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Numerous studies have explored 90-day readmissions following total joint arthroplasty; however, there is a paucity of literature concerning 90-day emergency department (ED) visits. The authors aimed to characterize the risk factors for ED presentations and to determine the primary reasons for return, hypothesizing that certain medical comorbidities would account for resource utilization. The institutional database was queried for primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Patients were stratified based on return visits to the ED within 90 days postoperatively. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to determine the factors most predictive of ED return for each THA and TKA. A total of 10,479 procedures resulted in 1234 90-day ED visits made by 937 patients. Significant predictors of 90-day ED return after THA included black race, age older than 80 years, congestive heart failure, valvular heart disease, metastatic disease, peripheral vascular disease, alcoholism, drug use, depression, and discharge to a skilled nursing facility. In contrast, only black race, liver insufficiency, cancer, and pulmonary hypertension were predictive of ED return following TKA. The primary risk factors for ED return differ for THA and TKA, and this is not currently reflected in the medical severity diagnosis-related group system. Specifically, black patients with multiple comorbidities are at high risk for unplanned ED visits following THA. This should be considered in patient counseling and outreach programs when attempting to mitigate the postoperative risks and to decrease 90-day resource utilization in this patient population. [ Orthopedics . 2020;43(5):295–302.]

The purpose of this study was to (1) determine the growth rate and the trends of musculoskeletal cellular therapy trials in the National Institutes of Health Clinical Trials Data Bank; (2) analyze the study design and characteristics; and (3) assess which cellular therapies and disease conditions are studied. A systematic review of musculoskeletal clinical trials from 2005 to 2016 using cell-based therapies as the primary intervention was performed through ClinicalTrials.gov. The number of musculoskeletal cell-based clinical trials is increasing, with most being early stage, phase I/II, and using autologous cells harvested mostly from bone marrow to target cartilage-related diseases. Among the 282 clinical trials identified, only 99 (35.1%) were completed; 62 of the 99 (62.6%) did not list any related publications. [ Orthopedics . 2019; 42(2):e144–e150.]

Total number of citations has been considered a proxy for a published study's importance within a given field. However, there are multiple pitfalls to correlating the total number of citations alone with the quality of a study. In this review, the authors aimed to identify the top 100 most-cited studies of hip and knee arthroplasty and then assess study design and quality of reporting. More than half of these studies were level IV evidence, unblinded, not randomized, and not controlled. This underscores the need for higher-quality study design to support practice. [ Orthopedics . 2019; 42(2):e151–e161.]

The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) crisis has strained hospitals and health systems across the world. In the United States, New York City has faced a surge of cases as the epicenter of the North American outbreak. Northwell Health, as the largest regional health system in New York City, has implemented various practices and policies to adapt to the evolving situation and prepare for future global events. [ Orthopedics . 2020;43(4):245–249.]

The hand is commonly affected by osteoarthritis (OA). The development and progression of OA are believed to involve inflammation, even in the early stages of the disease. Inflammatory and proinflammatory cytokines have also been shown to be elevated in the flexor tenosynovium of idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). A large percentage of patients with hand OA also have a concomitant CTS. This study evaluated the results of a pulsed electrical joint stimulator in patients who had hand OA with or without CTS. Pain, tenderness, and swelling; grip strength and pinch force; and Patient and Physician Global Assessment and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) results were evaluated. The primary efficacy outcome was pain due to OA in the study hand in the past 48 hours. Secondary outcomes consisted of OA pain in the study thumb in the past 48 hours, grip strength, pinch force, and Patient and Physician Global Assessment and DASH results. All 7 outcome parameters improved in OA patients. On physical examination, individual finger and wrist joints had also improved regarding pain, swelling, and tenderness. In the subset of patients with CTS, CTS pain, paresthesia, weakness, and all CTS symptoms had significantly improved. Patient and Physician Global Assessment and DASH results and pinch force were also significantly improved. This pulsed electrical joint stimulator is effective in providing clinically relevant and statistically significant reductions in the signs and symptoms of OA of the hand and CTS. It could be a useful modality for the treatment of patients who have one of these conditions or both. [ Orthopedics . 2018; 41(4):e550–e556.]

Limb-length discrepancy after total hip arthroplasty (THA) leads to patient dissatisfaction and can be a cause of orthopedic surgery malpractice cases. Nonsurgical and surgical techniques exist to correct limb-length discrepancies. Two limb-lengthening methods were used to correct greater than 2-cm limb-length discrepancies after THA: lengthening over a femoral nail with an external fixator and lengthening with an intramedullary kinetic skeletal distractor. These techniques achieved equal length in less than 4 weeks, with both resulting in a healed distraction gap within 4 months. No patient had loss of proximal or distal joint motion, and mean Harris Hip Score was 90 points at final follow-up. No surgical complications were reported with the intramedullary skeletal kinetic distractor. Limb lengthening using an intramedullary skeletal kinetic distractor is a viable treatment option resulting in reliable lengthening, healing of the distraction gap, and progression to full weight bearing. [ Orthopedics. 2014; 37(2):101–106.]

This study evaluated patients who were given transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) compared with a matched group without TENS prior to intervention and at 1-year follow-up. Patients who were treated with TENS had significantly fewer hospital and clinic visits, used less diagnostic imaging (31 vs 46 events per 100 patients), had fewer physical therapy visits (94 vs 107), and required less back surgery (7.5 vs 9.2 surgeries) than patients receiving other treatment modalities. Total annual costs for chronic low back pain patients without neurological involvement were lower in TENS patients ($17,957 vs $17,986 for non-TENS), even when the cost of the device was taken into account. [ Orthopedics. 2013; 36(12):922–928.]

Preoperative demographic characteristics, comorbidities, length of stay and surgery, and postoperative complications were compared between super-obese (n=1042) and nonobese (n=19,929) patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty. Super-obese patients were younger, were predominantly women, had an increased incidence of comorbid conditions such as diabetes and hypertension as well as a high rate of superficial and deep wound infections, and had a longer mean length of stay and operative time. Although super-obese patients have unique demographic characteristics and increased postoperative complications and length of stay, they may still benefit from total knee arthroplasty. Surgeons should note their high incidence of infections. [ Orthopedics. 2016; 39(4):e800–e805.]

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation has been proposed as a nonoperative treatment for osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of a novel transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation device compared with those of other standard nonoperative modalities for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. [ Orthopedics. 2016; 39(1):e180–e186.]

Orthopedic surgeons resurface the patella during total knee arthroplasty to avoid complications such as pain, patello-femoral arthritis, and patellar maltracking and to reduce the risk for reoperation. However, many complications, such as decreased range of motion, increased fractures, and polyethylene wear, have been described with this procedure. One determinant when resurfacing a patella is the thickness of its cuts. This review aims to investigate the relationship between patellar thickness and outcome parameters such as range of motion, patient-reported outcomes, periprosthetic fractures, and reoperations. [ Orthopedics. 2016; 39(1):e187–e192.]

The authors present the case of an 81-year-old man who, despite an anatomically aligned total knee arthroplasty, continued to have knee pain. The patient's ipsilateral rigid flatfoot caused by an earlier partial pedal amputation resulted in a valgus moment during gait, thus creating clinical symptoms in the total knee arthroplasty. Because of the deformity and scarring within the flatfoot, this valgus deformity was corrected through a varus distal femoral osteotomy. The result was normalization of the mechanical axis of the lower limb and a pain-free total knee arthroplasty with an excellent clinical outcome. This case shows the importance of comprehensive lower-extremity clinical and radiographic examination as well as gait analysis to understand the biomechanical effect on total knee arthroplasty. Recognition of pedal deformities and lower limb malalignment is paramount for achieving optimal outcomes and long-term success of total knee arthroplasty. The authors show that a rigid or nonflexible pedal deformity can have negative biomechanical effects on total knee arthroplasty. [ Orthopedics. 2016; 39(1):e159–e161.]

Enigmatic thigh pain remains a difficult problem to treat after total hip arthroplasty. This article reports on the use of strut cortical allografting for the treatment of recalcitrant enigmatic thigh pain following total hip arthroplasty in patients with a well-fixed cemented or cementless femoral component.

Callaghan has suggested that the most important factor in obtaining optimal results after total hip arthroplasty may be the ability to determine when to use cemented or cementless fixation. This article has presented the indications and relative contraindications for use of proximally porous-coated prostheses. Midterm results suggest that with appropriate patient selection, excellent clinical results can be achieved with currently available proximally porous-coated prostheses. Use of proximally coated prostheses is indicated for primary total hip arthroplasty in patients aged >70 years with good bone stock. Relative contraindications are based on interference with bone ingrowth or with the ability to achieve a congruent fit, both of which preclude establishment of rigid initial stability. These conditions include metabolic bone disease such as osteoporosis, osteomalacia, Gaucher's disease, sickle cell disorders, and Paget's disease; significant anatomical distortion, as seen in developmental dysplasia of the hip with anteversion, prior osteotomy, or intertrochanteric fracture; Dorr type C bone; and current treatment with radiation, chemotherapy, indomethacin, or diphosphonates. The same relative contraindications to use are applicable in revision situations. Further, proximally porous-coated prostheses should not be used for revision arthroplasty in the setting of massive bone loss, limited life expectancy, or inability to participate in protected weight bearing. These devices may be used successfully in revision arthroplasty when the hip has minimal or moderate bone loss, and occasionally in the setting of severe bone loss. As further information is revealed through the long-term (10-20 years) results of proximally coated prostheses, further refinements and knowledge of the indications and contraindications for the use of these prostheses will be revealed.

Gunshot injuries to the hip can be devastating, leading to posttraumatic arthritis and presenting a surgical challenge at the time of total hip arthroplasty (THA) due to the presence of metallic fragments and damaged soft tissues. However, there are few reports of gunshot-related posttraumatic arthritis. The purpose of this study was to describe the features and report the early outcomes of THA in 4 patients who developed posttraumatic arthritis from gunshot injuries to their hips 2, 10, 18, and 26 years after their initial injury, respectively. All 4 patients underwent successful THA without complications. None of the patients had undergone a revision procedure at a mean 26-month (range, 12–48 months) follow-up. The authors believe that primary THA is a safe and effective procedure to reduce pain and improve function for gunshot-related posttraumatic arthritis in patients in whom nonoperative management failed.

This article reports a rare case of late-onset tubercular infection following total knee arthroplasty in a 60-year-old woman who had been treated with a full course of antitubercular therapy for latent tuberculosis almost 25 years ago. Because no clear guidelines exist for optimal management of disease reactivation in the prosthetic knee joint, the authors performed a literature review and attempted to provide a treatment algorithm based on the time of presentation. Two modes of presentation were identified for unsuspected tubercular prosthetic joint infections based on the onset of symptoms and time to diagnosis: an early-onset presentation that occurs within the first 6 to 8 weeks postoperatively and a late-onset presentation that usually manifests after 8 weeks. Early-onset presentations often can be treated with standard antitubercular chemotherapy alone, whereas late-onset presentation may require 2-stage reimplantation under cover of antitubercular medications. This report also highlights the fact that despite adequate treatment of latent tuberculosis, patients may remain at risk of prosthetic joint infection following total knee arthroplasty.

The purpose of this study was to assess the survivorship of a proximally coated, cementless femoral stem used for total hip arthroplasty at a minimum 5-year follow-up by assessing clinical outcomes and implant survival. A total of 936 primary total hip arthroplasties were performed in 854 patients by 3 high-volume surgeons between 2001 and 2007. Patients included 385 men and 469 women with a mean age of 56 years (range, 20–88 years) and a mean follow-up of 7 years (range, 5–11 years). The aseptic revision rate related to the femoral component was 0.3%. Three patients underwent revision of the femoral component. Mean postoperative Harris Hip Score improved to 91 points (range, 70–100 points). When stratified by primary cause of total hip arthroplasty, no differences were found in implant survivorship or postoperative Harris Hip Scores. With the exception of the 3 patients who underwent revision surgery, postoperative radiographic evaluation of the stems demonstrated no progressive radiolucencies, component malalignment, change in component position, or implant subsidence at most recent follow-up. These results are encouraging and indicate a 0.3% revision rate for the femoral component. The cause of primary total hip arthroplasty did not affect the clinical outcomes. These types of prostheses will provide patients with a stable implant that is expected to have excellent durability and longevity.

Cementless acetabular cups for primary total hip arthroplasty have had excellent results, with failure rates typically less than 5% at up to 10-year follow-up. Tritanium is a 3-dimensional metal interface that has been used for porous biological fixation. The purpose of this study was to review the clinical and radiographic results of the use of Tritanium cups (Stryker Orthopaedics, Mahwah, New Jersey) for primary total hip arthroplasty. Two hundred eighty-eight total hip arthroplasties performed using a porous titanium acetabular cup in 252 patients between 2008 and 2010 were reviewed. One hundred thirty-three men and 119 women with a mean age of 58 years (range, 18–88 years) were included. Mean follow-up was 36 months (range, 24–56 months). Outcomes evaluated were implant survivorship, Harris Hip Score, complications, and radiographic outcomes. At final follow-up, no cup failures had occurred. Mean Harris Hip Score improved from 53 points (range, 33–82 points) preoperatively to 91 points (range, 64–100 points) postoperatively. One complication occurred; a 64-year-old woman with recurrent postoperative effusions underwent hip exploration and required abductor mechanism repair. On radiologic evaluation, no signs existed of progressive radiolucencies or changes in cup position. The survivorship of the Tritanium cup and the low complication rate is comparable with previous studies using other porous-metal prostheses. Longer follow-up study is needed and assessment of the results of using this implant in the revision setting is important.

The association between total hip arthroplasty and subsequent postoperative deep venous thrombosis is of particular concern because it can lead to symptomatic venous thromboembolic events. However, controversy remains about the optimal approach to prophylaxis. Some authors recommend the use of various chemoprophylactic agents, while others advocate the use of mechanical devices or combinations. The ideal method of prophylaxis should be effective and easy to administer, have a predictable onset and duration, have minimal interaction with food or other drugs, be easily reversible, be cost effective, and have a low risk of side effects. While available chemoprophylactic agents address some of these attributes, all have substantial drawbacks. Among the most concerning effects for orthopedic surgeons is the increased risk of bleeding and hematoma formation, which can be associated with periprosthetic infections. These typically lead to additional surgical procedures and significant patient morbidity, and can adversely impact clinical outcomes. An alternative to chemoprophylaxis is the use of pneumatic intermittent compression devices. Modern compression devices are portable and easy to use, and have a high rate of patient compliance. Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of these devices in reducing the risk of symptomatic venous thromboembolic disease, in some cases resulting in lower mortality when compared to pharmacological agents. Additionally, these devices significantly reduce the risk of postoperative bleeding.

What are the most common arthroscopic surgeries performed in orthopedics? According to the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, the knee and shoulder are by far the most common joints that require arthroscopic surgery, although the hip is increasingly becoming another location for surgery. More than 4 million knee and 1.6 million shoulder procedures are performed worldwide each year. Some of the most common procedures that orthopedic surgeons are familiar with include meniscal repair, ligament reconstruction, repair of cartilage lesions, and rotator cuff repair. Hip arthroscopy has increased in use in the past several years but has not yet made the transition into everyday practice. The most common procedures for hip arthroscopy are for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement, labral tears, or synovial diseases such as chondromatosis. Other less common arthroscopic procedures included those done in the wrist, elbow, and ankle. Common procedures for the elbow include releases and lysis of adhesions for arthrofibrosis, whereas the ankle is a more common location for the treatment of cartilage defects through a multitude of techniques including microfracture or autologous chondrocyte implantation. The wrist is anther joint that is seeing increased treatment via arthroscopy, with the more common procedures used for ganglion cysts, ligamentous repair, or treatment of damage to the triangular fibrocartilage complex.

Twenty patients (20 hips) who had cementless acetabular revision arthroplasty and were treated with cancellous bone chips mixed with demineralized bone matrix to fill the cavitary defects were studied. At 2-years' follow-up, the grafts were fully incorporated in 18 patients. In addition, the mean Harris Hip Score increased to 89 points from a mean preoperative score of 29 points for the surviving hips. These preliminary findings suggest that the prepackaged demineralized bone matrix and cancellous chips can provide acceptable radiographic and clinical results as an adjunct in the treatment of contained osteolytic acetabular defects.

Over the past several years, metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty has become more popular with orthopedic surgeons. Michael A. Mont, MD, updates Orthopedics on the potential advantages of the implants.