Project description:BackgroundAnterior-based approaches to primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) are being used more frequently, and several variations have been described. The supine direct anterior (DA) approach has been widely studied, but few studies have compared it with the mini-anterolateral (mini-AL) approach (abductor-sparing, Watson-Jones approach) in the lateral decubitus position. This study aims to compare early perioperative complications and outcomes between these 2 approaches.MethodsThis study retrospectively reviewed 340 consecutive THAs (n = 170 DA, n = 170 mini-AL) performed by 3 arthroplasty surgeons at a single institution between January 2017 and May 2018. The primary outcome was reoperation for any reason within 1 year. Secondary outcomes included wound-healing complications and several perioperative factors. A Student's t-test was used for continuous variables, and a chi-squared test was used for categorical variables.ResultsIn this cohort, 6 patients (4%) from the mini-AL group required reoperation within 1 year, compared with 2 patients (1%) from the DA group (P = .024). However, the DA group had 13 patients (8%) with wound-healing complications compared with 6 patients (4%) in the mini-AL group 4% (P = .036). Perioperative outcomes were similar for operative time, distance walked with physical therapy, morphine milligram equivalent consumed, length of stay, and discharge disposition. Pain scores during index hospitalization were also similar.ConclusionsPatients who underwent THA using the supine DA approach had fewer reoperations within 1 year, but more wound-healing complications compared with the mini-AL approach in the lateral decubitus position. For surgeons performing primary THA using an anterior-based approach, relative risks and benefits of these approaches must be understood.Level of evidenceLevel III.
Project description:Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is gaining in popularity, with the main objective to restore a pain-free mobile and stable ankle and is hoped to solve the long-term problems associated with ankle arthrodesis. Residual pain is not uncommon after TAA, and most is located at the medial gutter with bony impingement as the frequent cause. In this Technical Note, the technical details of arthroscopic decompression for medial ankle impingement after total ankle arthroplasty is described. It has the advantage of earlier weightbearing, faster recovery and less risk of periprosthetic infection.
Project description:Accurate positioning of the total ankle arthroplasty implant components with the absence of any hindfoot deformity does not preclude the development of bony impingement. In cases of ankle stiffness after total ankle arthroplasty, the usual limitation is in dorsiflexion. If triceps surae contracture is excluded or persistent restriction remains in ankle dorsiflexion after gastrocnemius recession or tendo-Achilles lengthening, posterior ankle capsulectomy, debridement of posterior ankle gutter, and release of the deep posterior deltoid ligament and the posterior talofibular ligament are indicated. In this Technical Note, the technical details of endoscopic posterior ankle decompression and release after total ankle arthroplasty are described. Technique Video Video 1 Endoscopic posterior ankle decompression and release after total ankle arthroplasty of the left ankle. The patient is in the prone position. Posteromedial portal is the viewing portal and posterolateral portal is the working portal. The flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon is exposed. The arthroscope is switched to the posterolateral portal and the posterolateral ankle capsule is resected with arthroscopic instruments via the posteromedial portal. The FHL tendon is pushed medially by the instruments to facilitate resection of the more medial posterior ankle capsule. The arthroscope is switched back to the posteromedial portal and the most lateral part of the posterior ankle capsule is resected with arthroscopic shaver and radiofrequency wand via the posterolateral portal. Then, the FHL tendon is looped with a vascular sling via the posterolateral portal and the tendon is retracted laterally. The medial part of the posterior ankle capsule is resected with arthroscopic instruments via the posteromedial portal. The fibrous tissue of the posteromedial ankle gutter is also resected. The arthroscope is switched to the posteromedial portal and the fibrous tissue of the posterolateral ankle gutter is resected. The scarred posterolateral ankle ligamentous structure and fibrous band is released from its calcaneal insertion. The arthroscope is switched back to the posterolateral portal and the scarred posteromedial ankle ligamentous structure and fibrous band is carefully cut by a No. 15 scalpel with the cutting blade facing laterally.
Project description:BackgroundComparative studies of total hip arthroplasty using the direct anterior approach (DAA) compared with the anterolateral approach (ALA) by gait analysis compared the results of the two groups, the damage to the abductor muscle, with objective and detailed kinematic as well as kinetic data of actual gait. The purpose of this systematic review was to analyze the differences in gait such as time-dependent parameters, kinetics, and kinematics after THA using the DAA compared with ALA.MethodsPubMed Central, OVID Medline, Cochrane Collaboration Library, Web of Science, EMBASE and AHRQ carried out a comprehensive search for all relevant randomized controlled trials and comparative studies, up to December 2018. Based on the following criteria, studies were selected: 1) study design: randomized controlled trials or non-randomized comparative studies; 2) study population: patients with primary osteoarthritis or avascular necrosis; 3) intervention: total hip arthroplasty by DAA or ALA; 4) Kinetic and kinematic data after gait analysis in the plains during postoperative follow-up.ResultsOf the 148 studies, 7 randomized controlled trials and 5 comparative studies were finally included in this systematic review. The peak hip flexion within 3 months after surgery was described in two studies and was significantly higher in the DAA group. (OR = 1.90; 95% CI [1.67,2.13]; P < 0.01, Z = 16.18). The gait speed within 3 months after surgery was reported in 3 studies and was significantly higher in the DAA group than in the ALA group. (SMD = 0.17; 95% CI [0.12,0.22]; P < 0.01, Z = 6.62) There was no difference between the two groups in stride length, step length, and hip range of motion in sagittal plane.ConclusionsIn this meta-analysis, gait speed and peak hip flexion within 3 months after surgery were significantly higher in the DAA group than in the ALA group. Despite a few significant differences between two approaches, determining whether the reported differences in terms of postoperative gait values are clinically meaningful remains a substantial challenge.
Project description:UNLABELLED: We modified the posterior approach by preserving the external rotator muscles to enhance joint stability after primary THA. We asked whether this modified posterior approach would have a lower dislocation rate than the conventional posterior approach, with and without a repair of external rotator muscles. We retrospectively divided 557 patients (670 hips) who had undergone primary THA into three groups based on how the external rotator muscles had been treated during surgery: (1) not repaired after sectioning, (2) repaired after sectioning, or (3) not sectioned and preserved. The minimum followup was 1 year. In the group with preserved external rotator muscles, we observed no dislocations; in comparison, the dislocation rates for the repaired rotator group and the no-repair group were 3.9% and 5.3%, respectively. This modified posterior approach, which preserves the short external rotator muscles, seemed effective in preventing early dislocation after primary THA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Project description:BackgroundJoint loading conditions have an effect on the development and management of ankle osteoarthritis and on aseptic loosening after total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). Apart from body weight, compressive forces induced by muscle action may affect joint loading. However, few studies have evaluated the influence of individual muscles on the intraarticular pressure distribution in the ankle.Question/purposesThe purpose of this study was to measure intraarticular pressure distribution and, in particular, (1) to quantify the effect of individual muscle action on peak-pressure magnitude; and (2) to identify the location of the center of pressure in the weightbearing native ankles and ankles that had TAA.MethodsPeak pressure and intraarticular center of pressure were quantified during force alterations of four muscle groups (peronei, tibialis anterior, tibialis posterior, and triceps surae) in 10 cadaveric feet. The pressure was measured with a pressure sensitive array before and after implantation of a three-component mobile-bearing TAA prosthesis. Linear mixed-effects models were calculated and the y-intercept (b0) and the slope (b1) of the regression were used to quantify the size of the effect.ResultsMean maximum peak pressures of 2 MPa (± 2.6 MPa) and 6.2 MPa (± 3.6 MPa) were measured for the native and TAA joint respectively. The triceps surae greatly affect the magnitude of peak pressure in the native ankle (slope b1 = 0.174; p = 0.001) and TAA joint (slope b1 = 0.416; p = 0.001). Furthermore, the force of most muscles caused a posterior and lateral shift of the center of pressure in both conditions.ConclusionsOur results suggest that muscle force production has the potential to alter the pressure distribution in the native ankles and those with and TAA.Clinical relevanceOur study results help us to understand the effect of muscle forces on joint loading conditions which could be used in muscle training strategies and the design of better prosthetic components. Physical therapy or guided exercises may provide the potential to relieve areas in the joint that show signs of early osteoarthritis or reduce the contact stress on prosthetic components, potentially reducing the risk of TAA failure attributable to wear.
Project description:BackgroundThe authors developed a cross-laser projection system (CLP) to place a femoral neck-sparing short stem using the minimally invasive anterolateral supine approach in total hip arthroplasty. This study aimed to verify the utility of CLP.MethodsThirty joints were assessed with the MiniHip (Corin). The authors compared femoral component implantation with a patient-specific femoral osteotomy guide (PSG) for the femoral neck-cut (PSG group), with the CLP attached to the rasp handle to irradiate the cross-laser to the target of PSG (CLP group), and without PSG or CLP (control group).ResultsIn the CLP group, the positional deviation of anteversion, anterior/posterior tilt and varus/valgus placement of the stem postoperatively were 1.8° ± 0.2°, 2.0° ± 2.0° and 2.0° ± 0.1°, respectively. The positional deviation of anteversion (p < 0.001) and anterior/posterior tilt (p = 0.036) were significantly smaller than those in the other groups.ConclusionsCLP improves the accuracy of MiniHip femoral prosthesis placement.
Project description:Rates of medial and/or lateral gutter impingement after total ankle replacement are not insignificant. If impingement should occur, it typically arises an average of 17 months after total ankle replacement. Our patient underwent treatment for right ankle medial gutter bony impingement with arthroscopic debridement 5 years after her initial total ankle replacement. Standard anteromedial and anterolateral portals and a 30° 2.7-mm-diameter arthroscope were used. An aggressive soft-tissue and bony resection was performed using a combination of curettes, a 3.5-mm shaver, a 5.5-mm unsheathed burr, a drill, and a radiofrequency ablator. This case shows that arthroscopic treatment is an effective and potentially advantageous alternative to open treatment of impingement after total ankle replacement. In addition, symptoms of impingement often improve in a short amount of time after arthroscopic debridement of the medial and/or lateral gutter.
Project description:BackgroundMetal component failure in total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is difficult to treat. Traditionally, conversion to an arthrodesis has been advocated. Revision TAA surgery has become more common with availability of revision implants and refinement of bone-conserving primary implants. The goal of this study was to analyze the clinical results and patient-reported outcomes for patients undergoing revision total ankle arthroplasty.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data on 52 patients with a mean age of 63.5 ± 9.6 years who had developed loosening or collapse of major metal components following primary TAA. These patients were compared to a case-matched control group of 52 primary TAAs performed at the host institution with a minimum of 2 years' follow-up. Cases of isolated polyethylene exchange, infection, or extra-articular realignment procedures were excluded. The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score, Short Form 36 (SF-36), Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA), and pain scores were prospectively collected. Clinical data was collected through review of the electronic medical record to identify reasons for clinical failure, where clinical failure was defined as second revision or conversion to arthrodesis or amputation.ResultsThe identified causes of failure of primary TAA were aseptic loosening of both components (42%), talar component subsidence/loosening (36%), coronal talar subluxation (12%), tibial loosening (8%), and talar malrotation (2%). Thirty-one patients (59.5%) underwent revision of all components, 20 (38.5%) just the talar and polyethylene components, and one (2%) the tibial and polyethylene components. The average time to revision was 5.5 years ± 5.4 with a follow-up of 3.1 years ± 1.5 after revision. Eleven (21.2%) revision arthroplasties required further surgery: 6 required conversion to arthrodesis and 5 required second revision TAA. Pain scores, SF-36 scores, SMFA scores, and AOFAS Hindfoot scores all improved after revision surgery but never reached the same degree of improvement seen after primary TAA.ConclusionsClinical and patient-reported outcomes of revision ankle arthroplasty after metal component failure significantly improved after surgery, although the recovery time was longer. In this series, 21.2% of revision TAAs required a second revision TAA or arthrodesis surgery. Various prostheses performed similarly when used for revision surgery. Revision TAA can offer significant improvements postoperatively.Level of evidenceLevel III, therapeutic.
Project description:BackgroundTotal ankle arthroplasty (TAA), first developed as an alternative to ankle arthrodesis, has become an increasingly popular management option for end-stage ankle arthritis. Prior studies have shown commercial insurance payers base their coverage criteria on limited and low level of evidence research. This study aims to quantify and describe the evidence insurance companies use to support TAA coverage policies.MethodsThe top 11 national commercial health insurance payers for TAA were identified. A google search was performed to identify payer coverage policies. Policy documents were examined and cited references were classified by type of reference as well as reviewed for level of evidence (LOE). Specific coverage criteria for each individual payer were then extracted. Criteria were compared to assess for similarities among commercial payers. Finally, all references cited by each payer were examined to determine whether they mentioned the specific payer criteria.ResultsSix of the 11 payers had accessible coverage policies. The majority of cited references were primary journal articles (145, 60.9%) and the majority of references cited (179, 75.2%) were level III or level IV evidence. We found significant homogeneity in coverage criteria among payers. In addition, cited sources inconsistently mentioned specific payer coverage criteria.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that commercial insurance payers rely on the relatively low level of currently available scientific evidence when formulating coverage policies for TAA use and adopt criteria that have not been thoroughly analyzed in the literature. More high level of evidence research is needed to help clinicians and insurance companies further refine indications for TAA so that patients who might benefit from the procedure are adequately covered.Level of evidenceLevel IV, review.