Use of a fluoroscopy-based robotic-assisted total hip arthroplasty system produced greater improvements in patient-reported outcomes at one year compared to manual, fluoroscopic-assisted technique.

INTRODUCTION: The adoption of new technology should be supported by improvements in patient-reported outcomes (PROMs). The purpose of this study was to assess the one-year PROMs of patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) using a novel, fluoroscopy-based, robotic-assisted (RA-THA) system when compared to a manual, fluoroscopic-assisted technique (mTHA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of 91 consecutive mTHA and 85 consecutive RA-THA via a direct anterior approach was conducted. All cases were performed by the same surgeon at the same institution, for a pre-operative diagnosis of osteoarthritis, avascular necrosis, or rheumatoid arthritis. Outcomes included one-year Veterans RAND-12 (VR-12) Physical/Mental, Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome (HOOS) Pain/Physical Function/Joint Replacement, and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Activity scores, as well as the difference between pre-operative and one-year post-operative PROMs. RESULTS: Patients in the RA-THA cohort had lower pre-operative HOOS-JR scores compared to patients in the mTHA cohort (37.0 vs. 43.1; p = 0.031). Cohorts experienced similar one-year post-operative VR-12, HOOS, and UCLA Activity scores. Patients in the RA-THA cohort experienced greater improvements across all pre- and post-operative HOOS scores compared to patients in the mTHA cohort: Pain (+ 54.7 vs. +42.1; p = 0.009), Physical Function (-41.6 vs. -28.7; p = 0.007), and Joint Replacement (+ 46.6 vs. +33.0; p = 0.002). These differences exceeded minimum clinically important difference (MCID). CONCLUSIONS: Both manual and robotic cohorts experienced benefit from THA at one-year post-operative. Importantly, the use of a novel, fluoroscopy-based robotic assistance system for primary THA resulted in greater improvements in PROMs at one-year relative to manual technique.

A Survey of Personal Health Habits, Wellness, and Burnout in Practicing Orthopaedic Surgeons-Are We Taking Care of Ourselves?

INTRODUCTION: The personality traits of those who become orthopaedic surgeons may also lead to overwork, work-life balance issues, and burnout. Health and wellness practices of orthopaedic surgeons have not been widely explored. This study evaluated the personal health habits, wellness, and burnout of practicing orthopaedic surgeons in the United States. METHODS: An anonymous self-assessment survey was completed by 234 practicing orthopaedic surgeon alumni from two large residency programs. The survey assessed exercise habits according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, compliance with preventive medical care practices according to the United States Preventive Services Task Force, prioritization of occupational wellness strategies, and the presence of burnout via an adapted Maslach Burnout Inventory. Survey responders' mean age was 52 years, 88% were male, and 93% had a body mass index <30 kg/m2. Surgeons were stratified according to practice type, years in practice, and subspecialty. RESULTS: Among orthopaedic surgeons, compliance with aerobic and strength exercise recommendations was 31%. Surgeons in academic practice were significantly (P = 0.007) less compliant with exercise recommendations (18%) compared with private (34%) or employed (43%) practicing surgeons. Most (71%) had seen their primary care provider within 2 years and were up to date on age-appropriate health care screening including a cholesterol check within 5 years (79%), colonoscopy (89%), and mammogram (92%). Protecting time away from work for family/friends and finding meaning in work were the most important wellness strategies. The overall burnout rate was 15% and remained not significantly different (P > 0.3) regardless of years in practice, practice type, or subspecialty. CONCLUSION: This survey study identifies practicing orthopaedic surgeons' health habits and wellness strategies, including limited compliance with aerobic and strength exercise recommendations. Orthopaedic surgeons should be aware of areas of diminished personal wellness to improve quality of life and avoid burnout.

What are the Outcomes After Primary Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty in Patients With Prior Cerebrovascular Accidents?

BACKGROUND: For patients who have a history of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) with neurological sequelae undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA), we sought to determine mortality rate, implant survivorship, complications, and clinical outcomes. METHODS: Our total joint registry identified CVA sequelae patients undergoing primary THA (n = 42 with 25 on affected hip) and TKA (n = 56 with 34 on affected knee). Patients were 1:2 matched based upon age, sex, body mass index, and surgical year to a non-CVA cohort. Mortality and implant survivorship were evaluated via Kaplan-Meier methods. Clinical outcomes were assessed via Harris Hip scores or Knee Society scores . Mean follow-up was 5 years (range, 2-12). RESULTS: For CVA sequelae and non-CVA patients, respectively, the 5-year patient survivorship was 69 versus 89% after THA (HR = 2.5; P = .006) and 56 versus 90% after TKA (HR = 2.4, P = .003). No significant difference was noted between groups in implant survivorship free from any reoperation after THA (P > .2) and TKA (P > .6). Postoperative CVA occurred at an equal rate in CVA sequelae and non-CVA patients after TKA (1.8%); none after THA in either group. The magnitude of change in Harris Hip scores (P = .7) and Knee Society scores (P = .7) were similar for CVA sequelae and non-CVA patients. CONCLUSION: Complications, including the risk of postoperative CVA, implant survivorship, and outcome score improvement are similar for CVA sequelae and non-CVA patients. A 2.5-fold increased risk of death at a mean of 5 years after primary THA or TKA exist for CVA sequelae patients.

Outcomes of Femoral Neck Fracture Treated With Hip Arthroplasty in Solid Organ Transplant Patients.

BACKGROUND: Solid organ transplant (SOT) patients have increased risk of complications, infection, and mortality after elective total hip arthroplasty (THA). The study aims to compare SOT recipients' clinical outcomes to a matched group of nontransplant patients after nonelective THA and hemiarthroplasty for acute femoral neck fracture (FNF). METHODS: A retrospective review identified 31 SOT patients undergoing hip arthroplasty (24 hemiarthroplasty and 7 THA) for FNF and were matched 1:1 to non-SOT patients based on age, sex, body mass index, surgical procedure, and year of surgery. Patient survivorship, perioperative outcomes, complications, and reoperations were compared. The mean follow-up was 3 years. RESULTS: The estimated survivorship free from mortality for SOT and non-SOT patients at 1- year was not different (77% and 84%, respectively, P = .52). The 90-day readmission rate was significantly higher with 8 (26%) in the SOT cohort and none in the non-SOT group (P < .01). Major medical complications occurred in 16% of SOT patients compared to 5% in controls (P = .21). Three (10%) reoperations/revisions were required for SOT patients and none in non-SOT group (P = .24). CONCLUSION: SOT recipients undergoing nonelective hip arthroplasty for FNF demonstrated increased readmission rates compared to matched controls. For this rare clinical scenario, diligent perioperative care by surgeons and multidisciplinary transplant specialists is necessary to mitigate increased risk of SOT patients.

Does Prior Surgery for Femoroacetabular Impingement Compromise Hip Arthroplasty Outcomes?

BACKGROUND: Open and arthroscopic approaches have been described to address femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Despite good outcomes, there is a subset of patients who subsequently require total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, there is a paucity of data on the outcomes of THA after surgery for FAI. The purpose of this study was to determine whether clinical outcomes of THA are affected by prior open or arthroscopic treatment of FAI. METHODS: This case-matched retrospective review included 23 patients (24 hips) that underwent THA after previous surgery for FAI (14 arthroscopic and 10 open) and compared them to 24 matched controls with no history of prior surgery on the operative hip. The controls were matched for age, sex, surgical approach, implants used, and preoperative modified Harris hip score (mHHS) did not differ between groups. The primary outcome measure was the mHHS. Operative time, blood loss, and the presence of heterotopic ossification after THA were also compared between groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in mean mHHS between the FAI treatment group 92.9 ± 12.7 and controls 95.2 ± 6.6 (P = .43) at a mean follow-up after THA of 33 (24-70) months. Increased operative times were noted for THA after surgical hip dislocation (SHD; mean 109.3 ± 29.8) compared to controls (mean 88.0 ± 24.2; P < .05). There was no significant difference in blood loss between groups. The occurrence of heterotopic ossification was significantly higher after SHD compared to controls (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical outcomes after THA are not affected by prior open or arthroscopic procedures for FAI. However, increased operative times and an increased risk of heterotopic ossification were noted after SHD.

Atypical Coxa Saltans Due to Partial Proximal Hamstring Avulsion: A Case Presentation Highlighting the Role for Dynamic Sonography.

Painful hip snapping can present as a rare sequela of proximal hamstring injury. We present a case of painful snapping of the conjoint tendon of the semitendinosus and biceps femoris over the ischial tuberosity in the setting of a partial proximal hamstring disruption. Dynamic ultrasonography identified the source of snapping and a persistent attachment of the conjoint tendon to the sacrotuberous ligament, which prevented retraction and allowed subluxation of the tendons across the ischial tuberosity. Following surgical transection of the persistent sacrotuberous ligament attachment to the conjoint tendon and tendon reattachment, the patient's symptoms resolved with full return of function.