Total knee arthroplasty in patients with severe obesity:outcomes of standard keeled tibial components versus stemmed universal base plates

Background: Patients with severe obesity [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40 kg/m2] potentially overload the tibial component after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), risking tibial subsidence. Using a cemented single-radius cruciate-retaining TKA design, this study compared the outcomes of two tibial baseplate geometries in patients with BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2: standard keeled (SK) or universal base plate (UBP), which incorporates a stem. Methods: This was a retrospective, single-centre cohort study with minimum 2 years follow-up of 111 TKA patients with BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2: mean age 62.2 ± 8.0 (44–87) years, mean BMI 44.3 ± 4.6 (40–65.7) kg/m2 and 82 (73.9%) females. Perioperative complications, reoperations, alignment and patient-reported outcomes (PROMS): EQ-5D, Oxford Knee Score (OKS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain score and satisfaction were collected preoperatively, and at 1 year and final follow-up postoperatively. Results: Mean follow-up was 4.9 years. SK tibial baseplates were performed in 57 and UBP in 54. There were no significant differences in baseline patient characteristics, post-operative alignment, post-operative PROMs, reoperations or revisions between the groups. Three early failures requiring revision occurred: two septic failures in the UBP group and one early tibial loosening in the SK group. Five-year Kaplan–Meier survival for the endpoint mechanical tibial failure was SK 98.1 [94.4–100 95% confidence interval (CI)] and UBP 100% (p = 0.391). Overall varus alignment of the limb (p = 0.005) or the tibial component (p = 0.031) was significantly associated with revision and return to theatre. Conclusions: At early to mid-term follow-up, no significant differences in outcomes were found between standard and UBP tibial components in patients with BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2. Varus alignment of either tibial component or the limb was associated with revision and return to theatre.</p

The effect of COVID-19 restrictions on rehabilitation and functional outcome following total hip and knee arthroplasty during the first wave of the pandemic

Aims: The primary aim was to assess the patient-perceived effect of restrictions imposed due to COVID-19 on rehabilitation following total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Secondary aims were to assess perceived restrictions, influence on mental health, and functional outcome compared to patients undergoing surgery without restriction. Methods: During February and March 2020, 105 patients underwent THA (n = 48) or TKA (n = 57) and completed preoperative and six-month postoperative assessments. A cohort of 415 patients undergoing surgery in 2019 were used as the control. Patient demographic data, BMI, comorbidities, Oxford Hip Score (OHS) or Knee Score (OKS), and EuroQoL five-domain (EQ-5D) score were collected preoperatively and at six months postoperatively. At six months postoperatively, the 2020 patients were also asked to complete a questionnaire relating to the effect of the social restrictions on their outcome and their mental health. Results: Nearly half of the patients (47.6%, n = 50/105) felt that the restrictions imposed by COVID-19 had limited their rehabilitation and were associated with a significantly worse postoperative OKS (p < 0.001), EQ-5D score (p < 0.001), and lower satisfaction rate (p = 0.019). The reasons for the perceived limited rehabilitation were: being unable to exercise (n = 32, 64%), limited access to physiotherapy (n = 30, 60%), and no face-to-face follow-up (n = 30, 60%). A quarter (n = 26) felt that their mental health had deteriorated postoperatively; 17.1% (n = 18) felt depressed and 26.7% (n = 28) felt anxious. Joint-specific scores and satisfaction for the 2020 group were no different to the 2019 group, however patients undergoing THA in 2020 had a significantly worse postoperative EQ-5D compared to the 2019 cohort (difference 0.106; p = 0.001) which was not observed in patients undergoing TKA. Conclusion: Half of the 2020 cohort felt that their rehabilitation had been limited and was associated with worse postoperative Oxford and EQ-5D scores, and lower rates of patient satisfaction, but relative to the 2019 cohort their overall outcomes were no different, with the exception of THA patients who had a worse general health score. Level of evidence: Prospective study, Level 2

Total Hip Arthroplasty When Utilised in Young Adults Is a Cost-Effective Procedure:A 10-Year and Lifetime Cost-Utility Analysis

Purpose The primary aim of this study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients aged 25 years and under by calculating the cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained at 10 years post-operatively, and over the course of a lifetime. Secondary aims were to describe the change in health-related quality of life (HRQoL), Oxford hip score (OHS), and satisfaction in these patients. Methods From 2000 to 2016, 33 patients undergoing THA aged 25 and under had pre-operative and one-year post-operative EuroQol five-dimensions (EQ-5D) scores and OHS recorded prospectively. Post-operative change in EQ-5D allowed calculation of a health-utility score, which, when combined with life expectancy, gave total QALYs gained. Results The mean age was 20 years (range 13.3-24.9), with 23 females (72.7%). Mean number of QALYs gained was 21.1 (95% CI 14.1-28.2). Total lifetime cost per patient was £14641, giving a mean cost per QALY of £4183 at 10 years post-operatively, and £694 over the total remaining lifetime. Discounting total QALYs gained at a rate of 3.5% and 5% per remaining year of life expectancy increased the mean cost per QALY to £1652 and £2187, respectively. Mean pre- and post-operative EQ-5D index were 0.27 (SD 0.27) and 0.63 (SD 0.29), respectively (p=0.0001). Mean pre-operative and post-operative OHS was 37.5 (SD 7.9) and 19.7 (SD 6.94), respectively (p<0.00001). Conclusion THA remains a cost-effective intervention for patients aged 25 years and under. It is also associated with significant improvement in HRQoL, OHS, and high levels of patient satisfaction in this unique patient group

The Olympia anatomic polished cemented stem is associated with a high survivorship, excellent hip-specific functional outcome, and high satisfaction levels:follow-up of 239 consecutive patients beyond 15 years

Introduction: The Olympia femoral stem is a stainless steel, anatomically shaped, polished and three-dimensionally tapered implant designed for use in cemented total hip arthroplasty (THA). The primary aim of this study was to determine the long-term survivorship, radiographic outcome, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of the Olympia stem. Patients and methods: Between May 2003 and December 2005, 239 patients (264 THAs) underwent a THA with an Olympia stem in our institution. Patient-reported outcome measures were assessed using the Oxford Hip Score (OHS), EuroQol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) score, and patient satisfaction at mean 10 years following THA. Patient records and radiographs were then reviewed at a mean of 16.5 years (SD 0.7, 15.3–17.8) following THA to identify occurrence of complications or revision surgery for any cause following surgery. Radiographs were assessed for lucent lines and lysis according to Gruen’s zones Results: Mean patient age at surgery was 68.0 years (SD 10.9, 31–93 years). There were 156 women (65%, 176 THAs). Osteoarthritis was the indication for THA in 204 patients (85%). All cause stem survivorship at 10 years was 99.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 97.9%–100%) and at 15 years was 97.5% (94.6%–100%). The 15-year stem survival for aseptic loosening was 100%. Analysis of all-cause THA failure demonstrated a survivorship of 98.5% (96.3%–100%) at 10 years and 95.9% (92.4%–99.4%) at 15 years. There were 9 THAs with non-progressive lucent lines in a single Gruen zone and 3 had lines in two zones, and no patient demonstrated signs for lysis. At a mean of 10-year (SD 0.8, 8.7–11.3) follow-up, mean OHS was 39 (SD 10.3, range 7–48) and 94% of patients reported being very satisfied or satisfied with their THA. Conclusions: The Olympia stem demonstrated excellent 10-year PROMs and very high rates of stem survivorship at final follow-up beyond 15 years