Golfers have greater preoperative and equal postoperative function when undergoing total knee arthroplasty compared to non-golfers.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 10% to 20% of patients with joint arthroplasties are golfers. The aim of this study was to assess if being a golfer is associated with functional outcomes, satisfaction or improvement in quality of life (QoL) compared to non-golfers following total knee arthroplasty. METHODS: All patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) over a one-year period at a single institution were included with one-year postoperative outcomes. Patients were retrospectively followed up to assess if they had been golfers at the time of their surgery. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to assess the independent association of preoperative golfing status on postoperative function and health-related outcomes. RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of a total of 514 patients undergoing TKA. This included 223 (43.3%) male patients and 291 (56.7%) female patients, with an overall mean age of 70 (SD 9.5) years. The preoperative Oxford Knee Score (OKS) was significantly higher in golfers when adjusting for confounders (Diff 3.4 [95% CI 1 to 5.8], p = 0.006). There was no difference in postoperative outcomes between golfers and non-golfers. There was however a trend towards a higher Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) in the golfers (difference 9.3, 95% CI - 0.2 to 18.8, p = 0.056). Of the 48 patients who reported being golfers at the time of their surgery, 43 (89.6%) returned to golf and 88.4% of those were satisfied with their involvement in golf following surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Golfers had better preoperative and equal postoperative knee specific function compared to non-golfers. The majority of golfers returned to golf by one year and were satisfied with their involvement in the game. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Healthcare-associated hepatitis C virus transmission among patients in an abdominal organ transplant center.

BACKGROUND: De novo hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among transplant patients is rarely recognized but can have severe consequences. We investigated the scope, source, and mode of HCV transmission within a transplant center after incident HCV infection was identified in 2 patients who had liver transplantation in late 2006. METHODS: Patients were interviewed, and transplant logs, medical records, and staff practices were reviewed to identify opportunities for HCV transmission. Infection via receipt of blood or organs was evaluated. Molecular epidemiology was used to determine the relatedness between persons with incident and chronic HCV infection. RESULTS: HCV from infected blood or organ donors was ruled out. Among the 308 patients who underwent transplant in 2006, no additional incident HCV infections were identified. Eighty-five (28%) had pre-transplant chronic HCV infection; 13 were considered possible HCV source patients based upon shared days on the inpatient unit, nursing assignment, or invasive procedures in common with incident HCV case-patients. Viral isolates from 1 HCV source patient and 1 incident case-patient were found to be highly related by quasispecies analysis, confirming patient-to-patient HCV transmission. Possible modes of transmission identified were the improper use of multidose vials, sharing of blood-contaminated glucometers, and touch contamination. CONCLUSION: Sporadic transmission or endemic levels of HCV transmission might be overlooked in a setting with high HCV prevalence, such as liver transplant units, where multiple, repeated opportunities for patient-to-patient HCV transmission can occur. Surveillance through pre- and post-transplant screening is necessary to identify incident HCV infection in this setting. Constant, meticulous attention must be paid to maintaining aseptic technique and good infection control practices to eliminate HCV transmission opportunities.

Safe air travel. Preventing in-flight medical problems.

Studies indicate that the incidence of in-flight medical emergencies is low, yet the huge volume of air travelers create the potential for a significant number of in-flight problems. Many medical conditions are aggravated by factors in the cabin environment, such as reduced air pressure, low humidity, turbulence, and immobility. In particular, reduced cabin pressure, occurring at higher flight altitudes, produces hypoxia and expansion of body gases, which may adversely affect those with cardiac, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, head, eye, ear, nose, throat, neurological, and obstetrical disorders. The risk of in-flight medical problems can be reduced through appropriate patient evaluation and counseling prior to flight. Education of both patients and health care providers is needed to promote safe air travel.