Increased Accuracy in Templating for Total Knee Arthroplasty Using 3D Models Generated from Radiographs.

Templating prior to total hip arthroplasty is a widely adopted practice that aims to improve operative efficiency and reduce clinical outliers. Predicting implant size before total knee arthroplasty (TKA), although less common, could increase operating room efficiency by reducing necessary equipment needed for the procedure. This study compared templating accuracy in TKA using two-dimensional (2D) digital radiographs to a novel imaging technology that generates a three-dimensional (3D) model from these 2D radiographs. Two hundred and two robotic-assisted primary TKA surgical cases using Persona Knee System (Zimmer Biomet, Warsaw, IN) were retrospectively analyzed. For all cases, 3D templating was completed preoperatively using a novel radiographic image acquisition protocol. Using the same radiographs, the knee was templated using a 2D digital templating program. All surgeons were blinded to the final implant sizes, and all templating was done independently. The accuracy of predictions within ± 1 from the final implant size was determined for the femoral and tibial components. The accuracy (within 1 size) of tibial size predictions was comparable between attending surgeons and residents (87 vs. 82%, p = 0.08), but attending surgeons more accurately predicted the femoral size (77 vs. 60%, p < 0.05). The 2D to 3D imaging technology more accurately predicted both tibial and femoral sizes compared with the attending surgeons (99.5 vs. 87%, p < 0.05; 84% vs. 77%, p < 0.05). However, the imaging technology, attending surgeons, and residents were all more likely to overestimate femur size (p < 0.05). Moreover, the 3D imaging technology predicted the exact tibial component size in 93.1% of cases, which was significantly greater compared with residents (40%, p < 0.01) and attending surgeons (53%, p < 0.01). The 2D to 3D imaging technology more accurately predicted tibial and femoral component sizes compared with 2D digital templating done by surgeons. All templating predictions were more accurate for the tibial implant size than for the femoral size. The increased accuracy of implant size predictions from this 3D templating technology has the potential to improve intraoperative efficiency and minimize costs and surgical time.

Effects of Preoperative Carbohydrate-rich Drinks on Immediate Postoperative Outcomes in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the effects of preoperative carbohydrate-rich drinks on postoperative outcomes after primary total knee arthroplasty. METHODS: We prospectively randomized 153 consecutive patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty at one institution. Patients were assigned to one of three groups: group A (50 patients) received a carbohydrate-rich drink; group B (51 patients) received a placebo drink; and group C (52 patients) did not receive a drink (control). All healthcare personnel and patients were blinded to group allocation. Controlling for demographics, we analyzed the rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting, length of stay, opiate consumption, pain scores, serum glucose, adverse events, and intraoperative and postoperative fluid intake. RESULTS: Demographics and comorbidities were similar among the groups. There were no significant differences in surgical interventions or experience. Surgical fluid intake and total blood loss were similar among the three groups (P = 0.47, P = 0.23). Furthermore, acute postoperative outcomes (ie, pain, episodes of nausea, and length of stay) were similar across all three groups. There were no significant differences in adverse events between the three groups (P = 0.13). There was a significant difference in one-time postoperative bolus between the three groups (P = 0.02), but after multivariate analysis, it did not demonstrate significance. None of the intervention group were readmitted, whereas 5.9% and 11.5% were readmitted in the placebo and control groups, respectively (P = 0.047). The chance of 90-day readmission was reduced in group A compared with group C (odds ratio, 0.08; 95% confidence interval, 0.01 to 0.72; P = 0.02). There were no differences in other postoperative outcome measurements. CONCLUSION: This randomized controlled trial demonstrated that preoperative carbohydrate loading does not improve immediate postoperative outcomes, such as nausea and vomiting; however, it demonstrated that consuming fluid preoperatively proved no increased risk of adverse outcomes and there was a trend toward decrease of one-time boluses postoperatively. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRY: NCT03380754.

Return to Play and Performance in Golfers After Total Knee Arthroplasty: Does Component Type Matter?

BACKGROUND: Golf is a popular sport among patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The golf swing requires significant knee rotation, which may lead to changes in golfing ability postoperatively. The type of implant used may alter the swing mechanics or place different stresses on the knee. The purpose of this study was to evaluate golf performance and subjective stability after TKA and compare outcomes between cruciate-retaining (CR) and posterior-stabilized (PS) implants. HYPOTHESIS: Patients with CR implants will experience better stability during the golf swing compared to patients with PS implants. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3. METHODS: Patients who underwent primary TKA were identified from the medical record and sent an electronic questionnaire focusing on return to play (RTP), performance, pain, and stability during the golf swing. Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores (KOOS) were collected before and at multiple time points after surgery. Patients were surveyed postoperatively and asked to evaluate overall performance, pain, and stability before and after surgery. Outcomes were compared based on implant type. RESULTS: Most patients (81.5%) were able to return to golf at an average of 5.3 ± 3.1 months from surgery. The average postoperative KOOS was 74.6 ± 12.5 in patients able to RTP compared with 64.4 ± 9.5 in those who were not (P < 0.05). Knee pain during golf significantly improved from 6.4 ± 2.1 to 1.8 ± 2.2 (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in pain, performance, or stability between the CR and PS patients. CONCLUSION: Most patients can successfully return to golfing after TKA. Knee replacement offers patients reliable pain relief during the golf swing and fewer physical limitations during golf, with no detriment to performance. There is no difference in performance or subjective knee stability based on component type. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Understanding associated outcomes of different TKA knee systems allows for unbiased and confident recommendations of either component to golfers receiving total knee replacement.

Improved accuracy and reproducibility of a novel CT-free robotic surgical assistant for medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty compared to conventional instrumentation: a cadaveric study.

PURPOSE: Alignment errors in medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) predispose to premature implant loosening and polyethylene wear. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a novel CT-free robotic surgical assistant improves the accuracy and reproducibility of bone resections in UKA compared to conventional manual instrumentation. METHODS: Sixty matched cadaveric limbs received medial UKA with either the ROSA® Partial Knee System or conventional instrumentation. Fifteen board-certified orthopaedic surgeons with no prior experience with this robotic application performed the procedures with the same implant system. Bone resection angles in the coronal, sagittal and transverse planes were determined using optical navigation while resection depth was obtained using calliper measurements. Group comparison was performed using Student's t test (mean absolute error), F test (variance) and Fisher's exact test (% within a value), with significance at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Compared to conventional instrumentation, the accuracy of bone resections with CT-free robotic assistance was significantly improved for all bone resection parameters (p < 0.05), other than distal femoral resection depth, which did not differ significantly. Moreover, the variance was significantly lower (i.e. fewer chances of outliers) for five of seven parameters in the robotic group (p < 0.05). All values in the robotic group had a higher percentage of cases within 2° and 3° of the intraoperative plan. No re-cuts of the proximal tibia were required in the robotic group compared with 40% of cases in the conventional group. CONCLUSION: The ROSA® Partial Knee System was significantly more accurate, with fewer outliers, compared to conventional instrumentation. The data reported in our current study are comparable to other semiautonomous robotic devices and support the use of this robotic technology for medial UKA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Cadaveric study, Level V.

Comparison of Area Deprivation Index, Socioeconomic Parameters, and Preoperative Demographics With Postoperative Emergency Department Visits After Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to determine if socioeconomic (SE) parameters, primarily area deprivation index (ADI), relate to postoperative emergency department (ED) visits after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 2655 patients who underwent TKA in a health system of 4 hospitals. The primary outcome was an ED visit within 90 days, which was divided into those with and without readmission. SE parameters including ADI as well as preoperative demographics were analyzed. Univariable and multiple logistic regressions were performed determining risk of 90-day postoperative ED visits, as well as once in the ED, risks for readmission. RESULTS: 436 patients (16.4%) presented to the ED within 90 days. ADI was not a risk factor. The multiple logistic regression demonstrated men, Medicare or Medicaid, and preoperative ED visits were consistently risk factors for a postoperative ED visit with and without readmission. Preoperative anticoagulation was only a risk factor for ED visits with readmission. Among patients who visited the ED, if the patient was Caucasian, a lower BMI, or higher American Society of Anesthesiologists score, they were likely to be readmitted. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that the percentage of early ED returns after TKA was high and that ADI was not a predictor for 90-day postoperative ED visit. The only SE factor that may contribute to this phenomenon was insurance type. Once in the ED, race, preoperative ED visits, preoperative anticoagulation, BMI, gender, and preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists score contributed to a risk of readmission. The study supports hospitals' mission to provide equal access health care.

Ultrasonographic and radiographic findings of polyethylene component displacement with severe metallosis and metal-induced synovitis following total knee arthroplasty.

Aseptic loosening and wear is second to only infection as the most common cause of arthroplasty failure. Degeneration of the polyethylene and metal arthroplasty components can lead to metallosis, which can cause a combination of direct cytotoxic effects and an inflammatory response within the synovial and periarticular tissues. This can result in bone resorption and secondary arthroplasty component loosening as well as a metal containing joint effusion and metal-induced synovitis. Little literature exists as to the ultrasonographic findings of metal-induced synovitis and polyethylene component displacement. As the use of musculoskeletal ultrasound significantly increases, being aware of these findings is important. The most important ultrasonographic findings include differentiating a joint effusion from synovitis utilizing dynamic compression, identifying areas of echogenic shadowing related to metal deposition and visualizing displaced arthroplasty components. The following is a case report that demonstrates the ultrasonographic imaging findings of metallosis, metal-induced synovitis and polyethylene component displacement. We will also demonstrate the ultrasound-guided aspiration findings as well as radiographic and gross pathologic correlations.

Hematologic Malignancies Are Associated with Adverse Perioperative Outcomes following Total Knee Arthroplasty.

The treatment of hematologic malignancies has advanced over the years, resulting in an improved survival of patients. As a result, these patients may be a part of the increasing population requiring total knee arthroplasty (TKA); however, they might be at a higher risk of adverse perioperative outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the perioperative outcomes (complications, length of stay [LOS], and costs) of patients with hematologic malignancies following TKA. This study used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) to identify patients who underwent TKA in the United States from 2000 to 2011. Patients diagnosed with any hematologic malignancy (N = 24,714) were then stratified by Hodgkin's disease (N = 791), Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (N = 7,096), plasma cell dyscrasias (N = 1,621), leukemia (N = 8,005), myeloproliferative disease (N = 5,746), and/or myelodysplastic syndromes (N = 1,608) for determining the complications that occurred during admission. Propensity matching was performed for demographics, hospital characteristics, and comorbidities, which yielded 24,491 patients with any hematologic malignancy and 24,458 control patients. Additionally, propensity matching was performed for the hematologic malignancy subtypes. Multivariable regression models were used to analyze the surgical and medical complications, LOS, and costs. The annual frequency of THA in patients with any hematologic malignancy increased from 2000 to 2011 (p < 0.0001). Hematologic malignancies were associated with an increased risk of any surgery-related complication (odds ratio [OR] = 1.31, p < 0.0001) and any general medical complication (OR = 1.38, p < 0.0001). Patients with any hematologic malignancy had increased odds of complications, including acute postoperative anemia (OR = 1.29, p < 0.0001), hematoma/seroma (OR = 1.65, p < 0.02), peripheral vascular disease (OR = 2.23, p = 0.046), deep venous thrombosis (DVT) (OR = 1.95, p = 0.02), and blood transfusion (OR = 1.61, p < 0.0001). Hematologic malignancies were associated with an increased incremental LOS (0.13 d, p < 0.0001) and an increased incremental cost ($788, p < 0.0001). Thus, we conclude that following TKA, patients with hematologic malignancies are at an increased risk of perioperative complications, longer LOS, and higher costs. The risk quantification for adverse perioperative outcomes in association with an increased cost may help design different risk stratification and reimbursement methods in such patients when undergoing TKA.

Hematologic Malignancies Are Associated With Adverse Perioperative Outcomes After Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Advancements in treating hematologic malignancies have improved survival, and these patients may be part of the growing population undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the perioperative outcomes of THA in patients with hematologic malignancies. METHODS: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample identified patients who underwent THA from 2000 to 2011 (n = 2,864,412). Patients diagnosed with any hematologic malignancy (n = 18,012) were further stratified into Hodgkin disease (n = 786), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 5062), plasma cell dyscrasias (n = 2067), leukemia (n = 5644), myeloproliferative neoplasms (n = 3552), and myelodysplastic syndromes (n = 1082). Propensity matching for demographics, hospital characteristics, and comorbidities identified 17,810 patients with any hematologic malignancy and 17,888 controls; additional matching was performed to compare hematologic malignancy subtypes with controls. Multivariate regression was used to analyze surgical and medical complications, length of stay (LOS), and costs. RESULTS: Compared to controls, hematologic malignancies increased the risk of any surgery-related complication (odds ratio [OR], 1.4; P < .0001) and any general medical complication (OR, 1.47; P < .0001). Additionally, hematologic malignancies were associated with an increase in LOS (0.16 days; P = .004) and increased costs ($1,101; P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing THA have an increased risk of perioperative complications, longer LOS, and higher costs. The risk quantification for adverse perioperative outcomes in association with increased cost may help to design different risk stratification and reimbursement methods in such populations.