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Recently, 3-dimensional (3D) printing technology has been used in the development of titanium metaphyseal cones to manage severe bone loss in revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA). This study assessed (1) radiographs; (2) functional outcomes; (3) complications; and (4) 2-year implant survivorship in patients receiving 3D-printed titanium metaphyseal cones for moderate-to-severe tibial and femoral bone loss in rTKA. A single institution, retrospective chart review was performed for patients with large bone defects treated with a 3D-printed femoral or tibial titanium metaphyseal cone between 2015 and 2017 during rTKA (N=54). Paired sample t tests analyzed Knee Society Scores (KSS). Kaplan–Meier analyses determined implant survivorship when the endpoint was cone revision for aseptic loosening, cone revision for any reason, and reoperation for any reason. The authors found that 51 (98.1%) of 52 available radiographs demonstrated well-fixed components without any evidence of loosening or migration. Mean postoperative KSS scores were significantly higher when compared with preoperative scores (80.4 vs 52.0; P >.001). One patient experienced aseptic loosening of their cone. Seven additional cones were explanted as a consequence of reinfection, 1 of which was removed prior to arthrodesis. Cone survivorship was 98.5% when the endpoint was cone revision due to aseptic loosening, 88.2% when cone revision was due to any reason, and 77.9% for any reoperation. Metaphyseal cones appear to be well-suited for large bone defects during rTKA and the authors' findings suggest that cones may be a viable option for metaphyseal fixation during rTKA. Future studies should focus on their durability during a longer time period. [ Orthopedics . 2021;44(1):43–47.]

BACKGROUND Same-day bilateral total knee arthroplasty (BiTKA) is a controversial topic in orthopedics, prompting a consensus statement to be released by national experts. To date, no studies have evaluated the trends of this method since these recommendations. This study utilized a national database to evaluate: 1) incidence; 2) patient characteristics; 3) hospital characteristics; and 4) inpatient course for same-day BiTKAs in the United States from 2009 to 2016. METHOD The National Inpatient Sample database was queried for individuals undergoing same-day BiTKAs, yielding 245,138 patients. Patient demographics included age, sex, race, obesity status and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score. Hospital characteristics consisted of location/teaching status, geographic region, charges, and costs. Inpatient course included length of stay, discharge disposition, and complications. RESULTS Same-day BiTKA incidence decreased from 5.6% to 4.0% over the study (p

In the United States, one-third of adults are considered obese, and demand for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is expected to rise in these patients. Surgeons are reluctant to operate on obese patients, but it is important to understand how obesity has affected TKA utilization. This study utilizes a national database to evaluate incidence, demographics, outcomes, charges, and cost in nonobese, overweight, nonmorbidly obese, and morbidly obese TKA patients. We queried the National Inpatient Sample from 2009 to 2016 for primary TKA patients identifying 4,053,037 nonobese patients, 40,077 overweight patients, 809,649 nonmorbidly obese patients, and 428,647 morbidly obese patients. Chi-square was used to analyze categorical variables, and one-way analysis of variance was used to analyze continuous variables. Nonmorbidly obese and morbidly obese patients represented 23.2% of all TKAs. TKA utilization increased 4.1% for nonobese patients, 121.6% for overweight patients, 73.6% for nonmorbidly obese patients, and 83.9% for morbidly obese patients. Morbidly obese patients were younger (p

In 2014, Maryland implemented the Global Budget Revenue (GBR) model for cost reduction and quality improvement. This study evaluated GBR's effect on demographics and outcomes for patients who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) by comparing Maryland to the United States (U.S.). We identified primary TKA patients in Maryland's State Inpatient Database (n = 71,022) and the National Inpatient Sample (n = 4,045,245) between 2011 and 2016 utilizing International Classification of Disease (ICD)-9 and ICD-10 diagnosis codes. Multiple regression was used for difference-in-difference (DID) analyses to compare the intervention cohort (Maryland) to the nonintervention cohort (U.S.) between the pre-GBR (2011–2013) and post-GBR (2014–2016) periods. After GBR implementation, there were proportionally less white, obese, morbidly obese, Medicare, and Medicaid patients with proportionally more routine discharge patients in Maryland and the U.S. (all p

Background: Maryland implemented the Global Budget Revenue (GBR) to reduce hospital costs, improve quality, and decrease readmissions. Studies assessing its impact on inpatient total hip arthroplasty (THA) procedures are lacking. This study compared before and after GBR changes in 1) patient characteristics; 2) discharge dispositions and lengths of stay (LOS); 3) costs and charges of inpatient stays; and 4) 30-day readmission rates (RR) for THA recipients. Methods: The Maryland State Inpatient Database was queried for patients who underwent THA between 2010 and 2016 utilizing the ICD-9 and ICD-10 procedure codes (n = 43,251). Pre- and post-GBR periods were grouped as 2010 to 2013 and 2014 to 2016, respectively. Chi-square analyses were used to analyze patient characteristics. Student’s t-tests were utilized to compare ages, LOS, costs, charges, and RR. Results: There were no differences in the proportion of minorities undergoing THA between the pre- and post-GBR periods (18.3% vs 19.4% African American, 1.2% vs 1.3% Hispanic; P = .056). The number of THA patients with Medicaid insurances increased during post-GBR (4.0% vs 6.7%; P < .001). There was an increased rate of home discharges during post-GBR (33.1% vs 40.9%; P < .001). We found lower LOS (−0.50 days; 95% CI: −0.458 to −0.533; P < .001), mean inpatient costs (−$1417.44; 95% CI −$1143.76 to −$1150.32; P < .001), and mean inpatient charges (−$2196.50; 95% CI: −$1980.10 to −$2412.90; P

Background: The risk of periprosthetic joint infection following revision total knee arthroplasty is high, as is the cost of care. Decreasing periprosthetic joint infection risk may include utilization of calcium sulfate beads. Calcium sulfate beads have been gaining momentum in treating infected joints because of their potential advantages, including antibiotic elution and dissolvability. However, literature documenting their utilization in aseptic revision is sparse. This study compares: 1) infection rates; 2) length of stay; 3) subsequent infection procedures; and 4) final surgical outcome between one-stage aseptic revision total knee arthroplasty patients who received calcium sulfate beads and those who did not. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review to identify patients who underwent aseptic one-stage revision total knee arthroplasty between January 2013 and December 2017. Outcomes collected included postoperative infection rate, length of stay, subsequent irrigation and debridement, and final surgical outcome, classified as a successful total knee arthroplasty reimplantation, a retained antibiotic spacer, or an above knee amputation. Chi-square analysis was used to analyze all categorical variables, while Student’s t-testing was used for continuous variables. A p-value of 0.5 was set as the threshold for statistical significance. Results: Calcium sulfate bead patients did not differ from non-calcium sulfate bead patients with regard to the number of postoperative infections (p=0.103), lengths of stay (p=0.210), irrigation and debridement procedures (p=0.063) and surgical outcome (p=0.085). Conclusion: Patients who received calcium sulfate beads had analogous surgical outcomes and infection rates to non-calcium sulfate bead patients. The use of calcium sulfate beads in aseptic one-stage revision total knee arthroplasty may not be beneficial in preventing infection and reducing costs.

Same-day bilateral total knee arthroplasties (SBTKAs) are associated with shorter rehabilitation and lower cost. However, controversy surrounding the safety of SBTKAs exists. Recent studies are lacking to determine whether patient selection has brought SBTKA in line with unilateral total knee arthroplasty (UTKA). Therefore, the authors evaluated and compared patient characteristics, hospital characteristics, and inpatient course between UTKA and SBTKA from 2009 to 2016. The National Inpatient Sample was queried from 2009 to 2016 for UTKA and SBTKA patients. Of the 5,329,466 patients identified, 5,084,328 (95.4%) patients received UTKAs and 245,138 (4.6%) patients underwent SBTKAs. Incidence, rate, patient and hospital characteristics, health status, length of stay (LOS), discharge disposition, hospital charges, hospital costs, and complications were analyzed and statistically compared. The incidence (−1.4%) and rate (15.8%) of SBTKAs decreased (both P P P P Orthopedics . 2021;44(3):e407–e413.]

Maryland implemented the all-payer, rater-setting Global Budget Revenue (GBR) payment model in 2014 to reduce cost and improve quality. This study assessed the effect of GBR on total knee arthroplasty (TKA) outcomes by sex. Specifically, the authors assessed (1) demographics and (2) outcomes of males and females undergoing TKA before and after GBR implementation. The Maryland State Inpatient Database was queried from 2011 to 2016. There were 71,066 TKAs (male, n=25,413; female, n=45,634). For continuous and categorical variables, t testing and chi-square analyses were used, respectively. Difference-in-difference analyses using multiple regression compared changes in sex from the pre-GBR period (2011-2013) with the post-GBR period (2014–2016). The female proportion decreased (−1.9%; P =.040). Proportionally more TKA patients were Hispanic and Asian, from high-income areas, using Medicare and Medicaid, and morbidly obese (all P P P P P Orthopedics . 2021;44(2):e266–e273.]

Background The niche surgery of same-day bilateral total knee arthroplasty (sd-BTKA) continues to create debate amongst specialists in arthroplasty. To date, there is a significant lack of literature on obese patients undergoing sd-BTKA, and no study has evaluated outcomes of this procedure when compared to non-obese patients. Therefore, this study will perform a retrospective analysis to compare (I) incidence, (II) demographics, and (III) complications of sd-BTKA in non-obese, obese, and morbidly obese patients in the United States from 2009 to 2016. Methods The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was queried for all individuals that underwent sd-BTKA from 2009 to 2016. This returned 184,844 non-obese patients, 39,901 obese patients, and 20,394 morbidly obese patients. Analyzed variables included mean age, mean length of stay (LOS), race, payer, age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index score, discharge disposition, hospital charges, hospital costs, and complications. Chi-square analyses and analyses of variance were utilized to assess categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Results Non-obese patients most commonly underwent sd-BTKA over the course of the study. As weight status increased, mean age decreased and the proportion of females, LOS, hospital charges and costs, and proportion of discharges to skilled nursing facilities increased. Regression analysis demonstrated obese and morbidly obese cohorts were at an overall increased odds for experiencing complications. Specifically, obese patients were at increased risk for pulmonary emboli, periprosthetic joint infections, and respiratory failures, while morbidly obese patients are at increased risk for pulmonary emboli, respiratory failures, and urinary tract infections. Conclusions Surgeons should thoroughly evaluate the risks and benefits of performing sd-BTKA on obese and morbidly obese patients, as both confer higher overall complication rates and increased length of stay. More research is necessary to characterize the cost analysis of this procedure, as health care models continue to transition to more cost-effective procedures.

Same-day bilateral total knee arthroplasties (BTKAs) are associated with increased complications compared with staged procedures; however, as complication rates and lengths of stay (LOS) for same-day procedures decrease, they may become attractive alternatives to staged procedures. The void of recent nationwide studies comparing the 30-day total cost and risks of these procedures inspired this propensity matched review. Therefore, we compared 30-day outcomes in staged and same-day BTKAs occurring in 2016 and 2017 using the National Readmission Database (NRD), a nationwide database. The NRD was queried for all same-day and staged BTKA patients from January 1 to November 30 for both 2016 and 2017. Since the NRD links readmissions within one calendar year, TKAs occurring in this month were excluded to allow 30-day follow-up. Propensity matching was performed based on demographics, producing 19,334 patients in both cohorts. Thirty-day readmission, revision, and mortality rates, hospital costs, LOS, discharge dispositions, and complications were analyzed. Chi-square and Student's t-tests assessed categorical and continuous variables, respectively. A p-value of 0.050) were associated staged compared with same-day BTKAs. The results suggest inpatient cost savings associated with same-day surgeries should be weighed against the slight increase in LOS and PEs. Ultimately, as LOS and PE rates continue to decrease from innovations and quality improvements, same-day BTKA may become an attractive alternative to staged BTKAs, especially if payer's incentive surgeons by increasing physician reimbursements.

Introduction As morbid obesity disproportionately affects minorities and those of lower socioeconomic status, body mass index (BMI) restrictions on total hip arthroplasty (THA) may harm populations already facing disparities in care. Therefore, this study analyzed demographics and outcomes in morbidly obese primary THA patients. Methods The National Inpatient Sample was queried for THAs performed between 2009 and 2016. Of 2,676,086 patients identified, 453,250 had a BMI over 25 kg/m2. Patients were stratified by BMI into overweight (BMI=25.0-29.9 kg/m2), non-morbidly obese (BMI=30.0-40.0 kg/m2), and morbidly obese (BMI>40.1 kg/m2). Patient demographics (age, sex, race, insurance, income, and Charlson Comorbidity Index) and outcomes (length of stay [LOS], mortality, disposition, complications, charges, and costs) were assessed. Categorical and continuous data were analyzed with chi-square analyses and one-way analyses of variance, respectively. Results The number of overweight, non-morbidly obese, and morbidly obese patients increased by 299.0%, 109.3%, and 90.9%, respectively, between 2009 and 2016 (p

Periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are serious orthopaedic complications that pose marked burdens to both patients and health care systems. At our institution, two-stage exchange with a temporary short antibiotic cement-coated intramedullary nail was utilized for the treatment of repeat PJIs in a series of compromised patients with considerable bone loss. This study reports on (1) success rates, (2) functional and pain outcomes, (3) and complications for patients receiving a temporary short intramedullary nail for the treatment of PJI. Our institutional database was queried for all repeat knee PJI patients between March 1st, 2009 and February 28th, 2015. Patients with type II/III Anderson Orthopaedic Research Institute (AORI) bone defects who underwent two-stage exchange arthroplasty with a short antibiotic-coated intramedullary nail were included for analysis (n = 31). Treatment success was determined using the Delphi-based consensus definition of a successfully treated PJI: infection eradication (healed wound with no recurrence of infection by the same organism), no further surgical intervention for infection after reimplantation, and no PJI-related mortality. A paired t-test was performed to assess for continuous variables. A total of 26 patients went on to reimplantation, while 5 patients retained the intramedullary nail. Overall treatment success was 74.2%. Range of motion significantly decreased postoperatively (102.1 vs. 87.3 degrees; p

Introduction As total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) transition to outpatient settings, appropriate pain management remains a challenge. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may subvert the need for postoperative opioids. This study evaluated: 1) total opioid consumption; 2) postoperative pain intensity; 3) discharge destination; 4) length of stay (LOS); and 5) THA and TKA patients’ satisfaction in receiving adjunctive intravenous (IV) diclofenac or ketorolac. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, patients scheduled to undergo primary THA or TKA by a single surgeon between March 2017 and April 2018 were identified. Patients were stratified based on the receipt of IV diclofenac (THA: n = 25; TKA: n = 51) or IV ketorolac (THA: n = 28; TKA: n = 32) in addition to the standard pain management regimen. Student’s t-testing and Chi-square were used to analyze continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Results TKA diclofenac patients had lower opioid consumption 12 hours postoperatively (p: 0.037). TKA patients in the diclofenac cohort were discharged to home less often (p: 0.025). Both diclofenac cohorts had greater patient satisfaction than the ketorolac cohorts (p: 0.05 for all). Conclusion This study demonstrated that both TKA and THA patients treated with IV diclofenac had no difference in postoperative pain intensity while THA patients had no difference in opioid consumption relative to those treated with IV ketorolac. Further comparison of IV NSAIDs with other IV pain medications may provide broader insight into the ideal management for postoperative pain for this widening patient population.

Osteoarthritis (OA) continues to be a leading cause of disability and healthcare expenditure in the United States (US). This is only expected to rise as the population continues to age (1).

Maryland possesses a unique, population-based alternative payment model named Global Budget Revenue (GBR). This study evaluated the effects of GBR on demographics and outcomes for patients who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) by comparing Maryland to the United States (U.S.).We identified primary THA patients in the Maryland State Inpatient Database (n = 35,925) and the National Inpatient Sample (n = 2,155,703) between 2011 and 2016 utilizing International Classification of Diseases 9 and 10 diagnosis codes. Qualitative analysis was used to report trends. Multiple regressions were used for difference-in-difference (DID) analyses to compare Maryland to the U.S. between pre-GBR (2011-2013) and post-GBR (2014-2016) periods.After GBR implementation, there were proportionally more patients who were obese (Maryland: +5.1% vs U.S.: +3.0%), used Medicare (+1.6% vs +0.7%), used Medicaid (+2.4% vs +1.3%) while less used private insurance (-4.2% vs -1.8%) (all P.001). There were proportionally less home health care patients in Maryland, but more in the U.S. (-3.5% vs +1.6%; both P.001). The mean costs decreased for both cohorts (-$1780.80 vs -$209.40; both P.001). The DID found Maryland saw more Medicaid and less private insurance patients under GBR (both P ≤ .001). Maryland saw more obese patients than would be expected (P = .001). The DID also found decreased costs for patients under GBR (P.001 for both).Maryland has benefitted from GBR with decreased cost and an increase in Medicaid patients. Maryland may provide a viable model for future healthcare policies that incorporate global budgets.

Introduction This review summarizes single vs dual antibiotic cement literature, evaluating for synergistic activity with dual antibiotics. Methods A systematic review was performed for literature regarding dual antibiotics in cement, identifying 13 studies to include for review. Results Many in vitro studies reported higher elution from cement and/or improved bacteria inhibition with dual antibiotics, typically at higher dosages with a manual mixing technique. Limited clinical data from hip hemiarthroplasties and spacers demonstrated that dual antibiotics were associated with improved infection prevention and higher intra-articular antibiotic concentrations. Conclusion In addition to broader pathogen coverage, several studies document synergy of elution and increased antibacterial activity when dual antibiotics are added to cement. Limited clinical evidence suggests that dual antibiotic cement may be associated with reduced infection rates.