BackgroundTotal Hip Arthroplasty (THA) is being used more commonly in younger higher demand patients. The purpose of this randomized pilot study was to explore a) feasibility of comprehensive postoperative rehabilitation compared to usual care following primary THA in subjects <65 years, b) appropriate outcome measures including performance-based measures and c) timing of assessments.Methods21 subjects who underwent primary THA were randomized to receive a three-month out-patient rehabilitation program (Intervention) or usual postoperative care (Control). Subjects were assessed preoperatively, six-weeks postoperatively (Pre-intervention) and four and 12 months postoperatively (Post-intervention). Self-report measures were the Western Ontario McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Rand 36-Item Health Survey (RAND-36). Performance-based measures included lower extremity strength, walking speed and endurance, and gait laboratory assessment.ResultsTen Control and 11 Intervention subjects with an average age of 53.4 (SD9.3) years were randomized. All Intervention subjects completed the program without adverse effects. Although no statistically significantly results were reported, four months postoperatively, Intervention subjects had clinically important differences (CID) in strength compared with Control subjects. Walking endurance, WOMAC and RAND scores improved significantly with no CID noted between groups. Ten (48%) subjects reported a ceiling effect on the WOMAC (9 (43%) subjects on Pain; 1 (5%) subject on Function). No group CID were noted in gait measures.ConclusionsOur recommendations would be that performance-based strength measures should be considered for the primary outcome in this younger cohort. Because of the ceiling effects with WOMAC Pain, a different pain measure is indicated. Other more challenging functional performance-based tests should be considered such as a more prolonged endurance test. There is merit in one-year follow-up as strength improved after four months in both groups.

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Further evaluation is required to determine whether longer term PROSTALAC retention may be appropriate for specific patient groups.

Purpose To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of SPECT/CT arthrography in patients with suspected aseptic prosthesis loosening following hip and knee arthroplasty. Methods A retrospective review of 63 SPECT/CT arthrogram studies (36 knees and 27 hips) between February 1, 2013, and July 1, 2018, was conducted. All patients underwent clinical and radiologic evaluation as part of their assessment for persistent pain following hip and knee arthroplasty. The detection of tracer activity along the bone-prosthetic interface on SPECT/CT suggests aseptic loosening. Operative assessment as well as clinical/radiologic follow-up at a minimum of 1 year was used as the reference standard. Results The sensitivity and specificity of SPECT/CT for detection of aseptic loosening was 6/7 (86%) and 55/56 (98%), respectively. This gives a positive predictive value (PPV) of 6/7 (86%), a negative predictive value (NPV) of 55/56 (98%), and a diagnostic accuracy of 61/63 (97%). Conclusion SPECT/CT arthrography has a high diagnostic accuracy (97%) in the evaluation of loosening of both hip and knee arthroplasties in patients with persistent post-procedural pain.

INTRODUCTIONSmokers undergoing total joint replacement (TJR) are more likely to develop infections and be re-admitted than non-smokers. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of standardized preoperative referral to a community-based pharmacist-led smoking cessation program compared to usual care for patients undergoing TJR. Secondarily, we evaluated the use of the smoking cessation program.METHODSA pre-post quasi-experimental study was conducted at a central intake clinic that prepares approximately 3000 TJR patients annually. Participants were recruited at a mean of 13±11.1 weeks preoperatively and provided informed consent. Participants in the ‘pre’ observational phase (OP) received usual care for smoking cessation. For ‘post’ intervention phase (IP) participants, a referral was sent to a community-based pharmacist-led smoking cessation program. Smoking status was validated on study entry using exhaled carbon monoxide. Participants’ smoking status was re-assessed using self-reported point prevalence abstinence at 6 months post-recruitment.RESULTSWe enrolled 120/150 (80%) potential OP candidates and 104/286 (36%) potential IP candidates. The groups were similar on study entry; overall, the mean age of participants was 58.7±9.1 years and 103 (47%) were male. They reported medium nicotine dependence with 37±11.6 mean years smoked. At 6 months post-recruitment, 8 (7%) OP participants self-reported 30-day point prevalence abstinence compared to 21 (20%) IP participants (p=0.003). Only 58 (56%) IP participants complied with the pharmacist referral, with 19 (33%) of those seeing the pharmacist reporting point prevalence abstinence at 6 months compared to only 2 (4%) of the 45 participants who did not see the pharmacist (p<0.001).CONCLUSIONSReferral to a community smoking cessation program as preoperative standard of care is feasible and can enhance long-term quit rates, but voluntary participation led to low recruitment to the program.

INTRODUCTION We compared smoking cessation outcomes between those who used a pharmacist-led community-based smoking cessation intervention and those who did not, prior to total joint replacement (TJR) surgery. Also, we examined intervention characteristics (e.g. number/duration of sessions attended, recommended therapy) and smoking cessation outcomes. METHODS This prospective evaluation was nested within a comparative study from a centralized clinic that prepares over 3000 patients annually for TJR and focused on participants referred to the community-based smoking cessation program preoperatively. Pharmacists offered an individualized evidence-based intervention and collected visit, duration and intervention data. Smoking cessation, the primary outcome, was ascertained independently of participating pharmacists at 6 weeks post-operative using exhaled CO monitoring and at 6 months post-recruitment via telephone interview. RESULTS Of 286 eligible candidates, 104 agreed to participate, with one subsequently withdrawing (n=103). At 6 weeks post-operatively, 66/103 (64%) participants returned for study re-assessment while 63/103 (61%) participants completed the post-recruitment interview at 6 months; non-respondents to study follow-up were considered smokers. Of 103 participants, 58 (56%) consulted with a pharmacist; those who did not consult a pharmacist (n=45) were slightly younger (p=0.02) with significantly higher CO level (p=0.02) on study entry. Validated 7-day point prevalence abstinence (PPA) at 6 weeks post-operative was 11/58 (19%) in pharmacist-compliant participants compared to 2/45 (4%) in non-compliant participants (p=0.04). At 6 months post-recruitment, 19/58 (33%) pharmacistcompliant participants self-reported a 7-day PPA compared to 2/45 (4%) by non-compliant participants (p<0.001). For pharmacist-compliant participants, 33/58 (54%) saw the pharmacist 4 times; the mean overall pharmacist time was 71.8±24.4 minutes/patient with 26/58 (45%) and 19/58 (33%) prescribed nicotine replacement therapy and varenicline, respectively, and 13/58 (22%) not using medication; post hoc analysis suggested varenicline was marginally more effective for smoking cessation than no medication (p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS Community-based pharmacist-led smoking cessation programs are an effective addition to usual preoperative care for smokers awaiting elective TJR. Using existing community resources led to higher smoking cessation rates in smokers waiting for TJR relative to those not using these resources.

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Purpose To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of SPECT/CT arthrography in patients with suspected aseptic prosthesis loosening following hip and knee arthroplasty. Methods A retrospective review of 63 SPECT/CT arthrogram studies (36 knees and 27 hips) between February 1, 2013 and July 1, 2018 was conducted. All patients underwent clinical and radiologic evaluation as part of their assessment for persistent pain following hip and knee arthroplasty. The detection of tracer activity along the bone-prosthetic interface on SPECT/CT suggests aseptic loosening. Operative assessment as well as clinical/ radiologic follow-up at a minimum of one year were used as the reference standard. Results The sensitivity and specificity of SPECT/CT for detection of aseptic loosening was 6/7 (86%) and 55/56 (98%) respectively. This gives a positive predictive value (PPV) of 6/7 (86%), a negative predictive value (NPV) of 55/56 (98%), and a diagnostic accuracy of 61/63 (97%). Conclusion SPECT/CT arthrography has a high diagnostic accuracy (97%) in the evaluation of loosening of both hip and knee arthroplasties in patients with persistent post-procedural pain.