The Journal of arthroplasty
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Multicenter Study
Knee pain during the first three months after unilateral total knee arthroplasty: a multi-centre prospective cohort study.
Many patients have an unfavourable pain outcome post total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This multi-centre prospective cohort study recorded weekly pain scores one week before TKA and 12 weeks post TKA. 96 patients were enrolled into the study. Patients kept a record of their weekly scores pre-operation and post-operation by using the visual acuity score. ⋯ Patients with a pre-operative pain scores ≤ 4 were identified as an at risk group for poor pain outcome. Female gender, age and anaesthetics type were not identified as risk factors for poor pain outcome. Pain trajectory analysis also identified general patterns of pain response post TKA.
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Common peroneal nerve palsy (CPNP) is a serious complication following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). There is little information regarding the clinical course and prognostic factors for recovery. Between January 2000 and December 2008, 44 patients (0.53%) developed CPNP following TKA and were matched to 100 control patients based on year of surgery, type of surgery and surgeon. ⋯ A significant difference was seen in CPNP patients who were on average younger (62.1 years) and had higher BMI (34.5 kg/m(2)) than those who did not have nerve palsy (67.5 years and 31.8 kg/m(2), respectively). Only 37 patients with palsies could be followed, 32 (62.2%) had incomplete nerve palsy, twenty four (75%) of them fully recovered, while only 1 of patients with complete nerve palsy fully recovered. More severe initial injury was a negative prognostic factor for recovery of palsy (P<0.03).
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Revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been associated with an increased risk of perioperative blood loss. Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been proven to be safe and effective in preventing blood loss in primary TKA. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of TXA on blood loss and transfusion rates in revision TKA. ⋯ A total of 178 patients did not receive TXA while 246 patients received one intraoperative dose of 20mg/kg of TXA given prior to tourniquet release. There was a significant reduction in hemoglobin loss (42±16g/L vs 38±15g/L, P=0.005), transfusion rates (30.3% vs 16.7%, P=0.001) and average amount transfused (1.1±1.9units vs 0.5±1.1units, P=0.001) in the TXA group. There was no significant difference in recorded major adverse events with the administration of TXA.
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Staphylococcus decolonization prior to surgery is used to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs) after total joint arthroplasty (TJA). To determine if current treatment protocols result in successful decolonization of methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), 106 consecutive patients were screened for nasal MSSA/MRSA colonization pre-operatively and on the day of surgery. Colonized patients used intranasal mupirocin twice a day and chlorhexidine showers daily 5 days prior to surgery. ⋯ On the day of surgery, 3 joints (2.8%) who underwent decolonization were positive for MSSA colonization and 0 joints were positive for MRSA colonization. The reduction in MSSA colonization was significant (P<0.001), while the eradication of MRSA colonization approached statistical significance (P=0.063). Current decolonization protocols using intranasal mupirocin and chlorhexidine washes are effective for reducing MRSA/MSSA colonization.
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A survey study was performed of individuals in an orthopedic clinic waiting room regarding their knowledge of Medicare reimbursement to orthopedic surgeons for primary THA and TKA. A total of 1200 surveys were submitted by individuals (median age 64 years, 61% female, 50% with Medicare as their primary insurance and 29% having had THA or TKA). ⋯ Most respondents were willing to wait 3-7 weeks for surgery to be performed. Participants tended to value THA and TKA more relative to Medicare payments and tended to overestimate Medicare reimbursement to surgeons for THA and TKA.