The exeter cemented stem provides outstanding long-term fixation and bone load at 15 years follow-up: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Since its introduction in 1988, the double-tapered polished Exeter cemented stem has been widely adopted in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). Despite the results coming from the arthroplasty registries have proven great survivorship, the aim of this study was to dig deeper and describe the modes of failure of the Exeter stem at 15 years follow-up while reporting the clinical and radiographic outcomes. METHODS: A search of PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses since inception of database to January 2022. A meta-analysis was performed on stem's failure rates and clinical outcomes using random effects models. Publication bias was assessed with funnel plots. RESULTS: Overall, ten studies met the inclusion criteria with 2167 hips at mean 14.8 ± 4.1 years follow-up. The meta-effect estimate for revision rate for stem-related reasons was 3.8% (CI 95% 2.1-5.6, p < 0.01). The meta-effect for revision rate for stem aseptic loosening (AL) was 0.22% (CI 95% 0-0.4, p = 0.048) and for periprosthetic fracture was 0.6% (CI95% 0.3-0.9, p < 0.001). The meta effect estimate for Oxford Hip Score (OHS) at final follow-up was 32.4 (moderate; CI 95% 23.2-41.6, p <0.001) with and heterogeneity among the studies of I2 0%. Radiolucent lines were reported in 5.5% of cases, with 1.0% of cases (21 hips) reported to be progressive. CONCLUSION: Current evidence suggests that the Exeter cemented stem not only has proven long-term outstanding reliability with a revision rate of 3.8%, but also incredibly low revision rates for AL (0.22%) and periprosthetic fracture (0.6%). It is suitable for a variety of indications, and the consistent radiological appearances indicate durable fixation and load transmission while being associated with a remarkably low stem-related complication rate.

Anticoagulant Usage After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Is Associated With Increased Rate of Manipulation Under Anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Arthrofibrosis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is a notable but uncommon complication of ACLR. To improve range of motion after ACLR, aggressive physical therapy, arthroscopic/open lysis of adhesions, and revision surgery are currently used. Manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) is also a reasonable choice for an appropriate subset of patients with inadequate range of motion after ACLR. Recently, the correlation between anticoagulant usage and arthrofibrosis after total knee arthroplasty has become an area of interest. The purpose of this study was to determine whether anticoagulant use has a similar effect on the incidence of MUA after ACLR. METHODS: The Mariner data set of the PearlDiver database was used to conduct this retrospective cohort study. Patients with an isolated ACLR were identified by using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Patients were then stratified by MUA within 2 years of ACLR, and the use of postoperative anticoagulation was identified. In addition, patient demographics, medical comorbidities, and timing of ACLR were recorded. Univariate and multivariable analyses were used to model independent risk factors for MUA. RESULTS: We identified 216,147 patients who underwent isolated ACLR. Of these patients, 3,494 (1.62%) underwent MUA within 2 years. Patients who were on anticoagulants after ACLR were more likely to require an MUA (odds ratio [OR]: 2.181; P < 0.001), specifically low-molecular-weight heparin (OR: 2.651; P < 0.001), warfarin (OR: 1.529; P < 0.001), and direct factor Xa inhibitors (OR: 1.957; P < 0.001). DISCUSSION: In conclusion, arthrofibrosis after ACLR is associated with the use of preoperative or postoperative thromboprophylaxis. Healthcare providers should be aware of increased stiffness among these patients and treat them aggressively.

Allergy Testing Has No Correlation with Intraoperative Histopathology from Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty for Implant-Related Metal Allergy.

Lymphocyte transformation testing (LTT) is often used in the workup for possible metal allergy after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) but the correlation of this test with other diagnostic metal-allergy findings in patients undergoing revision TKA for suspected metal allergy has not been established. A single-center, single-surgeon cohort of 19 TKAs in which both components were revised for presumed implant-related metal allergy based on history, physical, and LTT testing, to nonnickel-containing implants were retrospectively identified. Histopathologic samples obtained intraoperatively were semiquantitatively analyzed using both the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) synovial pathology score and the Campbell aseptic lymphocyte-dominant vasculitis-associated lesion (ALVAL) score. As histopathology control group, we included in the study an additional cohort of 17 patients who received aseptic revision TKA and had no history of reported or tested metal sensitivity. All preoperative LTT results were highly reactive to nickel. However, this did not correlate with local periarticular tissue response in 18 of 19 cases which demonstrated a low HSS synovial score (mean: 3.8 ± 2.8, of a maximum score of 28) and the low Campbell ALVAL scores (mean: 2.5/10 ± 1.3, of a maximum score of 10). There were not any significant differences between the study group (suspected implant-related metal allergy) and the control group (nonsuspected implant-related metal allergy) in regard to (1) the Campbell score and (2) the HSS synovial inflammatory score. Knee Society Clinical Rating System (KSCRS) function score improved significantly after revision (mean postoperative increase: 34.0 ± 17. 2; p < 0.001), as well as mean visual analog scale (VAS) pain (mean postoperative decrease: 33.3 ± 26.4; p < 0.01) score. The short-term survival rate (at mean follow-up of 26.1 months) of this patient cohort was 100%. In this cohort of revised TKA patients with suspected nickel allergy based on clinical presentation and LTT positive results, intraoperative histopathology was essentially normal. However, all patients with suspected nickel allergy showed a significant clinical and functional improvement with excellent short-term survival rates. The clinical significance of a positive LTT needs further study.

The modern Burch-Schneider antiprotrusio cage for the treatment of acetabular defects: is it still an option? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: A number of papers have been published about the clinical performance of modern rough-blasted titanium Burch-Schneider antiprotrusio cages (BS-APCs) for the treatment of acetabular bone defects. However, no systematic review of the literature has been published to date. METHODS: The US National Library of Medicine (PubMed/MEDLINE), EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were queried for publications using keywords pertinent to Burch-Schneider antiprotrusio cage, revision THA, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: 8 articles were found to be suitable for inclusion in the present study in which 374 cases (370 patients) had been treated with modern BS-APCs. Most acetabular bone defects were type 3 according to the Paprosky classification (type 2C: 18.1%, 3A: 51%, and 3B: 28.9%). The overall re-revision rate for the 374 acetabular reconstructions with modern BS-APCs was 11.5% (43 cases). The short-term survival rate of the modern BS-APC construct was 90.6% (339 out of 374 cases), while the mid-term survival rate was 85.6% (320 out of 374 cases), and the long-term survival rate 62% (54 out of 87 cases). The most common reasons for revision were aseptic loosening (5.6%), periprosthetic joint infection (3.8%), dislocation (2.7%), and acetabular periprosthetic fracture (1.9%). CONCLUSIONS: There was moderate quality evidence to show that the use of modern rough blasted titanium BS-APCs in cases of acetabular bone loss has an unacceptably high failure rate (38%). Given that antiprotrusio cages do not provide any biological fixation, we would not recommend the routine use of modern BS-APCs in complex revision THA cases. By contrast, the satisfactory short- to mid-term outcome of modern BS-APCs in combination with their low cost compared to highly porous acetabular implants, make us feel that BS-APCs might still be used in selected elderly or low-demand patients without severe superomedial acetabular bone loss.

Ultrasound-Guided Partial Plantar Fascia Release with the Use of a Fine Cutting Device for the Treatment of Persistent Plantar Fasciitis: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of musculoskeletal discomfort. Minimally invasive interventions are preferred as second-line treatments following failure of conservative management. We report on a novel technique of ultrasound-guided percutaneous release of the medial third of the plantar fascia with the use of a fine cutting device for the treatment of persistent plantar fasciitis. METHODS: This is a retrospective case series of all patients treated with the technique between 2013 and 2015. Patients had failed conservative management for a minimum of 6 months. The procedure was performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia. Under continuous ultrasound guidance, release of the medial third of the plantar fascia from the calcaneus was performed using an ophthalmic V-Lance knife through a medial stab wound entry point. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (six men and nine women) with an average age of 54.7 years were included. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) visual analogue scale score for pain improved significantly, from 66.0 (SD, 18.8) preoperatively to each consecutive follow-up point: 29.3 (SD, 25.2) at 2 weeks, 30.0 (SD, 27.8) at 4 weeks, and 34.0 (SD, 26.1) at 12 weeks (P < .001). The mild increase in visual analogue scale score between 4 and 12 weeks was statistically significant (P = .018). Average duration of required analgesia was 5.5 days and average time required to return to usual activities was 5.7 days. Two patients suffered with refractory neuropathic pain over the lateral border of the foot without any obvious abnormality. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided percutaneous release with the use of a fine cutting device could be an alternative option for the treatment of persistent plantar fasciitis. The technique is not without complications, and a mild but statistically significant decline in pain levels from early to short term has been detected. Therefore, the long-term outcomes of this technique need to be investigated before we can advocate its routine use.

Analysis of Eastern Asia's Contributions to Major Orthopaedic Journals in the Past 21 Years.

Introduction Over the past two decades, Asia has experienced the rise and integration of Western medicine and digital health in its field of medicine. In this study, we investigated the trends in orthopaedic publications from three Asian countries: China, Japan, and Korea. Methods PubMed was used to measure the number of publications from China, Japan, and Korea in the past 21 years, from 1998 to 2020. The average percentage change in publications during this 21-year time period was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The average annual change in the number of publications from each country was also determined. One-way analysis of variance and two-group t-tests were utilized for statistical analyses with a p-value of <0.05 as the cut-off value for statistical significance. Results From years 1998 to 2020, there was a mean 35.5% ± 70.7% annual increase in the number of total publications from China, in comparison to a 5.1% ± 14.0% annual increase from Japan (p = 0.005) and a 27.3% ± 40.0% annual increase from Korea (p = 0.586). Conclusion For the past two decades, there has been a strong positive trend regarding the total number of orthopaedic publications from China. This finding might be related in part to an increased integration of Western medicine and the use of digital medicine, which followed a similar trend during the time period we analyzed. Korea and Japan also exhibited a positive trend in orthopaedic publications, which may be indicative of an improving educational system and greater general support for research.

Sufficient MRI graft structural integrity at 9 months after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with hamstring tendon autograft.

PURPOSE: To assess the MRI-measured structural integrity of hamstring autograft at 9 months after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) surgery. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted including 34 patients (mean age 36.8 ± 11.8 years; 73.5% males) who underwent ACLR with hamstring autograft. In addition, 36 patients (mean age 39.2 ± 10.5 years; 69.4% males) without any ACL injury were also reviewed and served as control group. The primary outcome used for examining graft maturity at 9 months after ACLR was the MRI-based signal-to-noise quotient (SNQ) of reconstructed ACL. SNQ values were stratified into 3 different categories: excellent: < 0.1; good: ≥ 0.1 and ≤ 0.19; fair: ≥ 0.2. The KT-1000 knee arthrometer was used to measure the side-to-side difference in the anterior tibial translation between the ACLR knee and the contralateral healthy knee in the ACLR group. RESULTS: Reconstructed ACLs were found with a mean SNQ of 0.078 ± 0.061, while almost all ACL-reconstructed patients (97%; 33 out of 34) were found with excellent or good SNQ values (< 0.019). The mean KT-1000 in the ACLR group was 0.071 mm ± 0.926 mm, while there were no patients in the ACLR cohort with a KT-1000 value > 3 mm. The mean 9-months MRI-based SNQ of ACLR group was significantly higher compared to the mean MRI-based SNQ of the control group (p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed no correlation between SNQ and age, gender, time from injury to ACLR, graft size, or simultaneous treatment of additional intra-articular knee lesions. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of 34 ACL-reconstructed patients, 97% of hamstring tendon autografts demonstrated excellent/good MRI signal intensity and excellent functional results (KT-1000 < 3 mm) at 9 months after surgery. Based on this finding, it is suggested that return to sports after ACLR with hamstring autograft can be considered safe at 9 months post surgery. Furthermore, while structural integrity of the graft has been achieved at this time point, statistical differences found in SNQ values of ACL-reconstructed patients compared to ACLs of healthy individuals highlight the continuing process of graft maturation and remodelling. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

The Diagnosis and Treatment of Acetabular Bone Loss in Revision Hip Arthroplasty: An International Consensus Symposium.

Despite growing evidence supporting the evaluation, classification, and treatment of acetabular bone loss in revision hip replacement, advancements have not been systematically incorporated into a single document, and therefore, a comprehensive review of the treatment of severe acetabular bone loss is needed. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Complex Joint Reconstruction Center at Hospital for Special Surgery held an Acetabular Bone Loss Symposium on June 21, 2019, to answer the following questions: What are the trends, emerging technologies, and areas of future research related to the evaluation and management of acetabular bone loss in revision hip replacement? What constitutes the optimal workup and management strategies for acetabular bone loss? The 36 international experts convened were divided into groups, each assigned to discuss 1 of 4 topics: (1) preoperative planning and postoperative assessment; (2) implant selection, management of osteolysis, and management of massive bone loss; (3) the treatment challenges of pelvic discontinuity, periprosthetic joint infection, instability, and poor bone biology; and (4) the principles of reconstruction and classification of acetabular bone loss. Each group came to consensus, when possible, based on an extensive literature review. This document provides an overview of these 4 areas, the consensus each group arrived at, and directions for future research.

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is an independent risk factor for postoperative complications in aseptic revision total hip arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Revision total hip arthroplasty (rTHA) is becoming a more common procedure due to the increasing volume of primary total hip arthroplasty. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is currently projected to affect 4.4% of the global population by 2030. Diabetes has been associated with poor outcomes for a variety of surgical interventions. However, the impact of insulin dependence has yet to be fully understood. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of insulin dependence on acute postoperative complications following rTHA. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement Program database. All patients who underwent rTHA between 2006 and 2016 were identified and recorded as having non-insulin-dependent DM (NIDDM), insulin-dependent DM (IDDM) or no DM. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to evaluate the incidence of multiple adverse events within 30 days after rTHA. RESULTS: A total of 7685 patients were evaluated (No DM = 6651, NIDDM = 700, IDDM = 334). Univariate analysis revealed that all patients with DM had significantly higher incidences of postoperative complications (NIDDM: p < 0.001; IDDM: p < 0.001) and extended hospital length of stay (NIDDM: p = 0.015; IDDM: p < 0.0001). NIDDM was associated with increased rates of superficial surgical site infection (SSI) (p = 0.001), deep SSI (p = 0.038), and stroke (p = 0.013), while IDDM was associated with increased rates of pneumonia (p < 0.001), renal failure (p < 0.001), and postoperative transfusion (p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, insulin-dependence was determined to be an independent risk factor for extended hospital length of stay (OR 1.905; 95% CI, 1.410-2.577; p < 0.001), pneumonia (OR 4.016; 95% CI, 1.799-8.929; p = 0.001), renal failure (OR 7.143; 95% CI, 2.203-23.256; p = 0.001) and postoperative transfusion (OR 1.366; 95% CI, 1.076-1.733; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Insulin dependence is an independent risk factor for numerous short-term postoperative complications following rTHA. When assessing risk and planning perioperative management, surgeons should consider insulin-dependent diabetics as a sub-cohort within the diabetic population.

Acetabular impaction grafting with mesh for acetabular bone defects: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: In conjunction with impaction bone grafting (IBG), metal meshes have been proposed to minimise defects of the medial and superolateral walls in order to convert combined complex uncontained segmental defects into contained cavitary defects to facilitate IBG. METHODS: The US National Library of Medicine (PubMed/MEDLINE), EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were queried for publications from January 1980 to March 2019 utilising keywords pertinent to total hip arthroplasty (THA), acetabular impaction bone grafting, clinical or functional outcomes, revision THA, or postoperative complications. RESULTS: 7 articles were found to be suitable for inclusion in the present study. The mean modified Coleman methodology score for methodological deficiencies of the studies was 45.3 (range 38-59). Severe acetabular bone loss was present in 56% of cases having moderate bone loss in 18%, and mild in 26%. The all-cause reoperation rate was 7.4%, while the all-cause revision rate of the acetabular component was 6.2%. CONCLUSIONS: IBG with mesh is effective for selected patients with acetabular bone defects. Most patients with moderate bone loss as well as selected patients with large superolateral defects can be successfully treated with IBG combined with mesh. There is limited data to show that IBG with mesh might be associated with decreased survival rates in patients with severe lateral defects (Paprosky IIIA) combined with ischial or medial wall osteolysis who require combined medial and lateral meshes. In addition, patients with severe superomedial migration of the cup (Paprosky IIIB) should not be treated with IBG and mesh.

Polyethylene liner cementation into a well-fixed metal acetabular shell for the management of periacetabular osteolysis: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Although various papers have reported on the clinical performance of cup retention with cementation of a new liner and bone grafting in the management of well-fixed cups with polyethylene wear and periacetabular osteolysis after total hip arthroplasty (THA), no systematic review of this topic has been published to date. METHODS: Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane Library were searched for articles published from January 1999 to January 2019 using "osteolysis" AND "well-fixed", "osteolysis" AND "retro-acetabular", "bone graft" AND ("retention" OR "retained" OR "stable") AND "cup", and "cemented liner" AND "well-fixed". RESULTS: Nine articles were selected for review (186 cases, 76.1 months mean follow-up). The overall revision rate was 11.3% (21 hips) most commonly due to aseptic loosening (9/186 hips), dislocation (8/186 hips), and liner wear progression (2/186 cases). The reported square size of osteolytic lesions ranged from a mean of 465.84 mm2 to a max of 4,770 mm2. Almost all reported lesions treated with bone grafts resolved or did not progress 97% (72/74). All studies indicated improved pain and functional scores at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Cementation of a new liner with periacetabular bone grafting provides an alternative option to isolated liner exchange and cup revision for the management of periacetabular osteolysis in well-fixed cups with a disrupted locking mechanism or unavailable exchange liner. Further higher quality studies are required in order to examine if the use of highly cross-linked polyethylene, highly porous-coated cups, hydroxyapatite-coated cups, and small-diameter cups influence the clinical outcome of liner cementation in well-fixed cups with periacetabular osteolysis.

Monobloc Dual Mobility With a Minimum 5-Year Follow-Up: A Safe and Effective Solution in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Instability constitutes over 20% of revisions after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Dual mobility (DM) designs were introduced as a solution to this problem. However, the few publications that have reported promising results for monobloc DM constructs have been limited by sample size or length of follow-up. The purpose of this study is to evaluate mid-term outcomes (minimum 5-year follow-up) of a single-surgeon series utilizing a monobloc DM acetabular component in patients with high risk for dislocation. METHODS: This is a single-surgeon consecutive series of 207 primary THAs implanted with a monobloc DM component in patients who were considered at high risk for dislocation. Patient demographics and case-specific data were collected retrospectively. All patients had a minimum of 5-year follow-up. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to assess continuous variables, whereas categorical variables were analyzed using the chi-square test. Survival probability was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Radiographic analysis did not reveal acetabular radiolucency in any patients, and there were no revisions for aseptic loosening. In addition, there were no dislocations. Seven of 205 patients (3.4%) were revised, 5 on the femoral side due to periprosthetic fracture and the remaining two for infection. Survivorship of the acetabular component from revision was 99%. The mean Veteran RAND (VR-12) physical score improved from 7 (standard deviation [SD]: 13.7) preoperatively to 9.5 (SD: 17.6) at the final follow-up. Similarly, the hip disability osteoarthritis score improved from 8 (SD: 17.9) preoperatively to 21.2 (SD: 37). CONCLUSION: Monobloc DM components reliably prevent dislocation after primary THA in high-risk patients. At mid-term follow-up, this DM monobloc component demonstrates excellent implant survivorship, radiographic fixation, and improved functional outcomes.

Extended Trochanteric Osteotomy Closure Performed Before or After Canal Preparation and Stem Impaction Does Not Affect Axial Stability.

BACKGROUND: An extended trochanteric osteotomy (ETO) safely addresses femoral component removal during challenging revision total hip arthroplasty. However, no prior study has evaluated whether a difference in axial stability exists between ETO closure performed before (reconstitution) or after (scaffolding) canal preparation and stem impaction. We hypothesized that given the absence of clinical reports of outcome differences despite the wide use of both practices, no significant difference in the initial axial stability would exist between the 2 fixation techniques. METHODS: ETOs were performed and repaired using the reconstitution technique for the 6 right-sided femora and the scaffolding technique for the six left-sided femora. The 195-mm long, 3.5°-tapered splined titanium monobloc stems were impacted into 6 matched pairs of human fresh cadaveric femora. Three beaded cables were placed in a standardized fashion on each specimen, 1 for prophylaxis against osteotomy propagation during reaming/impaction and 2 to close the ETO. Stepwise axial loading was performed to 2600 N or until failure, which was defined as subsidence >5 mm or femoral/cable fracture. RESULTS: All specimens successfully resisted axial testing, with no stem in either ETO repair group subsiding >2 mm. The mean subsidence for the reconstitution group was 0.9 ± 0.4 mm, compared to 1.2 ± 0.5 mm for the scaffolding group (P = .2). CONCLUSION: In this cadaveric model with satisfactory proximal bone stock, no difference existed between the reconstitution and scaffolding ETO repair techniques, and both provide sufficient immediate axial stability in a simulated revision total hip arthroplasty setting under physiologic loads.

Use of elevated liners in primary total hip arthroplasty: a systematic review of the literature.

PURPOSE: Instability remains one of the most frequent complications requiring revision surgery after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). Elevated liners are often utilized to reduce the risk of dislocation; however, the literature is inconclusive, with no systematic reviews summarizing the data. Thus, this systematic review aimed to establish a consensus for the efficacy of elevated liners in primary THA by determining rates of overall revision and revision specifically for recurrent dislocation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Eligible randomized-controlled trials and observational studies reporting on the use of elevated liners in primary total hip arthroplasty were identified through May 2020. A random effects model meta-analysis was conducted, and the I2 statistic was used to assess for heterogeneity. RESULTS: Eight studies met inclusion criteria, and overall, 26,507 patients undergoing primary THA with use of an elevated liner were included. In aggregate, the most common cause of revision was recurrent hip dislocation (1.3%, N = 82/6,267) followed by joint infection (1.2%, N = 45/3,772) and acetabular loosening (0.3%, N = 10/3,772). Notably, elevated liners were associated with a lower risk of revision for recurrent dislocation compared to neutral liners (HR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.55-1.00; p = 0.048). CONCLUSION: This review found that after primary THA with the use of elevated liners, hip dislocation and prosthetic joint infection continued to be the most frequent reasons for revision surgery. However, elevated liners had a lower risk of revision for recurrent dislocation compared to neutral liners.

Early Aseptic Loosening with Increased Presence and Severity of Backside Burnishing in the Optetrak Logic Posterior-Stabilized Total Knee Arthroplasty Femoral Component.

Concerns persist that the Optetrak Logic posterior-stabilized (PS) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) femoral component might correlate with early failures due to aseptic loosening. The primary aim of this study was to examine if the use of the Optetrak Logic PS femoral component is associated with early (<5 years) and more extensive aseptic loosening compared with other PS femoral components. This is a single-institution retrieval analysis and revision registry study (based on prospectively collected data) of 27 failed primary PS TKA patients with loose femoral components that underwent revision TKAs between 2016 and 2019. Patients were stratified by components type: Group A (n = 16) received the Optetrak Logic PS femoral component, while Group B (n = 11) received other PS femoral components. Burnishing (macroscopic polishing of the component's backside) was observed and graded as a marker for relative motion at the cement-implant interface. No significant differences were found between the two groups regarding the baseline demographic, radiographic, and clinical characteristics. Mean length of implantation for Group A (3.8 ± 2.9 years) was significantly shorter (p < 0.001) than that of Group B (12.0 ± 6.7 years). A significant difference (p = 0.009) was found in presence of backside femoral burnishing between Group A (15 of 16 patients; 93.8%) and group B (5 of 11 patients; 45.6%). Furthermore, we found a significant difference (p < 0.001) in the severity of burnishing between Group A (13 of 16 patients with severe degree of burnishing; 81.3%) and Group B (1 of 11 patients with severe degree of burnishing; 9.1%). In contrast to Group B, a distinctive macroscopic pattern found in Logic retrieved femoral components (Group A) was the total absence of cement in the backside surface. The use of the Optetrak Logic PS TKA femoral component was associated with early aseptic loosening and increased presence and severity of backside burnishing with early cement-implant interface debonding compared with other commercially available types of PS TKA femoral components. The earlier failure rate with this implant is of concern.

Highly cross-linked polyethylene in primary total knee arthroplasty is associated with a lower rate of revision for aseptic loosening: a meta-analysis of 962,467 cases.

BACKGROUND: The evolution in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) includes the highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) which has been reported as an effective manner to reduce the wear of the polyethylene and the osteolysis. The purpose of the present study is to synthesize the results of comparative studies between HXLPE and conventional polyethylenes and determine their effect in primary TKA. METHODS: The US National Library of Medicine (PubMed/MEDLINE) and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were queried for publications utilizing the following keywords: "cross-linked", "polyethylene", "HXLPE", "conventional", "total knee arthroplasty", "TKA", "total knee replacement" and "TKR" combined with Boolean operators AND and OR. RESULTS: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the present meta-analysis with 962,467 patients. No significant difference was found regarding the revision rate for any reason between the patients who received HXLPE and those with conventional liner (OR 0.67; 95% CI 0.39-1.18; I2: 97.7%). In addition, there was no difference regarding the radiolucent lines between the two types of liners (OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.20-1.49; I2: 69.4%). However, with data coming from seven studies enrolling a total of 411,543 patients, it was demonstrated that patients who received HXLPE were less likely to be revised due to aseptic loosening compared to the patients with conventional liners (OR 0.35; 95% CI 0.31-0.39; I2: 0.0%). CONCLUSION: The present meta-analysis showed that regarding the overall revision rate and radiographic outcomes there was no significant difference between the two types of liners. On the other hand, the significantly less revision rate due to loosening supports the routine continued use of HXLPE in primary TKA.

Identification of biological risk factors for persistent postoperative pain after total knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that cytokines and adipokines are associated with osteoarthritis (OA) severity, progression, and severity of associated pain. However, the cytokine response to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and its association with persistent postoperative pain is not well understood. This study aims to describe the perioperative systemic (plasma) and local (synovial fluid) cytokine profiles of patients who do and do not develop persistent pain after TKA. METHODS: Patients undergoing primary unilateral TKA for end-stage OA were prospectively enrolled. Demographic and clinical data were gathered preoperatively and postoperatively. Synovial fluid was collected pre arthrotomy and plasma was collected at multiple time points before and after surgery. Persistent postoperative pain (PPP) was defined as Numerical Rating Score≥4 at 6 months. Cytokine levels were measured using the V-Plex Human Cytokine 30-Plex Panel (Mesoscale-Rockville, Maryland, USA). Cytokine levels were compared between PPP and minimal pain groups. Given that the study outcomes are exploratory, no adjustment was performed for multiple testing. RESULTS: Incidence of persistent pain at 6 months post TKA was 15/162 (9.3%). Postoperative plasma levels of four cytokines were significantly different in patients who developed persistent postoperative pain: interleukin (IL)-10, IL-1ß, vascular endothelial growth factor, and IL12/IL23p40. Significantly lower IL-10 levels in the prearthrotomy synovial fluid were associated with development of postoperative persistent pain. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective cohort study described a distinct acute perioperative inflammatory response profile in patients who developed persistent post-TKA pain, characterized by significant differences in four cytokines over the first 2 postoperative days. These results support the growing evidence that the patient-specific biologic response to surgery may influence longer-term clinical outcomes after TKA. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02626533.

Outcomes and Patient Safety in Overlapping vs. Nonoverlapping Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Overlapping surgery is defined as two cases occurring in separate operating rooms (ORs), where the same attending surgeon conducts the critical surgical portions of each case at different times. Although it has been suggested that this established practice may improve the utilization of resources, allow for more opportunities to teach surgical trainees, and facilitate timely access to care, there is still no consensus on its use in elective orthopaedic surgery, such as total joint arthroplasty (TJA). METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature was done according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to identify articles investigating the use of overlapping and single operating room TJA. Relevant data, including surgical time, intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, mortality rate, revision rate, and readmission rate, were extracted and recorded. RESULTS: Six articles were included (35,938 patients: 17,677 overlapping and 18,261 nonoverlapping). Overall revision rates were 1.2% and 1.1% for the overlapping and nonoverlapping cohorts, respectively (odds ratio [OR] = 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93 to 1.53). The overall intraoperative complication rate was 1.6% for both cohorts (OR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.79 to 1.23), and the overall postoperative orthopaedic complication rates were 2.0% and 1.95% within the overlapping and nonoverlapping OR cohorts, respectively (OR = 1.07; 95% CI: 0.89 to 1.29). The readmission rate was 4.6% in the overlapping group and 4.2% in the nonoverlapping group (OR = 0.88; 95% CI: 0.70 to 1.11). Two studies with comparable groups reported markedly increased surgical time in the overlapping group compared with the nonoverlapping group. DISCUSSION: Overlapping surgery was found to be as safe as nonoverlapping surgery in patients undergoing TJA. Although overlapping TJA surgery is associated with satisfactory short-term revision rates, prolonged follow-up is required to further assess the medium-term and long-term outcomes of overlapping surgery compared with nonoverlapping surgery. Finally, although overlapping TJA surgery might be associated with increased OR time, this difference is not clinically relevant.

Clinical and radiographic outcomes of total shoulder arthroplasty with a partially cemented all-polyethylene pegged bone-ingrowth glenoid component: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Several articles have been published reporting on the clinical performance of a novel pegged, all-polyethylene glenoid component design which features a central peg, circumferentially fluted, interference-fit peg for tissue integration and three small peripheral pegs for cementing. However, no systematic review exists to this date. METHODS: The US National Library of Medicine (PubMed/MEDLINE), EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were queried for publications up to May 2020. RESULTS: Overall, 13 articles were included for analysis (560 operated shoulders, range of mean follow-up: 2-6 years). The survival rate was 98.2% (550 out of 560 cases), while the rate of aseptic loosening was 0.2% (1 out of 560 cases). There were 139 cases (out of 399 reported; 34.1%) with peri-glenoid radiolucency, and 35 cases (out of 223 reported; 15.7%) of asymptomatic central peg osteolysis, with 1 of them undergoing revision. CONCLUSIONS: There was fair quality of evidence to show that partially cemented all-polyethylene pegged bone-ingrowth glenoid components produce promising results, with a low revision rate in the short- to medium-term follow-up. Nevertheless, this analysis showed high rates of both radiolucency of the glenoid component and osteolysis around the central peg which raise concern for potential failure of this glenoid component in the long-term follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Systematic review, IV.

Day case versus inpatient total shoulder arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: A number of papers have been published comparing the safety and efficacy of day case and inpatient anatomic or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. However, no systematic review of the literature has been published to date. The aim of this review was to determine if day case total shoulder arthroplasty (length of stay <24 h) leads to similar outcomes as standard-stay inpatients (length of stay ≥24 h). METHODS: The US National Library of Medicine (PubMed/MEDLINE), EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviewers were queried for publications utilizing keywords that were pertinent to total shoulder arthroplasty, day case, outpatient and inpatient, clinical or functional outcomes, and complications. In order to determine the quantitative impact of day case total shoulder arthroplasty on readmission and revision rate, a meta-analysis was performed on articles that observed 30- or 90-day readmission or revision. RESULTS: Eight articles were found to be suitable for inclusion in the present study which included 6103 day case total shoulder arthroplasty and 147,463 inpatient total shoulder arthroplasty. Following meta-analysis, there was no significant difference among patients who underwent day case total shoulder arthroplasty compared to inpatient total shoulder arthroplasty regarding revision rates (OR: 1.001; 95% CI: 0.721-1.389; p = 0.995) and 30-day readmission rates (OR: 0.940; 95% CI: 0.723-1.223; p = 0.646). In contrast, patients who underwent day case total shoulder arthroplasty were less likely to have a readmission within 90 days compared to their inpatient counterparts (OR: 0.839; 95% CI: 0.704-0.999; p = 0.049). Two out of eight studies reported comparable baseline clinical characteristics among groups, while five studies reported significant differences and one study did not provide information regarding clinical characteristics, such as medical comorbidities or American Society of Anaesthesiologists'(ASA) score. No significant difference among groups was found in all or almost all studies regarding mortality rates, and rates of cardiac complications, cerebrovascular events, thromboembolic events, pulmonary complications, cardiac complications, and nerve complications. Finally, results were rather conflicting regarding the correlation of day case total shoulder arthroplasty to the rate of surgical site infections. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that day case total shoulder arthroplasty might lead to similar rates of mortality, complications, revisions, and readmissions compared to inpatient total shoulder arthroplasty when used in a selected population of younger, healthier, and more male patients. In contrast, there was no consensus regarding the impact of day case total shoulder arthroplasty on the rate of surgical site infections. Finally, further research of higher quality is required to establish patient demographic criteria, ASA score, or comorbidity index cut off that might be used to define day case-treated patients who seem to have equivalent outcomes compared to inpatient-treated patients.Level of evidence: Systematic review of level III studies (lowest level included).