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Background and purpose - The evidence-based algorithms for treatment of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) recommend surgical intervention in combination with the use of systemic antibiotics. However, still it is not unusual to treat total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients with suspected infection using only antibiotics. We investigated treatment pathways for TKA patients with suspected infection in Lithuania. Patients and methods - Of the 4,069 TKA patients (4,269 knees) registered in the Lithuanian Arthroplasty Register (2013-2015) 2,769 patients (2,825 knees) were interviewed 2 years after the surgery. The patients were asked if they had been subject to antibiotic treatment after the TKA surgery and/or if any additional surgical interventions on the operated knee had been performed. The number of patients treated with antibiotics due to problems in the operated knee was identified and cumulative revision rates (CRR) were calculated. Results - 180 (7%) patients of the total 2,769 reported that they had been prescribed antibiotics after the primary TKA; 132 of these patients (70%) said they had received antibiotics due to problems with the operated knee. The 2-year CRR after TKA in patients not treated with antibiotics was 0.7% (95% CI 0.4-1), as compared with 24% (95% CI 17-32) in those who had used antibiotics due to the problems in the operated knee for more than 1 week. Interpretation - In Lithuania there seems to be a lack of adherence to evidence-based treatment guidelines when infection is suspected after primary TKA.

Recently, there has been increasing interest in the use of dual mobility systems in the treatment of hip instability. The aim of this study was to investigate the re-revision rate of dual mobility cup compared to different surgical concepts when used for first-time hip revisions due to recurrent dislocations. The data were derived from the Lithuanian Arthroplasty Register. For survival analysis, we used both re-revision for all reasons and for dislocations as an end-point. Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the influence of various covariates (age, gender, and implant concept). A total of 1388 revisions were recorded from 2011 to 2015, of which 362 were performed due to recurrent dislocation. Of the revisions, 247 were performed using dual mobility cups, while 115 were performed using a variety of other surgical constructs including constrained acetabular cups, conventional cups, femoral head exchanges, stem exchanges or anti-luxation rings. There were 27 re-revisions of which 15 were for additional dislocations. There were only 2% re-revisions due to dislocation with dual mobility vs 9% when using other surgical constructs. Cox regression adjusting for age and gender showed that in the short-term, dual mobility cup had a lower risk of revision due to dislocation as well as for all reasons compared to the other surgical constructs. In revision of total hip arthroplasties for dislocation, significantly lower short-term re-revision rate was observed for patients revised with dual mobility cup.

Introduction: Elderly patients with displaced femoral neck fractures (FNF) are usually operated with arthroplasty but with various combinations of implants and approaches. Thus, the optimal treatment is still controversial. We aimed to compare the results between the cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty (HA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients operated for FNF regarding revision rate at 1 year postoperatively. Methods: The data were derived from the Lithuanian Arthroplasty Register. We included patients operated with cemented bipolar HA and compared them to the most frequently used cemented THA with 28-mm head during 2011–2016. For survival analysis, we used both revision for all reasons and for dislocations as an endpoint. Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyse the influence of covariates (age groups, gender, surgical approaches and arthroplasty groups). Results: There were 1177 bipolar HA and 514 THA included in our study. 26 (2.2%) revisions had occurred among the bipolar HAs as compared to 25 (4.9%) among the THAs 1 year after surgery. The main reason for revision was dislocation. The unadjusted cumulative revision rate for any reason at 1 year after surgery was 2.4% for the bipolar HA group and 5.1% for the THA group ( p = 0.0054). Cox regression analysis showed that the use of bipolar HA, anterolateral approach and younger age groups had lower risk of revision for all reasons. Conclusion: Bipolar HA and anterolateral approach had a significantly lower overall 1-year risk of revision in femoral neck fracture patients as compared to THA with 28-mm femoral heads.

Kasmet Lietuvoje atliekama apie 4000 klubo sąnario endoprotezavimo operacijų. Tai yra vienas iš pagrindinių klubo sąnario osteoartrozės gydymo metodų. Lietuvoje 2011 metais įkurtas endoprotezavimo registras, kurio veikla nukreipta vertinti endoprotezavimo operacijų rezultatus bei pakartrotinių endoprotezavimų priežastis. Šio darbo tikslas buvo įvertinti naudojamų klubo sąnario implantų pasiskirstymą bei išlikimą tarp skirtingo amžiaus pacientų grupių. Į tyrimą įtraukti visi LSER registruoti pirminiai klubo sąnario endoprotezavimo atvejai nuo 2011 m. sausio 1 d. iki 2013 m. gruodžio 31 d. Pacientų sekimo periodas prasidėdavo po atliktos operacijos ir tęsdavosi iki paciento mirties arba stebėjimo periodo pabaigos (2014 metų gruodžio 31 diena). Taip pat registruotos pakartotinės endoprotezavimo operacijos(revizijos) bei jų data. Tyrimo duomenimis, 2011–2013 metais atlikta iš viso 8850 klubo sąnario endoprotezavimo operacijų. Bendras implantų išlikimas praėjus vidutiniškai 30 mėn. po pirminės operacijos siekė 97,3 proc. Reikšmingo skirtumo tarp mechaninio ir cementinio tvirtinimo implantų išlikimo pacientams vyresniems kaip 60 metų ir pacientams iki 60 metų nenustatyta.

Kelio sąnario keitimo procedūra yra viena iš dažniausiai atliekamų ortopedinių operacijų Lietuvoje. Daugybė veiksnių turi įtakos gydymo rezultatams. Šios studijos tikslas buvo įvertinti paciento lyties, amžiaus bei naudojamo operacinio pjūvio įtaką pakartotinių operacijų dažniui pacientams, kuriems atliekamos kelio sąnario endoprotezavimo operacijos. Į tyrimą buvo įtraukti visi LSER duomenų bazėje užregistruoti pirminiai kelio sąnario endoprotezavimo atvejai nuo 2011 m. sausio 1 d. iki 2013 m. gruodžio 31 d. ir stebėti iki 2014 m. gruodžio 31 dienos. Taip pat registruotos pakartotinės endoprotezavimo operacijos (revizijos). Pagrindiniu vertinimo kriterijumi buvo implantų išlikimo dažnis po pirminės operacijos. Tyrimo duomenimis, per 2011–2013 metus kelio sąnario keitimo operacija atlikta 4436 moterims ir 1119 vyrams. Didžioji dalis kelio sąnario endoprotezavimo operacijų (88 proc.) atlikta klasikiniu medialiniu parapateliariniu pjūviu. Sekimo laikotarpiu registruotos 59 revizinės operacijos. Tai sudaro 1,1 proc. Kelio sąnario implantų išlikimas siekė 98,9 proc. praėjus vidutiniškai 30 mėnesių po pirminės operacijos. Stebėti šiek tiek geresni vyriškosios lyties pacientų implantų išlikimo rezultatai (99,0 proc.) nei moteriškosios (98,9 proc.), tačiau skirtumas nėra statistiškai reikšmingas. Palyginus kelio sąnario implantų išlikimą tarp dviejų amžiaus grupių, t.y. per 60 metų ir iki 60 metų, stebėta, kad pacientų iki 60 metų amžiaus grupėje EP išlikimo rezultatai yra blogesni (98,4 proc.) per 60 metų (99,1 proc.)

Background and purpose — The original Müller acetabular reinforcement ring (ARR) shows favorable medium-term results for acetabular reconstruction in total hip arthroplasty, where it is used when the acetabular bone stock is deficient. However, there are no data regarding long-term survival of the device. We therefore investigated long-term survival and analyzed radiological modes of failure. Patients and methods — Between 1984 and 2002, 321 consecutive primary arthroplasties using an ARR were performed in 291 patients. The mean follow-up time was 11 (0–25) years, and 24 hips were lost to follow-up. For survival analysis, we investigated 321 hips and the end of the follow-up was the date of revision, date of death, or the last patient contact date with implant still in situ. Radiological assessment was performed for 160 hips with a minimum of 10 years of follow-up and with radiographs of sufficient quality. It included evaluation of osteolysis, migration, and loosening. Results — 12 ARR THAs were revised: 1 isolated ARR revision for aseptic loosening, 4 revisions of the ARR and the stem for aseptic loosening, 6 for infection, and 1 for recurrent dislocation. The cumulative revision rate for all components, for any reason, at 20 years was 15% (95% CI: 10–22), while for the ARR only it was 7% (95% CI: 4–12) for any reason and 3.4% (95% CI: 1–9) for aseptic loosening. 21 (13%) of 160 ARR THAs examined had radiological changes: 7 had osteolysis but were not loose, and 14 were radiologically loose but were not painful and not revised. Interpretation — Our data suggest that the long-term survival of the ARR is excellent.

Background and purpose — Postoperative muscle strength and component alignment are important factors affecting functional results after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We are not aware of any studies that have investigated the relationship between them. We therefore investigated whether coronal malalignment of the mechanical axis and/or of individual implant components would affect knee muscle strength and function 1 year after TKA surgery.Patients and methods — We included 120 consecutive osteoarthritis (OA) patients admitted for TKA. Preoperative active range of motion (ROM) of the knee, patient age, sex, and BMI were recorded and the Knee Society score (KSS) and knee joint extensor/flexor muscle strength were assessed. At 1-year follow-up, the mechanical and coronal component alignment was measured from a postoperative long standing radiograph, and ROM, KSS, and muscle strength measurements were taken in 91 patients. Functional outcome and muscle strength measurements were compared between normally alig...

Malalignment of the components affects long term total knee arthroplasty (TKA) survival. One of the options for achieving better TKA alignment may be a detailed preoperative radiological assessment. The aim of the study – to investigate the femoral valgus angle variations and affecting factors in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Material and methods: We prospectively investigated severe OA patients, admitted for elective TKA. The standardized radiological assessment was performed – long standing hip-knee- ankle radiographs and the measurements were taken. We evaluated the relationship between the patients’, radiological parameters and femoral valgus angle. Results: 110 patients were included in the study and the mean measured femoral valgus angle was 6,7±1,3° and ranged from 4° to 10°. It was not significantly different between genders or varus/ valgus knee deformation. There was a significant relation between femoral valgus angle and neck-shaft, femoral bowing angles. Femoral valgus angle significantly increased with larger femoral bowing and smaller neck-shaft angles. Conclusions: Lithuanian patients with knee OA scheduled for TKA had a mean femoral valgus angle of 6,7±1,3° which ranged from 4° to 10°. Femoral neck-shaft and bowing angles significantly affects the femoral valgus angle.

Introduction: Patients with hip fractures are usually treated operatively in Western Europe. However, in Mid-Asia different indications are used to decide whether this patient is suitable for operative treatment and those are related to specific traditions and rules in hospital. Thus, traditions and surgeon/patient fears seem to affect treatment choices in hip fractures and subsequent outcomes. The aim of our study was to investigate patients with hip fractures and compare outcome at 1-year follow-up in the operated and nonoperated patient groups. Methods: All patients over 50 years old who sustained a hip fracture, between January 2014 and December 2014, were included. Patients were assessed preoperatively and at 1-year follow-up, using questionnaires from National Swedish Hip Fracture Register and quality of life (Euroqol EQ-5D). Results: Out of 398 included patients, 299 were operated on and 99 were not. 344 patients remained for our analysis before the end of 1-year follow-up. 51 patients (65%) deceased in the nonoperated group as compared to 55 (21%) in the operated group, pConclusions: We conclude that nonoperative treatment of hip fracture patients is associated with higher mortality and worse functional outcome as compared to those who were treated operatively. We therefore advocate operative treatment of the hip fracture in the vast majority of cases.

Background and objective: In 2010, the Lithuanian Association of Arhtroplasty was established and on January 1, 2011, initiated a national study of all reoperations after total knee (TKR) and total hip replacement (THR) in Lithuania. The aim of the study was to investigate the revision rates after TKR and THR at two years follow-up. Materials and methods: Lithuanian patients undergoing primary TKR and THR from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2012, were included in the study. The patient, surgery and prosthetic implantation data were collected via internet database. For reoperations we recorded the reason and type of revision, primary implantation date. We analyzed implant survival rates using any revision as an endpoint on included primary procedures, performed until September 1, 2013. Results: The completeness of the register verified with state patients fund data reached 85% of all replacements. Out of 3823 primary TKR during the study period 25 revisions were performed with overall implant survival rate 99%. The main reason for knee revision was infections. During the inclusion period we registered 6072 primary THR and 149 revisions with overall implant survival rate 97%. Recurrent dislocation of prosthetic component was the main reason for hip revision. Significantly inferior survival results for femoral neck fracture patients were observed as compared with patients operated for osteoarthritis. Posterior approach as compared to others significantly affected inferior implant survival rates for femoral neck fracture patients. Conclusions: The overall survival after total knee and hip replacements revealed a high treatment quality of this surgery in Lithuania.

The aim of our study was to investigate the dynamics of cortical thinning around well fixed cemented Muller straight stems without osteolysis at different time periods during long term follow-up. We investigated patients operated on for osteoarthritis with a cemented Muller straight stem, all with more than 15 years follow-up and no radiological signs of osteolysis. Cortical thinning in 20 THA hips (19 patients) followed for a mean of 20 (16 to 22) years was measured medially and laterally at six levels from the first postoperative, five, 10 years and the last follow-up x-rays. Sixty percent of observed cortical thinning occurred during the first five postoperative years, which was more evident proximally. We conclude that significantly greater cortical bone loss occurs around cemented Muller straight stems during the first five years, than is seen subsequently. We feel that this is a non-pathological process mainly related to the Muller straight stem.

The purpose of the study was to investigate how the use of dual-mobility cups (DMCs) affected the risk of revision due to dislocation as well as overall risk of revision compared with a conventional total hip arthroplasty (THA) system in the short term. A total of 12,657 primary THAs were registered from the start of 2011 to the end of 2014. 620 THAs were with DMCs. For comparison, we included all registered THAs with Exeter cup and a cemented Exeter stem combined with 28-mm femoral head. Patients were followed up with respect to revision and/or death until 1 January 2016. For survival analysis, we used revision as an endpoint. Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyse the influence of various covariates (age, gender, surgical approach, THA model and pre-operative diagnosis). Of the 620 dual-mobility THAs and 2170 Exeter THAs, 100 had been revised. The overall unadjusted cumulative revision rate (CRR) for any reason of revision at five years after surgery was 3.9% in the dual-mobility group and 5.2% in the Exeter group. Cox regression analysis, adjusting for age, gender, THA type, surgical approach and pre-operative diagnosis, showed that the risk of revision was less in patients operated with DMCs and in patients having their operation for osteoarthritis. The DM implant had a lower short-term complication rate than a conventional well defined THA. Low dislocation rate suggests that it is a good choice for high risk patients.

We investigated the cortical bone changes in 35 patients with total hip arthroplasty operated on only for osteoarthritis with more than 10 years of follow-up and with nonrevised femoral components and without radiologic signs of loosening. The mean follow-up was 16 ± 5 years. The thicknesses of femoral cortices were measured medially and laterally at 6 levels from the first postoperative and the last follow-up x-rays. A comparison with 10 patients who had a nonoperated contralateral hip was performed. We found a significant decrease in cortical thicknesses in total hip arthroplasty. The cortical thinning was significant at all periprosthetic levels but less expressed distally. Prosthetic femora were associated with greater cortical thinning as compared with the contralateral nonoperated femora, exceeding that caused by natural aging.

Background: The aim of this study was to describe the difference between the medial distal tibial angle (MDTA) when measured on whole lower limb radiographs and mortise radiographs of the ankle. Materials and Methods: A total of 48 legs were included of 24 healthy volunteers. Standard radiographs were obtained of the whole lower leg. Mortise radiographs were obtained of the ankle. The MDTA was measured on the digitized radiographs by three orthopaedic residents, one orthopaedic surgeon and one biomechanical movement scientist. For each leg, the angles measured from the two images were compared. The inter-observer reliability of each method was calculated. Results: The MDTA as measured on whole lower leg images (94.6 ± 2.6 degrees) was significantly different compared with the angle measured on mortise ankle images (92.1 ± 2.2 degrees) ( p < 0.01). The mean measurement difference between observers was less than 1 degree. Reliability of the measurements was good with a high association (κ = 0.85) between observers for the angles measured on the whole lower leg images and also a high association (κ = 0.83) between the observers for the mortise ankle image measurements. Conclusion: The MDTA is not the same on whole lower leg images and mortise views of the ankle. There was an excellent interobserver reliability for the angles measured. Clinical Relevance: Foot and ankle surgeons should take this into account when planning coronal deformity correction of the distal tibia. We believe whole lower leg images should be used to assess the medial distal tibial angle.

Background and purpose We have previously reported that the first 10 years of hip arthroplasty in Lithuania resulted in a higher cumulative revision rate than that observed in Sweden. We thus compared the corresponding results after introduaction of total knee replacement in Lithuania. Methods The 10-year revision rate for the first 595 primary ScanKnee arthroplasties inserted in Klaipeda, Lithuania, was compared to that for the first 1,280 ScanKnee primary arthroplasties inserted in Sweden. As in the hip replacement study, only patients with osteoarthritis (OA) were included. Primary knee arthroplasties without patellar resurfacing were included, and the endpoint was revision for any reason other than addition of a patellar component. Results We found that the cumulative revision rate was not statistically significantly different between the groups. The revision pattern was different, however, and we observed 24 isolated patellar component additions in Sweden, but none in Klaipeda. Interpretation Contrary to the results of our previous hip arthroplasty study, the cumulative revision rate after total knee arthroplasty was similar in the two groups. This suggests that compared to hip arthroplasty, the outcome of total knee arthroplasty was less dependent on surgical experience. The large difference regarding isolated patellar component additions may be explained by long-term accumulation of severe OA cases in Lithuania. To patients subject to a newly introduced surgical treatment offering great improvement in quality of life, patellofemoral pain may be a minor problem. Furthermore, patellar problems may not have seemed particularly relevant for the surgeons, considering the disability of other patients waiting to be treated. (Less)

Total knee replacement in severe osteoarthritis usually requires extensive soft tissue releases often associated with considerable bleeding. In a prospective, randomised trial we compared postoperative conventional suction drainage versus four hour clamping drainage in 60 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty for severe osteoarthritis. We compared blood loss, number of transfusions, postoperative complications and knee function and found significantly less postoperative blood loss through the drains (p

The aim of this study was to investigate if preoperative measurements of the femoral valgus angle (FVA) affected the mechanical alignment, individual component positions and clinical outcome in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). 120 patients were randomized into two groups. In one group (control), a fixed FVA for the intramedullary femoral guide was set at 7°, whereas in the other group (measured) FVA was measured preoperatively on long hip–knee–ankle radiographs, and the angle for the distal femoral cut was set accordingly. Preoperatively and 1 year after TKA, range of motion (ROM) and Knee Society Score (KSS) were assessed. Postoperatively, the coronal alignments of the components and the mechanical alignment were measured comparing the rate of outliers which deviated more than 3° from the neutral mechanical axis. 104 patients remained for the radiological analysis (52 in each group). There were no significant differences either in the mean preoperative or postoperative mechanical alignment, or femoral or tibial component alignment; also, there were no differences in the number of postoperative mechanical axis or tibial component alignment outliers. However, the number of femoral component alignment outliers was significantly higher in the control group. 97 patients were available for clinical outcome analysis. Preoperatively, the groups did not differ significantly with respect to KSS or ROM. The postoperative ROM and KSS functional subscale scores were similar between the groups. However, there was slightly but significantly better postoperative KSS objective subscale score in the measured group. Preoperative FVA measurement and following femoral distal cut adjustments did not affect overall leg alignment postoperatively, while positioning of femoral component was improved together with minor improvements in objective KSS subscale scores.

Background and purpose The posterior soft tissue repair is 1 of the preventing factors for dislocation after total hip arthroplasty (THA). The aim of our study was to analyse THA patients with posterior soft tissue repair in terms of suture durability, time of suture failure and correlate the changes in leg length and offset postoperatively to suture durability. Methods A total of 37 consecutive THA patients operated for osteoarthritis were included in the study. The posterior repair included reattaching the piriformis, conjoined tendons and posterior capsule to the greater trochanter through 2, 2 mm drill holes with 2 grasping stitches. A metal indicator wire was stitched into the piriformis tendon at distance of 1 cm from the greater trochanter after the prosthesis had been implanted and the joint reduced. Anteroposterior radiographs were taken immediately after the patients returned from the operating theatre to the intensive care unit, the next day after mobilisation, and at the 5th day of stay and at 3 months postoperatively. Results Out of 37 THA hips, 6 (16%) had failed immediately after surgery, 25 (68%) at the 1st postoperative day after mobilisation, 2 (5%) at the 5th postoperative day, and 1 (3%) repairs had failed at 3 months after THA. In the remaining 3 hips no failure occurred. Interpretation We conclude that posterior soft tissue repair in THA often fails and suggest that new posterior soft tissue repair methods be developed.

Hip dislocation after arthroplasty for femoral neck fractures (FNF) remains a serious complication. The aim of our study was to investigate FNF patients treated with THA, with a special focus of comparing the effect of surgical approach and femoral head size on the risk of revision for dislocation. Data were derived from the Lithuanian Arthroplasty Register, and we calculated the cumulative revision rates after surgery. For survival analysis, we used revision due to dislocation as an end-point. Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyse the influence of various covariates (age, gender, femoral head size, surgical approach). A total of 8,813 primary THAs were registered from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2013, of which 1,412 were due to FNF: 899 involved 28-mm femoral heads and the remaining 513 received 32-mm heads. The posterior approach was used in 1,156 cases and the anterolateral approach in 256.. At the end of the follow-up period, 74 hips had been revised for recurrent dislocation. Cox regression adjusting for age, gender and head size showed that the posterior approach had 2.3-times [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0–5.0, p = 0.04] greater risk of revision for dislocation We conclude that in order to reduce the early dislocation rate in FNF patients treated with THA, it is more effective to use the anterolateral approach than it is to select a femoral head size of 32 mm instead of 28 mm.

Background Previously was found that sonography is a reliable method to measure a capsular distance in total hip arthroplasty hips. The aim of our current study was to investigate the relation between the implanted size of the cup and the anterior capsular distance, as measured with ultrasound one year after THA. Methods 50 osteoarthritis (OA) patients operated on with total hip arthroplasty one year before were included in the study and the anterior capsular distance was measured sonographically. Patients were grouped with respect to cup size. The correlation between the implanted cup size and capsular distance was determined. Results The mean capsular distance in the whole group was 1.37 (SD 0.19) cm. The mean capsular distance in the group with small cups was 1.27 (SD 0.13) cm, in large cups it was 1.45 (SD 0.20) cm, p = 0.02. Spearman correlation analysis showed a statistically significant correlation between a greater capsular distance and the larger size of the cup (r = 0.5, p