The efficacy of arthroscopy following total knee replacement

We evaluated the utility and safety of arthroscopy for diagnosing and treating symptoms in problematic total knee replacements. From 1988 to 1995, 40 arthroscopies were performed on 38 patients with an average age of 68.4 years. The average onset of symptoms post knee replacement was 33.7 months (range 1 month to 15 years), and the average duration of symptoms prior to arthroscopy was 15.6 months (range 1 month to 5 years). Presenting symptoms included pain in 73%, catching or soft tissue impingement in 35%, and stiffness in 20% of patients. Our protocol involves 24 hours of perioperative, intravenous antibiotics, and two or three routine arthroscopic portals. There were no arthroscopy-related complications or infections. Arthroscopy successfully diagnosed the etiology of the patient's symptoms in all but one case (97.5%). Operative diagnoses included impinging soft tissue under the patella consistent with the “clunk” syndrome (43%), impinging hypertrophic synovitis elsewhere in the knee (15%), impinging PCL stump (10%), prosthesis loosening or wear (10%), and arthrofibrosis (20%). Arthroscopic treatment consisted of removal of impinging tissue or loose body as indicated. Additionally, eight of the patients had a manipulation under anesthesia with an average improvement in flexion of 26.3° postoperatively. At an average follow-up of 19.9 months, 27.5% of knees had developed recurrent symptoms. Two of these patients had repeat arthroscopy for recurrent impinging hypertrophic synovitis. The rates of successfully relieving symptoms without recurrence according to operative diagnosis were 82% for “chunks,” 60% for other impinging synovium or soft tissue, and 63% for arthrofibrosis. Three patients underwent total knee revisions. Knees were rated at follow-up using the Knee Society rating system with patients divided according to functional category. The average Knee Society knee scores and function scores respectively were 93 and 92 for group A patients, 91 and 88 for group B patients, and 81 and 76 for group C patients. Arthroscopy successfully identified all cases of soft tissue impingement and prosthetic loosening or wear, and successfully treated 73% of patients without recurrence. There were no arthroscopy associated complications or infections. Thus, arthroscopy is a safe, effective tool for managing certain problematic knee replacements, especially “clunks,” and may help to avoid revision or arthrotomy in some cases.     

The role of the posterior cruciate ligament in total knee replacement

We randomised 129 knees which were to be replaced using a standard posterior-cruciate-ligament (PCL)-retaining cemented total knee replacement into two groups. In one the PCL was retained in the normal way and in the other it was resected. They were well matched, with a predominance of women, and a mean age of 67 years. There was no statistically significant difference in the Hospital for Special Surgery scores at a mean of 57 months (56 to 60) between the two groups although 21 patients (24 knees) were lost to follow-up. Relief from pain, correction of deformity, range of movement, stability and strength were comparable in both. Radiological assessment showed femoral rollback in approximately 20% of knees with a slightly higher incidence in the PCL-resected group. There was no significant loosening detected in either group at review at two years. At five years, one knee in the PCL-retained group had been revised because of infection and one patient in each group was awaiting revision for loosening. Our findings have shown no significant difference in the five-year results for a PCL-retaining total knee replacement if the PCL is excised or preserved. This suggests two important points. First, the PCL is not functional in most patients with a total knee replacement even when retained. Secondly, patients with an excised PCL show a good result with a PCL-retaining implant, thereby questioning the need for a posterior stabilised design in such a situation.     

The Ring total knee replacement

A prospective study of the Ring Total Knee Replacement is presented. The senior author (P.A. Ring) designed this prosthesis and began to apply it clinically in 1974. The Ring prosthesis is a resurfacing, unconstrained type of knee prosthesis and is designed for use without cement. It comprises two components, femoral and tibial, both made of titanium. A polyethylene liner is attached to the tibial component. The method was used for treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis of the knee on 149 patients (178 knees) in the period from 1974 to 1985. Seventeen patients were lost to follow-up, leaving 132 patients (161 knees) for review. During the last review, 75.2% of the knees were pain free and 72% had full correction of the deformity. The average follow-up period was 5.1 years and the survival rate of the prosthesis during the same period was 94.4%. To evaluate the method we used computer analysis of preoperative and postoperative assessment cards with 153 observations. The result was excellent in 92 (57.2%) knees, good in 38 (23.6%) knees, and poor in 31 (19.2%) knees. Loosening of the components occurred in 3.7% knees, and the total revision rate was 5%. One knee was arthrodesed.     

The ring total knee replacement

Summary A prospective study of the Ring Total Knee Replacement is presented. The senior author (P. A. Ring) designed this prosthesis and began to apply it clinically in 1974. The Ring prosthesis is a resurfacing, unconstrained type of knee prosthesis and is designed for use without cement. It comprises two components, femoral and tibial, both made of titanium. A polyethylene liner is attached to the tibial component. The method was used for treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis of the knee on 149 patients (178 knees) in the period from 1974 to 1985. Seventeen patients were lost to follow-up, leaving 132 patients (161 knees) for review. During the last review, 75.2% of the knees were pain free and 72% had full correction of the deformity. The average follow-up period was 5.1 years and the survival rate of the prosthesis during the same period was 94.4%. To evaluate the method we used computer analysis of preoperative and postoperative assessment cards with 153 observations. The result was excellent in 92 (57.2%) knees, good in 38 (23.6%) knees, and poor in 31 (19.2%) knees. Loosening of the components occurred in 3.7% knees, and the total revision rate was 5%. One knee was arthrodesed.     

The role of arthroscopy for the problem shoulder arthroplasty

Between 1995 and 2000, 29 patients who had excessive pain or limitation of motion after a shoulder arthroplasty underwent arthroscopy. Preoperative diagnoses of impingement syndrome in 10 patients (treated by arthroscopic subacromial decompression), large rotator cuff tear in 1, loose bodies in 1, unstable cuff arthropathy in 1, and septic arthritis in another were confirmed at arthroscopy. Of the 15 patients without a preoperative diagnosis, 7 had postarthroplasty capsular fibrosis, with 6 undergoing arthroscopic capsular release. A malpositioned glenoid component was found in 1 patient. Loose or worn components were found in 4 of the shoulders, impingement with a small partial-thickness cuff tear was identified in 1, a florid synovitis was present in another, and in 1 no abnormality could be found. The procedures were often hindered by limited access and reflection from the prosthesis. Arthroscopy after shoulder arthroplasty is useful for the diagnosis and treatment of pain and loss of motion in selected patients but can be technically challenging.     

Alignment in total knee replacement

The advent of computer-assisted knee replacement surgery has focused interest on the alignment of the components. However, there is confusion at times between the alignment of the limb as a whole and that of the components. The interaction between them is discussed in this article. Alignment is expressed relative to some reference axis or plane and measurements will vary depending on what is selected as the reference. The validity of different reference axes is discussed. Varying prosthetic alignment has direct implications for surrounding soft-tissue tension. In this context the interaction between alignment and soft-tissue balance is explored and the current knowledge of the relationship between alignment and outcome is summarised.     

Kinematic total knee replacement

We reviewed 124 consecutive kinematic condylar total knee replacements (in ninety-one patients) at two to four years postoperatively. One hundred and eleven (90 per cent) were rated as good or excellent. The average active postoperative flexion was 106 degrees (range, 94 to 120 degrees). Twenty-two knees (18 per cent) had incomplete, non-progressive radiolucent lines, less than one millimeter in width, at the tibial bone-cement interface; these were considered insignificant. Restriction of stair-climbing ability in this series appeared to be a function of involvement of multiple joints rather than of patellar replacement, as the rheumatoid patients with resurfaced patellae performed the worst. The osteoarthritic patients with involvement of a single joint performed the best, regardless of whether the patella was resurfaced or not. When compared with a similar series of total knee replacements in which the tibial component was made entirely of plastic, less reaction at the bone-cement interface was found with the metal-backed kinematic tibial component. We suggest that this finding is clinical confirmation of in vitro studies that demonstrated the advantage of metal-backed tibial components. We concluded that this procedure, if meticulously performed, will give predictably good to excellent results with a low complication rate, a good postoperative range of motion, and a favorable-appearing bone-cement interface at two to four years.     

The role of tranexamic acid in reducing blood loss in total knee replacement

BackgroundTotal knee arthroplasty is associated with significant perioperative blood loss which may necessitate blood transfusion. In this prospective randomised case control study we analysed the efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid in reducing perioperative blood loss and requirement of blood transfusion in total knee arthroplasty.MethodsFourteen patients (group A) undergoing total knee replacement were given intravenous tranexamic acid twice, once ten minutes before tourniquet deflation and once after four hours. Thirteen patients (group B) were observed as a separate group without the administration of the drug. Total perioperative blood loss, need of blood transfusion and D-dimer assay were analysed subsequently.ResultsThe average blood loss in the first group was 266.2 ml and in the second group was 667.5 ml (p < 0.001). average requirement of transfusion in both the groups were 0.54 and 1.6 units of blood respectively (p < 0.001). There was no case of deep vein thrombosis or any other untoward effects.ConclusionHence from these evidences it was concluded that administration of tranexamic acid during total knee replacement helps to reduce blood loss without increasing the risk of deep vein thrombosis.     

History of total knee replacement

In the early 1970s, the condylar knee was developed independently in the United States and overseas. The concept of replacing the tibiofemoral condylar surfaces with cemented fixation, along with preservation of the cruciate ligaments, was developed and refined. To correct severe knee deformities, the condylar knee with posterior cruciate-sacrificing design was introduced, also in the early 1970s. By 1974, replacing the patellofemoral joint and either preserving or sacrificing the cruciate ligaments had become standard practice. Subsequently, condylar knee designs were improved to include modularity and noncemented fixation, with use of universal instrumentation. Today, over 19 companies in the United States distribute total knee implants of three different types: cruciate-preserving, cruciate-substituting, and TC-III. Six major companies are actively involved in designing mobile-bearing knees. Future developments, such as navigation-guided surgery, enhanced kinematics, and wear-resistant bearing surfaces with better fixation, promise a consistent evolution for the total knee replacement.     

膝关节镜手术对随后全膝关节置换术疗效影响的Meta分析

目的 :通过Meta分析评估膝关节镜手术对随后的全膝关节置换术(total knee arthroplasty,TKA)疗效影响。方法:计算机检索建库至2020年10月PubMed、Embase、Cochrane Library、中国知网、万方等数据库关于膝关节镜手术对随后的TKA疗效影响的文献,根据纳入与排除标准进行文献筛选、质量评价及数据提取,采用纽卡斯尔-渥太华量表(Newcastle-Ottawa Scale,NOS)评估非随机对照研究的文献质量。采用RevMan 5.3软件对TKA术后翻修率,再手术率,术后僵硬率,假体周围感染率,术后静脉栓塞(venous thromboembolism,VTE)发生率及术后膝关节屈曲活动度进行Meta分析。结果:最终纳入8篇文献,共182 815例,其中膝关节镜手术组6 998例,无膝关节镜手术组175 817例。Meta分析结果显示:膝关节镜手术组与无膝关节镜手术组在TKA术后翻修率[OR=1.66,95%CI (1.37,2.00),P<0.000 01],再手术率[OR=2.31,95%CI(1.59,3.36),P<0....     

Role of total knee replacement in failed knee fusions

The author describes his technique and the results of total knee replacement in four patients who already had fused knees. In two, the patella was present so a semiconstrained prosthesis was used, but in the other two a stabilized knee prosthesis was used because the patella was absent. In the first case, lack of experience with the technique led to failure of the prosthesis and revision was necessary, but in subsequent cases the patients have done well. Quadriceps control was not a problem. Range of movement improved slowly over the first year. The author concludes that disassembly of knee fusion is possible and gives acceptable results.     

Propofol sedation in total knee replacement

Purpose

This study aimed to show the effect of propofol sedation on oxidative stress and inflammation resulting from ischemia-reperfusion.

Methods

After having obtained written informed consent from the patients and ethics committee approval, 36 patients were randomly allocated to 2 groups: group C, control and group P, propofol. Spinal anesthesia was administered to both groups with 15 mg bupivacaine. Patients in group P received a propofol infusion of 2 mg/kgBW/h and the patients in group C received a placebo infusion in an equal dose. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the total antioxidative capacity (TAC) levels were measured in venous blood samples prior to propofol or placebo administration (preischemia T0), 30 min after placing the tourniquet (ischemia T1) and 2 h after deflation of the tourniquet (reperfusion T2). High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and neutrophil levels were measured before propofol was administered (T0) and 12 h after reperfusion (T3).

Results

While serum MDA and SOD levels were significantly higher during the reperfusion period than the preischemic period, TAC levels were found to be low in the control group (p?<?0.05). In the propofol group there were no differences between the preischemia-reperfusion periods with respect to MDA, SOD and TAC levels (p?>?0.05). The neutrophil and hsCRP levels were observed to be increased to a lesser extent in the propofol group compared to the control group (p?<?0.05).

Conclusions

Propofol infusion in addition to spinal anesthesia may reduce oxidative damage and the inflammatory response developing due to the tourniquet in total knee replacement surgery.     

Changing trends in total knee replacement

Introduction

This study evaluates a possible change in the demographics and surgical practice observed in a large cohort of patients undergoing total knee replacement (TKR).

Patients and methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected data on two groups of consecutive patients undergoing primary TKR. Group one consisted of patients who underwent surgery between 1994 and 1998. Group two consisted of patients who had surgery between 2009 and 2012.

Results

The mean age of group two was significantly greater than that of group one: 68.9 years (68.1–69.7 years) for group one versus 70.1 years (69.6–70.6 years) for group two (p = 0.009). The mean BMI of group two was significantly greater than that of group one: 29.5 kg/m² (29.0–29.9 kg/m²) for group one versus 32.0 kg/m² (31.7–32.3 kg/m²) for group two (p < 0.001). The mean pain component of the AKSS was significantly worse in group one than in group two: 28.6 (27.2–30.0) for group one versus 35.5 (34.6–36.4) for group two (p < 0.001). The mean function component of the AKSS was significantly worse in group one than in group two: 48.6 (47.3–49.9) for group one versus 51.5 (50.7–52.3) for group two (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study describes the change in demographics of patients undergoing TKR in our institution over the last two decades.