Patient specific implants versus conventional implants in primary total knee arthroplasty: No significant difference in patient reported outcomes at 5 years.

Background: Patient specific implants (PSI) represent a novel innovation aimed to improve patient satisfaction and function after total knee arthroplasty (TKA); however, longitudinal patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) for PSI are not well described. We sought to primarily evaluate PROMs of patients undergoing TKA with either PSI or off-the-shelf (OTS) implants at mid-term follow-up. Methods: A retrospective review was performed on a prospectively collected cohort of 43 primary, cruciate-retaining TKAs performed with PSI (n = 23) and OTS implants (n = 20) by a single surgeon. Patient demographics, operative characteristics, range of motion (ROM) return, reoperations, and outcomes [Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) T-score, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS), and Knee Society Score-Function (KSS-F)] were compared. Mean follow-up was 5 years. Results: TKA performed with either PSI and OTS implants demonstrated no difference in obtaining ROM by 3 months (extension 3° short of full extension vs. 0°, p = 0.16) or flexion (114° vs. 115°, p = 0.99) and final ROM was identical [0° extension to 120° flexion (p = 1)]. Although not significant (p = 0.42), 5 (22%) PSI TKA and 2 (10%) OTS implant patients required manipulation under anesthesia. KSS-F and PROMIS T-scores were higher in the PSI versus OTS TKA patients, respectively (90 vs. 73, p = 0.002; 51.6 vs. 44.5, p = 0.01). However, after multivariable analysis, none of these continuous outcome measures were significantly different (p = 0.28 for KSS and p = 0.45 for PROMIS T-score) between the groups. Conclusion: In a series of TKAs performed with PSI, no difference existed in postoperative ROM, reoperations, or patient-reported outcomes compared to OTS implants at 5 years. Surgeons may utilize the equivocal midterm results during TKA preoperative patient discussion of implant technologies.

The Development and Early Experience of a Destination Center of Excellence Program for Total Joint Arthroplasty.

High-volume total joint arthroplasty centers are becoming designated as destination centers of excellence to ensure quality of care while containing costs. This study aimed to evaluate the surgical patient journey through a new destination center of excellence program, review acute perioperative course trajectories, and report clinical outcomes. Our institution developed and implemented a destination center of excellence program to integrate into the existing total joint arthroplasty practice. A retrospective record review and analysis were performed for the first 100 destination center of excellence total knee arthroplasties and total hip arthroplasties enrolled in the program to evaluate program efficacy at a minimum 1-year follow-up. The study initially screened 213 patients, of whom 100 (47%) met program criteria and completed surgery (67 total knee arthroplasties and 33 total hip arthroplasties). The complication rate was 2%, and five patients (7.5%) required manipulation under anesthesia for stiffness after total knee arthroplasty. Two reoperations were needed: a neurectomy after total knee arthroplasty and a revision after total hip arthroplasty. The early experience of a destination center of excellence program has been favorable, with low complication rates and excellent outcomes.

Incorporating telemedicine into an ambulatory orthopedic practice.

ABSTRACT: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in many challenges for the healthcare system. This article describes how an ambulatory orthopedic practice transitioned to telemedicine in order to continue to provide effective, efficient, and safe care for patients. Although this discipline relies heavily on physical assessment and examination, telemedicine can be successfully implemented in this area.

Marjolin's Ulcer: Mesh-Related Vaginal Cutaneous Fistula With Superimposed Osteomyelitis and Neoplastic Transformation.

Marjolin's ulcer is a rare, often aggressive squamous cell malignancy identified in previously injured areas or those affected by chronic inflammation. It often develops in deep wounds that are slow to heal or allowed to heal by secondary intention. Few reports and small case series about Marjolin's ulcer have been published. We present a unique case with well-differentiated keratinized squamous cell carcinoma arising from a mesh-related vaginocutaneous fistula with superimposed osteomyelitis. The risk of cancerous transformation leading to Marjolin's ulcer in non-healing traumatic wounds is 8.1% and 2.6% in a fistula associated with purulent-inflammatory bone diseases. Approximately 1.7% of chronic cutaneous ulcers undergo neoplastic transformation, with a disposition to squamous cell carcinoma. Women experiencing mesh complications may require multiple procedures to address these issues and, therefore, should have them addressed in a timely manner to allow for the best patient outcome. Treatment optimization on a whole should incorporate the goals outlined by the American Urogynecologic Society and the International Urogynecological Association. These include the use of relevant evidence to help guide the management of mesh complications as well as identifying the gaps in currently available evidence, developing a treatment algorithm to be used for shared decision making, and identifying provider and healthcare facility characteristics that may optimize treatment outcomes specific to mesh complications.

Can loratadine help in treating granulocyte-colony stimulating factor-induced bone pain?

ABSTRACT: Febrile neutropenia is an oncologic emergency with serious consequences. Granulocyte colony stimulating factors (G-CSFs), used to stimulate neutrophil production to prevent febrile neutropenia, can cause bone pain in more than 25% of patients. Severe bone pain may not respond to acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, or dose reduction of the G-CSF agent. A study found that patients taking loratadine had fewer treatment-associated adverse reactions and discontinuations than those on naproxen. Although more research is needed, loratadine's tolerability, ease of administration, and potential benefit mean that it should be considered for management of pegfilgrastim-associated bone pain. This article describes a patient whose G-CSF-induced bone pain was completely alleviated by loratadine.

Telehealth Benefits and Barriers.

Telehealth includes health care services provided using audio and video technology. Telehealth was originally developed to provide basic care to rural and underserved patients. Higher rates of use of telehealth are now standard in many practices since the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Increasing emphases on patient satisfaction, providing efficient and quality care, and minimizing costs have also led to higher telehealth implementation. Patients and providers have enjoyed the benefits of telehealth, but widespread adoption has been hindered by regulatory, legal, and reimbursement barriers. Recent legislative initiatives have advocated for further telehealth advancements, especially with the rapid implementation of telehealth in the times of coronavirus disease 2019.

Polypharmacy After Elective Orthopaedic Surgery.

Polypharmacy is common, especially among older patients. Polypharmacy can lead to adverse patient outcomes and increased healthcare costs. After elective hip or knee arthroplasty, several new medications are prescribed, which can contribute to polypharmacy, although these medications are necessary in the postoperative period. Although some instances of polypharmacy may be appropriate, many are not. Nurse practitioners play a vital role in identifying and preventing inappropriate polypharmacy in the postoperative period and can develop individualized therapy plans for each patient to provide safe medication use in patients. This would be beneficial in the orthopaedic surgery postoperative period because of the introduction of several new medications.

Robotic-Assisted versus Manual Total Knee Arthroplasty in a Crossover Cohort: What Did Patients Prefer?

BACKGROUND: Robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty represents an increasingly utilized surgical technology; however, there remains clinical question whether the technique produces improved clinical and patient-reported outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate early clinical outcomes and patient preference of robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) versus manual TKA (mTKA) in a direct crossover cohort of patients who underwent consecutive TKAs by each technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review and telephone interview was performed on 36 patients who underwent both rTKA and mTKA by a single surgeon between 2012-2018. Perioperative outcomes-complications/reoperations and patient-preferred technique-were collected with mean clinical follow up of 4.8 and 2.0 years for mTKA and rTKA, respectively. RESULTS: mTKA were performed significantly (p<0.01) more quickly than rTKA, including shorter tourniquet time (56 versus 73 minutes) and total operating room time (93 versus 116 minutes). rTKA patients length of stay (LOS) was significantly (p<0.01) decreased (1.8 days) compared to mTKA (2.3 days). For rTKA and mTKA, respectively, there was no difference in final range of motion (119 versus 122 degrees), Visual Analog Scale (1.6 versus 0.9), or Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Jr (85 versus 87). Twenty (56%) reported rTKA as the preferred technique over mTKA. CONCLUSION: In same patient direct comparison, rTKA required longer operative time but improved LOS compared to mTKA. There was no difference in final outcomes with only slightly more patients preferring rTKA.

Seeing Double: A Case of ACL Tears in Monozygotic Twin Female Athletes Within 48 Hours.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are a serious issue for young athletes. These injuries are devastating and costly, leading to significant time away from sports, and substantial financial cost. A case is presented in which monozygotic twin sisters sustained ACL injuries within 48 hours of one another. Limited research is available studying twins with ACL tears and the risk factors associated with them. This is the first reported case of monozygotic sisters that are high-level athletes with ACL tears in such close proximity to one another. Enhanced knowledge of genetic contribution to ACL injuries is important to better understand predisposing factors and to develop preventative approaches. More research is needed to support a distinct association between ACL rupture and genetic variants.