Intraoperative Femur Fracture Risk During Primary Direct Anterior Approach Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty With and Without a Fracture Table.

BACKGROUND: There is no study to date comparing intraoperative femur fractures (IFFs) in the direct anterior approach (DAA) with and without a fracture table. We hypothesize that there is no significant difference in the IFF with and without a fracture table when performed by experienced DAA hip surgeons. METHODS: This study is a 1-year retrospective review of patients who underwent DAA total hip arthroplasty by 2 surgeons: one surgeon uses a flat table and manually elevates the femur with a large bone hook, while the other surgeon uses a fracture table and a mechanical femoral elevator. Exclusion criteria included cemented femoral implants, femoral neck fractures, and lack of 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: We identified 487 patients for analysis (220 male and 267 female, average age 66.55 years). There were 12 total IFFs (2.46%): 8 female and 4 male patients. The average age of IFF patients was 70.67 years and in nonfracture patients was 66.00 years. There was no difference in gender (P = .2981) or age (P = .2099) between IFF and nonfracture patients. In the fracture table group, there were 6 IFFs (2.22%) in 271 patients; in the nonfracture table group, there were 6 IFFs (2.76%) in 216 patients. There was no statistical difference in IFF between the 2 groups (P = .6973). We observed just 2 patients (0.4%) in this series where the IFFs changed management requiring a revision femoral stem. CONCLUSION: There was no statistical difference in IFF with or without the use of fracture table. Both DAA surgical technique variations are felt to be equivalent regarding the risk for IFF during DAA cementless total hip arthroplasty.

Effects of Tranexamic Acid Cytotoxicity on In Vitro Chondrocytes.

Use of topical tranexamic acid (TXA) in orthopedic surgery has been expanding over the past decade, with increasing evidence confirming reductions in perioperative blood loss and transfusion requirements, but there is minimal evidence regarding effects of TXA on native cartilage. We conducted a study to understand the in vitro effects of TXA on bovine cartilage and murine chondrocytes and ultimately to expand the clinical application of topical TXA to include scenarios with retained native cartilage, such as hemiarthroplasty. Bovine cartilage explants were exposed to TXA at a concentration of 100 mg/mL, and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) release and cell viability were measured at 8, 24, and 48 hours. Monolayer murine chondrocytes were exposed to TXA 25, 50, and 100 mg/mL, and viability was measured at 8, 24, and 48 hours. GAG released from bovine explants was significantly higher in the samples exposed to TXA 100 mg/mL at all time points. Cell viability was significantly decreased in the explants exposed to TXA 24 and 48 hours after initial incubation. Bovine chondrocyte viability was not affected by TXA 25 mg/mL. Murine chondrocyte viability was similar between the TXA 25 mg/mL and control samples at all time points. The TXA 50 mg/mL sample dropped from 66.51% viability at 8 hours to 6.81% viability at 24 hours and complete cell death by 48 hours. The TXA 100 mg/mL samples had no observable viable cells at 8, 24, and 48 hours. Our data indicated that TXA 100 mg/mL damaged and was cytotoxic to bovine explanted cartilage and was cytotoxic to murine chondrocytes. Murine and bovine chondrocyte viability were not affected by TXA 25 mg/mL.

Paralytic ileus in the orthopaedic patient.

Paralytic ileus is marked by the cessation of bowel motility. This condition is a major clinical concern that may lead to severe patient morbidity in orthopaedic surgery and trauma patients. Ileus most commonly occurs following spinal surgery, traumatic injury, or lower extremity joint reconstruction, but it may also occur following minor orthopaedic procedures. Possible consequences of ileus include abdominal pain, malnutrition, prolonged hospital stay, hospital readmission, bowel perforation, and death. Therapies used in the treatment of ileus include minimization of opioids, early patient mobilization, pharmacologic intervention, and multidisciplinary care. Orthopaedic surgeons should be aware of the clinical signs and symptoms of paralytic ileus and should understand treatment principles of this relatively common adverse event.

J-splint use for temporizing management of pediatric femur fractures: a review of 18 cases.

OBJECTIVES: Pediatric femoral fractures are common injuries encountered in the field and in emergency departments. Currently described temporizing management strategies include skeletal traction, skin traction, traction splinting, and posterior splinting, all of which are suboptimal in some instances. J-splinting femur fractures may be advantageous in temporizing management of pediatric femur fractures. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of J-splint use for temporizing management of pediatric femur fractures. METHODS: This study used a retrospective review of 18 pediatric patients with femur fractures treated with J-splinting in the emergency department. Patient age, weight, and presplinting and postsplinting pain scale ratings were recorded, as well as presplint and postsplint anteroposterior and lateral radiographic fracture angulation. Pain before and after J-splinting was compared using a paired t test. RESULTS: The mean age of this cohort was 5.4 years (range, 6 months-13 y), with a mean weight of 21.1 kg (range, 7.7-57 kg). In this cohort, there was a significant reduction in pain after reduction and splinting from a mean of 6 to a mean of 1 (P < 0.001). No significant difference in fracture alignment was noted after J-splinting. No complications were noted. CONCLUSIONS: The J-splint is a reliable, simple, and rapidly applied splint that prevents many of the complications and downfalls of other described temporizing measures and helps to provide excellent pain management in the acute setting.

Cost benefit analysis of topical tranexamic acid in primary total hip and knee arthroplasty.

The purpose of this study was to provide a cost-benefit analysis of topical tranexamic acid (TXA) in primary total hip and knee arthroplasty patients. A retrospective cohort of 591 consecutive patients, 311 experimental and 280 control, revealed a transfusion rate reduction from 17.5% to 5.5%, increased postoperative hemoglobin, and decreased delta hemoglobin without an increase in adverse events (all P < 0.001). This led to saving $83.73 per patient based on transfusion costs alone after accounting for the cost of TXA. Hospital disposition to home compared to subacute nursing facility was also significantly increased by 9.3% (P < 0.02). We conclude that topical TXA reduces transfusion rate, increases home disposition, and reduces cost in primary hip and knee arthroplasty.

Primary knee arthrodesis for severe crystalline arthropathy.

Gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis involving deposition of monosodium urate crystals within a diarthroidal joint. In this article, we report the case of a 54-year-old man who had severe, uncontrolled gout and presented with a 10-year history of knee pain. On consideration of all patient factors, including age, desired functional level, significant bone loss, periarticular soft-tissue masses, significant ligamentous instability, and difficult access to health care, knee arthrodesis was the surgery of choice. A knee fusion for gouty arthritis allowed the patient to have a stable, pain-free knee.

Management of the 'young' patient with hip disease.

Although hip arthritis typically affects older patients, there is a rapidly growing population of "young" patients experiencing debilitating symptoms from hip disease. Most commonly, osteoarthritis and avascular necrosis affect this population, but a variety of other primary structural and metabolic causes can also occur. The expectations of these younger patients are often distinct from geriatric patients, and the challenges in optimizing their care are unique in this demanding population. Selection of the implant, bearing surface, and surgical technique can all impact the success and longevity of total hip replacement. A consideration for respecting the native bone stock is an important consideration that can potentially reduce some of the future challenges of revision arthroplasty in this young population.

Current thoughts on ankle arthritis.

The ankle is the most commonly injured joint in athletic and work activities. In contrast, osteoarthritis of the ankle joint is relatively rare and is typically post-traumatic or inflammatory in nature. Common symptoms that prompt an orthopaedic consultation include pain, disability and altered gait mechanics. Non-operative management has been the mainstay for previously undiagnosed patients. For those with advanced disease, ankle fusion or total ankle replacement may be the only surgical options. Though some recent studies have shown patients' preference for a well functioning ankle replacement, significant long- term follow-up data is lacking.