Joanne B. Adams

Two-stage Treatment of Hip Periprosthetic Joint Infection Is Associated With a High Rate of Infection Control but High Mortality

BackgroundPeriprosthetic infection after total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a devastating complication. Reported rates of infection control range from 80% to 95% but mortality rates associated with treatment of infected THA are also substantial and we suspect underreported.Questions/PurposesFor patients selected for two-stage treatment of infected THA we therefore determined (1) mortality; (2) rate of reimplantation; and (3) rate of reinfection.MethodsWe identified 202 patients (205 hips) with infected primary or revision THA treated with a two-stage protocol between 1996 and 2009 in our prospectively collected practice registry. Patients underwent two-stage treatment for infection, including removal of all implants and foreign material with implantation of an antibiotic-laden cement spacer in the first stage followed by intravenous culture-specific antibiotics for a minimum of 6 weeks. Second-stage reimplantation was performed if erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein were trending toward normal and the wound was well healed. Thirteen patients (13 hips) were lost to followup before 24 months. The minimum followup in surviving patients was 24 months or failure (average, 53 months; range, 24–180 months).ResultsFourteen patients (7%; 14 hips) died before reimplantation and two were not candidates because of medical comorbidities. The 90-day mortality rate after the first-stage débridement was 4% (eight patients). Of the 186 patients (189 hips) who underwent reimplantation, 157 (83%) achieved control of the infection. Including all patients who underwent the first stage, survival and infection control after two-stage reimplantation was 76%.ConclusionTwo-stage treatment of deep infection in primary and revision THA is associated with substantial mortality and a substantial failure rate from both reinfection and inability to perform the second stage.Level of EvidenceLevel IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Soft tissue and intra-articular injection of bupivacaine, epinephrine, and morphine has a beneficial effect after total knee arthroplasty.

The purpose of this study was to determine if an intraoperative intraarticular and soft-tissue injection of local anaesthetic, epinephrine, and morphine has a beneficial effect for total knee arthroplasty. A control group of 138 patients (181 knees) received no intraoperative injection. The study group of 171 patients (197 knees) received intraoperative injection of 0.25% bupivacaine with epinephrine and morphine with 2/3 injected into the soft tissues and 1/3 injected into the joint. Patients having bilateral simultaneous procedures received a divided dose. The pain treatment protocol otherwise was identical. Pain, sedation, rescue narcotic usage, narcotic reversal and blood loss were examined. Pain levels during the immediate postoperative period, blood loss, and bleeding indices were reduced with injection. Considerably more control patients required rescue doses of narcotics. Preemptive analgesia with soft tissue and intra-articular injection of long-acting local anesthetic with epinephrine and morphine provides better pain control in the immediate postoperative period, decreases blood loss, and decreases the need for rescue narcotics and reversal agents. This simple, inexpensive method provides an effective adjunct to a multimodal approach in improving the postoperative course of primary total knee arthroplasty.

Early failure of minimally invasive unicompartmental knee arthroplasty is associated with obesity.

There has been increasing use of and expanding indications for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty using minimally invasive techniques. We sought to define contraindications by examining failures. We retrospectively reviewed the early results of a consecutive series of minimally invasive medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty using two implant designs. Seventy-nine consecutive unicompartmental knee arthroplasty cases (48 instrumented and 31 noninstrumented) with minimum 2-year followup were reviewed. Patients with radiographic involvement with or without pain referable to the lateral compartment or to the patellofemoral joint were not considered candidates. Failure was defined as revision or pending revision. The average followup was 40.2 months. There were 16 failures (six tibial loosening, three plateau fracture, four persistent medial pain, one progressive arthritis, and two sepsis). Age, gender, disease severity and implant design did not predict failure. Body mass index greater than 32 did predict failure and was associated with a reduction in survivorship by log-rank and Wilcoxon analyses. These results show reliable success if obesity is considered a contraindication and technical errors resulting in fracture are eliminated. Better defining the ideal candidate for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, with obesity remaining a contraindication, will make this a more predictable and reliable procedure. Level of Evidence: Prognostic study, Level IV-2 (case series). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Enhanced Early Outcomes with the Anterior Supine Intermuscular Approach in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty

The advantages of minimally invasive surgical approaches for total hip arthroplasty are reported to include reduced blood loss, less pain, and shorter hospital stays, which combine to afford a faster recovery1-4. However, other studies have failed to show any significant advantage over the use of standard surgical approaches (Fig. 1)5-8. Reported disadvantages of minimally invasive techniques are the substantial learning curve required and an increased risk of early complications3,9-12. In addition, the long-term outcomes of minimally invasive procedures in terms of implant fixation and longevity remain unproven. Fig. 1 The standard direct lateral approach to the hip previously described by Frndak et al.21 is performed with the patient in the lateral decubitus position. (Printed with permission of Joint Implant Surgeons, Inc.) There are three basic categories of so-called minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty approaches: an abbreviated incision (small incision), modifications of standard approaches with smaller incisions and less soft-tissue dissection (less invasive), and novel approaches that reportedly do not cut muscle (minimally invasive). We have had a broad experience, over the past seven years, with a less invasive modification of the direct lateral approach (a modified Hardinge approach) (Fig. 2). We previously reported less blood loss and a shorter hospital stay in association with this approach13. Others have argued that the less invasive direct lateral approach does not provide an advantage over the traditional approach5. Importantly, the soft-tissue dissection still requires removing and repairing the abductor musculature. Fig. 2 The less invasive direct lateral approach is performed with the patient in the lateral decubitus position. This approach employs an abbreviated skin and fascial incision with a limited abductor muscle dissection13. (Printed with permission of Joint Implant Surgeons, Inc.) Several recent reports have …

Simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasties: who decides?

The purpose of the current retrospective review was to compare the results of 1498 patients having 1090 simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasties and 958 unilateral total knee arthroplasties in a 3-year period, focusing on perioperative complications, length of hospital stay, and discharge disposition. Gender, age, diagnosis, and weight were similar between the groups. Patients undergoing simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasties had statistically significant higher amounts of intraoperative blood loss, with more patients requiring blood transfusion, and a higher average number of units of blood transfused compared with patients undergoing unilateral total knee arthroplasty. Overall, a significantly higher incidence of gastrointestinal complications was reported in patients who had simultaneous bilateral knee arthroplasties compared with patients who had unilateral knee arthroplasty. Comparing age subgroups within the unilateral group revealed significantly higher incidences of pulmonary, neurologic, cardiac, and genitourinary complications among patients 80 years or older versus patients younger than 80 years. Patients having simultaneous bilateral arthroplasties who were 80 years or older had significantly higher incidences of pulmonary, neurologic, and cardiac complications than patients younger than 80 years in that same group. These results suggest that age, not procedure, has a more significant role in the perioperative morbidity of total knee arthroplasty. Based on the results from the current study and previous literature documenting patient preference, patient satisfaction, efficacy, and outcomes comparable with those of patients having unilateral total knee arthroplasty, the authors continue to offer patients the option of simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasties.

An algorithm for the posterior cruciate ligament in total knee arthroplasty.

The fate of the posterior cruciate ligament in primary total knee arthroplasty is controversial. An algorithmic approach is presented that is based on pathologic criteria for evaluating and treating patients with primary total knee arthroplasty that will aid in the posterior cruciate ligament decision-making process, producing more predictable procedures and outcomes. A consecutive series of the first 120 patients (171 knees) who had primary posterior cruciate-retaining arthroplasty and the first 120 patients (180 knees) who had primary posterior-stabilized arthroplasty with a minimum 5-year followup in which the Maxim ® Complete Total Knee System and the algorithmic approach were used were compared. No statistically significant differences in outcome between the groups were observed. Among the patients who had posterior cruciate-retaining arthroplasty, no revisions attributable to aseptic loosening have been reported at an average followup of 6.39 years. The average followup Knee Society total score was 162.16 points, with 91 (54.8%) knees having excellent outcome ratings. No revisions attributable to aseptic loosening have been reported among the patients who had posterior-stabilized arthroplasty at an average followup of 5.98 years. The average followup Knee Society total score was 158.05 points, with excellent outcome ratings reported in 96 (54.9%) knees. The use of a standardized algorithm has streamlined the treatment of patients having primary total knee arthroplasty, consistently providing excellent clinical results when either retaining or sacrificing the posterior cruciate ligament.

Gender is a Significant Factor for Failure of Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Arthroplasty

Metal-on-metal (MoM) articulations offers low wear, larger head size, and increased stability. Reports of early failure are troubling and include failure of ingrowth and metal articulation problems such as metallosis, hypersensitivity, pseudotumor, and unexplained pain. This study investigates the survivorship of modern MoM articulations by gender. We reviewed 1589 primary MoM THA in 1363 patients, with minimum 2-year follow-up for 1212 hips. Follow-up averaged 60 months. There were 643 female patients and 719 male patients. The incidence of cup revision was significantly higher in women than in men (8.2% vs 2.7%; P = .0000), as was incidence of aseptic loosening (4.3% vs 1.1%; P = .0006), and failure for metal-bearing complications (2.2% vs 0.6%; P = .0126). There appear to be gender factors influencing the success of MoM THA, which may include hormonal, anatomic, or functional differences.

Total knee arthroplasty in patients with greater than 20 degrees flexion contracture.

Fixed flexion contracture can present a technical challenge in total knee arthroplasty. Various techniques of addressing these deformities have been described including additional bony resection, ligamentous releases, and the use of increasing constraint. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical outcomes of 40 patients (52 knees) with fixed flexion contracture greater than or equal to 20° treated with revision TKA and a stepwise algorithmic approach to treating the contracture. A cruciate-retaining device was used in 31 knees, a posterior stabilized design was used in 14, a posterior stabilized constrained device was used in five knees, and a rotating hinged design in was used in two knees. Full correction was achieved intraoperatively. Ninety-four percent of knees had less than 10° residual contracture at an average followup of 37 months. We revised one case of postoperative instability in the posterior stabilized group and we had one infection in the cruciate-retaining group. No other revisions were performed. The stepwise algorithmic approach to treating fixed flexion deformity presented in this study in primary total knee arthroplasty is safe and effective. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study (case series). See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

A short stem solution: through small portals.

While short stem design in total hip arthroplasty (THA) is not a new concept, interest has surged with the increasing popularity of less invasive techniques. Given the success of traditional stems, why consider short stems? Several reasons exist. If the goal of the tapered stem is to load preferentially proximally, achieve tight fit, and deliver stresses into proximal bone, do we need a stem at all? While long stems may prevent varus malalignment, varus malalignment of tapers does not impair results. Short stems are easier to insert, especially when using an anterior approach. Femoral preparation is accomplished with straightforward broaching without reamers. Short stems are bone conserving, violating less bone stock and providing more favorable conditions should revision be required. As with any novel device, longer follow-up is needed to fully assess shortened tapered stems. However, our early results in 640 primary THAs at up to 38 months are promising. Usually 1 or 2 diameter sizes larger are required with the short vs standard length version of the same tapered design. Be aggressive with sizing, pushing to the largest possible. Use the broach like a rasp. Drive the component in valgus during insertion. Upon seating, do a trial reduction using the shortest available neck length. The component generally sits slightly prouder than the broach and may require additional effort to seat completely.

Noncemented acetabular component removal in the presence of osteolysis: The affirmative

The strategy for retention or removal of the acetabular component to address osteolytic activity is becoming an increasingly debated issue among joint replacement surgeons. It is paramount to the success of the revision surgery to eliminate the particulate debris source and thoroughly debride and graft the periacetabular regions. Visualization and complete access to all periacetabular regions require acetabular component removal. The authors present an opinion on acetabular component removal and introduce an impaction grafting method for addressing periacetabular osteolysis. The intermediate results at an average of 41 months are excellent with one patient requiring rerevision of the acetabular component at 83 months postoperative because of aseptic loosening. The outcome of revision total hip arthroplasty has been shown to be inferior to primary total hip arthroplasty, with each following revision having less probability for success equaling the preceding procedure. However, it is the authors’ opinion that removing the entire acetabular component is the most prudent choice to eliminate and to avoid the introduction of adverse variables such as particulate debris and component malposition and nonconformity, which may contribute to the continuation of the osteolytic process.