Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of septic arthritis of the hip, 2006 to 2012, a seven-year review

OBJECTIVE: To epidemiologically characterize the population treated at our orthopedic clinic with a diagnosis of septic arthritic of the hip between 2006 and 2012. METHODS: Fifteen patients diagnosed with septic arthritis of the hip between 2006 and 2012 were retrospectively evaluated. The patients' clinical and epidemiological characteristics were surveyed; a sensitivity profile relating to the microorganisms that caused the infections and the complications relating to the patients' treatment and evolution were identified. RESULTS: Septic arthritis was more common among males. Most diagnoses were made through positive synovial fluid cultures, after joint drainage was performed using the Smith-Petersen route. Among the comorbidities found, the most prevalent were systemic arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and human immunodeficiency virus. The pathological joint conditions diagnosed prior to joint infection were osteoarthrosis and developmental dysplasia of the hip. The infectious agent most frequently isolated was Staphylococcus aureus. From the clinical and laboratory data investigated, 53.33% of the cases presented with fever, and all except one patient presented with increased measures in inflammation tests. Gram staining was positive in only 26.66% of the synovial fluid samples analyzed. Six patients presented with joint complications after treatment was administered. CONCLUSION: S. aureus is the most common pathogen in acute infections of the hip in our setting. Factors such as clinical comorbidities are associated with septic arthritis of the hip. Because of the relatively small number of patients, given that this is a condition of low prevalence, there was no statistically significant correlation in relation to worse prognosis for the disease

Clinical and epidemiological differences between septic arthritis of the knee and hip caused by oxacillin-sensitive and -resistant s. aureus

OBJECTIVE: To establish the risk factors for joint infection by oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) using clinical and epidemiological data. METHODS: All septic arthritis cases of the knee and hip diagnosed and treated in our institution from 2006 to 2012 were evaluated retrospectively. Only patients with cultures identified as microbial agents were included in the study. The clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the patients were analyzed, seeking the differences between populations affected by MRSA and oxacillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). RESULTS: S. aureus was isolated in thirty-five patients (46.0%) in our total sample, 25 in the knee and 10 in the hip. Of these 35 patients, 22 presented with MSSA and 13 presented with MRSA. Provenance from a health service-related environment, as described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was the only variable associated with oxacillin-resistant strains of this bacterium (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Provenance from a health service-related environment was associated with a higher incidence of MRSA-related septic arthritis, suggesting that this agent should be considered in the initial choice of antibiotic treatment. Previous surgeries of the knee or affected limb and the absence of leukocytes might also be related to infection with this agent

A modified iliofemoral approach to intrapelvic acetabular revision - technical note

ABSTRACT Among the patterns of acetabular osteolysis associated with acetabular loosening, the authors emphasize the severity of pelvic dissociation and medial segmental losses in which the quadrilateral lamina is severely affected. Such lesions are potentially lethal in cases of large vascular injury. This note aimed to describe a modified iliofemoral approach in cases of massive intrapelvic migration of the acetabular component in patients with total proximity of the iliac vascular bundle and absence of an anatomical demarcation plane between the migrated contents and the iliac bundle. This approach was performed in 12 of 21 patients who had these criteria

Reproducibility of Digital Planning in Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty Among Experienced and Novice Surgeons

Abstract Objective The present study aims to assess the reproducibility of digital planning for cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) among surgeons with different levels of experience. In addition, it attempts to determine the degree of planning reliability based on a contralateral THA or on a spherical marker positioned at the greater trochanter for calibration. Methods Two evaluators with different experience levels (A1 and A2) performed independently the retrospective digital surgical planning of 64 cementless THAs. Next, we compared the planning with the implants used in the surgery. The reproducibility was excellent when planning and implants were identical; proper in case of a single-unit variation; and inappropriate if there was variation in two or more units. The present analysis also determined the calibration accuracy between the contralateral THA and the spherical marker at the greater trochanter level. Results The present study demonstrated greater success when the most experienced evaluator performed the planning and greater accuracy for the contralateral THA. When splitting the analysis per parameter (contralateral THA or spherical marker), there was a statistical difference only for the planning of A1 and the implants used in the surgery. This difference occurred in the excellent category, with 67.3% for contralateral THA compared with 30.6% for a spherical marker (p < 0.001), and in the inappropriate category, with 7.1% for contralateral THA compared with 30.6% for a spherical marker (p < 0.001). Conclusions Digital planning is more accurate when performed by an experienced evaluator. The contralateral prosthesis head was a better reference than a marker on the greater trochanter

Formation of a pseudotumor in total hip arthroplasty using a tribological metal-polyethylene pair

ABSTRACT The aim here was to report a case of a young adult patient who evolved with tumor formation in the left thigh, 14 years after revision surgery on hip arthroplasty. Davies in 2005 made the first description of this disease in patients undergoing metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty. Over the last decade, however, pseudotumors around metal-on-polyethylene surfaces have become more prevalent. Our patient presented with increased volume of the left thigh 8 years after hip arthroplasty revision surgery. Two years before the arising of the tumor in the thigh, a nodule in the inguinal region was investigated to rule out a malignant neoplastic process, but the results were inconclusive. The main preoperative complaints were pain, functional limitation and marked reduction in the range of motion of the left hip. Plain radiographs showed loosening of acetabular and femoral, and a large mass between the muscle planes was revealed through magnetic resonance imaging of the left thigh. The surgical procedure consisted of resection of the lesion and removal of the components through lateral approach. In respect of total hip arthroplasty, pseudotumors are benign neoplasms in which the bearing surface consists of metal-on-metal, but they can also occur in different tribological pairs, as presented in this case

Use of closed suction drainage after primary total hip arthroplasty: a prospective randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to investigate drain use in a controlled population of patients with hip osteoarthritis undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty. Methods: This prospective controlled trial evaluated 93 patients randomized into two groups: a group that received drains and a group that did not. The patients who were randomized to the drain group used a 3.2 mm drain placed under the fascia that was kept in place for 24 h. Postoperative evaluations were performed after 24 h and then three, six, and 12 weeks after total hip arthroplasty. The primary outcome was perioperative blood loss in both groups 24 h after total hip arthroplasty. The other parameters that were evaluated included mid-thigh circumference, the rate of blood transfusion, hematocrit, inflammatory serum levels, and the Harris Hip Score. Results: The clinical and laboratory data revealed no differences between the study groups with respect to blood loss and need for blood transfusion, duration of hospital stay, reoperation rate, complications, inflammatory serum markers, and the Harris Hip Score. Patients without closed suction drainage reported higher pain levels after 24 h (VAS score 1 vs. 2, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Similar clinical and laboratory outcomes were found in both cohorts