Does the Amount of Opioid Consumed Influence How Patients Rate Their Experience of Care After Total Knee Arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND: With legislative efforts aimed at optimizing value of care, surgeons performing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are faced with increased responsibility of optimizing patient perception of care. However, pain after TKA may negatively influence patient perception of care, as measured by Press Ganey (PG) patient satisfaction surveys. While opioid-based medications are best suited for acute pain alleviation, awareness of a growing opioid epidemic has spurred efforts to reduce its administration. Therefore, this study assessed the correlation between postoperative opioid consumption and 7 PG question domains: (1) overall hospital rating; (2) communication with nurses; (3) response time of hospital staff; (4) communication with doctors; (5) hospital environment; (6) pain management and; (7) communication about medication. METHODS: We reviewed our institutional PG database for TKA patients from 2011 to 2014. A total of 406 patients were analyzed (mean age = 66, 73.4%). Opioid consumption was measured using a morphine milliequivalent conversion algorithm. Bivariate correlation analysis assessed the association between opioid consumption and PG domains. Spearman's r was utilized to assess the strength of the association. RESULTS: No association between total opioid consumption and overall hospital rating (r = 0.044), communication with doctors (r = 0.080), communication with nurses (r = 0.072), responsiveness of hospital staff (r = 0.084), pain management (r = 0.100), communication about medicines (r = 0.083), or hospital environment (r = 0.155) were found. DISCUSSION: Our findings demonstrate that PG scores are not influenced by immediate postoperative opioid use. These results suggest opioid-based pain medications should be administered exclusively on the basis of clinical guidelines and patient needs without concern regarding satisfactions scores and reimbursement penalties.

Articulating Spacers as a Modified One-Stage Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Preliminary Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a challenging complication for surgeons and patients alike. Although two-stage revision arthroplasty remains the gold standard PJI management in the United States, one-stage revision has had success in many parts of Europe. The aim of this study was to retrospectively review: 1) ultimate treatment success; 2) necessary antibiotic duration; 3) change in knee range of motion (ROM); and 4) final Knee Society Scores (KSS) in a case series of patients managed with retention of articulating antibiotic spacers following PJI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on all patients treated for chronic PJI after primary TKA with retention of articulating antibiotic spacers at a minimum of one-year follow-up. Descriptive analysis was utilized to evaluate demographic characteristics, discharge destination, follow-up and antibiotic durations, Knee Society Score (KSS), and rates of treatment failure. Paired-Samples t-Tests were utilized to evaluate mean changes in flexion and extension between the preoperative and postoperative time periods. RESULTS: Our final cohort included 29 patients who were managed with articulating spacer retention at a mean follow-up of 16.8 (range, 12.0 to 23.1) months, with 21 patients (72.4%) medically unfit for multiple surgeons and eight patients (27.6%) satisfied with their function. Mean age was 61.3 (range, 41 to 85) years and mean Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was 6.1 (mean, 0 to 12). The predominant infecting organism was Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which was involved in eight patients (27.6%). There was a significant increase in postoperative knee flexion (+14.7°; p<0.001) and no decrease in postoperative knee extension (+2.3°; p=0.361). Treatment success in our cohort was 79.3% (23 patients), with four patients (13.8%) having chronic wound drainage and two patients (6.9%) requiring multiple spacer exchanges. Sixteen patients (55.2%) were able to complete their antibiotic regimen, with the remaining patients unable to discontinue their antibiotics by latest clinic follow-up. DISCUSSION: One-stage exchange arthroplasty offers the advantage of a single procedure with analogous failure rates compared to two-stage exchange, decreases hospitalization, and improves cost-effectiveness, which is paramount in today's healthcare environment. To our knowledge, this is the first study in the United States to evaluate outcome scores, function, and success rate of a modified one-stage revision TKA technique. Although we are unable to make definitive conclusions based on the small sample size, the outcomes in this study are encouraging.

A Three-dimensional Comparison of Pre- and Post-component Position in a Series of Off-label Robotic-assisted Revision Total Knee Arthroplasties.

Background: The application of robotic-assisted arthroplasty in revision knee scenarios continues to evolve. This study compares the pre- and post-revision implant positions in series of revision total knee arthroplasties (TKA) using a robotic arm system. Methods: Twenty-five consecutive off-label robotic-assisted revision TKA were performed. After virtual revision femoral and tibial components were positioned to achieve "balanced" medial and lateral flexion and extension gaps, the existing primary implants (PI) were removed, and bone cuts were executed with the robotic arm system. Preoperative coronal, sagittal, and axial position of the PI was compared to the final planned positions of the robotic revision implants (RRI) for each subject. A repeated measures ANOVA using the absolute difference in millimeters and degrees between the PI and RRI orientation was completed. Results: Intra-operatively, the virtual gaps were balanced within the planning software followed by successful execution of the plan. There was a statistically significant difference between posterior condylar offset and tibial component positioning for RRI compared to PI. There was no difference between the distal femoral component values between PI and RRI. Conclusions: The sagittal alignment of the revision implants, specifically the femoral posterior condylar offset and tibial component slope, are statistically significant considerations for a stable revision TKA with off-label use of a robotic-arm system. Other potential benefits may include appropriate implant sizing which can affect the resultant ligamentous tension important for a functional revision TKA. Future research and software iterations will be needed to determine the overall accuracy and utility of robotic-assisted revision TKA.

Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty Using Robotic Arm Technology.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a highly successful operation for the treatment of end-stage osteoarthritis of the knee. Increasing use of computer-assisted and robotic-assisted total joint arthroplasty has been shown to improve component position, with short-term studies demonstrating improved survivability in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. Robotic-assisted technology has been shown to be helpful in revising unicompartmental knee arthroplasty to TKA, as well as hip fusion to total hip arthroplasty, but few have described revision of a primary TKA. This case report describes the use of robotic-assisted technology in revision TKA. Robotic assistance during revision TKA may improve component alignment and increase prosthesis longevity. Future research is needed to investigate the effects on survivorship and cost.

Postoperative Fluid Collections in Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Narrative Review.

A post-operative fluid collection (POFC) represents a common finding in both primary and revision total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Fortunately, most resolve on their own, but in instances where they become symptomatic, prompt identification and management are paramount, especially when they occur adjacent to a joint arthroplasty because of the increased the risk of developing a periprosthetic joint infection. A strong clinical suspicion with appropriate clinical exam is required along with select imaging modalities to arrive at a diagnosis. Meticulous surgical technique is crucial to prevent POFC, but new emerging treatments continue to evolve. This article presents an updated overview of incidence, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of POFC in the setting of TJA. We review the role of select imaging modalities as well as summarize current literature regarding new treatments such as sclerotherapy agents, acellular dermal matrices, and negative pressure wound therapy. Future studies are necessary to explore the interplay of inflammatory mediators in POFC formation and to define their role in fluid collection resolution.

Conversion of Hip Arthrodesis Using Robotic Arm Technology.

Recent advancements in computer-assisted surgery have led to a renewed interest in robotic-assisted hip arthroplasty. This technology assists with component position which is especially useful in prior trauma or dysplasia cases. We present a case of a surgical hip fusion conversion to total hip arthroplasty with the use of robotic-assisted technology. Enhanced preoperative planning with the ability to manipulate implant position before execution can be invaluable during complex procedures. Further research is warranted before revision cases using computerized navigation systems becomes more prevalent.

Trends in Total Hip Arthroplasty Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: A National Database Analysis Between 2008 and 2015.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act expanded health coverage for low-earning individuals and families. With more Americans having access to care, the use of elective procedures, such as total hip arthroplasty (THA), was expected to increase. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate trends in THA before and after the initiation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act regarding race, age, body mass index, and sex between 2008 and 2015. The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for all individuals who had undergone primary THA between 2008 and 2015. This yielded a total of 104,209 patients. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze patient-level data. A Cochran-Armitage test assessed trends in categorical data points over time. Analysis indicated an increased percentage of blacks or African Americans undergoing THA (7.8% vs 9.2%, P<.001), followed by Native Americans or Pacific Islanders (0.0% vs 0.4%, P<.001), American Indians or Alaskan Natives (0.3% vs 0.5%, P=.016), and Asians (1.4% vs 1.5%, P=.002). An increased percentage of patients 55 to 80 years old received THAs (68.6% vs 74.1%, P<.001). The percentage of patients with a body mass index of 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m2, 30.0 to 34.9 kg/m2, and 35.0 to 39.9 kg/m2 increased (32.9% vs 33.1%, 24.2% vs 25.6%, 12.6% vs 13.3%, respectively, P<.001 for all). These findings may provide insight on the changing patient characteristics for orthopedic surgeons performing THA. Furthermore, these findings may inform health policy makers interested in increasing access to procedures underutilized by specific patient populations and the creation of strategies to meet increased demand. [Orthopedics. 2018; 41(4):e534-e540.].