The impact of allergies on patient-reported outcomes after total hip and knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Metal hypersensitivity has been associated with persistent symptoms after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA), despite successful joint replacement. Allergies frequently co-occur and have been linked to psychiatric disturbances such as anxiety. There is a knowledge gap regarding the effect of allergies, including metal hypersensitivity, on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after THA and TKA.

Impact of prior spinal fusion surgery on complications and functional outcomes following total hip arthroplasty: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the complication rates and functional outcomes between patients with and without a history of spinal fusion undergoing THA.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane databases. Studies that compared adults with and without a history of spinal fusion after primary THA were included.

Development of an in vivo model of Chlamydia abortus chronic infection in mice overexpressing IL-10.

Chlamydia abortus, like other members of the family Chlamydiaceae, have a unique intracellular developmental cycle that is characterized by its chronic nature. Infection of a flock can remain undetected for months, until abortion occurs the following reproductive season but, to date, neither the location nor the mechanisms that maintain this latent phase are fully understood. Studies have shown that IL-10 produced as a response to certain micro-organisms sustains the intracellular survival of pathogens and increases host susceptibility to chlamydial infections.

Budget Impact of Rivaroxaban for the Prevention of Thromboembolic Events after Hip or Knee Replacement in Spain.

Anti-thrombotic prophylaxis is routinely used in patients undergoing elective total hip or knee replacement (THR or TKR) to reduce the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). In Spain, pharmacological prophylaxis is performed with low-molecular-weight heparin, enoxaparin being the most commonly used. Rivaroxaban is an oral antithrombotic drug that has shown superior efficacy and similar safety profile compared to enoxaparin regimens in randomized clinical trials.

Acid-sensing ion channels in healthy and degenerated human intervertebral disc.

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are a family of H(+)-gated voltage-insensitive ion channels that respond to extracellular acidification by regulating transmembrane Ca(2+) flux. Moreover, ASICs can also be gated by mechanical forces and may function as mechanosensors. The cells of the intervertebral disc (IVD) have an unusual acidic and hyperosmotic microenvironment.

Trabecular metal in total knee arthroplasty associated with higher knee scores: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Porous tantalum is an option of cementless fixation for TKA, but there is no randomized comparison with a cemented implant in a mid-term followup.

Questions/purposes: We asked whether a tibial component fixed by a porous tantalum system might achieve (1) better clinical outcome as reflected by the Knee Society Score (KSS) and WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index, (2) fewer complications and reoperations, and (3) improved radiographic results with respect to aseptic loosening compared with a conventional cemented implant.

Methods: We randomized 145 patients into two groups, either a porous tantalum cementless tibial component group (Group 1) or cemented conventional tibial component in posterior cruciate retaining TKA group (Group 2).

Analysis of tantalum implants used for avascular necrosis of the femoral head: a review of five retrieved specimens.

Aim: The effective results shown in the porous systems of tantalum employed for the use of osseointegrates has been demonstrated by means of animal experimentation. However, there is a total lack of any research studies on the osseointegration of tantalum implants from retrieval of the same after a period of time whereby the material had been implanted within the human body.

Materials And Methods: For this study, five rod implants used for the treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head were retrieved following collapse of the femoral head and conversion to total hip arthroplasty.

Is anterior cervical fusion with a porous tantalum implant a cost-effective method to treat cervical disc disease with radiculopathy?

Study Design: Retrospective cost-effectiveness analysis.

Objective: To determine the relative cost-effectiveness of anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF) using a porous tantalum implant compared with autograft with plating, for single-level cervical disc disease with radiculopathy.

Summary Of Background Data: ACDF with autograft as an interbody spacer is a generally accepted method to treat degenerated cervical discs with radiculopathy.

Is total hip arthroplasty after hip arthrodesis as good as primary arthroplasty?

Background: Conversion of hip arthrodesis to a THA reportedly provides a reasonable solution, improving function, reducing back and knee pain, and slowing degeneration of neighboring joints associated with a hip fusion. Patients generally are satisfied with conversion despite the fact that range of mobility, muscle strength, leg-length discrepancy (LLD), persistence of limp, and need for assistive walking aids generally are worse than those for conventional primary THA.

Questions/purposes: We compared THA after hip arthrodesis and primary THA to determine whether these procedures would be associated with similar functional scores, maintenance of scores with time, complications and failures, survivorship of the arthroplasty, and patient satisfaction.

Tantalum is a good bone graft substitute in tibial tubercle advancement.

Background: Porous tantalum is reportedly a good substitute for structural bone graft in several applications. So far, its use has not been reported in tibial tuberosity anteriorization (TTA) for treatment of isolated degenerative chondral lesions of the patellofemoral joint.

Questions/purposes: We asked whether the use of this material would produce similar standardized functional scores, pain (VAS), fusion rates, complications, and patient satisfaction to those for bone graft.

Revision of failed total hip arthroplasty acetabular cups to porous tantalum components: a 5-year follow-up study.

We reviewed 263 consecutive patients with failed acetabular components after total hip arthroplasty that were revised using porous tantalum acetabular components and augments when necessary. The mean follow-up was 73.6 months (range, 60-84 months).

[Osteointegration of porous tantalum stems implanted in avascular necrosis of the hip].

Efficacy of osteointegration of tantalum porous systems has been demonstrated through animal experimentation. However, there is a lack of studies that evaluate osteointegration of implants retrieved after a period of implantation in humans. For this study, eight rod implants used for the treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head were retrieved following collapse of the femoral head and conversion to total hip arthroplasty.

Anterior cervical fusion with tantalum implant: a prospective randomized controlled study.

Study Design: A prospective randomized controlled study was carried out.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness and safety of a tantalum implant in achieving anterior cervical fusion following 1-level discectomy as treatment of degenerative cervical disc disease with radiculopathy.

Summary Of Background Data: The gold standard for the treatment of degenerative cervical disc disease could not be already identified.

Aging of retrieved zirconia femoral heads.

Yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia may undergo extensive transformation to the monoclinic phase under mechanical and/or hydrothermal stress, with degradation of mechanical and tribologic properties. We hypothesized progressive phase transformation of zirconia in service in vivo is directly related to the time of implantation and to patient-related factors. The subsequent decrease in fracture toughness and increase in surface roughness and wear are related to the increased monoclinic content.