Aims

Although bone cement is the primary mode of fixation in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), cementless fixation is gaining interest as it has the potential of achieving lasting biological fixation. By 3D printing an implant, highly porous structures can be manufactured, promoting osseointegration into the implant to prevent aseptic loosening. This study compares the migration of cementless, 3D-printed TKA to cemented TKA of a similar design up to two years of follow-up using radiostereometric analysis (RSA) known for its ability to predict aseptic loosening.

The light handle can be a major source of contamination in operation theatres where surgeries are prolonged and light handles need to be manipulated multiple times. The light handle by sheer size can obstruct laminar flow and cause eddy currents and can cause bacterial deposition on light handle which in turn can contaminate light handles. A study of light handle contamination was done from November 2010 to December 2010 at Blackpool Victoria hospital from swabs taken from light handles during preoperative, intra operative and post operative period from a single laminar flow operating theatre. A total of 40 cases were selected for study. Most of our cases were primary hip and knee replacement. The swabs were cultured into blood agar /mcconkey medium and incubated for 48 hours at 37 degree Celsius. None of the swabs showed any bacterial contamination which shows light handle is not a source of intraoperative contamination. Our trial gives a point estimate of 0% contamination rate, upper limit of the 95% confidence interval of the probability of contamination as 7.5%. we conclude that light handle is not a source of contamination in operation theatres and hence no need to change gloves every time we manipulate light handle.

The reverse ball and socket shoulder replacement, employing a humeral socket and glenosphere, has revolutionized the treatment of patients with arthritis and rotator cuff insufficiency. The RSP (DjO Surgical, Inc., Austin, Texas) is one such device, characterized by a lateral center of rotation and approved for use in the United States since 2004. Multiple studies by the implant design team have documented excellent outcomes and low revision rates for the RSP, but other published outcomes data are relatively sparse. The objective of this study is to report on the complications and early outcomes in the first consecutive 60 RSPs implanted in 57 patients by a single shoulder replacement surgeon between 2004 and 2010. Forty-four patients were female and mean age at the time of reverse shoulder arthroplasty was 75 years (range 54 to 92 years). The RSP was used as a primary arthroplasty in 42 shoulders and to revise a failed prosthetic shoulder arthroplasty in 18 shoulders. During the study period, 365 shoulder replacements were implanted so that the RSP was used selectively, accounting for only 17% of all shoulder arthroplasties (8.4% for 2004-2007, 24.2% for 2008-2010). Most patients had pseudoparalysis and profound shoulder dysfunction so that mean pre-operative active forward elevation was to 45°, active abduction to 43°, active internal rotation to the buttock, and the mean pre-operative Simple Shoulder Test (SST) score was 1 out of 12. At final follow-up, mean active forward elevation had improved to 101° (p<0.0001), active abduction to 91° (p<0.0001), active internal rotation to the lumbosacral junction (p<0.001), and the mean final SST score was 7 out of 12. There were 16 complications in 14 patients, including 7 reoperations in 6 patients (11%): 3 closed reductions for dislocation, 2 open revisions for instability and for a dissociated liner in the same patient, one evacuation of a hematoma, and one open reduction and internal fixation of a post-operative scapular spine fracture. Two additional scapular spine or acromion fractures and one acromioclavicular joint separation developed postoperatively that impacted outcome adversely but did not require re-operation. None of the glenoid baseplates or humeral stems has been revised and no deep infections have occurred. Experience with reverse shoulder arthroplasty appears to influence the reoperation rate, as 3 of the reoperations occurred following the first 15 reverse shoulder arthroplasties. Overall improvements in active motion and self-assessed shoulder function were comparable to those reported previously. Final active motion results were somewhat lower than those reported previously, which may relate to the selection of predominately pseudoparalytic patients for reverse shoulder arthroplasty in this series. Use of the RSP device for reverse shoulder arthroplasty leads to improved motion and function in carefully selected older patients with pseudoparalysis or a failed shoulder replacement. Re-operations and complications occur but the learning curve may not be as steep as previously reported. This may relate to specific features of the implant system used in this series, as well as to surgeon experience.

Glenohumeral chondrolysis is a devastating condition characterized by the rapid dissolution of glenohumeral cartilage and resultant joint destruction. Excessive intra-articular use of thermal heat, suture anchors that are prominent or loose, and the use of an intra-articular pain pump (IAPP) delivering local anesthetics have all been implicated as causative factors. Between November 2007 and February 2010, 29 patients presented with glenohumeral chondrolysis related to one or more of the causative factors noted above. Seventeen patients have been followed since their initial presentation, with the remainder presenting for evaluation only, at the suggestion of their attorneys. Of those 17 patients, 7 were male and mean age at the time of their index surgery was 28.6 years (range 15-55 years). Two patients developed chondrolysis as a result of prominent suture anchors and 15 as a result of an IAPP delivering bupivacaine. Two patients underwent placement of an IAPP following closed manipulation for adhesive capsulitis and 13 underwent IAPP placement following arthroscopic labrum repair or capsular plication using one to seven suture anchors. Onset of symptoms related to chondrolysis, such as increased pain, stiffness and crepitation, occurred at a mean 8 months (range 1-32 months) following the index procedure. Twelve of the 17 patients underwent one or more additional arthroscopic procedure, typically for debridement and chondroplasty, and in some cases, capsular release. A loose suture anchor was found in one joint at arthroscopy, which was removed. Eleven patients had radiographs documenting joint space obliteration at most recent follow-up or at the time of prosthetic shoulder arthroplasty. At most recent follow-up, 7 patients had undergone 3 total shoulder replacements and 4 humeral head resurfacing procedures. Four other patients were contemplating prosthetic shoulder arthroplasty. For those undergoing shoulder replacement, range of motion recovered modestly so that active forward elevation improved from 111° to 137° (p<0.05) and active abduction improved from 99° to 123° (p<0.05). Seven of the 12 patients presenting for evaluation only had also undergone prosthetic shoulder arthroplasty elsewhere by the time of their presentation, so that overall, 14 of 29 patients had undergone their first prosthetic shoulder replacement for chondrolysis within 25 months (range 9-54 months) of their index procedure. The onset of chondrolysis in two patients following the use of an IAPP after closed manipulation has not been reported previously. Post-arthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis (PAGCL) is a devastating condition that strikes young patients and frequently requires shoulder replacement surgery. The use of an intra-articular pain pump delivering local anesthetics is the principal causative factor for glenohumeral chondrolysis in most patients and should be abandoned.

The infection in total joint arthroplasty in most cases is blood borne in origin, but seeding of organisms at the time of surgery is also a well recognised cause. The aim of our study was to determine the optimal timing to administer the prophylactic per-operative antibiotics in total knee arthroplasties performed under tourniquet control.

The patients were randomised in two groups “A” (18 patients), received antibiotics at the time of induction of anaesthesia and group “B” (15 patients), received antibiotics ten minutes prior to the release of tourniquet. We used the intravenous doses of Kafadol 1gm and Gentamicin 160mgs for 24 hours. The antibiotic levels were assessed using blood samples taken from the peripheral vein, operative wound (periprosthetic area) and suction drains. Both groups were well matched with regard to age, weight, sex, ASA class and number of patients.

In group “A” the antibiotic levels were lower in operative wound as compared to the peripheral vein and it continued to decline in the post operative period. In group “B” the levels were 40% higher in the samples from the operative wound and remained significantly high in post operative period, as compared to those in group “A”.

Our findings are in favour of antibiotic administration just before the release of the tourniquet in the total knee arthroplasty.