Publications by authors named "Thomas Fehring"

Article Synopsis
  • Total knee arthroplasty can be complicated by previous skin incisions, posing risks like skin necrosis and joint infections.
  • Choosing the right incision is crucial to prevent serious complications during surgery.
  • The article argues against traditional incision practices, showing that using an existing lateral incision with full-thickness skin flaps can help avoid skin necrosis.
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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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Background: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a rare, yet devastating complication with high mortality rates, unpredictable treatment outcomes, and high costs. The purpose of this study was to determine 90-day and 1-year mortality rates at a specialized PJI center, assess the impact of delayed referral to a PJI center on outcomes, and determine the cost of PJI treatment prior to referral to a PJI center.

Methods: A review of our institution's PJI registry was performed to identify patients who had a chronic PJI treated with a 2-stage exchange arthroplasty at our PJI Center from 2017 to 2021.

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Background: No objective radiographic scoring system exists to classify metaphyseal cone stability. Our purpose was to create a novel, systematic method to radiographically evaluate metaphyseal cone fixation based on radiographic findings suggestive of cone stability.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of revision total knee arthroplasty patients (6/2015-12/2017) using porous titanium femoral or tibial metaphyseal cones in conjunction with short cemented stems (50 mm-75 mm).

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Background: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) continues to challenge surgeons and patients. The burden of fungal organisms may represent approximately 1% of all PJI. Additionally, fungal PJI is difficult to treat.

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Background: Two-stage exchange arthroplasty is currently the preferred treatment method for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). The effectiveness of this strategy in returning patients to premorbid function has recently been challenged. In a review of 18,535 PJI knee patients, 38% did not undergo reimplantation.

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Sciatic nerve injury after closed reduction of a dislocated total hip arthroplasty (THA) is an exceedingly rare but tremendously devastating complication. Closed reduction is the standard of care and is typically associated with a low complication rate. There have only been seven sciatic nerve injuries after closed reduction of a dislocated THA reported in the literature, and none were secondary to nerve laceration.

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Background: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a devastating complication of knee and hip arthroplasty. Past literature has shown that gram-positive bacteria are commonly responsible for these infections, although limited research exists studying the changes in the microbial profile of PJIs over time. This study sought to analyze the incidence and trends of pathogens responsible for PJI over three decades.

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Introduction: Meticulous arthrotomy closure during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is essential to preserve quadriceps strength and maintain proper patellar tracking. We recently encountered a subset of patients referred with anterior knee pain, a palpable retinaculum defect, and quadriceps weakness. Each patient was found to have an arthrotomy dehiscence.

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Article Synopsis
  • Periprosthetic infection is a serious issue after knee replacement surgery, and this study investigates the necessity of using intramedullary (IM) dowels during a 2-stage treatment protocol.
  • A total of 66 IM cultures were taken from 34 patients with infected knee implants, revealing a 31% positive culture rate, indicating the presence of bacteria in the IM canal.
  • The findings support the use of IM dowels in conjunction with antibiotic spacers, as nearly one-third of patients had positive cultures, suggesting that keeping IM dowels could potentially enhance treatment outcomes.
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Background: Nutritionally compromized patients, with preoperative serum albumin (SAB) < 3.5g/dL, are at higher risk for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in total joint arthroplasty. The relationship between nutritional and PJI treatment success is unknown.

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Background: Two-stage exchange arthroplasty remains the gold standard in the United States for treatment of chronic periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Long-term reinfection rates and clinical outcomes with sufficient subject numbers remain limited. The purpose was to evaluate the long-term outcomes following two-stage exchange following hip arthroplasty.

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Background: Open wound management in prosthetic joint infection (PJI) patients has been used in problematic dehisced wounds hoping to stimulate granulation tissue and closure. However, infections that start as a monomicrobial PJI can become polymicrobial with resultant worse outcomes following open wound management. This study assessed the relationship between open wound management and the development of polymicrobial periprosthetic joint infections.

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Several fields of orthopedics have concluded benefits from volume thresholds. We postulate that we could similarly optimize periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) treatment by creating a regional referral center, concentrating expertise and resources. Here, we review our reasoning and our first-year experience of a PJI referral center in the United States.

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Background: Aseptic tibial loosening following primary total knee arthroplasty persists despite technique and device-related advancements. The mechanisms for this mode of failure are not well understood. We hypothesized that knee movement while the cement was curing dispersed lipids at the implant-cement interface and would result in decreased tibial fixation strength.

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Article Synopsis
  • Standard treatment for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) typically involves a 2-stage exchange using antibiotic-impregnated cement spacers (ACS), but concerns exist about their role in causing acute kidney injury (AKI).
  • A clinical trial found that patients undergoing the first stage of a 2-stage exchange were significantly more likely to experience AKI compared to those who had a 1-stage exchange (22.7% vs 6.6%).
  • The study concluded that high-dose ACS is an independent risk factor for AKI, suggesting the need for strategies to reduce kidney damage during PJI revisions.
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Wound breakdown following a total joint arthroplasty is a difficult problem to manage. Early aggressive debridement and closure is essential to prevent a subsequent prosthetic joint infection. Open management of a wound that communicates directly with the joint in the form of wet to dry dressings, iodoform packings, or a non-incisional wound vac should be avoided.

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When faced with the necessity of surgery in a previously operated knee, pre-operative planning and understanding of the vascular anatomy to the front of the knee is essential. Blood flow to the anterior aspect of the knee comes from medial to lateral. Therefore, in the case of multiple previous knee incisions the most lateral incision should always be chosen to avoid skin necrosis.

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Despite growing evidence supporting the evaluation, classification, and treatment of acetabular bone loss in revision hip replacement, advancements have not been systematically incorporated into a single document, and therefore, a comprehensive review of the treatment of severe acetabular bone loss is needed. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Complex Joint Reconstruction Center at Hospital for Special Surgery held an Acetabular Bone Loss Symposium on June 21, 2019, to answer the following questions: What are the trends, emerging technologies, and areas of future research related to the evaluation and management of acetabular bone loss in revision hip replacement? What constitutes the optimal workup and management strategies for acetabular bone loss? The 36 international experts convened were divided into groups, each assigned to discuss 1 of 4 topics: (1) preoperative planning and postoperative assessment; (2) implant selection, management of osteolysis, and management of massive bone loss; (3) the treatment challenges of pelvic discontinuity, periprosthetic joint infection, instability, and poor bone biology; and (4) the principles of reconstruction and classification of acetabular bone loss. Each group came to consensus, when possible, based on an extensive literature review.

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Background: Long-term reinfection and mortality rates and clinical outcomes with sufficient subject numbers remain limited for patients undergoing two-stage exchange arthroplasty for chronic periprosthetic knee infections. The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term reinfection, complication, and mortality following reimplantation for two-stage exchange following knee arthroplasty.

Methods: Retrospective review of 178 patients who underwent two-stage exchange knee arthroplasty for chronic PJI at three large tertiary referral institutions with an average of 6.

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