Background:
Background:
Aim: Congenital Talipes Equinovarus (CTEV) is managed in a variety of ways, with little agreement on how best to assess outcome. Some authors advocate patient based subjective assessments, while others use a variety of objective measures. Without agreement, it is impossible to evaluate different management methods. We have therefore evaluated a number of objective parameters compared to a subjective assessment following management of CTEV. Methods: 216 children and their families consented to participate in the study. The children had been managed in a number of hospitals across Scotland, and in a variety of ways. Outcome was assessed by a researcher not involved in the management of the children. Subjective assessment consisted of a postal questionnaire.
Introduction. Restrictions placed on the working hours of doctors have led to increasing time-pressures on surgical training. Consequently, there has been growing interest in developing new techniques to teach and assess technical skills. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether a novel set of visual parameters assessing visuospatial ability, fine motor dexterity and gaze control could objectively distinguish between varying levels of arthroscopic experience. The secondary aim was to evaluate the correlations between these new parameters and previously established technical skill assessment methods. Methods. 27 subjects were divided into a “novice” group (n=7), “trainee” group (n=15) and expert group (n=5) based on previous arthroscopic experience. All subjects performed a diagnostic knee arthroscopy task on a simulator. Their performance was assessed using new simple visual parameters that included “prevalence of instrument loss,” “triangulation time” and “prevalence of look downs”. In addition, performance was also evaluated using previously validated technical skill assessment methods (a global rating scale and motion analysis). Results. A significant difference in performance between the groups was demonstrated using all three novel visual parameters, the global rating scale and motion analysis (Mann-Whitney U test, p< 0.05). There were strong and highly significant correlations (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, p< 0.0001) between each of the novel parameters and the previously validated skill assessment methods. Conclusion. This study demonstrates the construct validity of three novel visual parameters for objectively assessing arthroscopic performance. Two of these are simple, can be used easily in the operating theatre, and are highly correlated with current validated methods of technical skill assessment. Given the paramount importance of identifying objective methods for evaluating technical skill in arthroscopic surgery, the generic nature of these simple visual parameters make them a powerful and user-friendly
Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, NIHR Biomedical Research Unit, University of Oxford and the Nuffield Orthopaedic Hospital, Oxford The aim of this study was to use motion analysis to objectively study the learning curve of surgical trainees performing arthroscopic meniscal repair on a training model in a skills laboratory. With improving technology and an appreciation of its likely chondroprotective effects, meniscal repair surgery is becoming more common. It remains a difficult procedure and is not routinely learnt during surgical training.Purpose
Background
Background: The medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) is the primary stabilizer of the patellofemoral joint. Its reconstruction has been recommended in adults over the past decade after recurrent patellar instability. The purpose of this study was to assess outcomes after MPFL reconstruction in children and adolescent and to prospectively evaluate reconstruction by computed tomography (CT scans) before and after surgery. Materials and Methods: Thirteen consecutive patients (5 boys and 8 girls)(13 knees) underwent a double bundle MPFL reconstruction with hamstring tendon autograft (gracilis:6, semitendinosus: 7) for patellar instability. A bone femoral fixation with interference screw in a tunnel was associated with patellar fixation according to Fithian in mature knees, and a soft tissue procedure was performed in skeletally immature knees. In 5 knees the MPFL reconstruction was isolated while it was associated with medialization and distalization of the tibial tubercle in 8 knees. The mean age at time of surgery was 14.4 years (range, 9.6– 16.5). Patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively by physical, radiological and CT Scans examination and subjectively with the IKDC and Kujala questionnaires. During CT scans with knee fully extended and the quadriceps contracted or relaxed, the patellar tilt angle was assessed. In cases where tibial tubercle was mobilized, the tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance was measured pre and postoperatively. Results: No recurrent episodes of dislocation or sub-luxation were reported after 10.5 months (range, 3–23) follow-up after surgery. Mean Kujala score was of 90.2 (range, 84–99) at latest follow-up. For all patients the moving patellar apprehension test was positive before and negative after surgery. A firm end point to lateral patellar translation was noticed in all patients at latest follow-up.
The significance of physical activity (PA) assessment is widely acknowledged as it can aid in the understanding of pathologies. PA of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients has been assessed with varying methods, as it is a disease that is known to impair physical function and activity during daily life. Differences between methods have been described for general outcomes (sport participation or sedentary time), yet failed to describe common activities such as stair locomotion or sit-to-stand (STS) transfers. This study therefore aimed to determine the comparability of various methods to assess daily-life activities in KOA patients. Sixty-one clinically diagnosed KOA patients wore a tri-axial accelerometer (AX3, Axivity, UK) for one week during waking hours. Furthermore, they performed three physical function tests: a 40-m fast-paced walk test (WT), a timed up-and-go test (TUGT) and a 15 stair-climb test (SCT). Patients were also asked to fill out the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), a KOA-specific questionnaire. Patients were slightly overweight (average BMI: 27.3±4.8 kg/m2), 60 (±10) years old and predominantly female (53%). The amount of daily level walking bouts was only weakly correlated with the WT performance, representing patients” walking capacity, (ρ=−0.33, p=0.01). Similarly, level-walking bouts during daily life correlated weakly with self-perceived walking capacity addressed by the KOOS (ρ=−0.36, p=0.01). For stair locomotion, a slightly different trend was seen. A moderate correlation was found (ρ=0.65, p<0.001), between the amount of ascending bouts and the objective functional test performance (SCT). However, the subjective assessment of stair ascending limitations (via the KOOS) correlated only weakly with both the functional test performance and the measured level of activity (ρ=−0.30 and −0.35, resp.). Comparable results were found for descending motions. STS transfers during daily life correlated moderately at best with the time to complete the TUGT (ρ=−0.43, p<0.01) and only weakly with the self-perceived effort of STS transfers (ρ=−0.26, p=0.04). Only weak correlations existed between subjective measures and objective parameters (for both functional tests and daily living activities), indicating that they assess different domains (e.g. self-perceived function vs. actual physical function). Furthermore, when comparing the two objective measures, correlation coefficients increased compared to the subjective methods, yet did not reach strong agreement. These findings suggest that addressing common activities of daily life either subjectively or objectively will result in different patient-related outcomes of a study. Assessment methods should therefore be chosen with caution and compared carefully with other studies.
The aim of this study was to use motion analysis to study a surgeon’s learning curve for an arthroscopic Bankart repair on a training model in a skills laboratory. Six fellowship trained lower limb surgeons unfamiliar with advanced shoulder arthroscopy performed an arthroscopic Bankart repair on an ALEX shoulder model. Standardised training was given and then an electromagnetic tracking system used to objectively assess hand movements, distance travelled by hands and time taken while the surgeons performed the technique. The arthroscopic repair was repeated three times on four consecutive occasions by each surgeon giving a total of 72 repair episodes. Analysis revealed improvement of all outcome parameters with less hand movements, less distance travelled and less time to complete the task. This study objectively demonstrates a learning curve for arthroscopic Bankart suture in a skills laboratory. It indicates the potential benefits of practicing aspects of arthroscopic techniques in a skills centre on appropriately selected models.
Objective: Prospective analysis of early clinical outcome in patients treated with medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction using an autologous semitendinosus graft plus
Introduction. Our classic outcome scores increasingly fail to distinguish interventions or to reflect rising patient demands. Scores are subjective, have a low ceiling and score pain rather than function.
Aims. In order to release the contracture band completely without damaging normal tissues (such as the sciatic nerve) in the surgical treatment of gluteal muscle contracture (GMC), we tried to display the relationship between normal tissue and contracture bands by magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) images, and to predesign a minimally invasive surgery based on the MRN images in advance. Methods. A total of 30 patients (60 hips) were included in this study. MRN scans of the pelvis were performed before surgery. The contracture band shape and external rotation angle (ERA) of the proximal femur were also analyzed. Then, the minimally invasive GMC releasing surgery was performed based on the images and measurements, and during the operation, incision lengths, surgery duration, intraoperative bleeding, and complications were recorded; the time of the first postoperative off-bed activity was also recorded. Furthermore, the patients’ clinical functions were evaluated by means of Hip Outcome Score (HOS) and Ye et al’s
Introduction. A key outcome measured by national joint registries are revision events. This informs best practice and identifies poor-performing surgical devices. Although registry data often record reasons for revision arthroplasty, interpretation is limited by lack of standardised definitions of revision reasons and
Introduction. Patients with external fixators are at risk of pin site infection. A more
Introduction. The
Superior team performance in surgery leads to fewer technical errors, reduced mortality, and improved patient outcomes. Scrub nurses are a pivotal part of this team, however they have very little structured training, leading to high levels of stress, low confidence, inefficiency, and potential for harm. Immersive virtual reality (iVR) simulation has demonstrated excellent efficacy in training surgeons. We tested the efficacy of an iVR curriculum for training scrub nurses in performing their role in an anterior approach total hip arthroplasty (AA-THA). Sixty nursing students were included in this study and randomised in a 1:1 ratio to learning the scrub nurse role for an AA-THA using either conventional training or iVR. The training was derived through expert consensus with senior surgeons, scrub nurses and industry reps. Conventional training consisted of a 1-hour seminar and 2 hours of e-learning where participants were taught the equipment and sequence of steps. The iVR training involved 3 separate hour-long sessions where participants performed the scrub nurse role with an avatar surgeon in a virtual operation. The primary outcome was their performance in a physical world practical
Summary.
Disorders of human joints manifest during dynamic movement, yet no objective tools are widely available for clinicians to assess or diagnose abnormal joint motion during functional activity. Machine learning tools have supported advances in many applications for image interpretation and understanding and have the potential to enable clinically and economically practical methods for
Introduction/Aim. Mid-flexion instability is a well-documented, but often poorly understood cause of failure of TKA. NAVIO robotic-assisted TKA (RA-TKA) offers a novel, integrative approach as a planning, execution as well as an evaluation tool in TKA surgery. RA-TKA provides a hybrid planning technique of measured resection and gap balancing- generating a predictive soft-tissue balance model, prior to making cuts. Concurrently, the system uses a semi-active robot to facilitate both the execution and verification of the plan, as it pertains to both the static and dynamic anatomy. The goal of this study was to assess the ability of the NAVIO RA-TKA to plan, execute and deliver an individualized approach to the soft-tissue balance of the knee, specifically in the “mid-flexion” arc of motion. Materials and Methods. Between May and September 2018, 50 patients underwent NAVIO RA-TKA. Baseline demographics were collected, including age, gender, BMI, and range of motion. The NAVIO imageless technique was used to plan the procedure, including: surface-mapping of the static anatomy;
Despite the variety of implants or techniques that exist to treat displaced distal radial fractures, the majority fail to provide sufficient stability to permit early functional recovery. However, locking plates have the advantage over other implants in that locking screws add considerably to the overall stability. The aim of this study was to assess the functional outcome of patients with displaced distal radial fractures treated with a volar distal radial locking plate (Synthes). During a two year period, details of 98 patients admitted to our unit with inherently unstable dorsally displaced distal radial fractures treated with volar locking plates were collected prospectively. For the purpose of this analysis, only those patients (55) with unilateral fracture, able to attend the study clinic at 6 months post-injury were considered. Patients were immobilised in wool and crepe for a 2 week period. The group consisted of 15 males and 40 females with an average age of 54 (28 to 83). At 6 months, patients' perceived functional recovery averaged 80%.
Introduction. The efficacy of Virtual Reality (VR) as a teaching augment for arthroplasty has not been well examined for unfamiliar multistep procedures such as unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). This study sought to determine if VR improves surgical competence over traditional procedural preparation when performing a UKA. Methods. 22 Orthopaedic trainees were randomized to training sessions: 1) “VR group” with access to an immersive VR learning module that had been designed in conjunction with the manufacturer or 2) “Guide group” with access to manufacture's technique guide and surgical video. Both groups then performed a full UKA on SawBones models. Surgical competence was assessed via
