Lack of Conclusive Evidence of the Benefit of Biologic Augmentation in Core Decompression for Nontraumatic Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head: A Systematic Review

Outcomes of different perioperative management strategies of patients on chronic anticoagulation in elective total hip and knee arthroplasty: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

There are currently different management guidelines for patients undergoing elective total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) that are on long-term anticoagulation. The timing of discontinuation and restarting the anticoagulation is challenging during the postoperative care, which often involves general practitioners and physiotherapists.

METHODS

The systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines and included 3 databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science Core Collection. It was registered in the International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PROSPERO) under the registration number: CRD42023408906. The risk of bias assessment was performed using the Methodological index for non-randomized studies (MINORS) criteria.

RESULTS

Six retrospective studies involving 727 patients with therapeutic anticoagulation (1,540 controls) for elective THA, TKA and revision arthroplasty have been included. The follow-up ranged from 30 days to 1 year postoperatively. All studies evaluated outcomes of warfarin therapeutic anticoagulation versus prophylactic dosages of one or more of the following: warfarin, aspirin, low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and unfractionated low-dose heparin (UFH). One study did not discontinue therapeutic anticoagulation. Two studies reported no significant differences in complications between groups, whilst 3 studies had significantly higher rates of superficial wound infections, revision surgeries, postoperative haematomas, and prosthetic joint infections (PJI).

CONCLUSION

Different anticoagulation-related perioperative management strategies achieve different outcomes following elective arthroplasty in patients with therapeutic chronic anticoagulation. There is contradictory evidence regarding the need for the discontinuation of therapeutic warfarin. Retrospective data showed that individual risk stratification with multi-modal prophylaxis resulted in minimal complications.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Systematic Review of Level III studies.

What are the Outcomes of Secondary Patella Resurfacing for Dissatisfaction Following Primary Knee Arthroplasty? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 604 Knees

BACKGROUND

Secondary patella resurfacing is often performed for dissatisfaction following primary knee arthroplasty where the native patella was retained. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate outcomes of secondary patella resurfacing.

METHODS

The systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Studies reporting on patients who underwent secondary patella resurfacing after previous primary knee arthroplasty with retention of the native patella were considered eligible. The risk of bias was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized studies tool. A random-effects model and the inverse-variance weighting method was used for meta-analysis. There were sixteen retrospective studies including 604 knees (594 patients) with a mean follow up of 42 months (range, 2 to 197).

RESULTS

An overall improvement in patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) was achieved in 53% of cases from pooled data available for 293 knees [95% Confidence Interval (CI) (0.44, 0.62), I2=68% - moderate heterogeneity]. The pooled proportion of patients satisfied with the procedure was 59% [95% CI (48, 68), I2 = 70% - moderate heterogeneity] in a sample size of 415. There was a minimal rate (2%) of complication incidence when performing secondary patella resurfacing and a pooled rate of revision surgery of 10%.

CONCLUSIONS

An improvement in pain, satisfaction, and PROMs was achieved in slightly more than half of the patients following secondary patella resurfacing. However, studies lacked standardized objective selection criteria for the procedure and the available data was predominantly retrospective, with high heterogeneity and variation in outcome reporting.

Regenerative therapies for femoral head necrosis in the past two decades: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Regenerative techniques combined with core decompression (CD) are commonly used to treat osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). However, no consensus exists on regeneration therapy combined with CD that performs optimally. Therefore, we evaluated six regenerative therapies combined with CD treatment using a Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA).

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases. Six common regeneration techniques were categorized into the following groups with CD as the control group: (1) autologous bone graft (ABG), (2) autologous bone graft combined with bone marrow aspirate concentrate (ABG + BMAC), (3) bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), (4) free vascular autologous bone graft (FVBG), (5) expanded mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and (6) platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The conversion rate to total hip arthroplasty (THA) and progression rate to femoral head necrosis were compared among the six treatments.

RESULT

A total of 17 literature were included in this study. In the NMA, two of the six treatment strategies demonstrated higher response in preventing the progression of ONFH than CD: MSCs (odds ratio [OR]: 0.098, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.0087-0.87) and BMAC (OR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.073-0.73). Additionally, two of the six treatment strategies were effective techniques in preventing the conversion of ONFH to THA: MSCs (OR: 0.062, 95% CI: 0.0038-0.40) and BMAC (OR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.1-0.074). No significant difference was found among FVBG, PRP, ABG + BMAC, ABG, and CD in preventing ONFH progression and conversion to THA (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our NMA found that MSCs and BMAC were effective in preventing ONFH progression and conversion to THA among the six regenerative therapies. According to the surface under the cumulative ranking value, MSCs ranked first, followed by BMAC. Additionally, based on our NMA results, MSCs and BMAC following CD may be necessary to prevent ONFH progression and conversion to THA. Therefore, these findings provide evidence for the use of regenerative therapy for ONFH.

Outcomes of surgical management for tarsal coalitions: a systematic review

PURPOSE

To analyze the outcome of surgical treatment of tarsal coalition, assess the role of the surgical technique, as well as of coalition size and type on outcomes.

METHODS

The search followed the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis and was performed in four databases: MEDLINE, Central, Scopus and Web of Science. The protocol has been registered in the international prospective register of systematic reviews. Patient-reported outcomes (PROMs), complications, revisions and radiographic recurrence were collected. Risk of bias was assessed using MINORS criteria. A random-effects model for meta-analysis was applied for analysis of data heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Twenty-five studies including 760 tarsal coalitions were included and had a weighted average follow-up of 44 months. Studies scored fair to poor on the risk of bias assessment with a mean MINORS score of 67% (44-81%). In 77.8% (37.5-100%) of surgically treated tarsal coalitions, good/excellent/non-limiting or improved PROMs were reported. Calculated data heterogeneity was moderate (I2 = 57%). Open bar resection with material interposition had a clinical success rate of 78.8% (50-100%). Complications occurred in 4.96% of cases. Coalition size did not prove to be a determining factor in postoperative outcome. The influence of the coalition type was not investigated by any of the studies.

CONCLUSION

Data on outcomes of surgical management for tarsal coalitions is limited to retrospective case series with high risk of bias and moderate data heterogeneity. In about ¾ of cases, open resection and interposition of material results in improved PROMs. The arbitrary margin of ≥ 50% of TC coalition size in relation to the posterior facet has little importance in surgical decision-making. None of the studies reported on the influence of the coalition type on postoperative clinical success.

Predictors of Chronic Pain in Elderly Patients Undergoing Total Knee and Hip Arthroplasty: A Prospective Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) after total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty (TKA and THA) is an important clinical problem in which many factors play a role. The risk factors for CPSP in elderly individuals are currently unknown. Therefore, our aim was to predict the risk factors for CPSP after TKA and THA and to provide help regarding early screening and interventions for elderly individuals at risk.

METHODS

In this prospective observational study, we collected and analyzed 177 TKA patients and 80 THA patients. Based on pain results at the 3-month follow-up, they were divided into the no chronic postsurgical pain and CPSP groups, respectively. The preoperative baseline conditions, including pain intensity (Numerical Rating Scale) and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), as well as intraoperative and postoperative factors, were compared. Factors with P < .05 were included in binary regression analyses to establish prediction models for CPSP after TKA and THA.

RESULTS

The prevalence of CPSP was 20.9% after TKA and 7.5% after THA. The preoperative sleep disorders were an independent risk factor of CPSP after TKA, but no risk factors of CPSP after THA were identified.

CONCLUSION

This study indicated that the prevalence of CPSP after TKA was significantly higher than after THA, and that preoperative sleep disorders were an independent risk factor for CPSP after TKA, which may aid clinicians in screening people at risk for CPSP for primary prevention.

Stem cell therapy combined with core decompression versus core decompression alone in the treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Accumulated clinical trials had been focused on stem cell therapy in combination of core decompression (CD) in the treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH). Nonetheless, the results were inconclusive. Here, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and retrospective studies to assess whether combined stem cell augmentation with CD improved the outcomes of ANFH compared with CD alone.

METHODS

The current study included 11 RCTs and 7 retrospective studies reporting the clinical outcomes of a total of 916 patients and 1257 hips. 557 and 700 hips received CD and CD plus stem cell therapy, respectively. To compare CD with CD plus stem cell therapy, we examined the clinical evaluating scores, the occurrence of the femoral head, radiologic progression and conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA).

RESULTS

Only 10 studies reported significantly greater improvement in hip functions while combining stem cell procedure with CD. The pooled results in subgroup analysis indicated that stem cell group had a lower collapse rate on a mid-term basis (P = 0.001), when combined with mechanical support (P < 0.00001), and with extracted stem cells (P = 0.0002). Likewise, stem cell group had a lower radiographic progression rate at 2- to 5-year follow-up [P = 0.003], when combined with structural grafting (P < 0.00001), and with extracted stem cells (P = 0.004). Stem cell therapy resulted in an overall lower THA conversion rate (P < 0.0001) except that at a follow-up longer than 5 years.

CONCLUSION

Stem cell therapy combined with core decompression was more effective in preventing collapse, radiographic progression and conversion to THA. Trial Registration The current protocol has been registered in PROSPERO with the registration number: CRD42023417248.

Inconclusive and Contradictory Evidence for Outcomes After Hip Arthroscopy in Patients With Femoroacetabular Impingement and Osteoarthritis of Tönnis Grade 2 or Greater: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE

To investigate whether hip arthroscopy (HA) is effective in patients with femoroacetabular impingement and concomitant hip osteoarthritis (OA) of Tönnis grade 2 or greater.

METHODS

This review was registered in the International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PROSPERO, CRD42020210936). It followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines and included multiple databases: MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Library. All studies in English or German from database inception to December 1, 2020, that investigated outcomes of HA in patients with OA of Tönnis grade 2 or greater were considered eligible. The risk of bias was assessed using the MINORS (Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies) tool. Data heterogeneity was explored using the I² test in a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Eleven studies met the eligibility criteria. The MINORS (Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies) score averaged 68% (range, 46%-81%). A total of 616 hips, consisting of 247 hips of interest (Tönnis grade 2 or greater) and 369 controls, were included. The weighted estimated follow-up averaged 29.1 months (range, 12-84 months). Data on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) could be extracted for 6 of 11 studies, and date on conversion to total hip arthroplasty were available for 8 of 11. Four studies reported an overall improvement in PROMs after HA, and 2 highlighted a failure of improvement in PROMs. Failure of HA with conversion to total hip arthroplasty was observed at a rate of 0% to 9% in 4 studies, as opposed to proportions as high as 35% to 70% in the other 4 studies. There was a high level of heterogeneity, with a calculated I² value of 89%.

CONCLUSIONS

There is currently contradictory and insufficient evidence regarding the efficacy of HA for hips with femoroacetabular impingement and concomitant OA of Tönnis grade 2 or greater. This is in the context of data with low levels of evidence, mainly consisting of retrospective case series (Level IV) with a high risk of bias and high heterogeneity (I² of approximately 90%).

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, systematic review of Level III and IV studies.

Predictors of Chronic Postsurgical Pain in Elderly Patients Undergoing Hip Arthroplasty: A Multi-Center Retrospective Cohort Study

Background

Identifying patients at high risk of developing chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) is of extreme importance in order to help launch appropriate therapeutic strategies and intensive initiation of pain management.

Aim

In this study, we aimed to conduct a multi-center retrospective cohort study to establish a prognostic model and a nomogram to predict the risks of CPSP in elderly patients who underwent hip arthroplasty at 6 months postoperatively.

Methods

We collected data from 736 patients aged >65 years who had undergone hip arthroplasty from October 1, 2016 to September, 30, 2018 at multiple tertiary referral centers in Guangzhou, China. All data were randomly stratified into a training set and a testing set at a ratio of 8:2. Data were analyzed via multiple logistic regression analysis with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and areas under the curve. This model was further validated by estimating calibration and discrimination. A nomogram was ultimately developed.

Results

A total of 736 eligible patients were enrolled, 27.20% of whom developed CPSP within 6 months postoperatively. Preoperative pain in the surgical area (OR=2.456, 95% CI:1.814–3.327, P<0.001), preoperative depression state (OR=1.256, 95% CI:1.146–1.378, P<0.001), surgical type (OR=7.138, 95% CI:3.548–14.364, P<0.001), acute postoperative numerical rating scale score (OR=5.537, 95% CI:3.607–8.499, P<0.001) and analgesic type (patient-controlled epidural analgesia: OR=0.129, 95% CI:0.055–0.299, P<0.001; patient-controlled intravenous analgesia: OR=0.033, 95% CI:0.011–0.097, P<0.001) were identified as independent significant factors associated with CPSP. A prognostic model was established and further validated. An ROC curve confirmed the predictive ability of this model with a high sensitivity value of 92.12% (95% CI:86.90–95.74) and specificity value of 91.72% (95% CI:88.77–94.11). A nomogram was developed to simplify the use of the predictive model in clinical practice.

Conclusion

This prognostic model could be of great value in clinical practice, serving as the basis for early personalized analgesic management of elderly patients undergoing hip arthroplasty.

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