Search

The incidence of transfusion in contemporary revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) remains high despite recent advances in blood management, including the use of tranexamic acid. The purpose of this prospective investigation was to determine independent risk factors for transfusion in revision THA.Six centers prospectively collected data on 175 revision THAs. A multivariable logistic analysis was performed to determine independent risk factors for transfusion. Revisions were categorized into subgroups for analysis, including femur-only, acetabulum-only, both-component, explantation with spacer, and second-stage reimplantation. Patients undergoing an isolated modular exchange were excluded.Twenty-nine patients required at least one unit of blood (16.6%). In the logistic model, significant risk factors for transfusion were lower preoperative hemoglobin, higher preoperative international normalized ratio (INR), and longer operative time (P.01, P = .04, P = .05, respectively). For each preoperative 1g/dL decrease in hemoglobin, the chance of transfusion increased by 79%. For each 0.1-unit increase in the preoperative INR, transfusion chance increased by 158%. For each additional operative hour, the chance of transfusion increased by 74%. There were no differences in transfusion rates among categories of revision hip surgery (P = .23). No differences in demographic or surgical variables were found between revision types.Despite the use of tranexamic acid, transfusions are commonly required in revision THA. Preoperative hemoglobin and INR optimization are recommended when medically feasible. Efforts should also be made to decrease operative time when technically possible.

The purpose of our study is to assess the relationship and compare the impact of aspirin, enoxaparin, and warfarin use on postoperative anemia, allogenic transfusions, and resource utilization following hip fracture fixation. This is a retrospective study at a Level 1 trauma center with 450 geriatric hip fracture patients who underwent hip fracture surgery and chemoprophylaxis. Hip fracture patients were separated into three cohorts depending on the type of chemoprophylaxis administered aspirin, enoxaparin, or warfarin. Initially, all three cohorts were assessed for baseline characteristics, postoperative anemia, transfusion rates, and resource utilization. Next, aspirin and enoxaparin were comparatively evaluated for the same variables. Four hundred and fifty patients met inclusion criteria for the first portion of this study. No baseline variance was evident among the three cohorts except for body mass index (p = 0.007) and diagnosis of congestive heart failure (p = 0.001). Outcomes were insignificant for in-hospital mortality (p = 0.19), postoperative anemia (p = 0.43), hemoglobin levels (p = 0.91), and ∆hemoglobin (p = 0.99), length-of-stay (p = 0.12), disposition (p = 0.13), and 30-day readmission (p =0.09). The transfusion rate (p

Fluid and food restrictions prior to surgery are thought to reduce the risk for perioperative aspiration pneumonia. However, the recent anesthesia literature suggests that clear fluids up to 2 hours before surgery may be tolerated. Here we investigate the safety and efficacy of a standardized hydration protocol among same-day discharge total hip arthroplasty (SDD-THA) candidates. All patients scheduled to undergo primary SDD THA between January 2017 and October 2018 were included. Surgical recipients between January 2017 and August 2017 were used as historical controls. Surgical recipients between September 2017 and October 2018 participated in the hydration initiative which allowed for the consumption of 32 oz of clear fluid 2 hours prior to surgery. Baseline demographics and quality metrics were prospectively collected and analyzed to define the impact of a hydration protocol in SDD THA. In total, 585 consecutive SDD-THA candidates were included in this study, of which 309 and 276 patients were in the control and hydration cohorts, respectively. Univariable analysis of postoperative outcomes demonstrated that a similar number of THA recipients failed SDD (7.44 vs. 7.97%; p = 0.88); however, a clinically meaningful reduction in hypotensive episodes was observed among the hydration cohort (0.4 vs. 1.9%; p = 0.08). Multivariable regression demonstrated similar outcomes after controlling for all collected patient risk factors (odds ratio 0.95; 95% confidence interval 0.48–1.88; p = 0.89). Our study suggests hydration protocols are safe and may reduce the clinical incidence of postoperative hypotension when compared with standard nil per os restrictions. Future studies are needed to better elucidate the role of perioperative hydration before THA. The level of evidence of the study is level II, prospective observational cohort.

Oxidized zirconium (OxZr) femoral heads were developed to emulate the superior wear and scratch properties of ceramics while eliminating their unwanted tendency for brittle fracturing. Studies using OxZr have demonstrated reduced linear and volumetric wear of polyethylene (PE) liners when compared with cobalt chrome, ceramic, and steel femoral heads. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the difference in revision rates, radiologically determined linear wear rates, and patient-reported outcomes among OxZr and alternative bearing materials. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis protocols, a systematic review of published literature through April 24, 2018 was conducted. Among the 862 cases included at a mean weighted follow-up of 4.78 years, the revision THA rate and patient-reported outcomes were similar among OxZr and alternative bearing materials. One of the five studies demonstrated significantly lower linear wear rates in the OxZr group when paired with ultrahigh molecular-weight PE (OxZr 0.03 mm/y vs. stainless-steel 0.11 mm/y; p

The effect of surgeon practice and patient care setting have not been studied in the Medicaid population undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study aims to evaluate whether point of entry and Medicaid status affect outcomes following TKA.The electronic medical record at our urban, academic, tertiary care hospital system was retrospectively reviewed for all primary, unilateral TKA during January 2016 and January 2018. Outpatient visits within the 6-month preoperative period categorized TKA recipients as either Hospital Ambulatory Clinic Centers patients with Medicaid insurance or private office patients with non-Medicaid insurers.There were 174 Medicaid patients and 317 non-Medicaid patients for 491 total patients. Medicaid patients were significantly younger (62.6 ± 1.6 vs 65.4 ± 1.1 years, P.01), of "other' ethnicity (43.1% vs 25.6%, P.01), and to be a current smoker (9.3% vs 6.6%, P = .02). There was no difference in gender, body mass index, and American Society of Anesthesiologists score. After controlling for patient factors, the Medicaid effect was insignificant for surgical time (exponentiated β 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.86-1.01, P = .076) and facility discharge (odds ratio 1.58, 95% CI 0.71-3.51, P = .262). Medicaid status had a significant effect on length of stay (LOS) (rate ratio 1.21, 95% CI 1.02-1.43, P = .026).Multivariable analysis controlling for patient factors demonstrated that Medicaid coverage had minimal effect on surgical time and facility discharge. Medicaid patients had significantly longer LOS by one-half day. These results indicate that comparable outcomes can be achieved for Medicaid patients following TKA provided that the surgeon and care setting are similar. However, increased care coordination and preoperative education may be necessary to normalize disparities in hospital LOS.III, retrospective observational analysis.

BACKGROUND: Total joint arthroplasty is one of the most common surgeries performed in the United States with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) being one of the most successful surgeries for restoring function and diminishing pain. Even with the demonstrated success of TKA and a higher prevalence of arthritis and arthritis related disability among minorities, racial and gender disparity remains a constant issue in providing care for the adult reconstruction patient. AIM: To assess the role of demographics and expectations on differences in perioperative patient reported outcomes (PRO) following TKA. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-three patients scheduled for primary unilateral TKA secondary to moderate to severe osteoarthritis were enrolled in this two-institution prospective study. Validated PRO questionnaires were collected at four time points. Statistical analysis was conducted to determine the impact of gender, ethnic background and expectation surveys responses to assess PRO at these time points. RESULTS: Females were associated with worse preoperative Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores (KOOS) for symptoms, pain, and activities of daily living. African Americans were associated with worse KOOS for pain, activities of daily living, and quality of life. Despite worse preoperative scores, no difference was noted in these categories between the groups postoperatively. Additionally, all pre-operative psychometric scales were equivalent across groups except Geriatric Depression scale, which was significantly different between groups within the Race and Age Group (P < 0.05). Conversely, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, was significantly different for all subscales and total score within Age Group (P < 0.05), and the Magnification, Helplessness subscales as well as the Total score were significantly different between groups for Race and Relationship Status (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: We conclude that female and African American patients have lower preoperative KOOS scores compared to white male patients. No postoperative differences in outcomes between these groups.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The use of cannabinoids has increased since legalization of recreational and medical use in the USA. It is likely that many orthopaedic patients consume cannabinoid products during the traumatic or perioperative period. The purpose of this study was to investigate the pre-clinical data evaluating the mechanism of action of cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9)-THC) and to evaluate the current clinical data on the use of cannabinoids in musculoskeletal illness. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent pre-clinical studies have demonstrated that cannabinoid use and the endocannabinoid system (ECS) has an important role in bone healing and bone homeostasis. There is data that suggests that the use of cannabidiol (CBD) may increase bone healing, whereas the use of Δ(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9)-THC), the major psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, likely inhibits bone metabolism and repair. The clinical implications and consumption of marijuana by orthopaedic patients have not been thoroughly evaluated. Studies have demonstrated concern for negative cardiovascular and psychiatric effects caused by marijuana use, but have not yet elucidated outcomes in the orthopaedic literature. SUMMARY: With the recent increase in advertising of CBD products and legalization of marijuana, it is likely that many orthopaedic patients are consuming cannabinoid products. The clinical implications and consumption of these products are unclear. We need more robust and well-designed clinical studies prior to making further recommendations to our patients on the consumption of these products.

Background The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) score is a nationally standardized measure of a patient’s hospital experience. This study aims to assess whether HCAHPS scores vary by demographic or surgical factors in patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty. Methods Patients who completed an HCAHPS survey after a primary total hip arthroplasty between October 2011 and November 2016 were included in this study. Patient demographics and surgical factors were evaluated for correlations with individual HCAHPS questions. Results One thousand three hundred eighty-three HCAHPS questionnaires were reviewed for this study. Patients with a submitted HCAHPS response had an average age of 63.83 ± 10.17 years. Gender distribution was biased toward females at 57.27% (792 females) versus 42.73% (591 males). The average body mass index (BMI) was 28.68 ± 5.86 kg/m2. Race distribution was predominantly Caucasian at 81.49% (1127 patients), followed by “unknown” at 8.60% (119 patients) and African-American at 8.46% (117 patients). Home discharge occurred for 93.06% (1287 patients) versus 6.94% for facility discharge (96 patients). Mean length of stay was 2.41 ± 1.17 days. Each 1-year increase in age was positively correlated with a 0.16% increase in top-box response rate (β = 0.0016 ± 0.0008; P .05). Conclusion The HCAHPS quality measurement metric affects physician reimbursement and may be biased by a number of variables including sex, length of stay, and BMI, rather than a true reflection of the quality of their hospital experience. Further research is warranted to determine whether HCAHPS scores are an appropriate measure of the quality of care received.

Purpose A better understanding of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) candidate expectations within the perioperative setting will enable clinicians to promote patient-centered practices, optimize recovery times, and enhance quality metrics. In the current study, TKA candidates were surveyed pre- and postoperatively to elucidate the relationship between patient expectations and length of stay (LOS). Material and methods This is a prospective study of patients undergoing TKA between December 2017 and August 2018. Patients were electronically administered surveys regarding their discharge plan 10 days pre-/postoperatively. All patients were categorized into three cohorts based on their LOS: 1, 2, and 3+ days. The effect of preoperative discharge education on patient postoperative satisfaction was evaluated. Results In total, 221 TKAs were included, of which 83 were discharged on postoperative day (POD) 1, 96 on POD-2, and 42 POD-3+. Female gender, increasing body mass index (BMI), and surgical time correlated with increased LOS. Preoperative discussions regarding LOS occurred in 84.62% (187/221) of patients but did correlate with differences in LOS. However, patients discharged on POD-1 were more inclined to same-day surgery preoperatively. Patients discharged on POD-3+ were found to be more uncomfortable regarding their discharge during the preoperative phase. Multivariable regressions demonstrated that preoperative discharge discussion was positively correlated with home discharge. Conclusion Physician-driven discussion regarding patient discharge did not alter patient satisfaction or length of stay but did correlate with improved odds of home discharge. These findings underscore the importance of patient education, shared decision-making, and managing patient expectations.

» A small yet growing subset of total joint arthroplasty (TJA) candidates are diagnosed with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is a known risk factor for periprosthetic joint infections. Given the poor outcomes associated with TJA infection, we recommend that candidates with HCV receive treatment prior to elective TJA. » Interferon and ribavirin have historically been the standard treatment regimen for the management of HCV; however, adverse events and an inconsistent viral response have limited the efficacy of these therapies. The advent of direct-acting antivirals has resolved many of the issues associated with interferon and ribavirin regimens. » Despite the success of direct-acting antivirals, there are still barriers to seeking treatment for TJA candidates with HCV. Many patients are faced with financial burdens, as insurance coverage of direct-acting antiviral therapies is inconsistent and varies by the patient's state of residence and specific treatment regimen. » TJA candidates with HCV present health-care providers with a unique set of challenges, often encompassing economic, psychosocial, and complex medical concerns. Multidisciplinary care teams can be beneficial when caring for and optimizing this patient cohort. » Management of HCV prior to elective TJA is associated with higher up-front costs but ultimately reduces long-term patient morbidity as well as associated direct and indirect health-care expenditures.

We investigated whether a novel, real-time fluoroscopybased navigation system optimized component positioning and leg length in fluoroscopically aided direct anterior approach total hip arthroplasty (DAA-THA). We retrospectively reviewed 75 fluoroscopically assisted DAA-THA performed by a single surgeon: 37 procedures used the software intraoperatively to overlay anteversion, inclination, and leg length information over the existing fluoroscopic radiograph with the aim of enhancing component positioning. The control group consisted of 38 procedures from the single surgeon's patient pool who had undergone non-navigated fluoroscopic assisted DAA-THA 1 month prior to the system's trial. Our results demonstrate that the navigation group measurements were significantly closer to the target numbers with less variation. The mean difference from target value were as follows: for anteversion (control: -4.68°, navigated: -01.0°), inclination (control: -1.87°, navigated: 0.8°), and leg length discrepancy (control: -2.59°, navigated: -0.98°). In addition, surgical time was shorter in the navigation group (75.7 vs. 74 minutes; p = 0.001). The real-time feedback and calculations provided by the navigation software provided a reproducible precision for component positioning and leg length measurement during DAA-THA.

CASE REPORT A 67-year-old man presented with signs of acute periprosthetic infection after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Surgical debridement, antibiotics, and a head and liner exchange were performed. After showing no improvement, a single-stage revision was conducted. Postoperatively, he developed back pain and lower extremity weakness. Electrodiagnostic studies showed a Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) variant. Intravenous immunoglobulin was administered to halt disease progression. After 1 year, he still demonstrated neuromuscular deficits and required a cane for ambulation. CONCLUSION This case highlights GBS after THA. A high degree of clinical suspicion is essential to prevent misinterpretation as a postsurgical complication. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V, case report.

The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) is a nationally standardized tool to assess patient experience between hospitals. The HCAHPS survey can affect hospital reimbursement. This study aims to determine if HCAHPS scores vary by a number of demographic variables in patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Patients who underwent primary TKA and returned a completed HCAHPS survey were included in this study. HCAHPS surveys were collected from our institution's Center for Quality and Patient Safety department, which was cross-referenced with our hospital's electronic data warehouse. Patient demographics, surgical factors, and quality outcomes were queried, and multivariable linear regression was performed.In total, 1028 HCAHPS questionnaires after primary TKA were evaluated. The average age of patients was 65.9 ± 9.0 years and 67.9% (698 patients) were female. Average body mass index was 32.5 ± 6.9 kg/mHCAHPS scores in patients undergoing primary TKA are influenced not just by hospital and surgeon factors such as length of stay but by demographic variables such as age, race, and marital status. As surgeons become more involved with the burden of improving patient experience, they should be aware that static demographic variables can have a significant effect on HCAHPS scores.

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a rapidly progressive degenerative disease frequently affecting individuals within their fourth and fifth decade of life. Though often asymptomatic, patients with ONFH may present with a wide range of symptoms, including deep groin pain. There are many classification systems used to stratify disease severity, of which the Association of Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) classification system is currently the most comprehensive. Once diagnosed, an estimated 75% of patients will experience femoral head collapse within three years of diagnosis if left untreated. Currently, the only definitive intervention available for ONFH is total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, recent advancements have been made with respect to the available treatment modalities. In this article, the author review the management of ONFH, providing clinicians with the necessary information to counsel their patients.

Patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments are measures that allow for a standardized assessment of a patient's functional status, symptoms, and quality of life (QoL) through self-reported questionnaires. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between PRO scores, which measure patients' preoperative pain and functional status, and discharge disposition in the total hip arthroplasty (THA) population. The authors conducted a retrospective review of patients with a primary diagnosis of osteoarthritis who underwent THA at a single, urban, tertiary care center between September 2013 and August 2016. Patient demographics and preoperative PRO scores (Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [HOOS] and EuroQol 5-Dimension [EQ-5D] questionnaire) were collected, and discharge disposition was categorized into the following two cohorts: THA recipients discharged to home and those discharged to a postacute care facility. When comparing PRO scores between the two groups, patients discharged home were found to have significantly higher average preoperative global EQ-5D, EQ-5D-QoL, HOOS activities of daily living (ADL), HOOS pain, HOOS sports, and HOOS symptoms scores. Patients discharged home trended toward higher HOOS QoL scores (28.1 vs. 22.6%), but this did not achieve significance (p

Background The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) score is a nationally standardized measure of a patient’s inpatient experience. This study aims to assess whether HCAHPS scores differ between patients undergoing primary total joint arthroplasty (TJA) and patients undergoing revision TJA. Methods Patients who underwent primary or revision total hip or total knee arthroplasty (THA or TKA) and returned a completed HCAHPS survey were included in this study. HCAHPS scores were collected from our institution’s Center for Quality and Patient Safety department, which was cross-referenced with our hospital’s electronic data warehouse. Patient demographics, surgical factors, and quality outcomes were queried. Appropriate statistical analyses were performed using MatLab 2017a and P-values less than .05 were deemed significant. Results In total, 523 primary and 59 revision THA recipients completed HCAHPS surveys at our institution between October 2011 and November 2016. During this same period, 507 primary TKA recipients and 40 revision TKA recipients completed HCAHPS surveys. Compared to revision THA, primary THA patients had a significantly higher top box for overall hospital ratings (58.46% vs 41.38%), felt that nurses listened to them carefully (84.3% vs 72.88%), and felt that they clearly understood the role of each medication (69.48% vs 56.90%). Moreover, 18 of 20 HCAHPS question responses favored primary THA despite not reaching significance for the majority of HCAHPS questions. Patients with revision TKA demonstrated a significantly higher incidence of “top box” choices for quieter rooms and a trend favoring better HCAHPS scores in revision TKA in a further 12 of 20 HCAHPS responses. Conclusion Patients undergoing primary THA report higher HCAHPS scores than those undergoing revision THA, while revision TKA demonstrated a general trend toward higher scores when compared to primary TKA patients. This publicly reported quality measurement metric which factors into physician reimbursement may be biased by the patient’s health status, the complexity of the surgical procedure, and length of stay in hospital rather than a true reflection of the quality of their hospital experience.

It is well recognized that unplanned readmissions following total joint arthroplasty (TJA) are more prevalent in patients with comorbidities. However, few investigators have delayed surgery and medically optimized patients prior to surgery. In its current form, the Perioperative Orthopedic Surgical Home (POSH) is a surgeon-led screening and optimization initiative targeting 8 common modifiable comorbidities.A total of 4188 patients who underwent TJA between January 2014 and December 2016 were retrospectively screened by the Readmission Risk Assessment tool (RRAT) score. one thousand one hundred and ninety four subjects had a preoperative RRAT score ≥3 and were eligible for inclusion. Patients were then separated into 2 cohorts based on whether they were enrolled into the POSH initiative (POSH; n = 216) or continued with surgery (non-POSH; n = 978) despite their risk.Since the implementation of the POSH initiative, patients with RRAT scores ranging from 3 to 5 have experienced lower 30-day (1.6% vs 5.3%, P = .03) and 90-day (3.2% vs 7.4%, P.05) readmission rates when compared to the non-POSH cohort. Only 15.3% of medically optimized patients enrolled in the POSH initiative were discharged to a post-acute care facility, whereas 23.4% of non-POSH patients were discharged to a post-acute care facility (P = .01). There were no differences in length of stay and infection rates between the 2 cohorts. Moreover, 90-day episode-of-care costs were 14.9% greater among non-POSH Medicare TJA recipients and 32.6% higher if a readmission occurred.The identification and medical optimization of comorbidities prior to surgical intervention may enhance the value of care TJA candidates receive. A standardized multidisciplinary approach to the medical optimization of high-risk TJA candidates may improve patient engagement and perioperative outcomes, while reducing cost associated with TJA.Level III, Retrospective Cohort Study.

Arthrofibrosis is the pathologic stiffening of a joint caused by an exaggerated inflammatory response. As a common complication following total knee arthroplasty (TKA), this benign-appearing connective tissue hyperplasia can cause significant disability among patients because the concomitant knee pain and restricted range of motion severely hinder postoperative rehabilitation, clinical outcomes, and basic activities of daily living. The most effective management for arthrofibrosis in the setting of TKA is prevention, including preoperative patient education programs, aggressive postoperative physical therapy regimens, and anti-inflammatory medications. Operative treatments include manipulation under anesthesia, arthroscopic debridement, and quadricepsplasty.

Aims Revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) accounts for approximately 5% to 10% of all TKAs. Although the complexity of these procedures is well recognized, few investigators have evaluated the cost and value-added with the implementation of a dedicated revision arthroplasty service. The aim of the present study is to compare and contrast surgeon productivity in several differing models of activity. Materials and Methods All patients that underwent primary or revision TKA from January 2016 to June 2018 were included as the primary source of data. All rTKA patients were categorized by the number of components revised (e.g. liner exchange, two or more components). Three models were used to assess the potential surgical productivity of a dedicated rTKA service : 1) work relative value unit (RVU) versus mean surgical time; 2) primary TKA with a single operating theatre (OT) versus rTKA with a single OT; and 3) primary TKA with two OTs versus rTKA with a single OT. Results In total, 4570 procedures were performed: 4128 primary TKAs, 51 TKA liner exchanges, and 391 full rTKAs. Surgical time was significantly different between the primary TKA, liner exchange, and rTKA cohorts (100.6, 97.1, and 141.7 minutes, respectively; p < 0.001). Primary TKA yielded a mean of 7.1% more RVU/min per procedure than rTKA. Our one-OT model demonstrated that primary TKA (n = 4) had a 1.9% RVU/day advantage over rTKA (n = 3). If two OTs are used for primary TKA (n = 6), the outcome strongly favours primary TKA by an added 34.6% RVUs/day. Conclusion Our results suggest that a dedicated rTKA service would lead to lower surgeon remuneration based on the current RVU paradigm. Revision arthroplasty specialists may need additional or alternative incentives to promote the development of a dedicated revision service. Through such an approach, healthcare organizations could enhance the quality of care provided, but surgeon productivity measures would need to be adjusted to reflect the burden of these cases. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:675–681.

Aims With an ageing population of patients who are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), the demand for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in this high-risk group continues to grow. It has previously been shown that HCV infection predisposes to poor outcomes following TKA. However, there is little information about the outcome of TKA in patients with HCV who have been treated successfully. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of TKA in untreated HCV patients and those with HCV who have been successfully treated and have a serologically confirmed remission. Patients and Methods A retrospective review of all patients diagnosed with HCV who underwent primary TKA between November 2011 and April 2018 was conducted. HCV patients were divided into two groups: 1) those whose HCV was cured (HCV-C); and 2) those in whom it was untreated (HCV-UT). All variables including demographics, HCV infection characteristics, surgical details, and postoperative medical and surgical outcomes were evaluated. There were 64 patients (70 TKAs) in the HCV-C group and 63 patients (71 TKAs) in the HCV-UT cohort. The mean age at the time of surgery was 63.0 years (sd 7.5; 44 to 79) in the HCV-C group and 61.7 years (sd 6.9; 47 to 88) in the HCV-UT group. Results HCV-UT patients had a significantly longer mean hospital stay (3.4 days vs 2.9 days; p = 0.04), were more likely to be transferred to the intensive care unit (14.1% vs 4.3%; p = 0.04), and were significantly more often discharged to a post-acute care facility (39.4% vs 14.3%; p < 0.01). HCV-UT patients had significantly more postoperative infections (15.5% vs 4.3%; p = 0.03), surgical complications (21.1% vs 7.1%; p = 0.02), and revision TKA (12.7% vs 1.4%; p < 0.01) than HCV-C patients. Conclusion The preoperative treatment of HCV can reduce the risk of complications, including prosthetic joint infection and revision TKA. We recommend that HCV treatment regimens should be integrated into the preoperative optimization protocol for this high-risk group of patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:667–674.

Successful management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has lengthened the life expectancy of HIV-positive (HIV + ) patients; consequently, increasing numbers of this patient population are candidates for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study seeks to provide detailed results of TKA in HIV+ patients and compare them to an HIV-negative (HIV − ) cohort. We performed a multicenter retrospective case–control study comparing 25 HIV+ patients to 25 HIV− patients undergoing TKA. The analysis included a cohort and subgroup stratification based on the presence or absence of postoperative complications. Prior to TKA, all 25 patients had a documented history of HIV infection. No intraoperative complications were reported. Ninety-day postoperative complications included knee contracture (one HIV + , no HIV − , p = 0.3124), periprosthetic joint infection requiring revision (one HIV + , no HIV − , p = 0.3124), mechanical fall requiring incision and drainage (one HIV + , no HIV − , p = 0.3124), and death (one HIV + , no HIV − , p = 0.3124). The average follow-up was 18.80 months. HIV+ patients stayed in the hospital for an average of 3.8 days following surgery, which was significantly greater than HIV− patients (2.28 days; p = 0.0040). As the life expectancy for HIV+ patients improves, a greater number will be TKA candidates. This study has shown an acceptable postoperative complication risk in an HIV+ patient population undergoing TKA, albeit with a significantly increased hospital length of stay.

Background Advancements in the management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) now permit HIV-positive patients to have longer life spans, increasing their cumulative risk of developing an advanced degenerative joint disease, necessitating total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of this study was to provide an extended follow-up on a previously published study on a cohort of HIV-positive THA recipients in an effort to confirm the safety and longevity of THA in this population. Methods This study is a follow-up on a previous study comprised of 41 hips in 31 HIV-positive THA recipients. At this follow-up, 5 patients from the original cohort required contralateral THA. Postoperative complications were recorded up to the patient’s last follow-up date. A survivorship analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method with revision THA as the end point. Results Since the last report, 2 additional hips were revised (one for aseptic loosening and one for a periprosthetic fracture), and 5 patients underwent contralateral THA. This resulted in a total of 5 (13.8%) hips requiring revision THA at the latest follow-up. The mean follow-up interval for the original cohort and for the contralateral 5 hips was 78.9 ± 50.2 months and 54.6 ± 45.3 months, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis with revision THA for any reason as the end point demonstrated survivorship of 93% (2 years), 90% (5 years), and 81% (10 and 14 years) after primary THA, respectively. Conclusion Our study suggests that it is possible to achieve a low incidence of postoperative infection in HIV-positive THA recipients. In addition, our study demonstrates that non-hemophiliac HIV-positive patients have comparable revision rates to previously published reports on HIV-negative patients of similar age, underscoring the clinical efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Oxinium is an alternative bearing surface designed to emulate the superior wear and scratch properties of ceramic femoral heads in total hip arthroplasty while minimizing the risk for brittle fracturing. However, recent studies have indicated that hip dislocation following total hip arthroplasty may be a risk factor for catastrophic failure of the femoral head. Here, we report on a novel case of a catastrophic Oxinium head and polyethylene liner failure in the absence of previous hip dislocation or trauma and review the probable failure mechanism. This report underscores the need to be vigilant about proper acetabular cup and liner seating, particularly in the setting of Oxinium femoral head use. In the event of Oxinium head failure, metallosis may compromise stabilizing soft tissues including the abductors. Dual-mobility articulation, which was successful in this case, is one option to consider when the risk for chronic redislocation is elevated. Keywords: Liner dissociation, Dual-mobility system, Oxinium, Oxidized zirconium, Total hip arthroplasty, Total hip replacement

Despite the evolution of blood management protocols, total knee arthroplasty (TKA) occasionally requires allogeneic blood transfusion. This poses a particular challenge for Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) who believe that the Bible strictly prohibits the use of blood products. The aim of this study was to compare JW and a matched-control cohort of non-JW candidates undergoing TKA to assess the safety using modern blood management protocols. Fifty-five JW patients (63 knees) who underwent TKA at our institution between 2005 and 2017 were matched to 63 non-JW patients (63 knees). Patient demographics, intraoperative details, and postoperative complications including in-hospital complications, revisions, and 90-day readmissions were collected and compared between the groups. Additionally, subgroup analysis was performed comparing JW patients who were administered tranexamic acid (TXA) between the two groups. Baseline demographics did not vary significantly between the study cohorts. The mean follow-up was 3.1 years in both the JW and non-JW cohorts. Postoperative complications, including in-hospital complications (7.9 vs. 4.8%; p = 0.47), revision TKA (1.6 vs. 1.6%; p = 1.00), and 90-day readmission (1.6 vs. 4.8%; p = 0.31) were not significantly different between the JW and non-JW groups. Subgroup analysis demonstrated JW patients who received TXA had a significantly lower decline in postoperative hemoglobin (Hgb) (8.6 vs. 14.0%; p

Background Patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) have had extremely high complication rates after total hip arthroplasty (THA). We sought to compare perioperative complication rates between untreated and treated HCV in THA patients and to compare these rates between patients treated with 2 different therapies (interferon vs direct antiviral agents). Methods A multicenter retrospective database query was used to identify patients diagnosed with HCV who underwent THA between 2006 and 2016. All patients (n = 105) identified were included and divided into 2 groups: untreated (n = 63) and treated (n = 42) HCV; treated patients were further subdivided into those receiving interferon (n = 16) or direct antiviral agent therapies (n = 26). Comparisons between the treated and untreated groups were made with respect to demographic data, comorbidities, preoperative viral load, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, and all surgical and medical complications; a subgroup analysis of the treated patients was also performed. Separate independent t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests were conducted for continuous variables. Categorical variables were compared using the chi-squared test of independence. Results A greater number of untreated patients were human immunodeficiency virus infected ( P = .01), while a reduced number of treated patients were either former or current smokers ( P = .004). The untreated group had greater surgical complication rates (25.4% vs 4.8%; P = .007), with a higher rate of periprosthetic joint infection (14.3% vs 0%, P = .01). For treated patients, no differences were observed between treatment types for postsurgical complications. Conclusion Treatment for HCV prior to THA appears to be associated to fewer postoperative complications, primarily periprosthetic joint infection. Although further investigation is warranted, strong consideration should be given to treating patients for HCV prior to elective THA.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been established as the most effective treatment for end-stage, symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee. However, improper polyethylene size selection has been proposed to predispose patients to postoperative stiffness following TKA. The aim of this study is to evaluate if there is a correlation between the use of the thinnest tibial implant thickness and implant manufacturer with the likelihood of undergoing manipulation under anesthesia (MUA). A retrospective review of unilateral TKAs performed between January 2012 and November 2015 was performed. Each knee implant system was normalized by total tibial component thickness for each individual implant system (metal back plus polyethylene) and reaggregated to assess the difference in MUA rates when comparing the thinnest tibial component thickness against the next two sizes. Subset analysis was performed comparing the thinnest tibial component thickness for each individual implant system versus (1) all other tibial component sizes and (2) tibial components one and two sizes larger. A total of 2,728 patients were retrospectively evaluated, of which 71 (2.60%) underwent MUA. Combined tibial component thickness ranged from 8 to 21 mm. When aggregated together to compare the MUA rate between the thinnest liner and the next two sizes, no statistically significant difference was observed (p = 1). Subset analysis demonstrated inconsistent significant differences in MUA rates. Our results suggest that the polyethylene liner thickness alone is not a predictor of postoperative knee stiffness necessitating MUA. When selecting a polyethylene liner, a proper fit maximizing flexion/extension stability is the most crucial factor.

Interest in outpatient/same-day discharge (SDD) total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been increasing over the last several years. There is considerable debate in the literature regarding the complication and readmission rates of these patients. To evaluate and validate the safety and efficacy of our institutional SDD THA care pathway, we compared the outcomes of patients undergoing SDD THA with patients who had a similar comorbidity profile and underwent inpatient THA.A retrospective review was conducted on 164 patients who underwent SDD THA from January 2015 to September 2016. The Risk of Readmission Tool, a validated risk stratification instrument, was applied to all inpatient THAs performed from June 2014 to December 2016. A cutoff Risk of Readmission Tool score3 was used to produce a cohort of 1858 inpatient THA patients, all of whom had a similar risk profile to patients who underwent SDD THA. Medicare patients were excluded from the inpatient THA cohort, which left a final inpatient sample of 1315 patients. Each cohort was evaluated for demographic variables, length of stay, 30-/90-day readmissions, and discharge disposition.The SDD THA cohort had significantly lower body mass index (26.9 vs 28.2 kg/mThe use of an institutional SDD THA care pathway can produce results with equivalent or better short-term outcomes than that of traditional inpatient THA.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Current literature demonstrates that tranexamic acid (TXA) use during spine surgery is safe and effective at reducing intraoperative blood loss and need for blood transfusion. TXA use is increasing and it is now being used in both major and minor spine procedures. Literature comparing the use of topical TXA and intravenous (IV) TXA in reducing blood loss and transfusion rates in elective lumbar spine procedures is scarce. PURPOSE This study aimed to compare the efficacy of topical and IV TXA in reducing intraoperative and postoperative blood loss in adult patients undergoing elective lumbar spine surgery. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Prospective randomized controlled trial at a single tertiary academic center. PATIENT SAMPLE This is a preliminary report on 125 prospectively enrolled patients who underwent elective decompressive lumbar laminectomy of one to four levels, with or without lumbar fusion. In total, 195 patients will be enrolled; we currently are presenting data from the 125 patients who have completed the protocol to date. OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcomes included intraoperative estimated blood loss, perioperative change in hemoglobin / hematocrit, transfusion rates, and postoperative drain output. Secondary outcomes included operative and anesthesia time, hospital length of stay (LOS), postoperative complications including venous thromboembolism and infection, and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores with morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per day. METHODS A total of 125 patients were randomized preoperatively into one of three treatment arms: control (n=34), topical TXA (n=35), or IV TXA (n=56). The control group received normal saline and did not receive either topical or IV TXA. The topical TXA group received 3g TXA diluted in 250ml of normal saline, which bathed the surgical site undisturbed for 2 minutes prior to wound closure. The IV TXA group received a 10 mg/kg bolus prior to incision followed by a second 10mg/kg dose three hours after the initial dose. The primary and secondary outcome measures were compared between the three groups. Descriptive, ANOVA, chi-squared, and multiple logarithmic regression analysis were utilized. RESULTS No differences were found between the control, IV TXA, and topical TXA groups in intraoperative estimated blood loss (211.2 ± 152.5ml vs 157.1 ± 119.2ml vs 175.6 ± 153ml, p=0.207), postoperative change in hematocrit (7.7 ± 2.9 vs 6.2 ± 3.2 vs 7.0 ± 2.9, p=0.176), and blood transfusion rates (2.9% vs 3.6% vs 0%, p=.5496). Patients who received IV TXA and topical TXA both had significantly less drain output on postoperative day 1 (POD1) than the control group (172 ± 98.2ml vs 72.8 ± 52.9ml vs 52.0 ± 50.0ml, p=0.0001); however, there was no difference in POD1 drain output between the IV and topical groups (p=0.089). There was a decreased risk of requiring pain medication in oral morphine equivalents in the IV and topical TXA groups compared to controls. There were no significant differences in LOS, operative and anesthesia time, pain scores, and postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS There were significant decreases in POD1 drain output and pain medication requirements in IV and topical TXA patients, when compared to controls, in adult elective lumbar spine patients. There were no observed differences between intraoperative blood loss, postoperative change in hematocrit, or transfusion rates. There were no major TXA-related complications. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS Tranexamic acid (Approved for this indication).

Background The direct anterior approach (DAA) for primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) has recently increased in popularity. Recent evidence has raised concerns about whether use of the DAA is associated with increased rates of superficial and deep infection. The aim of this study was to systematically assess the literature and comparatively evaluate the rate of superficial and deep infection following primary THA using the DAA and non-direct anterior (non-DAA) approaches. Methods This study was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement. Primary outcome measures evaluated were rates of superficial and deep infection in patients undergoing DAA and non-DAA primary THA. Results A total of 1,872 studies were identified in the original search, of which 15 studies satisfied inclusion criteria. Our analysis evaluated 120,910 primary THAs, including 14,908 DAA and 106,002 non-DAA. The rate of superficial infection was 1.08% for DAA compared with 1.24% for non-DAA (odds ratio [OR] = 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.79 to 1.30, p = 0.921). The rate of deep infection was 0.73% for DAA compared with 0.51% for non-DAA (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.80 to 1.32, p = 0.831). Conclusions This study found no difference in the rate of superficial or deep infection after primary THA using the DAA versus other surgical approaches. Our results suggest that comparative infection risk need not be a primary driver in the choice of surgical approach. Level of evidence Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Same-day discharge (SDD) surgery in total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been shown to have similar outcomes to non-SDD THA in select patient populations. Hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA) is an alternative to THA for young, active patients, making them ideal candidates for SDD. This study compared the safety and efficacy of non-SDD HRA and SDD HRA for specific postoperative outcomes. An electronic data warehouse query was performed for procedures labeled “hip resurfacing.” Data collected included demographics, surgical factors, and quality metrics. Statistical analyses were evaluated using a graphing and statistics software program. Categorical variables were analyzed with chi-square tests and continuous variables with Student's t tests, with P P P =.01). Rates of infection, periprosthetic fractures, emergency department visits, and hospital readmissions were equivalent ( P =.99). Same-day discharge HRA is a safe and effective procedure with similar outcomes to non-SDD HRA regarding infections, fractures, emergency department visits, and readmissions. The major benefit of SDD is a shorter hospital stay that may lead to decreased cost while preserving and enhancing quality of care and patient satisfaction. [ Orthopedics . 2020;43(6):e595–e600.]

Background Same-day discharge (SDD) total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is increasingly popular, yet there remain concerns regarding patient safety, complication rates, and unforeseen overnight admission (failure to launch; FTL). The aim of this study is to retrospectively examine the outcomes of a large consecutive SDD-TJA series in the community hospital setting. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 1200 consecutive SDD-TJA candidates between March 2017 and December 2019 by 5 surgeons at a community hospital. Patient demographics, perioperative data including anesthesia type, and 30-day complications were evaluated, including FTL, infection, intraoperative fracture, postoperative periprosthetic fracture or dislocation, return to operating room, and unplanned postoperative care. Results We included 1200 SDD patients (582/618 total hip arthroplasty/total knee arthroplasty, mean age 62.1 years, 595 females, 605 males). Spinal anesthesia was more common than general anesthesia (1087 vs 113 patients). There were 85 FTLs (7.1%), of this cohort 58.8% were female, with a mean age of 62.4 years. General anesthesia increased the risk of FTL (odds ratio 2.93). Complications resulting in FTL included block-induced neuropraxia (32.1%), orthostatic hypotension (26.1%), urinary retention (19.0%), and nausea (13.1%). Sixteen patients were readmitted within 30 days (1.3%). Six patients returned to the operating room for periprosthetic fracture (4), wound dehiscence (1), and superficial surgical site infection (1). Conclusion SDD-TJA can be safely performed at community hospitals, but general anesthesia should be avoided to decrease risk of FTL. Inpatient programs may allow young surgeons to gain experience with SDD-TJA while retaining overnight admission as a safety net for their patients. Level of Evidence Level III (Prognostic).

Osteoarthritis (OA) currently affects over 27 million people and ranks among the top 5 most costly conditions to manage in the United States along with heart disease, cancer, mental disorders, and trauma-related injuries. There has been a vast amount of research dedicated to understanding the clinical and economic implications of primary OA; however, less is known about the secondary causes of degenerative joint disease. This gap in knowledge is particularly relevant as the current healthcare climate emphasizes value-based healthcare. Due to the earlier onset of disease and high likelihood for treatment failure, the direct costs associated with the management of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) have been demonstrated to be substantially greater than in primary OA. Furthermore, lower-extremity PTOA makes up a substantial proportion of OA (12%), and the risk of developing the disease has not decreased in the past 25 years despite major advancements in surgical treatment options for joint injuries. Moving forward, further investigation is required in order to fully understand the magnitude of the economic impact of PTOA. The evolution of diagnostic and procedural coding schemes that have improved the specificity and accuracy in distinguishing PTOA from primary OA is a step in the right direction and will facilitate large-scale data collection efforts. This review provides a report on the current knowledge of the clinical and economic implications of PTOA.

Dislocation after total hip arthroplasty (THA) is the leading cause of revision surgery. Dual mobility (DM) implants have been utilized over the past 40 years as a means of addressing and preventing this morbid and expensive complication. Recently, there has been renewed investigation into the role that DM implants may play in reducing instability in high-risk patients. Hemiarthroplasty or traditional THA remain the mainstays of treatment for older patients with displaced femoral neck fractures. Longer-term higher-quality studies are necessary to investigate whether DM THA outcomes may be superior to traditional THA in the physiologically young patient with high physical demands and a longer-than-average life expectancy. The use of DM implants in preventing dislocation in patients with fixed spinopelvic alignment, neuromuscular disorders, and failed fixation of previously sustained proximal femoral fractures has shown success in studies with low levels of evidence. More robust prospective data are necessary before more widespread adoption of DM arthroplasty is recommended in these clinical scenarios. Knowledge of the pertinent literature with regard to the use of DM implants in patients who are at high risk for instability will allow orthopaedic surgeons to make informed decisions as to whether or not their patients may benefit from primary THA utilizing DM implants.

Electronic health record (EHR) technologies have improved the ease of access to structured clinical data. The standard means by which data are collected continues to be manual chart review. The authors compared the accuracy of manual chart review against modern electronic data warehouse queries. A manual chart review of the EHR was performed with medical record numbers and surgical admission dates for the 100 most recent inpatient venous thromboembolic events after total joint arthroplasty. A separate data query was performed with the authors' electronic data warehouse. Data sets were then algorithmically compared to check for matches. Discrepancies between data sets were evaluated to categorize errors as random vs systematic. From 100 unique patient encounters, 27 variables were retrieved. The average transcription error rate was 9.19% (SD, ±5.74%) per patient encounter and 11.04% (SD, ±21.40%) per data variable. The systematic error rate was 7.41% (2 of 27). When systematic errors were excluded, the random error rate was 5.79% (SD, ±7.04%) per patient encounter and 5.44% (SD, ±5.63%) per data variable. Total time and average time for manual data collection per patient were 915 minutes and 10.3±3.89 minutes, respectively. Data collection time for the entire electronic query was 58 seconds. With an error rate of 10%, manual chart review studies may be more prone to type I and II errors. Computer-based data queries can improve the speed, reliability, reproducibility, and scalability of data retrieval and allow hospitals to make more data-driven decisions. [ Orthopedics . 2020;43(5):e404–e408.]

Aims Previous studies have reported an increased risk for postoperative complications in the Medicaid population undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA). These studies have not controlled for the surgeon’s practice or patient care setting. This study aims to evaluate whether patient point of entry and Medicaid status plays a role in quality outcomes and discharge disposition following THA. Methods The electronic medical record at our institution was retrospectively reviewed for all primary, unilateral THA between January 2016 and January 2018. THA recipients were categorized as either Medicaid or non-Medicaid patients based on a visit to our institution’s Hospital Ambulatory Care Center (HACC) within the six months prior to surgery. Only patients who had been operated on by surgeons (CML, JV, JDS, RS) with at least ten Medicaid and ten non-Medicaid patients were included in the study. The patients included in this study were 56.33% female, had a mean age of 60.85 years, and had a mean BMI of 29.14. The average length of follow-up was 343.73 days. Results A total of 426 hips in 403 patients were included in this study, with 114 Medicaid patients and 312 non-Medicaid patients. Medicaid patients had a significantly lower mean age (54.68 years (SD 12.33) vs 63.10 years (SD 12.38); p < 0.001), more likely to be black or ‘other’ race (27.19% vs 13.46% black; 26.32% vs 12.82% other; p < 0.001), and more likely to be a current smoker (19.30% vs 9.29%; p = 0.001). After adjusting for patient risk factors, there was a significant Medicaid effect on length of stay (LOS) (rate ratio 1.129, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.048 to 1.216; p = 0.001) and facility discharge (odds ratio 2.010, 95% CI 1.398 to 2.890; p < 0.001). There was no Medicaid effect on surgical time (exponentiated β coefficient 1.015, 95% CI 0.995 to 1.036; p = 0.136). There was no difference in 30-day readmission, 90-day readmission, 30-day infections, 90-day infections, and 90-day mortality between the two groups. Conclusion After controlling for patient variables, there was a statistically significant Medicaid effect on LOS and facility discharge. These results indicate that clinically similar outcomes can be achieved for Medicaid patients; however, further work is needed on maximizing social support and preoperative patient education with a focus on successful home discharge. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(7 Supple B):78–84.

Background Revision THA represents approximately 5% to 10% of all THAs. Despite the complexity of these procedures, revision arthroplasty service lines are generally absent even at high-volume orthopaedic centers. We wanted to evaluate whether financial compensation is a barrier for the development of revision THA service lines as assessed by RVUs. Questions/purposes Therefore, we asked: (1) Are physicians fairly compensated for revision THA on a per-minute basis compared with primary THA? (2) Are physicians fairly compensated for revision THA on a per-day basis compared with primary THA? Methods Our deterministic financial model was derived from retrospective data of all patients undergoing primary or revision THA between January 2016 and June 2018 at an academic healthcare organization. Patients were divided into five cohorts based on their surgical procedure: primary THA, head and liner exchange, acetabular component revision THA, femoral component revision THA, and combined femoral and acetabular component revision THA. Mean surgical times were calculated for each cohort, and each cohort was assigned a relative value unit (RVU) derived from the 2018 Center for Medicaid and Medicare assigned RVU fee schedule. Using a combination of mean surgical time and RVUs rewarded for each procedure, three models were developed to assess the financial incentive to perform THA services for each cohort. These models included: (1) RVUs earned per the mean surgical time, (2) RVUs earned for a single operating room for a full day of THAs, and (3) RVUs earned for two operating rooms for a full day of primary THAs versus a single rooms for a full day of revision THAs. A sixth cohort was added in the latter two models to more accurately reflect the variety in a typical surgical day. This consisted of a blend of revision THAs: one acetabular, one femoral, and one full revision. The RVUs generated in each model were compared across the cohorts. Results Compared with primary THA by RVU per minute, in revision THA, head and liner exchange demonstrated a 4% per minute deficit, acetabular component revision demonstrated a 29% deficit, femoral component revision demonstrated a 32% deficit, and full revision demonstrated a 27% deficit. Compared with primary service lines with one room, revision surgeons with a variety of revision THA surgeries lost 26% potential relative value units per day. Compared with a two-room primary THA service, revision surgeons lost 55% potential relative value units per day. Conclusions In a comparison of relative value units of a typical two-room primary THA service line versus those of a dedicated revision THA service line, we found that revision specialists may lose between 28% and 55% of their RVU earnings. The current Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reimbursement model is not viable for the arthroplasty surgeon and limits patient access to revision THA specialists. Level of evidence Level III, economic and decision analysis.

This study examined an early iteration of an inpatient opioid administration-reporting tool, which standardized patient opioid consumption as an average daily morphine milligram equivalence per surgical encounter (MME/day/encounter) among total knee arthroplasty (TKA) recipients. The objective was to assess the variability of inpatient opioid administration rates among surgeons after implementation of a multimodal opioid sparing pain protocol. We queried the electronic medical record at our institution for patients undergoing elective primary TKA between January 1, 2016 and June 30, 2018. Patient demographics, inpatient and surgical factors, and inpatient opioid administration were retrieved. Opioid consumption was converted into average MME for each postoperative day. These MME/day/encounter values were used to determine mean and variance of opioids prescribed by individual surgeons. A secondary analysis of regional inpatient opioid consumption was determined by patient zip codes. In total, 23 surgeons performed 4,038 primary TKA. The institutional average opioid dose was 46.24 ± 0.75 MME/day/encounter. Average intersurgeon (IS) opioid prescribing ranged from 17.67 to 59.15 MME/day/encounter. Intrasurgeon variability ranged between ± 1.01 and ± 7.51 MME/day/encounter. After adjusting for patient factors, the average institutional MME/day/encounter was 38.43 ± 0.42, with average IS variability ranging from 18.29 to 42.84 MME/day/encounter, and intrasurgeon variability ranging between ± 1.05 and ± 2.82 MME/day/encounter. Our results suggest that there is intrainstitutional variability in opioid administration following primary TKA even after controlling for potential patient risk factors. TKA candidates may benefit from the implementation of a more rigid standardization of multimodal pain management protocols that can control pain while minimizing the opioid burden. This is a level of evidence III, retrospective observational analysis.

Nutritional risk in patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty has been well-studied with regard to diagnostic criteria; however, therapeutic management of abnormal body mass index (BMI) values and serum markers remains to be studied in patients undergoing joint replacement surgery. Patients with a BMI value of >40 kg/m2 are at increased risk for postoperative complications; weight loss programs and bariatric surgery are therapeutic modalities that can be used in the prehabilitation and long-term rehabilitation of patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty. Management of patients with abnormal nutritional status should be multidisciplinary and allow for the incorporation of dietitians and nutritionists in therapeutic planning. Hypoalbuminemia correction can be completed intravenously or orally; however, arthroplasty studies remain lacking with regard to the preferred modalities of correction.

Background Dilute povidone-iodine lavage has been shown to be safe and effective in decreasing acute periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) following total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Vancomycin powder is reported to be effective in preventing infection in spine surgery. We hypothesize that a “vanco-povidone protocol” (VIP) for TJA patients at high risk for infection is safe and will decrease the rate of PJI. Methods High-risk TJA patients (body mass index >40, active smokers, American Society of Anesthesiologists ≥3, immunosuppression/diabetes, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization, revision surgery) utilizing VIP were compared to a high-risk historical cohort not treated with VIP, at a single institution. VIP consisted of dilute povidone-iodine lavage followed by application of vancomycin powder prior to wound closure. Primary endpoint was PJI within 3 months postoperatively. Results The historical, high-risk control cohort consisted of 3251 patients with a PJI incidence of 1.8%. A total of 1413 subjects received the VIP protocol with a PJI incidence of 1.3%. There was a 27.8% risk reduction when compared to the control group of high-risk subjects not treated with the VIP. There were no medical complications secondary to the use of VIP, no increase in vancomycin-resistant enterococcus or vancomycin-resistant Staph aureus, and no cases of acute renal impairment secondary to application of the local vancomycin. Conclusions PJI remains a common complication of TJA, especially in high-risk populations. This study indicates that a protocol of dilute povidone-iodine lavage combined with topical vancomycin powder is safe and may reduce PJI incidence in high-risk TJA patients. Due to low, current PJI rates, a multi-institutional randomized controlled trial is necessary to assess interventions that minimize the risk of PJI. Level of Evidence Retrospective Observational Cohort.

Osteolysis is a long-term complication of total hip arthroplasty (THA). As the projected number of THAs performed annually increases, osteolysis will likely continue to occur. However, because of advancements in prosthesis design, metallurgy, and enhanced bearing surfaces, fewer revision THAs will be linked to osteolysis and aseptic loosening. Despite these improvements, no preventative therapies are currently available for the management of osteolysis other than removing and replacing the source of bearing wear.

Background Hospital length of stay is a major driver of cost in the total hip arthroplasty (THA) episode of care, and as a result, significant efforts are being made to minimize it. This study aims to assess the utility of the Outpatient Arthroplasty Risk Assessment (OARA) screening tool in accurately identifying patients for safe and early discharge after THA. Methods A retrospective review was conducted on 332 consecutive patients who underwent primary THA at a single tertiary academic center. Patients were evaluated using the OARA score, a tool that has been proposed to identify patients who can safely undergo early discharge after THA. The validity of these claims was assessed by analyzing the OARA score’s positive and negative predictive values for high vs low OARA scores between patients enrolled in our (1) same-day discharge (SDD) and 2) next-day discharge (NDD) pathways. Results When comparing the utility of the OARA score in accurately predicting length of stay, the OARA score demonstrated a (1) higher, but constant, positive predictive value for discharge on postoperative day (POD) 0 for SDD (86.1%) than POD1 for NDD (35.5%) and (2) lower negative predictive value for discharge on POD0 (23.1%) for SDD than POD1 for NDD (86.1%). Conclusion The OARA score was developed to risk-stratify patients who can safely undergo SDD or NDD after THA. In this study, the OARA score was a highly predictive tool in identifying NDD patients at risk for failure of discharge by POD1.

Background Irrigation and debridement (I&D) is performed for early management of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Symptom reporting is a subjective measure and may miss direct management of PJI. Utilizing an objective time interval from index procedure to I&D may better inform treatment decisions. Methods From 2009 to 2017, retrospective review was performed of 55 knee PJI cases at our institution. All patients underwent polyethylene liner exchange and I&D for PJI. Patients were stratified by time from index procedure to I&D (≤2 weeks, >2 weeks). Success was defined as eradication of infection and resolution of presenting symptoms. Failed cases required subsequent procedures due to infection. Results Average follow-up time after index TKA was 2.5 years. Among patients with I&D within 2 weeks of index TXA, 14 patients (82%) were successfully treated while 3 (18%) had infection recurrence. These outcomes were significantly improved compared to patients with I&D after 2 weeks: 19 (50%) successes and 19 (50%) failures (P = .024). Staphylococcal species were the most frequent pathogen in patients treated before and after 2 weeks of index TKA (39% and 50%, respectively). Outcomes were pathogen-independent in PJIs treated before or after 2 weeks of index TKA (P = .206 and .594, respectively). Conclusion Our results demonstrate that patients with early PJI managed with I&D and liner exchange within 2 weeks of index TKA had higher rates of treatment success when compared to those with I&D beyond 2 weeks. These findings suggest that time from index TKA to I&D is an objective and reliable indicator of treatment success when considering I&D in acute onset knee PJI.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of respiratory synchronized compression devices (RSCDs) versus nonsynchronized intermittent pneumatic compression devices (NSIPCDs) in preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) after total joint arthroplasty. A systematic literature review was conducted. Data regarding surgical procedure, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, mortality, and adverse events were abstracted. Compared with control groups, the risk ratio of deep vein thrombosis development was 0.51 with NSIPCDs and 0.47 with RSCDs. This review demonstrates that RSCDs may be marginally more effective at preventing VTE events than NSIPCDs. Furthermore, the addition of mechanical prophylaxis to any chemoprophylactic regimen increases VTE prevention.