Marlex mesh reconstruction of the extensor mechanism following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has demonstrated excellent early results. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate longer-term results of Marlex mesh reconstruction of the extensor mechanism in 93 TKAs. Seventy-seven reconstructions were aseptic, and 16 were performed as part of a 2-stage exchange for the treatment of infection. Mean follow-up was 8 years. Twenty-eighty patients experienced mesh failure. Seventeen failures were treated with mesh revision (8 for patellar tendon rupture, 7 for quadriceps tendon rupture, and 2 for symptomatic lengthening). The 10-year cumulative incidence of mesh revision for mesh failure was 20%. Extensor lag improved by a mean of 28°, with a mean extensor lag of 9° at most recent follow-up. At a mean follow-up of 8 years, Marlex mesh reconstruction was a durable and reliable technique to treat both aseptic and septic ruptures of the extensor mechanism. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Precision or Pitfall? Evaluating the Accuracy of ICD-10 Coding for Cemented Total Hip Arthroplasty
Background: The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) was adopted in the U.S. in 2015. Proponents of the ICD-10-PCS have stated that its granularity allows for a more accurate representation of the types of procedures performed by including laterality, joint designation, and more detailed procedural data. However, other researchers have expressed concern that the increased number of codes adds further complexity that leads to inaccurate and inconsistent coding, rendering registry and research data based on ICD-10-PCS codes invalid and inaccurate. We aimed to determine the accuracy of the ICD-10-PCS for identifying cemented fixation in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all cemented primary THAs performed at 4 geographically diverse, academic medical centers between October 2015 and October 2020. Cemented fixation was identified from the ICD-10-PCS coding for each procedure. The accuracy of an ICD-10-PCS code relative to the surgical record was determined by postoperative radiograph and chart review, and cross-referencing with institution-level coding published by the American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR) was also performed. Results: A total of 552 cemented THA cases were identified within the study period, of which 452 (81.9%) were correctly coded as cemented with the ICD-10-PCS. The proportion of cases that were correctly coded was 187 of 260 (72%) at Institution A, 158 of 185 (85%) at Institution B, 35 of 35 (100%) at Institution C, and 72 of 72 (100%) at Institution D. Of the 480 identified cemented THA cases at 3 of the 4 institutions, 403 (84%) were correctly reported as cemented to the AJRR (Institution A, 185 of 260 cases [71%]; Institution B, 185 of 185 [100%]; and Institution C, 33 of 35 [94%]). Lastly, of these 480 identified cemented THA cases, 317 (66%) were both correctly coded with the ICD-10-PCS and correctly reported as cemented to the AJRR. Conclusions: Our findings revealed existing discrepancies within multiple institutional data sets, which may lead to inaccurate reporting by the AJRR and other registries that rely on ICD-10-PCS coding. Caution should be exercised when utilizing ICD-10 procedural data to evaluate specific details from administrative claims databases as these inaccuracies present inherent challenges to data validity and interpretation.
Intermediate to Long-Term Follow-up of Cementing Liners into Well-Fixed Acetabular Components
Background: The cementation of a new liner into a well-fixed acetabular component is common during revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) for many indications, but most commonly for lack of a modern, compatible, highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) liner. However, little is known about the intermediate-term to long-term durability of this strategy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implant survivorship, risk of complications, clinical outcomes, and radiographic results of cementing a new HXLPE liner into a well-fixed acetabular component. Methods: We retrospectively identified 323 revision THAs in which a nonconstrained HXLPE liner was cemented into a well-fixed acetabular component. The mean age at the time of the revision THA was 63 years, and 50% of patients were female. The most common indications for revision THA were polyethylene wear and osteolysis (48%), aseptic femoral loosening (35%), and hip instability (8%). The mean follow-up was 9 years. Results: Polyethylene liner failure occurred in 11 cases (3%). In all cases, the cemented liner dissociated from the acetabular component. At 10 years, the survivorship free from any revision was 80% (95% confidence interval [CI], 75% to 84%) and the survivorship free from any reoperation was 77% (95% CI, 72% to 82%). The most common reason for re-revision was dislocation (45% of reoperations). A dislocation occurred in 17% of cases. Hips that underwent revision for instability were significantly more likely to dislocate compared with hips that underwent revision for liner wear (hazard ratio [HR], 2.3 [95% CI, 1.2 to 4.5]; p = 0.02). Elevated rim or face-changing liners were significantly more likely to dissociate than flat liners (HR, 9.0 [95% CI, 1.2 to 70.6]; p = 0.04). Conclusions: Cementation of a nonconstrained HXLPE liner into a well-fixed acetabular component during revision THA provided durable fixation with only a small number of failures at the cement interface (3%). Instability after this procedure remains a concern, but this is multifactorial in nature. These data support the continued use of this technique, when necessary, during revision THA. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Outcomes of a technique combining diaphyseal impaction grafting and metaphyseal cones for severe bone loss in revision total knee arthroplasty
Aims Metaphyseal cones with cemented stems are frequently used in revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, if the diaphysis has been previously violated, the resultant sclerotic canal can impair cemented stem fixation, which is vital for bone ingrowth into the cone, and long-term fixation. We report the outcomes of our solution to this problem, in which impaction grafting and a cemented stem in the diaphysis is combined with an uncemented metaphyseal cone, for revision TKA in patients with severely compromised bone. Methods A metaphyseal cone was combined with diaphyseal impaction grafting and cemented stems for 35 revision TKAs. There were two patients with follow-up of less than two years who were excluded, leaving 33 procedures in 32 patients in the study. The mean age of the patients at the time of revision TKA was 67 years (32 to 87); 20 (60%) were male. Patients had undergone a mean of four (1 to 13) previous knee arthroplasty procedures. The indications for revision were aseptic loosening (80%) and two-stage reimplantation for prosthetic joint infection (PJI; 20%). The mean follow-up was four years (2 to 11). Results Survival free from revision of the cone/impaction grafting construct due to aseptic loosening was 100% at five years. Survival free from any revision of the construct and free from any reoperation were 92% and 73% at five years, respectively. A total of six patients (six TKAs, 17%) required a further revision, four for infection or wound issues, and two for periprosthetic fracture. Radiologically, one unrevised TKA had evidence of loosening which was asymptomatic. In all unrevised TKAs the impacted diaphyseal bone graft appeared to be incorporated radiologically. Conclusion When presented with a sclerotic diaphysis and substantial metaphyseal bone loss, this technique combining diaphyseal impaction grafting with a metaphyseal cone provided near universal success in relation to implant fixation. Moreover, radiographs revealed incorporation of the bone graft and biological fixation of the cone. While long-term follow-up will be important, this technique provides an excellent option for the management of complex revision TKAs. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(6 Supple A):116–122.
Constrained Liners Implanted Simultaneously at the Time of Acetabular Shell Revision with a Highly Porous Implant
Background: Many surgeons are reluctant to use a constrained liner at the time of acetabular component revision because of concerns that doing so might result in early acetabular component loosening related to high bone-implant interface stresses transmitted from the constrained liner. We hypothesized that, with appropriate initial implant stabilization using highly porous acetabular components with robust supplemental screw fixation, constrained liners could be safely used at the time of acetabular revision. Methods: We retrospectively identified 148 revision total hip arthroplasties (THAs) in which a constrained liner of 1 design was cemented into a newly placed highly porous acetabular component fixed with supplemental screws (mean, 5 screws). The mean age at the time of revision THA was 69 years, and 68% of the patients were female. The most common indications for revision were 2-stage reimplantation (33%), recurrent dislocation (30%), and aseptic loosening of the acetabular component (22%) or both the acetabular and femoral components (9%). The mean duration of follow-up was 7 years. Results: There were no failures at the bone-implant interface. No cases of acetabular metal shell loosening were identified on radiographic analysis. The 10-year survival rates with acetabular revision and any reoperation as the end points were 75% and 67%, respectively. Overall, 33 hips (22%) required revision or reoperation because of infection or wound complications (n = 12), dislocation or mechanical failure of the constrained liner (n = 11), periprosthetic femoral fracture (n = 4), femoral loosening (n = 3), or other reasons (n = 3). The 10-year survival rate with re-revision for instability as the end point was 88% overall, which was similar to the 85% 10-year survival rate with re-revision for instability as the end point among hips that were specifically revised because of instability during index revision THA (p = 0.9). Conclusions: Implanting a constrained liner at the time of acetabular revision in high-risk patients resulted in no cases of aseptic metal acetabular component loosening in this large series. This finding is likely related to the fact that a highly porous acetabular component was utilized with robust supplemental screw fixation in each case. Such information is valuable as these data favor a paradigm shift when compared with some traditionally held tenets. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Preoperative Opioid Usage, Male Sex, and Preexisting Knee Osteoarthritis Impacts Opioid Refills After Isolated Arthroscopic Meniscectomy: A Population‐Based Study
Purpose To identify risk factors for opioid consumption after arthroscopic meniscectomy using a large national database. Methods Patients undergoing primary arthroscopic meniscectomy from 2007 to 2016 were retrospectively accessed from the Humana database. Patients were categorized as those who filled opioid prescriptions within 3 months (OU), within 1 month (A‐OU), between 1 and 3 months (C‐OU), and never filled opioid prescriptions (N‐OU) before surgery. Rates of opioid use were evaluated preoperatively and longitudinally tracked for each cohort. Prolonged opioid use was defined as continued opioid prescription filling at ≥3 months after surgery. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with opioid refills at 12 months after surgery. Results There were 88,120 patients (53.7% female) who underwent arthroscopic meniscectomy, of whom 46.1% (n = 39,078) were N‐OU. About a quarter (25.3%) of patients continued filling opioid prescriptions at 1 year postoperatively. In addition, opioid fill rate at 1 year was significantly greater in the OU group compared with the N‐OU group with a relative risk of 2.89 (40.7% vs 14.1%; 95% confidence interval 2.81‐2.98; P < .0001). Multiple logistic regression model identified C‐OU (odds ratio 3.67; 95% confidence interval 3.53‐3.82; P < .0001) as the strongest predictor of opioid use at 12 months postoperatively. Furthermore, male sex, A‐OU, knee osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, fibromyalgia, anxiety or depression, alcohol use disorder, and tobacco use ( P < .02 for all) had significantly increased odds of opioid use at 12 months postoperatively. However, patients <40 years ( P < .0001) had significantly decreased odds of opioid use 12 months postoperatively. Conclusions Preoperative opioid filling is a significant risk factor for opioid use at 12 months postoperatively. Male sex, preexisting knee osteoarthritis, and diagnosis of anxiety or depression were independent risk factors for opioid use 12 months following arthroscopic meniscectomy. Level of Evidence Level‐III, Retrospective Cohort Study.
Opioids After Orthopaedic Surgery: There Is a Need for Universal Prescribing Recommendations