The incidence of symptomatic venous thromboembolism following orthopaedic surgery at Bay of Plenty District Health Board.

AIM: To investigate the incidence of symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) after orthopaedic surgery. METHOD: We performed a retrospective cohort study investigating the incidence of symptomatic VTE within 90 days of orthopaedic surgery in the Bay of Plenty District Health Board (DHB). Risk factors and antithrombotic regimens were also reviewed. RESULTS: After 1,133 unilateral total hip joint replacements (THJRs), there were six VTEs (incidence 0.5%, 95% CI 0.2-1.1%), four deep vein thromboses (DVT) (0.4%, 0.1-0.9%) and three pulmonary emboli (PE) (0.3%, 0.1-0.8%). Following 898 unilateral total knee joint replacements (TKJRs), 18 patients developed VTEs (2.0%, 1.2-2.9%), five developed DVTs (0.6%, 0.2-1.3%) and 16 developed PEs (1.8%, 1.1-2.9%). There were five VTEs after 224 THJR revisions (2.2%, 1.0-5.1%), five VTEs after 110 TKJR revisions (4.5%, 2.0-10.2%) and 16 VTEs after 846 hip fracture surgeries (1.9%, 1.2-3.0%). VTE risk factors were ICU admission post operatively and having known coronary or cerebrovascular disease. Within 1 week of surgery, 38.5% (30/78) of VTEs were diagnosed and within 2 weeks 66.7% (52/78) were diagnosed. Aspirin was being taken by 44% (34/78) of VTE patients and 26% (19/78) were on more potent antithrombotics. CONCLUSION: VTE is a rare complication of orthopaedic surgery. The highest risk period is the initial 2 weeks after a procedure. VTE can develop despite pharmacological thromboprophylaxis.

Is There Anything to Learn from a National Joint Registry?

National joint registries (NJRs) have been established in Northern Europe for over 20 years. Since then, many other countries have begun collecting and reporting national data for total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). With relatively small numbers implanted, a large variety of available designs, and with any long-term reports dominated by designer groups, TAA is ideally placed to benefit from large national or even pooled national registries. This article reviews the existing registry-based literature with respect to what is already known. The potential positives and down sides of registry data also are highlighted.

Outcome After Tibial Plateau Fracture: How Important Is Restoration of Articular Congruity?

OBJECTIVES: Does restoration of articular congruity have any effect on long-term outcome following tibial plateau fracture? DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: A secondary hospital in New Zealand, which services a population of 150,000. PATIENTS: All patients with a depressed tibial plateau fracture seen over a 6 year period were invited to participate in the study. There were 41 patients (average age 54 years) recruited from an eligible population of 97. Average follow-up was 3.9 years after injury. INTERVENTION: Patients had either been treated operatively or nonoperatively after depressed tibial plateau fracture. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome analyzed was residual articular depression (as measured on coronal plane tomogram) and its effect on clinical outcome [Oxford Knee Score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Iowa knee score, and a visual analogue satisfaction score] and functional outcome (knee range of motion) at a minimum of 12 months after fracture. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on the amount of articular depression: <2.5, 2.5-5.0, and ≥5.0 mm. The secondary outcome analyzed was mechanical axis (as measured on weightbearing long leg alignment radiographs) and its effect on clinical and functional outcomes. RESULTS: Statistical analysis found that patients with <2.5 mm of articular depression had significantly smaller losses in knee range of motion (P = 0.000), better Oxford (P = 0.006), Iowa (P = 0.003), and KOOS symptom (P = 0.011) and pain (P = 0.001) scores. We found that there was no significant relationship between restoration of mechanical axis and loss in range of motion (P = 0.126), Oxford (P = 0.584), WOMAC (P = 0.101), IOWA (P = 0.418), Visual Analogue Score (VAS) (P = 0.466) or any subgroup within the KOOS survey other than activities of daily living (P = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: This study found that patients with smaller amounts of residual articular depression at a minimum of 12 months after tibial plateau fracture had significantly smaller losses in knee range of motion and better functional outcomes than those with greater amounts of articular depression. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Modular versus all-polyethylene tibial components: comparison of pre- and early post-operative patient scores in total knee replacement.

INTRODUCTION: All-polyethylene (AP) tibial components of total knee replacement (TKR) are substantially cheaper than their modular counterparts. It is well established that their survivorship and radiographic outcomes are comparable. In this study, patient-derived outcome measures were used to compare these two implant types. METHODS: A cohort of 456 primary TKRs (142 AP, 314 modular) were assessed with preoperative and 1-year post-operative Oxford Knee Score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index and Short Form - 12 scores. RESULTS: Both groups performed well with no significant difference in improvement and final scores at 1 year. Although there was a significant difference in mean age among the groups (P < 0.001) age-adjusted scores continued to show no significant difference between the two groups. DISCUSSION: Our results support the more frequent use of AP tibial components for uncomplicated TKR.

Functional response to total hip arthroplasty in patients with hip dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: While recent studies have shown patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) to achieve comparable post-operative outcomes to patients with primary osteoarthritis (OA), it is unclear whether DDH patients display better or worse preoperative function than the general THA population. We aimed to compare the preoperative function and functional response to THA of DDH patients with OA patients. METHODS: Through a retrospective review of prospectively collected regional joint registry data, we compared the preoperative, 1-year post-operative and post-operative change in disease-specific (Oxford hip score (OHS), Western Ontario and MacMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC)) and general health (short form 12 physical health (SF-12 PH), mental health (SF-12 MH) scores) functional scores of 33 DDH patients and 968 OA patients undergoing primary THA. RESULTS: The DDH group displayed substantially worse preoperative function than the OA group (mean OHS 11.2 versus 16.3 (P = 0.001), WOMAC 72.7 versus 60.6 (P < 0.001), SF-12 PH 27.8 versus 28.9 (P = 0.433), SF-12 MH 35.5 versus 44.7 (P < 0.001)). Functional response to THA at 1 year was significantly better in the DDH group than the OA group (mean score improvements: OHS 31.1 versus 24.6 (P < 0.001), WOMAC 61.4 versus 47.2 (P < 0.001), SF-12 PH 22.3 versus 16.5 (P = 0.003), SF-12 MH 18.4 versus 8.4 (P < 0.001)). CONCLUSION: Despite experiencing significantly worse preoperative function, DDH patients undergoing THA demonstrated superior early functional response to OA patients, with substantially greater improvements observed in all disease-specific and general health outcome measures.

Talar dome access for osteochondral lesions.

BACKGROUND: Recently, osteochondral grafting has become a popular procedure for treating challenging talar dome lesions. However, no guidelines exist for selection of the surgical approach to obtain perpendicular access to the talar dome. HYPOTHESIS: The majority of the talar dome can be accessed for perpendicular resurfacing procedures without need for osteotomy. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: Nine human cadaveric ankles were dissected in a standard fashion to expose the talar dome. Seven approaches were used, including 4 arthrotomies (anteromedial, anterolateral, posteromedial, and posterolateral) and 3 osteotomies (anterolateral [Chaput], distal fibula, and medial malleolar). The area available for perpendicular access to the dome was determined for each approach. RESULTS: On average, 17% (range, 10%-24%) of the medial talar dome and 20% (range, 16%-25%) of the lateral talar dome could not be accessed without osteotomy. On the lateral aspect of the superior talar dome surface, an anterolateral osteotomy adds a mean of 22% to sagittal plane exposure. Malleolar osteotomies, when performed using the method described, provide access to the entire medial and lateral sides; however, there remains a mean residual 15% (range, 11%-38%) of the central talar dome that cannot be accessed in a perpendicular manner with any approach. CONCLUSION: Most of the talar dome can be accessed perpendicularly for resurfacing without malleolar osteotomy. Osteotomies substantially increase the access and are needed for extensive lesions. Part of the central portion of the talar dome is inaccessible to perpendicular resurfacing techniques with any standard approach. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study generated clear clinical guidelines to help decision making regarding the surgical approach to resurface the talar dome with osteochondral techniques. The majority of the talar dome can be accessed without osteotomy.

Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis for severe calcaneovalgus deformity in cerebral palsy.

The authors studied the outcome of a consecutive series of nine tibiotalocalcaneal fusions for severe calcaneovalgus deformity in five adolescents with severe cerebral palsy. The indications for surgery were severe deformity, pain, brace intolerance, difficulties with shoe wear, and progressive loss of transfer, standing, or walking ability. The goals of surgery were deformity correction, reduced bracing, and ability to wear regular shoes and to maintain function. Successful correction of deformity was achieved in all patients. One patient had a stable fibrous ankylosis despite revision surgery. Functional goals were fully achieved in three patients and partially achieved in two patients. The authors conclude that tibiotalocalcaneal fusion is useful as a salvage procedure in a small group of adolescents to correct severe deformity and to maintain limited function. Isolated lengthening of the tendo Achillis had been performed in four of these patients and was a contributing factor to the development of this deformity.

Forty-year outcome of ankle "cup" arthroplasty for post-traumatic arthritis.

Ankle arthroplasty for post-traumatic tibiotalar arthritis remains controversial. The current literature strongly recommends arthrodesis, especially in those patients who will overload the joint: the young, the active and the overweight patients. The case described here is a 40-year follow up. A 31-year old man underwent talar dome resurfacing with a custom Vitallium implant for post-traumatic arthritis in 1962. He continued to work as a heavy laborer until retirement in 1987 and presently remains virtually asymptomatic with regard to his foot and ankle. The longevity of this individual implant has been remarkable. The unique design, minimal resection, surgical approach and remarkable success merit discussion in the light of publication of predominantly bleak reports of arthroplasty in this patient population.

Long-term outcome of ankle arthrodesis.

The small number of long-term studies performed after successful arthrodesis suggests that most patients are satisfied with their outcomes. Some patients, however, eventually become limited by pain and degenerative changes elsewhere in the foot. Over time, subjacent joint arthritis is highly likely, especially that which involves the subtalar and talonavicular joints. (Fig. 1)