Can the need for soft tissue release in total knee replacement be predicted pre-operatively? A study based on surgical navigation.

Introduction: In complex and deformed knees, soft tissue release (STR) is required to obtain symmetry in the femorotibial gap. The objective of this study was to attempt to predict the need for soft tissue release using surgical navigation in total knee replacement (TKR).

Methods: Prospective and non-randomized study.

Spinal fusion achieves similar two-year improvement in HRQoL as total hip and total knee replacement. A prospective, multicentric and observational study.

Introduction: Total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA) are surgical procedures with proven benefits. Although the literature reports outcomes of fusion of the lumbar spine comparable to those of THA/TKA in general health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) questionnaires, functional assessment is nevertheless needed for these results to be of use in clinical practice and management. Aim of our study was to prove that lumbar spinal fusion has similar if not better outcomes than THA/TKA using intervention-specific HRQoL questionnaires and functional assessment questionnaires.

Computed tomography is not necessary to assess rotation of the femoral component in navigation-assisted total knee replacement.

Objective To demonstrate that postoperative computed tomography (CT) is not needed if navigation is used to determine the rotational position of the femoral component during total knee replacement (TKR). Methods Preoperative CT, navigational, and postoperative CT data of 70 TKR procedures were analysed. The correlation between the rotational angulation of the femur measured by CT and that measured by perioperative navigation was examined.

Computer-assisted surgery improves rotational positioning of the femoral component but not the tibial component in total knee arthroplasty.

Purpose: Computer-assisted surgery (CAS) may facilitate better positioning of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) along the coronal and lateral axes; however, there are doubts as to its usefulness in the rotational plane.

Methods: This is a prospective study of 95 TKAs comparing two groups: the CAS group and the standard equipment group. The series comprises 95 cases.

Economical analysis on prophylaxis, diagnosis, and treatment of periprosthetic infections.

The economic burden of periprosthetic infections is enormous, but the number of economic studies dealing with this issue is very scarce. This review tries to know the economic literature existing, assess the value of current data, and recognize the less costly and more effective procedures for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periprosthetic infections. Forty five studies meeting the inclusion criteria and adhering to the quality criteria used were carefully analyzed to extract the economic data of relevance in evaluating the magnitude of problem and the more cost-effective solutions.

Metal presence in hair after metal-on-metal resurfacing arthroplasty.

The elevation of metal levels in serum and urine during post-operative follow-up is a frequent find following the implantation of certain models of metal-on-metal hip prostheses. Among 45 patients with the same resurfacing prostheses, chromium (Cr) and cobalt (Co) levels in serum and urine were determined at 3, 4, 5, and 6 years after surgery. In the same period, levels of Cr, Co and molibdene (Mo) in scalp hair were also measured.

Treatment of periprosthetic infections: an economic analysis.

This review summarizes the existing economic literature, assesses the value of current data, and presents procedures that are the less costly and more effective options for the treatment of periprosthetic infections of knee and hip. Optimizing antibiotic use in the prevention and treatment of periprosthetic infection, combined with systemic and behavioral changes in the operating room, the detection and treatment of high-risk patient groups, as well as the rational management of the existing infection by using the different procedures according to each particular case, could allow for improved outcomes and lead to the highest quality of life for patients and the lowest economic impact. Nevertheless, the cost-effectiveness of different interventions to treat periprosthetic infections remains unclear.

Relationship between radiological grading and clinical status in knee osteoarthritis. A multicentric study.

Background: Controversy exists regarding the relationship between radiographic findings and clinical status in knee osteoarthritis. Although the surgical indication for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) should be based on pain, clinical status, and the deterioration of quality of life, the radiographic study is the most commonly used criterion for preoperative evaluation. The objective of this study is to find out the relationship between the Ahlbäck classification and clinical status in patients undergoing TKA.

Total knee arthroplasty in the elderly. Is there an age limit?

The goal of this study was to compare the results of the total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in 2 study groups only differing by age. We have analyzed 218 TKA cases (138 women and 80 men) with at least 2 years follow-up. Mean age was 70 years (SD, 7.

Measurement of bone mineral density is possible with standard radiographs: a study involving total knee replacement.

Background: Measured bone density correlates well with the mechanical properties of the bone. Our objective was to evaluate optical densitometry as a method of measuring the periprosthetic bone density of the tibial platform in total knee replacement using serial dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as the reference test.

Methods: 30 patients who underwent a cemented total knee replacement were followed up for over 2 years.

[Evaluation of the implementation of the FAPACAN programme to prevent cancer behavioral risk in primary care users in the North of Spain].

Background: The evaluation of the process is an essential condition to correctly measure the impact of educational interventions on behaviour, its psychosocial determinants and the state of change, in the context of health promotion. The aim was to evaluate the quality of the implementation of the FAPACAN Programme, designed to prevent behavioural risk of cancer in Primary Care, and to improve its psychosocial determinants in the A.S.

The concentrations of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and lipids are independently associated with venous thromboembolism.

Background And Objectives: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) involves inflammation and a relation with dyslipidemia which remains controversial. The vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) is a ligand expressed by activated endothelium (and recruits leukocytes) whose soluble form (sVCAM-1) increases in atherosclerosis, severe hypertriglyceridemia or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in acute phase. We analyzed the association between VTE (> 6 months after), sVCAM-1 and lipid concentrations.