High Cefuroxime Concentrations and Long Elimination in an Orthopaedic Surgical Deadspace—A Microdialysis Porcine Study

Deadspace is the tissue and bony defect in a surgical wound after closure. This space is presumably poorly perfused favouring bacterial proliferation and biofilm formation. In arthroplasty surgery, an obligate deadspace surrounding the prosthesis is introduced and deadspace management, in combination with obtaining therapeutic prophylactic antibiotic concentrations, is important for limiting the risk of acquiring a periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). This study aimed to investigate cefuroxime distribution to an orthopaedic surgical deadspace in comparison with plasma and bone concentrations during two dosing intervals (8 h × 2). In a setup imitating shoulder arthroplasty surgery, but without insertion of a prosthesis, microdialysis catheters were placed for cefuroxime sampling in a deadspace in the glenohumeral joint and in cancellous bone of the scapular neck in eighteen pigs. Blood samples were collected as a reference. Cefuroxime was administered according to weight (20 mg/kg). The primary endpoint was time above the cefuroxime minimal inhibitory concentration of the free fraction of cefuroxime for Staphylococcus aureus (fT > MIC (4 μg/mL)). During the two dosing intervals, mean fT > MIC (4 μg/mL) was significantly longer in deadspace (605 min) compared with plasma (284 min) and bone (334 min). For deadspace, the mean time to reach 4 μg/mL was prolonged from the first dosing interval (8 min) to the second dosing interval (21 min), while the peak drug concentration was lower and half-life was longer in the second dosing interval. In conclusion, weight-adjusted cefuroxime fT > MIC (4 μg/mL) and elimination from the deadspace was longer in comparison to plasma and bone. Our results suggest a deadspace consolidation and a longer diffusions distance, resulting in a low cefuroxime turn-over. Based on theoretical targets, cefuroxime appears to be an appropriate prophylactic drug for the prevention of PJI

Are progressive shoulder exercises feasible in patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis or rotator cuff tear arthropathy?

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the feasibility of progressive shoulder exercises (PSE) for patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis (OA) or rotator cuff tear arthropathy (CTA). The aim of this study was to investigate whether 12 weeks of PSE is feasible in patients with glenohumeral OA or CTA eligible for shoulder arthroplasty. Moreover, to report changes in shoulder function and range of motion (ROM) following the exercise program. METHODS: Twenty patients were included. Eighteen patients (11 women, 15 with OA), mean age 70 years (range 57–80), performed 12 weeks of PSE with one weekly physiotherapist-supervised and two weekly home-based sessions. Feasibility was measured by dropout rate, adverse events, pain, and adherence to PSE. At baseline and end of intervention, patients completed the Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder (WOOS) score and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH). Data to assess feasibility were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Two patients dropped out and no adverse events were observed. Sixteen of the eighteen patients (89%) had a high adherence (≥ 70%) to the physiotherapist-supervised sessions. Acceptable pain levels were reported; in 76% of all exercise sessions with no numeric rating scale (NRS) score over five for any exercise. WOOS improved with a mean of 23 points (95% CI 13;33), and DASH improved with a mean of 13 points (95% CI 6;19). CONCLUSION: Adherence to PSE was high and dropout rates were low. PSE is feasible, safe and may relieve shoulder pain, improve function and ROM in patients with glenohumeral OA or CTA. The patient-experienced gains after PSE seem clinically relevant and should be compared to arthroplasty surgery in a RCT setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: According to Danish law, this study did not need an approval by the Central Denmark Region Committee on Health Research Ethics. Approval from The Danish Data Protection Agency (journal number 1-16-02-15-20) was obtained

Short-term results after arthroscopic resection of synovial plicae in the radiohumeral joint: a case series of 64 procedures

Introduction: Painful Synovial Plicae (SP) in the posterolateral corner of the radiohumeral joint may be confused with lateral epicondylitis. The SP may impinge between the radial head and the humeral capitellum causing pain and snapping. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term results after arthroscopic plica resection of the elbow. Methods: In this case series, we included a consecutive series of 64 arthroscopies (60 patients) with arthroscopic plica resection of the elbow. Inclusion criteria were six months of lateral elbow pain and unsuccessful conservative treatment. Patients had either ultrasonography verified plicae or pain on palpation of the plica. Patients were evaluated with an Oxford Elbow Score (OES) preoperatively, after three months and after mean 22 months (range: 12–31) of follow-up. Furthermore, baseline characteristics were recorded including, gender, age, body mass index (BMI), occupation, smoking and cartilage damage. Results: The mean age was 44 years (range: 18–66). In 13 elbows, International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grade 1 lesions were present in association with the plica. Preoperatively the mean OES was 19 (95% CI: 17–20). At three and 22 month follow-up the OES increased to 33 (95% CI: 30–36) and 35 (95% CI: 32–38), respectively (p < 0.001). Cartilage injury and gender did not affect the outcome. We reported no complications. Discussion: Arthroscopic plica resection of the elbow indicates an improved OES after three and 22 months. A randomized prospective trial is needed to validate the effect of arthroscopic treatment of synovial elbow plicae

High prevalence of persistent pain 6 months after arthroscopic subacromial decompression and/or acromioclavicular joint resection

Purpose: The aims of this prospective study were to determine the prevalence of pain 6 months after arthroscopic subacromial decompression (ASD) and/or acromioclavicular joint resection (AC resection), to reveal causes of the pain, and to identify risk factors for persistent pain. Methods: Preoperatively, patients were tested for their endogenous capacity to modulate pain and completed questionnaires concerning psychological vulnerability. Patients with pain 6 months after surgery were examined by an experienced orthopaedic surgeon to reveal any shoulder pathology responsible for the pain. Results: Data from 101 patients were available for analysis 6 months after surgery. Thirty-six patients had persistent pain: 32 underwent examination by the surgeon who identified shoulder pathology in ten patients, but not in the remaining 22 in whom ongoing insurance case, unemployment, and a general tendency to worry were risk factors for persistent pain. Conclusion: The prevalence of persistent pain 6 months after ASD and/or AC resection was 35.6% (95% CI 26.1–45.8%) and the proportion of patients with shoulder pathology was 9.9%. An association between ongoing insurance case, unemployment, general tendency to worry (t-STAI), and unexplained persistent pain 6 months after surgery was found

No dislocations after primary hip arthroplasty with the dual mobility cup in displaced femoral neck fracture in patients with dementia. A one-year follow-up in 20 patients

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe the dislocation rates, reoperation rates and mortality 30 day and one year following THA with AVANTAGE® dual mobility cup among dementia patients with an acute displaced intracapsular femoral neck fracture. Patients and methods: From 2010 to 2014 we identified 20 hip fracture patients with dementia, who have had total hip arthroplasty with the AVANTAGE® dual mobility cup. The primary outcome was dislocation. Secondary outcomes were revision surgery, 30 days and one year mortality, time to surgery and length of hospital stay. Results: Follow-up time was one year. None of the patients experienced dislocation or received revision surgery in the follow-up period. The 30-days mortality rate was 25% (confidence interval (CI) 95%; 4–46%) and the one year mortality was 45% (CI 95%; 21–69). Mean time to surgery was 27 h (CI 95%; 20–37 h) and mean length of hospital stay was 5.5 days (CI 95%; 4, 0–7, 6 days). Conclusion: THA with the dual-mobility cup seems favourable in the treatment of patients with a displaced femoral neck fracture and patients with dementia. Correct placement of the cup is pivotal and technically demanding. Not all orthopedic surgeons perform total hip arthroplasty while challenges regarding the logistics can be encountered since time to surgery is known to affect the mortality negatively