lower body mass index patients. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this study presents the first normative data for tracking daily functional recovery in TKA patients using wearable sensors. Standardizing the TKA recovery timeline allows surgeons to isolate factors affecting patients' healing processes, accurately counsel them preoperatively, and intervene more promptly postoperatively when rehabilitation is not within standard recovery parameters.

Lower Perioperative Complication Rates and Shorter Lengths of Hospital Stay Associated With Technology-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty Versus Conventional Instrumentation in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The use of technology allows increased precision in component positioning in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The objectives of this study were to compare (1) perioperative complications and (2) resource utilization between robotic-assisted (RA) and computer-navigated (CN) versus conventional (CI) TKA. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed using a national database to identify patients undergoing unilateral, primary elective TKA from January 2016 to December 2019. A total of 2,174,685 patients were identified and included RA (69,445), CN (112,225), or CI (1,993,015) TKA. Demographics, complications, lengths of stay, dispositions, and costs were compared between the cohorts. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: The RA TKA cohort had lower rates of intraoperative fracture (0.05 versus 0.08%, P < .05), respiratory complications (0.6 versus 1.1%, P < .05), renal failure (1.3 versus 1.7%, P < .05), delirium (0.1 versus 0.2%, P < .05), gastrointestinal complications (0.04 versus 0.09%, P < .05), postoperative anemia (8.9 versus 13.9%, P < .05), blood transfusion (0.4 versus 0.9%, P < .05), pulmonary embolism, and deep vein thrombosis (0.1 versus 0.2%, P < .05), and mortality (0.01 versus 0.02%, P < .05) compared to conventional TKA, though the cohort did have higher rates of myocardial infarction (0.09 versus 0.07%, P < .05). The CN cohort had lower rates of myocardial infarction (0.02 versus 0.07%, P < .05), respiratory complications (0.8 versus 1.1%, P < .05), renal failure (1.5 versus 1.7%, P < .05), blood transfusion (0.8 versus 0.9%, P < .05), pulmonary embolism (0.08 versus 0.2%, P < .05), and deep vein thrombosis (0.2 versus 0.2%, P < .05) over CI TKA. Total cost was increased in RA (16,190 versus $15,133, P < .05) and CN (17,448 versus $15,133, P < .05). However, the length of hospital stay was decreased in both RA (1.8 versus 2.2 days, P < .05) and CN (2.1 versus 2.2 days, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Technology-assisted TKA was associated with lower perioperative complication rates and faster recovery.

International Delphi Study on Wound Closure and Dressing Management in Joint Arthroplasty: Part 1: Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this modified Delphi study was to obtain consensus on wound closure and dressing management in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: The Delphi panel included 20 orthopaedic surgeons from Europe and North America. There were 26 statements identified using a targeted literature review. Consensus was developed for the statements with up to three rounds of anonymous voting per topic. Panelists ranked their agreement with each statement on a five-point Likert scale. An a priori threshold of ≥ 75% was required for consensus. RESULTS: All 26 statements achieved consensus after three rounds of anonymous voting. Wound closure-related interventions that were recommended for use in TKA included: 1) closing in semi-flexion versus extension (superior range of motion); 2) using aspirin for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis over other agents (reduces wound complications); 3) barbed sutures over non-barbed sutures (lower wound complications, better cosmetic appearances, shorter closing times, and overall cost savings); 4) mesh-adhesives over other skin closure methods (lower wound complications, higher patient satisfaction scores, lower rates of readmission); 5) silver-impregnated dressings over standard dressings (lower wound complications, decreased infections, fewer dressing changes); 6) in high-risk patients, negative pressure wound therapy over other dressings (lower wound complications, decreased reoperations, fewer dressing changes); and 7) using triclosan-coated over non-antimicrobial-coated sutures (lower risks of surgical site infection). CONCLUSIONS: Using a modified Delphi approach, the panel achieved consensus on 26 statements pertaining to wound closure and dressing management in TKA. This study forms the basis for identifying critical evidence supported by clinical practice for wound management to help reduce variability, advance standardization, and ultimately improve outcomes during TKA. The results presented here can serve as the foundation for knowledge, education, and improved clinical outcomes for surgeons performing TKAs.

International Delphi Study on Wound Closure and Incision Management in Joint Arthroplasty Part 2: Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: This modified Delphi study aimed to develop a consensus on optimal wound closure and incision management strategies for total hip arthroplasty (THA). Given the critical nature of wound care and incision management in influencing patient outcomes, this study sought to synthesize evidence-based best practices for wound care in THA procedures. METHODS: An international panel of 20 orthopedic surgeons from Europe, Canada, and the United States evaluated a targeted literature review of 18 statements (14 specific to THA and 4 related to both THA and total knee arthroplasty). There were 3 rounds of anonymous voting per topic using a modified 5-point Likert scale with a predetermined consensus threshold of ≥ 75% agreement necessary for a statement to be accepted. RESULTS: After 3 rounds of voting, consensus was achieved for all 18 statements. Notable recommendations for THA wound management included (1) the use of barbed sutures over non-barbed sutures (shorter closing times and overall cost savings); (2) the use of subcuticular sutures over skin staples (lower risk of superficial infections and higher patient preferences, but longer closing times); (3) the use of mesh-adhesives over silver-impregnated dressings (lower rate of wound complications); (4) for at-risk patients, the use of negative pressure wound therapy over other dressings (lower wound complications and reoperations, as well as fewer dressing changes); and (5) the use of triclosan-coated sutures (lower risk of surgical site infection) over standard sutures. CONCLUSIONS: Through a structured modified Delphi approach, a panel of 20 orthopedic surgeons reached consensus on all 18 statements pertaining to wound closure and incision management in THA. This study provides a foundational framework for establishing evidence-based best practices, aiming to reduce variability in patient outcomes and to enhance the overall quality of care in THA procedures.

Concurrent optical inspection to boost characterization of plastic cortical bone under mechanical deformation.

The simultaneous surface and internal measurements from a chemically modified cortical bovine bone suffering a plastic range deformation are presented. Since the bone is an anisotropic structure, its mechanical response could be modified if its organic or inorganic phases change. The latter could result in high plastic deformations, where the interferometrical signal from an optical analysis is easily de-correlated. In this work, digital holography interferometry (DHI) and Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) are used to analyze the plastic range deformation of the bone under compression. The simultaneous use of these two optical methods gives information even when one of them de-correlates. The surface results retrieved with DHI show the high anisotropy of the bone as a continuously increasing displacement field map. Meanwhile, the internal information obtained with FD-OCT records larger deformations at different depths. Due to the optical phase, it is possible to complement the measurements of these two methods during the plastic deformation.

Chronic Opioid Use Independently Increases Complications and Resource Utilization After Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Current literature suggests a link between the chronic use of opioids and musculoskeletal surgical complications. Given the current opioid epidemic, the need to elucidate the effects of chronic opioid use (OD) on patient outcomes and cost has become important. The purpose of this study was to determine if OD is an independent risk factor for inpatient postoperative complications and resource utilization after primary total joint arthroplasty. METHODS: A total of 3,545,565 patients undergoing elective, unilateral, primary total hip (THA) and knee (TKA) arthroplasty for osteoarthritis from January 2016 to December 2019 were identified using a large national database. In-hospital postoperative complications, length of stay, and total costs adjusted for inflation in opioid + patients were compared with patients without chronic opioid use (OD). Logistic regression analyses were used to control for cofounding factors. RESULTS: OD patients undergoing either THA or TKA had a higher risk of postoperative complications including respiratory (odds ratio (OR): 1.4 and OR: 1.3), gastrointestinal (OR: 1.8 and OR: 1.8), urinary tract infection (OR: 1.1 and OR: 1.2), blood transfusion (OR: 1.5 and OR: 1.4), and deep vein thrombosis (OR: 1.7 and OR: 1.6), respectively. Total cost ($16,619 ± $9,251 versus $15,603 ± $9,181, P < .001), lengths of stay (2.15 ± 1.37 versus 2.03 ± 1.23, P < .001), and the likelihood for discharge to a rehabilitation facility (17.8 versus 15.7%, P < .001) were higher in patients with OD. CONCLUSION: OD was associated with higher risk for in-hospital postoperative complications and cost after primary THA and TKA. Further studies to find strategies to mitigate the impact of opioid use on complications are required.

Increased Risk of In-Hospital Complications and Costs After Total Hip Arthroplasty for Primary and Secondary Osteonecrosis.

BACKGROUND: An increasing proportion of patients are undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) for osteonecrosis (ON). Comorbid conditions and surgical risk factors are known to be greater in ON patients compared with patients who have osteoarthritis (OA) alone. The purpose of our study was to quantify the specific in-hospital complications and resource utilization associated with patients undergoing THA for ON versus OA. METHODS: A large national database was queried to identify patients undergoing primary THA from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2019. A total of 1,383,880 OA, 21,080 primary ON, and 54,335 secondary ON patients were identified. Demographics, in-hospital complications, costs, lengths of stay, and discharge dispositions for primary and secondary ON cohorts were compared to OA only. Age, race, ethnicity, comorbidities, Medicaid, and income status were controlled with binary logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The ON patients were often younger, African American or Hispanic, and had more comorbidities. Those undergoing THA for primary and secondary ON had a significantly higher risk of perioperative complications, including myocardial infarction, postoperative blood transfusion, and intraoperative bleeding. Total hospital costs and lengths of stay were significantly higher for both primary ON and secondary ON and both cohorts were less likely to be discharged home. CONCLUSION: While rates of most complications have decreased over recent decades in ON patients undergoing THA, the ON patients still have worse outcomes even when controlling for comorbidity differences. Bundled payment systems and perioperative management strategies for these different patient cohorts should be considered separately.

Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing in Preoperative Tasks for Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Substantial work in the preoperative phase of total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is unaccounted for in current Relative Value Scale Update Committee methodology. A Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing (TDABC) analysis allows for an accurate assessment of the preoperative costs associated with total joint replacement surgery. METHODS: The mean time that clinical staff members spent on preoperative tasks per patient was multiplied by the hourly salary. Clinical staff members included orthopedic surgeons, nurse practitioners or physician assistants, nurses, medical assistants, and surgical coordinators. Mean time spent on preoperative tasks was obtained from the most recent literature. Salaries were obtained from the nationwide database provided by Glassdoor Inc. RESULTS: Total time spent among clinical staff involved in preoperative tasks for each arthroplasty patient was 8.45 hours (2.96-13.94). Total TDABC was calculated to be $348.17 (132.46-562.64). Accounting for preoperative tasks, the TDABC for TKA/THA increases from $13321.5 to $13669.67. Preoperative tasks are composed of 2.6% of total TKA/THA TDABC. In 2020, an estimated $544,189,710 of preoperative TKA/THA work was completed. CONCLUSION: Surgeons, providers, and ancillary staff involved in THA/TKA spend a cumulative preoperative work time of approximately 8.5 hours per patient, which equates to $348.17 that is currently unaccounted for in Relative Value Scale Update Committee methodology.

Survivorship and Outcomes of Femoral Neck Preserving Stems in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Short-stem femoral implants (SSFIs) promote the preservation of bone in the femoral neck, reduce soft tissue disruption, and facilitate minimally invasive surgical techniques. The purpose of this study was to report the revision rate, complication rate, patient satisfaction, patient-reported outcomes, and radiographic outcomes of patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) with the Alteon Neck Preserving Femoral Stem (ANPS). METHODS: A prospectively maintained database was reviewed which analyzed 92 THAs between the years 2016 and 2018. Patient-reported outcomes, patient satisfaction, complication rates, and radiographic outcomes were assessed at 2-5 years postoperatively. RESULTS: The final cohort consisted of 63 hips. Five patients (7.9%) underwent revision surgery and 2 (3.2%) had other complications not requiring revision. Survivorship when considering only the femoral component was 93.7% at an average of 41.4 months of follow-up. The average postoperative Oxford Hip Score (41.5 ± 8.3) and Harris Hip Score (77.9 ± 16.6) demonstrated significant improvement among our nonrevised patients, respectively (P < .001). Radiographs demonstrated spot welding in 56% of arthroplasties most commonly in Gruen Zones 2, 3, and 13 and that femur radiolucencies were visualized in 58% predominantly along the distal aspect of the stem. Radiographic femoral component subsidence was present in 9.7% of patients. CONCLUSION: The ANPS may be less reliable than previously reported. Our cohort's revision rate was unacceptably high with 6.3% requiring revision surgery for femoral component loosening in less than 5 years. Surgeons should consider the challenges and prohibitive failure rate associated with SSFIs before routine usage in THA.

A Nationwide Analysis on the Impact of Schizophrenia Following Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Matched-Control Analysis of 49,176 Medicare Patients.

BACKGROUND: The influence of schizophrenia on total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is limited in the literature. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether patients with schizophrenia undergoing primary TKA have (1) longer in-hospital length of stay (LOS); (2) higher readmission rates; (3) higher medical complications; (4) higher implant-related complications; and (5) higher costs of care compared to controls. METHODS: Patients with schizophrenia undergoing primary TKA were identified within the Medicare claims database. The study group was randomly matched in a 1:5 ratio to controls according to age, sex, and medical comorbidities. The query yielded 49,176 patients with (n = 8,196) and without (n = 40,980) schizophrenia undergoing primary TKA. Primary outcomes analyzed included in-hospital LOS, 90-day readmission rates, 90-day medical complications, 2-year implant-related complications, in addition to day of surgery and 90-day costs of care. A P-value less than .01 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Schizophrenia patients had longer in-hospital LOS (3.73 days vs 3.22 days, P < .0001) and had higher incidence and odds ratios (ORs) of readmission rates (18.26 vs 12.07%; OR: 1.58, P < .0001) compared to controls. Schizophrenia patients had higher incidence and odds of medical (3.23 vs 1.10%; OR: 2.99, P < .0001) and implant-related complications (5.92 vs 3.59%; OR: 1.68, P < .0001) and incurred significantly higher day of surgery ($13,300.58 vs $11,681.77, P < .0001) and 90-day costs of care ($18,222.18 vs $14,845.64, P < .0001). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that patients with schizophrenia have longer in-hospital LOS, higher readmission rates, higher complications, and increased costs of care after primary TKA.

A Higher Altitude Is an Independent Risk Factor for Venous Thromboembolisms After Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: High altitudes lead to physiological changes that may predispose to venous thromboembolisms (VTEs) including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (PE). No prior study has evaluated if there is also a higher risk of VTEs for total hip arthroplasties (THAs) performed at higher elevations. The purpose of this retrospective study was to identify if undergoing THA at a higher altitude center (>4000 feet above sea level) is an independent risk factor for a postoperative VTE. METHODS: A thorough evaluation of the Pearl Diver Database was performed for patients undergoing THAs from 2005 to 2014. Using International Classification of Diseases Ninth Edition facilitated in ascertaining patients who underwent THA. Using the ZIP codes of the hospitals where the procedure occurred, we separated our groups into high-altitude (>4000 ft) and low-altitude (<100 ft) groups. RESULTS: In the first 30 postoperative days, patients undergoing THA at a higher altitude experienced a significantly higher rate of PEs (odds ratio, 1.74; P = .003) when compared to similar patients at lower altitudes. This trend was also present for PE (odds ratio, 1.59; P < .001) at 90 days postoperatively. CONCLUSION: THAs performed at higher altitudes (>4000 feet) have a higher rate of acute postoperative PEs in the first 30 days and also 90 days postoperatively when compared to matched patients receiving the same surgery at a lower altitude (<100 feet). THA patients at high altitude should be counseled on these increased risks; however, owing to retrospective nature and confounders, prospective studies are necessary to explore this outcome in more detail.

The Impact of Discharge Disposition on Episode-of-Care Reimbursement After Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) accounts for more Medicare expenditure than any other inpatient procedure. The Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement model was introduced to decrease cost and improve quality in TJA. The largest portion of episode-of-care costs occurs after discharge. This study sought to quantify the cost variation of primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) according to discharge disposition. METHODS: The Medicare and Humana claims databases were used to extract charges and reimbursements to compare day-of-surgery and 91-day postoperative costs simulating episode-of-care reimbursements. Of the patients who underwent primary THA, 257,120 were identified (204,912 from Medicare and 52,208 from Humana). Patients were stratified by discharge disposition: home with home health, skilled nursing facility, or inpatient rehabilitation facility. RESULTS: There is a significant difference in the episode-of-care costs according to discharge disposition, with discharge to an inpatient rehabilitation facility the most costly and discharge to home the least costly. CONCLUSION: Postdischarge costs represent a sizeable portion of the overall expense in THA, and optimizing patients to allow safe discharge to home may help reduce the cost of THA.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Postoperative Urinary Retention in Total Hip Arthroplasty Performed Under Spinal Anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to determine the risk factors for postoperative urinary retention (POUR) following total hip arthroplasty (THA) under spinal anesthesia. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent a primary THA without preoperative catheterization under spinal anesthesia were identified in a prospectively collected institutional patient database. All patients were monitored postoperatively for urinary retention on the basis of symptoms and the use of bladder ultrasound scans performed by a hospital technician. If necessary, straight catheterization was performed up to 2 times prior to indwelling catheter insertion. RESULTS: One hundred eighty patients were included in the study. Six patients who required indwelling catheterization for intraoperative monitoring were excluded. Seventy-six patients experienced POUR and required straight catheterization. Fourteen patients ultimately required indwelling catheterization. One patient who was not catheterized developed a urinary tract infection versus none of the patients who were catheterized. POUR was significantly associated with intraoperative fluid volume and a history of urinary retention (P = .018 and .023, respectively). Intraoperative fluid volumes of 2025, 2325, 2875, and 3800 mL were associated with a specificity for POUR of 60%, 82.7%, 94.9%, and 98%, respectively. No significant associations were found among catheterization and gender, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, history of polyuria, history of incontinence, postoperative oral narcotics use, or surgical duration. CONCLUSION: Patients with a history of prior urinary retention and those who receive high volumes of intraoperative fluid volume are at higher risk for POUR following THA performed under spinal anesthesia.

Medical Comorbidities Impact the Episode-of-Care Reimbursements of Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) costs are a source of great interest in the currently evolving health care market. The initiation of a bundled payment system has led to further research into costs drivers of this commonly performed procedure. One aspect that has not been well studied is the effect of comorbidities on the reimbursements of THA. The purpose of this study was to determine if common medical comorbidities affect these reimbursements. METHODS: A retrospective, level of evidence III study was performed using the PearlDiver supercomputer to identify patients who underwent primary THA between 2007 and 2015. Patients were stratified by medical comorbidities and compared using the analysis of variance for reimbursements of the day of surgery, and over the 90-day postoperative period. RESULTS: A cohort of 250,343 patients was identified. Greatest reimbursements on the day of surgery were found among patients with a history of cirrhosis, morbid obesity, obesity, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hepatitis C. Patients with cirrhosis, hepatitis C, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, atrial fibrillation, and CKD incurred in the greatest reimbursements over the 90-day period after surgery. CONCLUSION: Medical comorbidities significantly impact reimbursements, and inferentially costs, after THA. The most costly comorbidities at 90 days include cirrhosis, hepatitis C, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, atrial fibrillation, and CKD.

When Is It Safe for Patients to Drive After Right Total Knee Arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND: Advances in surgical technique and pain management have changed total knee arthroplasty (TKA). How soon after TKA are patients able to return to driving is a common question. Most surgeons prescribe 6-8 weeks postoperative based on old literature. Our hypothesis is that patient who undergoes TKA with contemporary techniques will return to their baseline before the 6th postoperative week. METHODS: After institutional review board approval, 50 patients with right TKA were prospectively evaluated. All patients underwent a preoperative brake reaction time (BRT), 2, 4, and 6 weeks postoperative. At each testing, we ask them if they felt that they were ready to drive. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients completed the study protocol. Mean preoperative BRT was 0.692 seconds. At 2 weeks postoperative, the BRT was 0.631 seconds. Thirty-nine patients (80%) reached their baseline by 2 weeks, and the remaining 10 (20%) reached it at 4 weeks postoperative. Confounding variables revealed no differences between groups. From the group that returned to baseline at 2 weeks, 67% patients stated they felt they were ready to drive, 21% patients said they were not sure, and 12% patients stated they were not ready to drive. CONCLUSION: BRT returned to baseline in most patients by the 2nd week postoperative and in all patients by the 4th week. Patient perception of driving ability can predict return of BRT. These findings have allowed us to encourage patients to reevaluate their driving ability between the 2nd and 4th postoperative weeks after TKA.

Does the Medicare 3-Day Rule Increase Length of Stay?

Medicare will only cover a stay in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) after TKA if the patient stays for at least 3 days at the inpatient hospital. The 3-day stay rule was instituted in 1965, to prevent over utilization of Medicare. We retrospectively reviewed 800 consecutive TKA, identifying patients that were discharged to rehab after surgery. 322 patients were discharged to SNF after surgery (209 Medicare, 113 private insurances). The LOS was 2.3 days for privately insured patients and 3.02 for Medicare recipients (P<0.05). No difference was found with regard to age, BMI, and ASA score. The Medicare 3-day rule independently increased the LOS in patients who required inpatient rehab, leading to increased cost. We suggest that this rule must be revised.

When is it safe for patients to drive after right total hip arthroplasty?

Old studies recommend 6weeks post-operative before patients can return to driving safely. This is a prospective study assessing brake reaction time (BRT) after THA. 38 patients underwent a pre-operative, 2, 4 and 6weeks post-operative BRT test. General linear repeated measurement was used. The mean pre-operative reaction time was 0.635±0.160seconds SD and 2-week was 0.576±0.137seconds SD (P=0.029); 33 patients (87%) were able to reach their baseline time by 2weeks. The remaining five patients (13%) reached their baseline at the 4-week post-operative. No differences were found with respect to age, gender, and the use of assistive devices. With new techniques in THA, most of patients return to normal times within the 2-week.

Strategies to Increase the Spanish-Speaking Workforce in Orthopaedic Surgery within the United States.

ABSTRACT: Language-concordant care improves patient satisfaction. Given the increase in Spanish-speaking persons requiring orthopaedic care in the United States, it is essential to increase the Spanish-speaking workforce in orthopaedic surgery. We have proposed strategies to improve the proportion of Spanish-speaking orthopaedic surgeons in the U.S. through early exposure to orthopaedic surgery, by creating collaborative advancement and mentorship opportunities, by endorsing Spanish-language immersion opportunities, and by increasing workforce diversity awareness. Furthermore, we have suggested a strategy to better equip non-Spanish-speaking orthopaedic surgeons while caring for Spanish-speaking patients. Together, the suggested strategies offer a variety of approaches that can have a direct, tangible impact on optimizing orthopaedic care while enhancing patient-physician communication in the Spanish language.