Nicolas O. Noiseux

Osseous abnormalities and early osteoarthritis: the role of hip impingement.

The purpose of this study was to establish that anterior hip impingement, secondary to an anterior femoral offset deficiency from a pistol-grip deformity, was a common etiology of hip disorders. This impingement results in a spectrum of injury ranging from anterior hip pain, labral tears, damage to the acetabular articular cartilage and idiopathic arthritis. This was accomplished through three separate but closely related studies: (1) an arthroscopic labral tear study of 38 patients who had hip arthroscopy for a labral tear (2) a hip cheilectomy study of 10 patients who had a cheilectomy for anterior femoroacetabular impingement and (3) an idiopathic arthritis study of 200 consecutive patients having THA. In all three studies, a common etiology was identified. Repetitive anterior femoroacetabular impingement resulted in anterior groin pain, labral tears, chondral damage and eventually arthritis. This impingement was caused by a pistol-grip deformity of the proximal femur in 97% of the cases in the arthroscopic labral study and 100% of the cases in the idiopathic arthritis study. The identification of anterior hip impingement as a cause of labral tears and idiopathic arthritis may allow surgeons to correct it early in its natural history and delay or prevent end-stage arthritis.

Predictors of postoperative movement and resting pain following total knee replacement

TOC summary Patients with higher pain, increased pain sensitivity, and depression before total knee replacement are more likely to have higher movement pain postoperatively. ABSTRACT This study determined preoperative predictors of movement and resting pain following total knee replacement (TKR). We hypothesized that younger patients with higher preoperative pain intensity, pain sensitivity, trait anxiety, pain catastrophizing, and depression would be more likely to experience higher postoperative movement pain than older patients with lower scores on these variables prior to surgery, and that predictors would be similar for resting pain. Demographics, analgesic intake, anxiety, depression, pain catastrophizing, resting pain, movement pain (ie, during active knee range of motion), and quantitative sensory tests were performed preoperatively on 215 participants scheduled for a unilateral TKR. On postoperative day 2, analgesic intake, resting pain, and movement pain were again assessed. Significant predictors of moderate or severe movement pain were higher preoperative movement pain, von Frey pain intensity, and heat pain threshold. People with severe movement pain preoperatively were 20 times more likely to have severe movement pain postoperatively. When the influence of preoperative movement pain was removed, depression became a predictor. Significant predictors of moderate to severe resting pain were higher preoperative resting pain, depression, and younger age. These results suggest that patients with higher preoperative pain and depression are more likely to have higher pain following TKR, and younger patients may have higher resting pain. Cutaneous pain sensitivity predicted movement pain but not resting pain, suggesting that mechanisms underlying movement pain are different from resting pain. Aggressive management of preoperative pain, pain sensitivity, and depression prior to surgery may facilitate postoperative recovery.

The Effect of Smoking on Short-Term Complications Following Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND Total joint arthroplasty is the most frequently performed orthopaedic procedure in the United States. The purpose of the present study was to identify differences in thirty-day morbidity and mortality following primary total hip and total knee arthroplasty according to smoking status and pack-year history of smoking. METHODS We queried the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database to identify patients who had undergone primary total hip or total knee arthroplasty between 2006 and 2012. Patients were stratified by smoking status and pack-year history of smoking. Thirty-day rates of mortality, wound complications, and total complications were compared with use of univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS We identified 78,191 patients who had undergone primary total hip or total knee arthroplasty. Of these, 81.8% (63,971) were nonsmokers, 7.9% (6158) were former smokers, and 10.3% (8062) were current smokers. Current smokers had a higher rate of wound complications (1.8%) compared with former smokers and nonsmokers (1.3% and 1.1%, respectively; p < 0.001). Former smokers had a higher rate of total complications (6.9%) compared with current smokers and nonsmokers (5.9% and 5.4%, respectively; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified current smokers as being at increased risk of wound complications (odds ratio [OR], 1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21 to 1.78), particularly deep wound infection, while both current smokers (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.31) and former smokers (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.34) were at increased total complication risk. Increasing pack-year history of smoking resulted in increasing total complication risk. CONCLUSIONS On the basis of our findings, current smokers have an increased risk of wound complications and both current and former smokers have an increased total complication risk following total hip or total knee arthroplasty.

Preoperative Predictors of Pain Following Total Knee Arthroplasty

Total knee arthroplasty has provided dramatic improvements in function and pain for the majority of patients with knee arthritis, yet a significant proportion of patients remain dissatisfied with their results. We performed a prospective analysis of 215 patients undergoing TKA who underwent a comprehensive array of evaluations to discover whether any preoperative assessment could predict high pain scores and functional limitations postoperatively. Patients with severe pain with a simple knee range-of-motion test prior to TKA had a 10 times higher likelihood of moderate to severe pain at 6 months. A simple test of pain intensity with active flexion and extension preoperatively was a significant predictor of postoperative pain at 6 months after surgery. Strategies to address this particular patient group may improve satisfaction rates of TKA.

Minimizing Blood Transfusion in Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Through a Multimodal Approach

BACKGROUND We introduced a multimodal, multidisciplinary approach to perioperative blood management aimed at reducing blood transfusions in primary knee (TKA) and hip (THA) arthroplasty. The protocol included (1) preoperative hemoglobin optimization through a multidisciplinary approach, (2) minimization of perioperative blood loss, and (3) adherence to evidence-based transfusion guidelines. METHODS Evaluation of 1010 consecutive patients undergoing primary TKA (488) or THA (522) was performed. RESULTS A significant reduction in the overall transfusion rate (1.4% vs 17.9%, P<.0001) resulted after algorithm introduction, when compared with the 1814 previous patients. Zero (0%) TKA and 4 (0.8%) THA patients adherent to protocol, and 4/488 (0.8%) TKA and 10/522 (1.9%) THA patients overall received transfusions. CONCLUSION Adoption of a multimodal blood management algorithm can significantly reduce blood transfusions in primary joint arthroplasty.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for the control of pain during rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty: A randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial

Summary Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) significantly decreased movement pain postoperatively but not by 6 weeks after total knee arthroplasty compared to standard care. TENS and placebo‐TENS results were not significantly different. ABSTRACT This study evaluated the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in reducing pain and hyperalgesia and increasing function after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We hypothesized that participants using TENS during rehabilitation exercises would report significantly lower pain during range‐of‐motion (ROM) activity and fast walking but not at rest, would have less hyperalgesia, and would have better function than participants receiving placebo‐TENS or standard care. We also hypothesized that change in ROM pain would differ based on psychological characteristics (trait anxiety, pain catastrophizing, and depression) and treatment group. This prospective, randomized study used intent‐to‐treat analyses in 317 participants after primary, unilateral TKA. Assessors, blinded to treatment allocation, measured pain, function (ROM and gait speed), and hyperalgesia (quantitative sensory tests) postoperatively and 6 weeks after surgery. Analgesic intake, anxiety, depression, and pain catastrophizing were also assessed. TENS participants used it 1 to 2 times per day at 42 mA (on average) and had less pain postoperatively during active knee extension (P = .019) and fast walking (P = .006) than standard care participants. TENS and placebo‐TENS were not significantly different. TENS participants who scored low on anxiety and pain catastrophizing had a greater reduction in ROM pain at 6 weeks than those who scored high on these factors (P = .002 and P = .03). Both TENS and placebo‐TENS participants had less postoperative mechanical hyperalgesia (P = .03–.01) than standard care participants. Supplementing pharmacologic analgesia with TENS during rehabilitation exercises reduces movement pain postoperatively, but a placebo influence exists and the effect is gone by 6 weeks. Patients with low anxiety and pain catastrophizing may benefit most from TENS.

Uncemented porous tantalum acetabular components: early follow-up and failures in 613 primary total hip arthroplasties.

Uncemented tantalum acetabular components were introduced in 1997. The purpose was to determine the 2- to 10-year results with this implant material in primary total hip arthroplasty. Our registry identified all primary total hip cases with porous tantalum cups implanted from 1997 to 2004. Clinical outcomes and radiographs were studied. 613 cases were identified. Seventeen percent of patients were lost to follow-up. Twenty-five reoperations were performed (4.4%). Acetabular cup removal occurred in 6 cases (1.2%). No cups were revised for aseptic loosening. Incomplete radiolucent lines were found on 9.3% of initial postoperative radiographs. At 2 years, 67% had resolved. Zero new radiolucent lines were detected. Two- to 10-year results of porous tantalum acetabular components for primary total hip arthroplasty demonstrate high rates of initial stability and apparent ingrowth.

The Effect of Advancing Age on Total Joint Replacement Outcomes

Objective: To describe age-related differences in outcomes among older adults undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Design: Retrospective study. Participants: A total of 1792 patients who underwent primary THA or TKA at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics between 2010 and 2013 were identified in the University HealthSystem Consortium Database and University of Iowa Orthopedics Joint Replacement Registry. Main Outcome Measures: Hospital length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmission rate, in-hospital mortality, number of days admitted to intensive care unit (ICU discharge disposition), in-hospital complications (pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, wound infection, hemorrhage, sepsis, or myocardial infarction), quality of life (measured using Short-Form 36 [SF-36]), discharge disposition (home, home with home health, nursing home, inpatient rehabilitation, transfer to another acute care hospital, and dead), and total patient level observed hospital cost (based on hospital charge information from each revenue code and estimated labor costs). Outcomes were compared in patients stratified by age and categorized by decade (ie, ≤50, 51-60, 61-70, 71-80, and ≥81). Results: A total of 871 THAs and 921 TKAs were performed. The mean age of our cohort was 60.5 years and 56.1% were women. In-hospital complication rates and ICU utilization progressively increased with increasing age. There was also a higher likelihood of skilled nursing facility placement and longer LOS. There was no increase in 30-day readmissions, mortality, or total cost. Improvements in patient reported outcomes (SF-36) scores were similar for all age-groups. Conclusions: Compared to younger patients, older THA and TKA recipients were more likely to experience postoperative complications, admission to the ICU, discharge to a skilled care facility, and had longer hospital LOS. Improvements in patient-related outcomes were similar across all age-groups. These findings may be helpful when counseling older patients regarding elective total joint arthroplasty.

Pain sensitivity profiles in patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis.

Abstract The development of patient profiles to subgroup individuals on a variety of variables has gained attention as a potential means to better inform clinical decision making. Patterns of pain sensitivity response specific to quantitative sensory testing (QST) modality have been demonstrated in healthy subjects. It has not been determined whether these patterns persist in a knee osteoarthritis population. In a sample of 218 participants, 19 QST measures along with pain, psychological factors, self-reported function, and quality of life were assessed before total knee arthroplasty. Component analysis was used to identify commonalities across the 19 QST assessments to produce standardized pain sensitivity factors. Cluster analysis then grouped individuals who exhibited similar patterns of standardized pain sensitivity component scores. The QST resulted in 4 pain sensitivity components: heat, punctate, temporal summation, and pressure. Cluster analysis resulted in 5 pain sensitivity profiles: a “low pressure pain” group, an “average pain” group, and 3 “high pain” sensitivity groups who were sensitive to different modalities (punctate, heat, and temporal summation). Pain and function differed between pain sensitivity profiles, along with sex distribution; however, no differences in osteoarthritis grade, medication use, or psychological traits were found. Residualizing QST data by age and sex resulted in similar components and pain sensitivity profiles. Furthermore, these profiles are surprisingly similar to those reported in healthy populations, which suggests that individual differences in pain sensitivity are a robust finding even in an older population with significant disease.

Risk of Acute Kidney Injury After Primary and Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty and Total Knee Arthroplasty Using a Multimodal Approach to Perioperative Pain Control Including Ketorolac and Celecoxib

Safe and effective perioperative analgesia is instrumental to patient satisfaction and decreasing LOS after TJA. We evaluated rates of acute kidney injury (AKI) in primary and revision TJA using a multimodal pain control regimen including scheduled celecoxib and PRN ketorolac. Postoperative AKI was identified in 43/903 (4.8%) of 903 of patients with adequate preoperative renal function. Those who developed AKI had significantly increased LOS (P < .01), were older, more obese, and more likely to have diabetes (P < .05). With a protocol incorporating NSAIDs in patients without evidence of preoperative renal impairment, there is a 4.8% rate of AKI, which is 2.7 times higher than the reported literature. Acute postoperative kidney injury was significantly correlated with increased LOS and has important patient safety and healthcare-related cost implications.