Patient vs provider characteristics impacting hospital lengths of stay after total knee or hip arthroplasty

This study aims to identify whether patient-level or provider-level characteristics are most influential on a patient's length of stay in the acute care hospital. A data set containing a nationally representative sample of inpatient discharge abstracts was used. Multilevel linear regression models were used to evaluate the associations between patient-level and provider-level characteristics on patients' lengths of stay. The target population included 322 894 discharges with a primary procedure code for primary total knee arthroplasty and 193 553 discharges for total hip arthroplasty. The variables associated with the greatest increases in length of stay were a higher comorbidity level among patient level attributes (+17.4%) and low surgeon volume among provider-level characteristics (+18.8%). Provider-level characteristics, particularly provider volume, had a greater impact on length of stay.     

Patient perception of physician reimbursement in elective total hip and knee arthroplasty

The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient perception of orthopedic surgeon reimbursement for total hip (THA) and knee (TKA) arthroplasty. A total of 1120 consecutive patients were asked what they believed a surgeon should be paid for performing THA and TKA. Patients were then asked to estimate what Medicare actually reimbursed for each of these procedures. On average, patients thought that surgeons should receive $14,358 for THA and $13,332 for TKA. Patients estimated actual Medicare reimbursement to be $8212 for THA and $7196 for TKA. Most of the patients stated that Medicare reimbursement was "much lower" than what it should be. Many patients commented that given this discrepancy, surgeons may drop Medicare, which may decrease access to quality hip and knee arthroplasties.     

Outpatient total hip and knee arthroplasty

As a result of the introduction of fast-track programs, the length of hospital stay after arthroplasty has decreased to a point where some patients meet the discharge criteria on the day of surgery. In several studies, well-established fast-track centers have demonstrated the feasibility of outpatient procedures in selected patients. However, in literature the term “outpatient” is sometimes also used for patients who spend one or more nights in hospital. We therefore propose to use “outpatient” solely for patients who are discharged to their own home on the day of surgery and do not have an overnight stay at either the hospital or another non-home facility. Also, several challenges need to be overcome before this becomes an established procedure. The combination of preoperative high-dose steroids and multimodal opioid-sparing analgesia has enhanced patient recovery after arthroplasty, but efforts to control undesirable pathophysiological responses will be a prerequisite to improve the success rate of an outpatient setting. Also, care must be taken to avoid extra activities or investments solely to enable discharge on the day of surgery. Further cost analyses will have to be performed to establish the true financial benefit of outpatient treatment.     

Meta-analysis of navigation vs conventional total knee arthroplasty

Navigated total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is promoted as a means to improve limb and prosthesis alignment. This study involved a systematic review and meta-analysis for all randomized controlled trials in the literature from 1986 to 2009 comparing alignment outcomes between navigated and conventional TKA. Alignment outcomes were pooled using a random-effects model, and heterogeneity was explored. Twenty-three randomized controlled trials were identified comparing navigated vs conventional TKA involving 2541 patients. Patients who underwent navigated TKA had a significantly lower risk of implant malalignment at more than 3° as well as more than 2°. In addition, the risk of malalignment was reduced for the coronal plane tibial and femoral components as well as femoral and tibial slope. This meta-analysis demonstrates that navigated TKA provides significant improvement in prosthesis alignment.     

Patient expectations of arthroplasty of the hip and knee

Patient expectations and their fulfilment are an important factor in determining patient-reported outcome and satisfaction of hip (THR) and knee replacement (TKR). The aim of this prospective cohort study was to examine the expectations of patients undergoing THR and TKR, and to identify differences in expectations, predictors of high expectations and the relationship between the fulfilment of expectations and patient-reported outcome measures. During the study period, patients who underwent 346 THRs and 323 TKRs completed an expectation questionnaire, Oxford score and Short-Form 12 (SF-12) score pre-operatively. At one year post-operatively, the Oxford score, SF-12, patient satisfaction and expectation fulfilment were assessed. Univariable and multivariable analysis were performed. Improvements in mobility and daytime pain were the most important expectations in both groups. Expectation level did not differ between THR and TKR. Poor Oxford score, younger age and male gender significantly predicted high pre-operative expectations (p < 0.001). The level of pre-operative expectation was not significantly associated with the fulfilment of expectations or outcome. THR better met the expectations identified as important by patients. TKR failed to meet expectations of kneeling, squatting and stair climbing. High fulfilment of expectation in both THR and TKR was significantly predicted by young age, greater improvements in Oxford score and high pre-operative mental health scores. The fulfilment of expectations was highly correlated with satisfaction.     

Patient factors and wear in total hip arthroplasty

Polyethylene wear in vivo is multifactorial including numerous patient factors, such as gender, age, and activity. There are limitations in the clinical assessment of some of these factors and, for this reason, surrogate variables are used. For example, patient age and diagnosis frequently are used as surrogates for patient activity. The most variable and difficult factor to quantify is the frequency and intensity of use of the prosthesis during the service life of the arthroplasty. The clinical evaluation of patients with a total hip arthroplasty would be enhanced by a standardized assessment of the frequency and intensity of patient activity as it relates to the use of the prosthesis.     

Perioperative autotransfusion in total hip and knee arthroplasty

We assessed the OrthoPAT Orthopedic Perioperative Autotransfusion System (Zimmer Inc, Warsaw, Ind) in reducing the need for allogeneic blood in hip or knee arthroplasty. Patients (N = 398) were divided into 5 cohorts: unilateral primary hip (n = 131), unilateral revision hip (n = 38), unilateral primary knee (n = 179), unilateral revision knee (n = 26), and bilateral primary knee (n = 24). Primary or revision hip arthroplasties with no preoperative autologous blood donation, knee arthroplasties with no preoperative autologous blood donation, and unilateral primary hip arthroplasties were 2.7, 2.3, and 2 times less likely (P < .05), respectively, to use allogeneic blood with OrthoPAT. We conclude that OrthoPAT use significantly reduced the risk of receiving allogeneic blood transfusions in defined patient subsets.     

Patient versus surgeon satisfaction after total hip arthroplasty

We compared patient satisfaction with surgeon satisfaction after total hip arthroplasty (THA) in a group of 193 patients (200 THAs, mean follow-up six years) using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and two objective and two subjective scoring systems. We also determined the survival rate with different endpoints. For the 121 hips available for clinical follow-up, we did not find a significant difference in satisfaction between patient and surgeon. In a subgroup with low patient satisfaction, the surgeon was more satisfied than the patient (p = 0.04). The correlation between the patient satisfaction VAS and the different subjective and objective scoring systems suggests that pain during activity is the most important factor for the patient. The survivorship at six years decreased from 96.6% to 83.7% if dissatisfaction (VAS > 20) was added to revision as an endpoint in the survival analysis. The patient satisfaction VAS provides additional information to evaluate the outcome of THA. We recommend the use of both subjective and objective scoring systems to evaluate the outcome of THA.     

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.     

Duplex ultrasonography after total hip or knee arthroplasty

We prospectively studied all patients admitted for total hip (THR) or knee (TKR) arthroplasty from July 2000 to February 2001. No pharmacological anticoagulation was given. All patients received a standardized postoperative rehabilitation regimen. Forty-six patients with known risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) were excluded. Eighty patients were studied (22 THR, 58 TKR; 55 women, 25 men). Mean age was 68 (30-90) years. Duplex ultrasonography on both lower limbs was performed on days 5-7 postoperatively. Location and extent of any thrombus were documented. In patients with distal DVT, a follow-up scan was done on days 10-14. If proximal propagation was observed, patients received full anticoagulation. If no propagation was detected, the distal thrombus was considered stable and clinical observation was continued. In the THR group, 1/22 and in the TKR group 9/58 were found to have distal DVT. All were asymptomatic. On follow-up scanning, none showed proximal propagation. All patients were followed up for at least 18 months, and none showed postthrombotic symptoms. Isolated distal DVT in "low-risk" Chinese patients after THR or TKR is not uncommon. Clinically they are usually "silent." If routine perioperative pharmacologic antithrombotic prophylaxis is not practiced, monitoring with duplex ultrasonography may need to be considered.     

Postoperative management after total hip and knee arthroplasty

Despite major advances in the field of total joint arthroplasty, a standardized postoperative management protocol currently does not exist following total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A survey was mailed to the active members of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons to investigate issues such as postoperative rehabilitation and activity restriction. The information derived from this survey provides the total joint surgeon with a compilation and consensus of responses that can serve as the foundation for a standardized postoperative protocol for THA and TKA surgery.     

Hydroxyapatite-coated prostheses in total hip and knee arthroplasty

Hydroxyapatite-coated implants have demonstrated extensive bone apposition in animal models. The osseous interface develops even in the presence of gaps of 1 mm and relative motion of up to 500 mum. Development of implant-bone interfacial strength is due to the biological effects of released calcium and phosphate ions, although surface roughness leads to increased interface strength in the absence of interface gaps. The clinical results at fifteen years after total hip replacements have demonstrated that hydroxyapatite-coated femoral stems perform as well as, and possibly better than, other types of cementless devices, with the added benefit of providing a seal against wear debris. Hydroxyapatite-coated acetabular components must have a mechanical interlock with bone in order to take advantage of the coating effects. Clinical analyses of these types of designs at seven years have indicated good survivorship. The performance of a hydroxyapatite-coated implant depends on coating properties (thickness, porosity, hydroxyapatite content, and crystallinity), implant roughness, and overall design. The most reliable predictor of the performance of a device is success in long-term clinical studies.     

One-staged contralateral or ipsilateral total hip and total knee arthroplasty

One-staged ipsilateral and contralateral total hip and total knee arthroplasties were compared. A total of 103 patients underwent a 1-staged total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty between January 1975 and July 1997 (67 contralateral and 36 ipsilateral patients). No prostheses were found to be loose or revised. The contralateral group had a 10.5% hip dislocation rate, and the ipsilateral group had an 8.3% hip dislocation rate. Most of the patients were discharged home (contralateral, 66%; ipsilateral, 56%). There was no significant difference in survival between the contralateral and ipsilateral groups. There was only 1 death within 3 months of the operation. The severity of these patients' deformity may necessitate these procedures be done at 1 operation with consideration of mortality and morbidity risks.     

Reinfusion drains after primary total hip and total knee arthroplasty

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of intraoperative surgeon-elected reinfusion drain placement and to determine whether drainage at 90 minutes is useful in predicting the need for a reinfusion drain. In the standard drain hip arthroplasty group, 6 of 30 patients (20%) received a reinfusion, similar to the 11 of 41 patients (27%) in the reinfusion drain group. In the total knee arthroplasty group, 38 of 45 patients (84%) in the standard group had reinfusion, similar to the 23 of 27 patients (85%) in the reinfusion drain group. The surgeon could not predict intraoperatively which patients would need a subsequent reinfusion drain. However, in more than 94% of the cases, one could know by 90 minutes postoperatively whether a reinfusion would be necessary. We believe that a drain that can be converted to a reinfusion drain in the recovery room would be the most cost-effective drain system.     

髋部手术继发髋关节感染的二期全髋关节置换

 目的 探讨应用抗生素骨水泥间隔体二期全髋关节置换治疗髋部手术继发髋关节感染的疗效。方法 从2005年1月至2010年1月应用二期全髋关节置换连续治疗髋部手术继发髋关节感染患者6例,男2例,女4例;年龄43～68岁,平均(59.7±9.2)岁。股骨颈骨折行加压螺钉固定3例,股骨头坏死骨瓣移植1例,早期股骨头坏死行中心钻孔减压及局部介入治疗各1例。一期手术彻底清创,植入抗生素(万古霉素)骨水泥间隔体,感染控制后二期植入全髋关节假体。术后定期随访,常规复查红细胞沉降率(erythrocyte sedimentation rate,ESR)、C反应蛋白(C-reactive protein,CRP),摄髋关节正侧位X线片,采用Harris髋关节评分评估髋关节功能。结果 所有患者均获得随访,随访时间24～81个月,平均46个月。5例患者在一期清创后平均14周(12～18周)行二期全髋关节置换,1例患者在一期清创后7个月行二次清创及重新植入骨水泥间隔体,12周后行二期全髋关节置换。Harris髋关节评分从术前平均(35.6±3.3)分,间隔期平均(57.8±5.4)分,提高至末次随访平均(92.3±5.7)分,差异有统计学意义。1例患者于间隔期出现下肢深静脉血栓形成及左下肺栓塞。随访期间未出现感染复发及新发感染病例。结论 对继发于髋部手术的髋关节感染,应用抗生素骨水泥间隔体行二期全髋关节置换可以获得较满意的近中期疗效。     

Patient, hospital, and procedure characteristics influencing total hip and knee arthroplasty procedure duration

Procedure duration is a potential risk factor for total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) complications. Presently, limited information regarding THA and TKA procedure duration in the United States is available. Patient, hospital, and procedure characteristics that influence procedure duration were determined using Medicare claims data (1997-2004). The median procedure duration decreased from 171.0 to 142.5 minutes for THA and 160.5 to 138.0 minutes for TKA between 1997 and 2004. The median procedure duration decreased as hospital and surgeon volume for both primary THA and TKA increased. Younger patients, males, patients not diagnosed with OA, and patients with more comorbidities generally underwent longer THA and TKA procedures. Larger hospitals (≥500 beds) were associated with longer THA and TKA procedures, and nonprofit hospitals were associated with shorter procedures. This analysis provides baseline data for future investigation of the influence of procedure duration on total joint arthroplasty outcomes from a national perspective.