In meeting the increasing demands for total knee arthroplasty, can we achieve high levels of quality care in a small community hospital? A mixed-methods study.

Purpose: Small community hospitals (SCHs) help meet the demand for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This mixed-methods study compares outcomes and analyses of environmental differences following TKA at a SCH and a tertiary care hospital (TCH). Methods: Quantitative: A retrospective review of 352 propensity-matched primary TKA procedures at both a SCH and a TCH, based on age, body mass index, and American Society of Anesthesiologists class, was completed. Groups were compared by length of stay (LOS), 90-day emergency department visits, 90-day readmissions, reoperations, and mortality. Qualitative: Based on the Theoretical Domains Framework, seven prospective semistructured interviews were performed. Interview transcripts were coded and belief statements were generated and summarized by two reviewers. Discrepancies were resolved by a third reviewer. Results: Quantitative: The average LOS for the SCH was significantly shorter than that for the TCH (2.0 ± 0.2 vs. 3.6 ± 2.7 days; p < 0.001), a difference that persisted following a subgroup analysis of ASA I/II patients (2.0 ± 0.2 vs. 3.2 ± 2.2; p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in other outcomes. Qualitative: The main themes that revolved around a higher case load for physiotherapy at the TCH resulted in patients waiting longer to be mobilized after surgery. Patient disposition also affected their discharge rates. Conclusion: Given the increasing demand for TKA, the SCH represents a viable option to increase capacity, while reducing LOS. Future directions to reduce LOS include addressing social barriers to discharge and patient prioritization for assessment by allied health services. When TKA is performed by the same set of surgeons, the SCH provides quality care with a shorter LOS and comparable with urban hospitals, and this can be attributed to the differences in resource utilization in the two hospital settings.

Outcomes of Total Hip Arthroplasty After Acetabular Open Reduction and Internal Fixation in the Elderly-Acute vs Delayed Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Optimum management for the elderly acetabular fracture remains undefined. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in this population does not allow early weight-bearing and has an increased risk of failure. This study aimed to define outcomes of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the setting of an acetabular fracture and compared delayed THA after acetabular ORIF (ORIF delayed THA) and acute fixation and THA (ORIF acute THA). METHODS: All acetabular fractures in patients older than 60 years who underwent ORIF between 2007 and 2018 were reviewed (n = 85). Of those, 14 underwent ORIF only initially and required subsequent THA (ORIF delayed THA). Twelve underwent an acute THA at the time of the ORIF (ORIF acute THA). The ORIF acute THA group was older (81 ± 7 vs 76 ± 8; P < .01) but had no other demographic- or injury-related differences compared with the ORIF delayed THA group. Outcome measures included operative time, length of stay, complications, radiographic assessments (component orientation, leg-length discrepancy, heterotopic ossification), and functional outcomes using the Oxford Hip Score (OHS). RESULTS: Operative time (P = .1) and length of stay (P = .5) for the initial surgical procedure (ORIF only or ORIF THA) were not different between groups. Four patients had a complication and required further surgeries; no difference was seen between groups. Radiographic assessments were similar between groups. The ORIF acute THA group had a significantly better OHS (40.1 ± 3.9) than the ORIF delayed THA group (33.6 ± 8.5) (P = .03). CONCLUSION: In elderly acetabulum fractures, ORIF acute THA compared favorably (a better OHS, single operation/hospital visit, equivalent complications) with ORIF delayed THA. We would thus recommend that in patients with risk factors for failure requiring delayed THA (eg, dome or roof impaction) that ORIF acute THA be strongly considered.

The Effect of Polyethylene Liner Thickness on Patient Outcomes and Failure After Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The effect of using thicker liners in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) on functional outcomes and aseptic failure rates remains largely unknown. As such, we devised a multicenter study to assess both the clinical outcomes and survivorship of thick vs thin liners after primary TKA. METHODS: A search of our institutional databases was performed for patients having undergone bilateral (simultaneous or staged) primary TKA with similar preoperative and surgical characteristics between both sides. Two cohorts were created: thick liners and thin liners. Outcomes collected were as follows: change in Knee Society Score (ΔKSS), change in range of motion, and aseptic revision. Ad hoc power analysis was performed for ΔKSS (⍺ = 0.05; power = 80%). Differences between cohorts were assessed. RESULTS: About 195 TKAs were identified for each cohort. ΔKSS and change in range of motion in the thin vs thick cohorts were similar: 51.4 vs 51.6 (P = .86) and 11.1° vs 10.0° (P = .66), respectively. No difference in aseptic revision rates were observed between thin and thick cohorts: all cause (4.1%, 3.1%; P = .59), aseptic loosening (0.5%, 0.5%; P = 1.0), instability (0.5%, 0.5%; P = 1.0), all-cause revision for stiffness (3.1%, 2.1%; P = .52), manipulation under anesthesia (2.1%, 2.1%; P = 1.0), and liner exchange (0.5%, 0%; P = .32). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that both rates of revision surgery and clinical outcomes are similar for TKAs performed with thick and thin liners. Preoperative factors are likely to play an important role in liner thickness selection, and emphasis should be placed on ensuring sound surgical technique.

Does Trochanteric Osteotomy Length Affect the Amount of Proximal Trochanteric Migration During Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND: Nonunion and proximal trochanteric migration is a known complication of trochanteric osteotomy. This study examines the effect of osteotomy length on proximal greater trochanter (GT) migration. METHODS: We analyzed 113 modified trochanteric slide osteotomies and 73 extended trochanteric osteotomies performed between 2008 and 2016. All osteotomies were fixed using cerclage wires and had minimum 6-month radiographic follow-up. Spearman correlations were used to assess association between osteotomy length and GT migration distance. Chi-squared test and logistic regression were used to assess association between patient and surgical factors and GT migration >1 cm. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to determine the optimal cutoff osteotomy length for predicting GT migration >1cm. RESULTS: Mean osteotomy length was 6.1 cm (range 3-12) for modified trochanteric slide osteotomies and 14.8 cm (range 8-23) for extended trochanteric osteotomies. Osteotomy length was negatively correlated (r = -0.340, P < .001) with GT migration distance. Longer osteotomy length was protective against GT migration >1 cm (odds ratio 0.67, P = .002). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated an optimal cutoff osteotomy length of 9.8 cm for predicting GT migration >1 cm (sensitivity 0.971, specificity 0.461). Among osteotomies <10 cm, those fixed using at least one distal wire below the lesser trochanter and vastus ridge demonstrated less mean GT migration (3.86 vs 7.12 mm, P = .009) and higher mean union rate (68.8% vs 31.2%, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Osteotomies shorter than 10 cm are at higher risk of developing proximal GT migration >1 cm. A distal cerclage wire below the lesser trochanter and vastus ridge may help decrease the amount of GT migration. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV.