[Survival of the T28 femoral stem. Comparison of polished versus roughed-surface finish].

Introduction: Femoral stem loosening in total hip arthroplasty has a multifactorial etiology. T28 femoral stems have been made both roughed and polished-finish types, and differences in design are of interest in their effect on survival.

Materials And Methods: One hundred and sixty-seven stems (84 polished and 83 roughed-finish) placed between 1975 and 1982 were evaluated.

Patient-reported outcome and survivorship after Kinemax total knee arthroplasty.

Background: We examined the long-term survivorship and patient-reported outcomes at a minimum of ten years following primary total knee arthroplasty. We hypothesized (1) that the survival rate would be at least 90% at ten years; (2) that age, gender, body-mass index, and primary diagnosis would not affect the survival rate; and (3) that the functional status of patients would be comparable with that of an age and gender-matched normal population.

Methods: A total of 407 patients (523 knees) who had had primary total knee arthroplasty between January 1988 and April 1991 were identified.

Patient quality of life during the 12 months following joint replacement surgery.

Objective: To determine whether preoperative characteristics influence quality of life outcomes 1, 6, and 12 months after joint replacement surgery.

Methods: Patients (n = 222) with osteoarthritis undergoing primary joint replacement surgery at a university hospital between November 1990 and March 1993 were prospectively studied. Bodily pain and physical function were assessed preoperatively and at the 3 postoperative time points using the Medical Outcomes Study 36 Item Short Form Health Survey.

Association of hospital and surgeon volume of total hip replacement with functional status and satisfaction three years following surgery.

Objective: To evaluate whether hospital volume and surgeon volume of total hip replacements (THRs) are associated with patient-reported functional status and satisfaction with surgery 3 years postoperatively.

Methods: We performed a population-based cohort study of a stratified random sample of Medicare beneficiaries who underwent elective primary or revision THR in Ohio, Pennsylvania, or Colorado in 1995. The primary outcomes were the self-reported Harris hip score and a validated scale measuring satisfaction with the results of surgery.

Rates and outcomes of primary and revision total hip replacement in the United States medicare population.

Background: Information on the epidemiology of primary total hip replacement is limited, and we are not aware of any reports on the epidemiology of revision total hip replacement. The objective of this study was to characterize the rates and immediate postoperative outcomes of primary and revision total hip replacement in persons sixty-five years of age and older residing in the United States.

Methods: We used Medicare claims submitted by hospitals, physicians, and outpatient facilities between July 1, 1995, and June 30, 1996, to identify individuals who had undergone elective primary total hip replacement for a reason other than a fracture (61,568 patients) or had had revision total hip replacement (13,483 patients).

Incidence rates of dislocation, pulmonary embolism, and deep infection during the first six months after elective total hip replacement.

Background: The lengths of acute hospital stays following total hip replacement have diminished substantially in recent years. As a result, a greater proportion of complications occurs following discharge. Data on the incidence trends of major complications of total hip replacement would facilitate recognition and management of these adverse events.

Virtual reality simulation of arthroscopy of the knee.

The virtual reality arthroscopic knee simulator (VR-AKS) consists of a computer platform, a video display, and two force-feedback (haptic) interfaces known as "PHANToMs" that also monitor the position of the instruments in the user's hands. The forces that the user would normally apply to the lower limb during arthroscopy are directed through an instrumented surrogate leg. Proprietary software provides the mathematical representation of the physical world and replicates the visual, mechanical, and behavioral aspects of the knee.