Roshan P Shah1, Leanna MacLean, Wayne G Paprosky, Scott Sporer. 1. From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York City, NY (Dr. Shah), Halifax Biomedical, Mabou, Nova Scotia, Canada (Ms. MacLean), and the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL (Dr. Paprosky and Dr. Sporer).
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Radiostereometric analysis (RSA) accurately assesses arthroplasty implant performance and is routinely used for research purposes. Because of its efficacy in detecting implant failure in research subjects, we deployed the use of RSA beads for routine surveillance in all elective total hip and total knee arthroplasty patients. METHODS: We retrospectively compared 143 patients who received RSA beads intraoperatively with 343 patients who did not receive RSA beads. Using RSA images, we assessed bead stability at 6 weeks and 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: There were no intraoperative complications in the RSA group and two in the control group. No differences were found between groups for the surgical time and the expected blood loss. At 6 weeks, 99.5% of beads were considered to be stable, with stability increasing to 99.7% of beads at 1 year. CONCLUSION: The routine use of RSA bead insertion is a safe procedure and may provide the ability to assess implant fixation in clinical practice.
BACKGROUND: Radiostereometric analysis (RSA) accurately assesses arthroplasty implant performance and is routinely used for research purposes. Because of its efficacy in detecting implant failure in research subjects, we deployed the use of RSA beads for routine surveillance in all elective total hip and total knee arthroplastypatients. METHODS: We retrospectively compared 143 patients who received RSA beads intraoperatively with 343 patients who did not receive RSA beads. Using RSA images, we assessed bead stability at 6 weeks and 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: There were no intraoperative complications in the RSA group and two in the control group. No differences were found between groups for the surgical time and the expected blood loss. At 6 weeks, 99.5% of beads were considered to be stable, with stability increasing to 99.7% of beads at 1 year. CONCLUSION: The routine use of RSA bead insertion is a safe procedure and may provide the ability to assess implant fixation in clinical practice.