Intraoperative physician assessment during total hip arthroplasty correlates with DXA parameters.

PURPOSE: Orthopedic surgeons can assess bone status intraoperatively and recommend skeletal health evaluation for patients with poor bone quality. Intraoperative physician assessment (IPA) at the time of total knee arthroplasty correlates with preoperative DXA-measured bone mineral density (BMD). This study evaluated IPA during total hip arthroplasty (THA) as a quantitative measure of bone status based on tactile assessment. METHODS: This retrospective analysis identified 60 patients (64 hips) undergoing primary THA who had IPA recorded in the operative report and a DXA within 2 years before surgery. Intraoperatively, two surgeons assessed bone quality on a 5-point scale (1 = excellent; 5 = poor). IPA score was compared to DXA BMD and T-score, 3D Shaper measurements, WHO classification, FRAX scores, radiographic Dorr classification, and cortical index. RESULTS: There was a strong correlation between the IPA score and lowest T-score, WHO classification, and FRAX major and hip fracture scores (r = ± 0.485-0.622, all p < 0.001). There was a moderate correlation between IPA score and total hip BMD and 3D Shaper measurements, including trabecular volumetric BMD, cortical surface BMD, and cortical thickness (r = ± 0.326-0.386, all p < 0.01). All patients with below-average IPA scores had osteopenia or osteoporosis by DXA. CONCLUSION: IPA during THA is a simple, valuable tool for quantifying bone status based on tactile feedback. This information can be used to identify patients with poor bone quality that may benefit from skeletal status evaluation and treatment and provide intraoperative guidance for implant selection. Orthopedic surgeons can assess bone health at the time of surgery. Intraoperative physician assessment (IPA) is a bone quality score based on surgeons' tactile assessment that correlates strongly with the lowest T-score, WHO classification, and FRAX fracture risk. IPA can guide surgical decision-making and future bone health treatment.

Mode of Fixation and Survivorship in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty in the American Joint Replacement Registry.

BACKGROUND: A recent rapid increase in cementless total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been noted in the American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR). The purpose of our study was to compare TKA survivorship based on the mode of fixation reported to the AJRR in the Medicare population. METHODS: Primary TKAs from Medicare patients submitted to AJRR from 2012 to 2022 were analyzed. The Medicare and AJRR databases were merged. Cox regression stratified by sex compared revision outcomes (all-cause, infection, mechanical loosening, and fracture) for cemented, cementless, and hybrid fixation, controlling for age and the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). RESULTS: A total of 634,470 primary TKAs were analyzed. Cementless TKAs were younger (71.8 versus 73.1 years, P < .001) than cemented TKAs and more frequently utilized in men (8.2 versus 5.8% women, P < .001). Regional differences were noted, with cementless fixation more common in the Northeast (10.5%) and South (9.2%) compared to the West (4.4%) and Midwest (4.3%) (P < .001). No significant differences were identified in all-cause revision rates in men or women ≥ 65 for cemented, cementless, or hybrid TKA after adjusting for age and CCI. Significantly lower revision for fracture was identified for cemented compared to cementless and hybrid fixation in women ≥ 65 after adjusting for age and CCI (P = .0169). CONCLUSIONS: No survivorship advantage for all-cause revision was noted based on the mode of fixation in men or women ≥ 65 after adjusting for age and CCI. A significantly lower revision rate for fractures was noted in women ≥ 65 utilizing cemented fixation. Cementless fixation in primary TKA should be used with caution in elderly women.

Periprosthetic fractures: an unrecognized osteoporosis crisis.

Total joint replacement is common and increasing. Many of these patients have low bone mineral density preoperatively, and arthroplasty leads to bone loss. As falls are common before and after arthroplasty, it is unsurprising that periprosthetic fractures, defined as those associated with an orthopedic device, whether a joint replacement or other internal fixation devices, are not rare. These fractures engender morbidity and mortality comparable to osteoporosis-related hip fractures but remain largely unrecognized and untreated by osteoporosis/metabolic bone disease clinicians. Indeed, recent osteoporosis guidelines are silent regarding periprosthetic fractures. The purposes of this clinical review are to briefly describe the epidemiology of arthroplasty procedures and periprosthetic fractures, raise awareness that these fractures are osteoporosis-related, and suggest approaches likely to reduce their occurrence. Notably, bone health evaluation is essential following the occurrence of a periprosthetic fracture to reduce subsequent fracture risk. Importantly, in addition to such secondary fracture prevention, primary prevention, i.e., bone health assessment and optimization prior to elective orthopedic procedures, is appropriate.

Proposed bone health screening protocol to identify total knee arthroplasty patients for preoperative DXA.

This study evaluates a novel, simple bone health screening protocol composed of patient sex, age, fracture history, and FRAX risk to identify total knee arthroplasty patients for preoperative DXA. Findings supported effectiveness, with sensitivity of 1.00 (CI 0.92-1.00) and specificity of 0.54 (CI 0.41-0.68) when evaluating for clinical osteoporosis. PURPOSE: Bone health optimization is a process where osteoporotic patients are identified, evaluated via modalities such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and treated when indicated. There are currently no established guidelines to determine who needs presurgical DXA. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a simple screening protocol to identify TKA patients for preoperative DXA. METHODS: This prospective cohort study began on September 1, 2019, and included 100 elective TKA patients. Inclusion criteria were ≥ 50 years and primary TKA. All patients obtained routine clinical DXA. The screening protocol defining who should obtain DXA included meeting any of the following: female ≥ 65, male ≥ 70, fracture history after age 50, or FRAX major osteoporotic fracture risk without bone mineral density (BMD) adjustments ≥ 8.4%. Osteoporosis was defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria (T-score ≤ - 2.5) or clinically (T-score ≤ - 2.5, elevated BMD-adjusted FRAX risk, or prior hip/spine fracture). Sensitivity and specificity were calculated. RESULTS: The study included 68 females and 32 males, mean age 67.2 ± 7.7. T-score osteoporosis was observed in 16 patients while 43 had clinical osteoporosis. Screening criteria recommending DXA was met by 69 patients. Screening sensitivity was 1.00 (CI 0.79-1.00) and specificity was 0.37 (CI 0.27-0.48) for identifying patients with T-score osteoporosis. Similar sensitivity of 1.00 (CI 0.92-1.00) and specificity of 0.54 (CI 0.41-0.68) were found for clinical osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS: A simple screening protocol identifies TKA patients with T-score and clinical osteoporosis for preoperative DXA with high sensitivity in this prospective cohort study.

Intraoperative physician assessment of bone: correlation to bone mineral density.

This study evaluated the intraoperative physician assessment (IPA) of bone status at time of total knee arthroplasty. IPA was highly correlated with distal femur and overall bone mineral density. When IPA identifies poor bone status, formal bone health assessment is indicated. PURPOSE: Intuitively, intraoperative physician assessment (IPA) would be an excellent measure of bone status gained through haptic feedback during bone preparation. However, no studies have evaluated the orthopedic surgeon's ability to do so. This study's purpose, in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA), was to relate IPA with (1) the lowest bone mineral density (BMD) T-score at routine clinical sites; and (2) with distal femur BMD. METHODS: Seventy patients undergoing TKA by 3 surgeons received pre-operative DXA. Intraoperatively, bone quality was assessed on a 5-point scale (1 excellent to 5 poor) based on tactile feedback to preparation. Demographic data, DXA results, and IPA score between surgeons were compared by factorial ANOVA. Lowest T-score and distal femur BMD were associated with IPA using Spearman's correlation. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age and BMI were 65.8 (7.6) years and 31.4 (5.1) kg/m2, respectively. Patient demographic data, BMD, and IPA (mean [SD] = 2.74 [1.2]) did not differ between surgeons. IPA correlated with the lowest T-score (R = 0.511) and distal femur BMD (R = 0.603-0.661). Based on the lowest T-score, no osteoporotic patients had an IPA above average, and none with normal BMD was classified as having poor bone. CONCLUSIONS: IPA is highly correlated with local (distal femur) and overall BMD. This study supports the International Society for Clinical Densitometry position that surgeon concern regarding bone quality should lead to bone health assessment. As IPA is comparable between surgeons, it is logical this can be widely applied by experienced orthopedic surgeons. Future studies evaluating IPA at other anatomic sites are indicated.

Inadvertently Generated PCBs in Consumer Products: Concentrations, Fate and Transport, and Preliminary Exposure Assessment.

Although commercial polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) production was banned in 1979 under the Toxics Substance Control Act, inadvertent generation of PCBs through a variety of chemical production processes continues to contaminate products and waste streams. In this research, a total of 39 consumer products purchased from local and online retailer stores were analyzed for 209 PCB congeners. Inadvertent PCBs (iPCBs) were detected from seven products, and PCB-11 was the only congener detected in most of the samples, with a maximum concentration exceeding 800 ng/g. Emission of PCB-11 to air was studied from one craft foam sheet product using dynamic microchambers at 40 °C for about 120 days. PCB-11 migration from the product to house dust was also investigated. The IAQX program was then employed to estimate the emissions of PCB-11 from 10 craft foam sheets to indoor air in a 30 m3 room at 0.5 h-1 air change rate for 30 days. The predicted maximum PCB-11 concentration in the room air (156.8 ng/m3) and the measured concentration in dust (20 ng/g) were applied for the preliminary exposure assessment. The generated data from multipathway investigation in this work should be informative for further risk assessment and management for iPCBs.

Femur and Tibia BMD Measurement in Elective Total Knee Arthroplasty Candidates.

Distal femur BMD declines ∼20% following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) potentially leading to adverse outcomes. BMD knowledge before and following TKA might allow interventions to optimize outcomes. We hypothesized that distal femur and proximal tibial BMD could be reproducibly measured with existing DXA technology. Elective TKA candidates were enrolled and standard clinical DXA plus bilateral PA and lateral knee scans acquired. Manual regions of interest (ROIs) were placed at distal femur and proximal tibia sites based on required TKA machining and periprosthetic fracture location. Intra- and inter-rater BMD reliability was assessed by intra-class correlation (ICC). Custom and standard proximal femur BMD were correlated by linear regression and paired t test evaluated BMD differences between planned surgical and contralateral side. One hundred subjects (68F/32M), mean (SD) age and BMI of 67.2 (7.7) yr and 30.8 (4.8) kg/m2 were enrolled. Lowest clinical BMD T-score was < -1.0 in 65% and ≤ -2.5 in 16%; 34 had prior fracture. BMD reproducibility at all custom ROIs was excellent; ICC > 0.96. Mean BMD at custom ROIs ranged from 0.903 to 1.346 g/cm2 in the PA projection and 0.891 to 1.429 g/cm2 in the lateral. Lower BMD values were observed at the proximal tibia, while the higher measurements were at the femur condyle. Custom knee ROI BMD was highly correlated (p < 0.0001) with total and femur neck with better correlation at ROIs adjacent to the joint (R2 = 0.62-0.67, 0.49-0.55 respectively). In those without prior TKA (n = 76), mean BMD was lower (2.8%-6.6%; p < 0.05) in the planned surgical leg at all custom ROIs except the PA tibial regions. Individual variability was present with 82% having a custom ROI with lower BMD (up to 53%) in the planned operative leg. Distal femur and proximal tibial BMD can be measured using custom ROIs with good reproducibility. Suboptimal bone status is common in TKA candidates and distal femur/proximal tibia BMD is often lower on the planned operative side. Routine distal femur/proximal tibial BMD measurement might assist pre-operative interventions, surgical decision-making, subsequent care and outcomes. Studies to evaluate these possibilities are indicated.

A Quartet of Elastic Stable Intramedullary Nails for More Challenging Pediatric Femur Fractures.

INTRODUCTION: The insertion of 2 elastic stable intramedullary nails (ESINs) is a common treatment for pediatric femur fractures. However, the use of this technique in length-unstable or metadiaphyseal fractures has historically been associated with higher complication rates. To improve stability, the addition of a third ESIN has been assessed biomechanically and clinically, but the addition of a fourth nail has only been evaluated biomechanically. The purpose of this study is to report our surgical technique and radiographic outcomes using a quartet of ESINs in pediatric femur fractures. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of pediatric patients with length-unstable or metadiaphyseal femur fractures who were treated with 4 ESINs by a single surgeon from 2008 to 2013. Nails were inserted in a retrograde manner, 2 each from medial and lateral starting points. Patients were followed clinically and radiographically until the union and routine removal of hardware. Primary outcomes included fracture union, sagittal, and coronal plane alignment, and complications. RESULTS: Fourteen patients underwent quartet ESIN placement. Two patients were excluded: one for early loss to follow-up and another with a diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta. The average patient age was 9.3 years (range, 4 to 14 y) and weight was 47 kg (range, 21 to 95 kg). All fractures achieved radiographic union at mean 5.5 months (range, 2 to 9 mo). Hardware was removed at a mean of 9.4 months (range, 2 to 22 mo) following implantation. At final mean follow-up of 18 months, patients and families reported no functional limitations. There were no hardware failures or revision surgeries. There were no limb length discrepancies or malalignment at the time of final radiographic follow-up. There were 2 minor complications-1 patient with pain secondary to nail migration resulting in prominence at the knee and another with refracture following a fall. The stable refracture occurred before complete fracture union and hardware removal and went on to the union without the need for any additional treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with a quartet of ESINs should be considered for skeletally immature children with length-unstable or metadiaphyseal femur fractures. In this series, all fractures achieved union without major complications or hardware failure. This modification to traditional elastic nailing techniques is an option for the surgeon to consider as an alternative to rigid intramedullary nailing, submuscular plating, or external fixation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

The James A. Rand Young Investigator's Award: Battling the Opioid Epidemic with Prospective Pain Threshold Measurement.

BACKGROUND: Responsible analgesic prescribing is paramount in the opioid epidemic era, yet no standardized protocol exists. We aim to (1) quantify and correlate outpatient opioid need after total knee and hip arthroplasties (TKA and THA) with preoperative objective pain pressure thresholds (PPTs) and subjective pain measures and (2) report incidence of nonsurgical opioid prescriptions 6 weeks postoperatively. METHODS: Prospectively, PPTs were measured using an algometer with a maximum force of 20 pounds in 160 consecutive patients (90 TKA and 70 THA). Two locations were tested: operative joint (medial epicondyle TKA and lateral iliac crest THA) and ipsilateral olecranon for systemic control. Visual Analog Score, Pain Severity Score, Pain Interference Score, and subjective pain threshold were obtained. Six-week outpatient narcotic consumption morphine equivalents recorded and prescriptions crosschecked with the state Controlled Substance Reporting System. Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate local and/or systemic PPT and subjective measures with narcotic consumption. RESULTS: Average operative site and systemic PPT was 6.91 and 7.72 pounds force, respectively. Subjective averages: Visual Analog Score 7.14, Pain Severity Score 5.05, Pain Interference Score 5.16, and perceived threshold 6.77. Six-week average outpatient narcotic consumption was 314.9 morphine equivalents or 125 five milligram oxycodones. Twenty percent received opioids from outside providers. Linear regression revealed a negative correlation between operative site PPT (-0.26; P = .047) and systemic PPT (-0.31; P = .021). Subjective pain metrics failed to meet significance. CONCLUSION: This novel study demonstrated a statistically significant negative correlation between preoperative pain threshold and outpatient narcotic consumption. Twenty percent of patients received opioid prescriptions outside orthopedic providers in the 6 weeks after surgery highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary communication.

What Should Define Preoperative Anemia in Primary THA?

BACKGROUND: The use of tranexamic acid (TXA) in THA decreases the risk of transfusion after surgery. However, nearly 10% of patients still undergo a transfusion, which has been independently associated with an increased risk of complications. Preoperative anemia has been proven to be a strong predictor of transfusion after THA, but the ideal "cutoff" values in today's population that maximize sensitivity and specificity to predict transfusion have yet to be established. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) Which preoperative factors are associated with postoperative transfusion in the setting of TXA use? (2) If preoperative hemoglobin (Hgb) remains associated with transfusion, what are the best-supported preoperative Hgb cutoff values associated with increased transfusion after THA? METHODS: A retrospective chart analysis was performed from January 1, 2013, to January 1, 2015, on 558 primary THAs that met prespecified inclusion criteria. A multivariable logistic regression analysis model was used to identify independent factors associated with transfusion. Area under the receiver-operator curve (AUC) was used to determine the best-supported preoperative Hgb cut point across all participants, as well as adjusted by sex and TXA use. Overall, 60 patients with a blood transfusion were included and compared with 498 control subjects (11% risk of transfusion). RESULTS: After controlling for potential confounding variables such as age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologist score, intravenous TXA (IV TXA) use, and preoperative Hgb, we found that patients with lower preoperative Hgb (g/dL per 1-unit decrease, odds ratio [OR], 2.6; 95% CI, 2.0-3.5; p < 0.001), female sex (vs male, OR, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.7-10.3; p = 0.002), and those unable to receive IV TXA (topical TXA/no TXA, OR, 13.5; 95% CI, 6.3-28.6; p < 0.001) were more likely to receive a transfusion. Of these, preoperative Hgb was found to be the variable most highly associated with transfusion (AUC, 0.876). A preoperative Hgb cutoff value of 12.6 g/dL maximized the AUC (0.876) for predicting transfusion across all patients unadjusted for baseline characteristics (sensitivity = 83, specificity = 84) with values of 12.5 g/dL (sensitivity = 85, specificity = 77) and 13.5 g/dL (sensitivity = 92, specificity = 77) for women and men, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The 1968 WHO definitions of anemia (preoperative Hgb < 13 g/dL for men and < 12 g/dL for women) used currently may underestimate patients at risk of transfusion after THA today. Further studies are needed to see if blood conservation referral decreases the risk of transfusion with preoperative treatment of anemia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.