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Background and purpose Patient-specific templating total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a new method for alignment of a total knee arthroplasty that uses disposable guides. We present the results of the first 40 consecutive patients who were operated on using this technique.Methods In this case-control study, we compared blood loss, operation time, and alignment of 40 TKAs performed using a patient-specific templating alignment technique with values from a matched control group of patients who were operated on by conventional intramedullary alignment technique. Alignment of the mechanical axis of the leg and flexion/extension and varus/valgus of the individual prosthesis components were measured on standing, long-leg, and standard lateral digital radiographs. The fraction of outliers (> 3˚) was determined.Results Mean mechanical axis of templating TKAs was 181° with a fraction of outliers of 0.3, and mean mechanical axis of conventional TKAs was 179˚ (outlier fraction 0.5). Fraction of outliers in the frontal plane for femoral components was 0.05 in the templating TKAs and 0.4 in the conventional TKAs, and for tibial components the corresponding values were 0.2 and 0.2. In the templating TKAs and conventional TKAs, fraction of outliers in the sagittal plane was 0.4 and 0.9, respectively, for femoral components and 0.4 and 0.6 for tibial components. Mean operation time was 10 min shorter and blood loss was 60 mL less for templating TKA than for intramedullary-aligned TKAs.Interpretation Patient-specific templating TKA showed improved accuracy of alignment and a small reduction in blood loss and operating time compared to intramedullary-aligned TKA, but the fraction of outliers was relatively high. Larger RCTs are needed for further evaluation of the technique and to define the future role of patient-specific template alignment techniques for TKA.

Endoscopic calcaneoplasty offers access to the retrocalcaneal space, thereby making it possible to remove inflamed retrocalcaneal bursa as well as the posterosuperior part of the calcaneus in applicable cases of painful hindfoot. In this study, endoscopic calcaneoplasty was performed in 21 procedures in 20 patients. All of the patients had typical complaints of inflammation of the retrocalcaneal bursa that were unresponsive to nonoperative treatment for more than 6 months. In all patients a superior calcaneal angle of more than 75 degrees and positive parallel pitch lines were present on the lateral calcaneal radiograph. The mean follow-up was 3.9 years (range, 2 to 6.5). There were no surgical complications and no postoperative infections. One patient had a fair result, 4 patients had good results, and the remaining 15 patients had excellent results. Whether this operation is performed by endoscopic or open technique, enough bone must be removed to prevent impingement of the bursa between the calcaneus and Achilles tendon. Endoscopic calcaneoplasty is a minimally invasive technique performed in an outpatient setting and combined with a functional rehabilitation program. The procedure has low morbidity. Patients have a short recovery time and quickly resume work and sports.

Purpose The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on joint arthroplasty service in Europe by conducting an online survey of arthroplasty surgeons. Methods The survey was conducted in the European Hip Society (EHS) and the European Knee Associates (EKA). The survey consisted of 20 questions (single, multiple choice, ranked). Four topics were addressed: (1) origin and surgical experience of the participant (four questions); (2) potential disruption of arthroplasty surgeries (12 questions); (3) influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the particular arthroplasty surgeon (four questions); (4) a matrix provided 14 different arthroplasty surgeries and the participant was asked to state whether dedicated surgery was stopped, delayed or cancelled. Results Two-hundred and seventy-two surgeons (217 EHS, 55 EKA) from 40 different countries participated. Of the respondents, 25.7% stated that all surgeries were cancelled in their departments, while 68.4% responded that elective inpatient procedures were no longer being performed. With regard to the specific surgical procedures, nearly all primary TJA were cancelled (92.6%) as well as aseptic revisions (94.7%). In most hospitals, periprosthetic fractures (87.2%), hip arthroplasty for femoral neck fractures and septic revisions for acute infections (75.8%) were still being performed. Conclusion During the current 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, we are experiencing a near-total shutdown of TJA. A massive cutback was observed for primary TJA and revision TJA, even in massively failed TJA with collapse, dislocation, component failure or imminent dislocation. Only life-threatening pathologies like periprosthetic fractures and acute septic TJA are currently undergoing surgical treatment. Level of evidence V.Publisher's Note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Case-control study, Level III.

Level II, randomized controlled trial.

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