Faculty Bibliography

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:To investigate the incidence and risk factors for dressing-induced allergic contact dermatitis (DIACD) following total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA and TKA, respectively) across different dressings and sealants. METHODS:A retrospective review was conducted of patients who underwent primary, elective THA or TKA between 2019 and 2024 with ≥ 90 days of follow-up. Incidences of DIACD were identified by reviewing medical records for "allergy" diagnoses and use of antihistamines or corticosteroids within 30 days postoperatively. Patient characteristics, prior exposure, treatment, dressing type, and allergy history were analyzed. RESULTS:A total of 61 (0.3%) of the 23,396 investigated patients developed a DIACD on average 12.2 ± 7.3 days postoperatively. Overall, 41% had a preoperative allergy (excluding seasonal), and 55.7% were treated with topical or low-dose oral antihistamines and corticosteroids. The majority (41%) of the DIACD involved mesh-adhesive dressings, and a liquid skin adhesive (2-octyl cyanoacrylate) was also used in 41% of cases, often in combination with the primary dressing. Of the 61 DIACD patients, 24 (39.3%) had previously undergone THA or TKA, and nearly half of these (n = 11, 45.8%) had been exposed to the same dressing without prior occurrence of DIACD. DIACD patients were significantly more likely to have undergone TKA (73.8 vs. 58.3%, p = 0.015) and to have never smoked (75.4 vs. 58.4%, p = 0.014). The effect sizes of these findings were negligible (Cramer's V = 0.016 and 0.019, respectively). CONCLUSIONS:The incidence of DIACD following joint arthroplasty is low (0.3%) but remains a frustrating complication, primarily occurring two weeks postoperatively, with mesh-adhesive dressings most frequently implicated. Patients with prior exposure to dressings, those undergoing TKA, and non-smokers are at higher risk. Identifying at-risk patients can guide dressing selection and application.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:Social support improves outcomes after total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA), but the demands on informal caregivers, especially as surgeries transition to outpatient care, are understudied. This study strived to assess caregiver burden, predictors, and implications following joint arthroplasty. METHODS:This prospective cohort study enrolled 185 patient-caregiver dyads undergoing primary THA or TKA for osteoarthritis at a tertiary academic center. Caregivers completed assessments at four weeks postoperatively, including the Caregiver Strain Index (CSI) and Appraisal of Caregiving Scale (ACS), which measures perceived benefit, threat, and stress. Demographic, socioeconomic, and caregiving-related variables were collected. Multivariate linear regression identified factors associated with caregiver strain and experiences. Caregivers had a mean age of 64 years (range, 52.3 to 76.3), and 60% were women. Most (72.4%) were spouses, and 46.5% were retired. RESULTS:The CSI scores showed considerable strain, especially among women caregivers (β = 1.29, P = 0.001), those who had higher daily time commitment postoperatively, and those who had lower preoperative preparedness. Regarding employment status, 7% worked part-time, and 3.2% were homemakers. Among ACS subscales, non-White race (β = 0.31, P = 0.035) and homemaker status (β = 0.65, P = 0.049) were positively associated with perceived benefit, while lower preparedness predicted higher perceived threat. Caregiver age (β = 0.0217, P = 0.004), higher initial social support (β = 0.013, P = 0.001), and preparedness (β = 0.19, P = 0.016) predicted higher stress appraisals. Part-time employment was associated with lower stress (β = -0.47, P = 0.042). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Caregiver burden after joint arthroplasty is substantial and influenced by sex, age, race, employment, social support, and preparedness. Targeted interventions addressing these factors are needed to mitigate strain in at-risk caregivers and improve surgical recovery for patients.

The rise in solid organ transplantations (SOTs) has led to increased long-term survival and also a higher incidence of joint degenerative diseases, necessitating more total joint arthroplasties (TJAs). SOT recipients face unique challenges, including immunosuppression, infection risks, and altered bone metabolism, requiring meticulous perioperative management. Despite higher complication rates, TJAs in SOT patients provide significant pain relief and functional improvement. Preoperative evaluation, tailored antibiotic prophylaxis, and careful implant selection are crucial. Multidisciplinary collaboration is essential to optimize outcomes, reduce complications, and improve quality of life for this high-risk population.

BACKGROUND:Despite theoretical risks of fatigue wear, there is little empirical evidence correlating postoperative impact level from physical activity with failure rates following total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA and TKA). This study aimed to assess the relationship between the impact level from self-reported sports and physical activity participation and revision rates following primary arthroplasty. METHODS:A survey was conducted on recreational sports participation among primary elective THA and TKA patients from an urban, academic health system between June 1, 2011, and January 31, 2022. A total of 1,622 THA and 1,388 TKA respondents were included in the study. The survey was administered cross-sectionally at various time points, with a minimum follow-up of at least one year required for inclusion (THA, 5.3 years; TKA, 4.8 years postoperation on average). Patients were divided into four cohorts based on participation and intensity of the sport: no sports, low-impact sports, intermediate-impact sports, and high-impact sports. Descriptive comparisons were made to evaluate revision rates and mean time to follow-up among these groups in THA and TKA patients. The Kaplan-Meier method was utilized to assess 10-year implant survivability. RESULTS:Healthier and younger patients who underwent THA or TKA were significantly more likely to participate in intermediate- to high-impact sports and were found to have noninferior revision rates than those who engaged in no sports or low-impact sports: THA (2.9 [no sports] versus 1.9 [low impact] versus 1.6% [intermediate/high impact]), TKA (3.0 versus 1.6 versus 0.0%). When analyzing aseptic versus septic revisions separately, no notable patterns or differences were observed. CONCLUSIONS:At a mean 5-year follow-up, healthier and younger patients who participated in intermediate- and high-impact physical activities had noninferior revision rates as than patients who were less active. These findings offer guidance for clinicians when advising patients on the safe resumption of sports activities following total joint arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND:Historically, total knee arthroplasty (TKA) used resection and balancing techniques to target symmetric medial and lateral gaps throughout range of motion (ROM). With modern awareness on alternate alignment concepts, one area of ongoing debate is whether asymmetric medial and lateral compartment gaps improve outcomes. Proponents of an asymmetric looser lateral compartment gap philosophy postulate that this phenotype recreates native knee kinematics with lateral femoral condylar rollback pivoting through a tighter medial compartment during knee flexion. The purpose of this study was to compare patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and ROM with respect to symmetric or asymmetric gaps. METHODS:We performed a systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of prospective and retrospective studies. We compiled all comparative studies reporting symmetric and asymmetric gaps, irrespective of directional or nondirectional gap asymmetry. However, we performed a meta-analysis only between a cohort of directional asymmetric gaps (looser lateral than medial gap) and symmetric gaps (equal medial and lateral gaps). Gaps were compared in flexion and extension. ROM and PROs were evaluated through standardized mean difference (SMD), with statistical significance defined by 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS:A total of 17 studies with 3,319 knees were included. Four studies reported nondirectional gap asymmetry, whereas 13 studies reported directional gap asymmetry, of which 8 shared common outcome variables and were therefore included in the meta-analysis. Analysis of gaps in flexion revealed significantly increased ROM favoring asymmetric looser lateral gaps over symmetric gaps (SMD -0.19, 95% CI -0.29 to -0.09). Analysis of gaps in extension also revealed increased ROM favoring asymmetric looser lateral gaps (SMD -0.10, 95% CI -0.36 to 0.16). Finally, the Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) favored looser lateral gaps in flexion over symmetric gaps (SMD -0.13, 95% CI -0.41 to 0.15). However, differences in the latter 2 were nonsignificant. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:This is the first meta-analysis evaluating the postoperative outcomes as a function of symmetric vs. asymmetric mediolateral gaps. We report improved FJS and ROM favoring asymmetric looser lateral gaps in flexion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:Therapeutic Level II, systematic review of Level II and III and IV studies. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Genetics is a burgeoning field within adult reconstructive surgery. Genome-wide sequencing has identified genetic variants found to be associated with not only the development of osteoarthritis but also arthroplasty-related complications, such as aseptic loosening, prosthetic joint infection, arthrofibrosis, and postoperative pain. Examples include newer technology, such as next-generation sequencing, in diagnosing culture-negative prosthetic joint infection. Genetics drives new therapeutic technologies, such as gene therapy, gene-editing, and bacteriophage treatment. Although still rare, a handful of phase 3 clinical trials of gene therapy for osteoarthritis have begun to demonstrate efficacy with low-risk profiles. As the field continues to grow, public and professional buy-in as well as cost present challenges.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:The integration of computer-assisted navigation systems (CASs) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedures has gained popularity in recent years. However, additional validation of the accuracy of CAS feedback is necessary. We used short-length and full-length postoperative radiographs to quantify the differences between alignment parameters measured by a novel imageless CAS and alignment outcomes as evidenced on postoperative radiographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:A retrospective analysis was conducted on prospectively collected data from a cohort of patients undergoing navigated primary TKA. Fifty-eight patients had met inclusion criteria, and intraoperative CAS measurements were obtained from device recordings. Alignment parameters were measured digitally and included femorotibial angle on short-length films and hip-knee-ankle axis, mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA), and mechanical medial proximal tibial angle (mMPTA) on full-length films. These were compared between CAS and radiograph measurements using a 2-tailed t test. RESULTS:The mean mLDFA measured by the CAS was 0.7° ± 1.1°, compared with 1.3° ± 1.4° as measured on full-body radiographs (P = .1). The mean mMPTA measured by the CAS was 0.2° ± 1.0°, compared with 0.9° ± 1.4° as measured on full-body radiographs (P = .06). On average, radiograph and CAS measurements differed by 0.5° ± 1.5° for mLDFA and 0.7° ± 1.5° for mMPTA. The average postoperative hip-knee-ankle axis was 177.6° ± 2.1°, and the average femorotibial angle was 176.0° ± 9.6° as measured on radiographs. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:No significant differences in either average or individual measured values for mLDFA or mMPTA were observed between the intraoperative CAS measurements and alignment outcomes postoperatively. Our data highlight the clinical utility of CASs to accurately achieve intended TKA alignment objectives.

BACKGROUND/UNASSIGNED:Electronic medical record portals enable real-time communication between patients and surgeons after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study evaluated the impact of message timing and frequency on postoperative outcomes and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). MATERIALS AND METHODS/UNASSIGNED:We retrospectively reviewed 9,353 primary TKAs performed at a single academic institution. Of these, 1,219 patients sent messages within 2 weeks of surgery (early), 507 sent messages between 2 and 8 weeks (late), and 7,627 did not message. RESULTS/UNASSIGNED:< .001). There was no difference in PROMs regardless of message timing, and there was no association between the number of messages sent and perioperative outcomes or PROMs. CONCLUSION/UNASSIGNED:Older age and longer LOS were associated with less patient-initiated contact after TKA. Older patients may be less familiar with digital platforms and less likely to send messages. Early messaging may reflect heightened recognition of postoperative issues, enabling counseling or intervention and reducing readmissions. These findings underscore the importance of preoperative education and equitable access, though long-term effects of messaging warrant further study.

BACKGROUND/UNASSIGNED:Technological advancements in total hip arthroplasty (THA), including robotic-assisted (RA-THA) and navigation-assisted (NA-THA) techniques, aim to improve outcomes. However, impact on recovery timing remains unclear. This study examined whether these technologies reduce the time to reach the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) on the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement compared with conventional THA. METHODS/UNASSIGNED:This retrospective study analyzed osteoarthritic THA patients (01/2020-04/2023) who completed preoperative and postoperative Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement questionnaires. The exclusion criteria included bilateral procedures or revision within 1 year. MCID was defined using anchor-based (23 points) and distribution-based thresholds (7.6 points). Multivariable interval-censored accelerated failure time models assessed time to MCID. RESULTS/UNASSIGNED:= .140). CONCLUSIONS/UNASSIGNED:Anchor-based MCID demonstrated comparable recovery times across RA, NA, and conventional THA, suggesting no patient-perceived advantage with technology. Distribution-based thresholds indicated RA-THA achieved faster statistically significant improvement, though the relevance remains uncertain.