Designing and developing a nature-based virtual reality with heart rate variability biofeedback for surgical anxiety and pain management: evidence from total knee arthroplasty patients.

OBJECTIVES: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most common joint surgeries, with over a million procedures performed annually in the US. Over 70% of patients report moderate to high pain and anxiety surrounding TKA surgery, and 96% are discharged with an opioid prescription. This population requires special attention as approximately 90% of TKA patients are older adults and one of the riskiest groups prone to misusing opioids. This study aimed to develop and compare the efficacy of nature-based virtual reality (VR) with heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVBF) to mitigate surgical pain and anxiety. METHODS: This randomized control trial recruited 30 patients (mean age = 66.3 ± 8.2 years, 23 F, 7 M) undergoing TKA surgery and randomly assigned to a control, 2D video with HRVBF, or VR with HRVBF group. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to measure pain levels before and after the intervention. In addition, a second VAS and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used to measure anxiety before and after the intervention. Electrocardiogram (ECG) was used to continuously measure HRV and respiration rate in preoperative and postoperative settings. RESULTS: VR and 2D-video with HRVBF decreased pain and anxiety post-intervention compared with the control group, p's <.01. On analyzing physiological signals, both treatment groups showed greater parasympathetic activity levels, and VR with HRVBF reduced pain more than the 2D video, p < .01. CONCLUSIONS: Nature-based VR and 2D video with HRVBF can mitigate surgical pain and anxiety. However, VR may be more efficacious than 2D video in reducing pain.

Metal-on-Metal Hip Retrieval Analysis: A Case Report.

This is a case report involving a single case with severe bone and soft tissue destruction in a young male patient with a 10-year-metal on-metal total hip arthroplasty. Following complete aseptic erosion of the affected hip greater trochanter and abductor muscles, the hip was revised for recurrent instability. Histological examination of the patient's periprosthetic tissues, serological studies, and review of recent medical reports of similar cases were used to support an explanation of the destructive process and better contribute to our understanding of human reaction to metal debris in some patients following metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty.

Comparative Outcomes Assessment: Hip Hemiarthroplasty as an Alternative to THA in Patients with Surgically Pristine Acetabulum-Is There Still a Role?

This is a retrospective review of 243 hip arthroplasties treated with either hemiarthroplasty (61 surgeries-Group 1) or total hip arthroplasty (182 surgeries-Group 2). The mid- to long-term results of relatively similar, predominately young patient cohorts were assessed annually via radiographs and the Harris Hip Scores for pain and clinical function. Groin pain persisted in 16.4% of Group 1 and 5.5% of Group 2 (P = 0.0159). Thigh pain persisted in 11.5% of Group 1 and 2.2% of Group 2 (P = 0.0078). Complications in Group 1 were 4/61 including 2 revisions with an overall survival rate of 96.7% versus Group 2 complication rate of 29/182 with 15 revisions and an overall survival rate of 91.8%. There were no cases of acetabular protrusio in Group 1, but 2 cases (1%) in Group 2 had cup loosening or osteolysis. Two cases were revised in Group 1 (3.2%). Both were undersized femoral stems. The fifteen revisions (8.2%) in Group 2 included loose stem (1), instability (8), infections (3), cup loosening (2), and accelerated polyethylene wear (1). Hemiarthroplasty has a higher incidence of thigh and groin pain but fewer complications compared with total hip arthroplasty.

The effect of a new multimodal perioperative anesthetic regimen on postoperative pain, side effects, rehabilitation, and length of hospital stay after total joint arthroplasty.

This study evaluated the effect of a new multimodal perioperative anesthetic and pain management strategy for primary total hip (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Two cohorts of 50 consecutive THA and 50 TKA patients from before and after initiation of the new protocol were compared. The protocol involved scheduled oral narcotics, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, no intrathecal narcotics, femoral nerve catheters for TKAs, and local anesthetic wound infiltration. Use of patient-controlled analgesia was discouraged. Physical therapy was attempted on the day of surgery. The demographic data, surgical procedure, and implants were similar. There were statistically significant improvements after the protocol regarding rest-pain scores post-operative day (POD) 1 and 2, total narcotic consumption, distance walked POD 1 and 2, and length of stay. There were no significant differences in complications. Implementation of this new multimodal perioperative protocol combined with early mobilization for TKA and THA patients has shortened length of stay, improved pain control, and accomplished therapy goals sooner with less narcotic consumption.