VS15PTHERAPEUTIC EMBOLISATION IN THE TREATMENT OF RECURRENT HAEMARTHROSIS FOLLOWING KNEE ARTHROPLASTY

Recurrent spontaneous haemarthrosis after knee arthroplasty occurs in less than 1% of cases, commonly thought to be result of impingement of hypertrophic vascular synovium or fat pads, exacerbated by anticoagulation or antiplatelet agents. Traditional managements include conservative management with rest and ice initially, followed by open or arthroscopic washout and synovectomy if bleeding recurs or fail to settle. We present 3 cases of recurrent haemarthrosis following knee arthroplasties which were successfully treated with angiography and coil embolisation. Injuries to one of the genicular arteries were identified as the cause in all three cases with one manifesting in formation of a traumatic arteriovenous malformation. All cases were associated with resolution of symptoms with no recurrence (follow‐up period 6 months – 5 years, median of 2 years). We discuss the possibility that direct injury to genicular arteries and the development of subsequent complications including arteriovenous malformation and false aneurysm as more likely aetiology of recurrent bleeding.     

Total knee replacement in haemophilic arthropathy

Eleven total knee replacements were performed in eight patients with severe haemophilia A and the patients were followed up for two to eight years. All the patients had disabling haemophilic arthropathy of one or both knees, which had not responded to conservative treatment. Postoperative complications occurred in 10 knees, including nose bleeding, haemarthrosis, anaphylactic reactions, urinary tract infection with haematuria, recurrent phlebitis at infusion sites, and fever for a few days. There were no wound infections. The outcome, as determined by a standard scoring system, was rated as excellent or good in nine knees, fair in one and poor in one. Nevertheless, all patients were free of pain and all but one returned to full-time or part-time employment. Total knee arthroplasty appears to be a satisfactory procedure in the treatment of disabling haemophilic arthropathy of the knee.     

Atraumatic haemarthrosis following total knee replacement treated with selective embolisation

Spontaneous haemarthrosis in the absence of anticoagulant medication or a bleeding disorder is a very rare complication after total knee arthroplasty. A case of recurrent spontaneous haemarthrosis following total knee replacement in a 69-year-old patient is reported. Angiography was used to aid the diagnosis. It demonstrated an abnormal blush of vessels around the anterior aspect of the knee joint, that was fed by genicular branches and a recurrent branch of the anterior tibial artery. Selective embolisation of the bleeding vessels with coils led to immediate control of the bleeding. No further recurrence of haemarthrosis has been recorded.     

Arthroscopy of total knee arthroplasties: Indications and technical problems

Summary   Background: Postoperative complaints after total knee arthroplasty range from restriction in range of motion, recurrent swelling, and soft tissue impingement through to prosthesis failure with no obvious radiological abnormality. This study looks at the indications and technical problems of arthroscopy in the treatment of symptomatic total knee arthroplasty. Methods: Fourteen arthroscopies were performed between 3 days and 10 years following total knee arthroplasty. Six of these cases presented significantly decreased range of motion, four had proximal medial joint line pain, two had pain with no obvious cause, one had a suspected patella incongruence with metal-back contact, and one case had a postoperative haemarthrosis. Results: Arthroscopy revealed adhesions and intra-articular fibrous bands resulting in incongruence of the patellofemoral joint and decreased range of motion. Medial compartment pain was due to pseudomeniscal hypertrophic villous synovium. In one case, the pain was due to chronic infection and open synovectomy was undertaken. A fracture of the polyethylene inlet was found by arthroscopy in one case. The suspected patella malalignment with metal-back contact was confirmed by arthroscopy. Technical problems encompassed mirror images, the possibility of damaging the components by arthroscopic manipulation, and the variants of prosthesis. Conclusions: Arthroscopy of total knee arthroplasties is a good minimally invasive method for the diagnosis and treatment of postoperative dysfunction, such as arthrofibrosis, soft tissue impingement, patella instability, infection, breakdown of implants and haemarthrosis.      

Invited commentary to: ‘Arthroscopy of total knee arthroplasties: Indications and technical problems’ (Eur Surg 2002;34:309–311)

Summary   Background: Postoperative complaints after total knee arthroplasty range from restriction in range of motion, recurrent swelling, and soft tissue impingement through to prosthesis failure with no obvious radiological abnormality. This study looks at the indications and technical problems of arthroscopy in the treatment of symptomatic total knee arthroplasty. Methods: Fourteen arthroscopies were performed between 3 days and 10 years following total knee arthroplasty. Six of these cases presented significantly decreased range of motion, four had proximal medial joint line pain, two had pain with no obvious cause, one had a suspected patella incongruence with metal-back contact, and one case had a postoperative haemarthrosis. Results: Arthroscopy revealed adhesions and intra-articular fibrous bands resulting in incongruence of the patellofemoral joint and decreased range of motion. Medial compartment pain was due to pseudomeniscal hypertrophic villous synovium. In one case, the pain was due to chronic infection and open synovectomy was undertaken. A fracture of the polyethylene inlet was found by arthroscopy in one case. The suspected patella malalignment with metal-back contact was confirmed by arthroscopy. Technical problems encompassed mirror images, the possibility of damaging the components by arthroscopic manipulation, and the variants of prosthesis. Conclusions: Arthroscopy of total knee arthroplasties is a good minimally invasive method for the diagnosis and treatment of postoperative dysfunction, such as arthrofibrosis, soft tissue impingement, patella instability, infection, breakdown of implants and haemarthrosis.     

Recurrent haemarthrosis of knee joint due to arterio-venous malformation of the superficial femoral artery.

Recurrent haemarthrosis involving the knee joint is commonly due to bleeding, a coagulation disorder or previous surgery. We have recently encountered a case of recurrent haemarthrosis involving the left knee joint of a 72 year old man due to arterio-venous malformation of the superficial femoral artery. Vascular malformations in patients with recurrent haemarthrosis without previous history of operation and a normal bleeding and clotting screen, should be considered a possible cause.     

髋膝关节置换围手术期血液管理的研究进展

骨关节炎是骨关节方面常见疾病,而髋膝关节置换术是治疗终末期骨关节炎的有效方法。由于髋膝关节置换围手术期贫血发生率高和出血量大,故安全、有效的血液管理有助于加快患者康复进程。目前髋膝关节置换血液管理贯穿于围手术期各个环节,大致为术前纠正贫血、术中控制出血和术后改善贫血,应根据患者具体病情变化采取相应方式,减少围手术期出血、贫血及输血发生率,加快患者康复进程。本文通过分析、总结髋膝关节置换围手术期血液管理方面相关国内、外文献,综述髋膝关节置换围手术期血液管理研究进展。     

Total knee arthroplasty in haemophilic arthritis

The results of total knee replacement in five patients aged between 22 and 37 with severe haemophilia A or B are described. All patients had been managed conservatively without success. Frequent bleeds, severe pain and limitation of movement were the indications for operation. Despite close haematological surveillance, bleeding problems occurred in three of the patients and large quantities of plasma concentrates were required. Review of the patients over a period of 25 to 48 months after operation showed dramatic lessening of pain and maintenance of a satisfactory range of movement. The frequency of haemarthrosis diminished markedly and the requirements for factor concentrate in the years after operation fell substantially. Two patients returned to employment. Total knee replacement led to marked clinical improvement in all the patients, but the long-term results are not yet known.     

Magnetic resonance angiography in the management of recurrent hemarthrosis after total knee arthroplasty

Spontaneous hemarthrosis is an infrequent but disabling complication after total knee arthroplasty. The purpose of this case series is to demonstrate the utility of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in the evaluation of hemarthrosis after total knee arthroplasty. Patients presenting with hemarthrosis unexplained by trauma, anticoagulation, or a bleeding diathesis were retrospectively identified. Eighteen patients were referred for MRA to evaluate recurrent hemarthrosis after failing conservative therapy (n = 16) or synovectomy (n = 2). Despite artifact caused by the metallic components, diagnostic evaluation of regional vessels was made. In 12 of 13 cases that underwent embolization or synovectomy, a hypertrophic feeding artery (or arteries) was visualized on MRA. One case of negative MRA did not have subsequent surgery, and we are unable to comment on the rate of false-positives because all patients in this case series had evidence of bleeding. By characterizing the vascular anatomy and identifying a dominant artery (or arteries) supplying the hypervascular synovium, MRA can serve as a guide for subsequent embolization or synovectomy, as indicated.     

Synovectomy of the knee for hemophilic arthropathy

Synovectomy of the knee for the control of recurrent hemarthrosis was performed in thirteen patients with hemophilic arthropathy. Preoperatively, all patients had experienced an average of three bleeding episodes into the affected joint per month, and had been unresponsive to at least six months of medical management. Radiographically, all knees had either Stage-II or Stage-III hemophilic arthropathy. The average age of the patients at the time of synovectomy was sixteen years and the average length of follow-up was 7.3 years (range, two to eleven years and seven months). Although the motion of the knee remained unchanged postoperatively in two patients, ten patients had an average loss of 41 degrees. One patient eventually required an arthrodesis. Radiographically, there was slight further joint deterioration after synovectomy, and no knee progressed beyond Stage-III hemophilic arthropathy. Only one patient in our series had a recurrent spontaneous hemarthrosis of the synovectomized knee, although two others had traumatic bleeding episodes. The complications included three immediate postoperative hemarthrosis requiring surgical evacuation, isoimmune hemolytic anemia in one patient, patellofemoral adhesions in two knees, and a total fibrous ankylosis that required a knee arthrodesis in one patient. It was concluded from our study that chronic recurrent hemarthrosis and the pain associated with persistent synovitis in the hemophilic knee can be effectively eliminated for as many as twelve years after open synovectomy, although usually with significant loss of motion of the knee. This procedure also appeared to slow the progression of arthropathy, and no patient had been considered for a total knee replacement at the time of writing.     

Total knee arthroplasty in limbs affected by poliomyelitis

BACKGROUND: Little information is available regarding the results and complications of total knee arthroplasty in limbs affected by poliomyelitis with severe knee degeneration. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart and radiograph review of patients with a history of poliomyelitis involving a limb that subsequently underwent primary total knee arthroplasty between 1970 and 2000. Sixteen total knee arthroplasties were performed in limbs affected by poliomyelitis in fifteen patients. Eleven patients were followed for a minimum of two years, one (two knees) died before the minimum two-year follow-up could be completed, and three were followed for less than two years. No patient was lost to follow-up. RESULTS: There were two periprosthetic fractures, one peroneal nerve palsy, one avulsion of the patellar tendon, and four cases of recurrent instability. These complications were related to the poor bone quality, valgus deformity, patella baja, poor musculature, and attenuated soft tissues commonly found in knees affected by poliomyelitis. Knee Society pain and knee scores were improved postoperatively for all nine knees with a two-year follow-up that had had at least antigravity quadriceps strength prior to surgery. However, Knee Society function scores remained at 0 or worsened for six of the eleven knees followed for at least two years, including those with less than antigravity strength, and four of the nine knees with at least antigravity strength. None of the prostheses loosened. CONCLUSIONS: Pain and knee scores improved following total knee arthroplasty in patients with a history of poliomyelitis and antigravity quadriceps strength, but there was less pain relief in patients with less than antigravity quadriceps strength. Recurrence of instability and progressive functional deterioration is possible in all knees affected by poliomyelitis that have undergone total knee replacement, but they appear to occur more commonly in more severely affected knees.     

Recurrent hemarthrosis in a hemophilic patient after revision total knee arthroplasty

Recurrent hemarthrosis following a revision total knee arthroplasty is a rare complication. The likelihood of encountering bleeding complications in patients with hemophilia C following major surgery is unpredictable. Although the use of postoperative chemotherapeutic agents to prevent deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is considered the standard of care for most patients, its use in the hemophiliac population is unknown. This case describes a woman with Hemophilia C who presented with recurrent hemarthrosis 9 days after her revision total knee arthroplasty. Initial treatment efforts were directed towards treating the patient's underlying coagulopathy. Repeated transfusions of fresh frozen plasma and desmopressin were given in an attempt to achieve hemostasis. However the hemarthrosis did not resolve and 36 days postoperatively, a pseudoaneurysm of the left superior geniculate artery was found by angiography and percutaneously embolized. This article presents the first case, to our knowledge, of recurrent hemarthrosis in a hemophiliac patient after revision total knee arthroplasty. It further highlights the importance of considering all possible causes of postoperative bleeding to make a timely diagnosis in the face of a confounding clinical picture.     

Total knee arthroplasty after prior bone or joint sepsis about the knee

The current study was done to determine the effect of current methods to diagnose and treat infection on the incidence of deep prosthetic infection after total knee arthroplasty for patients with previous sepsis or osteomyelitis about the knee. Between 1989 and 1999, one surgeon did 20 consecutive primary total knee arthroplasties in 19 patients with a previous history of either septic arthritis or osteomyelitis about the knee. Antibiotic-impregnated cement was used in all patients. One patient was lost to followup and two patients died before 2 years from the arthroplasty. The remaining 16 patients were followed up for an average of 5 years (range, 2-11 years). There was one (5%) recurrent deep periprosthetic infection for which the patient required resection arthroplasty at 3.5 years. No patients required chronic antibiotic suppression. With careful preoperative and intraoperative evaluation and the routine use of antibiotic bone cement for fixation, total knee arthroplasty, in patients with prior bone or joint sepsis about the knee can provide good pain relief, functional improvement, and an acceptably low rate of deep prosthetic infection.     

保留假体清创术在膝关节假体周围感染中的应用

目的探讨保留假体清创结合抗生素骨水泥间质体填充及负压封闭引流技术辅助治疗膝关节置换术后假体周围感染的疗效。 方法选取2014年6月至2019年6月收治的12例膝关节置换术后假体周围感染的病历资料，男女各6例；平均年龄(60±9)岁。所有患者均行膝关节彻底清创，取出聚乙烯衬垫，使用万古霉素骨水泥间质体填充，负压封闭引流技术(VSD)，术后生理盐水持续冲洗1周为一周期，待感染控制后取出间质体更换同种型号衬垫并关闭术口。术后使用万古霉素稀释后关节腔注射，并复查白细胞、降钙素原、血沉、C-反应蛋白检测感染控制情况。采用独立样本t检验分析比较术前及术后3个月视觉模拟评分法(VAS)、美国特种外科医院膝关节评分(HSS)评估患者症状改善及功能恢复情况。 结果所有患者经过3～4周治疗，术口均甲级愈合，复查白细胞、降钙素原、血沉、C-反应蛋白等指标逐渐恢复正常。出院后患者均获得12～60个月随访，平均(30.1±17.8)个月。患者均无感染复发或新的感染，术后3月VAS评分及HSS评分[VAS评分(1.1±1.0)分；HSS评分(87.3±5.4)分]与治疗前相比[VAS评分(5.5±1.4)分；HSS评分(43.0±16.2)分]相比明显改善(t＝8.713，P <0.05; t＝8.970，P <0.05)。 结论保留假体清创结合抗生素骨水泥间质体填充及负压封闭引流技术在治疗膝关节置换术后假体周围感染中能够有效控制感染且保留良好的关节功能。     

Effect of time of onset and depth of infection on the outcome of total knee arthroplasty infections

The treatment results of 24 infected total knee arthroplasties with a minimum follow-up period of two years are presented. The most common pathogens were coagulase-positive staphylococci (50%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (29.2%), and enterococci (12.5%). Eleven patients with early postoperative infections (occurring within one month of prosthesis implantation) were treated with debridement, retention of the prosthesis, and intravenous antibiotics. Treatment was successful in all five patients with superficial infections not extending into the joint. In six patients with deep infections, treatment was successful in only two (33%), despite a longer course of antibiotic therapy (four to six weeks) and the use of tobramycin-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate beads. Three patients continued to have recurrent drainage, and one patient was subsequently successfully treated with a delayed exchange arthroplasty. Thirteen patients were diagnosed with late infections. One patient with a late, superficial infection and another with an acute (hematogenous seeding), deep infection were successfully managed with debridement and intravenous antibiotics. Prosthesis removal was not required. Eleven patients presented with late, deep infections. Of three patients who were treated without removal of the prosthesis, infection was arrested in only one. The remaining eight patients were treated with debridement, intravenous antibiotics, tobramycin-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate beads, and delayed exchange arthroplasty. The median interval to reimplantation was eight weeks (range, seven to 25 weeks). Treatment was successful in six cases (75%). The overall success rate in the treatment of total knee arthroplasty infections was 71%. In 19 patients with deep infections, treatment success was seen in 78% of patients treated with delayed exchange arthroplasty, but this value was only 40% in patients who were not treated with prosthesis removal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Recurrent spontaneous hemarthrosis after total knee arthroplasty successfully treated with synoviorthesis

A case of spontaneous recurrent hemarthrosis—due to developed hypertrophied synovium—after total knee arthroplasty is reported. The patient was successfully treated with radiosynovectomy. The first hemorrhage occurred 18 months after the total knee arthroplasty. Several similar episodes followed over a period of 4 years. Because conservative treatment failed to control the bleeding, an arthroscopic lavage was performed, which revealed the existence of proliferative synovium. A significant part of the hypertrophic tissue was excised with the use of a thermocoagulator. However, 1 month later, another episode of hemarthrosis occurred. As a final step before reoperation, the patient was treated with intra-articular injection of ytrium 90. Eighteen months later, she remains symptom-free, is very satisfied with the result, and reports no new episode of hemarthrosis.     

Mid- to long-term results after treatment of 118 cases of periprosthetic infections after knee joint replacement using one-stage exchange surgery

From 1976 to 1985, 157 periprosthetic infections after knee arthroplasty were treated surgically at the ENDO-Klinik in Hamburg. Of these, 118 cases underwent one-stage revision arthroplasty using specific antibiotic-loaded cement; 104 were available for analysis after a postoperative follow-up period of 5-15 years. Seventy-six cases were cured as a result of this single operation. This number was increased to 84 by a repeated operation in cases that had failed to respond to therapy. In 20 cases one-stage revision arthroplasty failed in the treatment of periprosthetic infections after replacement of the knee joint.     

Prevention of postoperative venous thromboembolism in Japanese patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty: two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies with three dosage regimens of enoxaparin

BACKGROUND: Enoxaparin is a low-molecular-weight heparin indicated in Europe and North America for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery. Registration trials of enoxaparin have been conducted primarily in Caucasian populations, and the efficacy and safety of enoxaparin in Japanese patients have not been demonstrated. We evaluated three dosage regimens of postoperative enoxaparin in Japanese patients undergoing elective total hip or knee arthroplasty. METHODS: Two multicenter, randomized, double-blind studies enrolled 436 and 396 Japanese adults undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty, respectively. The dosage regimens of enoxaparin were 20 mg once daily (qd), 40 mg qd, 20 mg twice daily (bid), or placebo for 14 consecutive days. The primary efficacy endpoint was the incidence of VTE in the modified intention-to-treat (mITT) population up to 15 days after surgery. VTE was defined as a composite of deep vein thrombosis (determined by venography) and symptomatic pulmonary embolism (confirmed by appropriate objective methods). Patients were also followed up at 90 days for VTE events. The primary safety outcome was the incidence of any bleeding during treatment and the follow-up period. RESULTS: In the mITT populations, the incidence of VTE was 41.9% and 60.8% in the placebo groups after hip or knee arthroplasty, respectively, 25.9% and 44.9% in the enoxaparin 20 mg qd groups, 33.8% and 35.1% in the enoxaparin 40 mg qd groups, and 20.0% and 29.8% in the enoxaparin 20 mg bid groups. Only enoxaparin 20 mg bid significantly lowered the risk of VTE relative to placebo (by 52.2% and 51.0% after hip and knee arthroplasty, respectively). At the 90-day follow-up, no further cases of VTE were reported. In both the hip and knee studies, the four treatment groups did not differ significantly regarding the incidence of patients with any bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the use of enoxaparin (20 mg bid daily, commencing 24-36 h postoperatively) in Japanese patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty.     

Geniculate Artery Embolization in Patients With Recurrent Hemarthrosis After Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Study

BackgroundRecurrent hemarthrosis after knee arthroplasty is an uncommon and disabling complication of this frequently performed procedure. Selective endovascular embolization of the geniculate arteries is one of the therapeutic options to manage this complication. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of this treatment in patients suffering from recurrent hemarthrosis after knee arthroplasty.MethodsWe performed a retrospective study of 31 patients (39 embolization procedures) with recurrent hemarthrosis after knee arthroplasty. There were 17 men and 14 women with a median age of 67 years (range 48-90). All patients were referred for geniculate artery embolization between January 2007 and November 2016.ResultsTwenty-seven procedures were executed on the right side and 12 on the left side. Total knee arthroplasty was performed on 29 patients, only 2 patients underwent unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. Embolization of the superior geniculate arteries was achieved in all patients. In 12 of 39 procedures (31%), at least 1 of the inferior geniculate arteries could not be catheterized, therefore embolization was achieved through collaterals. Symptomatic improvement was observed in 26 of 31 patients (84%). Discomfort or mild postprocedural pain was observed in most patients, needing only minor pain medication, mostly resolving within 24 hours. Two patients presented with a severe complication: a 48-year-old male patient developed septic arthritis and an 85-year-old hypertensive female patient treated with anticoagulants showed aseptic necrosis of the femoral condyles.ConclusionEmbolization of geniculate arteries is a safe and effective treatment in recurrent hemarthrosis post knee arthroplasty. Clinical improvement was seen in most patients.     

Total knee arthroplasty in Charcot and Charcot-like joints

Nine total knee arthroplasties were performed in seven patients with the diagnosis of neuropathic arthropathy. The patients were divided into two groups, classical Charcot and Charcot-like. The histopathological findings in all of the knees, however, were essentially the same. These included hyperplastic synovium with bone and/or cartilage detritus, severe disorganization of the articular cartilage with invasion by a fibrous pannus, and hemosiderin deposits in synovial macrophages. Chronic inflammatory synovitis was noted in all cases. The results of total knee arthroplasty an average of three years after surgery (range, two to 4.25 years) were excellent in eight knees in six patients and good in one knee. Neuropathic knees can be treated by total joint arthroplasty if severe bone loss is corrected by either bone grafting or a custom-augmented prosthesis and if ligamentous balancing is adequately secured.