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Background/Objectives: Osteoarthritis (OA) represents the most frequent chronic joint disease worldwide. Facing an aging population, resulting from the demographic change, the number of primary total hip arthroplasties (THA) will further increase. Although the geriatric patient strongly differs from the younger one, the current literature on elective orthopedic surgery in the geriatric patient is scarce. This work analyses, whether geriatric patients receiving primary THA significantly improve in terms of their (1) mobility and functional outcome and (2) health-related quality of life at four to six weeks as well as three months postoperatively. Methods: In a prospective study design, we analyzed 101 geriatric patients with osteoarthritis of the hip receiving primary THA. The study is part of the ongoing "Special Orthopaedic Geriatrics" (SOG) trial, which is funded by the German Federal Joint Committee (GBA). In addition to a preoperative comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) and the EQ5D-5L were imposed preoperatively (t0), at four to six weeks (t1), and at three months (t2) postoperatively. Results: The 101 enrolled patients had a mean age of 78.1 ± 4.9 years. The total WOMAC score and almost all subcategories significantly improved at four to six weeks as well as three months postoperatively in comparison to the preoperative results (p < 0.001). The same was observed for the EQ-5D-5L, showing significant improvement in overall health at both time points (p < 0.001) and all subcategories (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study implies that a geriatric patient benefits as much from elective primary THA as a younger patient. However, the preoperative comprehensive geriatric assessment with screening for risk factors is of utmost importance. Regarding the aging population, a lot of effort is needed to obtain more knowledge about geriatric patients receiving elective orthopedic surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) following total knee arthroplasty is a serious complication lacking evidence-based diagnostic and treatment protocols, particularly in ruling out persisting infection before reimplantation. Methods: This retrospective analysis assessed the mid-term outcomes of 66 patients undergoing septic two-stage knee revision surgeries from 2007 to 2013, diagnosed as per the Musculoskeletal Infection Society criteria. After implant removal and antibiotic treatment, reimplantation decisions were based on either joint aspiration, blood counts, and clinical examination (group A) or an open biopsy (group B). Both groups underwent meticulous debridement and spacer exchange during the interim period. Results: Late re-infection occurred in 12.1% of all patients. In group A, 13.8% experienced late re-infection, with 14.3% in subgroup A1 and 13.3% in subgroup A2. In group B, 10% had a late re-infection. No significant difference in re-infection or complication rates was found between the groups. Conclusions: The study did not demonstrate the superiority of group B's approach of open biopsy over group A's joint aspiration, clinical examination, and blood counts in preventing re-infection or reducing complications.