Total knee arthroplasty in patients with a prior fracture of the tibial plateau

BACKGROUND: A fracture of the tibial plateau may predispose the knee to the development of posttraumatic arthritis. Malunion, intra-articular chondro-osseous defects, limb malalignment, retained internal fixation devices, and poor surrounding soft tissues may in turn compromise the outcome of total knee arthroplasty. The aim of our study was to evaluate the results of total knee arthroplasty in patients with a previous fracture of the tibial plateau. METHODS: The results of sixty-two condylar total knee arthroplasties performed with cement, from 1988 to 1999, in sixty-two patients with a previous fracture of the tibial plateau were reviewed. The fracture of the tibial plateau had been treated by open reduction and internal fixation in thirty-eight knees, external fixation in one knee, and nonoperatively in twenty-three knees. There were forty women and twenty-two men with an average age of sixty-three years at the time of the arthroplasty. Knee Society scores were recorded preoperatively and at the time of follow-up, at an average of 4.7 years, and complications were noted. No patient was lost to follow-up. RESULTS: The mean Knee Society scores improved significantly (p < 0.0001), from 43.9 points for pain and 52 points for function preoperatively to 82.9 and 84 points, respectively, at the time of the latest follow-up. There were thirteen reoperations, which included manipulation with the patient under anesthesia (five knees), wound revision (three knees), and component revision (five knees). There were six intraoperative complications (10%). A postoperative complication occurred in sixteen knees (26%). CONCLUSIONS: The vast majority of patients treated with total knee arthroplasty after a previous fracture of the tibial plateau have substantial improvement in function and relief of pain. However, these patients are at increased risk for perioperative complications, as evidenced by the high reoperation rate of 21% in this study.     

Total knee arthroplasty in young patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND: Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a disabling and destructive condition that commonly affects the knee during childhood. Total knee arthroplasty occasionally may be necessary for the treatment of end-stage disabling arthritis of the knee in young patients. There is a paucity of available data on the results of total knee arthroplasty in adolescents. We report our experience with total knee arthroplasty in patients under the age of twenty years who had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the results of twenty-five consecutive total knee arthroplasties that had been performed at our institution between 1982 to 1997 in thirteen patients (mean age, seventeen years) with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The average duration of clinical follow-up was 10.7 years, and the average duration of radiographic follow-up was 6.5 years. RESULTS: The mean Knee Society pain score improved markedly from 27.6 to 88.3 points, and the mean Knee Society function score improved modestly from 14.8 to 39.2 points. There was a slight improvement in the range of motion. Symptomatic and progressive radiolucent lines were noted in two knees, one of which was revised. Two knees (one patient) required exchange of the polyethylene liner at thirteen years. There were four additional reoperations, including manipulation under general anesthesia (two knees in one patient), lysis of adhesions (one knee), and extensor mechanism realignment (one knee). CONCLUSIONS: Despite a substantial number of postoperative complications, total knee arthroplasty provided excellent relief of pain and improvement in function in this group of adolescent patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.     

Failure of the stem-condyle junction of a modular femoral stem in revision total knee arthroplasty: a report of five cases

We report 5 cases of failure of the stem condyle junction of a modular femoral stem in revision total knee arthroplasy.     

Uncemented acetabular components with bulk femoral head autograft for acetabular reconstruction in developmental dysplasia of the hip: results at five to twelve years.

BACKGROUND: Anterolateral acetabular bone deficiency is one of the technical problems associated with total hip arthroplasty in patients with developmental hip dysplasia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of one method of acetabular reconstruction for hip dysplasia-placement of an uncemented socket in conjunction with a bulk femoral head autograft. METHODS: Forty-four hips in thirty-five patients (twenty-nine female and six male; average age, thirty-nine years) with developmental hip dysplasia were treated with primary total hip arthroplasty with use of an uncemented porous-coated titanium cup fixed with screws and an autogenous bulk femoral head graft. The patients were followed clinically in a prospective fashion for five to 12.3 years (mean, 7.5 years), and radiographs were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Four acetabular components were revised: two, because of severe polyethylene wear and osteolysis; one, because of aseptic loosening; and one, because of fracture of the acetabular shell. The mean Harris hip score for the unrevised hips improved from 51 points preoperatively to 91 points postoperatively. No unrevised socket had definite radiographic evidence of loosening. Forty-three of the forty-four hips had no radiographic evidence of resorption of the graft or had radiographic evidence of resorption limited to the nonstressed area of the graft lateral to the edge of the cup. CONCLUSIONS: This method of reconstruction provided reliable acetabular fixation and appeared to restore acetabular bone stock in patients with developmental hip dysplasia. We use this technique for patients with moderate anterolateral acetabular bone deficiency requiring total hip arthroplasty.     

Total knee arthroplasty in morbidly obese patients treated with bariatric surgery: a comparative study

Our objective was to compare outcomes (anesthesia time, total operative time, tourniquet time, duration of hospital stay, 90-day complication rate, and transfusion rates) of patients with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) who underwent bariatric surgery before or after TKA. One hundred twenty-five patients were included: TKA before bariatric surgery (group 1; n = 39), TKA within 2 years of bariatric surgery (group 2; n = 25), and TKA more than 2 years after bariatric surgery (group 3; n = 61). Patients with TKA more than 2 years after bariatric surgery had shorter anesthesia and total operative and tourniquet times than other groups; differences were significant between groups. Ninety-day complication and transfusion rates approached but did not meet statistical significance. Ninety-day complication rates and duration of hospital stay did not differ significantly between the 3 groups. The level of evidence was level II (cohort study).     

Ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty in patients younger than 20 years

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the adolescent patient has historically shown relatively poor survivorship. This study reports the results of THA in young patients using contemporary ceramic bearings. Twenty-four THAs were performed using ceramic bearing surfaces in patients 20 years old or younger (mean, 16.4; range, 12-20). Average follow-up was 52 months (range, 25-123 months). The survival rate was 96%, with 1 revision for a loose acetabular component. Other complications included a peroneal nerve palsy that resolved and 2 dislocations in 1 patient. Postoperatively, the Modified Harris Hip Score mean was 93.4 (range, 66-100). This study shows promising results at short-term to midterm follow-up in very young patients who undergo THA using ceramic-on-ceramic components.     

Technical considerations in total hip arthroplasty after femoral and periacetabular osteotomies

The purpose of this article is to outline key technical considerations in the performance of total hip arthroplasty after common osteotomies of both the proximal femur and acetabulum. Attention is called to anatomic variation, both innate and incurred. After a femoral osteotomy, specific focus should be placed on incision selection, residual hardware management, abductor handling, and proper version establishment. After a periacetabular osteotomy, similar concern should be granted to cup position and fixation. Results of total hip arthroplasty after common osteotomies are also reviewed and importance of these issues highlighted.