Conversational Engagement Using a Short Message Service Chatbot After Total Joint Arthroplasty.

Background: Utilizing conversational analytics in orthopaedic surgery may provide insights into patients' experiences and outcomes. This study retrospectively assessed how patients interacted with a perioperative chatbot and whether the topic of patients' queries could offer insight on their outcomes after total knee or hip arthroplasty.

Methods: We identified 1338 patients (746 knees and 592 hips) who enrolled in a short message service chatbot from 2020-2022 with greater than 3 months of follow-up.

Is ultrasound-guided hip aspiration more successful than fluoroscopic-guided aspiration in diagnosing prosthetic joint infection?

: aspiration of total hip arthroplasty (THA) is commonly performed to assist in the diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection (PJI). This study aimed to determine whether fluoroscopic- or ultrasound- guided hip aspiration differs in the ability to acquire synovial fluid and in the accuracy of diagnosing infection. all THA aspirations performed between 2014 and 2021 at our institution were retrospectively identified.

Discharge to a Skilled Nursing Facility After Hip Fracture Results in Higher Rates of Periprosthetic Joint Infection.

Background: Femoral neck fractures (FNFs) in elderly patients are associated with major morbidity and mortality. The influence of postoperative discharge location on recovery and outcomes after arthroplasty for hip fractures is not well understood.

Methods: A multisite retrospective cohort from 9 academic centers identified patients who had FNF treated with hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty between 2010 and 2019.

Risk Factors for Return to the Emergency Department and Readmission After Same-Day Discharge Total Joint Arthroplasty.

Background: Same-day discharge (SDD) after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is safe and cost effective. However, benefits may be offset by the potential cost of emergency department (ED) visits and readmissions. We identified risk factors for return to the ED and readmission in patients who underwent SDD and inpatient (IP) stays after TJA.

A "Dry Tap" in Prosthetic Joint Infection Workup of Total Hip Arthroplasty Is Not Reassuring.

Background: Synovial fluid analysis is important in diagnosing prosthetic joint infection (PJI). The rate of culture-positive PJI in patients who have a dry tap of a total hip arthroplasty (THA) is not well described.

Methods: We reviewed all image-guided THA aspirations, performed from 2014 to 2021 at a single academic institution.

Outcomes are Compromised When Revising Patellofemoral Arthroplasties for Patellar Component Failures.

Background: Outcomes of patellofemoral arthroplasty (PFA) to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) conversion are reported to be similar to primary cases. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the cause for conversion from PFA to TKA correlated to outcomes when compared to a matched cohort.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed to identify aseptic PFA to TKA conversions between 2000 and 2021.

Accelerometer-Based Navigation in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty Leads to Improved Alignment but No Change in Patient-Reported Outcomes.

Background: Computer and accelerometer-based navigation (ABN) tools have demonstrated improved mechanical alignment in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). ABN, in particular, is attractive due to avoidance of pins and trackers. Prior literature has yet to demonstrate an associated improvement in functional outcomes using ABN compared to conventional instrumentation (CONV).

Bilateral Erosive Septic Hip Arthritis Following Pregnancy.

We report on a 34-year-old female whose normal spontaneous vaginal delivery was complicated by Group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization. She developed postpartum, bilateral, rapidly destructive septic hip arthritis. She was treated with bilateral articulating, antibiotic-impregnated spacers, 6 weeks of parenteral antibiotics, and subsequent conversion to total hip arthroplasties.