Patellofemoral complications following total knee arthroplasty: Correlation with implant design and patient risk factors

Results of 211 total knee arthroplasty operations were retrospectively evaluated to identify patients with knees at greatest risk for the development of patellofemoral complications and to determine the incidence and type of patellofemoral complications associated with different patellar implants. Patellofemoral complications occurred in 27 knees (12.8%). Osteoarthritis and obesity were associated with an increased incidence of patellofemoral problems. Significantly higher rates of patellofemoral complications were noted with metal-backed patellar implants and with patellar components implanted without cement. The loosening rate with cementless fixation was 13.5%. The lowest rate of patellofemoral complications following total knee arthroplasty was obtained with all-polyethylene domed patellar components implanted with cement.     

Patellar complications after total knee arthroplasty

Summary. One hundred total knee arthroplasties implanted between 1989 and 1993 in 70 women and 30 men (average age 67.4 years) have been retrospectively reviewed. Six late patellar complications occurred: two fractures, two subluxations, one dislocation and one loosening. Four had a further operation. The patient’s age, type of implant, lateral patellar release, thickness of the implant and the final range of movement were studied. Complications have been more common in men (8.7%) than women (5.2%) with a statistically significant difference (p <0.05). This may be because men make a greater functional demand on their arthroplasties. No other factors were relevant.

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Résumé. Nous avons analysé 100 arthroplasties totales de genou implantées entre 1989 et 1993 à des patients avec un age moyen de 67,4 ans, dont soixante-sept femmes et trente-trois hommes. Nous avons trouvé six complications patellaires tardives dont la classification est la suivante: deux fractures de rotule, une mobilisation par déterioration des pivots d’ancrage, deux subluxations et une luxation. Quatre de ces malades ont été réopérés et les deux autres ont suivi un traitement par réeducation. Nous avons étudié les possibles facteurs qui favorisent ces complications. Ni l’age, ni le genre d’implant, ni la libération du rétinaculum patellaire, ni la grosseur de la rotule, ni l’arc de mobilité finale n’ont exercé une influence sur l’apparition de complications patellaires. Par contre celles-ci ont été plus fréquentes parmi les hommes (8.7%) que parmi les femmes (5,2%) avec une différence statistiquement significative (p <0.05). Il se peut que cela soit d? aux plus grandes demandes que les hommes exigent de l’arthroplastie.

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Accepted: 18 May 1995     

Prolonged surgical time increases the odds of complications following total knee arthroplasty

Background:The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of operating time on complications and readmission within 30 days of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and to determine if there were specific time intervals associated with worse outcomes.Methods:The American College of Surgeons’ National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was used to identify patients 18 years of age and older who underwent TKA between 2006 and 2017, using procedural codes. Patient demographic characteristics, operation length and 30-day major and minor complication and readmission rates were captured. We used multivariable regression to determine if the rates of complications and readmission differed depending on the length of the operation, while adjusting for relevant covariables.Results:A total of 263 174 patients who underwent TKA were identified from the database. Their mean age was 66.8 (standard deviation 9.7) years. Within 30 days of the index procedure, 5700 patients (2.2%) experienced a major complication, 5185 (2.0%) experienced a minor complication and 7730 (3.1% of 249 746 patients from 2011 to 2017) were readmitted. Mean operation length was 91.7 minutes (range 30–240 min). After adjustment for relevant covariables, an operating time of 90 minutes or more was a significant predictor of major and minor complications as well as readmission. There was no difference in the odds of complications or readmission for operations lasting 30–49, 50–69 or 70–89 minutes (p > 0.05).Conclusion:Our data suggest that operating times of 90 minutes or more may be associated with an increase in the 30-day odds of complications and readmission following TKA. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings and determine the influence of surgical time on outcomes when there is increased case complexity.     

Perioperative risk factors for deep vein thrombosis after total hip arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty

Study ObjectiveTo determine the perioperative frequency of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after lower limb joint prosthesis surgery using Doppler ultrasonography (US).DesignProspective cohort study.SettingOperating room and hospital ward.Patients144 consecutive ASA physical status 1 and 2 patients who underwent elective total hip arthroplasty (THA; n=64) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA; n = 80).InterventionsPatients were allocated to two groups, those who developed DVT (DVT group) postoperatively and those who did not (no-DVT group). To examine the perioperative risk factors for DVT after THA or TKA, comparative analysis of the two groups was done.MeasurementsDoppler US was performed on all patients from the bilateral femoral to lower limb to detect the existence of DVT postoperatively.Main ResultsDVT was detected in 61 patients (42%), including three proximal DVT patients (2%). Preoperative elevated plasma D-dimer value [P = 0.0131, odds ratio (OR) 1.54, 95% CI 1.10-2.17] and history of hyperlipidemia (P = 0.0453, OR 6.92, 95% CI 1.04-46.00] were significant risk factors for the onset of DVT. A preoperative plasma D-dimer cutoff value as a diagnostic test was obtained as 0.85 μg/mL.ConclusionsA high preoperative plasma D-dimer value and/or history of hyperlipidemia were risk factors for DVT after THA or TKA.     

Aseptic complications after total knee arthroplasty.

Aseptic complications after total knee arthroplasty are occurring less frequently than they did one or two decades ago. This is related in part to technical advancements, design improvements, and changes in perioperative management. Extensor mechanism dysfunction is the most frequent complication and the most commonly cited reason for secondary surgery after total knee arthroplasty. Mechanical wear, tibiofemoral instability, periprosthetic fracture, thromboembolic disease, compromised wound healing, neurovascular problems, and stiffness are less common, but nevertheless troublesome, sources of dysfunction after total knee arthroplasty. Complications compromise outcomes, and the most effective way of dealing with complications is prevention.     

Silicone ring tourniquet or pneumatic cuff tourniquet for total knee arthroplasty

Purpose

The goal of the present study was to evaluate the potential advantages of a silicon ring tourniquet in comparison to the conventional pneumatic cuff tourniquet. The tested hypothesis was that the calculated blood loss will be decreased after use of the silicone ring tourniquet.

Methods

The study was monocentric and mixed retrospective and prospective evaluation of prospectively collected data. Inclusion criterion was implantation of a total knee arthroplasty. The retrospective control group involved 39 patients operated on with a pneumatic cuff tourniquet. The prospective study group involved 33 patients operated on with a silicone ring tourniquet. All patients were followed for three months. Primary criterion was the calculated blood loss (OSTHEO formula). Secondary criteria were pain on third post-op day, need for allogenic transfusion, haemoglobin drop, delay of discharge, and occurrence of complications.

Results

The mean calculated blood loss was 901 ml in the study group and 989 ml in the control group (NS). There was no significant difference in pain evaluation and haemoglobin drop between the two groups. There was a non significant decrease of allogeneic transfusion and length of stay in the study group. There was a significant decrease of complication rate in the study group, and especially for skin complications.

Conclusions

The tested hypothesis was not confirmed: there was no significant change in the calculated blood loss. No bias was identified in complication analysis. The decreased rate of skin complication might be a positive influence of the silicone ring tourniquet.

     

Nonsurgical complications after total hip and knee arthroplasty

Postoperative medical complications after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may occur in patients of any age. However, percentage of adverse events increases with increasing patient age and can cause significant morbidity and even mortality. It is important that the orthopedist identify risk factors and symptoms and be knowledgeable in the treatment of nonsurgical postoperative complications. Nonsurgical complications after THA and TKA include pulmonary embolism, fat embolism syndrome, pneumonia, myocardial infarction, postoperative delirium, cerebrovascular accident, urinary retention, urinary tract infections, and deep vein thrombosis.     

Fall incidence and risk factors in patients after total knee arthroplasty

Purpose  

To prospectively investigate the relationship between physical function and falls among elderly patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and to determine the incidence of falls as well as their risk factors.     

影响人工关节置换术后下肢深静脉血栓形成的临床风险因素分析

目的 分析影响人工关节置换术后下肢深静脉血栓形成（DVT）的临床风险因素。方法对2004年4月至8月95例128个人工髋、膝关节置换术术后DVT发生情况进行分析。其中男性27例,女性68例,平均年龄60岁（23～78岁）。人工髋关节置换术（THA）43例48髋,人工膝关节置换术（TKA）52例80膝。术前及术后7～10d均用彩色多普勒检查双下肢深静脉血流通畅情况及DVT的发生。对19项临床因素与人工关节置换术后DVT形成的相关性进行了分析。结果术后发生DVT的患者有45人,DVT发生率为47．4％（45／95）,其中无症状DVT患者占57．8％（26／45）。经logistic多因素回归分析,与DVT相关的因素有4个,其中女性、肥胖及骨水泥的使用使术后发生DVT的风险分别增加到10．008、3．094、8．887倍（P〈0．05）;类风湿关节炎的诊断使术后发生DVT的可能性减少到0．194倍（P〈0．05）。结论女性、肥胖及骨水泥的使用是人工关节术后发生DVT的危险因素,而类风湿关节炎（RA）则是减少术后发生DVT的保护因素;关节置换术后无症状DVT的大量存在,提示我们术后最好常规行双下肢彩色多普勒或造影检查,一旦有DVT发生,及时治疗,防止发生致命性肺栓塞。     

止血带对全膝关节置换术后深静脉血栓形成的影响

目的 探讨止血带对全膝关节置换术后深静脉血栓形成的影响.方法 采用随机对照研究,将连续入院的拟行初次全膝关节置换的80例患者随机分为两组:一组使用止血带(止血带组,40例),一组不使用止血带(非止血带组,40例).全部采用后十字韧带替代型骨水泥固定人工膝关节(Smith-Nephew),手术由同一组医生完成.比较两组患者围手术期失血量、深静脉血栓和肺动脉栓塞发生率、术中栓子面积百分率%Ae(即总栓子面积占右心房面积的百分率).术前及术后第1～10天行彩色多普勒超声检查,观察双下肢深静脉血栓的发生;术中使用经食道超声心动图监测右心房,评估止血带释放后的%Ae.结果 止血带组患者术中失血最小于非止血带组患者,但两组患者围手术期总失血量比较差异无统计学意义.止血带组患者和非止血带组患者深静脉血栓发生率比较无统计学差异,两组均未发生肺动脉栓塞.止血带组患者%Ae在释放止血带后的1 min达到高峰;非止血带组患者%Ae仅在扩髓和植入假体时出现高峰,然后缓慢下降;止血带组患者%Ae在释放止血带后大于非止血带组患者.结论 止血带的使用对全膝关节置换术围手术期总失血量并无明显影响,不增加深静脉血栓和肺栓塞的发生风险.     

止血带对全膝关节置换术后深静脉血栓形成的影响

目的 探讨止血带对全膝关节置换术后深静脉血栓形成的影响.方法 采用随机对照研究,将连续入院的拟行初次全膝关节置换的80例患者随机分为两组:一组使用止血带(止血带组,40例),一组不使用止血带(非止血带组,40例).全部采用后十字韧带替代型骨水泥固定人工膝关节(Smith-Nephew),手术由同一组医生完成.比较两组患者围手术期失血量、深静脉血栓和肺动脉栓塞发生率、术中栓子面积百分率%Ae(即总栓子面积占右心房面积的百分率).术前及术后第1～10天行彩色多普勒超声检查,观察双下肢深静脉血栓的发生;术中使用经食道超声心动图监测右心房,评估止血带释放后的%Ae.结果 止血带组患者术中失血最小于非止血带组患者,但两组患者围手术期总失血量比较差异无统计学意义.止血带组患者和非止血带组患者深静脉血栓发生率比较无统计学差异,两组均未发生肺动脉栓塞.止血带组患者%Ae在释放止血带后的1 min达到高峰;非止血带组患者%Ae仅在扩髓和植入假体时出现高峰,然后缓慢下降;止血带组患者%Ae在释放止血带后大于非止血带组患者.结论 止血带的使用对全膝关节置换术围手术期总失血量并无明显影响,不增加深静脉血栓和肺栓塞的发生风险.     

全膝关节置换术中放开止血带并缝合内上缘支持带对髌骨轨迹的影响

目的 探讨在初次全膝关节置换术(TKA)中放开止血带且缝合内上缘支持带对髌骨轨迹的影响.方法 选择2006年3月至2008年2月初次行TKA的83例患者136侧膝关节.使用前内侧髌旁人路,检测髌骨轨迹.对于不良的髌骨轨迹,术中松开止血带且仅用一针缝合髌骨内上缘支持带.再次检查髌骨轨迹.最后,对残留不良髌骨轨迹的患者行外侧支持带松解术,以求获得满意的髌骨轨迹.采用no-thumb试验作为检测髌骨轨迹的标准.结果 在初次行TKA的83例患者136侧膝关节中,在未松开止血带前,髌骨轨迹不良率为64.7%(88/136).放开止血带且缝合髌骨内上缘支持带后,髌骨外侧支持带松解率为26.5%(36/136),差异有统计学意义(X2=38.55,P＜0.01).其中,膝外翻畸形患者的松解率为58.6%(17/29),膝内翻和无明显畸形患者的松解率为17.8%(19/107).结论 高压止血带对行前内侧髌旁人路TKA的患者髌骨轨迹的干扰作用非常明显.术中松开止血带且缝合髌骨内上缘支持带明显降低了外侧支持带的松解率,从而降低了其可能带来的并发症.     

Thigh pain after total knee arthroplasty: Analysis of risk factors

IntroductionThigh pain may sometimes occur following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The existence of thigh pain can interfere with postoperative rehabilitation and result in an unpleasant postoperative period. Our aim is to identify the risk factors of post-TKA thigh pain. Although the application of a pneumatic tourniquet is common while performing a TKA, it seems to play a role in the development of post-TKA thigh pain. In addition to the use of a tourniquet, some patient factors may also be associated with the occurrence of thigh pain after TKA. Therefore, we hypothesized that some factors correlated to post-TKA thigh pain exist.Materials and methodsDuring 2011–2012, we conducted a prospective cohort study enrolling 347 patients (with 411 cases of primary TKA) in Taipei Veterans General Hospital. There were 283 cases of unilateral and 64 cases of bilateral knee arthroplasty, respectively. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon. Thigh pain was measured according to the patients' response to the “squeeze test” on the next day after surgery, performed by a single technician. Thigh pain after surgery developed in 33 out of 411 cases of primary TKA. We analyzed the correlation between thigh pain and several possible risk factors, including age, gender, body mass index (BMI), tourniquet time, blood pressure, tourniquet pressure, thigh circumference, and use of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), using a generalized estimating equation, with SPSS software version 19.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).ResultsThe study consisted of 77 male (22%) and 270 female (78%) patients. The mean age of the patients was 72.2 years (range, 29–89 years). The mean tourniquet time was 35.3 minutes and mean cuff pressure was 268.8 mmHg. Higher diastolic blood pressure and higher tourniquet pressure correlated to thigh pain, which achieved statistical significance. Age, gender, BMI, PCA use, and tourniquet time were found to have no significant influences on the occurrence of thigh pain.DiscussionIn this study, higher diastolic blood pressure and higher tourniquet pressure were found to have a correlation with thigh pain. Tissue ischemia and reperfusion may explain this finding. Tourniquet time seemed irrelevant, the reason for which might be attributed to the short tourniquet time in our study. In conclusion, factors that influence post-TKA thigh pain exist.     

Tourniquet time affects postoperative complications after knee arthroplasty

Purpose

Pneumatic tourniquets are frequently used in knee arthroplasty surgery. However, there is a lack of evidence to define safe tourniquet time in lower limb surgery. The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether tourniquet time influences the risk of postoperative complications after primary and secondary knee arthroplasty.

Methods

This study was a prospective register study. Since we wanted dispersion in tourniquet time, we included a consecutive series of 577 primary knee arthroplasties, 46 revision knee arthroplasties, and 18 patellar supplementing knee arthroplasties from a clinical audit database over a period of five years. The following postoperative complications were recorded: superficial wound infections, deep wound infections, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, nerve injuries, compartment syndrome, cuff pressure injuries, and bandage injuries.

Results

Tourniquet time over 100 minutes was associated with an increased risk of complications after knee arthroplasty surgery (OR 2.2, CI 1.5–3.1). This increase in risk remained after adjusting for cuff pressure, sex, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, smoking, diabetes, and surgery indication (OR 2.4, CI 1.6–3.6).

Conclusions

Tourniquet time over 100 minutes increases the risk of complications after knee arthroplasty surgery and special attention is advocated to reduce the tourniquet time.     

人工髋膝关节置换术后症状性静脉血栓栓塞性疾病的危险因素分析

[目的]分析人工髋、膝关节置换术后症状性静脉血栓栓塞性疾病(venous thromboembolism,VTE)发生的危险因素。[方法]2013年5月~2013年12月行人工髋、膝关节置换术患者602例,这些患者在术后出现下肢疼痛、肿胀、周径发生改变、Homans征阳性时行双下肢深静脉彩超(ultrasonography,USG)检查是否发生下肢深静脉血栓(deep vein thrombosis,DVT),同时记录入组患者肺栓塞(pulmonary embolism,PE)事件的发生,分析患者年龄、性别、BMI、手术类型、单双侧、糖尿病史、术前血糖、术前胆固醇、术前甘油三酯、术前D-dimer等与症状性VTE发生风险的相关性。[结果]人工髋、膝关节置换术后共发生症状性VTE 19例(3.16%),其中远端DVT 18例(3.00%),近端DVT 4例(0.66%),PE 2例(0.33%)。症状性VTE患者的平均年龄为(66.74±9.04)岁,显著高于其余患者人群(OR=1.065;95%CI=1.001~1.133;P=0.047)。[结论]症状性VTE是人工髋、膝关节置换术后不容忽视的问题,尽管进行常规的预防,其发生率仍不低。年龄是人工髋、膝关节置换术后发生症状性VTE的危险因素。对于年龄大的患者,应进行及时有效的VTE预防措施。     

Arterial complications and total knee arthroplasty

Arterial complications after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are rare; however, the sequelae can be disastrous. Infection and the need for amputation or vascular reconstructive surgery are not uncommon. A thorough preoperative assessment can identify at-risk patients, many, if not all, of whom have preexisting peripheral arterial disease. In the presence of peripheral arterial disease, the use of a tourniquet during TKA has been implicated in subsequent arterial complications. Following the guidelines that have been established regarding preoperative assessment, the role of the vascular surgeon, and the use of a tourniquet before and during TKA can assist the orthopaedic surgeon in assessing candidates for TKA and reducing the risk of arterial complications.     

Fat emboli in bilateral total knee arthroplasty. Predictive factors for neurologic manifestations

Fat embolism after bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) occurred in 12% of the authors' patients having bilateral TKA with intramedullary instrumentation. Usually embolism was manifested as neurologic changes, most often changes of mental status. Death is a potential consequence, and this occurred in one patient. The present authors believe that fat embolism is not predictable preoperatively and propose that intraoperative guidelines can be used to reduce risk of this complication. Intraoperative monitoring by a Swan-Ganz catheter will permit measurement of the pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. A sustained rise of any of these would be an indication to abort the second knee operation. If Swan-Ganz catheter is not available, a sustained fall of oxygen saturation to 90% or lower can be used as a criterion. The risk for fat embolism is increased with the use of intramedullary instrumentation, and the above guidelines are recommended for operations with this type of instrumentation. A fluted intramedullary rod and vent holes should be used.     

Antibiotic prophylaxis and tourniquet inflation in total knee arthroplasty

Twenty-four patients receiving total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were randomized into one of three groups based on tourniquet inflation one, two, or five minutes after administration 1 g cefazolin. Simultaneous serum, soft-tissue, and bone samples were obtained at regular intervals during surgery. All soft-tissue and bone samples were corrected for cefazolin content. The percentage of cefazolin penetration into soft tissue and bone was calculated using the area under the concentration time curve. Adequate cefazolin concentrations for soft tissue and bone were defined as greater than or equal to 4 x minimum inhibitory concentration90 (MIC90 = 1 microgram/ml) of cefazolin to Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci. Patients were similar in age, actual body weight, creatinine clearance, and length of tourniquet inflation. The median percentage of cefazolin penetration into soft tissue and bone for the five-, two-, and one-minute groups was 14.5% and 4.6%, 6.7% and 3.0%, and 5.9% and 4.6%, respectively; the percentage of penetration into soft tissue between the five- and one-minute groups was statistically significant. A higher percentage of patients achieved the desired cefazolin concentration (greater than or equal to 4 micrograms/g) if a five-minute interval was selected. The five-minute group achieved the highest mean ratios of concentration to MIC compared with the two- and one-minute groups, although the differences were not statistically significant. The standard 1 g of cefazolin with a five-minute interval between administration and tourniquet inflation resulted in adequate mean soft-tissue and bone concentrations for prophylaxis during TKA with a tourniquet time less than two hours. Additional doses are not warranted after tourniquet release.