Search

Background: Total knee arthroplasty is associated with an inflammatory response and high levels of pain in a subset of patients. Pain catastrophizing has been associated with acute postoperative pain. The association between these variables has not been investigated in an optimised fast‐track setup including preoperative glucocorticoids. The aim of this study was, first, to investigate the correlation between the increase in postoperative c‐reactive protein (CRP) and acute postoperative pain after total knee arthroplasty, and second, to investigate the correlation between the increase in CRP and preoperative pain catastrophizing. Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of data from 119 patients participating in two randomised controlled trials. Correlation analyses were performed for preoperative CRP and CRP increase at 24 and 48 h and pain during a well‐defined mobilisation at 24 and 48 h after total knee arthroplasty. Additionally, correlation analyses were performed between CRP increase and pain catastrophizing using the pain catastrophizing scale. Results: There was no correlation between preoperative CRP or postoperative CRP increase and pain at both 24 and 48 h. Analyses were similar when separated into high and low pain catastrophizers. There was no correlation between preoperative CRP or postoperative CRP increase and pain catastrophizing. Conclusion: There was no association between the postoperative CRP response and postoperative acute pain or pain catastrophizing in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty in a well‐defined multimodal fast‐track regime including preoperative glucocorticoids. These results suggest that acute pain after knee arthroplasty is not reflected by CRP when applying preoperative glucocorticoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Preoperative anaemia including iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is a well-established perioperative risk factor. However, most studies on iron therapy to treat IDA have been negative and few have been conducted within an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol. Furthermore, patients with IDA often have comorbidities not necessarily influenced by iron, but potentially influencing traditional study endpoints such as length of stay (LOS), morbidity, etc. The aim of this paper is to discuss patient-related challenges when planning outcome studies on the potential benefits of iron therapy in patients with IDA, based upon a large detailed prospective database in ERAS total hip (THA) and knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods: A prospective observational cohort study in ERAS THA and TKA from 2022 to 2023. Detailed complete follow-up through questionnaires and electronic medical records. Results: Of 3655 included patients, 276 (7.6%) had IDA defined as a haemoglobin (Hb) of < 13.0 g/dL and transferrin saturation of 0.20, while 3379 had a Hb of ≥ 13.0. Patients with IDA were a median 5 years older than non-anaemics, with an increased fraction living alone (38.4% vs. 28.8%), using walking aids (54.3% vs 26.4%) and receiving home care (16.2% vs 4.7%). Fewer IDA patients were working (12.7% vs. 29.6%) and a median number of prescribed drugs was higher (10 vs. 6). Median LOS was 1 day in both IDA and non-anaemic patients, but a LOS of > 2 days occurred in 11.6% of patients with IDA vs. 4.3% in non-anaemics. The proportion with 30- or 90-day readmissions was 6.5% vs. 4.1% and. 13.4% vs6.0%, in patients with IDA and non-anaemics, respectively. However, potentially anaemia or iron deficiency-related causes of LOS > 2 days or 90-day readmissions were only 5.4% and 2.2% in patients with IDA and 1.9% and 1.0% in non-anaemics. Conclusion: Conventional randomised trials with single or composite "hard" endpoints are at risk of being inconclusive or underpowered due to a considerable burden of other patient-related risk factors and with postoperative complications which may not be modifiable by correction of IDA per se. We will propose to gain further insights from detailed observational and mechanistic studies prior to initiating extensive randomised studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobilisation difficulties, due to muscle weakness, and urinary retention are common reasons for prolonged admission following hip and knee arthroplasty procedures. Whether spinal anaesthesia is detrimental to early mobilisation is controversial. Previous studies have reported differences in post‐operative recovery between spinal anaesthesia and general anaesthesia; however, up‐to‐date comparisons in fast‐track setups are needed. Our randomized, single‐blinded, multi‐centre, clinical trials aim to compare the post‐operative recovery after total hip (THA), total knee (TKA), and unicompartmental knee arthroplasties (UKA) respectively when using either spinal anaesthesia (SA) or general anaesthesia (GA) in a fast‐track setup. Included patients (74 THA, 74 TKA, and 74 UKA patients) are randomized (1:1) to receive either SA (2 mL 0.5% Bupivacaine) or GA (Induction: Propofol 1.0–2.0 mg/kg iv with Remifentanil 3–5 mcg/kg iv. Infusion: Propofol 3–5 mg/kg/h and Remifentanil 0.5 mcg/kg/min iv). Patients undergo standard primary unilateral hip and knee arthroplasty procedures in an optimized fast‐track setup with intraoperative local infiltrative analgesia in TKA and UKA, post‐operative multimodal opioid sparing analgesia, immediate mobilisation with full weightbearing, no drains and in‐hospital only thromboprophylaxis. Data will be collected on the day of surgery and until patients are discharged. The primary outcome is the ability to be safely mobilised during a 5‐m walking test within 6 h of surgery. Secondary outcomes include fulfilment of discharge criteria, post‐operative pain, dizziness, and nausea as well as patient reported recovery and opioid related side effects. Data will also be gathered on all hospital contacts within 30‐days of surgery. This study will offer insights into advantages and disadvantages of anaesthetic methods used in fast‐track arthroplasty surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]