The Impact of Caregivers' Anxiety on Patients' Anxiety before Fast-Track Knee Arthroplasty.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Anxiety may have negative repercussions on the surgery including poorer outcomes. On the other hand, the majority of patients reporting preoperative anxiety fear not receiving enough attention from a caregiver. In patients undergoing fast-track knee arthroplasty, we determined the relationship between patients' preoperative anxiety and the anxiety the patient's caregiver. We also analyzed the influence of selected psychosocial and demographic variables on the relationship between caregivers' and patients' anxiety. MATERIAL AND METHODS We conducted a prospective, descriptive study in which baseline assessments of patients scheduled to undergo fast-track total knee arthroplasty between 1st November 2014 and 30th April 2015 were compared with those of their caregivers. Patients were recruited from a large teaching hospital through the orthopedics joint replacement clinic. Information on sex, age, body mass index (BMI), educational status, employment status, marital status, and living status was recorded for all patients. Patients and their caregivers completed the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Baseline trait anxiety was assessed with STAI scores in the initial interview, 2 weeks before hospitalization, and state anxiety was assessed the day before the surgery. The patients' caregivers were contacted during a scheduled postoperative clinic visit and asked to complete the STAI and to provide information on their age, degree of consanguinity with patient, and living status. RESULTS The mean age was 66.4 years for the 118 patients and 55.7 years for the 93 caregivers. In male caregivers, caregiver anxiety and patient anxiety were positively related but not statistically so, and in women was not significant. In male patients, a relationship between caregiver's anxiety and patient's anxiety was positive, although not statistically significant, and in women was neither present nor significant. DISCUSSION Given the widespread impacts of anxiety before knee arthroplasty, it is critical for surgeons to gain a better understanding of how to identify and reduce preoperative anxiety in operated patients. We found that male sex among caregivers was associated with more preoperative anxiety among patients than was female sex and that male patients more quickly accepted anxiety from their caregivers than did female patients. CONCLUSIONS Anxious male caregivers appear to impart their anxiety to male patients but not to female patients. The anxiety of unrelated caregivers is associated with low preoperative anxiety among patients. Preoperative interventions should focus on caregivers, especially male caregivers, and to related caregivers to help patients cope with anxiety before knee arthroplasty. Key words: knee arthroplasty. knee replacement. fast track, anxiety, caregiver, preoperative stress.

Total knee arthroplasty in patient with paraplegia after spinal cord injury.

The clinical management of paraplegic patients is more complex than in able-bodied subjects. Spinal cord injury (SCI) affects younger, active people more often than the elderly during high-energy fall or traffic accidents. In order to return to work after suffering an SCI, patients need to regain their functional independence, especially their ability to drive. The literature lacks strong evidence addressing the surgical solutions in severe knee arthrosis in paralyzed patients after SCI. We present a favourable outcome of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) of a stiff knee in extension in a man with T12 grade C paraplegia after SCI. We describe an effective rehabilitation protocol after knee arthroplasty in patient with damage to the spinal cord. Several factors should be taken into account before performing surgery: 1. ability of regaining some of spinal cord locomotor function through intensive gait rehabilitation in SCI patients, 2. presence of muscle imbalance and knee contractures combined with a risk of bone fracture resulting from intensive postoperative rehabilitation, 3. the impaired microvasculature of the skin and subcutaneous tissues and increased risk of occlusion occurrence of the capillaries and small vessels of the leg, 4. higher prevalence of secondary infections via urinary entry sites in patients after SCI, 5. patient's strong determination and willingness to undergo the arthroplasty procedure. TKA might be considered in selected paralyzed patients after SCI, especially in those with severe arthrosis as well as significant knee contractures. Our study reveals the advantage of performing TKA in improving functional state in patients with cord injury.

Overrepresentation of the COL3A1 AA genotype in Polish skiers with anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Although various intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture have been identified, the exact aetiology of the injury is not yet fully understood. Type III collagen is an important factor in the repair of connective tissue, and certain gene polymorphisms may impair the tensile strength. The aim of this study was to examine the association of the COL3A1 rs1800255 polymorphism with ACL rupture in Polish male recreational skiers. A total of 321 male Polish recreational skiers were recruited for this study; 138 had surgically diagnosed primary ACL ruptures (ACL-injured group) and 183 were apparently healthy male skiers (control group - CON) who had no self-reported history of ligament or tendon injury. Both groups had a comparable level of exposure to ACL injury. Genomic DNA was extracted from the oral epithelial cells. All samples were genotyped on a real-time polymerase chain reaction instrument. The genotype distribution in the ACL-injured group was significantly different than in CON (respectively: AA=10.1 vs 2.2%, AG=22.5 vs 36.1, GG=67.4 vs 61.8%; p=0.0087). The AA vs AG+GG genotype of COL3A1 (odds ratio (OR)=5.05; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.62-15.71, p=0.003) was significantly overrepresented in the ACL-injured group compared with CON. The frequency of the A allele was higher in the ACL-injured group (21.4%) compared with CON (20.2%), but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.72). This study revealed an association between the COL3A1 rs1800255 polymorphism and ACL ruptures in Polish skiers.

First metatarsophalangeal joint replacement with modular three-component press-fit implant. Preliminary report.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The aim of this retrospective study was to assess functional and radiographic results of the first metatarsophalangeal joint replacement with use of unconstrained, modular, three components, porous titanium and hydroxyapatite coated, press-fit METIS® prosthesis. According to author's knowledge, results of that type of prosthesis have never been published before. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 25 prosthesis were implanted in 24 patients between February 2009 and May 2011. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Hallux Metatarsophalangeal Interphalangeal scoring system (AOFAS-HMI) was used to assess functional results. Patients were also asked if they would undergo procedure again or recommend it to other people. Weight bearing radiographs ware made at final follow up and analyzed for presence of osteolysis and radiolucencies. In 8 patients total joint replacement was introduced as a salvage after failure of previous surgery like Keller resection arthroplasty, failed arthrodesis, avascular necrosis and postoperative arthritis. In 11 patients the reason for prosthetic replacement were hallux rigidus, in 4 cases rheumatoid arthritis and gout in one patient. In two patients additional procedures like Akin phalangeal osteotomy and in one case fifth metatarsal osteotomy, was performed. There were 20 females and 4 males in presented group. The mean age at the operation was 56 years. The average follow up period was 18 months (from 12 to 36 months). RESULTS: The median postoperative value of AOFAS-HMI scores was 88 points (from 75 to 95 points). First metatarsophalangeal joint motion (dorsiflexion plus plantarflexion) was classified according to AOFAS-HMI ranges as: moderately restricted (between 30 to 70 degrees) in 19 patients 80% (20 prosthesis) and severely restricted (less then 30 degrees) in 5 patients (20%). 15 (64%) patients were completely satisfied, 5 (20%) reported moderate satisfaction and (16%) 4 were totally disappointed and would not undergo this procedure again. A limited hallux dorsiflexion was the main dissatisfaction reason. Partial radiolucent line was seen in one patient (4%). Authors noticed two serious complications. In one patient, with rheumatoid arthritis, deep infection occurred 12 months after prosthesis implantation. In second case phalangeal implant was revised due to misalignment. CONCLUSIONS: METIS® metatarsophalangeal joint replacement allows alleviate of pain relating to hallux rigidus and partial restoration of joint movement, even in patients after failures of primary metatarsophalangeal joint surgery. AOFAS-HMI results are better than previously reported in the literature in assessment of the first metatarsophalangeal joint replacement. Radiographic results imply satisfactory bone ingrowth into the cementless implants.

Is retrieval of bone material from multiorgan donors effective enough to cover demand for biostatic bone tissue grafts in Poland?

In Poland there is growing demand for biostatic allogeneic bone transplantation mostly for traumatologic operations and orthopedic reconstructions. The bone material is primarily harvested during postmortem examinations in forensic and pathology laboratories. Nevertheless, the collected amounts are not sufficient, so that material needs to be acquired from alternative sources, such as multiorgan donors. Between 1998 and 2003, 2331 potential donors were registered by the Transplantation Coordinating Center in Warsaw, which was adjusted to 1794 donors who would have been accepted as donors of the bone tissue. Unfortunately, due to denials from family members and public prosecutors, the sample was only 1416 donors, which would cover about 40% of the clinical orthopedic demand in Poland.

Effect of adding one 15-minute-walk on the day of surgery to fast-track rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized, single-blind study.

BACKGROUND: Earlier and more intensive physiotherapy exercise after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) enhance recovery, but the best combination of intensity and duration has not been determined. AIM: To determine whether adding a single, 15-minute walk on the day of surgery to a fast-track rehabilitation protocol would reduce knee pain and improve knee function after TKA. DESIGN: A randomized single-blind study. SETTING: Inpatient. POPULATION: Patients with primary osteoarthrosis after TKA. METHODS: Patients undergoing TKA were randomly assigned to a standard, fast-track rehabilitation protocol consisting of a single, 15-minute walk with a high-rolling walker 4 to 6 hours after recovery from spinal anesthesia or to an intensive protocol, in which patients took a second 15-minute walk at least 3 hours after the first, only on the day of surgery. Outcomes were pain measured on a visual analog scale, Knee Society's (KSS) clinical and functional scores, Oxford knee scores, and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scores. Patients were blinded to group assignment. Since most data were non-normally distributed non-parametric tests were used. Groups were compared with Mann-Whitney U test (for continuous variables). Association between continuous variables was evaluated with Spearman`s rank correlation coefficient. Chi-square or Fisher's exact test was used to assess differences in categorical variables. RESULTS: Of 86 patients assessed for eligibility, 66 were randomly assigned. The 31 evaluable patients on the intensive protocol (mean age, 68 years; 18 women) did not differ significantly from the 31 (mean age, 70 years; 20 women) on the standard protocol on any baseline characteristic or on any outcome measure on any day. On the second postoperative day, pain while walking dropped from a mean of 6.1 to a mean of 4.9 in the intensive group and from 6.4 to 5.4 in the standard group. Results for pain at rest were 3.3 to 2.2, respectively, for the intensive group and 4.0 to 3.0 for the standard group. At 2 weeks, pain at rest was 2.8 in both groups, and pain while walking was 3.0, respectively, for the intensive group and 3.4 for the standard group. At 2 weeks, mean (SD) KSS clinical and KSS function scores were, respectively, 74.9 (12.5) and 51.6 (16.2) in the intensive group and 71.2 (14.3) and 46.3 (16.1) in the standard group. Older age correlated with decreasing knee function (rS=-0.43, P<0.001), and less knee flexion correlated with preoperatively higher state anxiety (rS=-0.37, P=0.005) and trait anxiety (rS=-0.29, P=0.027). The study is limited by its small sample. The fast-track program was not in line with the best available evidence following knee arthroplasty, because patients did not undergo such treatment as NMES. Finally, the intervention itself was modest. CONCLUSION: Adding an additional 15-minute walk to a fast-track rehabilitation protocol did not increase pain, but neither did it improve functional recovery. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: A 15-minute walk immediately after recovery from spinal anesthesia did not increase pain in patients with TKA. More intense exercise during this period might improve functional recovery without increasing pain.

[Dysphagia in the course of degenerative changes of the anterior wall of the cervical spine]. / Zaburzenia polykania w przebiegu zmian zwyrodnieniowych przedniej sciany kregoslupa szyjnego.

Diagnostics, differentiation and results of treatment for spondylogenic dysphagia in 8 male patients aged 50-69 (mean 57.7 years) have been presented. Non-steroid and steroid pharmacotherapy was successful in 6 patients. In 2 cases symptoms worsened and only surgical decompression of the esophagus was needed to eliminate dysphagia, persistent cough and hoarseness.

[Aneurysmal bone cyst and solitary cyst of bone]. / Torbiele tetniakowate i samotne kosci.

Results of treatment of 7 cases of aneurysmal bone cysts and 12 cases of solitary bone cysts in 19 patients treated in our Department between 1991 and 1996 are presented. Changes were found in the humerus, femur, tibia and fibula. Curettage or excision was the mode of treatment. Recurrence of the condition has been noted in 4 cases. Excision of the change and filling of the defect with autologous or homologous bone graft is more efficient than curettage alone.

[Surgical stabilization of fractures and dislocations of the spine]. / Operacyjna stabilizacja kregoslupa w leczeniu zlaman i zwichniec.

Observing the results of surgical treatment in 84 patients (64 males and 20 females) it was noted that stability of the cervical spine with a damaged posterior column could be achieved by using a coticospongious graft wedged in between the vertebral bodies. Unstable fractures of the thoracaic, thoracolumbar, and lumbar spine are best treated with a transpedicular stabilization system, involving application of either rods or plates onto the vertebral bodies. When using transpedicular screws, stability is achieved when screws are of the right size, are properly implanted into the pedicles and the rods are linked by transverse connectors (forming a 3D construction). Reconstruction of the anterior column by using bone graft or titanium baskets is of crucial importance.

[Current methods of thromboprophylaxis in total hip arthroplasty]. / Wspólczesne metody profilaktyki przeciwzakrzepowej w alloplastykach calkowitych stawów biodrowych.

The paper presents a review of methods of thromboprophylaxis, with regard given to both pharmacological and physiotherapeutic means in patients who underwent a total hip replacement procedure. Routine procedure should involve proper assertion of indications for surgical treatment, appropriate preoperative planning, surgery carried out in conduction anaesthesia, in the shortest possible time and as atraumatically as possible. Several weeks' of pharmacological treatment involving use of low molecular weight heparins in unison with mechanical means e.g. elastic stockings should follow surgical intervention. Quick mobilization of the patient following the surgical procedure along with intensive physiotherapy results in a decrease of the risk of thrombosis. In order to increase the efficiency of thromboprophylaxis different preventive methods should be applied simultaneously.

[Factors influencing bone mineral density around the femoral stem after cementless total hip arthroplasty]. / Wybrane czynniki wplywajace na gestosc mineralna kosci wokól trzpienia endoprotezy po bezcementowej alloplastyce stawu biodrowego.

Factors influencing bone mineral density around the femoral stem after PM cementless total hip arthroplasty were evaluated in longitudinal study of 18 hips in 18 patients who had undergone surgery due to unilateral hip osteoarthritis. Bone mineral density in the femoral neck was determined by dualenergy X-ray absorptiometry measurement performed preoperatively and in periprosthetic femoral Gruen's zones prospectively 2 weeks, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery. The concentrations of calcium, magnesium and fluoride were measured in cortical and trabecular bone samples taken from resected femoral head and neck. At 12 and 24 months after the operation the regional bone mineral density measurement showed significant, maximum decrease but after 12 months bone mineral density appeared to be stabilized. The analysis of preoperative femoral neck density and fluoride content in trabecular bone proved that osteopenia and lower fluoride concentrations correlated significantly with greater bone density decrease after total hip arthroplasty. No other factors (age, sex, weight, calcium and magnesium concentrations in bone and fluoride concentration in cortical bone) showed significant associations.