A Pilot Study Using a Standardized Method of Measuring Distress Demonstrates Higher Levels in Septic Revisions.

Background: Combined Orthopaedic Infectious Disease Clinics facilitate care for prosthetic joint infection (PJI) patients similar to multidisciplinary care in cancer centers. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network developed a standardized distress thermometer (DT) to measure distress in cancer patients. We propose using this tool to assess distress in PJI patients. Methods: In this pilot study, a retrospective review of patients treated in our combined clinic over 2 years was conducted. In addition to providing information surrounding their treatment, patients completed a questionnaire and DT, adapted with permission from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. DT scores were compared to a chronologically collected matched aseptic control group. Results: There were 122 patients in the septic group and 40 patients in the aseptic group. On a scale of 0-10 (10, the highest level of distress), the septic group reported a mean DT score of 6.18 (±3.2), which was significantly higher than the aseptic mean score of 3.33 (±2.06) [P < .0001]. Over 75% of patients in the septic group reported a DT score ≥4, the cutoff used in most cancer centers to warrant additional support. Twenty-one percent of the septic group (26/122) reported extreme distress (defined as a score ≥10) compared to 0/40 of aseptic patients. Conclusions: Patients treated for PJI experience significantly higher levels of distress compared to aseptic revision patients. More attention is needed to measure and clinically address distress. Improved screening for distress would allow us to provide more comprehensive care and possibly improve compliance, outcomes, and resources available for the treatment of PJI patients.

Flip Autograft Technique for Anterolateral Femoral Deficiency in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Anterolateral bone loss of the femur within the trochlear groove presents a unique and rare issue in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Unlike distal and posterior femur bone loss for which most contemporary TKA systems have modular augments, the same does not exist for anterolateral bone loss. We present a technique in which a patient's host bone from the standard distal femoral cuts was used to augment and provide a stable base for cementing of final femoral implants. Currently, the patient has 3-year follow-up with excellent results in terms of pain control with no evidence of component failure on the most recent radiographs. This technique provides a simple solution to a complex problem within primary TKA.

Arthroscopic Biceps to Subscapularis Tenodesis: A Surgical Technique.

A wide variety of techniques are available for tenodesis of the long head of the biceps tendon, and current literature does not favor any one in particular. We present a simple method for arthroscopic soft tissue biceps tenodesis that uses the subscapularis tendon as the anchor. This 5-step technique is time-efficient, technically simple, cost effective, and does not require powered instruments or specialized implants.