Does robotic-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty improve alignment and outcomes?

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) continues to increase in popularity as an excellent option for patients with single compartment disease. Robotic-assisted UKA has emerged as an optional tool with hopes for improvement in component placement, limb alignment, and patient outcomes. Furthermore, as patients continue to educate themselves, robotic assistance will become increasingly prevalent.

Excellent 10-Year survivorship of robotic-arm-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

Introduction: Robotic-arm-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is an excellent solution for patients suffering from single-compartment knee arthritis. While outcomes tend to be favorable for UKAs, revision operations, commonly due to component malpositioning and malalignment resulting in accelerated wear, are a major concern. Intraoperative technologies, such as robotic assistance, can help better ensure that implants are positioned based on a patient's specific anatomy and mechanical physiology.

Significant Cost Savings and Improved Early Clinical Outcomes in Medicare Patients Utilizing a Clinician-Controlled Telerehabilitation System Following Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Background: The costs and benefits of different rehabilitation protocols following total knee arthroplasty are unclear. The emergence of telerehabilitation has introduced the potential for enhanced patient convenience and cost reduction. The purpose of this study was to assess the cost difference between standard physical therapy (SPT) and a telerehabilitation home-based clinician-controlled therapy system (HCTS).

Correction of Coronal Deformity and Intercompartmental Imbalance through Bone Resection.

This review discusses the correction of coronal deformity and intercompartmental imbalance through bone resection in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). To achieve functional knee balance, coronal, rotational, and sagittal alignment are critical to successful patient outcomes. Though variations in coronal alignment are debated as a correlate to positive results, advancements in utilizing implant position, alignment, and soft tissue balance to improve patient outcomes and function are an evolving discussion.

Robotic-Arm Assisted Lateral Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty: Case Series with Minimum Five-Year Follow-Up.

Introduction: Lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty has been shown to be a successful treatment modality for isolated lateral osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. The reproduction of proper knee kinematics, limb alignment, as well as proper soft tissue balancing and component positioning have been shown to be of the utmost importance for a successful unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Robotic assistance has shown to be a reliable tool in order to replicate these factors, as compared to manual instrumentation alone.

Mid-Term Survivorship, Radiographic and Functional Outcomes of Robotic-Assisted Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty.

Introduction: The use of robotic-arm assistance for medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (RAUKA) has become an area of interest to overcome technical challenges, improve accuracy, and optimize patient outcomes. Due to the rise in osteoarthritis (OA) and robotic assistance, well-powered long-term studies are warranted. The aim of this study was to analyze midterm survivorship, radiographic changes, range of motion (ROM), and patient-reported outcome measurements (PROMs) of RAUKA.

Clinical results and patient-reported outcomes following robotic-assisted primary total knee arthroplasty : a multicentre study.

Aims: The aim of this study was to report patient and clinical outcomes following robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty (RA-TKA) at multiple institutions with a minimum two-year follow-up.

Methods: This was a multicentre registry study from October 2016 to June 2021 that included 861 primary RA-TKA patients who completed at least one pre- and postoperative patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) questionnaire, including Forgotten Joint Score (FJS), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcomes Score for Joint Replacement (KOOS JR), and pain out of 100 points. The mean age was 67 years (35 to 86), 452 were male (53%), mean BMI was 31.

Accuracy of Intraoperative Mechanical Axis Alignment to Long-Leg Radiographs following Robotic-Arm-Assisted Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty.

Improper alignment and implant positioning following unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has been shown to lead to postoperative pain and increase the incidence of revision procedures. The use of robotic-arm assistance for UKA (RAUKA) has become an area of interest to help overcome these challenges. The accuracy of intraoperative alignment compared with standing long-leg X-rays postoperatively following medial RAUKA has been in question.

Sensor-guided Knee Surgery Provides Improved Patient Outcomes and Cost Savings in a 90-day Bundle.

In an era when the costs of surgical care are becoming increasingly scrutinized, the introduction of new technologies that may improve clinical outcomes can be limited due to economic constraints. Thus, bundled care payment models have emerged to reduce costs, improve outcomes and increase overall value. Since a bundle is a single reimbursement per episode of care that includes the surgical costs, as well as postoperative care and rehabilitation, cost savings are generally achieved through a reduction of services, complications and/or materials used.

How wait-times, social media, and surgeon demographics influence online reviews on leading review websites for joint replacement surgeons.

Objective: With the growth and popularity of the internet, physician review websites are being utilized more frequently by patients to learn about and ultimately select their provider. These sites allow patients to comment on the care they received in a public forum for others to see. With outcome and "quality" measures being used to dictate reimbursement formulas; online patient reviews may affect a physician's compensation in the near future.

Comparison of implant related complications amongst patients with opioid use disorder and non-users following total knee arthroplasty.

Background: The influence of opioid use disorder on implant related complications, infection and readmission rates, and total global episode-of-care costs following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is limited.

Aim: To examine whether opioid abuse in patients undergoing primary TKA.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of the Medicare dataset, using the PearlDiver database, from 2005-2014 comparing outcomes in patients with opioid abusers (OUD) to non-opioid abusers (NOU) undergoing primary TKA was performed.

Sleep Apnea Increases Ninety-Day Complications and Cost Following Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty.

Background: Sleep apnea (SA) negatively affects bone mineralization, cognition, and immunity. There is paucity in the literature regarding the impact of SA on total joint arthroplasty (TJA). The purpose of this study is to compare complications in patients with and without SA undergoing either total knee (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA).

The procedure value index: a new method for quantifying value in shoulder arthroplasty.

Background: The purpose of this study was to introduce the procedure value index (PVI) and apply this value instrument to shoulder arthroplasty. The PVI uses the value equation in units of minimal clinically important difference (MCID) to provide an objective system of quantifying value-driven care. Secondarily, we describe the PVI for both primary anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) to highlight value differences between these patient populations.

Preoperative Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia Are Related to Postoperative Infection Rates in Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction.

Objectives: Diabetic patients undergoing surgery are known to have a higher risk for infection. However, current literature does not adequately investigate the effects of preoperative hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia on postoperative infection risk.

Methods: A retrospective review of a national private payer database within the PearlDiver Supercomputer application (Warsaw, IN) for patients undergoing breast reconstruction with implant/expander (BR) was conducted.

Value comparison of humeral component press-fit and cemented techniques in reverse shoulder arthroplasty.

Background: Press-fit humeral fixation for reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) has been shown to have loosening rates and outcomes similar to a cemented technique; however, increased value has not been reported. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the press-fit technique could improve the value of RSA using the procedure value index (PVI).

Methods: Primary RSA patients with complete hospitalization cost data, preoperative and minimum 2-year postoperative Simple Shoulder Test (SST) scores, and postoperative satisfaction were included.

Preoperative Hypoglycemia Increases Infection Risk After Trigger Finger Injection and Release.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a well-known risk factor for infection after trigger finger (TF) injection and/or release. However, the effect of preoperative hypoglycemia before TF injection or release is currently unknown. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of preoperative hypoglycemia on infection incidence after TF injection or release.

CANNABIS USE INCREASES RISK FOR REVISION AFTER TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY.

As an increasing number of states begin to legalize marijuana for either medical or recreational use, it is important to determine its effects on joint arthroplasty. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of cannabis use on total knee arthroplasty (TKA) revision incidence, revision causes, and time to revision by analyzing the Medicare database between 2005 and 2014. A retrospective review of the Medicare database for TKA, revision TKA, and causes was performed utilizing Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Disease ninth revision codes (ICD-9).

Sensor-Based Soft Tissue Balancing in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a highly successful procedure with utilization expected to grow substantially over the coming decades. However, the revision burden has not concurrently improved, with over 30% of revisions related to technical imperfections (Mulhall KJ, Ghomrawi HM, Scully S, Callaghan JJ, Saleh KJ, Clin Orthop Relat Res 446:45, 2006; Sharkey PF, Hozack WJ, Rothman RH, Shastri S, Jacoby SM, Clin Orthop Relat Res 404:7, 2002; Wylde V, Hewlett S, Learmonth ID, Dieppe P, Pain 152(3):566, 2011). Accurate alignment and soft tissue balancing have been identified as important factors in mitigating these risks.

Albumin, Prealbumin, and Transferrin May Be Predictive of Wound Complications following Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Nutritional status has become increasingly important in optimizing surgical outcomes and preventing postoperative infection and wound complications. However, currently, there is a paucity in the orthopaedics literature investigating the relationship between nutritional status and wound complications following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of (1) postoperative infections, (2) wound complications, (3) concomitant infection with wound (CoIW) complication, and (4) infection followed by wound complication by using (1) albumin, (2) prealbumin, and (3) transferrin levels as indicators of nutritional status.

Incidence of Drug Abuse in Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty Population.

Substance abuse can have strong negative impacts on surgical outcomes. Therefore, this study assessed the effects of drug abuse in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients. Specifically, we identified revision TKA (RTKA): (1) incidence, (2) causes, (3) time to revision, and (4) patient demographics in patients with a history of drug abuse.

Trends in total ankle arthroplasty and revisions in the Medicare database.

Background: High failure rates and unacceptable patient outcomes have kept total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) from becoming a favorable treatment option. Modern prosthetic designs and techniques have improved outcomes and decreased revision rates. Current literature has not adequately investigated the recent trends in TAA utilization and revision rate.

Racial Disparities in Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty: Analysis of 125,901 Patients in National US Private Payer Database.

Introduction: There is a relative paucity of studies that characterized racial disparities in revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Therefore, this study was specifically conducted to evaluate the following: (1) incidence; (2) annual burden; (3) causes; and (4) age group distribution of revision TKA among different racial groups in the US sample population.

Methods: The PearlDiver database was utilized to identify patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) who underwent primary then subsequent revision TKA from January 2007 to December 2014.

Impact of Perioperative HbA1c on Reimbursements in Diabetes Mellitus Patients Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Nationwide Analysis.

Background: Patients who have diabetes mellitus (DM) are at an increased risk of postoperative complications following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Therefore, much interest has been paid to perioperative glycemic control. However, no prior studies have evaluated the patient variation of HbA1c levels on costs.

Participation in Work and Sport Following Reverse and Total Shoulder Arthroplasty.

Both anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) are routinely performed for patients who desire to continuously work or participate in sports. This study analyzes and compares the ability of patients to work and partake in sports following shoulder arthroplasty based on responses to clinical outcome surveys. A retrospective review of the shoulder surgery repository was performed for all patients treated with TSA and RSA and who completed questions 9 and 10 on the activity patient self-evaluation portion of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Assessment Form.

Economic benefit of carpal tunnel release in the Medicare patient population.

OBJECTIVE The epidemiology of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) has been extensively researched. However, data describing the economic burden of CTS is limited. The purpose of this study was to quantify the disease burden of CTS and determine the economic benefit of its surgical management.