Gluteal Tendinopathy Is Associated With Lower Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Total Hip Arthroplasty With a Posterior Approach: A Prospective Cohort Study of 1,538 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Gluteal tendinopathy (GT) is found in 20 to 25% of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA). Despite this, there is a scarcity of literature assessing the association between GT and THA outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether intraoperative diagnosis of GT negatively affected postoperative outcomes. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing primary THA for osteoarthritis via a posterior approach over 5 years were recruited in a prospective study. Gluteal tendinopathy was assessed and graded at the time of surgery, but not repaired. A total of 1,538 (93%) completed the patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) at 1 year after surgery and were included in the analysis. The PROMs included the Oxford Hip Score (OHS), Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Joint Replacement (HOOS JR), and EuroQol 5-Dimension, and were collected preoperatively and one year after THA. RESULTS: The gluteal tendons were graded as 4 distinct grades: normal (n = 1,023, 66%), tendinopathy but no tear (n = 337, 22%), partial thickness tear (n = 131, 9%), and full thickness tear (n = 47, 3%). The occurrence of GT was associated with age, body mass index, and sex. There was no significant difference in baseline OHS or HOOS JR scores according to GT grade. As GT grade increased, lower median 1-year OHS (P = .001) and HOOS JR (P = .016) were observed. This association was confirmed by linear regression analysis with 1-year OHS (B = 0.5, 95% CI = -0.9 to -0.1, P = .011) when controlled for age and sex. CONCLUSIONS: Gluteal tendinopathy was commonly observed and was associated with inferior 1-year PROMs in patients undergoing THA via posterior approach. Increasing degree of tendinopathy was a negative prognostic factor for outcomes and patient satisfaction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2 (High quality prospective cohort study).

Improvement in Sleep Patterns After Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective Study in 780 Patients.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed change in sleep patterns before and after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and its relationship to patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). METHODS: Between July 2016 and June 2018, surgical data and PROMs were collected on 780 subjects before and 12 months after THA or TKA. PROMs included Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, patient satisfaction, and 2 questions from the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. RESULTS: Before surgery, 35% (270 of 780) reported poor quality sleep. Sleep quality and duration were worse in females over males, and in THA patients (39%) over TKA patients (30%; P = .011). Of those reporting bad sleep, 74% (201 of 270) were improved after arthroplasty. Satisfaction was higher in subjects reporting good sleep quality (626 of 676; 93%) compared with those reporting bad sleep quality (67 of 86; 78%) (P = .001). Sleep was positively correlated with better Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score/Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (r = 0.2-0.3). CONCLUSION: Improvement in sleep quality and duration can be expected after THA and TKA and is associated with better outcome scores and satisfaction.

Feedback From Activity Trackers Improves Daily Step Count After Knee and Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Commercial wrist-worn activity monitors have the potential to accurately assess activity levels and are being increasingly adopted in the general population. The aim of this study was to determine if feedback from a commercial activity monitor improves activity levels over the first 6 weeks after total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: One hundred sixty-three consecutive subjects undergoing primary TKA or THA were randomized into 2 groups. Subjects received an activity tracker with the step display obscured 2 weeks before surgery and completed patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). On day 1 after surgery, participants were randomized to either the "feedback (FB) group" or the "no feedback (NFB) group." The FB group was able to view their daily step count and was given a daily step goal. Participants in the NFB group wore the device with the display obscured for 2 weeks after surgery, after which time they were also able to see their daily step count but did not receive a formal step goal. The mean daily steps at 1, 2, 6 weeks, and 6 months were monitored. At 6 months after surgery, subjects repeated PROMs and daily step count collection. RESULTS: Of the 163 subjects, 95 underwent THA and 68 underwent TKA. FB subjects had a significantly higher (P < .03) mean daily step count by 43% in week 1, 33% in week 2, 21% in week 6, and 17% at 6 months, compared with NFB. The FB subjects were 1.7 times more likely to achieve a mean 7000 steps per day than the NFB subjects at 6 weeks after surgery (P = .02). There was no significant difference between the groups in PROMs at 6 months. Ninety percent of FB and 83% of NFB participants reported that they were satisfied with the results of the surgery (P = .08). At 6 months after surgery, 70% of subjects had a greater mean daily step count compared with their preoperative level. CONCLUSION: Subjects who received feedback from a commercial activity tracker with a daily step goal had significantly higher activity levels after hip and knee arthroplasty over 6 weeks and 6 months, compared with subjects who did not receive feedback in a randomized controlled trial. Commercial activity trackers may be a useful and effective adjunct after arthroplasty.

The Use of Routine Postoperative Microscopy and Culture Screening Following Elective Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: An Unnecessary Cost With No Effect on Clinical Management?

BACKGROUND: The use of microscopy and culture screening to detect pathogenic microorganisms followed by a decolonization protocol is a widely performed practice prior to elective hip and knee arthroplasty. In our center, the routine care of hip and knee arthroplasty also involves postoperative screening including direct culture of the surgical site. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of pathogen detection following these tests and to determine whether routine postoperative screening, with particular reference to postoperative surgical site culture, led to any change in clinical management of these patients. METHODS: A series of 1000 patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty at The Mater Hospital between January 2014 and December 2015 were identified from our arthroplasty database. Results of preoperative and postoperative microscopy and culture screening were reviewed by 2 independent researchers. RESULTS: Of the 1000 subjects, positive microscopy and culture results were identified in 88 patients (8.8%) preoperatively and 5 patients (0.5%) postoperatively. None of the 1000 postoperative surgical site swabs had a positive microscopy and culture screen. All the 5 positive postoperative microscopy and culture screen results were in patients who had positive cultures preoperatively. There were no positive postoperative microscopy and culture screen results in patients who had had negative preoperative results. Postoperative screening was performed at a cost of AUS$213 per patient. CONCLUSION: Routine postoperative surgical site culture following hip and knee arthroplasty does not alter clinical management, has a significant associated financial cost, and has the potential to expose the patient to a risk of surgical site infection and is therefore not supported.

Does patellectomy jeopardize function after TKA?

BACKGROUND: The patella provides important mechanical leverage to the knee extensor mechanism. Patellectomy does not exclude the development of tibiofemoral arthrosis. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We asked whether (1) TKA provides improvements in clinical outcome scores in patellectomized knees and (2) the scores of TKA in patellectomized knees are comparable to those in knees with intact patellae. METHODS: We evaluated 50 patients (52 primary TKAs) with patellectomized knees and a control group of 52 patients (52 primary TKAs) with intact patellae matched for age, sex, implant, and surgical year between 1984 and 2009. We compared the preoperative and latest postoperative SF-12, WOMAC, and Knee Society score (KSS). Minimum followup was 24 months (mean, 69 months; range, 24-204 months). RESULTS: The mean WOMAC score in the control group improved from 41.8 (range, 7.5-72.4) preoperatively to 69.1 (range, 17.0-100.0) postoperatively, while that in the patellectomized group improved from 35.8 (range, 5.2-62.2) to 61.3 (range, 17.5-96.2). The mean KSS improved from 80.4 (range, 4.0-143.0) preoperatively to 161.4 (range, 69.0-200.0) postoperatively in the control group and from 76.9 (range, 5-134) to 136.8 (range, 7-199) in the patellectomized group. Mean postoperative WOMAC scores were comparable between the two groups, while the mean KSS was lower in the patellectomized group. The mean SF-12 scores were not different after TKA or between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the mechanical disadvantage to the knee extensor mechanism rendered by a previous patellectomy, TKA for tibiofemoral arthrosis in these patients relieved pain and restored function, but function was on average lower than that in patients with intact patellae. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Unicompartmental versus total knee arthroplasty database analysis: is there a winner?

BACKGROUND: TKA and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) are both utilized to treat unicompartmental knee arthrosis. While some surgeons assume UKA provides better function than TKA, this assumption is based on greater final outcome scores rather than on change in scores and many patients with UKA have higher preoperative scores. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We therefore asked whether TKA would demonstrate (1) better change in clinical outcome scores from preoperative to postoperative states and (2) better survivorship than UKA. METHODS: We evaluated 4087 patients with 5606 TKAs and 179 patients with 279 UKAs performed between 1978 and 2009. Patients with TKA were older and heavier than patients with UKA (mean age, 68 versus 66 years; mean BMI, 32 versus 29). We compared preoperative, latest postoperative, and change in Knee Society Clinical Rating System (KSCRS), SF-12, and WOMAC scores. Minimum followup was 2 years (UKA: mean, 7 years; range, 2.0-23 years; TKA: mean, 6.5 years; range, 2.0-33 years). Preoperative outcome measure scores (WOMAC, SF-12, KSCRS) were higher in the UKA group. RESULTS: Patients with UKA had higher postoperative KSCRS and SF-12 mental scores. Changes in score for all WOMAC domains were similar between groups. Total KSCRS changes in score were similar between groups, although patients with TKA had higher knee scores (49 versus 43) but lower function scores than UKA (21 versus 26). Cumulative revision rate was higher for UKA than for TKA (13% versus 7%). Kaplan-Meier survivorship at 5 and 10 years was 95% and 90%, respectively, for UKA and 98% and 95%, respectively, for TKA. CONCLUSIONS: While patients with UKA had higher pre- and postoperative scores than patients with TKA, the changes in scores were similar in both groups and survival appeared higher in patients with TKA.

Assessing the gold standard: a review of 253 two-stage revisions for infected TKA.

BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic joint infection has been the leading cause of failure following TKA surgery. The gold standard for infection control has been a two-staged revision TKA. There have been few reports on mid- to long-term survivorship, functional outcomes, and fate of patients with a failed two-stage revision TKA. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: Therefore, we determined (1) the mid-term survivorship of two-stage revision TKA, (2) the function of patients in whom infection was controlled, and (3) the outcome of patients with a failed two-stage revision due to recurrent infection. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 239 patients who underwent 253 two-stage revision TKAs for periprosthetic infection. There were 239 patients (253 knees), 104 men and 135 women, with a mean age of 70 ± 10 years at the time of two-stage revision and a mean BMI of 31.53 ± 6.74 kg/m2. During followup, we obtained WOMAC and The Knee Society Clinical Rating Scores and radiographs. The minimum followup was 1 year (median, 4 years; range, 1-17 years). RESULTS: Thirty-three patients experienced a failed two-staged TKA. Sixteen patients experienced failure due to recurrent sepsis. There were 17 failures for aseptic causes. CONCLUSION: The overall infection-free survivorship for two-stage revision TKA was 85% at 5 years and 78% at 10 years. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Utility of preoperative blood screening before hip and knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: It is engrained in medical training that routine blood screening prior to arthroplasty is necessary for optimal patient care. There is little evidence to support their utility and the aggregate cost to the health system. The purpose of this study was to evaluate preoperative blood screening by identifying the frequency of an abnormal result and to examine the influence of age, gender and body mass index on the frequency of abnormal blood pathology. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of 1000 patients from a single centre who underwent elective primary hip or knee arthroplasty from 2015 to 2017. Abnormal blood results were identified and clinically relevant intervals were created for routine markers. RESULTS: A total of 939 patients had available pathology results with 84% identified as having an abnormal result and 47% having a clinically important range. Abnormal liver function tests and ferritin were most common. With increasing age, there was a significant increase in rates of abnormal clinically important range, renal dysfunction, abnormal haemoglobin and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Males and patients with body mass index >40 had an increased rate of abnormal results, particularly liver function tests. CONCLUSION: The ordering of preoperative investigations prior to lower limb arthroplasty is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines, alleviating concern of post-operative complications and covering medicolegal issues. Our study determined a high frequency of abnormal results, justifying routine blood screening is recommended prior to surgery, particularly for the elderly, males and obese patients.

Inpatient rehabilitation did not positively affect 6-month patient-reported outcomes after hip or knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare patient-reported outcomes 6 months after hip or knee arthroplasty in subjects who were discharged to home compared to those who attended inpatient rehabilitation. METHODS: Seven hundred and forty-eight consecutive total hip or knee replacement patients were identified from a prospective database. Preoperative and 6-month post-operative patient-reported outcome measures were recorded. Forty-four patients discharged directly to home were cohort matched by age, gender, procedure and surgeon to 44 patients from the cohort who received inpatient care. Patient outcomes were compared using SPSS version 24 software. RESULTS: Both cohorts saw significant improvements from baseline at 6 months. Median length of rehabilitation for the inpatient group was 7 days (4-16 days). There was no significant difference between the groups based on patient-reported outcomes. There was a clinically significant difference (P = 0.047) in the body mass index of the Home Group (mean = 27) to Rehab Group (mean = 29). CONCLUSION: Our study has shown that inpatient rehabilitation after hip or knee arthroplasty did not positively affect 6-month patient-reported satisfaction, expectation, pain, quality of life, activities of daily living scores, when compared with subjects who were discharged direct to home. A significant average saving of $5600 per patient with the use of home discharge is a promising avenue for health cost reduction, and health resource distribution.

Dual poly liner mobility optimizes wear and stability in THA: opposes.

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is an effective intervention for the treatment of arthrosis with excellent survivorship. Nonetheless, dislocation and osteolysis remain significant complications. A dual-mobility acetabular component has been advocated to improve stability and wear. Stability is imparted by increasing the effective femoral head size, which allows a larger range of motion (ROM) before neck-socket impingement occurs. Increasing ROM, however, introduces an additional problem of bony impingement of the trochanter against the pelvis. Consequently, there is little improvement in ROM for heads >36 to 40 mm. A 0.4% incidence of instability at the larger articulation has been reported in primary THA using the dual-mobility liner, which is equivalent to reports for conventional THA. The dual-mobility liner has introduced the unique complication of intraprosthetic dislocation, where the femoral head dissociates at the smaller articulation as a result of polyethylene wear. An incidence of intraprosthetic dislocation of 3.6% has been reported, which far exceeds dislocation of conventional arthroplasty. The dual-mobility liner is a monoblock acetabular component without the capacity for augmented bony fixation. Inability to achieve primary stability has been reported as high as 18% and therefore its usefulness in revision THA is questionable. Proponents of the dual-mobility liner cite improved wear characteristics over conventional THA; however, few studies support this proposition. Retrieval studies have reported that the dual-mobility liner does not avoid wear or osteolysis. Theoretically, it is inconceivable that wear would be diminished with an additional articulation with a huge surface area, where the differential hardness has been reversed to a soft-on-hard bearing.