The RAM classification: a novel, systematic approach to the adult-acquired flatfoot.

In summary, prior classifications have provided broad guidelines for treating the AAFF without accounting for case-specific variables in determining a treatment plan. The current system breaks down the deformity into three independent levels of involvement: the rearfoot, the ankle, and the midfoot. Via a simple, easy to remember, and reproducible schema based off the original Johnson and Strom classification, each level can be independently evaluated and a patient-specific surgical treatment plan can be formulated based on our most current understanding of the AAFF.

Total joint arthroplasty in patients with a history of cancer.

In this review, we describe the pertinent issues that reconstructive surgeons face when treating patients with cancer. These issues include the various cancer management options and their influence on total joint arthroplasty outcomes, as well as prosthesis types and fixation types. We also present a strategy for reducing morbidity and complications during the perioperative period.

Identification and treatment of infected total hip arthroplasty.

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in the hip following prosthetic joint placement is a devastating outcome of an otherwise often successful surgical treatment (total-hip arthroplasty). Management of PJI is dependent upon accurate diagnosis and successful treatment, both of which are challenging. Recently, great strides have been made in improving the diagnosis of PJI, which has no 'gold standard' diagnostic tool.

A prospective analysis of glove perforation in primary and revision total hip and total knee arthroplasty.

Literature in regard to glove perforation rates in revision total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is scarce. Our purpose was to determine the incidence of perforation in revision TJA. Gloves from all scrubbed personnel were tested based on the American Society for Testing and Materials.

Revision total knee arthroplasty: infection should be ruled out in all cases.

We hypothesized that some aseptic revision total knee arthroplasty failures are indeed caused by occult infection. This prospective study recruited 65 patients undergoing revision total knee arthroplasty. The mean follow-up period was 19 months.

Operating room traffic is a major concern during total joint arthroplasty.

Background: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a challenging complication associated with total joint arthroplasty(TJA). Traffic in the operating room (OR) increases bacterial counts in the OR, andmay lead to increased rates of infection.

Question/purposes: Our purposes were to (1) define the incidence of door opening during primary and revision TJA,providing a comparison between the two types of procedures,and (2) identify the causes of door opening in order to develop a strategy to reduce traffic in the operating room.

Repeat 2-stage exchange for infected total hip arthroplasty: a viable option?

We investigated whether performing a repeat 2-stage exchange eradicates infection in patients who previously underwent 2-stage treatment for an infected total hip arthroplasty. We identified 15 patients who had failed a 2-stage total hip arthroplasty and underwent a planned repeat 2-stage between 2000 and 2009. Of the 15 patients, 8 were treated with a complete 2-stage procedure, whereas the remaining 7 patients were treated only with a first-stage resection of the infected implant.

Variable expression and incomplete penetrance of developmental dysplasia of the hip: clinical challenge in a 71-member multigeneration family.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip is a crippling condition that affects children and adults. Identical twin studies support a strong causative genetic component. Although clinical tests for newborns can detect gross malformations, it is the subtle malformations that are often not detected, resulting in early onset osteoarthritis of the hip in adults.

Molecular diagnostics in periprosthetic joint infection.

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a significant and costly challenge to the orthopedic community. The lack of a gold standard for diagnosis remains the biggest obstacle in the detection and subsequent treatment of PJI. Molecular markers in the serum and joint fluid aspirate hold immense promise to enhance the development of a firm diagnostic criterion.

Predictors of intensive care unit admission after total joint arthroplasty.

Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is a relatively safe orthopedic procedure. However, complications do occur, and some may necessitate admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Our purpose was to determine risk factors associated with admittance to ICU after TJA.

Management of acetabular bone loss in revision total hip arthroplasty.

Most acetabular revisions can be managed with a hemispherical component with screw fixation. Areas of segmental bone loss that preclude acetabular component stability may be managed with structural allograft or second-generation porous metal augments. Acetabular cages have a limited application but can be a useful tool in the management of massive bone loss and pelvic discontinuity.

Total joint arthroplasty in patients with hepatitis C.

Background: Hepatitis C is present worldwide. Little is known about the outcome of joint arthroplasty in asymptomatic patients with hepatitis C. We evaluated the surgical complications following hip and knee arthroplasty in patients who were seropositive for hepatitis C in a matched study.

Does international normalized ratio level predict pulmonary embolism?

Background: Preventing pulmonary embolism is a priority after major musculoskeletal surgery. The literature contains discrepant data regarding the influence of anticoagulation on the incidence of pulmonary embolism after joint arthroplasty. The American College of Chest Physicians guidelines recommend administration of oral anticoagulants (warfarin), aiming for an international normalized ratio (INR) level between 2 and 3.

Two-stage exchange arthroplasty for infected total knee arthroplasty: predictors of failure.

Background: In North America, a two-stage exchange arthroplasty remains the preferred surgical treatment for chronic periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Currently, there are no proper indicators that can guide orthopaedic surgeons in patient selection for two-stage exchange or the appropriate conditions in which to reimplant.

Questions/purposes: To identify (1) the rate of recurrent PJI after two-stage exchange and (2) the role of 15 presurgical and 11 operative factors in influencing the outcome of two-stage revision.

Delayed surgery for patients with femur and hip fractures-risk of deep venous thrombosis.

Background: This prospective study explores the incidence of preoperative deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in a group of patients with hip and femur fracture who for various reasons experienced a delay of >24 hours from the time of injury until time of surgery. We also evaluated the results of preoperative treatment with inferior vena cava (IVC) filter.

Methods: There were 101 consecutive patients with a mean age of 75.

Definition of periprosthetic joint infection: is there a consensus?

Background: The diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) continues to pose a challenge. While many diagnostic criteria have been proposed, a gold standard for diagnosis is lacking. Use of multiple diagnostic criteria within the joint arthroplasty community raises concerns in patient treatment and comparison of research pertaining to PJI.

Sterility of the personal protection system in total joint arthroplasty.

Background: Bacteria shed by operating room personnel is a source of wound contamination and postoperative infections. The personal protection system (PPS) was designed to decrease airborne bacteria and intraoperative contamination in total joint arthroplasty.

Questions/purposes: We determined the microbial contamination rate of the PPS and incidence of contamination with key pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci.

Prosthetic joint infection caused by gram-negative organisms.

Traditionally, periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) due to gram-negative organisms are considered more difficult to manage; however, little literature exists with regard to outcome of PJI caused by gram-negative organisms. We identified 277 patients with 282 culture-positive PJI receiving surgical treatment. Thirty-one joints were treated for gram-negative PJI.

Molecular markers for diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection.

Despite a battery of tests available for diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection, as yet, no gold standard has been identified. Our purpose was to measure inflammatory proteins in synovial fluid from patients undergoing revision arthroplasty for septic or aseptic failure. We analyzed 74 synovial fluid samples: 31 infected and 43 uninfected, based on clinical and laboratory criteria.

Infection control rate of irrigation and débridement for periprosthetic joint infection.

Background: Irrigation and débridement with retention of prosthesis is commonly performed for periprosthetic joint infection. Infection control is reportedly dependent on timing of irrigation and débridement relative to the index procedure.

Questions/purposes: We therefore (1) compared the ability of irrigation and débridement to control acute postoperative, acute delayed, and chronic infections and (2) determined whether any patient-related factors influenced infection control.

Revision for recurrent instability: what are the predictors of failure?

Dislocation is a common complication following total hip arthroplasty (THA). In this study, we evaluated treatment strategies in patients undergoing revision THA for instability. A total of 156 hips in 154 patients underwent revision THA for instability between 2000 and 2007 at our institution.

Leukocytosis is common after total hip and knee arthroplasty.

Background: Postoperative infection is a potentially devastating complication after THA and TKA. In the early postoperative period, clinicians often find nonspecific indicators of infection. Although leukocytosis may be a sign of a developing infection in the early postoperative period, it may also be part of a normal surgical response.

A squeaky reputation: the problem may be design-dependent.

Background: Squeaking is reportedly a complication in patients having ceramic-on-ceramic total hip implants. The etiology remains unknown and multifactorial with recent studies suggesting a relationship between the audible squeak and implant design. When we evaluated our ceramic-on-ceramic cohort, we noticed squeaking primarily in patients receiving an acetabular system designed with an elevated titanium rim.