Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND:Arthrofibrosis is a debilitating complication of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and may benefit from arthroscopic lysis of adhesions (LOA) to improve range of motion and decrease pain. However, the rates of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and of the need for future revision TKA (rTKA) have only been studied in a limited capacity in the literature. In this study, we aimed to compare PJI and revision outcomes in patients who had undergone TKA between those who subsequently underwent arthroscopic LOA and those who did not undergo arthroscopic LOA. METHODS:The PearlDiver database was utilized to identify patients who had undergone primary TKA between 2016 and 2021. ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision) and CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes were then used to identify patients who underwent LOA for arthrofibrosis. The rates of PJI and rTKA were compared between patients who did and did not undergo LOA. Multivariable logistic and Cox regressions, controlling for age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index, tobacco use, and a body mass index of >30 kg/m2, were performed to compare the rates of PJI and revision between the LOA and no-LOA groups. RESULTS:A total of 383,143 patients were identified, of whom 703 had undergone arthroscopic LOA. Patients who underwent LOA had higher overall rates of PJI (2.7% versus 1.3%; p = 0.001) and all-cause revision (9.8% versus 1.8%; p < 0.001) than those who did not. Patients who underwent LOA had significantly higher odds of PJI (odds ratio [OR], 2.00; p < 0.014), aseptic loosening-related revision (OR, 3.31; p = 0.002), and all-cause revision (OR, 5.32; p < 0.001) within 1 year after the initial TKA. There was no significant difference in 1-year PJI-related revisions between the groups (OR, 1.71; p = 0.193). In a time-to-event analysis, patients undergoing LOA had significantly higher risks of PJI (p = 0.003) and all-cause revision (p = 0.001) but not PJI-related revision (p = 0.322) or aseptic loosening-related revision (p = 0.111). CONCLUSIONS:Arthroscopic LOA after primary TKA was associated with higher rates of PJI and subsequent revision surgery. Surgeons should consider the results of these studies when counseling patients on the importance of early rehabilitation and improving modifiable risk factors after TKA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:mapping technique for imaging of body parts containing metal hardware, based on magnitude images acquired with turbo spin echo (TSE) pulse sequences. THEORY AND METHODS/METHODS:values were validated against gradient-recalled and spin echo dual angle methods, as well as a vendor-provided TurboFLASH-based mapping sequence, in gel phantoms and human subjects without and with metal implants. RESULTS:shimming. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:values in regions near metal hardware, overcoming susceptibility-related and narrow-range limitations of standard mapping techniques.

BACKGROUND:Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can increase fluid retention and the risk of heart failure (HF). Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is known to increase the risk of cardiac disease, including HF. As part of a modern multimodal pain protocol, NSAIDs are commonly used in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), but the risk of NSAID use in TKA for T2DM patients is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to compare rates of new-onset HF following TKA in Type 2 diabetics with varying NSAID use. METHODS:We reviewed 3,906 patients who underwent primary TKA from 2015 to 2023 at a single academic institution. Data collected included demographics, preoperative diagnosis of T2DM, postoperative development of new-onset HF, NSAIDs taken perioperatively, and aspirin use for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis. Propensity matching was conducted to control for age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Score, and aspirin use. Rates of postoperative HF within T2DM patients who took meloxicam versus celecoxib were compared using Chi-square analyses. RESULTS:Among patients who took meloxicam or celecoxib perioperatively, a preoperative diagnosis of T2DM was disproportionately associated with postoperative HF (P = 0.006). When comparing peri-TKA use of meloxicam versus celecoxib in T2DM patients, the use of celecoxib was disproportionately associated with the development of postoperative HF (2.2% [meloxicam], 4.8% [celecoxib], P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS:We found patients who had T2DM developed postoperative HF at higher rates compared to non-diabetics following peri-TKA NSAID use and that T2DM patients developed new-onset HF at higher rates when utilizing celecoxib than meloxicam in the peri-TKA period. Along with the many other factors that contribute to an orthopaedic surgeon's decision on which NSAID to use postoperatively, we advocate for consideration of the risk of new-onset HF in T2DM patients when prescribing meloxicam and celecoxib in the post-TKA period.

BACKGROUND:Obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM) pose challenges for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have emerged as agents for weight and DM management, but they affect multiple organ systems. Outcomes, trends, and demographics for perioperative GLP-1RA use in patients with TKA are not well understood. METHODS:A retrospective review of 13,751 primary, elective TKAs with at least 90 days of follow-up at an urban academic health system between 2012 and 2023 identified 865 patients who had perioperative GLP-1RA use. A 10:1 propensity score match based on sex, age, smoking status, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, and body mass index created a control cohort of 8,650 TKAs with no GLP-1RA use. RESULTS:The use of GLP-1RAs varied significantly by race, Medicaid insurance, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and presence of DM. Black and Latino patients and those covered by Medicaid were significantly less likely to receive GLP-1RAs. The GLP-1RA group had significantly shorter length of stay (2.1 versus 2.5 days, P < 0.001) and a higher rate of home discharge (91.7 versus 84.2%, P < 0.001). The GLP-1RA users had significantly higher rates of 90-day emergency department visits (5.9 versus 4.0%, P = 0.008), but no differences in 90-day readmissions (4.3 versus 3.6%, P = 0.168) or 2-year revision (2.3 versus 2.6%, P = 0.362) compared to matched controls. The GLP-1RA patients had significantly lower all-cause revision rates at the last follow-up (2.7 versus 3.9%, P = 0.034), but there was no significant difference in Kaplan-Meier implant survival (P = 0.311). Before TKA, GLP-1RA patients had an average decrease in body mass index of 0.4, compared to an average increase of 1.2 for matched controls. CONCLUSIONS:Our results demonstrate that the use of GLP-1RAs is significantly lower for minority patients and those covered by Medicaid. Patients using GLP-1RAs have noninferior clinical outcomes with the potential for weight loss leading up to TKA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:III.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to evaluate the safety of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in Jehovah's Witness patients compared to non-Jehovah's Witness patients using standard peri-operative TKA protocols as well as assess the role of tranexamic acid (TXA) in managing blood loss in this population. METHODS:Patients undergoing TKA between 2011 and 2021 at two tertiary academic centers were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, pre- and post-operative hematologic laboratory values, intra-operative tranexamic acid use, 90-day post-operative complications, and subsequent revisions were collected. These variables were then compared between propensity score-matched cohorts at a 2:1 ratio of those who did not identify as Jehovah's Witness to those who did. Regression analysis was used to determine the effect of intraoperative TXA on hemoglobin (hgb) shift. RESULTS:After applying exclusion criteria and matching, the TKA outcomes of 316 non-Jehovah's Witness patients and 152 Jehovah's Witness patients were analyzed. Univariate analysis suggested that non-Jehovah's Witness patients and Jehovah's Witness patients had similar pre- and post-operative hgb, hgb shift, and hematocrit (hct). Only 1 (0.8%) Jehovah's Witness patient reached a hgb < 8.0 mg/dL post-operatively. Multivariate logistic regression suggested that Jehovah's Witness patients did not have increased odds of reaching a hgb < 8.0 mg/dL (odds ratio [OR] = 0.99 [0.96, 1.02]; P = 0.42). Multivariate linear regression suggested that intra-operative TXA was positively correlated with hgb shift and thus a smaller decrease in hgb from pre- to post-TKA (β = 0.38 [0.06, 0.69]; P = 0.02). Additionally, Jehovah's Witness patients had excellent revision-free (95% [91, 99]) and infection-free (98% [95, 100]) survival at 8 years. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Standard peri-operative TKA protocols are safe for Jehovah's Witness patients who do not have the need for transfusion, especially with appropriate pre-operative hgb levels and the use of intra-operative TXA. Furthermore, these patients have excellent survivorship at 5 and 8 years follow-up.

BACKGROUND:Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can have orthopaedic manifestations related to decreased bone mineral density and increased fracture risk. The impact of IBD-spectrum diseases, including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), on the overall performance of total hip arthroplasty (THA), is not well understood. The present study sought to evaluate whether patients who have IBD were at increased risk of THA failure compared to those who did not have IBD. METHODS:The Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) was used to compare postoperative outcomes between patients who have IBD (CD and UC) and patients who do not have IBD from 2010 to 2020. A total of 119,094 patients were included in the study, of whom 1,165 had a diagnosis of IBD. Overall, 501 of those had CD, while 664 had UC. RESULTS:When controlling for comorbidities, patients who had CD had longer hospital length of stay (CD: 3.6 +/- 2.5 versus UC: 3.4 +/- 2.1 versus control: 3.2 +/- 2.3 days, P < 0.001), higher rates of 90-day readmission (CD: 13.6 versus UC: 8.3 versus control: 7.7%, P < 0.001) and 1-year readmission (CD: 20.4 versus UC: 15.1 versus control: 12.8%, P < 0.001), and higher rates of 90-day emergency room visits (CD: 15.4 versus UC: 12 versus control: 11.1%, P = 0.007). There were no differences in all-cause revision or revision for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) between CD and UC compared with control patients. CONCLUSIONS:Patients who have UC had more emergency room visits and hospital readmissions following THA, however, survival analysis demonstrated that IBD patients are not at increased risk of revision or PJI after THA.

BACKGROUND:Patient comorbidities can lead to worse outcomes and increase the risk of revisions after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Sparse research is available on the effects of ostomies on postoperative outcomes. Our study aimed to assess whether patients who have ostomies, who underwent TKA or THA, have worse outcomes and increased rates of all-cause and periprosthetic joint infection (PJI)-related revisions. METHODS:We performed a retrospective cohort study comparing the outcomes of THA and TKA patients who have and do not have a history of ostomy using the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System. Patient demographics, ostomy diagnosis, 3-month emergency department visits and readmissions, and revisions were collected. A total of 126,414 THA and 216,037 TKA cases were included. Log-rank testing and a Cox proportional hazards model were used to account for covariates. RESULTS:In total, 463 THA patients (0.4%) had ostomies. They had a longer length of stay (4.0 versus 3.1 days, P < 0.001) and were less likely to be discharged home (55.3 versus 62.2%, P = 0.01). They had higher rates of PJI-related revisions (1.9 versus 0.9%, P = 0.02) and had increased odds of PJI-related revision (OR [odds ratio] = 2.2, P = 0.02). Of TKA patients, 619 patients (0.3%) had an ostomy. They had a longer length of stay (3.6 versus 3.3 days, P = 0.02) and was less likely to be discharged home (49.4 versus 52.4%, P = 0.16). However, there was no difference in the rate (1.8 versus 1.4%, P = 0.49) or odds (OR = 1.2, P = 0.53) of PJI-related revision. CONCLUSIONS:THA, but not TKA, patients who have ostomies have an increased risk of PJI-related revisions. The proximity of the surgical incision to the ostomy site may play a role in the risk of PJI in THA patients.

BACKGROUND:Modern surgical protocols, particularly the use of tranexamic acid (TXA), have reduced, but not eliminated, blood transfusions surrounding total hip arthroplasty (THA). Identifying patients at risk for transfusion remains important for risk reduction and to determine type and screen testing. METHODS:We reviewed 6,405 patients who underwent primary, unilateral THA between January 2014 and January 2023 at a single academic institution, received TXA, and had preoperative hemoglobin (Hgb) values. We compared demographics, baseline Hgb levels, and surgical details between patients who were and were not transfused. Data were analyzed utilizing multivariate regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS:The overall perioperative and intraoperative transfusion rates were 3.4 and 1.0%, respectively. Patients who were older, women, and American Society of Anesthesiologists class >II demonstrated an increased risk of transfusion. Risk of transfusion demonstrated an inverse correlation with preoperative Hgb levels, a bimodal association with body mass index, and a direct correlation with age, surgical time, and estimated blood loss on multivariate analysis. The receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated a preoperative Hgb cutoff of 12 g/dL for predicting any transfusion. Above the threshold of 12 g/dL, total and intraoperative transfusions were rare, with rates of 1.7 and 0.3%, respectively. Total and intraoperative transfusion rates with Hgb between 11 and 12 g/dL were 14.3 and 4.6%, respectively. Below 11 g/dL, total and intraoperative transfusion rates were 27.5 and 10.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:In the age of TXA, blood transfusion is rare in THA when preoperative Hgb is >12 g/dL, challenging the need for universal type and screening. Conversely, patients who have Hgb < 11.0 g/dL, remain at substantial risk for transfusion. Between Hgb 11 and 12 g/dL, patient age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, anticipated estimated blood loss, and surgical time may help predict transfusion risk and the need for a perioperative type and screen. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:III.

BACKGROUND:Jehovah's Witness patients refuse blood transfusion because of their religious beliefs making total hip arthroplasty (THA) challenging. This study aims to determine the safety of THA in Jehovah's Witness patients using standard perioperative protocols as well as evaluate the effectiveness of tranexamic acid (TXA) in controlling blood loss. METHODS:Databases from two tertiary academic centers were queried from 2003 to 2021 to identify THA patients. Demographics, pre- and postoperative hemoglobin (hgb) and hematocrit (hct) lab values, use of TXA intraoperatively, 90-day postoperative hospital utilization, and need for subsequent revision were extracted. Patients who identified as Jehovah's Witness were then compared to a 3:1 propensity score matched cohort of non-Jehovah's Witness patients. Linear regression analysis assessed the effect of intraoperative TXA on change in hgb from pre- to post-THA and logistic regression was used to assess risk of reaching hgb levels < 8.0 g/dL. RESULTS:A total of 207 non-Jehovah's Witness patients and 69 Jehovah's Witness patients who underwent THA were analyzed. Both groups were found to have similar preoperative hgb and hct as well as postoperative hgb, hct, and hgb shift. Of the Jehovah's Witness patients 3 (6.4%) patients reached a hgb < 8.0 g/dL. Additionally, a higher proportion of Jehovah's Witness patients receive intraoperative TXA (55 [79.7%]) compared to non-Jehovah's Witness patients (127 [61.4%]) (p = 0.01; SMD = 0.41). Logistic regression analysis found that Jehovah's Witness did not have greater odds of reaching a hgb < 8.0 g/dL (OR = 1.03 [0.95, 1.10]; p = 0.49) and that patient who received intraoperative TXA had decreased odds of reaching a hgb < 8.0 (OR = 0.87 [0.80, 0.95]; p = 0.001). Multivariate linear regression found that intraoperative TXA was also associated with a smaller decrease in hgb from pre- to post-THA (β = 0.69 [0.16, 1.22]; p = 0.01). Overall, Jehovah's Witness patients had excellent revision-free (97% [93%, 100%]) and infection-free (99% [96%, 100%]) survival at 7 years. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Although Jehovah's Witness patients refuse transfusion, THA can be performed safely in these patients with excellent implant survivorship by optimizing preoperative hgb levels and utilizing intraoperative TXA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:Level III Evidence.