Orthocarolina

The risk of taper corrosion following total hip arthroplasty has recently garnered the attention of the orthopedic community. In interviews with Orthopedics Today, sources questioned whether current attention to this phenomenon is due to an increase in occurrence of taper corrosion or a greater awareness among orthopedic surgeons of the problem.

With an increasing number of total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty procedures being performed in the United States, the rate of failure has also increased. In its annual report, the American Joint Replacement Registry listed infection as a leading cause of TKA and THA revisions from 2012 to 2016. Research has also shown failures due to periprosthetic joint infection are expected to increase at an annual rate of between 38,000 cases and 270,000 cases by the year 2030.

SAN DIEGO — Patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty through either the direct anterior or mini-posterior approach experienced excellent early postoperative recovery with low complication rates, according to results presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting, here.

TORONTO — At the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Annual Meeting, Joshua G. Hunter, MD, discussed a study which compared the efficacy of the ankle block vs. popliteal fossa block for patients who underwent forefoot procedures.

When it comes to the treatment of periprosthetic joint infection following total knee arthroplasty, patients will usually undergo a one-stage or two-stage exchange. Although other techniques are available, not all techniques have the best result if the implant is not removed.

Intra-articular calcaneus fractures are high-energy injuries that can result in significant functional loss and morbidity. The management of displaced intra-articular calcaneus fractures is controversial as studies have shown advantages and disadvantages of both nonoperative care and surgical intervention. When surgery is performed, a traditional approach using an extensile L-shaped lateral incision with lateral plating has been associated with high rates (up to 40%) of wound-healing problems and superficial and deep infection. Wound complications can result in reoperation, plastic surgical intervention and amputation in severe cases. The vascular supply of the lateral hindfoot relies upon the lateral calcaneal branch of the peroneal artery, which is susceptible to injury during an extensile L-shaped approach.

Jones fractures are fractures of the proximal fifth metatarsal metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction that are common in young athletic populations, particularly elite athletes. The poor blood supply to the fifth metatarsal has been well documented, and Jones fractures develop along a watershed area between the intramedullary nutrient and metaphyseal arteries. Surgical fixation is indicated in cases of failed nonoperative treatment, re-fracture, nonunion or when more rapid recovery is required typically in active individuals.