Tissue anchor use in arthroscopic glenohumeral surgery.

Arthroscopic surgery has become the mainstay of treatment of several common glenohumeral pathologies such as tears of the rotator cuff and labrum. Arthroscopic rotator cuff and labral repair provide outcomes comparable to those achieved with traditional open techniques, with the benefits of smaller incisions and less soft-tissue disruption. Development and improvement of tissue anchors and arthroscopic instrumentation has been integral to the increased popularity of arthroscopic glenohumeral repairs. Current anchors can be categorized by design and material composition. Awareness of the advantages and limitations of these implants may influence anchor selection.

Cemented Femoral Component Use in Hip Arthroplasty.

Elderly patients undergoing both elective and nonelective hip arthroplasty contribute markedly to health care spending, and the current aging population is likely to require even more resources. Several national joint replacement registries show a lower risk of revision surgery in patients older than 75 years who received cemented femoral components compared with cementless implants for primary total hip arthroplasty. Despite a higher incidence of early periprosthetic femoral fracture, noncemented femoral components are being used with increasing frequency in elderly patients worldwide. Improvements in cementing technique and modifications to cemented stem design over several decades allow surgeons to obtain femoral component fixation in poor-quality bone with a relatively low risk of complications. Achieving durable cemented stem fixation requires the surgeon to understand the basic handling properties of cement, how to prepare the femoral bone, and differences in stem design and surface finish.

Still no single gold standard for using cementless femoral stems routinely in total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: There is now a clear trend with increased usage of cementless femoral stems for all ages and most patients. As the number of total hip arthroplasties (THAs) performed annually continues to increase with expanding indications for THA and demands for improved quality of life, so will the prevalence of THA in the elderly and aging populations. This is worrisome as the risk of complications with cementless femoral stems increases in elderly patients and those with poor bone quality. The purpose of this study is to analyze the available data from comparative studies to determine whether cementless femoral stems are overused and whether cemented stems warrant increased consideration. METHODS: Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, searches were performed to find original studies comparing cementless and cemented femoral stems; large population registry studies and reports were also included. RESULTS: This systematic review documents that older patients with cementless fixation increase the risk of revision, there is no clear fixation advantage in midaged patients, and younger patients fare better with cementless fixation. Complications after THA create burdens on the health care system and on patients. CONCLUSIONS: Using evidence-based data should be better guidance in selecting the most reliable implants for THA. Although cementless femoral fixation for THA has evolved to the "new standard," it has not been proven to be the "gold standard" for all patients.

Navigated versus conventional total knee arthroplasty.

Computer-aided navigation in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) promises improved alignment, performance, and survivorship. Previous meta-analyses demonstrated that navigation yields better component alignment; however, they did not discuss other indicators of performance. This meta-analysis compares navigated (NAV) and conventional (CONV) TKAs and includes clinical outcomes and adverse events. Forty-seven studies (22 randomized trials) of varying methodological quality involving 7,151 TKAs created the sample population. Statistical analyses included analysis of variance of weighted means and random effects modeling. As seen in previous meta-analyses, NAV is favored over CONV TKA. Analysis of surgical characteristics found that length of surgery and tourniquet times were lower for CONV, but not significant. Meta-analysis found that tourniquet times favored CONV but not a strong relationship for length of surgery. Analysis of individual adverse events did not reveal any significant differences. However, when examining adverse events in their totality, the NAV experienced significantly fewer complications. TKA performed with imageless navigation improves component alignment, provides for lower blood loss, improves clinical outcomes as measured by Knee Society and WOMAC scores, and has fewer total adverse events. Published data are insufficient to determine any correlations between component alignment and outcomes.

Femoral impaction grafting.

Femoral impaction grafting is a reconstruction option applicable to both simple and complex femoral component revisions. It is one of the preferred techniques for reconstructing large femoral defects when the isthmus is non-supportive. The available level of evidence is primarily derived from case series, which shows a mean survivorship of 90.5%, with revision or re-operation as the end-point, with an average follow-up of 11 years. The rate of femoral fracture requiring re-operation or revision of the component varies between several large case series, ranging from 2.5% to 9%, with an average of 5.4%.

Anterior muscle sparing approach for total hip arthroplasty.

The purpose of this review is to examine the validity of positive claims regarding the direct anterior approach (DAA) with a fracture table for total hip arthroplasty. Recent literature regarding the DAA was searched and specific claims investigated including improved early outcomes, speed of recovery, component placement, dislocation rates, and complication rates. Recent literature is positive regarding the effects of total hip arthroplasty with the anterior approach. While the data is not definitive at present, patients receiving the anterior approach for total hip arthroplasty tend to recover more quickly and have improved early outcomes. Component placement with the anterior approach is more often in the "safe zone" than with other approaches. Dislocation rates tend to be less than 1% with the anterior approach. Complication rates vary widely in the published literature. A possible explanation is that the variance is due to surgeon and institutional experience with the anterior approach procedure. Concerns remain regarding the "learning curve" for both surgeons and institutions. In conclusion, it is not a matter of should this approach be used, but how should it be implemented.