Notch signalling drives synovial fibroblast identity and arthritis pathology.

The synovium is a mesenchymal tissue composed mainly of fibroblasts, with a lining and sublining that surround the joints. In rheumatoid arthritis the synovial tissue undergoes marked hyperplasia, becomes inflamed and invasive, and destroys the joint1,2. It has recently been shown that a subset of fibroblasts in the sublining undergoes a major expansion in rheumatoid arthritis that is linked to disease activity3-5; however, the molecular mechanism by which these fibroblasts differentiate and expand is unknown. Here we identify a critical role for NOTCH3 signalling in the differentiation of perivascular and sublining fibroblasts that express CD90 (encoded by THY1). Using single-cell RNA sequencing and synovial tissue organoids, we found that NOTCH3 signalling drives both transcriptional and spatial gradients-emanating from vascular endothelial cells outwards-in fibroblasts. In active rheumatoid arthritis, NOTCH3 and Notch target genes are markedly upregulated in synovial fibroblasts. In mice, the genetic deletion of Notch3 or the blockade of NOTCH3 signalling attenuates inflammation and prevents joint damage in inflammatory arthritis. Our results indicate that synovial fibroblasts exhibit a positional identity that is regulated by endothelium-derived Notch signalling, and that this stromal crosstalk pathway underlies inflammation and pathology in inflammatory arthritis.

Predictors of Reoperation and Survival Experience (Minimum 1 Year) for Primary Versus Conversion Total Hip Arthroplasty in Young Patients.

BACKGROUND: Total hip arthroplasty (THA), including primary and conversion procedures, is commonly used for many types of joint disease in patients aged below 65 years, though few studies have evaluated THA outcomes in young patients (≤ 40 years old). This study examined a large cohort of patients who underwent THA at a young (≤ 40 years old) age to identify predictors of reoperation and compare survivorship between primary and conversion THAs. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 497 patients who underwent 612 primary and conversion THAs at 40 years old or younger between 1990 and 2020. Medical records were reviewed to collect patient/surgical data. A multivariable logistic regression model identified independent predictors of reoperation, and Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank tests was used to compare survival curves by THA type. RESULTS: The median age at surgery (interquartile range) was 31 years (25 to 36). The median follow-up time was 6.6 years (range, 3.8 to 10.5). Conversion THAs had an increased rate of both revisions (12.3 versus 5.6%, P = 0.02) and nonrevision reoperations (8.9 versus 3.2%, P = 0.03) compared to primary THAs. A ceramic-on-ceramic articulation (odds ratio: 5.17; P = 0.03) and a higher estimated blood loss (odds ratio: 1.0007; P = 0.03) were independent predictors of reoperation for primary and conversion THA, respectively. Conversion THAs had a lower 15-year survival (77.8 versus 90.8%, P = 0.009) compared to primary THAs. CONCLUSIONS: Patients ≤ 40 years old who underwent primary and conversion THAs demonstrated an impressive 15-year survival comparable to that of older populations (74 to 93%), while conversion procedures had a higher reoperation rate. Although primary THA may be more ideal, there are promising outcomes for patients who need THA at a younger age than typically implemented, especially for those who are very young (≤ 30 years old).

Reverse Fragility Index: Comparing Revision Rates Between Direct Anterior and Other Approaches in Total Hip Arthroplasty. A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Despite increasing adoption of the direct anterior (DA) approach in total hip arthroplasty (THA), uncertainty persists regarding its outcomes beyond the 1-year mark in comparison to other approaches. We used the reverse fragility index (RFI) to evaluate the robustness of reported findings in the literature. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing implant revision rates between DA and other approaches in THA, defined as all those different from DA. Our primary outcome was the RFI, which gauges the number of events needed for a nonsignificant result to become significant, in the revision rate between DA and other approaches. We also calculated the reverse fragility quotient by dividing the RFI by each study's sample size. Median values and interquartile ranges (IQRs) were displayed. RESULTS: A total of 10 RCTs with a total of 971 patients were included. The median RFI was 5 (IQR, 4 to 5), indicating the study's results would be statistically significant if the outcomes of 5 patients in 1 treatment arm were reversed. The median reverse fragility quotient was 0.049 (IQR, 0.04 to 0.057), indicating that a change of outcome in 4.9% of patients would render the revision rate significant. The median number of patients lost to follow-up was 4 (IQR, 0 to 7). Of the 10 RCTs, 6 had more patients lost to follow-up than their respective RFI values. CONCLUSIONS: Notable fragility was evidenced in most studies comparing DA to other approaches for THA. Surgeons should not solely rely on the P value to determine clinical significance and instead use multiple metrics. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Predictors of reoperation and survival experience for primary total knee arthroplasty in young patients with degenerative and inflammatory arthritis.

INTRODUCTION: While total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is typically implemented in patients > 65 years old, young patients may need to undergo TKA for pain relief and functional improvement. Current data are limited by older cohorts and short-term survival rates. This study aimed to examine a large sample size of patients with degenerative and inflammatory conditions who underwent primary TKA at a young (≤ 40) age to identify predictors of reoperation, as well 15-year survivorship. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 77 patients (92 surgeries) who underwent primary TKA at ≤ 40 years old, between January 1990 and January 2020. Patient charts were reviewed and a multivariable logistic regression model identified independent predictors of reoperation. Kaplan-Meier analysis was employed to build survival curves and log-rank tests analyzed survival between groups. RESULTS: Of the 77 patients, the median age at the time of surgery was 35.7 years (IQR: 31.2-38.7) and median follow-up time was 6.88 years. Twenty-one (22.8%) primary TKAs underwent 24 reoperations, most commonly due to stiffness (n = 9, 32.1%) and infection (n = 13, 46.4%) more significantly in the OA group (p = 0.049). There were no independent predictors of reoperation in multivariable analysis, and 15-year revision-free survivorship after TKA did not differ by indication (77.3% for OA/PTOA vs. 96.7% for autoimmune, p = 0.09) or between ≤ 30 and 31-40 year age groups (94.7% vs. 83.6%, p = 0.55). CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of patients ≤ 40 years old, revision-free survival was comparable to that reported in the literature for older TKA patients with osteoarthritis/autoimmune conditions (81-94% at 15-years). Though nearly a quarter of TKAs required reoperation and causes of secondary surgery differed between degenerative and inflammatory arthritis patients, there were no significant predictors of increased reoperation rate. Very young patients ≤ 30 years old did not have an increased risk of revision compared to those aged 31-40 years.

Patterns and Persistence of Perioperative Plasma and Cerebrospinal Fluid Neuroinflammatory Protein Biomarkers After Elective Orthopedic Surgery Using SOMAscan.

BACKGROUND: The neuroinflammatory response to surgery can be characterized by peripheral acute plasma protein changes in blood, but corresponding, persisting alterations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteins remain mostly unknown. Using the SOMAscan assay, we define acute and longer-term proteome changes associated with surgery in plasma and CSF. We hypothesized that biological pathways identified by these proteins would be in the categories of neuroinflammation and neuronal function and define neuroinflammatory proteome changes associated with surgery in older patients. METHODS: SOMAscan analyzed 1305 proteins in blood plasma (n = 14) and CSF (n = 15) samples from older patients enrolled in the Role of Inflammation after Surgery for Elders (RISE) study undergoing elective hip and knee replacement surgery with spinal anesthesia. Systems biology analysis identified biological pathways enriched among the surgery-associated differentially expressed proteins in plasma and CSF. RESULTS: Comparison of postoperative day 1 (POD1) to preoperative (PREOP) plasma protein levels identified 343 proteins with postsurgical changes ( P < .05; absolute value of the fold change [|FC|] > 1.2). Comparing postoperative 1-month (PO1MO) plasma and CSF with PREOP identified 67 proteins in plasma and 79 proteins in CSF with altered levels ( P < .05; |FC| > 1.2). In plasma, 21 proteins, primarily linked to immune response and inflammation, were similarly changed at POD1 and PO1MO. Comparison of plasma to CSF at PO1MO identified 8 shared proteins. Comparison of plasma at POD1 to CSF at PO1MO identified a larger number, 15 proteins in common, most of which are regulated by interleukin-6 (IL-6) or transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFB1) and linked to the inflammatory response. Of the 79 CSF PO1MO-specific proteins, many are involved in neuronal function and neuroinflammation. CONCLUSIONS: SOMAscan can characterize both short- and long-term surgery-induced protein alterations in plasma and CSF. Acute plasma protein changes at POD1 parallel changes in PO1MO CSF and suggest 15 potential biomarkers for longer-term neuroinflammation that warrant further investigation.

Are There More Radiolucent Lines in Patients Who Underwent Total Knee Arthroplasty With or Without a Tourniquet During Cementation at 5 to 8 Years After Surgery?

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the presence and progression of radiolucent lines (RLLs) after cemented total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with or without tourniquet use. METHODS: There were 369 consecutive primary cemented TKAs with 5 to 8 years of follow-up. A tourniquet was used during component cementation in patients who underwent surgery from January 3, 2006, to March 31, 2010. No tourniquet was used from August 14, 2009, to October 14, 2014. There were 192 patients in the tourniquet group (TQ) and 177 patients in the no tourniquet group (NQ). Patient demographics, reoperations, and complications were recorded. RLLs were identified on anteroposterior, lateral, and skyline x-rays at 1, 2, and 5 to 8 years postoperatively using the modern knee society radiographic evaluation system. Demographics, reoperations, complications, and RLLs were compared. Age, sex, and body mass index were similar between groups. Mean tourniquet time in TQ was 11 minutes (range, 8 to 25). RESULTS: The presence of RLLs differed between groups, with 65% of TQ knees having RLLs under any part of the prostheses versus 46% of NQ knees (P < .001). The progression of RLL >2 mm occurred in 26.0% of knees in TQ and 16.7% of knees in NQ (P = .028). There were 13 TKAs that underwent subsequent revision surgery. There was no statistically or clinically significant difference in revision rate between groups (7 revisions in TQ, 6 in NQ, P = .66). CONCLUSION: Less RLLs were identified in NQ versus TQ. There were no statistically or clinically significant differences in revision rates between the NQ and TQ groups at 5 to 8 years.

Patient-Specific Safe Zones for Acetabular Component Positioning in Total Hip Arthroplasty: Mathematically Accounting for Spinopelvic Biomechanics.

BACKGROUND: Despite a growing understanding of spinopelvic biomechanics in total hip arthroplasty (THA), there is no validated approach for executing patient-specific acetabular component positioning. The purpose of this study was to (1) validate quantitative, patient-specific acetabular "safe zone" component positioning from spinopelvic parameters and (2) characterize differences between quantitative patient-specific acetabular targets and qualitative hip-spine classification targets. METHODS: From 2,457 consecutive primary THA patients, 22 (0.88%) underwent revision for instability. Spinopelvic parameters were measured prior to index THA. Acetabular position was measured following index and revision arthroplasty. Using a mathematical proof, we developed an open-source tool translating a surgeon-selected, preoperative standing acetabular target to a patient-specific safe zone intraoperative acetabular target. Difference between the patient-specific safe zone and the actual component position was compared before and after revision. Hip-spine classification targets were compared to patient-specific safe zone targets. RESULTS: Of the 22 who underwent revision, none dislocated at follow-up (4.6 [range, 1 to 6.9]). Patient-specific safe zone targets differed from prerevision acetabular component position by 9.1 ± 4.2° inclination/13.3 ± 6.7° version; after revision, the mean difference was 3.2 ± 3.0° inclination/5.3 ± 2.7° version. Differences between patient-specific safe zones and the median and extremes of recommended hip-spine classification targets were 2.2 ± 1.9° inclination/5.6 ± 3.7° version and 3.0 ± 2.3° inclination/7.9 ± 3.5° version, respectively. CONCLUSION: A mathematically derived, patient-specific approach accommodating spinopelvic biomechanics for acetabular component positioning was validated by approximating revised, now-stable hips within 5° version and 3° inclination. These patient-specific safe zones augment the hip-spine classification with prescriptive quantitative targets for nuanced preoperative planning.

The Association of Sacro-Femoro-Pubic Angle and Postoperative Dislocation Following Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Spino-pelvic orientation may affect dislocation risk following total hip arthroplasty (THA). It can be measured on lateral lumbo-pelvic radiographs. The sacro-femoro-pubic (SFP) angle, measured on an antero-posterior (AP) pelvis radiograph, is a reliable proxy for pelvic tilt, a measurement of spino-pelvic orientation measured on a lateral lumbo-pelvic radiograph. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between SFP angle and dislocation following THA. METHODS: An Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective case-control study was conducted at a single academic center. We matched 71 dislocators (cases) to 71 nondislocators (controls) following THA performed by 1 of 10 surgeons between September 2001 and December 2010. Two authors (readers) independently calculated SFP angle from single preoperative AP pelvis radiographs. Readers were blinded to cases and controls. Conditional logistic regressions were used to identify factors differentiating cases and controls. RESULTS: The data did not show a clinically relevant or statistically significant difference in SFP angles after adjusting for gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, prosthetic head size, age at time of THA, measurement laterality, and surgeon. CONCLUSION: We did not find an association between preoperative SFP angle and dislocation following THA in our cohort. Based on our data, SFP angle as measured on a single AP pelvis radiograph should not be used to assess dislocation risk prior to THA.

Is It the Back or the Hip? Differentiating Lumbar Spine From Hip Pathologies: Key Points of Evaluation and Treatment.

Disorders of the hip and spine commonly coexist and are difficult to disentangle. When they do occur together, the pathology is often referred to as hip-spine syndrome. When hip-spine syndrome is suspected, it is critically important to properly identify the relative contributions that the hip and spine each provide to a patient's overall clinical presentation. To focus on the incorrect anatomic site would be a disservice to the patient. The interconnectivity of hip and spine pathology, the various clinical presentations of the most commonly seen hip and spine disorders, the broad differential and suggested workup that should be considered for such patients, the various treatment modalities available, and the clinical predictors and expected outcomes for patients with hip-spine syndrome are important factors for review.

Using Cluster Analysis to Identify Patient Factors Linked to Differential Functional Gains After Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The basis of poor outcomes following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is multifactorial. Previous research aimed at predicting outcome following TKA focuses largely on outcomes measured between two specific time points (pre-to post-TKA). Analysis of outcomes measured over multiple time points (trajectory) may expose relationships between patients' characteristics and longitudinal outcome patterns that may otherwise remain obscured. METHODS: The current study analyzed Short Form 36 Physical Component Score (PCS) trajectories of 656 patients composed of 3 time points over a 1-year period. Clusters were constructed utilizing MultiExperiment Viewer hierarchical clustering algorithm. Statistical significance of these clusters was assessed using MeV's built-in bootstrapping method. Patient characteristics of the resulting statistically conserved clusters were summarized and compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum test or chi-squared test as appropriate. RESULTS: Two distinct clusters of outcome trajectory were identified. Cluster 1 included 550 patients (84%) who demonstrated persistent PCS improvement at 6 and 12 months. Cluster 2 included 106 patients (16%) who demonstrated decline in PCS at 6 months followed by improvement at 12 months. Cluster 1 achieved earlier success, greater absolute mental and physical health scores as compared to Cluster 2 (P < .05), and demonstrated higher baseline mental health scores, lower baseline PCS, and a significantly higher proportion of non-Hispanic Whites (P ≤ .05). CONCLUSION: Cluster analysis identified distinct functional outcome trajectories following TKA. Specific differentiating patient factors were associated with differing trajectories. Future studies should focus on this method's ability to inform predictive models regarding patient outcomes.

Anesthesia and Analgesia Practices in Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Survey of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons Membership.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to survey the current analgesia and anesthesia practices used by total joint arthroplasty surgeon members of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS). METHODS: A survey of 28 questions was created and approved by the AAHKS Research Committee. The survey was distributed to all 2208 board-certified adult reconstruction surgeon members of AAHKS in November 2018. RESULTS: There were 622 responses (28.2%) to the survey. A majority of respondents (93.2%, n = 576) use preemptive analgesia prior to total joint arthroplasty. Most respondents use a spinal for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) (74.4%) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) (72.6%). A peripheral nerve block is routinely used by 68.7% of respondents in primary TKA. Periarticular injection or local infiltration anesthesia is routinely used by 80.3% of respondents for both TKA and THA patients. The average number of opioid pills prescribed postoperatively after TKA is 49 pills (range 0-200) and after THA is 44 pills (range 0-200). Most surgeons (58%) expect that this prescription should last for 2 weeks. A majority of respondents (74.0%) use multimodal analgesics in addition to opioids. CONCLUSION: There is no consensus regarding the optimal multimodal anesthetic and analgesic regimen for total joint arthroplasty among surveyed board-certified arthroplasty surgeon members of AAHKS. Understanding current practice patterns in anesthesia, analgesia, and opioid prescribing may serve as a platform for future work aimed at establishing best clinical practices of maximizing effective postoperative pain control and minimizing the risks associated with prescribing opioids.

Does Orthopaedic Outpatient Care Reduce Emergency Department Utilization After Total Joint Arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND: Emergency department (ED) visits after elective surgical procedures are a potential target for interventions to reduce healthcare costs. More than 1 million total joint arthroplasties (TJAs) are performed each year with postsurgical ED utilization estimated in the range of 10%. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We asked whether (1) outpatient orthopaedic care was associated with reduced ED utilization and (2) whether there were identifiable factors associated with ED utilization within the first 30 and 90 days after TJA. METHODS: An analysis of adult TRICARE beneficiaries who underwent TJA (2006-2014) was performed. TRICARE is the insurance program of the Department of Defense, covering > 9 million beneficiaries. ED use within 90 days of surgery was the primary outcome and postoperative outpatient orthopaedic care the primary explanatory variable. Patient demographics (age, sex, race, beneficiary category), clinical characteristics (length of hospital stay, prior comorbidities, complications), and environment of care were used as covariates. Logistic regression adjusted for all covariates was performed to determine factors associated with ED use. RESULTS: We found that orthopaedic outpatient care (odds ratio [OR], 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.68-0.77) was associated with lower odds of ED use within 90 days. We also found that index hospital length of stay (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.04-1.10), medical comorbidities (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.08-1.24), and complications (OR, 2.47; 95% CI, 2.24-2.72) were associated with higher odds of ED use. CONCLUSIONS: When considering that at 90 days, only 3928 patients sustained a complication, a substantial number of ED visits (11,486 of 15,414 [75%]) after TJA may be avoidable. Enhancing access to appropriate outpatient care with improved discharge planning may reduce ED use after TJA. Further research should be directed toward unpacking the situations, outside of complications, that drive patients to access the ED and devise interventions that could mitigate such behavior. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.

Utilizing Dual Mobility Components for First-Time Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty for Instability.

BACKGROUND: Dislocation following total hip arthroplasty (THA) remains a significant clinical problem. Few studies have focused on the use of dual mobility (DM) components in the setting of first-time revision for instability following THA. Here, we investigate patient outcomes following first-time revision THA with DM components for a diagnosis of instability. METHODS: Institution-wide revision THAs using DM components performed between 2010 and 2013 were identified. Chart review identified 40 patients with average 3-year follow-up who had undergone first-time revision for instability, defined as instability after primary THA. Etiology of instability was classified by Wera type. Patient demographics, medical co-morbidities, re-dislocations, and re-revisions were recorded. Component position and leg-length discrepancy were measured on pre-operative and post-operative radiographs when available. Utilizing Student's t-test or Fisher's exact test, we analyzed differences between those who endured recurrent dislocation and those who did not. RESULTS: Recurrent dislocation occurred in 2 patients (5%). Both patients underwent re-revision for recurrent instability and carried diagnoses of instability of unresolved etiology. Two patients underwent re-revision for reasons unrelated to the DM construct. All-cause re-revision rate at final follow-up was therefore 10% (4 patients). No medical, demographic, or radiographic factors were significantly associated with risk of recurrent instability (P > .05). CONCLUSION: The use of DM components for first-time revision THA for a diagnosis of instability carried a re-dislocation rate of 5% and an all-cause re-revision rate of 10% at average 3-year follow-up. Instability of unresolved etiology was associated with re-dislocation following revision surgery.

Satisfaction Rates and Quality of Life Changes Following Total Knee Arthroplasty in Age-Differentiated Cohorts.

BACKGROUND: Comparisons of satisfaction rates following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) among large, age-differentiated, rigorously matched cohorts are lacking. Therefore, we compared satisfaction rates following TKA in large, age-differentiated, propensity score-matched cohorts. METHODS: We identified primary TKAs performed for non-inflammatory arthritis in patients of ages 18-55 or 65-75, yielding 529 younger and 2001 older patients. Patient-reported outcomes were recorded pre-operatively and 2 years post-operatively. 1:1 propensity score matching between groups yielded 529 patient pairs. Matching was based on gender, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and Short Form 12 Mental Health Component score. Outcomes were compared between matched groups using t-test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test. RESULTS: Satisfaction with knee surgery was 86% among younger patients and 91% among older patients. Distribution of satisfaction responses was shifted toward greater satisfaction in older patients (P < .001). Overall quality of life (QOL) improvement was 91% among younger patients and 96% among older patients. Pre-operative and post-operative knee-related QOL was better among older patients (P < .0001). Post-operative global health-related QOL was equivalent between groups based on Short Form 12 Physical Component Score and Mental Health Component score (P = .6646 and P = .5705, respectively) and QOL improvement questionnaires (P = .181). Younger patients reported greater knee-related dysfunction and higher activity levels pre-operatively and post-operatively (P ≤ .0002). CONCLUSION: Satisfaction with knee surgery was over 85% regardless of age. Younger patients perceived more knee-related dysfunction and dissatisfaction after surgery despite higher levels of self-reported activity pre-operatively and post-operatively.

Dual-Mobility vs Fixed-Bearing Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients Under 55 Years of Age: A Single-Institution, Matched-Cohort Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Prosthetic dislocation of total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a common cause for revision surgery. Dual-mobility (DM) bearings were introduced to mitigate complications; however, their performance in younger patients is unknown. This study compared results of patients <55 years of age with DM vs fixed-bearing (FB) primary THA. METHODS: Our total joint registry was used to evaluate primary THA patients <55 years of age, and then, an age-matched comparative analysis was performed for 136 THAs using third-generation highly cross-linked polyethylene DM bearings and 136 THAs using FB from the same manufacturer with mean follow-up of 3.2 and 3.4 years, respectively. Mean age at surgery was 48.4 and 48.5 years, respectively. There was no difference in gender distribution. Incidence of complications (eg, dislocation) was evaluated and compared statistically. Patient-reported outcomes using the Modified Harris Hip Score were available. Normally distributed continuous data were compared using the Student t test, and discrete data were compared using the Fisher exact test (P < .05). RESULTS: There were no dislocations or intraprosthetic dissociations (0%) in the DM group and 7 (5.1%) dislocations in the FB group (P = .01) at the mean follow-up of 3 years postoperatively. Two of the 7 unstable patients in the FB cohort were revised for recurrent instability (1.5%). There was no difference in postoperative Modified Harris Hip Score between the DM (87.2 ± 16.6) and the control cohorts (87.9 ± 13.7; P = .78). CONCLUSION: DM bearings in patients <55 years of age show excellent results for prosthetic stability when compared with patients who undergo FB.

Vitamin D Supplementation May Prevent or Treat Deficiency After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with poorer functional outcomes and increased complication rates after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Yet, there is no longer term study evaluating vitamin D levels and supplementation after TKA. Our study aimed to compare quantitative vitamin D levels and supplementation regimens after TKA stratified by patient sex and race. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of primary TKA patients at a single hospital from 2015 to 2022 was conducted. We analyzed vitamin D preoperatively and postoperatively up to 2 years. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as <30 ng/mL. A subgroup analysis was conducted in patients with vitamin D <21 ng/mL. Supplementation categories included none, low (<1,001 IU), medium (1,001 to 5,000 IU), and high (>5,000 IU). RESULTS: A total of 400 (66.0% female) patients who underwent 430 primary TKA procedures were included, and 65.3% received supplementation. Patients who were vitamin D sufficient preoperatively demonstrated higher vitamin D levels and ability to maintain sufficiency postoperatively using low-dose supplementation compared with no supplementation (P = 0.004). Those who were vitamin D deficient preoperatively demonstrated higher vitamin D levels postoperatively using medium to high doses (P = 0.02). For patients who became deficient postoperatively, supplementation was associated with achieving repletion at an average of 10.2 months (P < 0.001). Black patients demonstrated 2.8 times higher odds of having a vitamin D level less than 30 ng/mL (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that low-dose vitamin D supplementation (<1,001 IU) was beneficial for vitamin D-sufficient TKA patients to achieve higher levels and maintain vitamin D sufficiency. Vitamin D-deficient TKA patients benefitted from medium-to-high dose supplementation (1,001 to 5,000+), but only 33.7% achieved vitamin D repletion. This work highlights the need to continue vitamin D surveillance postoperatively and the need to continue vitamin D repletion.

Racial and Ethnic Minority Patients Have Increased Complication Risks When Undergoing Surgery While Not Meeting Clinical Guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Clinical guidelines for performing total joint arthroplasty (TJA) have not been uniformly adopted in practice because research has suggested that they may foster inequities in surgical access, potentially disadvantaging minority sociodemographic groups. The aim of this study was to assess whether undergoing TJA without meeting clinical guidelines affects complication risk and leads to disparities in postoperative outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study evaluated the records of 11,611 adult patients who underwent primary TJA from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2020, at an academic hospital network. Based on self-reported race and ethnicity, 89.5% of patients were White, 3.5% were Black, 2.9% were Hispanic, 1.3% were Asian, and 2.8% were classified as other. Patients met institutional guidelines for undergoing TJA if they had a hemoglobin A1c of <8.0% and a body mass index of <40 kg/m 2 and were not currently smoking. A logistic regression model was utilized to identify factors associated with complications, and a mixed-effects model was utilized to identify factors associated with not meeting guidelines for undergoing TJA. RESULTS: During the study period, 11% (1,274) of the 11,611 adults who underwent primary TJA did not meet clinical guidelines. Compared with the group who met guidelines, the group who did not had higher proportions of Black patients (3.2% versus 6.0%; p < 0.001) and Hispanic patients (2.7% versus 4.6%; p < 0.001). An increased risk of not meeting guidelines at the time of surgery was demonstrated among Black patients (odds ratio [OR], 1.60 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.22 to 2.10]; p = 0.001) and patients insured by Medicaid (OR, 1.75 [95% CI, 1.26 to 2.44]; p = 0.001) or Medicare (OR, 1.22 [95% CI, 1.06 to 1.41]; p = 0.007). Patients who did not meet guidelines had a higher risk of reoperation than those who met guidelines (7.7% [98] versus 5.9% [615]; p = 0.017), including a higher risk of infection-related reoperation (3.1% [40] versus 1.4% [147]; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We found that patients who underwent TJA despite not meeting institutional preoperative criteria had a higher risk of postoperative complications. These patients were more likely to be from racial and ethnic minority groups, to have a lower socioeconomic status, and to have Medicare or Medicaid insurance. These findings underscore the need for surgery-related shared decision-making that is informed by evidence-based guidelines in order to reduce complication burden. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Association of Pharmacologic Treatment of Depression/Anxiety With Initial Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Patients With Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis.

INTRODUCTION: Depression and anxiety are common comorbidities that may exacerbate osteoarthritis (OA)-related pain. We aim to evaluate the effect of pharmacologic treatment of depression/anxiety on hip and knee patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). METHODS: A multi-institutional PROMs database was queried for patients with depression or anxiety and hip or knee OA who completed a PROMs questionnaire at an initial orthopaedic visit between January 2015 and March 2023. Data on demographics, comorbidities, and duration of pharmacologic treatment of depression/anxiety were obtained. Patients were stratified into three cohorts based on treatment duration. PROMs were compared across cohorts. RESULTS: Two thousand nine hundred sixty patients who completed PROMs at their initial orthopaedic visit had both OA and depression/anxiety. One hundred thirty-four (4.5%) received pharmacologic treatment of depression/anxiety for < 1 year, versus 196 (6.6%) for more than 1 year. In unadjusted analyses, patients with pharmacologic treatment had significantly lower Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)-Physical (39.8 [IQR 34.9, 44.9] vs 42.3 [37.4, 47.7], P < 0.001) and PROMIS-Mental (43.5 [36.3, 50.8] vs 48.3 [41.1, 53.3], P < 0.001) scores than those without treatment. After adjusting for demographics and comorbidities, only differences in PROMIS-Mental scores remained statistically significant, with pharmacologic treatment associated with lower scores (ß = -2.26, 95% CI, [-3.29, -1.24], P < 0.001). On secondary analysis including duration of pharmacologic treatment, < 1 year of treatment was associated with significantly lower PROMIS-Mental scores than those not treated (ß = -4.20, 95% CI [-5.77, -2.62], P < 0.001) while scores of patients with more than 1 year of treatment did not differ significantly from those without treatment. CONCLUSION: :Our results indicate that pharmacologic treatment of depression/anxiety is associated with improved psychological health but not with improved physical symptoms related to OA. We observed a nonsignificant trend that patients with depression/anxiety who warrant pharmacologic treatment tend to have worse physical symptoms than those who do not; however, unadjusted analyses suggest this is a complex relationship beyond the isolated effect of pharmacologic treatment.