Primary Hip Arthroplasty Research Articles

Day-case success or why still in hospital after total hip, total knee, and medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasties?

Day-case success rates after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA), total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (mUKA) may vary, and detailed data are needed on causes of not being discharged. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between surgical procedure type and successful day-case surgery, and to analyze causes of not being discharged on the day of surgery when eligible and scheduled for day-case THA, TKA, and mUKA. A multicentre, prospective consecutive cohort study was carried out from September 2022 to August 2023. Patients were screened for day-case eligibility using well defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and discharged when fulfilling predetermined discharge criteria. Day-case eligible patients were scheduled for surgery with intended start of surgery before 1.00 pm. Of 6,142 primary hip and knee arthroplasties, eligibility rates for day-case surgery were 34% for THA (95% CI 32% to 36%), 34% for TKA (95% CI 32% to 36%), and 52% for mUKA (95% CI 49% to 55%). Surgery before 1.00 pm was achieved in 85% of eligible patients. The day-case success rate among patients with surgery before 1.00 pm was 59% (95% CI 55% to 62%) for THA, 61% (95% CI 57% to 65%) for TKA, and 72% (95% CI 68% to 76%) for mUKA. Overall day-case success rates (eligible and non-eligible) were 19% (95% CI 17% to 20%) for THA, 20% (95% CI 18% to 21%) for TKA, and 42% (95% CI 39% to 45%) for mUKA. Adjusted analysis confirmed higher day-case success in eligible mUKA patients (odds ratio 1.9 (1.6 to 2.3)) compared to TKA and THA patients. Primary causes for day-case failure were mobilization issues (9% to 12% between procedures), prolonged spinal anaesthesia (4% to 9%), and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) (4% to 14%). THA and TKA patients showed comparable eligibility (34%) with similar day-case success rates (59 to 61%), whereas mUKA patients demonstrated higher eligibility (52%) and day-case success (72%). Mobilization issues, prolonged spinal anaesthesia, and PONV were the most frequent causes for not being discharged.

Data-Driven Approach to Development of a Risk Score for Periprosthetic Joint Infections in Total Joint Arthroplasty Using Electronic Health Records

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is an uncommon, but serious complication in total joint arthroplasty. Personalized risk prediction and risk factor management may allow better preoperative assessment and improved outcomes. We evaluated different data-driven approaches to develop surgery-specific PJI prediction models using large-scale data from the electronic health records. A large institutional arthroplasty registry was leveraged to collect data from 58,574 procedures of 41,844 patients who underwent at least one primary and/or revision hip and/or knee arthroplasty between 2000 and 2019. The registry dataset was augmented with additional clinical, procedural, and laboratory data from the electronic health records for more than 100 potential predictor variables. The main outcome was PJI within the first year after surgery. We implemented both traditional and machine learning methods for model development (lasso regression, relaxed lasso regression, ridge regression, random forest, stepwise regression, extreme gradient boosting, neural network) and used 10-fold cross-validation to calculate measures of model performance in terms of discrimination (c-statistic), cross-entropy loss, and calibration. All models performed similarly in predicting PJI risk, with negligible differences of less than 0.08 between the best and worst-performing models. The relaxed and fully relaxed lasso models using the Cox model structure outperformed the other models with concordances of 0.787 in primary hip arthroplasty and 0.722 in revision hip arthroplasty, with the number of predictors ranging from nine to 41. The concordances with the relaxed lasso models were 0.681 in primary and 0.699 in revision knee arthroplasty, with a higher number of predictors in the models. Predictors included in the models varied substantially across the four surgical groups. The incorporation of additional data from the electronic health records offers limited improvement in PJI risk stratification. Furthermore, improvement in PJI risk prediction was modest with the machine learning approaches and may not justify the added complexity.

The survey of bone allograft transplantation in a Japanese regional bone bank.

In reconstructive surgery for large bone defects, the demand for bone allografts has increased over the years; however, it is unclear how the supply and demand in Japanese regional bone banks have evolved over time. This study investigated the 15-year supply and demand of bone allografts stored in a regional bone bank, along with assessing the screening process's effectiveness. The target period was 15 years from April 2005 to March 2020. The period was subdivided into three 5-year periods: first, second, and third. The study items included the number of bone allografts donated, the number of bone allografts used, donor and user facilities, surgical methods using bone allografts, and the number of bone allografts discarded. We used the Cochran-Armitage test for statistical analysis. A total of 1852 bone allografts were donated to the bone bank, and a total of 1721 were used. A total of 677 bone allografts grafts were provided in the first period, 738 in the second period, and 525 in the third period, indicating a decreasing trend. The average number of allografts per surgery was 2.8 in the first, 3.1 in the second, and 1.7 in the third, showing a decreasing trend. Concerning the percentage of each surgery using bone allografts, spine fusion decreased in the third period but not significantly, whereas primary hip arthroplasty increased significantly in the third period. The total number of discarded bone allografts was 4.8% of the total number of donated bone allografts, largely because of a lack of screening tests. Although the number of allogeneic bone surgeries has been increasing over time, the number of allogeneic bone donations has shown a decreasing trend, and there is a need to develop a system that can provide surgeons with sufficient bone allografts.

Demographics of Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty in Nepal: An Observational Study

Introduction: Hip and knee arthroplasty surgeries are essential for treating end-stage osteoarthritis, providing significant functional improvements. Despite a global rise in these procedures, Nepal lacks a National Joint Registry, resulting in a gap in tracking the exact number of surgeries, outcomes, and complications. This study aims to address this gap regarding the demographics of hip and knee arthroplasties in Nepal.Methods: An observational study was conducted after obtaining the ethical approval from the Nepal Health Research Council (Reference number: 2024/136) with data collected from prosthesis supplier. The study included all primary hip and knee arthroplasties performed in 2022 and 2023, excluding revision cases and those requiring mega prostheses. Data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel for descriptive statistics.Results: There were a total of 1259 surgeries, 916 (72.77%) total knee replacements were performed, with a female predominance of 741 (81.42%) and a median age of 67 years(IQR: 62-71). There were 343 (27.23%) total hip replacements surgeries of which 200 (58.31%) were done in males. Most surgeries 1148 (91.18%) occurred within the Kathmandu Valley.Conclusions: Total knee arthroplasty accounted for the majority of cases, showing a predominance of female patients with the majority of surgeries in the capital city.

3D Model Simulation in Preoperative Planning of Complex and Revision Hip Replacement

Complex and revision hip arthroplasty has remained one of the most discussed orthopedic topics in recent years. With the advancement of printing technologies 3D preoperative planning and live model simulation provides us with “hands on” procedures without any risk for the patient. Modern computer technologies present the possibility for preoperative planning of Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) in digital environment. 3D printing of anatomical models in real size allows accurate assessment of the pathological deviations of the anatomy, precise preoperative planning of the reconstruction and simulation of the operative intervention ex-vivo. We present a series of 3D simulations for planning hip replacement, illustrating the technique, discussing its advantages and disadvantages, in complex primary and revision hip arthroplasty. In the complex and revision surgery of the hip joint, a correct assessment of bone defects is mandatory. Reconstructing the biomechanical parameters – centre of rotation, femoral offset and leg length discrepancy, is also of great significance. The 3D reconstruction with biomodel simulations offers exceptional accuracy in this respect. The method can be an excellent tool for education of surgeons in training and residents.

Treatment of patients with periprosthetic infection and management of Paprosky type 2C cavitary defects at the stage of articulating spacer installation

Introduction Due to the constant increase in the number of primary and revision hip arthroplasties, the incidence of complications has been also increasing. Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is the most common and dangerous complication in joint arthroplasty, including PJI with cavitary defects of the acetabulum (Paprosky type 2C).The purpose of the work was to demonstrate successful results of managing acetabular defects in patients with periprosthetic infection at the stage of installing an articulating spacer.Materials and methods The patients underwent surgical management of cavitary defects of the acetabulum with allobone plastic material at the stage of installation of an articulating spacer impregnated with antibacterial drugs. A clinical and functional assessment of the effectiveness of treatment of patients with PJI of the hip joint, who underwent bone grafting of acetabular defects at the first stage of two-stage revision arthroplasty, was carried out. Remission of the infectious process was assessed according to the ICM 2013 (International Consensus Meeting), and the function of the affected limb was assessed according to the HHS (Harris Hip Score).Results At a 6-month follow-up after implantation, there were no clinical and laboratory manifestations of PJI and radiological signs of instability of the implant components. Bone grafting was evaluated to be satisfactory; the function of the affected joint restored to 80–90 to HHS points. Remission of the infectious process according to ICM was achieved.Discussion Clinical cases studied demonstrate a positive result of treatin PJI with plastic surgery of cavitary defects of the acetabular bottom at the stage of articulating spacer installation. Filling acetabular defects at the sanitizing stage (implantation of a spacer) subsequently provides improvement of primary fixation and osseointegration of the acetabular component when converting the spacer to a permanent implant. This is due to an increase in the contact area of the acetabular component with bone tissue (native bone and remodeled allobone material).Conclusion The treatment of the first clinical case improved joint function from 24 to 85 HHS points, and in the second from 27 to 76 HHS points. The use of defect filling techniques enabled to stop the infection and improve functional results.

Frequency and risk factors of postoperative hyponatremia in primary hip and knee arthroplasties patients at a tertiary care hospital, Karachi, Pakistan

Frequency and risk factors of postoperative hyponatremia in primary hip and knee arthroplasties patients at a tertiary care hospital, Karachi, Pakistan

Should intravenous corticosteroids be administered routinely during primary knee or hip arthroplasty to impart analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties?

Should intravenous corticosteroids be administered routinely during primary knee or hip arthroplasty to impart analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties?

Association between surgeon and hospital volume and outcome of first-time revision hip arthroplasty for aseptic loosening.

This study evaluates the association between consultant and hospital volume and the risk of re-revision and 90-day mortality following first-time revision of primary hip arthroplasty for aseptic loosening. We conducted a cohort study of first-time, single-stage revision hip arthroplasties (RHAs) performed for aseptic loosening and recorded in the National Joint Registry (NJR) data for England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Isle of Man between 2003 and 2019. Patient identifiers were used to link records to national mortality data, and to NJR data to identify subsequent re-revision procedures. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models with restricted cubic splines were used to define associations between volume and outcome. Among 12,961 RHAs there were 513 re-revisions within two years, and 95 deaths within 90 days of surgery. The risk of re-revision was highest for a consultant's first RHA (hazard ratio (HR) 1.56 (95% CI 1.15 to 2.12)) and remained significantly elevated for their first 24 cases (HR 1.26 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.58)). Annual consultant volumes of five/year were associated with an almost 30% greater risk of re-revision (HR 1.28 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.64)) and 80% greater risk of 90-day mortality (HR 1.81 (95% CI 1.02 to 3.21)) compared to volumes of 20/year. RHAs performed at hospitals which had cumulatively undertaken fewer than 167 RHAs were at up to 70% greater risk of re-revision (HR 1.70 (95% CI 1.12 to 2.59)), and those having undertaken fewer than 307 RHAs were at up to three times greater risk of 90-day mortality (HR 3.05 (95% CI 1.19 to 7.82)). This study found a significantly higher risk of re-revision and early postoperative mortality following first-time single-stage RHA for aseptic loosening when performed by lower-volume consultants and at lower-volume institutions, supporting the move towards the centralization of such cases towards higher-volume units and surgeons.

Modular component exchange has no advantage in Debridement, Antibiotics and Implant Retention (DAIR) for early onset hip and knee prosthetic joint infection.

Debridement, Antibiotics and Implant Retention (DAIR) has been the mainstay of treatment for early onset periprosthetic joint infection in spite of variable results. Modular component exchange is a widely recommended strategy to improve success rates with DAIR though very strong evidence to support its practice is still lacking. Eighty six patients underwent DAIR for early onset PJI following primary hip and knee arthroplasty were divided into two groups for this retrospective review. 45 patients (group 1) underwent DAIR with modular component exchange and 41 patients without exchange (group 2). We compared success rates based on infection eradication (primary outcome variable) and need for revision surgical procedures between these two groups. We also assessed differences in primary outcome based on type of arthroplasty, timing of DAIR and addition of local antibiotics. The overall success rate after DAIR was 71%. The outcome was similar in both groups (69% vs 74%, P = 0.66). The need for revision surgical procedures was 27% which was similar in both groups (P = 0.98) with 23% needing revision of prosthetic components. Type of arthroplasty (hip or knee) and addition of local antibiotics had no bearing on infection eradication after DAIR with or without modular component exchange. DAIR with in 45days of primary arthroplasty had significantly higher success rate compared to DAIR after 45days in both groups. We observed that modular component exchange did not improve infection eradication after DAIR for early onset PJI following hip and knee arthroplasty. Reasonable success rates can be expected after DAIR especially if the patient develops early clinical signs and the procedure is carried out as early as possible.

Sleeve gastrectomy prior to primary total hip and total knee arthroplasty is associated with increased risk of early complications

AimsThe purpose of this study was to determine the association between prior sleeve gastrectomy in patients undergoing primary total hip and knee arthroplasty, and 90-day complications, incidence of revision arthroplasty, and patient-reported outcome scores at final follow-up.MethodsThis is a retrospective, single-centre analysis. Patients undergoing primary hip or knee arthroplasty with a prior sleeve gastrectomy were eligible for inclusion (n = 80 patients). A morbidly obese control group was established from the same institutional registry using a 1:2 match, for cases:controls with arthroplasty based on propensity score using age, sex, pre-sleeve gastrectomy BMI, Current Procedural Terminology code to identify anatomical location, and presurgical haemoglobin A1C. Outcomes included 90-day complications, incidence of revision arthroplasty, and patient-reported outcome scores at final follow-up. Multivariable logistic regressions evaluated associations of underlying preoperative demographic and treatment characteristics with outcomes.ResultsComplications within 90 days of surgery were increased in the sleeve gastrectomy group relative to the obese control group after controlling for underlying preoperative demographic characteristics (odds ratio (OR) 4.00 (95% CI 1.14 to 13.9); p = 0.030). Postoperative revisions were similar in the sleeve gastrectomy group relative to the obese control group after controlling for underlying preoperative demographic characteristics (OR 17.8 (95% CI 0.64 to 494.3); p = 0.090). Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) depression decreased by a greater amount from pre- to postoperative in the obese controls relative to the sleeve gastrectomy group (OR 4.04 (95% CI 0.06 to 8.02); p = 0.047). PROMIS pain interference and physical function change from pre- to postoperative was not associated with sleeve gastrectomy status.ConclusionWe found a higher rate of complications at 90 days in patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy prior to primary hip or knee arthroplasty relative to a matched, obese control population. Prosthetic revision rates were similar between the two groups, while improvements in PROMIS depression scores were larger in the obese cohort. This study suggests that sleeve gastrectomy to achieve preoperative weight loss prior to arthroplasty surgery may not mitigate early complication risks in obese patient populations.Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(9):935–941.

Does the use of topical vancomycin during primary hip or knee arthroplasty protect from infections?

BackgroundInfection is one of the main complications of hip and knee arthroplasties. Topical application vancomycin to prevent postoperative infections is efficient in spine surgery, and is spreading in prosthetic surgery. However, its clinical relevance and safety are still under debate. Thus, we conducted the present study to (1) assess whether topical vancomycin reduces peri-prosthetic infection rate, and (2) investigate its influence on surgical wound complications. HypothesisOur hypothesis was that topical administration of diluted vancomycin during arthroplasty would reduce infection rate within the first postoperative year. Material and methodsIn total, 1900 hip and knee arthroplasties were performed between 2014 and 2021 in a single hospital. From July 2018 and December 2021, 910 prostheses were implanted with intra-articular instillation of vancomycin and tranexamic acid. From November 2014 to June 2018, 990 prostheses were set up without vancomycin. During a follow-up of minimum 12 months, we reported periprosthetic infections occurring during the first postoperative year, as well as vancomycin-induced general or cutaneous complications. ResultsWe observed periprosthetic infections in 9/990 cases (0.91%) of the control group and 10/910 cases (1.1%) of the vancomycin group (p = 0.82). In parallel, we observed wound complications (erythema, seroma, hematoma, dehiscence and delay in wound healing) in 19/990 (1.9%) and 10/910 cases (1.1%) of the control and vancomycin group, respectively (p = 0.19). There were no general complications resulting from the application of vancomycin. DiscussionTopical diluted vancomycin does not reduce periprosthetic infection risk, and has no effect on the occurrence of surgery wound complications. Considering the present findings, the use of vancomycin cannot be recommended in current practice to prevent infections following hip and knee arthroplasties. Finally, its use does not induce any specific complications, whether local (cicatrisation) or general (related to ototoxicity or nephrotoxicity). Level of evidenceIII; case control study.

Cement Filling Technique to Prevent Greater Trochanter Displacement in Hip Arthroplasty for Femoral Intertrochanteric Fracture: A Technical Note.

With the increasing use of primary hip arthroplasty for management of intertrochanteric fractures, firm fixation and union of the greater trochanteric (GT) fragment are required during hip arthroplasty for management of intertrochanteric fractures. Various methods have been suggested to address this issue. However, displacement of the GT is a frequent occurrence. We have introduced a cement-filling technique for performance of hip arthroplasty of the proximal femur for achievement of immediate firm fixation of the GT. Cement filling during performance of hip arthroplasty for management of femoral intertrochanteric fractures is a valuable technique for preventing displacement of the GT and to encourage early mobilization.

ARE COGNITIVELY IMPAIRED PATIENTS SUITABLE CANDIDATES FOR HIP ARTHROPLASTY? A PROPENSITY SCORE-MATCHED COHORT STUDY

The growth of life expectancy during the last decades has led to an increment in age-related conditions such as hip arthritis and fractures. On the other hand, these elderly patients will present a higher incidence of mental diseases which, in some studies, have been associated with inferior results.This study aims to evaluate the differences in early complication rates between patients with cognitive impairment compared with those without this condition following total hip replacement for osteoarthritis or fracture in the context of contemporary perioperative care protocols.We conducted a retrospective cohort study where cognitively-impaired patients who required primary hip arthroplasty were compared to a propensity-score matched cohort of patients without cognitive alterations. Early major complications were measured and analyzed in order to determine significant differences.Screening and matching. 1196 patients were identified during the study period. After screening for inclusion and exclusion criteria and matching, two cohorts comprising 65 patients each were compared. After performing the propensity-score match, no significant differences were found in covariates between the two groups.Outcomes. The occurrence of delirium was more frequent in patients with cognitive deficit (27.5%) than in the control group (9%), p<0.001. No significant differences were found among groups regarding myocardial infarction, venous thromboembolism, blood transfusion requirement, 30-day readmission, in-hospital death, 90-days death, dislocation or surgical site infection. The composite outcome of any adverse event did not exhibit a significant difference either.To our knowledge, this is the first study which demonstrates similar outcomes between patients with cognitive impairment and those without these alterations. Our results might indicate that contemporary protocols and implants are bridging the traditional gap between these two populations. These findings support the use of total hip arthroplasty in patients with mental alterations when indicated, especially in those institutions with strict perioperative protocols.

What features of stem increase the risk of intraoperative femoral fracture during cementless primary hip arthroplasty?

Cementless fixation has become increasingly popular in hip arthroplasty due to its shorter operation time, easier technique, biologic fixation, and avoidance of bone cement implantation syndrome compared to cemented fixation. However, intraoperative periprosthetic femoral fracture (IOPFx) is a disconcerting complication during cementless hip arthroplasty. Our purpose was to identify the features of cementless stem that increase the risk of IOPFx during primary hip arthroplasty. We retrospectively reviewed all 4806 hip arthroplasties that was performed in a single institution from May 2003 to December 2020. Age at the index arthroplasty, sex, body mass index, physical status, ambulatory function, side of the operation, operational history, cause of the index arthroplasty, type of arthroplasty, surgical approach, surgeon, implant information, and events during the operation were investigated. The shoulder geometry and length of stem were also reviewed. The event of interest was narrowed down to IOPFx among various records of intraoperative events. We found IOPFx of 2.6% among all the hips operated with cementless stem. In the multivariable analysis, female (OR = 1.52), childhood hip disease (OR = 2.30), stove-pipe femur (OR = 2.43), combined approach (OR = 2.60), and standard length of stem (OR = 1.59) were found to be significant risk factors of IOPFx. In conclusion, a stem with a standard length is significantly associated with risk of IOPFx compared to a shortened stem. These findings highlight the importance of careful consideration in terms of the risk of IOPFx when standard length cementless stem is chosen.

Medicaid Reimbursement for Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: A State-by-State Analysis Compared With Medicare

BackgroundMedicare (MCR) reimbursement for arthroplasty procedures has been declining, but little has been reported on Medicaid (MCD) reimbursement. We sought to determine MCD reimbursement rates using state MCD data for nine arthroplasty procedure codes and compare them to MCR rates. MethodsThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services physician fee schedule was used to collect MCR reimbursement rates, and state MCD fee schedules were accessed to collect MCD rates for nine procedures encompassing primary and revision hip and knee arthroplasty surgery. State MCR and MCD rates were compared to determine the mean dollar difference and dollar difference per relative value unit. A cost of living adjustment was performed using the Medicare Wage Index for each state. Coefficients of variation were calculated for each state to determine overall variability between the two systems. ResultsThe mean reimbursement rates for MCD were lower for eight of the nine codes used in the study. Medicaid reimbursed physicians an average of 11.3% less overall and 23.1% less when adjusted for cost of living. The amount of variability in the MCR rates was low with a consistent coefficient of variation of 0.06, but was higher in the MCD rates with a range of 0.26 to 0.29 in the unadjusted rates and 0.34 to 0.37 in the adjusted rates. There was a mean $6.73 decreased reimbursement per relative value unit for MCD procedures. ConclusionsFor the most common arthroplasty procedures, MCD reimbursed physicians less than MCR on average. MCD also demonstrated increased variability when compared to MCR rates between states.

Clinical outcomes and survival rates of a uncemented modular revision stem system in hip arthroplasty: a 10-year single-institution study on a frail population

IntroductionThe increasing prevalence of primary hip arthroplasty has led to a parallel rise in revision cases. Femoral revision often entails compromised bone integrity, requiring consideration of various solutions for optimal reconstructive options. Despite technological advancements, there is limited evidence on the clinical outcomes of the latest modular revision stems. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes and survival rates of next generation uncemented modular revision stem in patients undergoing hip revision surgery.Materials and methodsThis retrospective single-center study assessed the survival and failure causes of a specific uncemented modular stem in 48 patients undergoing hip revision surgery between 2012 and 2022. Data included preoperative parameters, surgical details, and postoperative outcomes measured through clinical and radiographic assessments. Forty-eight patients (25 males, 23 females; mean age 72 years) were included, with a mean Charlson Comorbidity Index of 5. Preoperative diagnoses varied, with periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) being the most common (45.8%), followed by periprosthetic fractures (27.1%). Partial revisions occurred in 60.4%, total revisions in 39.6%. According to Paprosky classification of femoral bone loss, type II and III were the most represented, respectively 35.4% and 50%.ResultsAt a mean follow-up of 4.6 years, stem survival was 92.5%. Complications (20%) included dislocation, PJI, fracture, and loosening; the overall reoperation rate was 12.5%. The SF-12 physical score was 43.6, while the mental score was 51.1. The HOOS score was 71.8, and the HHS score was 71.4. Radiographic analysis identified nonprogressive osteolysis in 15.1% of patients.ConclusionsThis study on this uncemented modular revision stem demonstrated favorable outcomes in an elder fragile population with moderate to severe femoral bone loss. The implant’s modularity provides versatility in addressing various defects, without any implant breakage observed during the study period. Literature comparison highlighted similar outcomes despite sample size differences. The promising results warrant continued investigation into the long-term survivorship of this modular stem system.

A pilot multicentre randomised clinical trial to determine the effect of a pharmacist-partnered opioid tapering intervention before total hip or knee arthroplasty.

Opioid analgesic use before total hip or knee arthroplasty has been associated with worse postoperative outcomes. This pilot study aimed to examine the feasibility of a telehealth-based pharmacist-partnered opioid tapering intervention before elective primary hip or knee arthroplasty and its potential effectiveness compared with usual care. This study was conducted at seven hospitals in New South Wales, Australia. Eligible patients were those aged ≥ 18 years, scheduled to undergo primary hip or knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis and taking opioid analgesics pre-operatively. The intervention group participated in an opioid tapering telehealth service, a partnership between a pharmacist and general practitioner, for 3 months pre-operatively up to the day of surgery, while the control group received usual care. The primary outcomes of the study were to investigate the feasibility of the intervention (i.e. adherence to treatment) and potential effectiveness in decreasing baseline daily opioid dose by > 50% before surgery. Between December 2021 and June 2023, 70 patients were recruited and assigned randomly to the intervention group (n = 35) or control group (n = 35). Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. Thirty patients in each group completed their allocated treatment. All patients allocated to the intervention group completed at least one appointment with a pharmacist, with the median (IQR [range]) being 2 (1-4 [1-6]) appointments. The number of patients who successfully decreased their baseline daily opioid dose by ≥ 50% before surgery was 27/30 in the intervention group compared with 5/30 in the usual care group (p < 0.001). The findings of this pilot study support the feasibility of a telehealth-delivered, pharmacist-partnered opioid tapering service for patients scheduled for primary hip or knee arthroplasty. A broader multicentre study to examine the effectiveness of this intervention on clinical outcomes is warranted.

Utilization of the Caprini risk assessment model(RAM) to predict venous thromboembolism after primary hip and knee arthroplasty: an analysis of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project(HCUP)

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the potential role of Caprini risk assessment model (RAM) in predicting the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA). No national study has investigated the role of Caprini RAM after primary THA/TKA.MethodsData from The National Sample of Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) in 2019 were utilized for this study. The dataset consisted of 229,134 patients who underwent primary THA/TKA. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) were considered as VTE. The incidence of thrombosis was calculated based on different Caprini scores, and the risk of the Caprini indicator for VTE events was evaluated using a forest plot.ResultsThe prevalence of VTE after primary THA/TKA in the U.S. population in 2019 was found to be 4.7 cases per 1000 patients. Age, body mass index (BMI), and Caprini score showed a positive association with the risk of VTE (P < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that a Caprini score of 9.5 had a sensitivity of 47.2% and a specificity of 82.7%, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.693 (95% CI, 0.677−0.710). The highest Youden index was 0.299. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that malignancy, varicose vein, positive blood test for thrombophilia, history of thrombosis, COPD, hip fracture, blood transfusion, and age were significant risk factors for VTE. Based on these findings, a new risk stratification system incorporating the Caprini score was proposed.ConclusionsAlthough the Caprini score does not seem to be a good predictive model for VTE after primary THA/TKA, new risk stratification for the Caprini score is proposed to increase its usefulness.

The SPAIRE Approach for Hip Arthroplasty: Short-Term Functional Outcome in an Indian Scenario.

Hip arthroplasty, including hemiarthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty is a common surgical procedure for patients suffering from hip joint disorders with an aim of complication free early return to activities of daily living. Various minimally invasive surgical approaches have been described to achieve this aim including a relatively new SPAIRE approach. This case series shows our technique of hip arthroplasty using the SPAIRE technique with the help of conventional instruments in an Indian Scenario at a tertiary care center in Eastern India along with our short-term functional outcomes till a follow up period of 6months. This was the prospective observational study done between May 2022 to Oct 2023 in Tata Main hospital, Jamshedpur. Total 35 patients were operated by this technique. Data including age, gender, time to return orthotic assisted mobility, Harris hip score at 2months & any complications till the follow up of 6months were recorded for each patient who underwent Hemiarthroplasty or Total Hip arthroplasty using the SPAIRE technique with conventional instruments for hip arthroplasty (performed by single surgeon - the senior author) in our tertiary care center. 35 patients were operated during this span by using the SPAIRE technique. There were 30 cases of hip hemiarthroplasty and 5 cases of total hip arthroplasty (1 bilateral). 5 patients were lost to follow up during the period of 6months. Harris hip score was measured for each patient at 2months and mean Harris hip score was 83.16. Out of 35 patients, 9 patients had excellent outcome, 14 patients had good outcome and 7 patients had fair outcome. No patient had complications such as infection, delayed wound healing, periprosthetic fractures or sciatic nerve injury. One patient reported dislocation at 3months following a fall. Mean time to return to orthotic assisted ambulation was 1.5days for all 35 patients. SPAIRE technique is one of the safe surgical approaches for primary hip arthroplasties. This minimally invasive tendon sparing approach which preserves quadricep coxa provides excellent hip stability, early return to preinjury activities. It also reduces postoperative complications such as dislocation.