There has been growing interest in the literature regarding evaluation of functional outcomes in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) while suffering from depression and using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Previous literature has shown that these patients have lower post-operative functional scores compared to those without SSRI use and with multiple musculoskeletal co-morbidities. This might be the result of potentially suboptimal motivation and participation in the post-operative rehabilitation programs. One recent study from a single center has suggested a reduction in adverse events in patients undergoing arthroplasty while on SSRI. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the post operative functional scores of patients on SSRI and compare them with the patients not prescribed SSRIs.

A retrospective data analysis was performed on patients who had primary TKA and primary THA between 1st June 2014 and 31st May 2017. The patients into two groups. In the first, patients received SSRI for at least one year before the surgery while in group two, patients did not receive SSRI. Outcome measures included Western Ontario and McMaster university osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) and EQ5D5L scores at pre surgery, three months and 12 months post surgery.

Chi-square and t test was used to compare categorical variables and continuous variables respectively. Multivariate linear regression was conducted to compare the change of scores between the two groups and was adjusted for age, gender, and comorbidities. These outcome scores were analyzed separately for TKA and THA.

In the TKA group, there were 1,452 patients using SSRI and 15,981 not using SSR. In the THA group there were 851 patients using SSRIs and 10,102 patients without SSRIs. The baseline WOMAC for TKA patients was 45.6 for the controls and 41.8 for those patients on SSRIs (p < 0 .001). The baseline EQ5DL was 0.53 and 0.46 in the same groups (p < 0 .001). The baseline WOMAC for THA patients was 39.1 for the controls and 36.2 for patients using SSRIs (p < 0 .001). The baseline EQ5DL scores were 0.43 and 0.37respectively, again indicating patients on SSRI therapy had lower baseline scores (p < 0 .001).

There was improvement in WOMAC and EQ5DL scores in all patient groups at 3 months and 12 months. After adjusting for gender, age, comorbidities and baseline score, THA patients not using SSRI showed a greater improvement in their WOMAC and EQ5DL scores than those prescribed SSRIs, WOMAC (p=0.008), EQ5DL (p=0.001). TKA patients showed a similar outcome but only the EQ5DL was statistically significant, WOMAC (p=0.12), EQ5DL (p=0.036).

Our results show that patients on SSRI have lower preoperative WOMAC and EQ5DL scores at baseline when compared to patients not undergoing treatment for depression or anxiety with SSRIs. After arthroplasty, patients using SSRIs show significant improvement at 12 months but the improvement is smaller than the group not using SSRIs.

Background

One of the potential complications of polyethylene liner (PL) is its dissociation from the metal shell. This is a rare but catastrophic complication of total hip replacement (THR).

Despite recent advances in the management of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), controversy remains about the treatment of choice for unstable slips. Surgical dislocation and open reduction has the advantage of identifying and preserving the blood supply of femoral head thereby potentially reducing the risk of avascular necrosis, (AVN). There is large variation in the literature from several small series about reported AVN rates ranging from two to 66% for unstable SCFE treated with surgical dislocation. The aim of our study was to analyze our experience with acute open reduction and internal fixation of unstable acute and unstable acute on chronic slips using the technique of surgical dislocation described by Professor Reinhold Ganz.

A retrospective review of 11 patients (12 hips) treated by surgical dislocation, reduction and pinning as the primary procedure for unstable acute and unstable acute on chronic SCFE in a tertiary referral children's hospital was undertaken. This represents the entire series treated in this manner from September 2007 to January 2018. These procedures were performed by a team of Orthopaedic surgeons with significant experience performing surgical dislocation of the hip including patients with chronic SCFE, Perthes' disease, impingement and acetabular fractures. Demographic data, intraoperative records, postoperative notes and radiographs including details of subsequent surgery were reviewed.

There were seven boys and four girls with mean age of 13.4 years, range 11 to 15 years at the time of surgical dislocation. Out of 12 hips, two had acute unstable slip while the remaining 10 had acute on chronic unstable slip. Six patients had good or excellent results. The remaining six patients developed AVN of which three patients had total hip replacement at six months, 17 months and 18 months following primary procedure. Seven patients required more than one operation. Three patients lost their correction and required re fixation despite surgical dislocation, reduction and fixation being their primary procedure.

This series demonstrates a high percentage of AVN (50%) in severe unstable SCFE treated with surgical dislocation despite careful attention to retinacular flap development and intra operative doppler studies. This is in direct contrast to our experience with subcapital reorientation with surgical dislocation in stable slips where excellent results were achieved with a low rate of AVN. Pre-operative imaging with MRI and perfusion studies may identify where ischemia has occurred and might influence operative treatment. Based on our results, we do not recommend routine use of surgical dislocation in unstable SCFE. This technique requires further scrutiny to define the operative indications in unstable SCFE.

Introduction

Recent literature has shown increasing interest in analysing return to theatre (RTT) as a quality indicator across different surgical specialities. The aim of this study is to express “RTT at 90 days” as a useful predictor in identifying complications following primary total knee replacement (TKR).

We present a series of 11 patients with infected tibial intramedullary nails which were treated at our tertiary referral centre from January 2000 to November 2009. All of them were males and the mean age was 36 years (26 to 47 years). All the patients had sustained post traumatic fractures which were treated with intramedullary nail. Four patients (36%) had sustained open fractures in whom adequate soft tissue cover was provided by plastic surgeons. Five of them (45%) were smokers.

All of them underwent surgical debridement. Nine out of 11 patients had removal of metal work followed by one or more of the following procedures such as reaming, exchange nailing, excision of sequestrum, application of antibiotic beads and stabilisation with a frame with or without several bone grafts at a later date.

Out of 11 patients six (55%) had no further episodes of infection, three (27%) still need short courses of antibiotics when the disease flares up and two (18%) underwent amputation. Causative organisms were isolated in all the patients. Commonest organism was MRSA. Overall, most of the organisms were sensitive to Vancomycin and resistant to Penicillin.

Despite exploring most of the surgical procedures described for infected tibial intramedullary nails we have potentially eradicated infection only in about half of our patients. Hence we would like to emphasise that this condition still remains a serious problem and demands further insight in its management