Use Of Total Knee Arthroplasty Research Articles

The effects of tourniquet use in total knee arthroplasty: a randomized, controlled trial.

Tourniquets are still widely used in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), although they may be associated with several adverse effects. An observer-blinded, randomized, controlled trial was performed to evaluate the effects of tourniquet use in TKA. Fifty participants who underwent staged bilateral TKA were recruited for this study. The first-side TKA was randomly allocated to either long-duration tourniquet use or short-duration tourniquet use followed by a 3-month washout period and crossover to the other tourniquet strategy for the opposite-side TKA. Blood loss was monitored perioperatively. The operating time, allogeneic blood transfusion rate, thigh pain, knee pain, limb swelling, clinical outcome as measured by the Likert-type Western Ontario and McMaster University (WOMAC) score, straight leg raising and knee active range of motion (ROM) were also recorded. The long-duration tourniquet group exhibited reduced total blood loss [-99.1ml, 95% confidence interval (CI) -168.1 to -30.1, P=0.0411] and intraoperative blood loss (-225.2ml, 95% CI -369.5 to -80.9, P=0.0071) compared with the short-duration tourniquet group. However, there were greater postoperative blood loss (69.6ml, 95% CI 21.1 to 118.2, P=0.0282) and hidden blood loss (52.8ml, 95% CI 10.5 to 95.1, P=0.0332) in the long-duration tourniquet group. The short-duration tourniquet group showed better outcomes for thigh and knee pain, limb swelling, WOMAC score at 6-week follow-up, straight leg raising and knee ROM. Similar allogeneic blood transfusion rates were observed for both groups. Total and intraoperative blood losses were reduced with the long-duration tourniquet use, whereas the short-duration tourniquet use would reduce postoperative and hidden blood losses without increasing the allogeneic blood transfusion rate. In addition, short-duration tourniquet use would result in faster recovery and less pain during the early rehabilitation period following TKA. I.

Antibiotic Bone Cement and Ultraviolet Light Use in Total Knee Arthroplasty

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine usefulness of antibiotic bone cement and UV light in primary Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA). Patients and Methods: Between 1986 and 2008, 3105 TKAs were performed using 750 mg of cefuroxime per bag of cement (Group 1), 7537 using cefuroxime and UV light (Group 2), and 4573 using UV light and gentamicin premixed (Group 3). Results: The primary infection rate was 0.57% (87 acute postoperative infections). Of these, 27 (0.9%) were in Group 1, 44 (0.6%) were in Group 2, and 16 (0.35%) were in Group 3 (p = 0.0013). Kaplan-Meier survival in Groups 1 - 3 for reoperation for aseptic loosening of any component at 5 years was 0.9908, 0.9927, and 0.9959, respectively (p = 0.1315). Conclusion: Despite potential concerns mentioned in the literature, these results continue to support the use of antibiotic bone cement and UV lights during TKA.

Effects of Tourniquet in Total Knee Arthroplasty

Tourniquet has long been used in TKA (Total Knee Arthroplasty) as the other orthopedic procedures for decreasing operation time and blood loss, providing better visualization of anatomic structures. While having much more advantages, these devices have a potential of serious complications, so they must be used with adequate knowledge and attention. Paralysis, compression neuropathy, compartment syndrome, prolonged period of rehabilitation, edema, pain, skin problems, nerve damage and systemic problems are the some complications seen. Selections of appropriate blood pressure, cuff selection, tourniquet timing are the essential points of tourniquet use. Through these increasing complication rates and improvements in the surgical and anesthesia methods contrary to old beliefs, surgery has been preferred without tourniquet in the patients who have no cardiovascular problems and morbidity. In the patients who have any contraindicated situations as stated above, TKA must be performed with tourniquet, with proper control of the amount of pressure and the duration of application, the risk of complications decrease, in the other situations TKA can be performed without tourniquet with the aims for fast-recovery, postsurgical pain relief and better muscle activity. The objective of this paper is to describe current perspectives of tourniquet use in total knee arthroplasty.

Tourniquet induced ischemia and changes in metabolism during TKA: a randomized study using microdialysis.

BackgroundTourniquet use in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery is applied to minimize blood loss thereby creating better overview of the surgical field. This induces ischemia in the skeletal muscle resulting in reperfusion injury. Our aim was to investigate the in vivo metabolic changes in the skeletal muscle during TKA surgery using microdialysis (MD).MethodsSeventy patients were randomly allocated to tourniquet group (n = 35) or non-tourniquet group (n = 35). Prior to surgery, catheters were inserted in the operated leg and non-operated leg. Interstitial dialysate was collected before and after surgery and at 20 min intervals during a 5 h reperfusion period. Main variables were ischemic metabolites: glucose, pyruvate, lactate and glycerol and L/P ratio.ResultsSignificant difference in all metabolites was detected between the two groups, caused by tourniquet application. Tourniquet induced ischemia resulted in decreased levels of glucose and pyruvate to 54 and 60 % respectively, compared to baseline. Simultaneously, accumulation of lactate to 116 % and glycerol to 190 % was observed. L/P ratio was elevated indicating ischemia.In the non-tourniquet group the metabolite changes were less profound and normalized within 60 min.ConclusionsMicrodialysis revealed that performing TKA with tourniquet is associated with increased ischemia. This affects all metabolites but the changes are normalized after 5 h

Lower prosthesis-specific 10-year revision rate with crosslinked than with non-crosslinked polyethylene in primary total knee arthroplasty

Background and purpose — While highly crosslinked polyethylene has shown reduced in vivo wear and lower rates of revision for total hip arthroplasty, there have been few long-term studies on its use in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We compared the rate of revision of non-crosslinked polyethylene to that of crosslinked polyethylene in patients who underwent TKA for osteoarthritis.Patients and methods — We examined data from the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry on 302,214 primary TKA procedures with non-crosslinked polyethylene and 83,890 procedures with crosslinked polyethylene, all of which were performed for osteoarthritis. The survivorship of the different polyethylenes was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and was compared using proportional hazard models.Results — The 10-year cumulative revision rate for non-crosslinked polyethylene was 5.8% (95% CI: 5.7–6.0) and for crosslinked polyethylene it was 3.5% (95% CI: 3.2–3.8) (> 6.5-year HR = 2.2 (1.5–3.1); p < 0.001). There was no effect of surgical volume or method of prosthesis fixation on outcome. There were 4 different TKA designs that had a minimum of 2,500 procedures in at least 1 of the polyethylene groups and a follow-up of ≥ 5 years. 2 of these, the NexGen and the Natural Knee II, had a lower rate of revision for crosslinked polyethylene. The Scorpio NRG/Series 7000 and the Triathlon Knee did not show a lower rate of revision for crosslinked polyethylene.Interpretation — There is a lower rate of revision for crosslinked polyethylene in TKA, and this appears to be prosthesis-specific and when it occurs is most evident in patients < 65 years of age. The difference in revision rates was mainly due to revisions because of lysis and loosening.

Handheld navigation in total knee arthroplasty

Handheld navigation is now available for use in total knee arthroplasty, allowing for precision cuts of the distal femur and proximal tibia. By using inertial sensors and accelerometers, the handheld navigation unit is able to provide real-time, intraoperative information about alignment without additional incisions or arrays, line-of-sight issues, or the large capital expense associated with large console navigation systems. This handheld navigation unit reduces alignment outliers commonly seen with conventional guides, potentially leading to benefits in knee function and implant longevity.

In Vivo Performance of Moderately Crosslinked, Thermally Treated Polyethylene in a Prospective Randomized Controlled Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty Trial

Cross-linked bearings have been developed for use in total knee arthroplasty that exhibit improved wear properties, but at the expense of a decrease in mechanical strength of the cross-linked material. Adoption has been slow due to fears of mechanical failure secondary to this alteration in mechanical properties. This prospective, randomized study compared mid-term survivorship, clinical and radiographic results of a conventional polyethylene (GVF) to a cross-linked polyethylene (XLK) in total knee prostheses of the same design. At minimum 5-year follow-up there was no difference in survivorship, clinical performance or radiographic findings between the groups. There were no revisions for polyethylene wear, osteolysis or tibial insert dissociation. Most importantly, there were no revisions for mechanical failure or fracture of the polyethylene bearing in either group.

Extensor allograft: the consummate treatment for extensor disruption after total knee arthroplasty. Commentary on an article by Nicholas M. Brown, MD, et al.: "Extensor mechanism allograft reconstruction for extensor mechanism failure following total knee arthroplasty".

I would like to commend this article by Brown et al.; it is well written, well documented, and realistic in its analysis of extensor tendon allografts, which have become the final common pathway for extensor mechanism ruptures after total knee replacement. Although Brown et al. suggest that enthusiasm for this procedure, no matter how desperate the situation, should be modest or guarded, their data are irrefutable and consistent with my own experience of almost 250 extensor tendon allografts over the past twenty years. There is no question that the explosion of joint replacement, particularly in younger patients, will create the need for more and definitely better alternatives to this problem. After the initial identification of an extensor mechanism rupture and the angst that every surgeon feels at that moment, it is important to try to ascertain the cause. Early ruptures are frequently due to compromised replacements that are either unstable or stiff after index total knee arthroplasty. My own experience, as well as that of the authors, is that almost 50% of these patients will need a simultaneous knee revision as well as an extensor allograft reconstruction. Many of these individuals have an infection and are undergoing the same procedure (often after an antibiotic spacer block), and they are at even greater risk for long-term infection and failure. These ruptures usually occur fairly early in the recuperative period, whereas extensor ruptures from falls or attenuation of the tendon from disease processes such as rheumatoid arthritis may present years later. The surgeon must be ready to perform a revision, probably to a constrained condylar knee or hinged device with stems to protect the subsequent and often simultaneous allograft. Almost all surgeons faced …

The use of pneumatic tourniquet in total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis.

Pneumatic tourniquet use in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is always a controversial issue. The aim of the present study is to assess the effectiveness and safety of its use in patients receiving primary unilateral TKA, and to explore the most safe and effective protocols. This review was based on cochrane methodology for conducting meta-analysis. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were eligible for this study. The participants were adults who had undergone primary unilateral TKA. The Review Manager Database (RevMan version 5.0, The Cochrane Collaboration 2008) was used to analyze the dates of the selected studies. Thirteen RCTs involving 859 patients were included in this analysis. The use of tourniquet could significantly reduce operation time (mean difference -5.01 min, P = 0.003), intraoperative blood loss (mean difference -201.85 ml, P < 0.00001) and total blood loss volumes (mean difference -125.03 ml, P = 0.61). But postoperative (mean difference 45.99 ml, P = 0.68) were slightly increased in that situation. With respect to surgical complications, a tendency of increasing risk ratio was observed for tourniquet group. Our results indicate that tourniquet application could reduce surgical time, intraoperative blood loss and total blood loss, but increases postoperative total blood loss. With respect to postoperative complications, DVT and surgical site infection rates are relatively augmented in the tourniquet group.

Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty and Total Knee Arthroplasty Among Medicare Beneficiaries, 2000 to 2009

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty is a less-invasive alternative to total knee arthroplasty for patients with arthritis affecting only the medial or lateral compartment. However, little is known about recent trends in the use of these procedures and the associated outcomes among older patients. With use of a nationally representative 5% sample of Medicare beneficiaries who were sixty-five years of age or older and who had undergone either unilateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty or unilateral total knee arthroplasty from 2000 to 2009, we assessed trends in the use of unicompartmental and total knee arthroplasty, associated durations of hospital stay, and postoperative outcomes. The outcome measures were the rates of implant revision or removal within five years and the rates of periprosthetic infection, thromboembolic events, myocardial infarction, and all-cause mortality within one year. We conducted Kaplan-Meier analyses to assess the cumulative incidence of unadjusted outcomes and used Cox proportional-hazards regression to understand the relative risks of the outcomes for each procedure. A total of 68,603 patients underwent unilateral total knee arthroplasty (n = 65,505) or unilateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (n = 3098) from 2000 to 2009. The mean age was seventy-five years; 34% of the patients were men, and 92% were white. The procedure rate was twenty-one times higher for total knee arthroplasty (597 per 100,000 person-years) than unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (twenty-nine per 100,000 person-years). The use of total knee arthroplasty increased 1.7-fold, and the use of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty increased 6.2-fold. The mean length of stay (and standard deviation [SD]) was 3.9 ± 2.1 days for total knee arthroplasty and 2.4 ± 1.7 days for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. The five-year revision rate was 3.7% for total knee arthroplasty and 8.0% for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. After multivariable adjustment, the risk of revision remained 2.4 times higher for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty than for total knee arthroplasty (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.03 to 2.83). After multivariable adjustment, patients who underwent unicompartmental knee arthroplasty had no significant differential one-year risk of infection (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 0.74; 95% CI = 0.55 to 1.01), thromboembolic events (adjusted HR =0.86; 95% CI = 0.57 to 1.29), or mortality (adjusted HR = 0.75; 95% CI = 0.50 to 1.11). Although unicompartmental knee arthroplasty accounted for only 4.5% of the unilateral knee replacements among Medicare beneficiaries, the use of this procedure has increased dramatically. Compared with those who had total knee arthroplasty, patients who underwent unicompartmental knee arthroplasty had higher revision rates but shorter durations of stay and tended to have lower rates of perioperative complications. These findings need to be confirmed by studies that incorporate detailed clinical information.

The effect of tourniquet use in total knee arthroplasty: grading the evidence through an updated meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials

Although tourniquets are widely used in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), the effectiveness and safety are still in controversy. We therefore conducted an updated meta-analysis to compare the outcomes of tourniquet-assisted to non-tourniquet-assisted TKA and provide recommendations for using tourniquet in TKA. A systematic search of studies published through March 2013 was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, OVID, and ScienceDirect. Randomized, controlled trials that assessed the influence of the use of a tourniquet in TKA and provided data on safety and clinical effects were identified. Demographic characteristics, adverse events, and clinical outcomes were manually extracted from all of the selected studies. The evidence quality levels and recommendations were assessed using the GRADE system. Fifteen studies encompassing 804 patients and comparing TKA with and without the use of a tourniquet met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the result of meta-analysis indicated that using a tourniquet could decrease the intraoperative blood loss but could increase the postoperative blood loss. However, there was no statistically significant difference in calculated blood loss and measured total blood loss between the tourniquet and non-tourniquet group. There was no statistically significant difference in operation time. Patients treated with a tourniquet might not have higher risks of thromboembolic complications, such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism. The overall GRADE system evidence quality was very low, which lowers our confidence in their recommendations. As a safe application, the use of a tourniquet during TKA may be effective for reducing intraoperative blood loss, but not for reducing the postoperative blood loss and actual total blood loss. However, no uniform guideline can be made based on the current evidence because of the very low evidence quality and lower GRADE recommendation strength.

Less outliers in pinless navigation compared with conventional surgery in total knee arthroplasty

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a new pinless navigation system (BrainLAB(®) VectorVision(®) Knee 2.5 Navigation System) as an intra-operative alignment check in total knee arthroplasty using conventional cutting jigs. 200 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty using conventional technique or pinless navigation by a senior surgeon were included in the study and prospectively followed up. Intra-operative readings from the pinless navigation system were recorded, and post-operative long limb radiographic films were taken. The accepted values for normal alignment were 180 ± 3° for Hip-Knee-Ankle Angle and 90 ± 3° for Coronal Femoral-Component Angle or Coronal Tibia-Component Angle. There was no difference in the duration of surgery. The mean Coronal Femoral-Component Angle was 89.8 ± 2.0° and 91.3 ± 2.3° in the pinless navigation and conventional group, respectively (p < 0.001). For Hip-Knee-Ankle Angle, the proportion of outliers was 10 % in the pinless navigation group compared to 26 % in the conventional group (p = 0.005). For Coronal Femoral-Component Angle and Coronal Tibia-Component Angle, the proportion of outliers was 7 and 4 %, respectively, in the pinless navigation group, compared to 22 and 19 % in the conventional group (p = 0.004 and p = 0.001, respectively). The measurements of Coronal Femoral-Component Angle and Coronal Tibia-Component Angle on post-operative radiographic films were similar to intra-operative readings. This study showed that pinless navigation is an effective tool for reducing the proportion of outliers, without significantly increasing the duration of surgery. The authors recommend its use in total knee arthroplasty using conventional cutting jigs.

Periprosthetic Total Knee Arthroplasty Fractures: Revision Arthroplasty Technique

With increased use of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) technique, the burden of revision surgery for all causes including periprosthetic fractures is anticipated to increase substantially in the coming decades. Although periprosthetic TKA fractures are most frequently managed with operative repair, there are circumstances where fracture characteristics or patient factors may make a revision total knee arthroplasty more preferable. This article outlines the principles of surgical treatment when a revision arthroplasty technique is selected.

Trends in use of total knee arthroplasty in Korea from 2001 to 2010.

The use of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has increased substantially in most Western countries. However, the trends in TKA use and changes in demographic characteristics of patients having TKA in Korea remain unclear. We documented the trends in TKA use and in the demographics of patients undergoing TKA in Korea over the past decade and determined whether current TKA use in Korea corresponds to worldwide trends. Using the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service of Korea database, we analyzed TKA records (n = 398,218) from 2001 to 2010 in Korea. Trends in TKA use and demographics, including numbers and rates of primary and revision TKA, growth rate and the revision burden, and age- and sex-specific rates, were estimated. They were compared with nationwide TKA registry reports from other countries, and a systematic review was performed. Over the past decade, the primary and revision TKA rates increased by 407% and 267%, respectively. However, the revision burden remained 2%. The highest proportion was observed in 65 to 74 years old and the greatest increase in 75 to 84 years old, but a decrease was observed in those 55 to 64 years old. Women consistently had a ninefold higher TKA rate. The primary TKA rate was comparable with that of other countries, but the revision burden remained lower. In addition, old and female patients comprised considerably higher proportions in Korea. During the past decade, TKA use in Korea has markedly increased and caught up with the use levels of most developed Western countries. Trends toward consistent growth in elderly patients and higher rates in females were observed. Appropriate healthcare strategies reflecting these trends in demographics are urgently needed in Korea.

Total knee arthroplasty using navigation system for severe osteoarthritis with extra-articular deformity

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using a computer-assisted navigation system for treating osteoarthritis with extra-articular deformity. Between January 2006 and January 2009, computer-assisted navigation TKAs were performed on eight knees in eight patients, who had severe osteoarthritis with an ipsilateral extra-articular deformity. All patients were followed up for a minimum of 24months. The involved knees were evaluated by function scores, Knee Society knee scores, and analyzing knee flexion before the operation and at the latest follow-up. Postoperatively, the function scores, Knee Society knee scores, and knee flexion all improved significantly. The ideal mechanical axis of the lower extremity was obtained in all cases. TKA using a computer-assisted navigation system might provide an efficient treatment for patients with osteoarthritis in combination with an extra-articular deformity.

A tumor endoprosthesis is useful in elderly rheumatoid arthritis patient with acute intercondylar fracture of the distal femur

The purpose of this paper is to report the use of total knee arthroplasty using a tumor prosthesis in the treatment of elderly patients with an intercondylar fracture of the distal femur. Supracondylar fractures of the femur in patients with rheumatoid arthritis are difficult to treat due to joint deformity. We present outcomes for treating intercondylar fractures of the distal femur in rheumatoid arthritis patient using a tumor endoprosthesis. This technique allows early mobilization of the patient, with restoration of a good range of knee motion. A tumor prosthesis appears to be a viable treatment option for intercondylar femoral fractures in elderly patients. It is well tolerated and permits early ambulation and return to activities of daily living.

Fracture of Highly Cross-linked All-Polyethylene Patella after Total Knee Arthroplasty

Recent advances in polyethylene fabrication have led to the introduction of highly cross-linked polyethylene tibial and patellar components for use in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with the goal of reducing wear-related osteolysis. However, some reports suggest decreased mechanical strength as a result of the additional thermal and sterilization treatments in the manufacturing of implants. Complications related to the patella are among the most common causes of failure in TKA, but patellar component fracture is rare. The authors report a case of a highly cross-linked all-polyethylene patellar component that failed as a result of fracture in vivo in a patient 3 years after TKA.

Crosslinked polyethylene in knee arthroplasty: a simulator study evaluating the positive influence on the tribocontact area in the fixed-bearing knee

Crosslinked polyethylene (XPE) was developed to reduce the wear rate in hip as well as knee arthroplasty. The crosslinking process reduces the mechanical properties of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), particularly its fatigue strength. UHMWPE fatigue occurs more frequently in the knee than in the hip joint due to its changing tribocontact areas (TCAs) combined with high weight bearing. This is why XPE is still controversially discussed for use in total knee arthroplasty. Therefore, the potential advantage of using XPE in the knee was analysed in a simulator study with a focus on potential fatigue wear mechanisms. Three different kinds of XPE and one conventional UHMWPE were tested over 5 million cycles in fixed-bearing knee designs. The TCAs were examined by replicas, and their extent was measured. The wear mechanism was analysed by scanning electron microscopy. The extent of the TCAs was less than 5% for all XPEs, whereas 35% for the conventional UHMWPE. Fatigue wear mechanisms were not observed. The measured small extent of the TCAs as a predictor of a low wear rate without any fatigue wear mechanism shows a possible advantage for the use of XPE even in knee arthroplasty.

2009 Marshall Urist Young Investigator Award: How Often Do Patients with High-Flex Total Knee Arthroplasty Use High Flexion?

2009 Marshall Urist Young Investigator Award: How Often Do Patients with High-Flex Total Knee Arthroplasty Use High Flexion?

Delamination and Adhesive Wear Behavior of α-Tocopherol–Stabilized Irradiated Ultrahigh-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene

Wear and delamination of conventional ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) components used in total knee arthroplasty can compromise long-term performance. Radiation cross-linking and melt-annealing reduced wear and increased delamination resistance of UHMWPE. An alternative material is the α-tocopherol–stabilized irradiated UHMWPE ( αTPE), with improved mechanical and fatigue properties vs irradiated and melted UHMWPE. We studied the wear and delamination resistance of αTPE and conventional UHMWPE (direct compression molded GUR 1050 and Himont 1900) under reciprocating unidirectional motion. Wear resistance was improved, and no delamination was observed in αTPE. Accelerated aging did not alter the wear and delamination behavior of αTPE. The GUR 1050 UHMWPE showed delamination and pitting when subjected to unidirectional reciprocating motion after accelerated aging. Himont 1900 UHMWPE showed no delamination when subjected to unidirectional reciprocating motion after accelerated aging. α-Tocopherol–stabilized irradiated UHMWPE is advanced for use in total knee arthroplasty due to its high resistance to wear, delamination, and oxidation.