Procedure coding in the American Joint Replacement Registry.

In October 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services transitioned from the 9th version of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9) codes for reporting patient diagnosis and medical procedures to the 10th version (ICD-10). The multitude of coding options for total joint arthroplasty in ICD-10-procedural coding (ICD-10-PCS) poses some challenges for the American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR) in identifying precise procedures being reported. While AJRR participating hospitals are familiar with ICD-10-PCS, this new coding may not have been introduced to most AJRR participating surgeons. To address these issues, AJRR initiated an ICD-10 workgroup to define and map appropriate ICD-10 codes to total joint procedure types. This initiative sought to improve accuracy of AJRR data.

Role of Patellofemoral Offset in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Trial.

Total knee arthroplasty occasionally does not meet expectations. This randomized clinical trial assessed the effect of restoration of the native patellofemoral height on clinical outcomes. Group I underwent standard patellar bone resection; group II underwent modified patellar bone resection that adjusted the amount of anterior condylar bone removed and the anterior flange thickness. There were no differences in anterior knee pain, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index scores, or Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score scores. Patellofemoral compartment height restoration versus patellar height alone does not appear to significantly reduce pain or improve function.

Differences in Hospital Billing for Total Joint Arthroplasty Based on Hospital Profit Status.

BACKGROUND: Regional variations in hospital billing for total joint arthroplasty (TJA) have been reported. It is not clear whether differences exist in hospital charges for TJA based on hospital profit status. METHODS: Data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Medicare Severity-Diagnosis Related Groups (MS-DRGs) 469 (TJA with comorbidity) and 470 (TJA without comorbidity) for fiscal year 2011 were analyzed. Differences in hospital charges and payments were investigated based on hospital profit status (nonprofit, government, and proprietary). Generalized estimating equations determined differences in charges and reimbursement between hospital types controlling for census region, MS-DRG, and number of discharges. RESULTS: Significant differences in billing between institutions existed with median average hospital charges for nonprofit, government, and proprietary institutions being $70,514.30, $73,540.99, and $113,203.77 (P < .0001), respectively, for DRG 469 and $45,363.95, $44,956.57, and $62,715.39 (P < .0001), respectively, for DRG 470. Median average Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services payments for nonprofit, government, and proprietary institutions for DRG 469 were $22,334.34, $21,346.65, and $21,281.30 (P = .017), respectively, and $14,461.95, $14,466.04, and $13,733.62 (P < .0001), respectively, for DRG 470. Multivariate analyses indicate that nonprofit hospitals charge 5% more (P = .021) and receive 3% less (P = .011) reimbursement than government hospitals. Proprietary hospitals charge 34% more (P < .0001) and receive 7% less (P < .0001) reimbursement than government hospitals. CONCLUSION: Significant differences in hospital charges based on institution profit status were found, with proprietary institutions charging significantly more than nonprofit and government institutions. However, proprietary institutions had the lowest median average reimbursement.

Modifying Risk Factors: Strategies That Work Diabetes Mellitus.

An estimated 29.1 million Americans are currently diagnosed with diabetes, and this number is expected to increase to 48.3 million Americans by 2050. Correspondingly, the present burden of diabetes among patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty is significant and rising. Diabetes as a chronic condition is a well-established risk factor for complication after total joint arthroplasty. A growing body of evidence also indicates that hyperglycemia in the perioperative period, and not the diagnosis of diabetes alone, is similarly associated with increased complication risk. As a result, a coordinated approach to preoperative screening and optimization, combined with judicious perioperative glycemic control, may present an opportunity to improve outcomes, reduce complications, and avoid complication-related costs for patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty.

Survivorship After Periprosthetic Femur Fracture: Factors Affecting Outcome.

BACKGROUND: Data addressing risk factors predictive of mortality and reoperation after periprosthetic femur fractures (PPFxs) are lacking. This study examined survivorship and risk ratios for mortality and reoperation after surgical treatment for PPFx and associated clinical risk factors. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed for 291 patients treated surgically for PPFx between 2004 and 2013. Primary outcomes were death and reoperation. RESULTS: Mortality at 1 year was 13%, whereas the rate of reoperation was 12%. Greater span of fixation and revision arthroplasty (vs open reduction internal fixation) trended toward a lower likelihood of reoperation. CONCLUSION: After PPFx, patients have a 24% risk of either death or reoperation at 1 year. Factors contributing to increased mortality are nonmodifiable. Risk of reoperation is minimized with greater span of fixation and performance of revision arthroplasty.

Tranexamic Acid in Hip and Knee Arthroplasty.

Perioperative blood loss is a significant concern for patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty. A growing body of evidence has shown tranexamic acid (TXA) to be effective in decreasing perioperative blood loss and transfusion requirements in both primary and revision hip and knee arthroplasty. TXA is a synthetic drug that limits blood loss through inhibition of fibrinolysis and clot degradation. Both topical and intravenous administration of TXA, in a variety of dosing regimens, has proven effective. Further investigation is required to determine the optimal dose and dosing regimens; however, evidence exists to recommend an initial intravenous dose be given before beginning the procedure, with at least one additional intravenous dose administered postoperatively. Additionally, topical TXA doses >2 g appear to be more efficacious than lower doses. Finally, relatively few adverse reactions have been reported in arthroplasty patients, and no study to date has demonstrated an increased risk of symptomatic venous thromboembolic events in this patient population.

Femoral Vessel Blood Flow Is Preserved Throughout Direct Anterior Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Posterolateral and anterolateral approach THA disrupts femoral vessel blood flow, however, this has not been established for the direct anterior (DA) approach. Ten patients undergoing primary DA THA had peak vascular flow rates for the femoral artery and vein calculated via Doppler ultrasound at specified points: incision, acetabular preparation, femoral preparation and final reduction. Peak femoral arterial and venous flow decreased over baseline, but not significantly, during acetabular preparation (P=0.88, P=0.98) and femoral preparation (P=0.97, P=0.97). At final reduction, arterial peak flow was restored (P=1) with an increase in venous flow (P=0.55). Although there were alterations to peak flow, no vessel occlusion occurred at any point during DA THA.

Revisions of monoblock metal-on-metal THAs have high early complication rates.

BACKGROUND: A relatively high percentage of monoblock metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasties (THAs) undergo early revision. Revision of these THAs poses challenges unique to this implant type. The early complications after these revisions remain unreported as do the clinical and demographic factors associated with these complications. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We describe (1) the frequency of early complications after revision of monoblock metal-on-metal THA; and (2) the clinical and demographic factors associated with complications. METHODS: A review of our institution's total joint registry identified 107 patients who underwent 114 revisions of monoblock metal-on-metal THAs. Mean patient age at revision was 60 years (range, 17-84 years), and 65% of the patients were women. Mean followup after revision was 14 months (range, 0-122 months). Revision diagnoses included metallosis (51%), aseptic loosening (27%), infection (7%), pain (6%), malposition (4%), instability (3%), iliopsoas impingement (2%), and periprosthetic fracture (1%). Major complications (instability, infection, aseptic loosening, and wound complications) were documented and included in the analysis. Minor postoperative complications such as urinary tract infection were excluded. RESULTS: Twenty-three of 114 procedures (20%) involved at least one early complication after revision of monoblock metal-on-metal THA with 18 (16%) undergoing at least one additional subsequent surgery. The most common complications included aseptic loosening (6%), deep infection (6%), dislocation (4%), and acetabular fracture (3%). Patients who sustained a complication after revision surgery were older on average than those who did not (66 years versus 58 years, p=0.003). There were no differences in complication rate with respect to sex, time to revision, or revision diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Complications and reoperations occur frequently after revision for failed monoblock metal-on-metal THA (20% and 16%, respectively), and older patients appear to be at greater risk for complications after these revisions. Aseptic loosening, deep infection, and instability are all of great concern after revision and surgeons should be aware of these potential complications when undertaking revision of these THAs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Uncemented acetabular components with femoral head autograft for acetabular reconstruction in developmental dysplasia of the hip: a concise follow-up report at a mean of twenty years.

We previously reported the five to twelve-year results of total hip arthroplasty with an uncemented acetabular component and an autogenous femoral head graft in forty-four consecutive hips with developmental dysplasia. The goal of the present study was to report the implant survival rate, status of bone grafts, and clinical outcomes in thirty-five of these hips (in twenty-nine patients) followed for a mean of 21.3 years. Functional, radiographic, and survivorship results were examined. Radiographic analysis revealed an average cup inclination angle of 43° and a mean arc of cup coverage by the graft of 30°. The twenty-year survivorship free from acetabular revision was 66% (twelve acetabular revisions; eight since our previous report). Of the twelve revisions, nine were for liner wear and/or osteolysis, one was for a liner fracture, one was for aseptic loosening, and one was for instability. All bone grafts healed to the pelvis. The graft facilitated revision cup placement as no additional structural grafts or metal augments were required. We concluded that an uncemented porous-coated socket used in conjunction with a bulk femoral head autograft provides good long-term fixation and restores bone stock.

Variations in hospital billing for total joint arthroplasty.

Although regional variations in Medicare spending are known, it is not clear whether regional variations exist in hospital charges for total joint arthroplasty. Data from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on Diagnosis Related Groups 469 and 470 (Major Joint with and without Major Complicating or Comorbid Condition) from 2011 were analyzed for variation by region. Drastic variations in charges between institutions were apparent with significant differences between regions for hospital charges and payments. The median hospital charge nationwide was $71,601 and $46,219 for Diagnosis Related Groups 469 and 470, respectively, with corresponding median payments of $21,231 and $13,743. Weak to no correlation was found between hospital charges and payments despite adjustments for wage index, cost of living, low-income care and teaching institution status.

Predictive value of inflammatory markers for irrigation and debridement of acute TKA infection.

The roles of C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are well established in the diagnosis of total joint infection. However, it is not entirely clear what value preoperative CRP and ESR have in predicting outcomes following irrigation and debridement with insert exchange for acute hematogenous total knee arthroplasty infection. The total joint registry at the authors' institution was reviewed to identify all patients who underwent irrigation and debridement with insert exchange for a diagnosis of acute hematogenous infection of a primary total knee arthroplasty. Patient medical records were then reviewed for preoperative white blood cell count and CRP and ESR levels; interval from symptom onset to surgery; infecting organism; and any additional surgery for infection. Average patient age was 72 years (range, 51-91 years). Forty-four patients were men and 26 were women. Mean follow-up was 54 months (range, 12-176 months). Seventy-two procedures (69 patients) met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 20 (28%) additional procedures for infection were performed and were classified as treatment failures. Average CRP was 173.7 mg/L in the successful group and 159.0 mg/L in the failed group (P=.31). Mean ESR at the time of irrigation and debridement with insert exchange was 61.3 mm/hr in both groups (P=.49). Although CRP and ESR are well established in the diagnosis of infection, no role currently exists for them in predicting the outcomes of irrigation and debridement with insert exchange for the treatment of acute hematogenous total knee arthroplasty infection.

Elevated postoperative blood glucose and preoperative hemoglobin A1C are associated with increased wound complications following total joint arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is an established risk factor for complications following total joint arthroplasty. However, the correlation between postoperative blood glucose and preoperative hemoglobin A1C levels with complications following total joint arthroplasty is not well described. METHODS: All patients undergoing elective primary total joint arthroplasty at our institution from 2004 through 2011 with both postoperative blood glucose and preoperative hemoglobin A1C levels were identified in a retrospective review. From among 1702 patients, those with wound complications within thirty days after the index arthroplasty were identified. A control group matched for exact age, sex, procedure, tourniquet use, surgical approach, and use of antibiotic cement was also created. Thirty patients met the study group inclusion criteria. The mean patient age was seventy-two years (range, fifty-three to eighty-nine years); the majority (53%) of patients were female. RESULTS: The odds ratio for developing a wound complication was 3.75 (95% confidence interval, 1.25 to 11.22; p = 0.02) in patients with a mean postoperative glucose of >200 mg/dL, 3.0 (95% confidence interval, 0.97 to 9.30; p = 0.08) in patients with a maximum postoperative blood glucose of >260 mg/dL, and 9.0 (95% confidence interval, 1.14 to 71.20; p = 0.03) in patients with a preoperative hemoglobin A1C value of >6.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a mean postoperative blood glucose of >200 mg/dL or a preoperative hemoglobin A1C level of >6.7% are at increased risk for wound complications following elective primary total joint arthroplasty. These results show that poor preoperative and postoperative glucose control is independently associated with wound complications.