Ledford, Cameron K

Introduction: Golf is a widely played recreational sport, but degenerative osteoarthritis in older adults can limit participation and performance. This study prospectively evaluates recreational golfers’ performance metrics of play, and clinical outcomes before and after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods: A prospective cohort of 10 recreational golfers undergoing primary TKA were assessed at a professional golf performance center preoperatively and at 3 months, and 1-year postoperatively. The mean age was 72 years, 90% were men, and 50% underwent TKA on the lead leg. . Participants averaged 67 rounds in the year prior to surgery, maintained a handicap index (HCP) of 18. Golf performance metrics (driver and 7-iron), force-plate biomechanics, return-to-play timing, quality of play, and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Junior (KOOS-JR) were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: At 1-year postoperatively, the mean changes in driver and 7-iron swing speed (+1.3 and -1.5 miles per hour (mph), respectively, 95% CI: -5, 4.7), ball speed (+3.5 and -2.6 mph, 95% CI: -12.9, 12.3), carry distance (-0.8 and +6.2 yards, 95% CI: -17.7, 17.1), maximum torque (+43 and +85 pounds per foot (lbs/ft), 95% CI: -30, 259), and vertical force (+93 and +119 lbs/ft, 95% CI: -175, 412). All patients returned to full golf rounds playing a mean 8 (SD: +5.7) and 44 (SD: +29.7) rounds by 3- and 12-months, respectively, with no change in HCP (P = 0.9). The KOOS-JR significantly improved (57 to 80, P = 0.01). Conclusion: Recreational golfers safely returned to play after TKA with no significant changes in swing performance or handicap, while patient-reported outcomes improved. These findings suggest TKA enables resumption of golf without compromising performance.

Background: Prior studies have reported higher rates of periprosthetic fracture, superficial infection, and neurologic deficit with the direct anterior approach (DAA), and higher rates of dislocation with the posterior approach (PA) for total hip arthroplasty (THA). Despite these differences, the overall clinical burden of complications between approaches remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare the profiles, severity, impact, and resolution of 5 clinically important complications between DAA and PA THA. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of 11,783 consecutive primary THAs performed between 2010 and 2021 across 3 centers within a single healthcare system, using either the DAA (n = 4,451) or the PA (n = 7,332). Complications assessed included dislocation, infection, periprosthetic fracture (PPFx), aseptic loosening, and neurologic deficit. Severity was graded using the Clavien-Dindo classification (I = minor, V = death). Impact was defined by reoperation burden, and outcomes were categorized as resolved or persistent. Kaplan-Meier survivorship and propensity-weighted Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare complication risk. Results: The overall 1-year risk of surgical complications did not differ between DAA and PA (hazard ratio [HR], 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75-1.06; p = 0.208). Dislocation occurred more frequently with PA THA than DAA THA (1.9% vs. 0.4%; HR, 5.20; 95% CI, 3.04-8.90; p < 0.001). Superficial infections were more frequent with the DAA (1.6% vs. 0.8%; HR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.68-3.53; p < 0.001). The risk of deep infection, PPFx, aseptic loosening, and neurologic deficit did not differ significantly between approaches. Among patients with complications, the proportion classified as severe (Clavien-Dindo III–V) was similar, and adjusted analyses showed no difference in the odds of severe complications (adjusted odds ratio 1.34 for PA vs DAA; 95% CI, 0.95-1.91; p = 0.099). Complication impact and resolution were likewise comparable. Conclusion: Although the profile of complications differed between DAA and PA THA, the severity, early clinical impact, and resolution of complications appeared similar. Notably, DAA was associated with a lower risk of dislocation and a higher risk of superficial infection compared with PA THA. Level of Evidence: Level III , Retrospective Comparative Study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Introduction: The use of modular components provides several advantages in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), including exchange of the polyethylene insert while retaining the stable components in the revision TKA. Compared to full, non-modular component revision TKA, isolated polyethylene exchange (IPE) has the advantage of decreased morbidity, faster rehabilitation, and acceptable outcomes. Methods: A review of published literature on revision TKA was conducted, with a specific focus on studies evaluating the use of IPE for managing complications such as stiffness, instability, and periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Results: IPE with downsizing may be considered for patients with mild stiffness and stable, well-positioned implants that have increased polyethylene thickness, though expectations for motion gain should be cautious. There is no clear consensus on IPE for instability. Some studies report high re-revision rates, while others show clinical and functional improvement when the TKA is well-aligned, well-fixed, and intraoperative gap balance is achieved. Additionally, irrigation and debridement with polyethylene exchange (IDPE) may be effective for acute TKA PJI management, particularly within the first two weeks of symptom onset. Conclusions: Based on current literature, IPE in aseptic TKA revisions may be effective for stiffness or instability when implants are well-fixed and well-aligned—particularly if polyethylene constraint can be adjusted for instability or downsized for stiffness. The role of IDPE in acute TKA PJI is better defined in the literature, with strong emphasis on its time-sensitive effectiveness—most notably within the first two weeks of symptom onset.

Abstract Postoperative pain control after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains challenging, particularly in patients utilizing chronic opioids preoperatively. Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of regional nerve blockade on perioperative pain control outcomes after TKA in patients using or not using chronic preoperative opioids. A retrospective review of our institutional database identified 434 chronic opioid patients defined as documented ongoing use greater than 3 months prior to contemporary TKA. Patients were 1:1 matched to nonopioid users based upon age, sex, body mass index, and regional block type (single-shot adductor canal block [ACB, 29%], 3-day ACB catheter [31%], or no block [41%]). All patients underwent primary TKA using periarticular injections and contemporary multimodal pain management. Immediate and 90-day postoperative outcomes, including Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Junior (KOOS, Jr), were compared via univariate analysis among the matched cohort and regional block type among chronic opioid patients. Chronic opioid patients demonstrated higher inpatient opioid use than controls (90 vs. 65 oral morphine equivalents [OMEs], respectively, p < 0.01), but no significant differences existed in length of stay (LOS), discharge pain scores, 90-day readmission or KOOS, Jr (all p ≥ 0.05). When comparing chronic opioid patients according to block type, those receiving no block had the highest LOS (1.6 days, p < 0.01), discharge pain score (5.0, p < 0.01), and inpatient opioid use (80 OMEs, p < 0.01) compared with either ACB. The subgroup receiving an ACB catheter demonstrated a significantly higher 90-day readmission rate (9%, p < 0.05). Patients utilizing chronic opioids preoperatively require more opioids in the immediate postoperative period after TKA compared with nonopioid users despite contemporary modalities. Nonetheless, the use of any type of ACB provides improved pain control in these patients.

Background: Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are living longer and, consequently, more of them require elective total hip arthroplasty (THA) to restore mobility and improve quality of life. Because these patients are chronically immunosuppressed and often burdened by multiple comorbidities, their peri-operative risk profile may differ substantially from that of the general THA population. This study aimed to evaluate risk factors associated with acute medical and surgical complications, implant survivorship, and overall mortality in patients with a history of SOT who underwent THA. Methods: A total of 173 THA procedures were reviewed in patients with previous SOT. Among them, 64 had undergone liver transplantation (LT), 83 had received renal transplants (RT), and 26 had experienced more than one type of organ transplant (MT). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was employed to estimate median survival. Complications were examined using univariate analysis through mixed-effects logistic regression, while Cox regression was utilized to assess mortality risk. The median follow-up period extended to 99 months. Results: The proportion of patients experiencing at least one acute medical event was 27% in the LT group, 33% in the RT group, and 38% in the MT group, with no statistically significant difference between groups (p = 0.5). American Society of Anesthesiologists Class (ASA) 4 (Odds Ratio (OR) = 28; p = 0.006) and treatment with bisphosphonates (OR = 2.25; p = 0.03) were associated with higher risk of acute medical complications. Increased age at the time of SOT was linked to a reduced likelihood of surgical complications (OR = 0.94, p = 0.008), as was older age at the time of undergoing THA (OR = 0.92, p = 0.001). The observed rates of reoperation and implant revision were 3% and 1%, respectively. The estimated patient survivorship rates at 1, 5, and 10 years were 98.6, 82, and 58.4%, respectively. Older age at SOT (Hazard Ratio (HR) = 1.06, p < 0.001), at THA (HR = 1.08, p < 0.001), ASA 4 at THA (HR = 7.57, p = 0.02), and atrial fibrillation (AFib) (HR = 3.13, p = 0.02) were associated with higher mortality. Conclusions: ASA 4 and bisphosphonates were associated with a higher risk of acute medical complications, whereas older age was associated with lower surgical complications. Additionally, older age, ASA 4, and AFib were associated with higher mortality.

Background: The direct anterior approach (DAA) is a popular approach for primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, the contemporary outcomes for DAA THA need further elucidation. Therefore, we aimed to describe implant survivorship, complications, and clinical outcomes after DAA THA. Methods: From our multi-institutional total joint registry, 3,184 patients who had undergone 3,698 primary DAA THA between 2010 and 2019 were identified. The identified patients had a mean age of 65 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 29 kg/m 2 , and 53% of patients were female. The indications for revision and reoperation and the incidence of complications were collected and analyzed. Potential risk factors, including age, sex, BMI, and high-volume compared with low-volume operating surgeons, were examined. Descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier survivorship with Cox regression analyses were performed. Results: At 10 years following primary DAA THA, the cohort had 96% (95% confidence interval [CI], 95% to 98%) survivorship free of any revision and 94% (95% CI, 92% to 96%) survivorship free of any reoperation. The leading indications for revision were periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) (n = 24; 5-year cumulative incidence, 0.93% [95% CI, 0.6% to 1.5%]), periprosthetic fracture (n = 20; 5-year cumulative incidence, 0.62% [95% CI, 0.4% to 1.0%]), and aseptic loosening (n = 14; 11 femoral, 3 acetabular; 5-year cumulative incidence, 0.84% [95% CI, 0.5% to 1.5%]). A BMI of ≥40 kg/m 2 was found to be significantly associated with PJI (hazard ratio [HR], 6.4; p < 0.001), reoperation (HR, 3.5; p < 0.001), and nonoperative complications (HR, 2.3; p = 0.018). Survivorship free of recurrent instability was 99.6% (95% CI, 99.4% to 99.8%) at 5 and 10 years, and the cumulative incidence of revision for instability was 0.14% at 5 years. Conclusions: In one of the largest published series to date, survivorship following DAA THA was satisfactory at early to intermediate follow-up. The leading indications for revision were PJI, periprosthetic fracture, and aseptic loosening. Instability after DAA THA was uncommon and infrequently led to revision. As a note of caution, a BMI of ≥40 kg/m 2 was identified as a risk factor for adverse outcome after DAA THA. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.