Aims. The underlying natural history of suspected scaphoid fractures (SSFs) is unclear and assumed poor. There is an urgent requirement to develop the literature around SSFs to quantify the actual prevalence of intervention following SSF. Defining the risk of intervention following SSF may influence the need for widespread surveillance and screening of SSF injuries, and could influence medicolegal actions around missed scaphoid fractures. Methods. Data on SSF were retrospectively gathered from virtual fracture clinics (VFCs) across a large Scottish Health Board over a four-year period, from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2021. The Bluespier Electronic Patient Record System identified any surgical procedure being undertaken in relation to a scaphoid injury over the same time period. Isolating patients who underwent surgical intervention for SSF was performed by cross-referencing the unique patient Community Health Index number for patients who underwent these scaphoid procedures with those seen at VFCs for SSF over this four-year period. Results. In total, 1,739 patients were identified as having had a SSF. Five patients (0.28%) underwent early open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). One patient (0.06%) developed a nonunion and underwent ORIF with
Post-traumatic periprosthetic acetabular fractures are rare but serious. Few studies carried out on small cohorts have reported them in the literature. The aim of this work is to describe the specific characteristics of post-traumatic periprosthetic acetabular fractures, and the outcome of their surgical treatment in terms of function and complications. Patients with this type of fracture were identified retrospectively over a period of six years (January 2016 to December 2021). The following data were collected: demographic characteristics, date of insertion of the prosthesis, details of the intervention, date of the trauma, characteristics of the fracture, and type of treatment. Functional results were assessed with the Harris Hip Score (HHS). Data concerning complications of treatment were collected.Aims
Methods
Osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) are a common cause of disability and chronic ankle pain. Many operative treatment strategies have been introduced; however, they have their own disadvantages. Recently lesion repair using autologous cartilage chip has emerged therefore we investigated the efficacy of particulated autologous cartilage transplantation (PACT) in OLT. We retrospectively analyzed 32 consecutive symptomatic patients with OLT who underwent PACT with minimum one-year follow-up. Standard preoperative radiography and MRI were performed for all patients. Follow-up second-look arthroscopy or MRI was performed with patient consent approximately one-year postoperatively. Magnetic resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) score and International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grades were used to evaluate the quality of the regenerated cartilage. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the pain visual analogue scale (VAS), Foot Function Index (FFI), and Foot Ankle Outcome Scale (FAOS).Aims
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Several artificial bone grafts have been developed but fail to achieve anticipated osteogenesis due to their insufficient neovascularization capacity and periosteum support. This study aimed to develop a vascularized bone-periosteum construct (VBPC) to provide better angiogenesis and osteogenesis for bone regeneration. A total of 24 male New Zealand white rabbits were divided into four groups according to the experimental materials. Allogenic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) were cultured and seeded evenly in the collagen/chitosan sheet to form cell sheet as periosteum. Simultaneously, allogenic AMSCs were seeded onto alginate beads and were cultured to differentiate to endothelial-like cells to form vascularized bone construct (VBC). The cell sheet was wrapped onto VBC to create a vascularized bone-periosteum construct (VBPC). Four different experimental materials – acellular construct, VBC, non-vascularized bone-periosteum construct, and VBPC – were then implanted in bilateral L4-L5 intertransverse space. At 12 weeks post-surgery, the bone-forming capacities were determined by CT, biomechanical testing, histology, and immunohistochemistry staining analyses.Aims
Methods
Although there are various pelvic osteotomies for acetabular dysplasia of the hip, shelf operations offer effective and minimally invasive osteotomy. Our study aimed to assess outcomes following modified Spitzy shelf acetabuloplasty. Between November 2000 and December 2016, we retrospectively evaluated 144 consecutive hip procedures in 122 patients a minimum of five years after undergoing modified Spitzy shelf acetabuloplasty for acetabular dysplasia including osteoarthritis (OA). Our follow-up rate was 92%. The mean age at time of surgery was 37 years (13 to 58), with a mean follow-up of 11 years (5 to 21). Advanced OA (Tönnis grade ≥ 2) was present preoperatively in 16 hips (11%). The preoperative lateral centre-edge angle ranged from -28° to 25°. Survival was determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis, using conversions to total hip arthroplasty as the endpoint. Risk factors for joint space narrowing less than 2 mm were analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model.Aims
Methods
The standard of surgical treatment for lower limb neoplasms had been characterized by highly interventional techniques, leading to severe kinetic impairment of the patients and incidences of phantom pain. Rotationplasty had arisen as a potent limb salvage treatment option for young cancer patients with lower limb bone tumours, but its impact on the gait through comparative studies still remains unclear several years after the introduction of the procedure. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of rotationplasty on gait parameters measured by gait analysis compared to healthy individuals. The MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane databases were systematically searched without time restriction until 10 January 2022 for eligible studies. Gait parameters measured by gait analysis were the outcomes of interest.Aims
Methods
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the induced membrane technique for treating infected bone defects, and to explore the factors that might affect patient outcomes. A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases between 1 January 2000 and 31 October 2021. Studies with a minimum sample size of five patients with infected bone defects treated with the induced membrane technique were included. Factors associated with nonunion, infection recurrence, and additional procedures were identified using logistic regression analysis on individual patient data.Aims
Methods
This study was designed to characterize the recurrence incidence and risk factors of antibiotic-loaded cement spacer (ALCS) for definitive bone defect treatment in limb osteomyelitis. We included adult patients with limb osteomyelitis who received debridement and ALCS insertion into the bone defect as definitive management between 2013 and 2020 in our clinical centre. The follow-up time was at least two years. Data on patients’ demographics, clinical characteristics, and infection recurrence were retrospectively collected and analyzed.Aims
Methods
Implantation of ultra-purified alginate (UPAL) gel is safe and effective in animal osteochondral defect models. This study aimed to examine the applicability of UPAL gel implantation to acellular therapy in humans with cartilage injury. A total of 12 patients (12 knees) with symptomatic, post-traumatic, full-thickness cartilage lesions (1.0 to 4.0 cm2) were included in this study. UPAL gel was implanted into chondral defects after performing bone marrow stimulation technique, and assessed for up to three years postoperatively. The primary outcomes were the feasibility and safety of the procedure. The secondary outcomes were self-assessed clinical scores, arthroscopic scores, tissue biopsies, and MRI-based estimations.Aims
Methods
Hyaline cartilage has a low capacity for regeneration. Untreated osteochondral lesions of the femoral head can lead to progressive and symptomatic osteoarthritis of the hip. The purpose of this study is to analyze the clinical and radiological long-term outcome of patients treated with osteochondral autograft transfer. To our knowledge, this study represents a series of osteochondral autograft transfer of the hip with the longest follow-up. We retrospectively evaluated 11 hips in 11 patients who underwent osteochondral autograft transfer in our institution between 1996 and 2012. The mean age at the time of surgery was 28.6 years (8 to 45). Outcome measurement included standardized scores and conventional radiographs. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to determine the failure of the procedures, with conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA) defined as the endpoint.Aims
Methods
Musculoskeletal infection is a devastating complication in both trauma and elective orthopaedic surgeries that can result in significant morbidity. Aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and complications of local antibiotic impregnated dissolvable synthetic calcium sulphate beads (Stimulan Rapid Cure) in the hands of different surgeons from multiple centres in surgically managed bone and joint infections. Between January 2019 and December 2022, 106 patients with bone and joint infections were treated by five surgeons in five hospitals. Surgical debridement and calcium sulphate bead insertion was performed for local elution of antibiotics in high concentration. In all, 100 patients were available for follow-up at regular intervals. Choice of antibiotic was tailor made for each patient in consultation with microbiologist based on the organism grown on culture and the sensitivity. In majority of our cases, we used a combination of vancomycin and culture sensitive heat stable antibiotic after a thorough debridement of the site. Primary wound closure was achieved in 99 patients and a split skin graft closure was done in one patient. Mean follow-up was 20 months (12 to 30).Aims
Methods
Dead-space management, following dead bone resection, is an important element of successful chronic osteomyelitis treatment. This study compared two different biodegradable antibiotic carriers used for dead-space management, and reviewed clinical and radiological outcomes. All cases underwent single-stage surgery and had a minimum one-year follow-up. A total of 179 patients received preformed calcium sulphate pellets containing 4% tobramycin (Group OT), and 180 patients had an injectable calcium sulphate/nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite ceramic containing gentamicin (Group CG). Outcome measures were infection recurrence, wound leakage, and subsequent fracture involving the treated segment. Bone-void filling was assessed radiologically at a minimum of six months post-surgery.Aims
Methods
Aims. Glenoid bone loss is a significant problem in the management of shoulder instability. The threshold at which the bone loss is considered “critical” requiring bony reconstruction has steadily dropped and is now approximately 15%. This necessitates accurate measurement in order that the correct operation is performed. CT scanning is the most commonly used modality and there are a number of techniques described to measure the bone loss however few have been validated. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of the most commonly used techniques for measuring glenoid bone loss on CT. Methods. Anatomically accurate models with known glenoid diameter and degree of bone loss were used to determine the mathematical and statistical accuracy of six of the most commonly described techniques (relative diameter, linear ipsilateral circle of best fit (COBF), linear contralateral COBF, Pico, Sugaya, and circle line methods). The models were prepared at 13.8%, 17.6%, and 22.9% bone loss. Sequential CT scans were taken and randomized. Blinded reviewers made repeated measurements using the different techniques with a threshold for theoretical
To investigate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of older adults (aged ≥ 60 years) after tibial plateau fracture (TPF) compared to preinjury and population matched values, and what aspects of treatment were most important to patients. We undertook a retrospective, case-control study of 67 patients at mean 3.5 years (SD 1.3; 1.3 to 6.1) after TPF (47 patients underwent fixation, and 20 nonoperative management). Patients completed EuroQol five-dimension three-level (EQ-5D-3L) questionnaire, Lower Limb Function Scale (LEFS), and Oxford Knee Scores (OKS) for current and recalled prefracture status. Propensity score matching for age, sex, and deprivation in a 1:5 ratio was performed using patient level data from the Health Survey for England to obtain a control group for HRQoL comparison. The primary outcome was the difference in actual (TPF cohort) and expected (matched control) EQ-5D-3L score after TPF.Aims
Methods
Periprosthetic hip-joint infection is a multifaceted and highly detrimental outcome for patients and clinicians. The incidence of prosthetic joint infection reported within two years of primary hip arthroplasty ranges from 0.8% to 2.1%. Costs of treatment are over five-times greater in people with periprosthetic hip joint infection than in those with no infection. Currently, there are no national evidence-based guidelines for treatment and management of this condition to guide clinical practice or to inform clinical study design. The aim of this study is to develop guidelines based on evidence from the six-year INFection and ORthopaedic Management (INFORM) research programme. We used a consensus process consisting of an evidence review to generate items for the guidelines and online consensus questionnaire and virtual face-to-face consensus meeting to draft the guidelines.Aims
Methods
Chronic osteomyelitis (COM) of the lower limb in adults can be surgically managed by either limb reconstruction or amputation. This scoping review aims to map the outcomes used in studies surgically managing COM in order to aid future development of a core outcome set. A total of 11 databases were searched. A subset of studies published between 1 October 2020 and 1 January 2011 from a larger review mapping research on limb reconstruction and limb amputation for the management of lower limb COM were eligible. All outcomes were extracted and recorded verbatim. Outcomes were grouped and categorized as per the revised Williamson and Clarke taxonomy.Aims
Methods
The use of high tibial osteotomy (HTO) to delay total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in young patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and constitutional deformity remains debated. The aim of this study was to compare the long-term outcomes of TKA after HTO compared to TKA without HTO, using the time from the index OA surgery as reference (HTO for the study group, TKA for the control group). This was a case-control study of consecutive patients receiving a posterior-stabilized TKA for OA between 1996 and 2010 with previous HTO. A total of 73 TKAs after HTO with minimum ten years’ follow-up were included. Cases were matched with a TKA without previous HTO for age at the time of the HTO. All revisions were recorded. Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis was performed using revision of metal component as the endpoint. The Knee Society Score, range of motion, and patient satisfaction were assessed.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to assess the clinical and radiological results of patients who were revised using a custom-made triflange acetabular component (CTAC) for component loosening and pelvic discontinuity (PD) after previous total hip arthroplasty (THA). Data were extracted from a single centre prospective database of patients with PD who were treated with a CTAC. Patients were included if they had a follow-up of two years. The Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS), modified Oxford Hip Score (mOHS), EurQol EuroQoL five-dimension three-level (EQ-5D-3L) utility, and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), including visual analogue score (VAS) for pain, were gathered at baseline, and at one- and two-year follow-up. Reasons for revision, and radiological and clinical complications were registered. Trends over time are described and tested for significance and clinical relevance.Aims
Methods
There are concerns regarding complications and longevity of total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) in young patients, and the few previous publications are mainly limited to reports on linked elbow devices. We investigated the clinical outcome of unlinked TEA for patients aged less than 50 years with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We retrospectively reviewed the records of 26 elbows of 21 patients with RA who were aged less than 50 years who underwent primary TEA with an unlinked elbow prosthesis. The mean patient age was 46 years (35 to 49), and the mean follow-up period was 13.6 years (6 to 27). Outcome measures included pain, range of motion, Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), radiological evaluation for radiolucent line and loosening, complications, and revision surgery with or without implant removal.Aims
Methods
Aims. Large acetabular bone defects encountered in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) are challenging to restore. Metal constructs for structural support are combined with
