Analgesic efficacy of single-shot adductor canal block versus adductor canal block combined with intra-articular ropivacaine infusion after total knee arthroplasty.

AIMS: Single-shot adductor canal block (ACB) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for postoperative analgesia is a common modality. Patients can experience breakthrough pain when the effect of ACB wears off. Local anaesthetic infusion through an intra-articular catheter (IAC) can help manage breakthrough pain after TKA. We hypothesized that combined ACB with ropivacaine infusion through IAC is associated with better pain relief compared to ACB used alone. METHODS: This study was a prospective double-blinded placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial to compare the efficacy of combined ACB+ IAC-ropivacaine infusion (study group, n = 68) versus single-shot ACB+ intra-articular normal saline placebo (control group, n = 66) after primary TKA. The primary outcome was assessment of pain, using the visual analogue scale (VAS) recorded at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after surgery. Secondary outcomes included active knee ROM 48 hours after surgery and additional requirement of analgesia for breakthrough pain. RESULTS: The study group (mean visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score of 5.5 (SD 0.889)) experienced significant reduction in pain 12 hours after surgery compared to the control group (mean VAS 6.62 (SD 1.356); mean difference = 1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.46 to 0.67; p < 0.001), and pain scores on postoperative day (POD) 1 and POD-2 were lower in the study group compared to the control group (mean difference in VAS pain = 1.04 (-1.39 to -0.68, 95% CI, p < 0.001). Fewer patients in the study group (0 vs 3 in the control group) required additional analgesia for breakthrough pain, but this was not statistically significant. The study group had significantly increased active knee flexion (mean flexion 86.4° (SD 7.22°)), compared to the control group (mean 73.86° (SD 7.88°), mean difference = 12.54, 95% CI 9.97 to 15.1; p < 0.014). CONCLUSION: Combined ACB+ ropivacaine infusion via IAC is a safe, reproducible analgesic modality after primary TKA, with superior analgesia compared to ACB alone. Further large volume trials are warranted to generate evidence on clinical significance on analgesia after TKA. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(12):1082-1088.

When can I go home after my knee replacement? Factors affecting the duration of in-hospital stay after knee replacement.

BACKGROUND: Despite a sevenfold decline in the number of postoperative nights (21-3) after a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) over the last four decades, predictors of length of stay (LOS) are not fully understood. We attempted to ascertain these factors by analyzing a large cohort of patients. METHODS: Prospectively collected data between January 2016 and March 2017 were retrospectively analyzed at our institute. Charts of 1663 consecutive, simple primary unilateral and bilateral TKAs were reviewed for the LOS excluding staggered bilateral, complex primary and revision knees. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Preoperative variables [demographics, cash/credit status, historical, clinical, laboratory findings, Knee Society Function Scores and Oxford Knee Scores (OKSs)] were scrutinized by multivariate regression to identify significant factors affecting LOS and formulate model equations for patients and health caregivers. Results were incorporated into an iOS application, which was tested for accuracy. RESULTS: Among 1524 unilateral and 139 bilateral TKAs, mean LOS was 4.4 and 5.2 days, respectively. Five factors, namely insurance, flexion/hyperextension deformity, preoperative OKS and a rheumatoid etiology, were significantly associated with prolonged LOS in unilateral knees. The impact of these independent variables on LOS could be calculated by: [Formula: see text]For bilateral cases, the only significant variable extending LOS was a low preoperative OKS and the equation is given as follows: [Formula: see text]The iOS-app-predicted LOS and actual LOS were similar (p > 0.05) for 115 prospectively operated knees. CONCLUSION: Poor preoperative OKS, rheumatoid etiology, flexion and hyperextension deformity and delays in insurance affected unilateral TKR LOS, while poor preoperative OKS alone affected LOS in bilateral cases.

Reliability of intra-operative frozen section study in revision of infected hip arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Frozen sections are extensively used to help in the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection during revision hip arthroplasty, though there are insufficient data in relation to its usefulness. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with infected hip arthroplasties were operated in the form of one or two-staged revision hip arthroplasties. A frozen section was obtained intra-operatively and > 5 PMN's/ HPF was considered as a positive indicator of infection. If the frozen section was reported negative (≤5 PMN's/HPF), the revision prosthesis was implanted after a thorough debridement and a wash. If the frozen section was reported as positive, post the debridement; a non-articulating antibiotic-loaded cement spacer was implanted for 8 weeks, supplemented with 3 weeks of intravenous antibiotics and 3 weeks of oral antibiotics. This was followed by an antibiotic-free interval of 2 weeks. The patient was taken up for a revision surgery once the frozen section study was negative (≤5 PMN's/HPF). The patients were followed up for a minimum of 1 year to a maximum of 2 years after the revision for any evidence of infection (assessed clinically, serologically, and radiologically). RESULTS: Frozen section analysis of PMNs per high power field had a 100% specificity in our patients in detecting periprosthetic joint infection. CONCLUSION: Frozen section study is a safe, rapid, cheap and reliable intra-operative modality to diagnose periprosthetic joint infection.

Enchondroma with Osteopoikilosis Coexisting Together -A Rare Clinical and Radiological Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Osteopoikilosis and enchondroma existing together have not been reported in literature, and this is the first report of the management of the same. CASE REPORT: A 26-year-old male presented with dull aching pain with swelling around the knuckle of the left index finger of 1 month duration. On examination, there was a swelling of approximately 1x1 cm on the dorsal aspect. Typical radiographic changes of osteopoikilosis and enchondroma were present. CONCLUSION: Enchondroma coexistence with osteopoikilosis is rare. Diagnosis is suspected on plain radiographs and confirmed by the histopathologic study. Enucleation of the tumor with bone graft provides good results.

Comparison between Multisite Infiltration Analgesia versus Adductor Canal Block for Pain Management in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute postoperative pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may cause significant morbidity to patients. Recent techniques such as peripheral nerve blocks have shown promising hope in providing appropriate pain control without systemic side effects. Adductor canal block (ACB) and multisite infiltration analgesia (MIA) are two techniques that are proven to be effective individually. AIM: This study aims to compare the efficacy of ACB versus MIA in postoperative analgesia and functional recovery after unilateral knee arthroplasty. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A prospective study was conducted between July 2016 and December 2016 involving 200 patients undergoing unilateral TKA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were either administered MIA (Group I, n = 100 patients) or ACB (Group II, n = 100 patients). All the patients were assessed for severity of pain by visual analog scale (VAS) at 8, 24, and 48 h postoperatively and knee range of motion (ROM) at 48 h after surgery. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 19.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used for descriptive and inferential analysis. RESULTS: Patients who received MIA showed significantly better VAS scores 8, 24, and 48 h after surgery. Furthermore, this subset of patients showed a marginally better ROM postoperatively. However, there was no difference number of patients requiring rescue analgesia for breakthrough pain or technique-related problems between both groups. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that MIA is a safe technique that provides effective analgesia at 8, 24, and 48 h postoperatively. This leads to faster rehabilitation compared to ACB in patients undergoing TKA.

Validating the Role of Steroid in Analgesic Cocktail Preparation for Local Infiltration in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: Pain control after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) through local analgesic cocktail preparation has gained widespread popularity in recent times. Local steroids have potent anti-inflammatory effect leading to reduced postoperative swelling and pain which might increase the efficacy and duration of local infiltration analgesia. AIM: The aim is to evaluate whether the addition of local steroid to an injectable analgesic cocktail for periarticular infiltration leads to better pain control and knee range of motion (ROM) in the immediate postoperative period compared to patients who do not receive steroid in their cocktail. SETTINGS AND DESIGNS: A prospective study was conducted in a group of 140 patients undergoing unilateral TKA between June 2017 and December 2017. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the patients in the study group received either periarticular infiltration with an analgesic cocktail (Group I, n = 70) or analgesic cocktail with 100 mg methylprednisolone (Group II, n = 70) for postoperative pain with ultrasound-guided adductor canal block (ACB). Patients were evaluated with visual analog scale (VAS) for pain at 8, 24, and 48 h postoperatively and ROM at 48 h after surgery. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The SPSS 19.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used for the statistical analysis. Student t-test has been used to find the pairwise significance. RESULTS: Group II had a statistically significant decrease in VAS scores at 8 h (P = 0.096), first postoperative day (P = 0.0001) and second postoperative day (P = 0.0001) as compared to Group I. However, there was no statistically significant difference seen with early ROM in both the groups at 48 h (P < 0.361). CONCLUSION: Patients who received steroid cocktail infiltration plus ACB had an improved and better postoperative analgesia in an early postoperative period of 24-48 h; however, there was no significant difference in clinical ROM and functional outcome when compared to the study group.