Fred D. Cushner

Bio: Fred D. Cushner is an academic researcher from Hospital for Special Surgery. The author has contributed to research in topics: Arthroplasty & Anemia. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 24 publications receiving 209 citations.

Evaluation of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Integrity and Degenerative Arthritic Patterns in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract: We prospectively reviewed 107 consecutive primary total knee arthroplasties performed over a 1-year period. Intraoperatively, the integrity of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the characteristics of the intercondylar notch, and the patterns of cartilage wear were evaluated. The ACL was found to be deficient in 41 knees (39%) at the time of surgery. The ACL-deficient knee had significantly narrower intercondylar notch widths compared with knees with an intact ACL (average, 9.75 vs 16 mm, P < .01). Furthermore, patients with ACL deficiency were found to have a higher percentage of Outerbridge grade IV changes at the lateral femoral condyle, lateral tibial plateau, and patellar surfaces when compared to the ACL-intact group. An intact ACL appeared to be protective against severe patellar degeneration. In conclusion, intercondylar notch narrowing from the arthritic process can lead to attrition and rupture of the ACL. An ACL deficiency appears to be associated increased wear of the lateral femorotibial and patellofemoral joints.

Optimizing patellofemoral tracking during total knee arthroplasty.

Abstract: Fifty-seven patients who underwent 65 primary TKAs between 1993-1994 were retrospectively studied to identify the technical challenges and pitfalls associated with patellar resurfacing and to improve patellar tracking during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Average patient age was 69 years. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon (J.N.I), and the same prosthesis was used in all patients. Intraoperatively, attention was paid to avoid femoral and tibial component malrotation and prevent overstuffing of the patellofemoral joint. Preoperative limb alignment was varus in 42 knees, neutral in 6 knees, and valgus in 17 knees. Average pre-resection patellar thickness measured 23.8 mm and post-resection thickness averaged 21.5 mm. No patella-prosthesis composite was thicker than the native patella. Two (3%) knees required a formal lateral release to improve patellar tracking at surgery. Average follow-up for 53 patients (61 knees) was 5 years. At latest follow-up, 4 (6%) patients reported mild anterior knee pain, 5 (7%) patients reported pain with stairs, and 2 (3%) patients had knee crepitus without pain. No dislocations or recurrent subluxations occurred. No patient required revision surgery for patellofemoral complication. Awareness of the anatomic variability, attention to component rotation, and restoration of the normal patellar height improves patellar tracking and minimizes patellofemoral instability following TKA.

Characterization of the Neural Anatomy in the Hip Joint to Optimize Periarticular Regional Anesthesia in Total Hip Arthroplasty

Abstract: The purpose of the current study was to identify and map the periarticular neural anatomy of the hip to optimize periarticular injection techniques in total hip arthroplasty. A literature review of common search engines was performed using terms associated with hip innervation and 17 met the inclusion criteria. The studies addressed both gross and microscopic neural anatomy of the human hip joint, and the findings summarize key areas of hip mechanoreceptors and free nerve endings to provide a framework for targeted periarticular hip infiltration. Grossly, the hip joint is supplied by the femoral, obturator, sciatic, and superior gluteal nerves, as well as the nerve to the quadratus femoris. The greatest concentration of sensory nerve endings and mechanoreceptors is found at the anterior hip capsule, especially superiorly. The labrum is most highly innervated from the 10 to 2 o'clock position. After the cup and liner are placed, periarticular injections should be infiltrated toward the remnant labrum from 10 to 2 o'clock. Before stem insertion, the visible periosteum may then be injected circumferentially about the femur. The anterior and superior capsular tissue, if retained, is routinely infiltrated at the time of capsular repair. Depending on surgical approach, the fascia and incised soft tissue are infiltrated before final closure.

The History of Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract: Total knee arthroplasty has evolved immensely over the last 4 decades, giving patients a greater quality of life and restoring function of their knee joint. Along with changes in implant designs and the development of instrumentation, changes to preoperative and postoperative protocols have improved surgical outcomes. Modern arthroplasty has evolved into a procedure that can offer long-lasting results and functional improvement, with 3.48 million total knee procedures estimated to be performed annually by 2030.

The Effectiveness of Closed-Incision Negative-Pressure Therapy Versus Silver-Impregnated Dressings in Mitigating Surgical Site Complications in High-Risk Patients After Revision Knee Arthroplasty: The PROMISES Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract: Background Revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) is associated with significant risk of wound-related morbidity. The present study aimed to evaluate the 1) efficacy of closed-incision negative-pressure therapy (ciNPT) vs silver-impregnated antimicrobial dressing (AMD) in mitigating postoperative surgical site complications (SSCs), 2) the effect of ciNPT vs AMD on certain postoperative health utilization parameters, and on 3) patient-reported outcomes (PROs) improvement at 90-day postoperative follow-up. Methods This multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted between December 2017 and August 2019. Patients ≥22 years, at high risk for SSC, and receiving rTKA with full exchange and reimplantation of new prosthetic components or open reduction and internal fixation of periprosthetic fractures were screened for inclusion. Eligible patients were randomized to receive a commercially available ciNPT system or a silver-impregnated AMD (n = 147, each) for minimum of 5-day duration. Primary outcome was the 90-day incidence of SSCs with stratification in accordance with revision type (aseptic/septic). Secondary outcomes were the 90-day health care utilization parameters (readmission, reoperation, dressing changes, and visits) and PROs. Results Of 294 patients randomized (age: 64.9 ± 9.0 years, female: 59.6%), 242 (82.0%) patients completed the study (ciNPT: n = 124; AMD: n = 118). The incidence of 90-day SSCs was lower for the ciNPT cohort (ciNPT: 3.4% vs AMD: 14.3%; odds ratio (OR): 0.22, 95% confidence interval (0.08, 0.59); P = .0013). Readmission rates (3.4% vs 10.2%, OR: 0.30(0.11, 0.86); P = .0208) and mean dressing changes (1.1 ± 0.3 vs 1.3 ± 1.0; P = .0003) were lower with ciNPT. The differences in reoperation rates, number of visits, and PRO improvement between both arms were not statistically significant (P > .05). Conclusion ciNPT is effective in reducing the 90-day postoperative SSCs, readmission, and number of dressing changes after rTKA. Recommending routine implementation would require true-cost analyses.

Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Abstract: Revision reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) introduces several diagnostic and technical challenges in comparison with primary ACL reconstruction. With the increasing numbers of original reconstructions combined with the continued expectation of high-level athletic participation, revision ACL reconstruction is likely to become more frequent. The purpose of this article was to summarize the causes of failure and the evaluation of the patient with recurrent instability. A review of the literature regarding results after revision ACL reconstruction was performed to assist in the decision-making process and patient counseling. Good results can be obtained in terms of functional stability after revision reconstruction, but chondral and meniscal injury as well as unrecognized associated pathologic instability may play a role in diminished outcomes. In addition, a wide variety of surgical techniques are reviewed to address problems associated with tunnel malposition, widening, and pre-existing hardware.

A systematic review of the femoral origin and tibial insertion morphology of the ACL

Abstract: Transtibial single bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has been the gold standard for several years. This technique often fails to restore native ACL femoral origin and tibial insertion anatomy of the ACL. Recently, there is a strong trend towards a more anatomical approach in single and double bundle ACL reconstruction. Using the anatomic double bundle structure of the ACL as a principle, the entirety of both tibial insertion and femoral origin of both bundles, the posterolateral and anteromedial, may be restored. Reflected by recent publications over the past two years, there is an increasing interest in the anatomy of the ACL. In the current study, a PubMed literature search was performed looking for measurements of the ACL femoral origin and tibial insertion. These studies show a large variability in the size and the anatomy of the femoral origin and tibial ACL insertion using different methods and specimens. The diversity of reported measurements makes clinical application of these data difficult at best. Thus, it is of paramount importance to understand the individual variations in size and shape of the ACL femoral origin and tibial ACL insertion. This study is a systematic review of the morphology of the ACL femoral origin and tibial insertion as reported in the literature.

Size Variability of the Human Anterior Cruciate Ligament Insertion Sites

Abstract: Background: Current trends in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) have been toward anatomical reconstruction that restores the normal size and location of the anterior cruciate ligament insertions and its 2 bundles, the posterolateral (PL) and anteromedial (AM) bundles. This has resulted in a more individualized approach to ACLR. Several studies have shown that the size of the anterior cruciate ligament insertion sites is variable; however, these studies are limited by use of relatively small sample sizes and cadaveric specimens.Purpose: This study was undertaken to evaluate the in vivo size variability of the anterior cruciate ligament insertion sites and its AM and PL bundles during arthroscopy in a large series of patients and to correlate these findings with individuals’ physical characteristics (height, weight, and body mass index).Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods: In 137 patients undergoing ACLR during the first 6 months after injury, the femoral and tib...

Predictors of transfusion risk in elective knee surgery : Methods to reduce the use of allogeneic transfusions

Abstract: Two hundred seventy-nine patients undergoing primary unilateral total knee replacement and 280 patients undergoing primary bilateral total knee replacements were reviewed retrospectively. Patients' height, weight, hemoglobin level before donation, hemoglobin level before surgery, autologous donation, number and type of transfusions whether autologous or allogeneic, and hemoglobin at discharge were collected from hospital and clinic records. The average drop in hemoglobin was 3.85 g/dL in the group of patients undergoing unilateral total knee replacement and 5.42 g/dL in the group of patients undergoing bilateral total knee replacements. The preoperative hemoglobin and blood volume seemed to be very strong, statistically significant predictors of transfusion risk in single and bilateral knee replacements. In unilateral total knee replacement, patients with a hemoglobin of greater than 13 g/dL had only an 8% chance of transfusion and if they donated autologous blood, 66% of the blood was wasted. Preoperative anemia was a strong predictor of transfusion risk in patients undergoing unilateral and bilateral total knee replacements and carried a very high allogeneic transfusion exposure risk, even in patients who had donated blood preoperatively. A nomogram was developed using blood volume and predonation hemoglobin to predict transfusion risk and need to predeposit autologous blood in patients undergoing unilateral and bilateral total knee replacements.

Prevention of venous thromboembolism after knee arthroplasty.

Abstract: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a major cause of death in a hospitalized population, In North America, there are about 260,000 cases of clinically recognized venous thromboembolism (VTE) each year with an in-hospital case fatality rate of 12%. Considering the difficulties of making an accurate diagnosis in this commonly silent disease, there may be as many as 600,000 clinically significant cases per year.