BackgroundThe purpose of the study was to assess patient adherence to an aspirin-based prophylactic deep venous thromboembolism (DVT) care management plan after total lower extremity arthroplasty.MethodsUsing a cross-sectional study design, patients who underwent total hip or knee replacement surgery by a single senior surgeon were surveyed at their routine 6-week follow-up appointment regarding adherence to aspirin DVT prophylaxis. Postoperatively, patients were advised to take 325 mg of aspirin twice daily for 6 weeks to prevent DVT.ResultsOf the 101 patients surveyed, 45 underwent total hip arthroplasty while 56 underwent total knee arthroplasty. There were 48 (48%) patients who were still taking aspirin at their routine 6-week postoperative follow-up appointment and 53 (52%) patients who were not taking aspirin (nonadherent group). Of the latter, 3 (6%) never took aspirin postoperatively, 14 (26%) discontinued within 2 weeks postoperatively, and 23 (43%) did not take it any longer for half the time prescribed. In the nonadherent group, 8 patients reported that they felt they did not need the aspirin prophylaxis, 5 experienced side effects, and 10 were unsure of how long they needed to take it. There was 1 patient with a calf DVT and no episodes of pulmonary embolism.ConclusionsOver half of our study, patients did not finish their aspirin regimen. We suggest a consistent outline of medication duration throughout the pre/postop course and communication regarding aspirin cessation.
To highlight the incidence of grade III PCL injuries with simultaneous PCL & popliteus injury. Methods: Inclusion criteria: patients who underwent PCL reconstruction for grade III PCL tear & minimum of 1year follow-up. Exclusion criteria: associated ACL injury & insufficient follow up. Patients seen postoperatively at 2 weeks, 6-8 weeks, 4-6 months, 6-9 months, 1 year, and 1 + years. Results: 89.5% of patients in this study had an associated popliteus injury. Conclusions: Isolated grade III PCL injury may not frequently exist, rather undiagnosed & untreated concurrent popliteus injury can have less successful outcomes after isolated PCL reconstruction.
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