Jayasree Ramaskandhan

Metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty.

The effects of elevated levels of metal ions in patients who have undergone metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty are not fully understood. The effects of femoral head size on serum metal-ion levels have been the subject of conflicting reports, and further investigation is needed to evaluate the impact of acetabular and femoral component alignment. The conduct of clinical trials of metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasties has been inadequate as few investigators have used a randomized controlled design to compare metal-on-metal bearings with other bearing surfaces. Additional clinical research needs to include appropriate validated patient-reported outcome measures, activity monitoring, and health economics.

Two-year outcomes of MOBILITY Total Ankle Replacement

BACKGROUND There is little literature on patient-reported outcomes following total ankle replacement in patients with osteoarthritis, posttraumatic osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. We compared the differences in demographic data and clinical and patient-reported outcomes among patients with those types of arthritis who underwent total ankle replacement performed with use of the MOBILITY Total Ankle System. METHODS Patients were divided into three groups based on the preoperative diagnosis of type of arthritis. We analyzed patient demographic data, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, and patient-reported outcomes as measured with use of the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), the 36-item Short-Form (SF-36) Health Survey, and patient-satisfaction scores, collected preoperatively and at one and two years postoperatively. RESULTS The study included 106 consecutive patients who underwent total ankle replacement between March 2006 and December 2009. The posttraumatic osteoarthritis group, which had twenty-eight patients, was significantly younger (mean age, 54.8 yrs; p < 0.05) than the other groups; the rheumatoid arthritis group, which had twenty-two patients, had a significantly lower mean body mass index (24.5 kg/m(2); p < 0.05); and the osteoarthritis group, which had fifty-six patients, had a higher proportion of males (41 males; p < 0.05). The posttraumatic osteoarthritis group reported better scores for two of the eight domains of the SF-36 preoperatively. At one year postoperatively, the posttraumatic osteoarthritis group and the rheumatoid arthritis group had better FAOS results regarding pain than those of the osteoarthritis group, and the posttraumatic osteoarthritis group also reported better scores for the general health domain of the SF-36. At two years, the posttraumatic group continued to show significantly higher scores for the general health domain of the SF-36. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the AOFAS scores, other FAOS results, or the patient-satisfaction scores at one and two years postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that early outcomes after total ankle replacement for patients with posttraumatic osteoarthritis are comparable with those for patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Radiographic Severity of Arthritis Affects Functional Outcome in Total Ankle Replacement (TAR)

Background: It has been previously demonstrated that radiographic severity of arthritis predicts outcome following knee replacement. In certain circumstances, patients may undergo arthroplasty without severe radiographic disease. An example may be the patient with significant chondral damage unsuccessfully treated with arthroscopy. This patient may proceed to joint replacement when their radiographs would not normally merit such intervention. We investigated whether these findings were also applicable to total ankle replacements (TARs). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a single-surgeon, single-implant series of 178 TARs in 170 patients. Of them, 124 patients who took part in the hospital joint registry with a minimum 2-year follow-up were included for this study. The radiographic severity of arthritis was graded using the Kellgren-Lawrence classification. Preoperative weight-bearing radiographs were reviewed for severity of arthritis by 2 blinded observers: the first author and an independent colleague from the radiology department. Patients were grouped into 4 subgroups based on degree of severity of radiographic grading for arthritis—A, B, C, and D (for grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 grades, respectively). Data collected included Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS; pain, function, and stiffness), MOS 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) scores, and patient satisfaction scores collected prospectively and at 1 and 2 years postoperation. Results: Groups were similar in terms of demographic data (P > .1) and preoperative FAOS scores (P > .89) for pain, function and stiffness. Group D had the biggest improvement in all domains of FAOS. This reached significance in each domain when compared to group C. No significant differences were demonstrated in SF-36 scores. Overall, 91.1% of patients in group D were satisfied at 2 years, compared with 50.0% of patients in groups A, B, and C (P < .001). In addition, 93.9% of patients in group D felt that their quality of life had been improved by the surgery, compared to 47% of patients with groups A, B, and C (P < .001). Further, 77.3% of patients from group D said they would have the operation again, vs only 52.2% of patients with grade III or less (P = .014). Patients who were “very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied” postoperatively had an average Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade of 3.9 preoperatively. In contrast the “very dissatisfied” and “somewhat dissatisfied” patients had an average KL grade of 2.9 (P < .05). Conclusion: Although this study does not explain all of the dissatisfaction in TAR, radiologic severity is an important factor that surgeons must consider when planning how best to treat their patients. There may be a different pathophysiology in this patient group that is not well served by arthroplasty. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative series.

The effect of patient age and diagnosis on the 5-year outcomes of mobile-bearing total ankle replacement

Total Ankle Replacement is an established technique for the management of end-stage ankle arthritis. However, there are few studies focussing on patient-reported outcomes in the medium and long term related to age or arthritis type. We compared demographic data and patient-reported outcomes preoperatively and at five years postoperatively for patients who underwent total ankle replacement with the aim of establishing whether differences exist in outcome depending on patient age or diagnosis. The Foot and Ankle Score (FAOS) and 36-item Short-Form (SF-36) Health Survey were analysed by diagnosis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis) and age (under or over 60 years). At 5 years, the post-traumatic arthritis group had a significantly higher composite score than the osteoarthritis (p<0.0001) or rheumatoid arthritis groups (p<0.0001). Only the post-traumatic arthritis group experienced a significant increase in composite SF-36 score from baseline (p<0.0001). There was a significant improvement from pre-operatively to 5 years in all three domains of the FAOS and in total scores in both groups (over 60 p<0.0001; 60 and under p=0.0002). There was a significant improvement in composite SF-36 score from pre-operative to 5 years in the patients 60 years or younger at the time of surgery (p=0.0006), but not for the patients over 60. Three patients have been revised (4%), at a mean of 4.8 years following surgery with one patient awaiting revision.

Synovectomy during total knee arthroplasty: a pilot single-centre randomised controlled trial.

BackgroundTotal knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an effective procedure for late-stage osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee; however, up to 20% of patients remain dissatisfied. In some patients, this may be due to residual inflammation of the synovium. Our aim was to perform the first randomised controlled trial (RCT) of synovectomy during TKA for patients with macroscopically inflamed synovium. The main objectives were to assess recruitment rates, protocol adherence and outcomes relating to safety such as haemoglobin decrease and adverse events. We also collected data on patient-reported outcomes.MethodsWe performed a single-centre pilot RCT. Patients with a macroscopically inflamed synovium were randomised to receive synovectomy versus a control group that did not undergo synovectomy. We determined feasibility by measuring patient enrolment, completeness of follow-up, and safety via haemoglobin decrease and documentation of adverse events.ResultsWe screened 360 patients with 260 deemed ineligible or could not be recruited. From the 100 eligible patients, 54 were enrolled and 40 progressed through to randomisation. All made it to the 12-month follow-up, indicating good protocol adherence. There were no major differences in adverse events or haemoglobin decrease demonstrating acceptable safety. Outcomes relating to satisfaction were reliably obtained.ConclusionsPatients with macroscopically inflamed synovium of the knee who are due to undergo TKA can be reliably recruited to a randomised trial and synovectomy can be performed safely. A large number is needed to be screened to identify eligible participants, and therefore, a multi-centre trial would be required to assess whether routine synovectomy would improve outcomes in these patients.Trial registrationISRCTN, ISRCTN31010214. Registered 6 October 2016—retrospectively registered

Do Pain, Functional Disability, and Gait in End-stage Ankle Arthritis Worsen with Associated Varus Coronal Plane Deformity?

Category: Ankle Arthritis Introduction/Purpose: There is paucity of literature on quantitative gait changes in patients with increased coronal plane deformity along with end stage ankle arthritis. We aimed to study the difference in spatial temporal parameters of gait and patient reported functional measure in patients with end stage arthritis and no coronal plane deformity vs. varus deformity of >10? Methods: All patients diagnosed with end stage arthritis between April 2016 and December 2017 underwent an objective gait assessment using Tekscan system (BioSense Medicals, UK) as part of routine clinical practice. Of this cohort, patients with bilateral ankle arthritis, previous reconstructive surgery, inflammatory arthritis, hip and knee arthritis, spinal pathology and underlying neurological conditions were excluded. Patients with unilateral ankle arthritis for a diagnosis of osteoarthritis or post traumatic arthritis were included in this study. These patients were grouped into Group A (no coronal plane deformity) vs. Group B (varus deformity of more than 10?). In these patients differences were studied between the groups for temporal spatial parameters of gait and functional disability levels measured by MOX-FQ scores. Statistical tests included normality tests, student t’tests, chi square evaluation and analysis of variance tests with SPSS. Results: Of 33 patients, 22 were in Group A (N=22) and 10 in Group B (N=10). There was no difference in mean age between groups (61.5 vs. 65.07; p=0.335; diagnosis was predominantly OA in both groups MOX-FQ: -  There were similar levels of pain (p=0.570), difficulty with walking / standing (p=0.492) and restriction in social activities (p=0.869) reported Quantitative gait measures: -  For spatial parameters, there was no difference between groups; p>0.05. -  For temporal parameters, there was decreased step time(s) (0.67 vs. 0.61) and mid stance times (0.38 s vs. 0.30 s) in Group B; borderline statistical significance (p=0.052). -  There was increase in stride velocity measured in Group B (79.1 ± 22.7 m/s) compared to Group A (64.0 ± 18.1 m/s), (p=0.05). Conclusion: -  Although there were no differences in functional levels of pain, difficulty with walking / standing and restriction in social activities, measured by MOX-FQ, there were differences observed in objective gait parameters. -  Patients in both groups demonstrated antalgic gait patterns; this was slightly increased in varus group. -  There is a trend for reduction in temporal parameters and stride velocity in patients with end stage ankle arthritis and coronal plane deformity >10?, when compared to patients with end stage arthritis and no coronal plane deformity -  Larger clinical study with increased sample size is required to confirm these findings.

PROMS and Radiological Outcomes in Mobile Bearing Total Ankle Arthroplasty for Patients with Varus or Valgus Deformity

Category: Ankle Arthritis Introduction/Purpose: There is increasing evidence that outcomes for total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) are not adversely affected by pre-operative varus deformity. There is a sparsity of evidence relating to outcomes in valgus ankle arthritis. We present our outcomes using a mobile bearing prosthesis (Mobility TAA system, DePuy, Raynham, Massachusetts, USA) with a comparison of neutral, varus and valgus ankles. Methods: This is a single surgeon, retrospective cohort study of consecutive cases. Cases were identified from a locally held joint registry which routinely records PROMS data pre-operatively and at annual intervals. Patients undergoing primary TAA between March 2006 and June 2014 were included. Rrevision procedures along with those with inadequate radiographic images for deformity analysis were excluded. Patients with inadequate PROMS data were included in the radiological analysis but not the PROMS analysis. Data collected included FAOS (Womac Pain, Function and Stiffness), SF-36 scores and patient satisfaction. Radiological data was gathered from routinely taken AP weight bearing radiographs pre-operatively, immediately post-operatively and at final follow up. Pre-operative deformity was measured between the tibial anatomical axis and a line perpendicular to the talus. Patients were classified as neutral, varus (≥10 degrees varus) or valgus (≥10 degrees valgus). Results: 230 cases (see image) underwent radiological classification (152 neutral, 60 varus, 18 valgus) and were included in the radiological analysis (mean follow-up 55.9 months). 164 cases were included in the PROMS analysis (mean follow-up 61.6 months). The groups were similar with regards to BMI and length of follow-up but neutral ankles were younger (P<0.001). Baseline scores were equal except physical health with valgus ankles scoring lowest (P=0.045). Valgus ankles had statistically better post-operative pain (P=0.0247) and function (P=0.012) than neutral ankles. Pre to post-operative change did not reach statistical significance except physical health where valgus outperformed neutral and varus (p=0.039). Mean post-operative angle was 3.1 and final angle 3.7 with no significant differences. There was no significant differences in revision rates. Conclusion: Our study confirms previous evidence that varus deformity does not affect outcome in TAA. Contrary to this, valgus ankles in our cohort performed better post-operatively than neutral ankles. Post-operative coronal radiological alignment was not affected by pre-operative deformity and was maintained over a number of years. Coronal plane deformity does not negatively impact either radiological or clinical outcomes in TAA should not be considered an absolute contra-indication.

Sensory Mapping in Patients Following Excision of a Morton’s Neuroma

Category: Lesser Toes, Morton’s neuroma Introduction/Purpose: Background: Morton’s neuromata are a common cause of forefoot pain. Surgical excision of the neuroma is expected to result in loss of sensation, however in the author’s experience post-operative sensation can be incongruent with the expected cutaneous innervation of the excised nerve. There is a lack of literature regarding this observed discrepancy. The purpose of this study was to carry out sensory mapping in post excision patients. Methods: Methods: Data was collated from the consecutive case series of a single surgeon from 2013-2015 resulting in a total of 19 respondents (23 excisions). All patients were a minimum of 7 months post-excision (average=23 months). Each toe was divided into 13 anatomical segments (total 65). Sensation was assessed using a 10 g monofilament and results were recorded on a sensory map. Results: 19 excisions were done from the 3 rd intermetatarsal space (group A) and 4 from the 2nd intermetatarsal space (group B). The range of patients from group A affected by complete sensory loss within any individual segment varied from 5.3%-47.4%. In the lesser toes (2, 3, 4 and 5), at least 10% of patients described decreased or absent sensation in =7/13 segments in each of all the lesser toes. Over 36.9% of patients reported decreased or absent sensation involving =7/13 segments in each the 3 rd and 4th toes. The percentage of patients who reported unaltered sensation ranged from 21.1%-100% across all 65 segments. Group B followed a similar pattern but had a much smaller cohort of patients. Conclusion: The results of the sensory mapping indicate an unexpected pattern of loss and preservation of sensation when considering the perceived knowledge of the cutaneous innervation of the forefoot. Further research is required to evaluate this intriguing pattern of innervation. A greater understanding would be useful in better informing our patients during the consent process.

Is Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Reliable in the Diagnosis of Ankle Instability

Category: Ankle, Sports, Trauma Introduction/Purpose: MRI is the preferred modality for the diagnosis of ankle joint pathology. The aim of this study was to specifically analyse the reliability of MRI reported lateral ligament findings in relation to examination under anaesthesia and stress X-rays in patients with symptomatic ankle instability. Methods: A single centre, single surgeon consecutive series of patients who had undergone examination under anaesthesia and stress X-rays preceded by an MRI scan for symptomatic ankle pathology were included in this retrospective clinical study. All MRI scans were reported by a musculoskeletal radiologist. MRI reports and procedure findings were extracted and analysed. Results: Between April 2012 and December 2016, 49 patients who fulfilled the above criteria were included. There were 25 male and 24 female patients, the average age was 43.1. The average time interval between MRI scan and examination under anaesthesia was 9.7 months (2-49 months). There is a significant association between MRI reported lateral ligament findings and status of ankle stability detected on examination under anaesthesia and stress views, p=0.003 (Chi-square analysis for association). In 34 patients who had abnormal lateral ligament findings on MRI, 20 patients (58.8%) had stable findings and 14 (41.2%) had unstable findings on stress views. There was, however, a 100% concordance between MRI reported normal lateral ligament findings and stability on examination under anaesthesia and stress views (N=15). Conclusion: MRI is accurate in diagnosing the status of ankle ligaments and in particular, in predicting true stability.

Is Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Reliable in the Diagnosis of Osteochondral Lesions (OCL’s)?

Category: Ankle, Arthroscopy Introduction/Purpose: MRI is the preferred modality for the diagnosis of ankle joint pathology. Musculoskeletal radiologists aim to determine and report both chondral and/or osseous stability/instability of each lesion. The aim of this study was to specifically analyse the reliability of MRI reported findings in predicting the stability of OCL’s in symptomatic patients. Methods: A single centre, single surgeon consecutive series of patients who had undergone an ankle arthroscopy procedure preceded by an MRI scan for symptomatic ankle pathology were included in this retrospective clinical study. All MRI scans were reported by a musculoskeletal radiologist. MRI reports and arthroscopic findings were extracted and analysed. Arthroscopy findings were taken as the gold standard. Results: Between April 2012 and July 2016, 48 patients who fulfilled the criteria were included. There were 27 male and 21 female patients, the average age was 43.4. Average time interval between MRI and arthroscopy was 9 months. There was a significant negative relationship between OCL’s reported as stable on MRI to arthroscopic findings, r=-.31, p=0.03. Of the 21 patients who had OCL’s reported as stable on the MRI, all had unstable lesions on arthroscopic evaluation (100%). One patient had an unstable OCL reported on the MRI and it was also unstable arthroscopically. In 27 patients, there was no mention of the stability of the reported OCL on the MRI, 22 patients (81.5%) had unstable lesions and 5 patients (18.5%) had stable lesions on arthroscopic findings. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that MRI has a poor predictive value for the stability of OCL’s of the ankle. Therefore we recommend that in the symptomatic patient an arthroscopy is indicated irrespective of MRI findings.