Faculty Bibliography

Accurate and reproducible acetabular component positioning is among the most important technical factors affecting outcomes of total hip arthroplasty. Although several studies have investigated the influence of pelvic tilt and obliquity on functional acetabular anteversion, the effect of pelvic axial rotation has not yet been established. We analyzed a generic simulated pelvis created using preoperative full-body standing and sitting radiographs. A virtual acetabulum was placed in 144 different scenarios of acetabular anteversion and abduction angles. In each scenario, the effects of pelvic tilt and pelvic axial rotation on different combinations of acetabular orientations were assessed. The change in acetabular anteversion was 0.75° for each 1° of pelvic tilt and was most linear in abduction angles of 40°±45°. The change in acetabular anteversion was 0.8° for each 1° of pelvic axial rotation. Surgeons may consider adjusting acetabular anteversion in fixed axial pelvic deformities when the degree of deformity affects functional acetabular positioning, assessed from preoperative standing and sitting weight-bearing radiographs. [Orthopedics. 2023;46(1):e27-e30.].

Non-English-speaking patients face increased communication barriers when undergoing total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Surgeons may learn or have proficiency in languages spoken among their patients to improve communication. This study investigated the effect of surgeon-patient language concordance on outcomes after TJA. We conducted a single-institution, retrospective review of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) whose preferred language was not English. Patients were stratified based on whether their surgeon spoke their preferred language (language concordant [LC]) or not (language discordant [LD]). Baseline characteristics, length of stay, discharge disposition, revision rate, readmission rate, and patient-reported outcomes (Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement [KOOS, JR], Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement [HOOS, JR], and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System [PROMIS]) were compared. A total of 3390 patients met inclusion criteria, with 855 receiving THA and 2535 receiving TKA. Among patients receiving THA, 440 (51.5%) saw a LC provider and 415 (48.5%) saw a LD provider. Those in the LC group had higher HOOS, JR scores at 1 year postoperatively (67.4 vs 49.3, P=.003) and were more likely to be discharged home (77.5% vs 69.9%, P=.013). Among patients receiving TKA, 1051 (41.5%) received LC care, whereas 1484 (58.5%) received LD care. There were no differences in outcome between the LC and LD TKA groups. Patients receiving THA with surgeons who spoke their language had improved patient-reported outcomes and were more commonly discharged home after surgery. Language concordance did not change outcomes in TKA. Optimizing language concordance for patients receiving TJA may improve postoperative outcomes. [Orthopedics. 2023;46(6):334-339.].

Non-English-speaking patients face increased communication barriers when undergoing total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Surgeons may learn or have proficiency in languages spoken among their patients to improve communication. This study investigated the effect of surgeon-patient language concordance on outcomes after TJA. We conducted a single-institution, retrospective review of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) whose preferred language was not English. Patients were stratified based on whether their surgeon spoke their preferred language (language concordant [LC]) or not (language discordant [LD]). Baseline characteristics, length of stay, discharge disposition, revision rate, readmission rate, and patient-reported outcomes (Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement [KOOS, JR], Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement [HOOS, JR], and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System [PROMIS]) were compared. A total of 3390 patients met inclusion criteria, with 855 receiving THA and 2535 receiving TKA. Among patients receiving THA, 440 (51.5%) saw a LC provider and 415 (48.5%) saw a LD provider. Those in the LC group had higher HOOS, JR scores at 1 year postoperatively (67.4 vs 49.3, P=.003) and were more likely to be discharged home (77.5% vs 69.9%, P=.013). Among patients receiving TKA, 1051 (41.5%) received LC care, whereas 1484 (58.5%) received LD care. There were no differences in outcome between the LC and LD TKA groups. Patients receiving THA with surgeons who spoke their language had improved patient-reported outcomes and were more commonly discharged home after surgery. Language concordance did not change outcomes in TKA. Optimizing language concordance for patients receiving TJA may improve postoperative outcomes. [Orthopedics. 2023;46(6):334-339.].

BACKGROUND:Isolated head and liner exchange is an appealing alternative to a more extensive revision total hip arthroplasty in patients who have well-fixed components. Despite efforts to increase femoral offset and restore soft tissue tensioning, limited component revision may be associated with higher rates of postoperative instability. METHODS:(range, 18.2-46.7). The most common indications for surgery included acetabular liner wear in 86 hips (41%), instability in 40 hips (19%), and infection in 36 hips (17%). RESULTS:increase, 95% CI 0.80-0.99, P = .046). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:In a large cohort of patients who had isolated head and liner exchange, patients who had prior instability had 7-fold elevated odds of postoperative dislocation. This risk remains significant after controlling for cup positioning outside the Lewinnek safe zone, liner type, head size, neck length, soft tissue compromise, neuromuscular disease, and dual mobility constructs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:III, retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the specific socioeconomic factor such as marital status has any effect on clinical outcomes and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after primary total hip (THA) and knee (TKA) arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent primary THA or TKA from January 2019 to August 2019 who answered all PROM questionnaires. Both THA and TKA patients were separated into two groups based on their marital status at the time of surgery (married vs. non-married). Demographics, clinical data, and PROMs (FJS-12, HOOS, JR, KOOS, JR, and VR-12 PCS&MCS) were collected at various time-periods. Demographic differences were assessed using chi-square and independent sample t tests. Clinical data and mean PROMs were compared using multilinear regressions while accounting for demographic differences. RESULTS:This study included 389 patients who underwent primary THA and 193 that underwent primary TKA. In the THA cohort, 256 (66%) patients were married and 133 (34%) were non-married. In the TKA cohort, there were 117 (61%) married patients and 76 (39%) non-married patients. Length of stay was significantly shorter for married patients in both the THA (1.30 vs. 1.64; p = 0.002) and TKA (1.89 vs. 2.36; p = 0.024) cohorts. Surgical-time, all-cause emergency department visits, discharge disposition, and 90-day all-cause adverse events (readmissions/revisions) did not statistically differ between both cohorts. Both HOOS, JR and KOOS, JR score improvements from baseline to 1-year did not statistically differ for the THA and TKA cohorts, respectively. Although VR-12 PCS (p = 0.012) and MCS (p = 0.004) score improvement from baseline to 1-year statistically differed for the THA cohort, they did not for the TKA cohort. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Total joint arthroplasty may yield similar clinical benefits in all patients irrespective of their marital status. Although some PROMs statistically differed among married and non-married patients, the differences are likely not clinically significant. Surgeons should continue to assess levels of psychosocial support in their patients prior to undergoing TJA to optimize outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:III, Retrospective Cohort Study.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a rare, but serious complication following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Current VTE guidelines recommend pharmacologic agents with or without intermittent pneumatic compression devices (IPCDs). At our institution, both 81-mg aspirin (ASA) twice a day (BID) and portable IPCDs were previously prescribed to TKA patients at standard risk for VTE, but the IPCDs were discontinued and patients were treated with ASA alone going forward. The aim of this study is to determine if discontinued use of outpatient IPCDs is safe and does not increase the rate of VTE or any other related complications in patients following TKA. A retrospective review of 2,219 consecutive TKA cases was conducted, identifying patients with VTE, bleeding complications, infection, and mortality within 90 days postoperatively. Patients were divided into two cohorts. Patients in cohort one received outpatient IPCDs for a period of 14 days (control), while those in cohort two did not (ASA alone). All study patients received inpatient IPCDs and were maintained on 81-mg ASA BID for 28 days. A posthoc power analysis was performed using a noninferiority margin of 0.25 (α = 0.05; power = 80%), which showed that our sample size was fully powered for noninferiority for our reported deep vein thrombosis (DVT) rates, but not for pulmonary embolism (PE) rates. A total of 867 controls and 1,352 patients treated with ASA alone were identified. Only two control patients were diagnosed with a PE (0.23%), while one patient in the ASA alone group had DVT (0.07%). There was no statistical difference between these rates (p = 0.33). Furthermore, no differences were found in bleeding complications (p = 0.12), infection (p = 0.97), or 90-day mortality rates (p = 0.42) between both groups. The discontinued use of outpatient portable IPCDs is noninferior to outpatient IPCD use for DVT prophylaxis. Our findings suggest that this protocol change may be safe and does not increase the rate of VTE in standard risk patients undergoing TKA while using 81-mg ASA BID.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:The purpose of this study was to identify common complications and the rates of readmission and revision in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients younger than 65 years. METHODS:Using the American Joint Replacement Registry, we conducted a retrospective review of all TKAs done in patients aged 18 to 65 years from 2012 to 2020. Demographic factors such as age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and preoperative Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey Physical Component Summary (VR-12 PCS) scores were collected. We excluded patients older than 65 years and revision, oncologic, and nonelective cases. Primary outcomes included cumulative revision rate, 90-day readmission rate, and reason for revision. Univariate analysis and the Kaplan-Meier method were used. RESULTS:Six thousand one hundred seventy-nine patients were included. The average age was 58.8 years (SD 5.5 years), 61% were female, 82% were White, and 88% had a CCI of 0 (1 = 8% and ≥2 = 4%). The mean follow-up was 42.51 months. Seventy-four patients (1.2%) underwent revision. Sixty-nine patients (1.1%) were readmitted within 90 days. No factors assessed increased revision rates. Revision-free survivorship was 98.7% (95% CI 98.4 to 99.0) and 98.6% (95% CI 98.2 to 99.0) at 5 and 8 years, respectively. Infection (15%), aseptic loosening (14%), and instability (12%) were the most common indications for revision. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:TKA done in young and presumed active patients has excellent survivorship. Long-term follow-up is needed to assess survival trends in this growing population.

INTRODUCTION/UNASSIGNED:Isolated head and liner exchange in aseptic revision total hip arthroplasty (rTHA) is an appealing option rather than full acetabular component revision; however, early outcome reports suggest high rates of complications requiring re-revision. This study seeks to compare the outcomes of these procedures. METHODS/UNASSIGNED:This retrospective study assessed 124 head and liner exchanges and 59 full acetabular cup revisions conducted at a single center between 2011 and 2019 with at least 2 years of follow-up. Baseline demographics did not vary by group. Mean follow-up was 3.7 (range 2.0-8.6) years. RESULTS/UNASSIGNED:0.22) were associated with failure within 2 years. CONCLUSIONS/UNASSIGNED:In this analysis, 2-year outcomes for isolated head and liner exchange were non-inferior to full acetabular component revision. A future randomised prospective study should be conducted to better assess the optimal approach to revision in an aseptic failed hip arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:Computer-assisted navigation systems (CAS) are increasingly being integrated into total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedures, but perceptions of associated learning curve and increased operative time continue to curtail uptake. Newer-generation navigational systems aim to streamline integration into surgical workflow to mitigate increases in operative time. Here, we assess the impact of a novel imageless CAS on operative time for TKA. METHODS:A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of a cohort of patients undergoing primary unilateral TKA with one of three surgeons between October 2019 and March 2020 was conducted. Consecutive cases using a novel imageless CAS were included in analysis. For each surgeon, average operative time was recorded and compared in sequential five-case cohorts to average operative time for the same procedure performed conventionally using a two-tailed t test. RESULTS:Average conventional operative times were 95.9 ± 15.0, 86.6 ± 13.7, and 116.9 ± 25.1 min for the three surgeons. Initial CAS-assisted operative times increased to 107.0 ± 9.8 (p = 0.07) and 102.4 ± 13.2 (p = 0.06) min for Surgeons 1 and 2 and decreased to 113.2 ± 9.8 min (p = 0.52) for Surgeon 3. Most recent CAS-assisted operative times were 94.8 ± 13.9 (p = 0.88), 88.7 ± 15.3 (p = 0.84), and 104.8 ± 13.2 (p = 0.12) min as compared to pre-CAS. Absolute differences for the most recent navigated procedures ranged from 12.1 min faster to 2.0 min slower. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:The learning curve for TKA navigation may be as few as 10 cases, and any associated increases in operative time may be transient and non-significant. Moreover, navigation may ultimately speed operative time, perhaps as the result of enhanced intraoperative assessment of alignment.

The Risk Assessment Prediction Tool (RAPT) predicts discharge disposition after total joint arthroplasty with only 75% accuracy. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether higher accuracy can be achieved with basic electronic health record (EHR) data combined with machine learning (ML) algorithms. Three ML analysis models were developed: model 1 (M1) evaluated the accuracy of predicted discharge disposition in concordance with the RAPT; model 2 (M2) used the RAPT questionnaire to develop an ML algorithm to predict the likelihood of discharge to home vs facility; and model 3 (M3) was developed with non-RAPT data (age, surgeon, and discharge preference) with the same ML training process as M2. Evaluation metrics included accuracy for home discharge (HD), positive predictive value for HD (PPV-HD), negative predictive value for HD (NPV-HD), sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC). A total of 1405 patients were included. With M1, the overall accuracy for HD was 83.5%, PPVHD was 92.1%, NPV-HD was 45%, sensitivity was 0.88, and specificity was 0.56. With M2, the overall accuracy for HD decreased to 82.8%, PPV-HD was 91.7%, NPV-HD was 43.1%, sensitivity was 0.87, specificity was 0.53, and mean AUROC was 0.87±0.03. With M3, overall accuracy for HD increased to 90.3%, PPV-HD was 95.2%, NPV-HD was 68.6%, sensitivity was 0.93, specificity was 0.76, and AUROC was 0.91±0.02. The use of basic EHR data combined with ML can exceed the accuracy of the RAPT. Applying big data on an individual level for this purpose may allow for safer and more appropriate discharge planning. [Orthopedics. 2022;45(4):e211-e215.].