The validity of self-report as a technique for measuring short-term complications after total hip arthroplasty in a joint replacement registry.

This study evaluated concordance between self-reports and surgeon assessments of short-term complications. A total of 3976 primary total hip arthroplasty patients consented for an institutional registry (5/2007-12/2008); 3186 (80.1%) completed a 6-month survey; 137 (4.4%) reported deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, major bleeding, fracture, or dislocation. Patients reporting complications were called. Positive predictive values and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for patient self-report were measured, using surgeon assessment for comparison: pulmonary embolism, 88.9% (95% CI, 78.4%-99.4%); dislocation, 81.1% (95% CI, 75.9%-86.5%); fracture, 73.7% (95% CI, 63.8%-83.5%); deep venous thrombosis, 69.7% (95% CI, 61.9%-77.5%); major bleeding, 32.0% (95% CI, 19.4%-44.5%); any bleeding, 88.0% (95% CI, 75.3%-99.9%). Of 97 confirmed complications, 64.95% presented to outside institutions. Registry data on self-reported complications may overcome limitations of traditional methods, but data should be interpreted cautiously. Concordance was high for PE and dislocation but low for major bleeding.

Relationship between demographic variables and preoperative pain and disability in 5945 total joint arthroplasties at a single institution.

Using a prospective institutional registry, 5945 total joint arthroplasty patients were evaluated for the following preoperative variables: sex, age, living situation, pain (visual analog scale), and activity level (lower extremity activity scale). Univariate analysis was performed with χ(2), t test, and Pearson correlation coefficient. Patient age was inversely correlated with visual analog scale and lower extremity activity scale scores (P < .0001). Whereas total hip arthroplasty was performed as equally in women and men, total knee arthroplasty was more frequent in women. Women were more likely to live alone, experience severe pain, and have limited activity (P < .0001). Patients who lived alone were more likely to experience severe pain or limited activity (P < .0001). Women and patients who live alone experience more pain and disability before surgery, potentially placing them at risk for inferior surgical outcomes.

Short-term coagulation complications following total knee arthroplasty: a comparison of patient-reported and surgeon-verified complication rates.

Data from 3278 patients from a prospective patient-centered total joint registry was used to investigate the rates of complications in the first 6 months following primary total knee arthroplasty. All patients reporting deep venous thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), or major bleeding were identified through patient self-reporting. Complications were verified by a review of imaging records and direct communication with patients by a surgeon. Surgeon-verified rates of DVT, PE, and major bleeding were 1.52%, 0.49%, and 0.34%, respectively. When compared with the complication rates as reported by patients, concordance was 86.2% for DVT, 84.2% for PE, and 36.7% for major bleeding. More than half (54.5%) of the complications were diagnosed and treated at the original operative hospital, and 45.5% were diagnosed and treated at other institutions.

Factors that impact expectations before total knee arthroplasty.

This study examined the effect of patient attributes on expectations before total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A total of 1943 patients completed an Expectations Survey before TKA. Demographics, surgical history, baseline Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and Lower Extremity Activity Scale score were obtained. On univariate analysis, expectations (mean score, 77.6) correlated with SF-36 General Health, age, SF-36 Vitality, KOOS Quality-of-Life, and Lower Extremity Activity Scale. Living alone and history of joint arthroplasty were associated with significantly lower expectations, whereas male sex and white race were associated with higher expectations. On multivariate regression analysis, age, living situation, history of joint arthroplasty, SF-36 General Health, and KOOS Quality-of-Life remained significant predictors of expectations. Our results suggest that high, possibly unrealistic, expectations of TKA are common and should be moderated to maintain patient satisfaction.

Modern treatment of infected total knee arthroplasty with a 2-stage reimplantation protocol.

The purpose of this study was to determine if 2-stage reimplantation for the treatment of infected total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is still effective for treating contemporary pathogens, many of which are multidrug resistant (MDR). The medical records of all cases of infected TKAs from April 1998 to March 2006 were retrospectively reviewed for data on infecting organism and success of treatment. Of 72 patients (75 knees), with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up, who completed the protocol, the infection was eradicated in 90.7% (68/75 knees). Thirty-one (91.2%) of 34 of MDR infections and 42 (91.3%) of 46 of non-MDR infections were successfully treated. These results support previous studies that demonstrated the effectiveness of a 2-stage reimplantation protocol with a standard 1:8 minimal bactericidal titer for treating infections after TKA, including MDR organisms.