Osteoporosis and Total Knee Arthroplasty: Higher 5-Year Implant-Related Complications

Enhanced risk of 90-day medical and 2-year implant-related complications in total shoulder arthroplasty patients with osteoporosis

BACKGROUND

As the average age of patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty (SA) increases, the frequency of SA patients with osteoporosis is expected to rise. While the effects of osteoporosis have been described in the broader orthopedic literature, it is presently unclear how osteoporosis affects SA postoperative medical and implant-related outcomes.

METHODS

A multicenter database TriNetX was queried for patients between 2011 and 2021 who underwent SA with and without osteoporosis. Patients with less than 2 years of follow-up and those with a prior shoulder hemiarthroplasty were excluded. Primary outcomes included 2-year periprosthetic joint infection, prosthesis dislocation, periprosthetic fracture, and revision surgery. Secondary outcomes included 90-day medical complications and readmissions. Osteoporotic and control patient cohorts were propensity matched in a 1:1 ratio.

RESULTS

Seven thousand eight hundred forty-two patients were included after matching in each cohort. Baseline demographic variables were similar between groups, except osteoporotic patients had a lower body mass index (28.6 vs. 31.0 kg/m2; P < .001). Osteoporotic patients undergoing SA were more likely to experience wound disruptions, stroke, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, myocardial infarction, anemia, pneumonia, renal failure, transfusion, and readmission within 90 days after surgery. At 2 years postoperative, osteoporotic SA patients experienced an elevated risk of mechanical loosening, periprosthetic joint infection, dislocation, periprosthetic fracture, and required revision surgery at a higher rate than control patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Osteoporotic patients undergoing SA are at greater risk for medical complications within the 90 days perioperative period as well as implant-related complications within 2 years of surgery. Patients and surgeons should be aware of the potential higher risk of complications in osteoporotic patients following SA, and further investigation into benefits of preoperative management and treatment of osteoporosis is necessary.

Is there a correlation between distal femur anatomy and bone mineral density measurements?

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the Citak classification of distal femoral morphology and bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). We hypothesized that Type C morphology, characterized by a wider femoral canal, would correlate with lower BMD and a higher prevalence of osteoporosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 150 patients (51 males, 99 females) who underwent DEXA for BMD evaluation and had knee radiographs available for Citak classification. Radiographs were analyzed to classify femoral morphology into Types A, B, and C based on the Citak index. BMD values were categorized as normal, osteopenic, or osteoporotic. Statistical analyses included correlation and group comparisons, with p-values < 0.05 considered significant.

RESULTS

The study revealed a significant association between the Citak classification and BMD (p = 0.013). Type C morphology was strongly linked to osteoporosis, with a higher prevalence of low BMD compared to Types A and B. A weak but significant negative correlation was observed between the Citak index and BMD T-scores in both males (r = - 0.345, p = 0.013) and females (r = - 0.208, p = 0.039). Males exhibited a significantly higher Citak index and Type C morphology prevalence than females (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to establish a direct correlation between the Citak classification and BMD, demonstrating that Type C morphology serves as a marker for poor bone quality. Integrating the Citak classification with preoperative evaluations can help identify high-risk patients, optimize surgical planning, and improve outcomes in total knee arthroplasty.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, retrospective study.

Early aseptic loosening and inferior patient-reported outcomes of a cementless tibial baseplate in a modern total knee arthroplasty design

Aims

This study reports the outcome of a modern total knee arthroplasty design using a cementless tibial baseplate compared to the full-cemented version.

Methods

Consecutive cohorts with 12-month follow-up were evaluated. Patients receiving a cementless tibial baseplate were compared to those who received a cemented tibial component. Endpoints included revision rates and reason for revision, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) using the Oxford Knee Score (OKS), and progressive radiolucency. Retrieval analysis was performed for the revised cases. Pearson correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were used.

Results

A total of nine knees (7%) from the cementless cohort were revised, all due to aseptic loosened baseplate at a mean follow-up of 10.4 months (3 to 19), whereas the incidence of aseptic loosening of the cemented tibial baseplate was significantly lower at 0.5% (3/534; p < 0.001). The cemented cohort PROMs outperformed the cementless baseplate group at both 12 months' follow-up and the improvement from baseline (mean OKS 40.4 (SD 6.8) vs 38.5 (SD 8.1); p = 0.006; mean ΔOKS 18.8 (SD 9.0) vs 15.5 (SD 12.8); p < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the groups in the occurrence of new radiolucency at 12 months (p = 0.325). An elevated BMI was the only factor to correlate (r = -0.195) with worse values of ΔOKS (p = 0.048) in the cementless cohort. The multiple regression analysis determined that an increased BMI was the single independent predictor for aseptic loosening (p = 0.024) for the knees with a cementless tibial baseplate. Retrieval analysis suggested failed osseointegration.

Conclusion

In our cohort, there was a significantly higher incidence of aseptic loosening and worse PROMs at one year for the cementless tibial baseplate. An increased BMI may be an independent risk factor for aseptic loosening and inferior PROMs.

Osteoporosis May Not Be an Absolute Contraindication for Cementless Total Knee Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Cementless total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has received growing interest, particularly in younger populations, due to potential long-term survivability and improved bone preservation. Poor bone stock, as seen in osteoporosis, is considered a contraindication for this technique. This study evaluated whether osteoporotic patients < 75 years undergoing cementless TKA demonstrate similar: 1) implant-related complications, 2) medical complications, 3) readmission rates, and 4) 3-year implant survivability.

METHODS

A retrospective query of a national administrative claims database was performed between 2010 and 2022 for patients less than or equal to 75 years old who have osteoporosis and underwent primary TKA. Osteoporotic patients were divided into cementless and cemented cohorts, and propensity scores were matched based on age, sex, obesity, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index. Matching produced 7,923 patients (1,321 uncemented, 6,602 cemented). Multivariate logistic regressions evaluated the following outcomes: 90-day and 2-year implant-related complications, 90-day postoperative medical complications, and 90-day readmissions. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was conducted to assess 3-year all-cause revision implant survivability. The significance threshold was set to P < 0.01 to minimize type 1 bias.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences in implant-related complications, medical complications, readmissions, and lengths of stay between cementless and cemented TKA groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated statistically similar 3-year survivability between cohorts (cemented: 97.6%, confidence interval 96.6 to 98.5; cementless: 97.2%, confidence interval 96.7 to 97.7; P = 0.472).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who have osteoporosis have equivalent medical and implant-related complications as well as 3-year implant survival following cementless TKA compared with a cemented technique. Our results support cementless TKA as a viable option for patients < 75 years, regardless of prior diagnosis of osteoporosis. Intraoperative decisions regarding bone quality are still necessary to discriminate between those who are candidates for cementless TKA with those who are not.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, Retrospective cohort study.

Evidence-based joint statement position of perioperative bone optimization in the arthroplasty candidate, from FEMECOT, AMMOM, ACOMM, SCCOT, SECOT, SEFRAOS, SEIOMM

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of patients living with joint replacements is increasing. Nearly two-thirds of patients undergoing elective arthroplasty procedures have low bone mineral density (LBMD), defined as osteopenia in 38.5% and osteoporosis in 24.8%; among those with osteoporosis, only 32.8% received treatment at the time of surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A group of 7 national societies (FEMECOT, AMMOM, ACOMM, SCCOT, SECOT, SEFRAOS, SEIOMM) developed a joint statement position on the diagnosis of osteoporosis and perioperative bone optimization in candidates for arthroplasty "Arthroplasty Bone Optimization." We performed a scoping review of the available literature, followed by a systematic review and meta-analysis. Subsequently, a Delphi-modified method was used to gather the different positions.

RESULTS

After analyzing the literature, we came up with five recommendations: (1) Patients scheduled for elective arthroplasty should undergo a bone health assessment (BHA). (2) If poor bone quality is observed during surgery and a bone health assessment has not been conducted promptly, a complete BHA, including a DXA scan, is imperative. (3) In the arthroplasty candidate, if LBMD or osteoporosis are noticed, bone loss-related factors should be corrected, and appropriate treatment for osteoporosis should be started before or right after arthroplasty. The use of anti-resorptive and bone anabolic agents has been shown to reduce periprosthetic bone loss, complications, and non-septic revision rates after joint arthroplasty. (4) In arthroplasty candidates, the diagnosis of osteoporosis or low bone mineral density (LBMD) should not delay the surgery. (5) Monitoring central and periprosthetic bone mineral density through DXA protocols can help identify bone loss in central and periprosthetic areas in patients with risk factors or osteoporosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative bone optimization should be considered in all patients who are candidates for arthroplasty. The orthopedic surgeon and multidisciplinary team should be encouraged to diagnose and treat the arthroplasty candidates' bone by screening for bone loss-related factors and diagnosing osteoporosis and starting treatment according to the current international guidelines. Following these recommendations could reduce periprosthetic bone loss, complications, and aseptic revision rates following arthroplasty surgery. More research is needed to understand the implications of osteoporosis and its treatment for joint replacement outcomes and long-term survival.

Construction of a Clinical Prediction Model for Complications After Femoral Head Replacement Surgery

Background

While femoral head replacement is widely used with remarkable efficacy, the complexity and diversity of postoperative complications pose a serious prognostic challenge. There is an urgent need to develop a clinical prediction model that can integrate multiple factors and accurately predict the risk of postoperative complications to guide clinical practice and optimize patient management strategies. This study is dedicated to constructing a postoperative complication prediction model based on statistics and machine learning techniques, in order to provide patients with a safer and more effective treatment experience.

Methods

A total of 186 patients who underwent femoral head replacement in the Orthopedic Department of our hospital were collected in this study. Forty-two of the patients had at least one postoperative complication, and 144 had no complications. The preoperative and postoperative data of patients were collected separately and medical history was collected to study the correlation factors affecting the occurrence of postoperative complications in patients and to establish a prediction model.

Results

Possibly relevant factors were included in a one-way logistic regression, which included the patient's gender, age, body mass index, preoperative diagnosis of the mode of injury, osteoporosis or lack thereof, as well as medical history, surgical-related information, and laboratory indices. After analyzing the results, it was concluded that operation time, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), white blood cell count, serum albumin, and osteoporosis, were the risk factors affecting the development of complications after femoral head replacement in patients (P < 0.2). The data obtained were further included in a multifactorial regression, and the results showed that operation time, AST, white blood cell count, serum albumin, and osteoporosis were independent risk factors for complications after the patients underwent femoral head replacement (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Based on the results of this study, five factors, including duration of surgery, AST, white blood cell count, serum albumin, and osteoporosis, were identified as independent risk factors for complications after patients underwent femoral head replacement. In addition, the prediction model developed in this study has a high scientific and clinical application value, providing clinicians and patients with an important tool for assessing the risk of complications after affected femoral head replacement.

Mechanical complications and revision following total joint arthroplasty in acromegalic patients: A nationwide US-based study

BACKGROUND

Acromegaly is associated with significant osteoarthritis (OA) and increased risk of vertebral and hip fractures. There is limited data on total joint arthroplasty (TJA) outcomes in patients with acromegaly.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, we identified patients with acromegaly who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA), total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) between 2010 and 2022 using the PearlDiver national database. Patients with a prior history of osteoporosis and follow-up duration of less than one year were excluded. Non-acromegalic control groups were selected through matching based on confounding factors. We compared all-cause revision and implant-related complications between the groups using R software integrated with the PearlDiver database.

RESULTS

We identified 1440 patients with acromegaly: 665 underwent THA, 618 underwent TKA, and 157 underwent TSA. Compared to the control group (2634 THA, 2445 TKA, and 600 TSA), there was no significant association with post-op revision following THA (OR(1-year) = 0.76[0.42-1.28], OR(5-year) = 0.68[0.42-1.06]), TKA (OR(1-year) = 0.89[0.48-1.55], OR(5-year) = 0.78[0.49-1.17]), and TSA (OR(1-year) = 0.19[0.02-1.40], OR(5-year) = 0.32[0.10-1.07]). Additionally, the risk of mechanical complications did not significantly increase in patients with acromegaly, either one year or five years post-operation.

CONCLUSION

The study showed no significant increase in risk of revisions or mechanical complications in patients with acromegaly compared to controls. These findings bridge an important gap in the understanding of post-arthroplasty complications in patients with acromegaly and offer valuable insights into surgical expectations.

Osteoporosis in the setting of knee arthroplasty: a narrative review

Patients undergoing knee replacement, which is mainly indicated in severe osteoarthritis, are frequently co-affected by osteoporosis and osteopenia. With a prevalence standing at around 20% in patients receiving knee arthroplasty, osteoporosis could lead to poor outcomes postoperatively. Some of these complications include periprosthetic fractures and an increased revision rate. Antiresorptive medications have been shown to be beneficial postoperatively. However, no studies have been conducted on whether they had any benefits if given preoperatively. Surgical management may also be beneficial, but this area remains full of controversy.

The Association Between Oral Bone Mineral Density-Reducing Medications and the Risk of 2-Year Implant-Related Complications Following Total Knee Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Certain medications interfere with the bone remodeling process and may potentially increase the risk of complications after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). As patients undergoing TKA may be taking these bone mineral density (BMD)-reducing medications, it is unclear as to whether and which medications impact TKA outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to observe the impact of various BMD-reducing medications on 2-year implant-related complications following TKA.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing primary TKA was conducted using a national administrative claims database. Patients were identified if they were taking any known BMD-reducing medication and were compared to control patients. To control for confounders associated with taking multiple agents, multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted for each 2-year outcome (all-cause revision, loosening-indicated revision, and periprosthetic fracture--indicated revision), with the output recorded as odds ratios (ORs).

RESULTS

In our study, 502,927 of 1,276,209 TKA patients (39.4%) were taking at least one BMD-reducing medication perioperatively. On multivariable analysis, medications associated with a higher likelihood of 2-year all-cause revision included first- and second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) (OR: 1.42 and 1.26, respectively), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (OR: 1.14), glucocorticoids (1.13), and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (OR: 1.23) (P < .05 for all). Medications associated with a higher likelihood of 2-year periprosthetic fracture included SGAs (OR: 1.51), SSRIs (OR: 1.27), aromatase inhibitors (OR: 1.29), and PPIs (OR: 1.42) (P < .05 for all).

CONCLUSIONS

Of the drug classes observed, the utilization of perioperative PPIs, SSRIs, glucocorticoids, first-generation antipsychotics, and SGAs was associated with the highest odds of all-cause revision. Our findings suggest a relationship between these medications and BMD-related complications; however, further studies should seek to determine the causality of these relationships.

Comprehensive evaluation of risk factors for aseptic loosening in cemented total knee arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose

Aseptic loosening is the most common cause for revisions after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Despite many studies exploring various risk factors associated with aseptic loosening, findings often present inconsistencies. To address this, we conducted a thorough review of the literature to identify and analyse these risk factors in cemented TKA. Additionally, we performed a meta-analysis to reconcile the divergent conclusions observed across studies.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Web of Science and Embase from 1996 up to 2024 and evaluated the quality of the included literature. Seventy-four studies were included to assess the association of BMI, diabetes, high physical activity (HPA), osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), cement material and implant design. Twenty-nine studies were used to calculate relative risk and CIs (using the random effects theory) and study heterogeneity for six different risk factors (BMI, diabetes, HPA level, cement material, polyethylene and implant design).

Results

Patients with diabetes are eight times more likely to experience aseptic loosening compared to those without diabetes (RR = 9.18, 95% CI: 1.80-46.77, p < 0.01). The use of tibial stem extension or highly crosslinked polyethylene can help reduce the incidence of aseptic loosening. However, we did not identify BMI, HPA, osteoporosis, RA, the use of high-viscosity cement and the utilization of mobile-bearing designs as risk factors for aseptic loosening post-cemented TKA.

Conclusions

Patients with diabetes undergoing TKA should be counselled regarding their potential increased risk of aseptic loosening. The use of tibial stem extensions and HXLPE can mitigate the incidence of aseptic loosening in cemented TKA. However, given a limited number of studies were included in the meta-analysis, we believe that higher-level studies are necessary to clearly identify other risk factors.

Level of Evidence

Level III.

Preoperative Risk Factors for Periprosthetic Joint Infection: A Narrative Review of the Literature

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) poses a challenging complication for many patients undergoing arthroplasty, and the literature identifies numerous risk factors. A comprehensive understanding of the primary risk and protective factors for PJI is valuable for surgeons. This article aims to compile and summarize the key risk factors for PJI documented in the literature. Some risk factors are related to the nutritional status of patients, with obesity, weight loss, hypovitaminosis, and malnutrition being frequently reported. Pathologies affecting patients also contribute to PJI risk, including septic arthritis, hepatitis, diabetes, urinary tract infections, anemia, hypothyroidism, osteoporosis, and dental pathologies. Unhealthy habits, such as tobacco and drug abuse, are significant factors. Previous corticosteroid injections may also play a role in infection development. A few protective factors are also reported in the literature (use of statins, preoperative decolonization, and preadmission skin preparation). The identification of risk factors and the implementation of evidence-based preoperative protocols are essential steps in reducing the incidence of PJI.