The Journal of arthroplasty
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Comparative Study
Biomechanical Effects of Different Varus and Valgus Alignments in Medial Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty.
Medial unicompartmental tibial components are not always positioned following neutral mechanical alignment and a tibial varus alignment of 3° has been suggested based on several clinical follow-up studies. However, no biomechanical justification is currently available to confirm the suitability of different alignment positions. ⋯ Neutral mechanical or 3° of varus alignment present similar biomechanical outputs in the bone, collateral ligament strain, and on the polyethylene insert. A 6° varus alignment or changes in valgus alignment were always associated with more detrimental effects.
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The relationship between pain catastrophizing and emotional disorders including anxiety and depression in osteoarthritic patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is an emerging area of study. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of these factors with preoperative patient characteristics. ⋯ The most important predictor of catastrophizing, anxiety and/or depression in TJA patients is preoperative pain and poor subjective function. At-risk patients include those with increased pain and generally good clinical function, as well as younger women with significant comorbidities. Such patients should be identified and targeted psychological therapy implemented preoperatively to optimize coping strategies and adaptive behavior to mitigate potential for inferior TJA outcomes including pain and patient dissatisfaction.
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Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are important markers in the evaluation and treatment of painful total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Elevation of both markers usually occurs with infected TKAs while a normal ESR and CRP usually point to aseptic causes for failure. The purpose of this study is to compare (1) rate of revision, (2) infection, and (3) reason for reoperation in a group of patients undergoing revision TKA with a single abnormality in either ESR or CRP in an otherwise negative conventional infection work-up compared to patients with normal preoperative ESR and CRP. ⋯ A single abnormality in either the ESR or CRP increased the likelihood of both infection and reoperation following revision TKA. Conventional methods and criteria for infection detection may not be sufficiently sensitive or specific in these cases. Further work-up with additional modalities may help increase the confidence of aseptic failure before revision TKA.
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Length of hospital stay is a quality metric in joint arthroplasty. Rapid recovery protocols have safely reduced the average length of hospitalization, but it is unclear whether there is a difference in complication and readmission rates between patients discharged the day of surgery or on postoperative day 1 (POD 1). We calculated 30-day complication and readmission after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), total hip arthroplasty (THA), and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) based on day of discharge. We then analyzed the rapid recovery group by comparing those discharged the day of surgery and those discharged on POD 1. ⋯ Increased length of stay is associated with increased complication and readmission after joint arthroplasty for patients with a hospital stay of 3 or more days. However, in THA, there was an increased complication rate in patients discharged POD 0 as compared to POD 1. Efforts to improve patient selection are expected to reduce short-term complications after outpatient joint arthroplasty. Further research is needed to determine which patients can be discharged POD 0 without increased complication after THA.
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Discharge destination is an important factor to consider to maximize care coordination and manage patient expectations after total joint arthroplasty (TJA). It also has significant impact on the cost-effectiveness of these procedures given the significant cost of post-acute inpatient care. Therefore, understanding factors that impact discharge destination after TJA is critical. ⋯ Socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity are important factors related to discharge destination following TJA. Thoroughly understanding and addressing these factors may help increase the rates of discharge to home as opposed to institution.