The American journal of orthopedics
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We tried to reduce our rate of conversion from index knee arthroscopy to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for degenerative pathology (primarily meniscal) in the setting of coexisting arthritis in patients 50 years or older. We hypothesized that, by using a 2-surgeon independent evaluation method, we could reduce the rate to less than 10% by 3-year follow-up. Forty-two consecutive patients were initially evaluated by the knee replacement surgeon to determine if they were TKA candidates. ⋯ The overall rate of conversion to TKA was 26%. The 2 main groups (arthroscopy only, arthroscopy-plus-TKA) did not differ in all measured characteristics. Failure of our method to achieve better outcomes demonstrates that conventional criteria are poor in predicting which patients with meniscal pathology, which is believed to be relatively more symptomatic than coexisting arthritis, should avoid arthroscopy and go straight to TKA.
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Review Case Reports
Delayed presentation of a cervical spine fracture dislocation with posterior ligamentous disruption in a gymnast.
Cervical spine injuries are uncommon but potentially devastating athletic injuries. We report a case of a girl gymnast who presented with a cervical spine fracture dislocation with posterior ligamentous disruption several days after injury. To our knowledge, this type of presentation with such severity of injury in a gymnast has not been reported in the literature. ⋯ Plain radiographs and computed tomography imaging of the cervical spine revealed a C2-C3 fracture dislocation. She underwent posterior open reduction followed by C2-C3 facet arthrodesis and internal fixation. This case highlights the importance of very careful evaluations of neck injuries and the maintenance of high suspicion for significant underlying pathology.
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Review Case Reports
Total hip and knee replacement in a patient with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita.
Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) is a complex disorder that leads to joint stiffness and deformities in 2 or more joints in afflicted children. Late manifestations of this disorder can include secondary degeneration of the abnormal joints with arthritic symptoms of pain and loss of function. ⋯ This case report presents one patient who underwent bilateral total hip and total knee arthroplasties for deteriorating function and pain in her hips and knees secondary to the congenital deformities created by arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. We discuss the intraoperative difficulties and techniques used to reconstruct her hips and knees, as well as the potential indications for joint arthroplasty in this challenging group of patients.
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Many patients who undergo hip or knee replacement surgery today experience high levels of postoperative pain. Data from clinical studies and analyses of hospital records have demonstrated that severe postoperative pain is associated with an increased risk for complications, slowing of the rehabilitation process, delayed return to normal functioning, progression to persistent pain states, prolonged length of hospital stay, elevated rates of readmission, and higher overall costs. Orthopedic surgeons may now play a more active role in reducing the severity of pain following surgery, decreasing both opioid use and the incidence of opioid-related adverse events, and eliminating breakthrough pain and analgesic gaps. ⋯ One exciting advance that offers effective, safe, and efficient analgesia for many kinds of surgical procedures is the introduction of an extended-release local anesthetic (liposomal bupivacaine) for infiltration. This new option, which can be administered directly into the knee or hip by an orthopedic surgeon, is an example of the changing paradigm in perioperative analgesia, where commitment, communication, and coordination across all members of the clinical care team- including the surgeon, anesthesiologist, pharmacist, physical therapist, and nursing staff-are fundamental elements of an improved standard of care. An Expert Working Group on Anesthesia and Orthopaedics: Critical Issues in Hip and Knee Replacement Arthroplasty (April 13, 2013; Dallas, Texas) evaluated current approaches to perioperative pain management and proposed new regimens to help achieve optimal outcomes in these procedures.
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Recent literature reports an increase in the rate of shoulder arthroplasties, particularly total shoulder arthroplasties (TSAs), being performed in the United States. However, the national epidemiology of use of hemiarthroplasty (HA) and TSA as treatments for glenohumeral osteoarthritis has not been elucidated. We conducted a study to analyze trends in using HA and TSA as treatments for glenohumeral osteoarthritis from 2000 to 2010, and to compare patient characteristics and inpatient complications. ⋯ In 2010, 80.3% of patients having shoulder arthroplasty for arthritis underwent TSA. TSA patients were older (P < .0001) and had a higher mean number of chronic illnesses (P = .034). TSA-associated discharges had a higher rate of surgical and medical care complications (P = .011) and blood transfusions (P = .041) after adjusting for comorbidities.