Publications by authors named "Alejandro Gonzalez Della-Valle"

Introduction: The use of technology in direct anterior approach (DAA) total hip arthroplasty (THA) is expanding. Although the use of computer-navigation (CN-THA) and robotics (RA-THA) has previously demonstrated improved component positioning, it is important to understand whether its use is associated with differences in intraoperative complications or early return to the operating room when compared to fluoroscopy-only (manual-THA) DAA THA.

Methods: 3433 DAA THAs (226 RA-THA, 1007 CN-THA, 2200 manual-THA) performed at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed.

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Recently, lifestyle medicine (LSM) application has shown feasibility for musculoskeletal pain patients with co-existing lifestyle-related chronic diseases. This study describes early results of a LSM program for musculoskeletal patients with goals to optimize health prior to orthopedic surgery. Fifty-four patients (age: 61 ± 11 years; 39 [72%] females) completed the program from 3/8/22-12/1/23.

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Background: Patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) experience significant postoperative pain and routinely require opioids, yet they often lack knowledge regarding appropriate use and handling of these medications. Evidence suggests that educational interventions in various formats may help reinforce proper usage and improve postoperative pain control. The aim of this study is to compare the institution standard of care (webinar) with two novel educational interventions-one in-person and the other a video recording-that focus specifically on the use of opioids and pain control.

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Recreational and medicinal cannabis use is becoming increasingly popular, but there are little data on its effect on postoperative pain and opioid consumption after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). : We sought to evaluate the relationship between self-reported preoperative cannabis use and postoperative opioid consumption and post-discharge opioid prescriptions following elective primary TKA. : We identified all patients who underwent unilateral, primary TKA for a diagnosis of osteoarthritis at a single institution between February 1, 2019, and April 30, 2021, and subdivided them into current cannabis users and non-users based on self-reported data.

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The evaluation, classification, and treatment of significant bone loss after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) continue to be a complex and debated topic in revision TKA (rTKA). Despite the introduction of new evidence and innovative technologies aimed at addressing the approach and care of severe bone loss in rTKA, there is no single document that systematically incorporates these newer surgical approaches. Therefore, a comprehensive review of the treatment of severe bone loss in rTKA is necessary.

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Objective: The objective of this study is to outline the training of peer coaches in the Moving Well intervention, which was designed to reduce anxiety, depression, and pain catastrophizing in patients before and after total knee replacement (TKR).

Methods: Selected peer coaches had a history of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), a TKR of 12 months or more before training, and were 60 or older. Training was primarily conducted virtually, with a later addition of one in-person session.

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Background: Bilateral hip osteoarthritis is evident in approximately 20% of patients who present to the clinic for evaluation of hip pain, and for those undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA), 22% will end up needing a contralateral THA. The risk and benefits of simultaneous bilateral total hip arthroplasty (SBTHA) versus staged bilateral THA procedures have been well studied, demonstrating equivalent safety profiles comparable to unilateral and SBTHA. However, the influence of the surgical approach on SBTHA on postoperative outcomes remains unclear.

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Background: Given the heightened risk of postoperative complications associated with obesity, delaying total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients who have a body mass index (BMI) > 40 to maximize preoperative weight loss has been advocated by professional societies and orthopaedic surgeons. While the benefits of this strategy are not well-understood, previous studies have suggested that a 5% reduction in weight or BMI may be associated with reduced complications after THA.

Methods: We identified 613 patients who underwent primary THA in a single institution during a 7-year period and who had a BMI >40 recorded from 9 to 12 months prior to surgery.

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Background: Body mass index (BMI) cutoffs for morbidly obese patients otherwise indicated for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have been widely proposed and implemented, though they remain controversial. Previous studies suggested that a 5% reduction in BMI may be associated with fewer postoperative complications. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine whether a substantial reduction in preoperative BMI in morbidly obese patients improved 90-day outcomes after TKA.

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Article Synopsis
  • A study examined how factors like gender, age, and BMI affect the accuracy of a navigation system used during total hip arthroplasty.
  • The research involved 325 patients and assessed the difference between surgical outcomes and later follow-up radiographs to gauge accuracy.
  • Findings indicated that gender significantly influenced positioning accuracy, while age and BMI had minimal impact, suggesting the system is effective regardless of a patient's BMI.
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Background: Isolated ball and liner exchanges (IBLEs) can be performed to increase hip joint stability, but historical results have been mixed due to a lack of head size options or dual mobility articulations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the contemporary results of IBLEs in patients who have instability following primary total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 65 primary THAs from 2016 to 2020 with hip instability undergoing IBLE or conversion to dual mobility articulation.

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Purpose: To illustrate MRI findings in patients with femoral neuropathy following anterior approach total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Methods: This was a retrospective review of patients who underwent MRI for femoral neuropathy following anterior approach THA between January 1, 2010, and July 1, 2022. Included patients had no preexisting neurologic condition.

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Background: The use of body mass index (BMI) cutoff values has been suggested for proceeding with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in obese patients. However, the relationship between obesity severity and early reoperations after TKA is poorly defined. This study evaluated whether increased World Health Organization (WHO) obesity class was associated with risk, severity, and timing of reintervention within one year after TKA.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study focused on the learning curve associated with using a novel imageless navigation system in total hip arthroplasty (THA), particularly examining its impact on surgical time and accuracy.
  • The research involved 158 patients, measuring differences in acetabular angles during surgery and comparing them with follow-up X-rays to assess navigation accuracy.
  • Results showed average surgical time was 67.3 minutes with no significant learning period effect detected on either surgical time or navigation accuracy throughout the procedures.
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Background: Sleep disturbance is a common problem following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The objective of this study was to determine if exogenous melatonin improves sleep quality following primary TKA.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted.

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Far more publications are available for osteoarthritis of the knee than of the hip. Recognizing this research gap, the Arthritis Foundation (AF), in partnership with the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), convened an in-person meeting of thought leaders to review the state of the science of and clinical approaches to hip osteoarthritis. This article summarizes the recommendations gleaned from 5 presentations given in the "early hip osteoarthritis" session of the 2023 Hip Osteoarthritis Clinical Studies Conference, which took place on February 17 and 18, 2023, in New York City.

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Background: Patients who have spinal stiffness and deformity are at the highest risk for dislocation after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Previous reports of this cohort are limited to antero-lateral and postero-lateral (PL) approaches. We investigated the dislocation rate after direct anterior (DA) and PL approach THA with a contemporary high-risk protocol to optimize stability.

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Aims: Blood transfusion and postoperative anaemia are complications of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) that are associated with substantial healthcare costs, morbidity, and mortality. There are few data from large datasets on the risk factors for these complications.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of TKA patients from a single tertiary care institution from February 2016 to December 2020.

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Background: Predicting an arthroplasty patient's discharge disposition, length of stay (LOS), and physical function is helpful because it allows for preoperative patient optimization, expectation management, and discharge planning. The goal of this study was to evaluate the ability of the Risk Assessment and Prediction Tool (RAPT) score to predict discharge destination, LOS, and postoperative mobility in patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Methods: Primary unilateral TKAs (n = 9,064) and THAs (n = 8,649) performed for primary osteoarthritis at our institution from 2018 to 2021 (excluding March to June 2020) were identified using a prospectively maintained institutional registry.

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Background: Moving Well is a behavioral intervention for patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) scheduled for a total knee replacement (TKR). The objective of this intervention is to help patients with KOA mentally and physically prepare for and recover from TKR.

Methods: This is an open-label pilot randomized clinical trial that will test the feasibility and effectiveness of the Moving Well intervention compared to an attention control group, Staying Well, to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with KOA undergoing TKR.

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Background: Despite renewed interest in cementless fixation of total knee implants, many surgeons have anecdotal concerns about slower recovery and higher early pain scores. We sought to analyze 90-day opioid utilizations, inhospital pain scores, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in patients undergoing primary cemented versus cementless total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods: We retrospectively identified a cohort of opioid naïve patients undergoing primary TKA for osteoarthritis.

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Background: Lumbar spine pathology frequently coexists in patients who have hip arthrosis. There is controversy on whether lumbar or hip pathology should be first addressed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of sequential lumbar spine (LSP) or hip arthroplasty (THA).

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Background: There is a lack of consensus on optimal skin closure and dressing strategies to reduce early wound complication rates after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods: All 13,271 patients at low risk for wound complications undergoing primary, unilateral THA (7,816), and TKA (5,455) for idiopathic osteoarthritis at our institution between August 2016 and July 2021 were identified. Skin closure, dressing type, and postoperative events related to wound complications were recorded during the first 30 postoperative days.

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Purpose: This study aims to characterize iatrogenic sciatic nerve injury patterns in the early, perioperative period following posterior-approach total hip arthroplasty (THA) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: This was an IRB-approved retrospective analysis of patients acquired from a longitudinal, single site radiology database of patients who underwent MRI for "foot drop" within 4 weeks following posterior-approach THA surgery, over a 20-year period.

Results: MRI exams from 51 patients (mean age 62 years; 32 females) who met inclusion criteria were evaluated.

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