A muscle sparing posterior approach to the elbow joint for total elbow arthroplasty.

We describe a muscle sparing approach in which the triceps is elevated without injuring the muscle or disturbing its insertion. The entire extensor mechanism is preserved in continuity, thus preventing any extensor weakness. This can be used preferentially in cases of non-union intraarticular distal humerus fractures planned for Total Elbow Arthroplasty.

Total knee arthroplasty in women with asymptomatic urinary tract infection.

PURPOSE: To compare early outcome after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in women with a positive or negative urine culture. METHODS: 128 women underwent bilateral (n=89) or unilateral (n=39) primary TKA. Diabetes mellitus was present in 38%, obesity in 53%, and asymptomatic urinary tract infection (positive urine culture) in 36% of women. Women with a positive or negative urine culture were compared. RESULTS: In the 46 women with a positive urine culture, Escherichia coli (n=29) and Klebsiella (n=17) were grown. Women with a positive or negative urine culture were comparable in terms of the incidence of diabetes (28% vs. 43%, p=0.1), obesity (52% vs. 54%, p=0.87), fever (9% vs. 15%, p=0.32), leucocytosis (28% vs. 17%, p=0.13), and delayed wound healing (0% vs. 1%, p=0.45). CONCLUSION: Women with or without a positive urine culture had comparable early complication rates following TKA.

Gender-specific high-flexion knee prosthesis in Indian women: a prospective randomised study.

PURPOSE: To compare outcomes in Indian women who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using the standard Legacy Posterior Stabilised (LPS) versus the gender-specific LPS high-flexion knee prosthesis. METHODS: 100 women (200 knees) aged 60 to 80 years with an arc of flexion of ≥90º underwent simultaneous sequential TKA for primary osteoarthritis of both knees. They were randomised to receive the standard NexGen LPS prosthesis (n=50) or the gender-specific NexGen LPS High-Flex prosthesis (n=50). Both knees in each patient received the same prosthesis. The resected bone from the posterior femoral condyle was 2 mm greater when the gender-specific prosthesis was used. Patients were followed up at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Range of motion, Knee Society score, and Hospital for Special Surgery score were evaluated pre- and post-operatively by a single assessor. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 2.1 (range, 1.6-2.5) years. Respectively for the standard and gender-specific groups, the mean range of motion was 111º and 112º preoperatively and 120º and 123º at the latest follow-up. The gender-specific group gained approximately 3º more in range of motion (p=0.007). The Knee Society score and the Hospital for Special Surgery score between groups were not significantly different pre- and post-operatively. CONCLUSION: The perceived advantage of a gender-specific prosthesis over a standard prosthesis did not translate into better clinical and functional outcome scores.