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Background Falls are associated with morbidity and death in the elderly. The consequences of falls after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) are known, but the consequences of preoperative falls are unclear. We assessed associations between preoperative fall history and hospital readmission rates and discharge disposition after primary TJA. Methods We queried the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Geriatric Pilot Project for cases of primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) (n = 3671) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) (n = 6194) performed between 2014 and 2018 for patients aged ≥65 years. Patient characteristics, comorbidities, functional status indicators, and 30-day outcomes were compared among patients with falls occurring within 3 months, from >3 to 6 months, and from >6 to 12 months before surgery, and patients with no falls in the year before surgery. The timing of falls was assessed for independent associations with hospital readmission and discharge to a skilled care facility (SCF). Alpha = 0.05. Results Patients who fell within 3 months before surgery had greater odds of SCF discharge (for THA, odds ratio [OR] 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8-3.4; for TKA, OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.4-2.3) and hospital readmission (for THA, OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-3.0; for TKA, OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.6-3.5) compared with the no-fall cohort. No such associations were observed for the other two fall cohorts. Conclusion Falls within 3 months before primary TJA are associated with SCF discharge and readmission for patients aged ≥65 years. Fall history screening should be included in preoperative evaluation. Level of Evidence III.

Background Current estimates of operative time (OT) for total hip arthroplasty (THA) are reported as the mean OT across all procedures. This method does not reflect variability among surgeons and surgical settings and should not be used to infer individual surgeon work. We hypothesized that this method would underestimate the time it takes individual surgeons to perform THA. Therefore, we compared the mean OT for all THA cases (“overall OT”) with the mean OT for individual surgeons (“individual surgeon OT”) and examined which factors were associated with each. Methods Mean OT was calculated for 3972 primary THA cases (“overall OT”) by 41 surgeons from 2015 to 2018 in a single health system. The mean OT for each surgeon was determined (“individual surgeon OT”), averaged across surgeons, and compared with overall OT. Overall OT and individual surgeon OT were assessed for associations with surgeon-related (adult reconstruction fellowship training, THA volume, years’ experience), hospital-related (hospital type, trainee presence), and patient-related (age, body mass index category, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification) factors (alpha = 0.05). Results Mean individual surgeon OT was significantly longer (106 ± 21 minutes) than overall OT (96 ± 28 minutes) (P = .03), with 73% of individual surgeon OTs being greater than overall OT. Although all surgeon-, hospital-, and patient-related factors were associated with significant differences in overall OT, only hospital type was associated with differences in individual surgeon OT. Conclusion Individual surgeon OT was longer than overall OT for most surgeons and provides a better estimate of surgeon work.

Background High-quality care is essential in total joint arthroplasty. Multiple initiatives such as centers of excellence, patient optimization, and alternative payment models have demonstrated improved outcomes and decreased cost. Many studies have shown that longer operative times (OTs) are associated with increased frequency of postoperative complications. These findings often come from large data sets and may not accurately represent the average OT of individual surgeons. The purpose of this study was to determine the hospital and patient-related factors that influence OT. Methods This retrospective study reviewed OT of 6003 total knee arthroplasty cases performed by 41 surgeons at 4 hospitals in a single health-care system. Mean OT was calculated for each surgeon. The effect of surgeon, hospital-, and patient-related factors on OT was assessed. Results Among the 41 surgeons, the mean OT was 105 ± 25 minutes. Two community hospitals had significantly faster OT compared with the tertiary care academic hospital. Surgeons’ OT for morbidly obese patients was significantly longer compared with normal, overweight, and obese patients. Surgeon volume, surgeon experience, trainee presence, and American Society of Anesthesiologists status did not significantly affect surgical time. Conclusions Operative time was influenced by hospital-related (tertiary, community) and patient-related (morbid obesity vs lower body mass index groups) factors. However, specific surgeon factors (surgical volume, experience), surgical team factors (presence or absence of trainee), and patient factors (American Society of Anesthesiologists status) did not significantly alter the OT. Additional studies of larger health systems are needed to examine additional patient, surgeon, and hospital factors which may influence the OT.

In January 2018, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services removed total knee arthroplasty (TKA) from the Inpatient Only (IPO) list. This study aimed to compare patient-level payments in TKA cases with a length of stay (LOS)2 midnights before and after removal of TKA from IPO list.In this retrospective cohort study, all Medicare patients who received a primary elective TKA from 2016-2019 with a LOS2 midnights at an academic tertiary center were identified. Total and itemized charges and patient-level payments were compared between eligible TKA cases performed in 2016-2017 and those in 2018-2019. There were 351 eligible TKA cases identified: 151 in 2016-2017 and 200 in 2018-2019.The percentage of patients making any out-of-pocket payment increased in 2018-2019 from 2016-2017 (51.0% versus 10.6%), as did median patient-level payment ($7.30 [range, $0.00-$3,389] versus $0.00 [range, $0.00-$1,248], P.001 for both). A greater proportion of patients in 2018-2019 paid $1-$50 than in 2016-2017 (37.5% versus 1.3%, P.001) with no change in the proportion of patients who made payments$50. Total charges were less in 2018-2019 than in 2016-2017 (P = .001). Charges for drugs, laboratory tests, admissions/floor, and therapies decreased in 2018-2019, whereas charges for the operating room and radiology increased (P.001 for all).Patients receiving outpatient TKA in 2018-2019 were more likely to have out-of-pocket payments than patients with comparable hospital stay who were designated as inpatients, although most of these payments were less than $50.

Background Nutritional optimization before total joint arthroplasty (TJA) may improve patient outcomes and decrease costs. However, the utility of serologic laboratory markers, including albumin, transferrin, and total lymphocyte count (TLC), as primary indicators of nutrition is unclear. We analyzed the prevalence of abnormal nutritional values before TJA and identified factors associated with them. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 819 primary cases of TJA performed at 1 institution from January to December 2018. Patient demographic characteristics were assessed for associations with abnormal preoperative nutritional values (albumin Results Values were abnormal for albumin in 21 cases (2.6%), transferrin in 26 cases (5.6%), and TLC in 185 cases (25%). Thirteen cases (1.7%) had abnormal values for 2 markers. Age was associated with abnormal albumin and TLC, and race with abnormal transferrin. Congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, pancreatic insufficiency, gastroesophageal reflux disease, osteoporosis, dementia, and CCI were associated with abnormal albumin; Parkinson disease and American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status with abnormal transferrin; and dementia, body mass index, cancer history, and CCI with abnormal TLC. Conclusion We report low prevalence of and a low concordance rate among abnormal nutritional values before primary TJA. Our results suggest that routine testing of all healthy patients is not warranted before TJA.

As the world struggles with the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare providers are on the front lines. Although hip and knee arthroplasty surgeons are not at the center of the epidemic and it may seem our role is limited, there are and will be many opportunities to contribute. During international crises such as these, the less fortunate are the most significantly affected. We highlight the value of humanitarian medical work, contributions of the hip and knee arthroplasty community to date, and future needs following the resolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. We polled members of medical mission group lead by arthroplasty surgeons to understand their efforts and benefits they have received doing humanitarian work. Google Search and PubMed were used to find articles relevant to the current environment of the COVID-19 pandemic. We sought to understand how the arthroplasty community can contribute, based on historical lessons from prior pandemics and recessions, current needs and projections of the COVID-19 impact. We conclude that there will be a great need for humanitarian work, and as in the current time, the immediate need globally may not be in our subspecialty., Highlights - Hip and knee surgeons have nontraditional but important roles in the current crisis - Maintaining a humanitarian spirit is key during this difficult time - Lessons from the pandemic must be applied to improve arthroplasty moving forward

As the incidence of total joint arthroplasty (TJA) increases, identifying methods for cost reduction is essential. Basic metabolic panels (BMPs) are obtained routinely after TJA. We aimed at assessing the prevalence of intervention secondary to abnormal BMPs after primary TJA and at identifying predictors of the need for postoperative BMPs.We reviewed 802 cases (758 patients) of primary lower-extremity TJA performed from January 1 through December 31, 2018, at our tertiary care medical center. Patient characteristics, preoperative and postoperative BMPs, comorbidities, current medications, and in-hospital interventions were recorded. Age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (AA-CCI) values were calculated. Institutional costs of 1 BMP and of all BMPs not prompting intervention were calculated. We used multiple regression to identify independent predictors of in-hospital interventions secondary to abnormal postoperative BMPs.Our institutional BMP cost was $36. A total of 1032 postoperative BMPs were ordered; 958 (93%) prompted no intervention. This equated to $34,488 of avoidable BMP costs. We identified 27 cases (3.4%) requiring intervention secondary to abnormal BMPs. Independent predictors of intervention were preoperative renal dysfunction (ie, abnormal creatinine or glomerular filtration rate60 mL/min) (odds ratio [OR], 7.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.8-22), number of current nephrotoxic medications (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.3-2.9), and AA-CCI value (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.0-1.5).Routine postoperative BMPs are unwarranted for most patients undergoing primary TJA. Testing may be reserved for those with renal dysfunction, those taking multiple nephrotoxic medications, or those with a high AA-CCI value.

Public domain physician review websites (PRWs) and personal websites are extremely popular measures that patients use to evaluate physicians before receiving care. Few studies have examined how orthopedic surgeons are rated on PRWs and personal websites. This study examines the online ratings of hip and knee replacement subspecialists.The American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) fellow's ratings were examined from October 1st, 2018 to December 31st, 2018, on Healthgrades.com, Vitals.com, RateMDs.com, Google.com, and personal websites. Number of responses and average ratings (0.0-5.0) were recorded, along with provider gender, years in practice (0-10, 11-20, and 21+), practice type (academic, private), geographic region (NE, SE, MW, SW, W), degree (MD, DO), and fellowship training (yes, no). The Kruskal-Wallis testing was performed to determine factors affecting positive surgeon ratings.98.3% (483) of 490 AAHKS surgeons were rated at least once. No significant differences in average ratings were identified between websites. Surgeons in practice 1-10 years had significantly higher ratings than those in practice 11-20 and 21+ years (P.01). Fellowship-trained surgeons in practice 1-10 years also showed significantly higher ratings. No differences in average ratings were found between gender, practice type, and geographic region.AAHKS surgeons have high average ratings and are rated online frequently. Surgeons in practice 1-10 years had statistically higher overall average ratings. Adult reconstruction fellowship training was also associated with higher average ratings for surgeons in practice 1-10 years. Public domain PRWs and personal websites showed no difference in average ratings.

Pigmented villonodular synovitis is a benign, proliferative disorder of unknown etiology that mainly affects the synovium of the joint, bursa, and the tendon sheath. The most common joint affected is the knee. Pigmented villonodular synovitis presents in either of 2 distinct forms, localized or diffuse. In this report, we describe a case of diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis that presented in the knee 18 months after total knee arthroplasty. The diagnosis was suggested by histologic analysis of bloody aspirate and by abnormal synovial proliferation noted at arthroscopy and confirmed by histologic analysis of the resected tissue.