Beyond Revision Surgery: Work-Up and Interventional Treatments for the Painful Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Total knee arthroplasty is a common and successful treatment modality for knee arthritis that is refractory to conservative management strategies. Over 600,000 arthroplasties are performed per year in the United States, and this number is expected to increase in the coming years. Unfortunately, 8% to 34% of patients experience chronic pain after having a total knee arthroplasty. These patients should undergo an appropriate work-up by the orthopedic surgeon, but many times a surgical problem is not uncovered. In these situations, a thorough and specific plan for pain management should be sought. In this article, we outline the work-up of a painful total knee arthroplasty. Then we provide a thorough review of interventional pain management strategies and highlight the pertinent literature. Lastly, we hypothesize future developments in the field that may provide better outcomes for patients suffering from painful total knee arthroplasty.

Outcomes of Conversion Total Hip Arthroplasty From Free Vascularized Fibular Grafting.

BACKGROUND: Conversion total hip arthroplasties (THAs) from prior free vascularized fibular grafting (FVFG) are infrequently reported in the literature. We characterized the perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing conversion THA and compared them with those of a matched cohort of patients undergoing primary THA for osteonecrosis of the femoral head and neck (ONFHN). METHODS: The institutional database was queried for patients with FVFG requiring conversion to THA. This cohort was then matched 1:1 for age, gender, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score for patients with ONFHN undergoing primary THA. Medical records were reviewed for intraoperative and postoperative complications, which were then compared between conversion and primary THA patient cohorts. RESULTS: Two hundred eighty-eight THA patients were included for analysis (144 patients with FVFG matched to 144 patients with ONFHN and no prior FVFG). Patients with prior FVFG who underwent THA had significantly greater operative time and blood loss (P < .001). Although not significant, there were more intraoperative fractures in the FVFG cohort (P = .053). Postoperatively, patients with FVFG had significantly greater blood transfusions (P < .001) and hematoma formation (P = .004) than the matched cohort. There was no difference in length of stay, discharge disposition, or venous thromboembolism; however, patients who underwent conversion THA showed increased deep infection (P = .044) and rate of return to the operating room (P = .010). CONCLUSION: Although there are numerous treatment strategies for patients with ONFHN, many patients will ultimately require THA. Patients undergoing conversion after FVFG are more likely to have complications including increased blood loss, hematoma formation, and intraoperative fractures. Consequently, surgeons should concentrate on preoperative optimization and prepare for specific technical challenges.

Iatrogenic Arteriovenous Fistula With Associated Pseudoaneurysm of Posterior Tibial Artery After Revision Total Ankle Arthroplasty: A Case Report.

Iatrogenic vascular injuries in elective orthopedic surgery are rare. However, these are important complications to recognize early and treat appropriately because the potential sequelae can be devastating. Arteriovenous fistula of the lower extremity after total ankle arthroplasty has not been previously described in published studies. The proper diagnosis of arteriovenous fistulas can be difficult without a high index of suspicion, and treatment often involves surgical intervention. We present the case of a 62-year-old male who developed an iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula with associated pseudoaneurysm of the posterior tibial artery after revision total ankle arthroplasty that was treated with surgical ligation and excision, followed by reverse saphenous vein grafting.

Contemporary outcomes of primary total hip arthroplasty in patients with inflammatory arthritis.

Aims: Contemporary outcomes of primary total hip arthroplasties (THAs) with highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) liners in patients with inflammatory arthritis have not been well studied. This study examined the implant survivorship, complications, radiological results, and clinical outcomes of THA in patients with inflammatory arthritis. Methods: We identified 418 hips (350 patients) with a primary diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis who underwent primary THA with HXLPE liners from January 2000 to December 2017. Of these hips, 68% had rheumatoid arthritis (n = 286), 13% ankylosing spondylitis (n = 53), 7% juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (n = 29), 6% psoriatic arthritis (n = 24), 5% systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 23), and 1% scleroderma (n = 3). Mean age was 58 years (SD 14.8), 66.3% were female (n = 277), and mean BMI was 29 kg/m2 (SD 7). Uncemented femoral components were used in 77% of cases (n = 320). Uncemented acetabular components were used in all patients. Competing risk analysis was used accounting for death. Mean follow-up was 4.5 years (2 to 18). Results: The ten-year cumulative incidence of any revision was 3%, and was highest in psoriatic arthritis patients (16%). The most common indications for the 15 revisions were dislocations (n = 8) and periprosthetic joint infections (PJI; n = 4, all on disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)). The ten-year cumulative incidence of reoperation was 6.1%, with the most common indications being wound infections (six cases, four on DMARDs) and postoperative periprosthetic femur fractures (two cases, both uncemented femoral components). The ten-year cumulative incidence of complications not requiring reoperation was 13.1%, with the most common being intraoperative periprosthetic femur fracture (15 cases, 14 uncemented femoral components; p = 0.13). Radiological evidence of early femoral component subsidence was observed in six cases (all uncemented). Only one femoral component ultimately developed aseptic loosening. Harris Hip Scores substantially improved (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Contemporary primary THAs with HXLPE in patients with inflammatory arthritis had excellent survivorship and good functional outcomes regardless of fixation method. Dislocation, PJI, and periprosthetic fracture were the most common complications in this cohort with inflammatory arthritis.

Liner malseating is rare with two modular dual-mobility designs.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of liner malseating in two commonly used dual-mobility (DM) designs. Secondary aims included determining the risk of dislocation, survival, and clinical outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 256 primary total hip arthroplasties (THAs) that included a DM component (144 Stryker MDM and 112 Zimmer-Biomet G7) in 233 patients, performed between January 2012 and December 2019. Postoperative radiographs were reviewed independently for malseating of the liner by five reviewers. The mean age of the patients at the time of THA was 66 years (18 to 93), 166 (65%) were female, and the mean BMI was 30 kg/m2 (17 to 57). The mean follow-up was 3.5 years (2.0 to 9.2). RESULTS: Three liners (1.2%) were malseated, including two MDMs (1.4%) and one G7 (0.9%). No clinical consequence was identified from malseating. The five-year survival free of dislocation was 97.1%, including two DM and one intraprosthetic dislocation. The five-year survival free of revision was 95.4%, with seven revisions. The mean Harris Hip Scores increased from 46 (24 to 69) preoperatively to 81 (40 to 100) at two years postoperatively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The incidence of DM liner malseating after primary THA was low, with no known clinical consequences at mid-term follow-up. Malseating is not exclusive of design, and these findings emphasize the importance of careful evaluation of the liner after impaction to avoid this complication. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(5):598-603.

Anatomic Magnetic Resonance Imaging Measurements in First-Time Patellar Dislocators by Sex and Age.

CONTEXT: Anatomic differences of the knee in first-time patellar dislocators have not been clearly elucidated. OBJECTIVE: To compare structural differences of the knee in those who have sustained an acute first-time patellar dislocation resulting in a medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) tear by sex and age (≤17 years old, ≥18 years old). DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Retrospective magnetic resonance imaging analysis. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-five acute first-time patellar dislocators with an associated MPFL tear. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Patellar height using 3 methods, patellar alignment using congruency angles, and trochlear morphology using the sulcus angle. We compared the means of these variables by sex and age. The intraclass correlation coefficient was then calculated to assess the agreement of the independent reviewers. RESULTS: A total of 21 left and 14 right knees were analyzed. The MPFL tear location did not differ by sex (P = .34) or age (P = .43). Patellar height did not differ as measured by the Caton-Deschamps ratio (P = .29 for sex, P = .49 for age), Insall-Salvati index (P = .15 for sex, P = .33 for age), or patellotrochlear index (P = .67 for sex, P = .49 for age). The congruence angle (P = .81 for sex, P = .06 for age) and trochlear morphology as measured by the sulcus angle (P = .64 for sex, P = .45 for age) were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patellar height and trochlear morphology did not differ by sex or age among patients whose first-time patellar dislocations resulted in an MPFL tear. In addition, the location of the tear did not appear to vary by sex or age.

Comparing Standard Versus Extended Culture Duration in Acute Hip and Knee Periprosthetic Joint Infection.

INTRODUCTION: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a devastating complication of hip and knee arthroplasties. Surgical cultures are essential for the diagnosis and treatment of PJI. Yet, the ideal culture duration remains unclear. This study compares culture yield, organism profile, and treatment success between standard (5 days) and extended (14 days) cultures in acute hip and knee PJI. METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records was completed between 2006 and 2015. All patients with an acute PJI meeting the modified International Consensus Meeting on PJI criteria of a primary hip or knee arthroplasty were included. All patients underwent irrigation and débridement with exchange of modular bearing surfaces for an acute postoperative or acute hematogenous infection. A standard growth cohort (before February 2012) was compared with an extended growth cohort (after February 2012) to determine if differences existed in culture yield and treatment success using the Delphi consensus criteria. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-nine patients were analyzed, including 102 (54.0%) standard duration and 87 (46.0%) extended duration cohorts. Patient cohorts were closely matched, except more hip PJIs than knee PJIs were included in the standard cohort (69.6% versus 49.4%; P = 0.005). No differences between standard and extended cohorts were observed with regard to overall culture yield, monomicrobial growth, or polymicrobial growth. Propionibacterium acnes was identified more often in the extended cohort (5 versus 0 patients; P = 0.019). However, four of these patients had only one positive P acnes culture and grew additional organisms. Finally, no difference in treatment success between the standard and extended cohorts at the final follow-up was found (53% versus 52%; P = 0.282). CONCLUSION: Extended culture duration in acute hip and knee PJIs did not change the rate of culture-negative PJI, identify more patients with polymicrobial PJI, or improve the success of surgical treatment. The only difference was a higher incidence of P acnes growth, but contaminants or indolent chronic PJI cannot be excluded. Although extended culture growth may be indicated in acute shoulder arthroplasty PJI, its utility in hip or knee arthroplasty may be limited. Higher-level studies will be needed to address this in the future.

Reproducible transient asystolic arrest during intramedullary reaming of the femoral canal: A case report.

The utilization of intramedullary devices in the surgical fixation of hip fractures is increasing. Although intramedullary devices offer many advantages in the treatment of these injuries, they are also associated with a unique set of potential complications, particularly during preparation of the femoral canal. Cardiac dysrhythmia resulting from reaming the femoral canal is rare and has not been previously described in detail in the literature. We present the case of a 69-year-old male with an infected right cephalomedullary femoral nail who underwent removal of hardware and experienced reproducible, transient asystolic cardiac arrest during reaming of the femoral canal and offer potential explanations for this event.

Arthroscopic Debridement of Pediatric Accessory Anterolateral Talar Facet Causing Impingement.

Symptomatic subfibular and/or lateral talocalcaneal impingement in pediatric patients may result from an accessory anterolateral talar facet (AALTF). This impingement may cause pain and disability and may limit athletic performance in high-level athletes. We report the case of a 12-year-old female competitive gymnast who had refractory, lateral-sided right ankle pain for 4 months and underwent right ankle arthroscopic resection of the AALTF causing impingement. Standard medial and anterolateral portals with the addition of an accessory anterolateral-distal portal were used in conjunction with a 30° 2.7-mm-diameter arthroscope. The AALTF was resected with a combination of a shaver and a motorized rasp. Intraoperative fluoroscopy was used to verify successful debridement of the bony facet. This case illustrates that arthroscopic debridement is a technique to treat subfibular and/or talocalcaneal impingement associated with an AALTF.

Arthroscopic treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis screw impingement and concomitant hip pathology.

Impingement caused by screws used for stabilization of slipped capital femoral epiphysis can be treated arthroscopically. Although troublesome screws have traditionally been removed by open techniques, arthroscopic removal can successfully be achieved. In addition to affording the patient the benefits of minimally invasive surgery, surgeons also have the ability to arthroscopically address any concomitant hip pathology responsible for pain, including femoroacetabular impingement and labral tears.

Arthroscopic hip labral repair: the iberian suture technique.

Arthroscopic hip labral repair has beneficial short-term outcomes; however, debate exists regarding ideal surgical labral repair technique. This technical note presents an arthroscopic repair technique that uses intrasubstance labral suture passage to restore the chondrolabral interface. This "Iberian suture technique" allows for an anatomic repair while posing minimal risk of damage to the labral and chondral tissues.

Assessment of cardiovascular risk in collegiate football players and nonathletes.

UNLABELLED: Collegiate American football players may be at risk for cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVE: to compare cardiovascular disease risk factors and cardiovascular structure and function parameters of football players, stratified by position, to a group of sedentary, nonathletes. PARTICIPANTS: twenty-six collegiate football players and 13 nonathletes participated in this study. METHODS: blood pressures, anthropometrics, and blood chemistries were obtained and analyzed using standardized procedures. Resting echocardiography was used to evaluate cardiac morphology and function. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation was assessed using high-resolution ultrasonography. RESULTS: the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was significantly higher amongst the linemen compared to the skill-position players (46% versus 0%, p < .05). Mildly abnormal wall thickness was noted in 20% of the football players. No significant differences in vascular function were observed between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: the increased prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its components in the collegiate linemen may increase cardiovascular disease risk.