Search

Initial design cementless metal-backed patellar implants failed due to multiple reasons including implant design, use of first-generation polyethylene, and surgical technique. This study evaluates clinical outcomes and survivorship of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using a current generation highly porous metal-backed patellar component. One-hundred twenty-five consecutive primary cementless TKAs with a compression molded highly porous metal-backed patella were reviewed. One-hundred three TKAs (82.4%) with 5-year clinical and radiographic follow-up were available for review. These were matched with 103 consecutive TKAs using a cemented patella of the same implant design. The cementless cohort had a mean age of 65.5 years, body mass index (BMI) of 33.0, and follow-up of 64.4 months. Indications for cementless TKA were based on multiple factors including age, BMI, and bone quality. There were no revisions for loosening or mechanical failure of the cementless patella compared with two cemented patellae revised for aseptic loosening. Eight patients required revisions in the cementless cohort: three for prosthetic joint infection (PJI), two for instability, one periprosthetic femur fracture, one for patella instability, and one for extensor mechanism rupture. Five patients required revisions in the cemented cohort: two for aseptic patellar loosening, one for aseptic femoral loosening, one for PJI, and one for instability. All-cause survivorship at 5 years was 92.2 and 95.1% for the cementless metal-backed implant and cemented implant cohorts, respectively. Use of a compression molded highly porous metal-backed patella component demonstrated excellent clinical and radiographic results at 5-year follow-up. Longer follow-up is required to evaluate the ability of highly porous cementless patella implants to provide durable long-term fixation.

Background Morbidly obese patients undergoing cemented primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can pose a challenging problem with implant survivorship due to greater stress at the cement-bone interface. With the advent of additive manufacturing (three-dimensional printing), highly porous implants are now readily available. The purpose of this study was to review the results of primary TKA in the morbidly obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 40) patient using a highly porous cementless tibial baseplate. Methods This is a retrospective study of 167 TKAs in patients with morbid obesity undergoing primary cementless TKA with a minimum 5-year follow-up. A total of 6 patients died and 14 were lost to follow-up, leaving 147 TKAs in 136 patients with a mean follow-up of 66 months (range 60–79 months). The average age was 59 years (range 36–84 years) and average BMI was 45 kg/m2 (range 39.5–63.9). Clinical results, patient-reported outcome measures, radiographs, and complications were reviewed. Results There were 9 failures requiring revision, including 3 for aseptic tibial loosening (2.0%), 2 for deep infection (1.4%), 2 for patellar resurfacing (1.4%), 1 for patella instability (0.7%), and 1 for extensor mechanism rupture (0.7%). Knee Society Score (KSS) improved from 48 to 90 at 2- and 5-year follow-up. KSS function score improved from 49 to 68 and 79 at 2- and 5-year follow-up, respectively. Survivorship with aseptic loosening as the endpoint was 98.0% at 5 years. Conclusion Cementless TKA using a highly porous tibial baseplate in morbidly obese patients demonstrated excellent clinical results with 98% survivorship at 5 years and appears to offer durable long-term biologic fixation as an alternative to mechanical cement fixation in this challenging group of patients.

Large femoral head sizes are commonly used in total hip arthroplasty (THA) to minimize the risk of instability. With small acetabular cup-size, large femoral head diameter often results in the use of thin polyethylene liners. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiographic results of large femoral heads against thin polyethylene liners with minimum 5-year follow-up.This was a retrospective review identifying 58 primary THAs utilizing thin polyethylene inserts from one manufacturer (X3 polyethylene, Stryker, Mahwah, NJ) and large femoral heads (36 mm or greater) with minimum 5-year follow-up. A total of 3 patients were deceased and 11 lost to follow-up, leaving 44 patients for review. All patients were female with mean age 65.7 (range 26-85) and mean body mass index (BMI) 29.9 (range 19.6-45.4). Average length of follow-up was 8.5 years (range 5.1-11.3). Outcome measures included survivorship, complications, PROMs and radiographic analysis.There were four revisions: two aseptic loosening, one prosthetic joint infection, and one recurrent dislocation. Average HOOS-Jr, FJS-12, and patient satisfaction using Likert score was 94.3/100, 92.9/100, and 4.69/5.00, respectively, with 94% of patients reporting being satisfied or very satisfied. Radiographic analysis at average of 8.5 years demonstrated well-fixed implants without evidence of progressive radiolucent lines, osteolysis, or failure of the polyethylene liner. Survivorship using failure of the thin polyethylene liner as the endpoint was 100% at an average of 8.5 years.Thin polyethylene liners used with large femoral head sizes in small acetabular cups demonstrated excellent results at average 8.5-year follow-up with no cases of liner fracture or osteolysis.

The objective of this study was to examine the health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes for surgically‐treated atypical femur fractures (AFFs) compared to typical femoral diaphyseal fractures. Two large trauma center databases were retrospectively queried for surgically‐treated femur fractures. Fractures were grouped into AFFs and compared to a control cohort. Controls for the AFF group included women with diaphyseal fractures without additional AFF characteristics. Patients were contacted for administration of the Short Form‐36v2 Health Survey. Surveys were completed an average of 30.3 months (range, 6–138 months) and 25.5 months (range, 5–77 months) postoperatively for the AFF and non‐AFF groups, respectively. All patients were female, with 46 patients in the AFF and 26 patients in the non‐AFF group. The average age of the AFF group was 70.1 years compared with an average age of 67.4 years in the non‐AFF group (p = 0.287). Over 90% (91.3%) of patients in the AFF group had a history of bisphosphonate use while 26.9% of patients in the non‐AFF group had used bisphosphonates (p

Hydrocodone is the most prescribed opioid in the US. The objective was to evaluate associations between genetic, intrinsic, and extrinsic patient factors, plasma hydrocodone and metabolites, common side effects, and pain scores in a cohort of orthopedic surgery patients.Data for each patient was collected by review of the electronic hospital record (EHR), and patient interview. Patients were recruited from those with trauma or undergoing scheduled elective surgery for total knee replacement or total hip at the University of Louisville Hospital, Baptist East Hospital, and Jewish Hospital, Louisville, KY. Plasma opiate concentrations and a targeted genotyping panel was performed.There were statistically significant correlations with daily (p 0.001) and total dose (p = 0.002) of hydrocodone in hospital and duration of opioid therapy. The length of opioid administration was significantly shorter in CYP2D6 EM/UM versus CYP2D6 PM/IM patients (p = 0.018). Subjects with the OPRM1 c.118G variant were also on opioids longer (p = 0.022). The effect of co-administration of a CYP2D6 inhibitor had a significant effect on the length of opioid therapy (P 0.001). And not surprisingly the effect of the inhibitor adjusted CYP2D6 phenotype was greater in both the hospital stay period and days of opioid use post hospital discharge (p 0.001).Based on this study, patients should be evaluated for the use of inhibitors of CYP2D6, during hydrocodone therapy can alter the phenotype of the patient (phenocopy) and increase the probability that the patient will be on opioids for longer periods of time.

Background Obese and morbidly obese patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) place significant stress at the bone-cement-implant interface over the life of the patient. The purpose of this study is to evaluate results of cemented, posterior-stabilized TKA in obese and morbidly obese patients at an average follow-up of 10 years. Methods Retrospective study of 181 patients who had a cemented, posterior-stabilized TKA between 2000 and 2013 with body mass index >35 at the time of surgery was conducted. Clinical data and radiographs were evaluated along with survivorship, complications, and revisions. Minimum follow-up was 5 years with an average follow-up of 10 years. Results There were 135 women and 46 men in the study, with mean age of 60.2 years (range 43-80), mean body mass index of 42.0 (range 35.1-66.1), and an average follow-up of 10 years (range 5-18). There were a total of 39 failures (22%) that underwent revision TKA surgery with mean time to revision of 8 years. Failures included 25 (14%) cases of aseptic loosening; 9 (5%) polyethylene wear; 2 (1%) prosthetic joint infection; and 3 additional revisions for instability, pain, and stiffness. There were a total of 11 cases of isolated tibial component loosening and 13 for both tibial and femoral loosening. Survivorship at 15 years with aseptic loosening as the endpoint was 86.7%, and for all causes 79.6% at 15 years. Conclusion Aseptic loosening is the leading cause of failure following TKA in obese and morbidly obese patients with decreasing survivorship from 96.1% to 91.2% and 86.7% at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively.

Nail gun injuries are common among users, and most frequently involve the hands and lower extremities. A wide variation in costs and time are missed from work due to these injuries, and training on the proper use of nail guns has been shown to decrease workplace-related injuries. Minimal long-term disability can be expected, and orthopedic evaluations provide an opportunity to inform patients on proper use of these devices. In this article, management of nail gun injuries is discussed, including the necessity for a high suspicion for wound contamination because foreign material is often deposited with the nail, as well as treatment with debridement and antibiotics. [ Orthopedics . 2019; 42(5):e410–e414.]

Background Although cemented total knee arthroplasty (TKA) continues to be the gold standard, there are patient populations with higher failure rates with cemented TKAs such as the obese, morbidly obese, and younger active males. Cementless TKA usage continues to increase because of the potential benefits of long-term biologic fixation similar to the rise in cementless total hip arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic results of cementless TKA using a novel highly porous cementless tibial baseplate. Methods This was a retrospective matched case-control study of 400 primary TKAs comparing cementless vs cemented TKAs using the same implant design (Stryker Triathlon; Stryker Inc, Mahwah, NJ). Two-hundred patients with a mean age of 64 years (range 42-88 years) and body mass index (BMI) of 33.9 kg/m2 (range 19.7-57.1 kg/m2) were matched to 200 primary cemented TKA patients with a mean age of 64 years (range 43-87 years) and BMI of 33.1 kg/m2 (range 22.2-53.2 kg/m2). The mean follow-up in the cementless group was 2.4 years (range 2-3.5 years) and in the cemented group was 5.3 years (range 2-10.9 years). Clinical and radiographic analyses were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using the Microsoft Excel, version 15.21.1. Results There was no statistical difference in age, BMI, and preoperative Knee Society Scores between the 2 groups (P = .22, P = .82, and P = .43, respectively). Patients in both groups had a similar incidence of postoperative complications (P = .90). Cementless group had 7 revisions with one aseptic loosening of the tibial component (0.5%). Cementless tibial baseplates demonstrated areas of increased bone density at the pegs of the tibial baseplate. The cemented group had 8 total revisions with 5 cases of aseptic loosening (2.5%). Conclusion Early results of cementless TKA using a highly porous tibial baseplate designed with a keel and 4 pegs appear promising with one case of aseptic loosening at minimum 2-year follow-up. As the demographics of patients undergoing TKA change to include younger, obese, and more active patients, along with increased life expectancy, the use of a highly porous cementless tibial baseplate may be beneficial in providing long-term durable biologic fixation similar to the success of cementless total hip arthroplasty.

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of topical Tranexamic Acid (TXA) versus Intravenous (IV) Tranexamic Acid for reduction of blood loss following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This prospective randomized study involved 89 patients comparing topical administration of 2.0g TXA, versus IV administration of 10mg/kg. There were no differences between the two groups with regard to patient demographics or perioperative function. The primary outcome measure, perioperative change in hemoglobin level, showed a decrease of 3.06 ± 1.02 in the IV group and 3.42 ± 1.07 in the topical group (P = 0.108). There were no statistical differences between the groups in preoperative hemoglobin level, lowest postoperative hemoglobin level, or total drain output. One patient in the topical group required blood transfusion (P = 0.342). Based on our study, topical Tranexamic Acid has similar efficacy to IV Tranexamic Acid for TKA patients.

This is a retrospective review of 46 primary total hip arthroplasties using a first-generation highly cross-linked ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene liner (Crossfire; Stryker, Mahwah, NJ) with an average of 9-year follow-up. The purpose of this study was to measure linear penetration rate of first-generation polyethylene to determine if it maintains its wear resistance and fatigue strength over an extended period compared with conventional polyethylene. The mean (SD) total penetration was 0.339 (0.204) mm, and the mean (SD) penetration rate was 0.037 (0.022) mm/y. Our study demonstrated a 74% reduction in total penetration of highly cross-linked polyethylene when compared with historical controls using conventional polyethylene at an average of 9 years. Our results support the belief that highly cross-linked polyethylene does retain its wear resistance over an extended period.

The purpose of this study was to determine if the use of both a larger femoral head size and a posterior capsular repair would lead to a decreased incidence of dislocation following revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). Two hundred forty-two consecutive revision THAs with posterolateral approach were performed between 2000 and 2005. Group 1 had 132 revision THAs with posterolateral approach and 28-mm head size without posterior capsule repair. Group 2 had 100 revision THAs with a 32-mm head size and repair of the remaining hip capsule. There were no statistically significant differences in the two groups. Group 1 had 14 dislocations (10.6%). Group 2 had 3 dislocations (2.7%) (P < .05). Based on the results of this retrospective review, the authors recommend the use of both larger femoral head sizes and repair of any posterior capsular tissue available in patients undergoing revision hip arthroplasty.

The damage control (DCO) approach to the injured limb requires the application of damage control orthopedic principles to an extremity. Like the overall DCO approach to the polytrauma patient, limb damage control corrects local metabolic disturbances (e.g., acidosis, contamination, etc.), corrects local hypothermia (e.g., warming the limb, ensuring adequate perfusion, etc.), and reverses coagulopathy (e.g., controlling profound bleeding, etc.). Along with fixing local metabolic disturbances, controlling bleeding, and ensuring adequate perfusion, provisional skeletal stability with external fixation is achieved.

Damage control orthopedics for pelvic fractures involves early identification of the potentially lethal injury which can cause exsanguination [1], and prompt decision making to determine which fracture patterns require pelvic external fixation.

This is a retrospective review of 46 primary total hip arthroplasties using a first-generation highly cross-linked ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene liner (Crossfire; Stryker, Mahwah, NJ) with an average of 9-year follow-up. The purpose of this study was to measure linear penetration rate of first-generation polyethylene to determine if it maintains its wear resistance and fatigue strength over an extended period compared with conventional polyethylene. The mean (SD) total penetration was 0.339 (0.204) mm, and the mean (SD) penetration rate was 0.037 (0.022) mm/y. Our study demonstrated a 74% reduction in total penetration of highly cross-linked polyethylene when compared with historical controls using conventional polyethylene at an average of 9 years. Our results support the belief that highly cross-linked polyethylene does retain its wear resistance over an extended period.

Objective The radial nerve is at risk during the posterior plating of the humerus. The purpose of this anatomic study was to assess the extent of radial nerve dissection required for anterior transposition through the fracture site (transfracture anterior transposition). Methods A cadaver study was conducted approaching the humerus by a posterior midline incision. The extent of dissection of the nerve necessary for plate fixation of the humerus fracture was measured. An osteotomy was created to model a humeral shaft fracture at the spiral groove (OTA classification 12-A2, 12-A3). The radial nerve was then transposed anterior to the humeral shaft through the fracture site. The additional dissection of the radial nerve and the extent of release of soft tissue from the humerus shaft to achieve the transposition were measured. Results Plating required a dissection of the radial nerve 1.78 cm proximal and 2.13 cm distal to the spiral groove. Transfracture anterior transposition of the radial nerve required an average dissection of 2.24 cm proximal and 2.68 cm distal to the spiral groove. The lateral intermuscular septum had to be released for 2.21 cm on the distal fragment to maintain laxity of the transposed nerve. Conclusions Transfracture anterior transposition of the radial nerve before plating is feasible with dissection proximal and distal to the spiral groove and elevation of the lateral intermuscular septum. Potential clinical advantages of this technique include enhanced fracture site visualization, application of broader plates, and protection of the radial nerve during the internal fixation.