Even for Healthy Patients, Bilateral Simultaneous TKA May Not Be Safe
With surgeons offering total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to increasingly younger patients with osteoarthritis and other degenerative conditions, the idea that both knees could be replaced during the same operation is appealing. Many of these patients still work, and by undergoing surgery only once, they minimize time off from work and, theoretically, minimize the risk of complications from a second anesthesia and hospitalization.
Study compares racial disparities in unilateral versus bilateral TKA
complication rates found among African American patients. Less is known, however, about whether these racial variations are seen with same-day bilateral TKA as well. In a study presented at ACR Convergence 2020, the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, researchers from Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) showed that African American patients are less likely to undergo same-day bilateral TKA, but when they do, complication rates are not higher than in white patients.
The use of dual mobility implants in total hip arthroplasty
Mid-term data show that today’s dual mobility constructs can provide excellent stability and range of motion in primary and revision total hip arthroplasty when patients are at a higher risk for dislocation. Modern implant designs have successfully mitigated several major failure mechanisms in older systems.
Younger patients are more likely than older patients to require reoperation after TKA
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is increasing among patients age 65 and younger, with 1 study projecting a potential increase of 183% in the number of TKA and revision TKA surgeries in that age group by the year 2030. Concerns have been raised about poorer clinical outcomes, lower patient satisfaction, and diminished joint survival in a younger compared with an older patient population.
Why Would Surgeons Want to Adopt Calipered Kinematic Alignment for TKA?
Dr. Stephen Howell answers ICJR’s questions about calipered kinematic alignment total knee arthroplasty, including the learning curve, how to set the femoral and tibial components, and how to reduce the risk of complications.
