Primary Hip Arthroplasty Research Articles

Comparison of ultrasound-guided and palpation-inserted peripheral venous cannula in -patients before primary hip or knee arthroplasty: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundMore than 2 billion peripheral vascular cannulas are introduced globally each year. It is the most frequently performed invasive procedure in medicine worldwide. There is a group of patients with difficult intravenous access (DIVA). In experts’ hands, ultrasound-guided vascular access appears to be a significantly better method. Investigators hypothesize that UGVA is superior also in short-term patency of cannula and even for blood draw through cannula. Repeated cannula pricks in the operating room setting not only puts a lot of stress on the patient and medical staff, but they also waste OR time.MethodsThis investigator-initiated prospective randomized monocentric controlled trial is designed to randomly allocate 200 patients undergoing elective primary total joint arthroplasty of hip or knee to one of two groups as follows: Group C (control group) – peripheral venous cannula insertion by palpation or Group USG (intervention) – cannula insertion by ultrasound-guided vascular access. Our primary endpoint is to compare the number of attempts for ultrasound-guided insertion of the peripheral venous cannula with common palpation insertion of the peripheral venous cannula in overweight/obese patients (BMI ≥ 25). The secondary endpoint is a failure rate of the peripheral venous cannula to administer intravenous therapy up to 5 days postoperatively. Tertiary endpoints include a portion of long PVCs that are able to ensure blood draw up to 5 days postoperatively, time needed to insert PVC in each group, number of needle tip redirections in both groups, and reinsertion of PVC needed in both groups for any reason.DiscussionThis study is pragmatic and is looking for clinically relevant data. After completion, it will answer the question of whether it is clinically relevant to use ultrasound-guided vascular access in the context of not only short-term benefit of insertion, but also up to 5 days after insertion. Also, if this method can ensure blood draw through a peripheral vein cannula, it can save resources in the perioperative period — valuable especially considering the ongoing shortage of medical staff worldwide. If this hypothesis is confirmed, this finding could contribute to more widespread implementation of ultrasound-guided peripheral vascular access in the perioperative period.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT05156008. Registered on 13.12.2021.

Epidemiological Characteristics and Trends of Primary Hip Arthroplasty in Five Tertiary Hospitals: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

The number of primary hip arthroplasty (PHA) has increased sharply in recent years. Whether the epidemiological characteristics and trends of PHA have changed are unknown. This study aims to analyze the epidemiological characteristics and trends of those patients are urgent for public health institutions. The data of patients who underwent PHA in five tertiary hospitals from January 2011 to December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 21,898 patients were included, most of whom were aged 60-69 years (25.1% males and 31.5% females). According to the hospitalization date, the patients were divided into two groups (Group A and Group B). The patients admitted between January 2011 and December 2015 were designated as Group A (7862), and those admitted between January 2016 and December 2020 were designated as Group B (14036). The patient data of the two groups, including sex, age, disease causes, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, surgical procedures, hospital stay duration, and hospitalization costs, were analyzed by Pearson chi-Square test, Student t test or Mann-Whitney U test. More women were included in Group B than in Group A (58.5% vs 52.5%, P < 0.001). The mean age of Group B was less than that of Group A (62.27 ± 14.77 vs 60.69 ± 14.44 years, P < 0.001). Femoral head necrosis was the primary pathogenic factor in both groups, with a higher proportion in Group B than in Group A (55.5% vs 45.5%, P < 0.001). Significant differences were found between the two groups in BMI, comorbidities, surgical procedures, hospital stay duration, and hospitalization costs. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) was the most common surgical procedure in both groups, with a higher proportion in Group B than in Group A (89.8% vs 79.3%, P < 0.001). The proportion of patients with one or more comorbidities was significantly higher in Group B than in Group A (69.2% vs 59.9%, P < 0.001). In addition, Group B had a shorter hospital stay duration and higher hospitalization costs than Group A. Femoral head necrosis was the primary etiology for PHA in this study, followed by femoral neck fracture and hip osteoarthritis. Patients who underwent PHA exhibited a higher percentage of femoral head necrosis; underwent THA more often; and had larger BMIs, more comorbidities, higher medical costs, and younger age in the past decade.

MULTICENTRE RANDOMIZED DOUBLE-BLIND PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL OF COMBINATION VANCOMYCIN AND CEFAZOLIN SURGICAL ANTIBIOTIC PROPHYLAXIS IN ARTHROPLASTY SURGERY

There is an increasing incidence of revision for periprosthetic joint infection. The addition of vancomycin to beta-lactam antimicrobial prophylaxis in joint arthroplasty may reduce surgical site infections, however, the efficacy and safety have not been established.This was a multicenter, double-blind, superiority, placebo-controlled trial. We randomized 4239 adult patients undergoing joint arthroplasty surgery to receive 1.5g vancomycin or normal saline placebo, in addition to standard cefazolin antimicrobial prophylaxis. The primary outcome was surgical site infection at 90-days from index surgery. Perioperative carriage of Staphylococcus species was also assessed.In the 4113 patients included in the modified intention-to-treat population, surgical site infections occurred in 72/2069 (3.5%) in the placebo group and 91/2044 (4. 5%) in the vancomycin group (risk ratio 1.28; 95% confidence interval 0.94 to 1.73; p value 0.11). No difference was observed between the two groups for primary hip arthroplasty procedures. A higher proportion of infections occurred in knee arthroplasty patients in the vancomycin group (63/1109 [4.7%]) compared with the placebo group (42/1124 [3.7%]; risk ratio 1.52; 95% confidence interval 1.04 to 2.23; p value 0.031). Hypersensitivity reactions occurred in 11 (0.5%) patients in the placebo group and 24 (1.2%) in the vancomycin group (risk ratio 2.20; 95% confidence interval 1.08, 4.49) and acute kidney injury in 74 (3.7%) patients in the placebo group and 42 (2.1%) in the vancomycin group (risk ratio 0.57; 95% confidence interval 0.39, 0.83). Perioperative Staphylococcus aureus carriage was detected in 1089/3748 (29.1%) of patients.This is the first randomized controlled trial examining the addition of a glycopeptide antimicrobial to standard beta-lactam surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis in joint arthroplasty. The addition of vancomycin to standard cefazolin prophylaxis was not superior to placebo for the prevention of surgical site infections in hip and knee arthroplasty surgery.

Success of Same-Day Discharge Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: Does Location Matter?

BackgroundSame calendar day discharge (SCDD) following total joint arthroplasty is desirable for patients and surgeons alike. The aim of this study was to compare the success rate of SCDD in an ambulatory surgical center (ASC) versus hospital setting. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on 510 patients who underwent primary hip and knee total joint arthroplasty over a 2-year period. The final cohort was divided into 2 groups based on location of surgery: ASC (N = 255) or hospital (N = 255). Groups were matched for age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and Charleston Comorbidity Index. Successes of SCDD, reasons for failure of SCDD, length of stay (LOS), and 90-day readmission and complication rates were recorded. ResultsAll SCDD failures were from the hospital setting (36 [65.6%] total knee arthroplasty [TKA] and 19 [34.5%] total hip arthroplasty [THA]). There were no failures from the ASC. The main causes of failed SCDD in both THA and TKA included failed physical therapy and urinary retention. Regarding THA, the ASC group had a significantly shorter total LOS (6.8 [4.4 to 11.6] versus 12.8 [4.7 to 58.0] hours, P < .001). Similarly, TKA patients had a shorter LOS in the ASC (6.9 [4.6 to 12.9] versus 16.9 [6.1 to 57.0], P < .001). Total 90-day readmission rates were higher in the ASC group (2.75% versus 0%), where all but 1 patient underwent TKA. Similarly, complication rates were higher in the ASC group (8.2% versus 2.75%), where all but 1 patient underwent TKA. ConclusionTJA performed in the ASC, compared to the hospital setting, allowed for reduced LOS and improved success of SCDD.

A randomized controlled trial of iliopsoas plane block vs. femoral nerve block for hip arthroplasty

BackgroundIliopsoas plane block (IPB) is a novel analgesic technique for hip surgery that retains quadriceps strength. However, evidence from randomized controlled trial is remains unavailable. We hypothesized that IPB, as a motor-sparing analgesic technique, could match the femoral nerve block (FNB) in pain management and morphine consumption, providing an advantage for earlier functional training in patients underwent hip arthroplasty.MethodsWe recruited ninety patients with femoral neck fracture, femoral head necrosis or hip osteoarthritis who were scheduled for unilateral primary hip arthroplasty were recruited and received either IPB or FNB. Primary outcome was the pain score during hip flexion at 4 h after surgery. Secondary outcomes included quadriceps strength and pain scores upon arrival at post anesthesia care unit (PACU) and at 2, 4, 6, 24, 48 h after surgery, the first time out of bed, total opioids consumption, patient satisfaction, and complications.ResultsThere was no significant difference in terms of pain score during hip flexion at 4 h after surgery between the IPB group and FNB group. The quadriceps strength of patients receiving IPB was superior to those receiving FNB upon arrival at PACU and at 2, 4, 6 and 24 h after surgery. The IPB group showed a shorter first time out of bed compared to the FNB group. However, there were no significant differences in terms of pain scores within 48 h after surgery, total opioids consumption, patient satisfaction and complications between the two groups.ConclusionIPB was not superior to FNB in terms of postoperative analgesia for hip arthroplasty. However, IPB could serve as an effective motor-sparing analgesic technique for hip arthroplasty, which would facilitate early recovery and rehabilitation. This makes IPB worth considering as an alternative to FNB.Trial registrationThe trial was registered prior to patient enrollment at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200055493; registration date: January 10, 2022; enrollment date: January 18, 2022; https://www.chictr.org.cn/searchprojEN.html).

THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND SUSTAINABILITY OF TOTAL HIP AND KNEE ARTHROPLASTY

The National Health Service produces over 500,000 tonnes of waste and 25 mega tonnes of CO2 annually. Operating room waste is segregated into different streams which are recycled, disposed of in landfill sites, or undergo costly and energy-intensive incineration processes.By assessing the quantity and recyclability of waste from primary hip and knee arthroplasty cases, we aim to identify strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of arthroplasty surgery.Data was collected prospectively at a tertiary orthopaedic hospital, in the theatres of six arthroplasty surgeons between April – July 2022. Fifteen primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and 16 primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) cases were included; revision and complex primary cases were excluded.Waste was categorised into non-hazardous waste, hazardous waste, recycling, sharps, and linens. Each waste category was weighed. Items disposed as non-hazardous waste were catalogued for a sample of 10 TKA and 10 THA cases. Recyclability of items was determined from packaging.Average total waste generated for THA and TKA were 14.46kg and 17.16kg respectively, with TKA generating significantly greater waste (p &lt; 0.05).On average only 5.4% of waste was recycled in TKA and just 2.9% in THA cases. The mean recycled waste was significantly greater in TKA cases compared to THA, 0.93kg and 0.42kg respectively (p &lt; 0.05).Hazardous waste represented the largest proportion of the waste streams for both TKA (69.2%) and THA (73.4%). On average TKA generated a significantly greater amount (11.87kg) compared to THA (10.61kg), p &lt; 0.05.Non-hazardous waste made up 15.1% and 11.3% of total waste for TKA and THA respectively.In the non-hazardous waste, only two items (scrub brush packaging and sterile towel packaging) were identified as recyclable based on packaging.We estimate that annually total hip and knee arthroplasty generates over 2.7 million kg of waste in the UK. Through increased use of recyclable plastics for packaging, combined with clear labelling of items as recyclable, medical suppliers can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of arthroplasty. Our data highlight only a very small percentage of waste is recycled in total hip and knee arthroplasty cases.

Primary Arthroplasty for Unstable and Failed Intertrochanteric Fractures: Role of Multi-Planar Trochanteric Wiring Technique.

The primary objective of the current study is to demonstrate the trochanteric wiring technique. A secondary objective is to evaluate the clinico-radiological outcomes of use of the wiring technique during primary arthroplasty for treatment of unstable and failed intertrochanteric fractures. A prospective study including follow-up of 127 patients with unstable and failed intertrochanteric fractures who underwent primary hip arthroplasty using novel multi-planar trochanteric wiring was conducted. The average follow-up period was 17.8±4.7 months. Clinical assessment was performed using the Harris hip score (HHS). Radiographic evaluation was performed for assessment of union of the trochanter and any mechanical failure. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. At the latest follow-up, the mean HHS showed significant improvement from 79.9±1.8 (at three months) to 91.6±5.1 (P<0.05). In addition, no significant difference in the HHS was observed between male and female patients (P=0.29) and between fresh and failed intertrochanteric fractures (P=0.08). Union was achieved in all cases of fractured trochanter, except one. Wire breakage was observed in three patients. There were five cases of limb length discrepancy, three cases of lurch, and three cases of wire-related bursitis. There were no cases of dislocation or infection. Radiographs showed stable prosthesis in situ with no evidence of subsidence. Use of the proposed wiring technique was helpful in restoring the abductor level arm and multi-planar stability, which enabled better rehabilitation and resulted in excellent clinical and radiological outcomes with minimal risk of mechanical failure.

Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Implant Revision Risk to 5 Years From a State-wide Arthroplasty Registry in Michigan.

Information on the revision risk of implants is useful for improving the quality of care for elective hip and knee arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to report on the revision risk of implants using a state-wide registry in the United States. The Michigan Arthroplasty Registry Collaborative Quality Initiative systematically collects data on elective primary and revision hip and knee arthroplasty cases in Michigan. It contained data on 139,970 hip and 245,499 knee arthroplasty cases from February 15, 2012, to December 31, 2021. Kaplan-Meier estimates of revision risk were computed using time to first revision as the dependent variable, and the results were computed and expressed as the cumulative percent revision (CPR). CPR estimates were computed for all implants having at least 500 cases in the Michigan Arthroplasty Registry Collaborative Quality Initiative dataset. At 5-years postoperatively, elective primary conventional total hip arthroplasty implant stem/cup combinations had CPR values from 0.95% (0.39%-2.30%, 95% confidence intervals [CI]) to 5.77% (4.22%-7.85%, 95% CI), and elective primary total knee arthroplasty CPR ranged from 1.10% (0.64%-1.89%, 95% CI) to 12.52% (8.37%-18.50%, 95% CI). Unicondylar knee arthroplasty CPR at 5-years went from 4.23% (3.54%-5.06%, 95% CI) to 7.13% (6.20%-8.20%, 95% CI). The wide variation in CPR points to the need for surgeons to choose implants wisely to improve quality of care.

Predicting Factors for Requiring Routine Postoperative Blood Analysis in Primary Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective Study.

Background Minimising unnecessary expenditure is essential to cope with high demands on the health sector. A set of full blood count, electrolyte, creatinine and urea tests cost £12 in the National Health Service (NHS). Identifying selected patientsrequiring postoperative blood tests following primary knee and hip arthroplasty will avoid unnecessarytests and help to reduce expenditure. The aim of our study is to propose criteria for requesting postoperative blood tests that are safe and do not miss patients. Materials and methods We prospectively evaluated 126 patients (72 in the total knee replacement (TKR) group and 54 in the total hip replacement (THR) group) who underwent either an elective primary THR or a TKR. The mean patient age was 71 years. Patient demographics as well as in-patient events throughout each patient's hospital stay were recorded. Hospital readmissions were also monitored for up to 90 days postoperatively. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) with paired t-tests / Wilcox and mixed measures analysis of variance. Binary logistic regression was used to identify predictors of patients requiring a postoperative blood test. Results Analysis of our data identified the following as risk factors for requiring postoperative full blood count tests, including pre-operative Hb of ≤ 110 g/L, cardiac disease, clinical features of anaemia postoperatively and intraoperative blood loss of > 500 mL. The additional risk factors identified for requiring postoperative electrolyte and urea tests are deranged pre-operative electrolytes and clinical signs or symptoms of electrolyte/renal disturbance such as anuria. No patient was readmitted within 90 days of discharge. Conclusion Overall, applying the criteria we have devised would have saved 74 blood tests in the cohort of 126 patients. This provides an odds ratio of 14.0 (95% confidence interval: 1.77-110, p=0.012) of an abnormal result in the patients that would have been tested, compared to those that would not have been tested.

Transition to Anterior Approach in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty - Learning Curve Complications

Introduction: The recent emphasis on tissue preservation and minimally invasive outpatient joint replacements has resulted in a significant increase in the use of Direct Anterior Approach (DAA) total hip arthroplasty. It has gained interest recently because of its faster short-term recovery, despite concerns about increased complications and operative time, especially during the learning curve period. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether complications of transitioning to a direct anterior approach for primary total hip arthroplasty may impair patient safety. Methods: A total of 51 primary hip arthroplasties were performed in 44 patients with the direct anterior approach technique: 37 unilateral arthroplasties and 7 bilateral arthroplasties, during the first 3 years of the learning curve of this technique and their complications were analyzed. Results: No patient had severe complications or surgical reinterventions associated to transoperative complications. Tearing of the tensor fascia lata muscle was on average the most frequent complication (19.6%), followed by skin lesions (17.6%), difficulty in implant reduction (9.8%) and fractures of the greater trochanter (7.8%). No severe complications occurred. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the transition to the direct anterior approach can be done safely without a significant complication rate. These complications are usually associated with the use of inadequate special instruments, inadequate patient selection and the knowledge of maneuvers of the surgeon and his team acquired during the experience and development of the technique. Even so, they do not require additional treatment, which allows us to conclude that this technique is reproducible and can be safely transitioned.

Mortality and re-revision following single-stage and two-stage revision surgery for the management of infected primary hip arthroplasty in England and Wales.

We compared the risks of re-revision and mortality between two-stage and single-stage revision surgeries among patients with infected primary hip arthroplasty. Patients with a periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) of their primary arthroplasty revised with single-stage or two-stage procedure in England and Wales between 2003 and 2014 were identified from the National Joint Registry. We used Poisson regression with restricted cubic splines to compute hazard ratios (HRs) at different postoperative periods. The total number of revisions and re-revisions undergone by patients was compared between the two strategies. In total, 535 primary hip arthroplasties were revised with single-stage procedure (1,525 person-years) and 1,605 with two-stage procedure (5,885 person-years). All-cause re-revision was higher following single-stage revision, especially in the first three months (HR at 3 months = 1.98 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14 to 3.43), p = 0.009). The risks were comparable thereafter. Re-revision for PJI was higher in the first three postoperative months for single-stage revision and waned with time (HR at 3 months = 1.81 (95% CI 1.22 to 2.68), p = 0.003; HR at 6 months = 1.25 (95% CI 0.71 to 2.21), p = 0.441; HR at 12 months = 0.94 (95% CI 0.54 to 1.63), p = 0.819). Patients initially managed with a single-stage revision received fewer revision operations (mean 1.3 (SD 0.7) vs 2.2 (SD 0.6), p < 0.001). Mortality rates were comparable between these two procedures (29/10,000 person-years vs 33/10,000). The risk of unplanned re-revision was lower following two-stage revision, but only in the early postoperative period. The lower overall number of revision procedures associated with a single-stage revision strategy and the equivalent mortality rates to two-stage revision are reassuring. With appropriate counselling, single-stage revision is a viable option for the treatment of hip PJI.

Detection of inguinal lymph nodes is promising for the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection.

Localized inguinal lymphadenopathy often represents lower extremity pathogen infection, while normalized lymphadenopathy is associated with infection regression. We hypothesized that inguinal lymph nodes (LNs) were enlarged in Periprosthetic Joint Infection (PJI) patients and that normalized inguinal LNs would be a promising way to determine the timing of reimplantation. We prospectively enrolled 176 patients undergoing primary and revision hip or knee arthroplasty. All patients underwent ultrasound examination of inguinal LNs preoperatively. The diagnostic value of inguinal LNs in PJI was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The median level of inguinal LNs was 26mm in the revision for PJI group compared with 12mm in the aseptic revision group (p< 0.0001). The size of the inguinal LNs well distinguishes PJI from aseptic failure (AUC= 0.978) compare with ESR (AUC= 0.707) and CRP (AUC= 0.760). A size of 19mm was determined as the optimal threshold value of the inguinal LNs for the diagnosis of PJI, with a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 96%. Ultrasonic analysis of inguinal LNs is a valuable piece of evidence for the diagnosis of PJI and evaluation of persistent infection.

Pathogenic bacteria characteristics and drug resistance in acute, delayed, and chronic periprosthetic joint infection: A retrospective analysis of 202 patients.

To assist orthopaedic surgeons in choosing appropriate antibiotics, this study attempted to identify the common microorganisms that cause periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and their respective drug resistance spectrums. The clinical data of 202 patients with PJI after primary hip and knee arthroplasty between January 2017 and December 2021 were retrospectively analysed. There were 84 males and 118 females, aged (63.03 ± 13.10) years (range: 24-89 years). A total of 102 and 100 patients underwent total hip and total knee arthroplasty, respectively. Based on the time of postoperative infection, the patients were divided into acute (25 cases), delayed (91 cases), and chronic (86 cases) PJI groups. The results of pathogen species, composition ratio, and drug susceptibility tests were collected. Gram-positive bacteria were the primary causative pathogens of PJI (58.91%, 119/202), and their culture-positive rates in patients with acute, delayed, and chronic PJI were 32.00% (8/25), 62.64% (57/91), and 62.79% (54/86), respectively. Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus were the major gram-positive bacteria detected, followed by gram-negative bacteria (29/202, 14.36%), and fungi (4/202, 1.98%). Gram-positive bacteria showed higher resistance to penicillin (81.25%), oxacillin (63.33%), erythromycin (61.17%), and clindamycin (48.35%) and 100% sensitivity to linezolid, vancomycin, daptomycin, and tigecycline. In gram-negative bacteria, the drug resistance rates to cefazolin, gentamicin, furantoin, cefuroxime, ticacillin/clavulanic acid, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, and tobramycin were >50%. However, no vancomycin-resistant bacteria were discovered in the current study. The drug resistance rate to carbapenems was low, ranging from 0% to 3.57%. Gram-positive bacteria are the main causative pathogens of PJI, and the resistance rate of pathogens of chronic PJI is higher than those of delayed and acute PJI. Use of cefuroxime and clindamycin in patients with PJIs should proceed with caution because of the high drug resistance rate. Vancomycin can be used as a first-line antibiotic against gram-positive bacteria. Carbapenems can be used as the first choice against gram-negative bacteria because of to their high sensitivity.

Item response theory assumptions were adequately met by the Oxford hip and knee scores

ObjectivesTo develop item response theory (IRT) models for the Oxford hip and knee scores which convert patient responses into continuous scores with quantifiable precision and provide these as web applications for efficient score conversion. Study Design and SettingData from the National Health Service patient-reported outcome measures program were used to test the assumptions of IRT (unidimensionality, monotonicity, local independence, and measurement invariance) before fitting models to preoperative response patterns obtained from patients undergoing primary elective hip or knee arthroplasty. The hip and knee datasets contained 321,147 and 355,249 patients, respectively. ResultsScree plots, Kaiser criterion analyses, and confirmatory factor analyses confirmed unidimensionality and Mokken analysis confirmed monotonicity of both scales. In each scale, all item pairs shared a residual correlation of ≤ 0.20. At the test level, both scales showed measurement invariance by age and gender. Both scales provide precise measurement in preoperative settings but demonstrate poorer precision and ceiling effects in postoperative settings. ConclusionWe provide IRT parameters and web applications that can convert Oxford Hip Score or Oxford Knee Score response sets into continuous measurements and quantify individual measurement error. These can be used in sensitivity analyses or to administer truncated and individualized computerized adaptive tests.

Smartphone application: a solution for the follow-up of patients with primary hip arthroplasty during COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction Since the appearance of coronavirus disease-2019, the challenge is how to follow the recommendations of the WHO, which stressed the importance of social distancing to avoid infection and at the same time provides satisfactory medical services. This study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of the WhatsApp social media program in the postoperative follow-up of patients with primary hip arthroplasty at the time of the pandemic. Patients and methods This is a prospective, randomized, comparative study carried out on 167 patients with primary hip arthroplasty. The follow-ups were delivered by a group on the WhatsApp program for all patients. Later on, a reassessment was done by a routine clinical visit. The authors recorded overall satisfaction and time consumption for each method. In addition, any missed clinical or radiological signs during the electronic method. Results The electronic visit recorded better satisfaction (96.35 ± 3.21), and less time consumption (39.11 ± 6.41) with no reported missed major clinical or radiological signs in comparison to the routine follow-up. Patients over 50 years, those with an educational level above high school, and patients with a travel distance greater than 100 km recorded statistically significant more satisfaction scores with an electronic visit in comparison to routine visits. Conclusion WhatsApp application could be an acceptable and satisfactory tool to follow-up patients with primary hip arthroplasty, and it could be a safe alternative to usual clinical visits at the time of the pandemic.

20-Year Experience in Total Primary Hip Arthroplasty in Patients Under 50 Years with Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases: Functional Results, Complications and Survival

20-Year Experience in Total Primary Hip Arthroplasty in Patients Under 50 Years with Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases: Functional Results, Complications and Survival

Short Term Outcomes (Average Follow-Up of 2.4 Years) of a Constrained Acetabular Liner in Primary and Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty

BackgroundAs instability continues to be a burden post-total hip arthroplasty (THA), there has been a controversial discussion on the ideal implant choice. We report the outcomes of a modern constrained acetabular liner (CAL) system in primary and revision THA at an average follow-up of 2.4 years. MethodsWe performed a retrospective study of all patients undergoing primary and revision hip arthroplasty and being implanted with the modern CAL system from 2013 to 2021. We identified 31 hips, of which 13 underwent primary THA and the remaining 18 underwent revision THA for instability. ResultsOf those implanted with CAL primarily, 3 had concomitant abductor tear repair and gluteus maximus transfer, 5 had Parkinson’s disease, 2 had inclusion body myositis, 1 had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and the remaining two were over 94 years of age. All patients implanted with the CAL had active instability post-primary THA and underwent only liner and head exchange without revision of the acetabular or femoral components. At an average follow-up of 2.4 years (ranging from 9 months to 5 years and 4 months), we had 1 case (3.2%) of dislocation post-CAL implantation. None of the patients undergoing surgery with CAL for active instability had a redislocation. ConclusionIn conclusion, a CAL provides excellent stability in both primary THA in high-risk individuals and revision THA in cases of active instability. There were no dislocations when using a CAL to treat active instability post-THA.

Modular dual mobility articulation in primary and revision hip arthroplasty: lights and shadows

PurposeThe use of dual mobility cups in total hip arthroplasty has gained popularity in light of the fact it enables to reduce dislocation through increased jumping distance (JD) and impingement-free arc of movement. Modular Dual Mobility Cup (modular DMC) systems have been recently introduced to enable the use of dual mobility cups with standard metal-backed shells. The objective of this study was twofold: calculate the JD for each modular DMC system and conduct a systematic literature review to report clinical outcomes and reasons for failure of this construct.MethodsThe JD was calculated using the Sariali formula: JD = 2Rsin [(π/2 − Ψ − arcsin (offset/R))/2]. A qualitative systematic literature review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A comprehensive search for English and French articles between January 2000 and July 2020 was run on PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and Scopus with the primary objective of finding articles about modular DMC systems.ResultsWe identified eight 8 different manufacturers of modular DMC systems and 327 publications on the subject. After screening for duplicates and eligibility, we identified 229 publications: 206 articles were excluded because they contained no reports on modular DMC systems, whereas other three were not included because they focused on biomechanical aspects. Among the 11 included articles, 2 were prospective case series, 9 were retrospective case series. True dislocation occurred in 25 cases (0.9%), and six of them were solved by closed reduction without necessity of revision, while all 5 intraprosthetic dislocations were operated.ConclusionsModular DMCs are a valid method to deal with complex THA instability, with good clinical and patient-reported outcomes, low complication rates, and low revision rates at early follow-up. We would advise cautious optimism on the role of modular DMC implants, as it seems safer to use ceramic instead of metallic heads whenever possible to avoid the increase cobalt and chromium trace ion serum levels.

Development of evidence-based guidelines for the treatment and management of periprosthetic hip infection.

Periprosthetic hip-joint infection is a multifaceted and highly detrimental outcome for patients and clinicians. The incidence of prosthetic joint infection reported within two years of primary hip arthroplasty ranges from 0.8% to 2.1%. Costs of treatment are over five-times greater in people with periprosthetic hip joint infection than in those with no infection. Currently, there are no national evidence-based guidelines for treatment and management of this condition to guide clinical practice or to inform clinical study design. The aim of this study is to develop guidelines based on evidence from the six-year INFection and ORthopaedic Management (INFORM) research programme. We used a consensus process consisting of an evidence review to generate items for the guidelines and online consensus questionnaire and virtual face-to-face consensus meeting to draft the guidelines. The consensus panel comprised 21 clinical experts in orthopaedics, primary care, rehabilitation, and healthcare commissioning. The final output from the consensus process was a 14-item guideline. The guidelines make recommendations regarding increased vigilance and monitoring of those at increased risk of infection; diagnosis including strategies to ensure the early recognition of prosthetic infection and referral to orthopaedic teams; treatment, including early use of DAIR and revision strategies; and postoperative management including appropriate physical and psychological support and antibiotic strategies. We believe the implementation of the INFORM guidelines will inform treatment protocols and clinical pathways to improve the treatment and management of periprosthetic hip infection.

Mark-Up Trends in Contemporary Medicare Primary and Revision Total Joint Arthroplasty

BackgroundUnderstanding mark-up ratios (MRs), the ratio between a healthcare institution’s submitted charge and the Medicare payment received, for high-volume orthopaedic procedures is imperative to inform policy about price transparency and reducing surprise billing. This analysis examined the MRs for primary and revision total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA and TKA) services to Medicare beneficiaries between 2013 and 2019 across healthcare settings and geographic regions. MethodsA large dataset was queried for all THA and TKA procedures performed by orthopaedic surgeons between 2013 and 2019, using Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes for the most frequently used services. Yearly MRs, service counts, average submitted charges, average allowed payments, and average Medicare payments were analyzed. Trends in MRs were assessed. We evaluated 9 THA HCPCS codes, averaging 159,297 procedures a year provided by a mean of 5,330 surgeons. We evaluated 6 TKA HCPCS codes, averaging 290,244 procedures a year provided by a mean of 7,308 surgeons. ResultsFor knee arthroplasty procedures, a decrease was noted for HCPCS code 27438 (patellar arthroplasty with prosthesis) over the study period (8.30 to 6.62; P = .016) and HCPCS code 27447 (TKA) had the highest median (interquartile range [IQR]) MR (4.73 [3.64 to 6.30]). For revision knee procedures, the highest median (IQR) MR was for HCPCS code 27488 (removal of knee prosthesis; 6.12 [3.83-8.22]). While no trends were noted for both primary and revision hip arthroplasty, median (IQR) MRs in 2019 for primary hip procedures ranged from 3.83 (hemiarthroplasty) to 5.06 (conversion of previous hip surgery to THA) and HCPCS code 27130 (total hip arthroplasty) had a median (IQR) MR of 4.66 (3.58-6.44). For revision hip procedures, MRs ranged from 3.79 (open treatment of femoral fracture or prosthetic arthroplasty) to 6.10 (revision of THA femoral component). Wisconsin had the highest median MR by state (>9) for primary knee, revision knee, and primary hip procedures. ConclusionThe MRs for primary and revision THA and TKA procedures were strikingly high, as compared to nonorthopaedic procedures. These findings represent high levels of excess charges billed, which may pose serious financial burdens to patients and must be taken into consideration in future policy discussions to avoid price inflation.