Is There a Consensus on Air Travel Following Hip and Knee Arthroplasty?

Introduction "When can I fly after my hip or knee replacement?" is a question frequently encountered by surgeons. Both air travel and arthroplasty increase the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE); however, few studies examine the risk of air travel following arthroplasty. This study aimed to review the advice given to patients by surgeons, airlines, and insurance providers about flying after arthroplasty. We also review the current literature and available guidelines. Materials and methods A survey was sent to consultants with a special interest in hip or knee arthroplasty at 14 hospital trusts in the United Kingdom (UK) asking how long they would advise patients to avoid flying after surgery. We contacted all UK commercial airlines asking if they imposed any limitations on flying after arthroplasty. We contacted 15 UK insurance providers to determine whether they would provide insurance coverage following arthroplasty. Results A total of 110 knee surgeons and 105 hip surgeons were contacted. The response rate was 42% for hip surgeons and 44% for knee surgeons. Advised time to avoid flying varied widely from 14 to 180 days. A total of 22 airlines were contacted, and the response rate was 63% (n=14). Five airlines would not allow passengers to fly following arthroplasty and seven airlines required certification from a doctor. Fifteen insurance providers were contacted and the response rate was 73% (n=11). Seven insurance providers had restrictions on providing cover to passengers after arthroplasty. Conclusion Advice given to patients by surgeons, airlines, and insurance providers about flying following arthroplasty varies greatly. There is an absence of evidence-based guidelines to inform such advice. Further study is required to provide the evidence on which to base such advice. Therefore, we recommend that surgeons exercise caution when providing advice to patients.

Follow-up of Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacements at a Large District Hospital and the Implementation of Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency Guidelines: A Review of 297 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) guidance for patients with metal-on-metal (MoM) hip replacements was provided in 2012 and updated in 2017 to assist in the early detection of soft-tissue reactions due to metal wear debris. A large number of MoM hip replacements were undertaken at our hospital trust. A program of recall for all patients with MoM hip replacements was undertaken and MHRA guidelines were implemented. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the revised MHRA guidelines in the detection of early adverse reactions to metal debris and to re-evaluate the indications for metal artifact reduction sequence magnetic resonance imaging (MARS-MRI) and revision surgery. METHODS: Identification and recall of all patients with MoM hip replacements from 2001 were conducted by using theatre logs, patient records, clinical coding information, and consultant logbooks. Two senior arthroplasty consultants reviewed X-rays and patient records. Postal questionnaires were forwarded to patients, together with requests for general practitioners to complete cobalt and chromium blood tests. The two consultant-led review of MOM replacements was undertaken with further radiological investigations (X-rays, MARS-MRI) performed according to the 2017 guidance with support of consultant radiologists. RESULTS: Of 674 identified patients, 297 were available for review: 26 patients did not have MoM implants, 36 were untraceable, 59 refused follow-up, 87 moved out of area, 147 had died, and 22 already had revision. Of 297 patients, 126 were women and 171 were men; age range was 39 to 95 years (mean age, 69 years); 126 had resurfacing and 171 had MoM replacements. Twenty-six patients had elevated metal ions. Thirty-three patients underwent MARS-MRI: MARS-MRI results were positive in 17 and negative in 16. Of 17 patients with positive MARS-MRI, 10 patients were asymptomatic and seven were waiting revision. CONCLUSIONS: Positive MARS-MRI can often occur in the absence of elevated metal ion levels; elevated blood metal ion levels do not mean MARS-MRI will be positive. All patients with MoM replacements were at risk. It is imperative to assess patients regularly for symptoms that may raise clinical suspicion and maintain a low threshold to performing MARS-MRI.

Giant Cell Tumor of Tendon Sheath in the Hand Affecting Children: Clinical and Radiological Findings, Histological Diagnosis and Treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCTTS) is a benign tumor, originating from proliferation of the synovial cells of a tendon sheath. It is very rare within the pediatric population. CASE REPORT: In this case presentation, we describe two cases of GCTTS in the hand, in a 7-year-old female and a 6-year-old male. CONCLUSION: GCTTS occurs very uncommonly in children. It is difficult to accurately diagnose on clinical examination and radiological investigation alone, and thorough and complete excision is important to avoid recurrence of the lesion. The two cases presented in this report help further define this condition, in terms of diagnosis and management, in the pediatric population.

Functional outcome and health related quality of life after dual mobility cup total hip replacement for displaced femoral neck fractures in middle aged Egyptian patients.

AIM: This study was done to assess the functional and clinical results after one year of cemented THR with dual mobility cup for the treatment of fracture neck femur in active middle-aged patients in Egypt (Middle Eastern population). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 31 patients (32 hips) with displaced femoral neck fractures that were admitted to El Hadara University Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt. Their mean age was 66.4 ±â€¯5.9 years. Fifteen patients were females. All the patients were treated with total hip replacement using a cemented dual mobility cup (Ecofit® 2 M, Implantcast GmbH, Germany) total hip replacement through the standard posterior approach. Functional assessment was done using Harris Hip Score (HHS), SF-36 questionnaire for health related quality of life (HRQoL) with assistance of a physiotherapist. RESULTS: The mean HHS improved over the follow up period from 79.04 ±â€¯7.9 at 12 weeks to an average of 92.8 ±â€¯11.1 at 1 year follow up. HRQoL measures showed a pattern of initial drop at 3 months postoperatively, then a steady rise to be restored at 1 year as compared to the preoperative baseline measures. There were no dislocations encountered in this series over one year follow up. The following complications were encountered; 1 deep infection, 2 deep vein thrombosis, 2 heterotopic ossifications, and 1 patient died within one year after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Dual mobility cup total hip replacement is an acceptable method for treatment of displaced femoral neck fracture in active middle aged patients in Egypt as it provides pain relief and good function without compromising the stability.

Pavlik harness treatment for pathological developmental dysplasia of the hip: meeting the standard?

In the UK, the Pavlik harness is generally the accepted treatment technique for the treatment of neonatal and infant pathological developmental dysplasia of the hip. In 2013, the success rate of the Pavlik harness became an outcome measure from the British Society of Children's Orthopaedic Surgery for appraisal and revalidation with the GMC for paediatric orthopaedic surgery. The standard set requires an 80% success rate, with less than 20% requiring surgery. This study evaluated the outcomes of Pavlik harness treatment in neonates/infants with 'pathological hips' diagnosed by ultrasound imaging in a district general hospital setting. In a 10-year prospective observational longitudinal cohort study, modified Graf type III and IV hips (excluding those presenting with irreducible hip dislocation) were classified as pathological and splinted. A total of 2826 neonates/infants underwent ultrasound assessment in the paediatric orthopaedic 'screening clinic'. Neonates and infants were referred as 'at-risk' or as clinically unstable by the Paediatric Department and by general practitioners. Thirty-one Graf type III and 95 Graf type IV hips were identified and treated with a Pavlik harness. One Graf type III (30/31=success rate 96.8%) and three clinically unstable Graf type IV hips progressed to irreducible hip dislocations (92/95=96.8%). The success rate of the Pavlik harness in Graf type III and IV dysplasia was 96.8%, with 3.2% requiring surgery because of progression of the condition, confirming acceptable results for this technique in a district general hospital setting.

Intraosseous schwannoma of D12 thoracic vertebra: diagnosis and surgical management with 5-year follow-up.

Intraosseous schwannomas or neurilemomas are rare benign neoplasms that account for less than 0.2% of primary bone tumours. Very rarely they have been observed in lumbar vertebrae. We report a neurilemoma involving the lower thoracic spine and present the clinical, radiological and histological findings with surgical management and 5-year follow-up. An 18-year-old-male presented with back pain and deteriorating locomotor function. Neurological examination revealed wasting of both calves and weakness in plantar flexion and dorsiflexion bilaterally. X-rays showed a D12 vertebral body abnormality with cystic changes and collapse of the body and pedicle. MRI showed a tumor occupying the D12 vertebrae with perivertibral protrusion compressing the thecal sac. Surgical decompression, excision and stabilisation with an extendable cage, bone graft and anterior rod system were achieved through a thoracolumbar approach. Histology results confirmed an intraosseous schwannoma with no remnants of an originating nerve. These tumors are rare but can be successfully treated with surgical excision and maintenance of spinal stability with recovery of neurological and functional change. Recurrence is uncommon.