Computer assisted total knee arthroplasty: 2.5 years follow-up of 200 cases

IntroductionComputer assisted surgery in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) should improve accuracy of both femoral and tibial components placement. This study evaluated the functional outcomes of computer navigated total knee arthroplasty through the Knee Society Score (KSS) and Tegner Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale (TLKSS).Materials and methodsBetween September 2007 and February 2013, 180 patients (200 knees; 109 females and 71 males; mean age: 64 years) undergoing computer-assisted TKA were recruited. Plain radiographs and CT scans were performed post-operatively to evaluate alignment. The clinical outcomes were measured using the KSS and TLKSS pre-operatively and after 6, 12 and 36 months.ResultsThe mean follow-up duration was 2.5 years. The mean tourniquet time was 72 ± 13.4 min, and patients received an average of 0.6 ± 0.82 units of blood after surgery. The average preoperative KSS functional score of 44.6 ± 13.7 improved to 80.4 ± 16.4 after 2 years. The average preoperative TLKSS improved to 71.4 ± 13.5 after 2 years. The mechanical axis was within ±3° in all patients. No axial malalignments were observed on TC Scan. Three patients (1.6% of cases) required revision.ConclusionComputer assisted TKA allows reproducible alignment and kinematics, reducing outliers, provides ligament balancing and ensures good short term outcomes in terms of KSS functional score and TLKSS.     

An Overview of Telehealth in Total Joint Arthroplasty

With the increase in technological advances over the years, telehealth services in orthopedic surgery have gained in popularity, yet adoption among surgeons has been slow. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, orthopedic surgery practices nationwide have accelerated adaptation to telemedicine. Telehealth can be effectively applied to total joint arthroplasty, with the ability to perform preoperative consultations, postoperative follow-up, and telerehabilitation in a virtual, remote manner with similar outcomes to in-person visits. New technologies that have emerged, such as virtual goniometers, wearable sensors, and app-based patient questionnaires, have improved clinicians’ ability to conduct telehealth visits. Benefits of using telehealth include high patient satisfaction, cost-savings, increased access to care, and more efficiency. Notably, some challenges still exist, including widespread accessibility and adaptation of new technologies, inability to conduct an in-person orthopedic physical examination, and regulatory barriers, such as insurance reimbursement, increased medicolegal risk, and privacy and confidentiality concerns. Despite these hurdles, telehealth is here to stay and can be successfully incorporated in any total joint arthroplasty practice with the appropriate adjustments.     

改良内侧开放式胫骨高位截骨术治疗膝内侧间室骨性关节炎

目的探索新型改良内侧开放式胫骨高位截骨术(High tibial osteotomy,HTO)治疗膝内侧间室骨性关节炎的有效性和安全性。方法选择2017年7月到2018年7月在我院接受改良内侧开放式HTO的60位膝内侧间室骨性关节炎患者作为研究对象。记录每位患者的手术时间、出血量及手术并发症,并分别于术前和术后3、6个月对患者进行疼痛视觉评分(VAS)和美国膝关节协会评分(KSS评分);比较患者手术前后的胫股角、平台后倾角的影像学治疗。结果术后3、6个月的VAS评分和KSS评分均优于术前(P<0.001),且术后随着时间推移评分存在逐渐好转趋势。患者术后胫股角较术前胫股角减小(P<0.005),术后胫骨后倾角与术前无明显差异(P>0.05)。结论改良内侧开放式HTO治疗膝内侧间室骨性关节炎可显著缓解疼痛症状,重建膝关节功能。     

膝关节屈曲90°连续缝合切口对全膝关节置换术治疗效果的影响

目的 比较膝关节屈曲90°连续缝合切口和膝关节伸直位连续缝合切口在全膝关节置换术（total knee arthroplasty,TKA）中的应用效果。方法 选择2017年1月至2019年1月我院收治的122例拟行TKA手术的病人,采用随机数字表法将病人分为两组,对照组（61例）采用膝关节伸直位连续缝合切口,观察组（61例）采用膝关节屈曲90°连续缝合切口。比较两组病人切口长度、缝合时间、手术时间、术后失血量、直腿抬高活动时间、屈膝90°活动时间、拆线时间、住院时间、Hollander切口愈合（Hollander wound evaluation scale,HWES）评分、美国纽约特种外科医院（American hospital for special surgery,HSS）膝关节评分、Rasmussen评分、膝关节活动范围（ROM）、疼痛视觉模拟量表（visual analogue scale,VAS）以及术后并发症差异。结果 两组切口长度、缝合时间、手术时间、术后失血量、直腿抬高活动时间、拆线时间、住院时间、HWES评分、并发症发生率比较,差异均无统计学意义（P均＞0.05）。观察组屈膝90°活动时间短于对照组,术后24 h、48 h的HSS评分、Rasmussen评分高于对照组,膝关节ROM大于对照组,术后24 h、48 h、72 h的VAS评分均低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义（P均＜0.05）。结论 膝关节屈曲90°连续缝合切口可减轻术后早期疼痛程度,利于膝关节功能恢复,且不增加并发症发生风险。     

Open reduction,Dega osteotomy and proximal femoral osteotomy in delayed diagnosis of developmental hip dislocation: outcome at 40-year follow-up

PurposeLate-diagnosed dislocated hips underwent open reduction, Dega osteotomy, and proximal femoral osteotomy between 1968 and 1988. The objectives of this study are to assess the survival of hips into adulthood, clinical and radiological outcome, patients’ life perspectives and the risk factors of failure.MethodsAn assessment of 67 hips treated when younger than five years (<age 5yr. group) and 71 hips in the group aged older than five years (+age 5yr.) was performed. All cases were evaluated clinically and radiographically, and survival was assessed, considering hip replacement as endpoints for failure (abbreviation HR+ refers to hips that underwent hip replacement surgery; HR- refers to hips that have not been replaced at the follow-up). The fertility rate and the social security disability benefits (SSDB) recipiency percentage were calculated.ResultsThe 40-year survival rates were 73% (95% confidence (CI) 71% to 76%) in the <age 5yr. group, 54% (95% CI 51% to 57%) in the +age 5yr. group, 70% (95% CI 67% to 73%) in one-sided dislocations and 57% (95% CI 54% to 60%) in bilateral dislocations. At follow-up, the median Harris hip and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis scores were 90.0 and 13.0 (<age 5yr. group, HR-), 74.0 and 28.0 (+age 5yr. group, HR-), 90.0 and 16.0 (<age 5yr. group, HR+) and 84.5 and 11.5 (+age 5yr. group, HR+), respectively. The operation normalized the radiological parameters. The correlation between the grade of femoral head avascular necrosis (AVN) at a median 2.6 years after the operation and the grade of osteoarthritis at follow-up was 0.38 (p < 0.001). The fertility rate was 1.54. In total, 16.0% (aged under five years) and 38.5% (aged over five years) of patients were receiving SSDB (p = 0.003).ConclusionEarly failure risk factors are older age at the surgical procedure, high AVN grade and bilateral hip involvement. Still, the results facilitate hip reposition whenever technically manageable, even in teenagers.Level of evidenceIII     

Tension band plates have greater risks of complications in temporary epiphysiodesis

PurposeThis study aimed to compare the efficacy of decreasing leg-length discrepancy (LLD) and postoperative complications between tension band plates (TBP) and percutaneous transphyseal screws (PETS).MethodsThis retrospective study reviewed LLD patients who underwent temporary epiphysiodesis at the distal femur and/or proximal tibia from 2010 to 2017 (minimum two years follow-up). Efficacy of decreasing LLD was assessed one and two years postoperatively. Complications were classified with the modified Clavien-Dindo-Sink complication classification system. Knee deformities were assessed by percentile and zone of mechanical axis across the tibial plateau.ResultsIn total, 53 patients (25 boys, 28 girls) underwent temporary epiphysiodesis (mean age, 11.4 years). The efficacy of decreasing LLD at two years between the TBP (n = 38) and PETS (n = 15) groups was comparable. Seven grade III complications were recorded in six TBP patients and in one PETS patient who underwent revision surgeries for knee deformities and physis impingement. Four grade I and two grade II complications occurred in the TBP group. The mechanical axis of the leg shifted laterally in the PETS group and medially in the TBP groups (+7.1 percentile versus -4.2 percentile; p < 0.05). Shifting of the mechanical axis by two zones was noted medially in four TBP patients and laterally in two PETS patients.ConclusionMore implant-related complications and revision surgeries for angular deformities were associated with TBP. A tendency of varus and valgus deformity after epiphysiodesis using TBP and PETS was observed, respectively. Patients and families should be informed of the risks and regular postoperative follow-up is recommended.Level of evidenceLevel III