Aims. The primary aim of this study was to determine the ten-year outcome following surgical treatment for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). We assessed whether the evolution of practice from open to arthroscopic techniques influenced outcomes and tested whether any patient, radiological, or surgical factors were associated with outcome. Methods. Prospectively collected data of a consecutive single-surgeon cohort, operated for FAI between January 2005 and January 2015, were retrospectively studied. The cohort comprised 393 hips (365 patients; 71% male (n = 278)), with a mean age of 34.5 years (SD 10.0). Over the study period, techniques evolved from open surgical dislocation (n = 94) to a combined arthroscopy-Hueter technique (HA + Hueter; n = 61) to a pure arthroscopic technique (HA; n = 238). Outcome measures of interest included modes of failures, complications, reoperation, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Demographic, radiological, and surgical factors were tested for possible association with outcome. Results. At a mean follow-up of 7.5 years (SD 2.5), there were 43 failures in 38 hips (9.7%), with 35 hips (8.9%) having one failure mode, one hip (0.25%) having two failure modes, and two hips (0.5%) having three failure modes. The five- and ten-year hip joint preservation rates were 94.1% (SD 1.2%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 91.8 to 96.4) and 90.4% (SD 1.7%; 95% CI 87.1 to 93.7), respectively. Inferior survivorship was detected in the surgical dislocation group. Age at surgery, Tönnis grade, cartilage damage, and absence of rim-trimming were associated with improved preservation rates. Only Tönnis grade was an independent predictor of hip preservation. All PROMs improved postoperatively. Factors associated with improvement in PROMs included higher lateral centre-edge and α angles, and lower retroversion index and BMI. Conclusion. FAI surgery provides lasting improvement in function and a joint preservation rate of 90.4% at ten years. The evolution of practice was not associated with inferior outcome. Since degree of arthritis is the primary predictor of outcome, improved awareness and screening may lead to prompt intervention and better outcomes. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(10):804–814

Aims

Patients with proximal femoral fractures (PFFs) are often multimorbid, thus unplanned readmissions following surgery are common. We therefore aimed to analyze 30-day and one-year readmission rates, reasons for, and factors associated with, readmission risk in a cohort of patients with surgically treated PFFs across Austria.

Distal radius fractures (DRFs) are common injuries that represent 17% of all adult upper extremity fractures. Some fractures deemed appropriate for nonsurgical management following closed reduction and casting exhibit delayed secondary displacement (greater than two weeks from injury) and require late surgical intervention. This can lead to delayed rehabilitation and functional outcomes. This study aimed to determine which demographic and radiographic features can be used to predict delayed fracture displacement. This is a multicentre retrospective case-control study using radiographs extracted from our Analytics Data Integration, Measurement and Reporting (DIMR) database, using diagnostic and therapeutic codes. Skeletally mature patients aged 18 years of age or older with an isolated DRF treated with surgical intervention between two and four weeks from initial injury, with two or more follow-up visits prior to surgical intervention, were included. Exclusion criteria were patients with multiple injuries, surgical treatment with fewer than two clinical assessments prior to surgical treatment, or surgical treatment within two weeks of injury. The proportion of patients with delayed fracture displacement requiring surgical treatment will be reported as a percentage of all identified DRFs within the study period. A multivariable conditional logistic regression analysis was used to assess case-control comparisons, in order to determine the parameters that are mostly likely to predict delayed fracture displacement leading to surgical management. Intra- and inter-rater reliability for each radiographic parameter will also be calculated. A total of 84 age- and sex-matched pairs were identified (n=168) over a 5-year period, with 87% being female and a mean age of 48.9 (SD=14.5) years. Variables assessed in the model included pre-reduction and post-reduction radial height, radial inclination, radial tilt, volar cortical displacement, injury classification, intra-articular step or gap, ulnar variance, radiocarpal alignment, and cast index, as well as the difference between pre- and post-reduction parameters. Decreased pre-reduction radial inclination (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.54; Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.43 – 0.64) and increased pre-reduction volar cortical displacement (OR = 1.31; CI = 1.10 – 1.60) were significant predictors of delayed fracture displacement beyond a minimum of 2-week follow-up. Similarly, an increased difference between pre-reduction and immediate post reduction radial height (OR = 1.67; CI = 1.31 – 2.18) and ulnar variance (OR = 1.48; CI = 1.24 – 1.81) were also significant predictors of delayed fracture displacement. Cast immobilization is not without risks and delayed surgical treatment can result in a prolong recovery. Therefore, if reliable and reproducible radiographic parameters can be identified that predict delayed fracture displacement, this information will aid in earlier identification of patients with DRFs at risk of late displacement. This could lead to earlier, appropriate surgical management, rehabilitation, and return to work and function

Aims. The aim of this study was to determine whether early surgical treatment results in better neurological recovery 12 months after injury than late surgical treatment in patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI). Methods. Patients with tSCI requiring surgical spinal decompression presenting to 17 centres in Europe were recruited. Depending on the timing of decompression, patients were divided into early (≤ 12 hours after injury) and late (> 12 hours and < 14 days after injury) groups. The American Spinal Injury Association neurological (ASIA) examination was performed at baseline (after injury but before decompression) and at 12 months. The primary endpoint was the change in Lower Extremity Motor Score (LEMS) from baseline to 12 months. Results. The final analyses comprised 159 patients in the early and 135 in the late group. Patients in the early group had significantly more severe neurological impairment before surgical treatment. For unadjusted complete-case analysis, mean change in LEMS was 15.6 (95% confidence interval (CI) 12.1 to 19.0) in the early and 11.3 (95% CI 8.3 to 14.3) in the late group, with a mean between-group difference of 4.3 (95% CI -0.3 to 8.8). Using multiply imputed data adjusting for baseline LEMS, baseline ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS), and propensity score, the mean between-group difference in the change in LEMS decreased to 2.2 (95% CI -1.5 to 5.9). Conclusion. Compared to late surgical decompression, early surgical decompression following acute tSCI did not result in statistically significant or clinically meaningful neurological improvements 12 months after injury. These results, however, do not impact the well-established need for acute, non-surgical tSCI management. This is the first study to highlight that a combination of baseline imbalances, ceiling effects, and loss to follow-up rates may yield an overestimate of the effect of early surgical decompression in unadjusted analyses, which underpins the importance of adjusted statistical analyses in acute tSCI research. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(4):400–411

Introduction. Deformations of forearm with different degree of expression and functional restrictions of upper limb in children with hereditary multiple exostosis are formed in almost 80% of the cases. The question of indications for the selection and conduct of surgical procedure remains controversial, existing treatment methods and post-operative recovery methods for children need to be improved. Materials and Methods. The long-term outcomes of surgical treatment of 112 patients diagnosed with “Hereditary Multiple Exostosis” (HME) aged from 2 till 17 years old were researched. Evaluation of surgical treatment results was carried out in accordance with complaints, functional condition of the forearm, radiographs (taking into account reference lines and angles). Depending on the variant of deformation, the following surgical operations were performed: resection of bone-cartilage exostoses (in 20.5%); correction of forearm deformation with external fixator (in 79.5). In 14 cases, for a more accurate correction of deformity a hexapod frame was used. Results. Differentiated approach provided “good” anatomical and functional results in 55.6%; “satisfactory” results in 40.2%; “unsatisfactory” results in 4.2%. Postoperative complications in the form of non-union, pseudoarthrosis, delayed consolidation or neurological disorders were in 6.2%. Conclusions. The choice of surgical treatment is determined by the variant and severity of deformation. This approach allows to improve cosmetic and functional condition of forearm and adjacent joints. The use of hexapod allows to increase accuracy of correction of physiological axis of forearm bones

Aims. Fractures of the humeral shaft represent 3% to 5% of all fractures. The most common treatment for isolated humeral diaphysis fractures in the UK is non-operative using functional bracing, which carries a low risk of complications, but is associated with a longer healing time and a greater risk of nonunion than surgery. There is an increasing trend to surgical treatment, which may lead to quicker functional recovery and lower rates of fracture nonunion than functional bracing. However, surgery carries inherent risk, including infection, bleeding, and nerve damage. The aim of this trial is to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of functional bracing compared to surgical fixation for the treatment of humeral shaft fractures. Methods. The HUmeral SHaft (HUSH) fracture study is a multicentre, prospective randomized superiority trial of surgical versus non-surgical interventions for humeral shaft fractures in adult patients. Participants will be randomized to receive either functional bracing or surgery. With 334 participants, the trial will have 90% power to detect a clinically important difference for the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire score, assuming 20% loss to follow-up. Secondary outcomes will include function, pain, quality of life, complications, cost-effectiveness, time off work, and ability to drive. Discussion. The results of this trial will provide evidence regarding clinical and cost-effectiveness between surgical and non-surgical treatment of humeral shaft fractures. Ethical approval has been obtained from East of England – Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee. Publication is anticipated to occur in 2024. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(4):343–349

Aims. Achilles tendon re-rupture (ATRR) poses a significant risk of postoperative complication, even after a successful initial surgical repair. This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with Achilles tendon re-rupture following operative fixation. Methods. This retrospective cohort study analyzed a total of 43,287 patients from national health claims data spanning 2008 to 2018, focusing on patients who underwent surgical treatment for primary Achilles tendon rupture. Short-term ATRR was defined as cases that required revision surgery occurring between six weeks and one year after the initial surgical repair, while omitting cases with simultaneous infection or skin necrosis. Variables such as age, sex, the presence of Achilles tendinopathy, and comorbidities were systematically collected for the analysis. We employed multivariate stepwise logistic regression to identify potential risk factors associated with short-term ATRR. Results. From 2009 to 2018, the short-term re-rupture rate for Achilles tendon surgeries was 2.14%. Risk factors included male sex, younger age, and the presence of Achilles tendinopathy. Conclusion. This large-scale, big-data study reaffirmed known risk factors for short-term Achilles tendon re-rupture, specifically identifying male sex and younger age. Moreover, this study discovered that a prior history of Achilles tendinopathy emerges as an independent risk factor for re-rupture, even following initial operative fixation. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2024;13(7):315–320

Aims. Isolated fractures of the ulnar diaphysis are uncommon, occurring at a rate of 0.02 to 0.04 per 1,000 cases. Despite their infrequency, these fractures commonly give rise to complications, such as nonunion, limited forearm pronation and supination, restricted elbow range of motion, radioulnar synostosis, and prolonged pain. Treatment options for this injury remain a topic of debate, with limited research available and no consensus on the optimal approach. Therefore, this trial aims to compare clinical, radiological, and functional outcomes of two treatment methods: open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) versus nonoperative treatment in patients with isolated ulnar diaphyseal fractures. Methods. This will be a multicentre, open-label, parallel randomized clinical trial (under National Clinical Trial number NCT01123447), accompanied by a parallel prospective cohort group for patients who meet the inclusion criteria, but decline randomization. Eligible patients will be randomized to one of the two treatment groups: 1) nonoperative treatment with closed reduction and below-elbow casting; or 2) surgical treatment with ORIF utilizing a limited contact dynamic compression plate and screw construct. The primary outcome measured will be the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire score at 12 months post-injury. Additionally, functional outcomes will be assessed using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and pain visual analogue scale, allowing for a comparison of outcomes between groups. Secondary outcome measures will encompass clinical outcomes such as range of motion and grip strength, radiological parameters including time to union, as well as economic outcomes assessed from enrolment to 12 months post-injury. Ethics and dissemination. This trial has been approved by the lead site Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (CHREB; REB14-2004) and local ethics boards at each participating site. Findings from the trial will be disseminated through presentations at regional, national, and international scientific conferences and public forums. The primary results and secondary findings will be submitted for peer-reviewed publication. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(5):411–418

Aim. A septic revision of an artificial joint is routinely split up in a so-called dirty phase and a clean phase. The measures taken to initiate the start of the clean phase vary significantly between musculoskeletal infection centers. We performed simulations of one-step exchanges of infected THAs and sought to 1) determine the effect of different clean phase protocols on the sterile field, and 2) determine whether or not it is possible to re-implant the new prosthesis completely clean. Method. Nine fresh frozen cadaveric hips were used and primary THA was undertaken via a direct anterior approach. Before implantation of the components varying amounts of fluorescent powder (GloGerm) were deposited, simulating bacterial infection. Second, a one-step exchange was performed via a posterolateral approach. After implant removal, debridement, and lavage, randomization determined which clean phase protocol was followed, i.e. no, some or full additional measures. Finally, the new prosthesis was re-implanted (fig. 1). In order to determine the effect of different clean phase protocols on contamination of the sterile field standardized UV light-enhanced photographs were obtained of 1) the gloves, 2) the instrument table, 3) the drapes, and 4) the wound and these were ranked on cleanliness by a blind panel of hip surgeons. In order to determine whether or not it is possible to re-implant the prosthesis completely clean, the implant was taken out again at the end of the one-step exchange and inspected for contamination under UV light. Results. The gloves, the instrument table, the drapes (fig. 2) and the wound were significantly cleaner after a clean phase using full additional measures compared to partial or no additional measures (p < 0.000). Partial measures were able to reduce some of the contamination of the gloves and the wound, but had no effect on the drapes and the instrument table. All re-implanted implants were contaminated with some amount of fluorescent powder at the end of the one-step exchange. Conclusions. We advise to incorporate a clean phase with full additional measures into the surgical treatment of prosthetic joint infections, as the effect of partial measures seems to be a poor compromise. The results of this study have now been published: Vles G, Bossen J, Kloos J, Debeer P, Ghijselings S. On the value and limitations of incorporating a “clean phase” into the surgical treatment of prosthetic joint infections - an illustrative cadaveric study using fluorescent powder. J Exp Orthop. 2022 Mar 21;9(1):28. doi: 10.1186/s40634-022-00467-x

Aims. The risk of postoperative complications after resection of soft-tissue sarcoma in the medial thigh is higher than in other locations. This study investigated whether a vessel sealing system (VSS) could help reduce the risk of postoperative complications after wide resection of soft-tissue sarcoma in the medial thigh. Methods. Of 285 patients who underwent wide resection for soft-tissue sarcoma between 2014 and 2021 at our institution, 78 patients with tumours in the medial thigh were extracted from our database. Information on clinicopathological characteristics, preoperative treatment, surgical treatment (use of VSS, blood loss volume, operating time), and postoperative course (complications, postoperative haemoglobin changes, total drainage volume, and drainage and hospitalization durations) were obtained from medical records. We statistically compared clinical outcomes between patients whose surgery did or did not use VSS (VSS and non-VSS groups, respectively). Results. There were 24 patients in the VSS group and 54 in the non-VSS group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of clinicopathological background. The total drainage volume in the VSS group was significantly less than that in the non-VSS group (1,176 ml vs 3,114 ml; p = 0.018). Moreover, the drainage and hospitalization durations were significantly shorter in the VSS group compared to the non-VSS group (p = 0.017 and p = 0.024, respectively). Conclusion. Our results suggest that use of VSS can help reduce the risk of postoperative complications after wide resection of soft-tissue sarcoma in the medial thigh. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(6):442–446

Aims. The primary aim of this study was to present the mid-term follow-up of a multicentre randomized controlled trial (RCT) which compared the functional outcome following routine removal (RR) to the outcome following on-demand removal (ODR) of the syndesmotic screw (SS). Methods. All patients included in the ‘ROutine vs on DEmand removal Of the syndesmotic screw’ (RODEO) trial received the Olerud-Molander Ankle Score (OMAS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Hindfoot Score (AOFAS), Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), and EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D). Out of the 152 patients, 109 (71.7%) completed the mid-term follow-up questionnaire and were included in this study (53 treated with RR and 56 with ODR). Median follow-up was 50 months (interquartile range 43.0 to 56.0) since the initial surgical treatment of the acute syndesmotic injury. The primary outcome of this study consisted of the OMAS scores of the two groups. Results. The median OMAS score was 85.0 for patients treated with RR, and 90.0 for patients treated with ODR (p = 0.384), indicating no significant difference between ODR and RR. The secondary outcome measures included the AOFAS (88.0 in the RR group and 90.0 for ODR; p = 0.722), FAOS (87.5 in the RR group and 92.9 for ODR; p = 0.399), and EQ-5D (0.87 in the RR group and 0.96 for ODR; p = 0.092). Conclusion. This study demonstrated no functional difference comparing ODR to RR in syndesmotic injuries at a four year follow-up period, which supports the results of the primary RODEO trial. ODR should be the standard practice after syndesmotic screw fixation. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(12):957–963

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 objective assessments, respectively. Results. The contracture bands exhibited three typical types of shape – feather-like, striped, and mixed shapes – in MR images. Guided by MRN images, we designed minimally invasive approaches directed to each hip. These approaches resulted in a shortened incision length in each hip (0.3 cm (SD 0.1)), shorter surgery duration (25.3 minutes (SD 5.8)), less intraoperative bleeding (8.0 ml (SD 3.6)), and shorter time between the end of the operation and the patient’s first off-bed activity (17.2 hours (SD 2.0)) in each patient. Meanwhile, no serious postoperative complications occurred in all patients. The mean HOS-Sports subscale of patients increased from 71.0 (SD 5.3) to 94.83 (SD 4.24) at six months postoperatively (p < 0.001). The follow-up outcomes from all patients were “good” and “excellent”, based on objective assessments. Conclusion. Preoperative MRN analysis can be used to facilitate the determination of the relationship between contracture band and normal tissues. The minimally invasive surgical design via MRN can avoid nerve damage and improve the release effect. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(9):776–784

Aims. Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) describes a pathological relationship between the femoral head and acetabulum. Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) may be used to treat this condition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of PAO in adolescents and adults with persistent DDH. Methods. Patients were divided into four groups: A, adolescents who had not undergone surgery for DDH in childhood (25 hips); B, adolescents who had undergone surgery for DDH in childhood (20 hips); C, adults with DDH who had not undergone previous surgery (80 hips); and D, a control group of patients with healthy hips (70 hips). The radiological evaluation of digital anteroposterior views of hips included the Wiberg angle (centre-edge angle (CEA)), femoral head cover (FHC), medialization, distalization, and the ilioischial angle. Clinical assessment involved the Harris Hip Score (HHS) and gluteal muscle performance assessment. Results. Significant improvements in radiological parameters were achieved in all measurements in all groups (p < 0.05). The greatest improvement was in CEA (mean of 19° (17.2° to 22.3°) in Group B), medialization (mean of 3 mm (0.9 to 5.2) in Group C), distalization (mean of 6 mm (3.5 to 8.2) in Group B), FHC (mean of 17% (12.7% to 21.2%) in Group B), and ilioischial angle (mean of 5° (2.3° to 8.1°) in Group B). There were significant improvements in the mean HHS and gluteal muscle performance scores postoperatively in all three groups. Conclusion. The greatest correction of radiological parameters and clinical outcomes was found in patients who had undergone hip surgery in childhood. Although the surgical treatment of DDH in childhood makes subsequent hip surgery more difficult due to scarring, adhesions, and altered anatomy, it requires less correction of the deformity and has a beneficial effect on the outcome of PAO in adolescence and early adulthood. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(7):775–780

Aims. Revision rates for ankle arthroplasties are higher than hip or knee arthroplasties. When a total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) fails, it can either undergo revision to another ankle replacement, revision of the TAA to ankle arthrodesis (fusion), or amputation. Currently there is a paucity of literature on the outcomes of these revisions. The aim of this meta-analysis is to assess the outcomes of revision TAA with respect to surgery type, functional outcomes, and reoperations. Methods. A systematic review was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed, Medline, Embase, Cinahl, and Cochrane reviews were searched for relevant papers. Papers analyzing surgical treatment for failed ankle arthroplasties were included. All papers were reviewed by two authors. Overall, 34 papers met the inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis of proportions was performed. Results. Six papers analyzed all-cause reoperations of revision ankle arthroplasties, and 14 papers analyzed failures of conversion of a TAA to fusion. It was found that 26.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 15.4% to 40.1%) of revision ankle arthroplasties required further surgical intervention and 13.0% (95% CI 4.9% to 23.4%) of conversion to fusions; 14.4% (95% CI 8.4% to 21.4%) of revision ankle arthroplasties failed and 8% (95% CI 4% to 13%) of conversion to fusions failed. Conclusion. Revision of primary TAA can be an effective procedure with improved functional outcomes, but has considerable risks of failure and reoperation, especially in those with periprosthetic joint infection. In those who undergo conversion of TAA to fusion, there are high rates of nonunion. Further comparative studies are required to compare both operative techniques. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(7):596–606

The optimal management of rotationally-unstable ankle fractures involving the posterior malleolus remains controversial. Standard practice involves trans-syndesmotic fixation (TSF), however, recent attention has been paid to the indirect reduction of the syndesmosis by repairing small posterior malleolar fracture avulsion fragments, if present, using open reduction internal fixation. Posterior malleolus fixation (PMF) may obviate the need for TSF. Given the limited evidence and diversity in surgical treatment options for rotationally-unstable ankle fractures with ankle syndesmosis and posterior malleolar involvement, we sought to assess the research landscape and identify knowledge gaps to address with future clinical trials. We performed a scoping review to investigate rotational ankle fractures with posterior malleolar involvement, utilizing the framework originally described by Arksey and O'Malley. We searched the English language literature using the Ovid Medline and Embase databases. All study types investigating rotationally-unstable ankle fractures with posterior malleolus involvement were categorized into defined themes and descriptive statistics were used to summarize methods and results of each study. A total of 279 articles published from 1988 to 2018 were reviewed, and 70 articles were included in the final analysis. The literature consists of studies examining the surgical treatment strategies for PMF (n=21 studies, 30%), prognosis of rotational ankle fractures with posterior malleolar involvement (n=16 studies, 23%), biomechanics and fracture pattern of these injuries (n=13 studies, 19%), surgical approach and pertinent anatomy for fixation of posterior malleolus fractures (n=12 studies, 17%), and lastly surgical treatment of syndesmotic injuries with PMF compared to TSF (n=4 studies, 6%). Uncontrolled case series of single treatment made up the majority of all clinical studies (n=44 studies, 63%), whereas controlled study designs were the next most common (n=16 studies, 23%). Majority of research in this field has been conducted in the past eight years (n=52 studies, 74%). Despite increasing concern and debate among the global orthopaedic community regarding rotationally-unstable ankle fractures with syndesmosis and posterior malleolar involvement, and an increasing trend towards PMF, optimal treatment remains unclear when comparing TSF to PMF. Current research priorities are to (1) define the specific injury pattern for which PMF adequately stabilizes the syndesmosis, and (2) conduct a randomized clinical trial comparing PMF to TSF with the assistance of the orthopaedic community at large with well-defined clinical outcomes

Abstract. MAGnetic Expansion Control (MAGEC) rods are used in the surgical treatment of children with early onset scoliosis. The magnetically controlled lengthening mechanism enables rod distractions without the need for repeated invasive surgery. The CE certification of these devices was suspended in March 2021 due, primarily, to performance evidence gaps in the documents provided by the manufacturer to regulators and notified bodies. MAGEC rods are therefore not permitted for use in countries requiring CE marking. This was a survey of 18 MAGEC rod surgeons in the UK about their perception of the impact of the CE suspension on the clinical management of their patients. Unsurprisingly, virtually all perceived a negative impact, reflecting the complexity of this patient group. Reassuringly, these surgeons are highly experienced in alternative treatment methods. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(2):155–157

Introduction. There is renewed interest in dislocation after surgical approach with popularization of the direct anterior approach. The purported advantage of both the lateral and direct anterior approaches is decreased risk of dislocation. The purpose of this study was to assess the risk of dislocation by approach following modern primary THA. Methods. All primary THAs at a single academic institution from 2010 to 2017 were analyzed through our institutional total joint registry. There were 7023 THAs including 3754 posterior, 1732 lateral, and 1537 direct anterior. Risk of dislocation was assessed against the competing risks of revision surgery and death as well as by individual patient and surgical factors including surgical approach. Risk of revision surgery was considered as a secondary outcome. Step-wise selection was utilized to develop multivariable models. Clinical outcomes were documented with the Harris Hip Score (HHS). Mean age was 63 years, 51% were female, and mean body mass index (BMI) was 30 kg/m. 2. Minimum follow-up was 2 years. Results. The cumulative incidence of dislocation at 1-year and 5-years by approach was as follows: posterior (2.1%; 3.0%), lateral (0.7%; 0.7%), direct anterior (0.4%; 0.4%) (p<0.001) (Figure 1). Compared to the posterior cohort, the adjusted risk of dislocation was decreased for the lateral (hazard ratio [HR]=0.28, p<0.001) and direct anterior cohorts (HR=0.18, p<0.001). The cumulative incidence of revision for instability at 1-year and 5-years by approach was as follows: posterior (0.8%; 1.0%), lateral (0.6%; 0.6%), direct anterior (0%; 0%) (p=0.09). The adjusted risk of all-cause revision surgery was increased among the lateral cohort compared to posterior (HR=1.75, p=0.003) and direct anterior (HR=2.44, p=0.002) and among patients with diagnoses other than osteoarthritis (HR=2.89, p<0.001). Among patients who dislocated, 69 (83%) had anteversion >25° (Figure 2). Mean increase in HHS from preoperative assessment to final follow-up was greatest among direct anterior patients (37 points), followed by posterior patients (33 points), followed by lateral patients (29 points) (p<0.05, all comparisons). Conclusions. This study documents the risk of dislocation by surgical approach among a large contemporary cohort undergoing primary THA. The risk of dislocation was higher following the posterior approach, whereas all-cause revision surgery was found to be higher following the lateral approach. For any tables or figures, please contact the authors directly

Aims. The purpose was to compare operative treatment with a volar plate and nonoperative treatment of displaced distal radius fractures in patients aged 65 years and over in a cost-effectiveness analysis. Methods. A cost-utility analysis was performed alongside a randomized controlled trial. A total of 50 patients were randomized to each group. We prospectively collected data on resource use during the first year post-fracture, and estimated costs of initial treatment, further operations, physiotherapy, home nursing, and production loss. Health-related quality of life was based on the Euro-QoL five-dimension, five-level (EQ-5D-5L) utility index, and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were calculated. Results. The mean QALYs were 0.05 higher in the operative group during the first 12 months (p = 0.260). The healthcare provider costs were €1,533 higher per patient in the operative group: €3,589 in the operative group and 2,056 in the nonoperative group. With a suggested willingness to pay of €27,500 per QALY there was a 45% chance for operative treatment to be cost-effective. For both groups, the main costs were related to the primary treatment. The primary surgery was the main driver of the difference between the groups. The costs related to loss of production were high in both groups, despite high rates of retirement. Retirement rate was unevenly distributed between the groups and was not included in the analysis. Conclusion. Surgical treatment was not cost-effective in patients aged 65 years and older compared to nonoperative treatment of displaced distal radius fractures in a healthcare perspective. Costs related to loss of production might change this in the future if the retirement age increases. Level of evidence: II. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(12):1027–1034

Introduction. Several surgical approaches are available for elective total hip arthroplasty (THA) for osteoarthritis. While posterior surgical approaches are the most common, interest in a direct anterior (Hueter) approach is increasing because of alleged advantages in convalescence. However, no studies have examined differences in patient-reported global and condition-specific measures of health across multiple institutions. The ongoing Pulmonary Embolism Prevention after Hip and Knee Replacement (PEPPER) study is a PCORI-funded multicenter pragmatic clinical trial randomizing patients to three different antithrombotic regimens. We analyzed operative data from PEPPER to compare pre-post changes in validated patient-reported outcome measures after THA based on surgical approach. Methods. Participants (age 21 or older) were recruited from 27 academic medical centers for the PEPPER trial. Eligibility screening, baseline measures, and operative detail were entered into a central database with standardized blinded post-operative data collection protocol. We included participants undergoing elective primary total hip arthroplasty, excluding those undergoing revision, resurfacing, bilateral procedures, on chronic preoperative anticoagulation, with a recent history of gastrointestinal, cerebral, or other hemorrhage, defective hemostasis, or uncontrolled hypertension. Participating centers reported the operative approach as “Posterior”, “Transgluteal”, or “Anterior”. The brief version of the Hip Dysfunction and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS Jr.) and the Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Global Survey (PROMIS10) were ascertained pre-operatively, and at 1, 3 and 6 months post-operatively. Mixed-effects linear regression was used to compare difference in patient-reported outcomes over time based on surgical approach, adjusting for baseline measures of health outcome, patient age, sex, race, ethnicity, BMI, comorbidity, education, work status, alcohol use, and smoking status. Results. As of 5/15/2018, a total of 1,238 patients had undergone primary THA as part of the PEPPER trial and were being monitored postoperatively, including 51.6% involving posterior, 18.1% transgluteal, and 30.3% anterior surgical approaches. Mean preoperative HOOS Jr. scores for posterior approach (47.6; 95%CI 46.4 – 48.7) were similar to transgluteal (47.4, 95%CI 45.4 – 49.5, p=0.654) and anterior (48.9, 95%CI 47.4 – 50.4, p=0.461) approaches. At 6-month follow-up, adjusted mean HOOS Jr. Scores significantly improved for all groups, but were not statistically different between groups. The adjusted mean HOOS Jr. score at 6 months was 85.6 for those undergoing a posterior (95%CI 83.7 – 87.5), 83.6 for transgluteal (95%CI 79.0 – 88.2, p=.474) and 85.0 for anterior approaches (95%CI 82.6 – 87.5, p=0.255). Baseline PROMIS-10 Physical Function scores were similar between posterior (40.1; 95%CI 40.2 – 41.3), transgluteal (40.6, 95%CI 39.6 – 41.6, p=0.716), and anterior approaches (41.5, 95%CI 40.8 – 42.3, p=0.390), with similar postoperative improvement through 6 months (posterior=52.1, 95%CI 51.2 – 53.0; transgluteal=52.4, 95%CI 50.2 – 54.5, p=0.734; anterior=52.8, 95%CI 51.6 – 53.9, p=0.414). These findings were robust utilizing a variety of methods to account for missing responses. Conclusion. We found similar short-term improvements in patient-reported global measures of health between posterior, transgluteal, and anterior surgical approaches for elective THA, and a trend suggesting inferior early patient-reported measures of function with a trans-gluteal surgical approach

The effectiveness of total hip replacement as a surgical intervention has revolutionized the care of degenerative conditions of the hip joint. However, the surgeon is still left with important decisions in regards to how best deliver that care with choice of surgical approach being one of them especially in regards to the short-term clinical outcome. It is however unclear if a particular surgical approach offers a long-term advantage. This study aims to determine the influence of the three main surgical approaches to the hip on patient reported outcomes and quality of life after 5 years post-surgery. We extracted from our prospective database all the patients who underwent a Total Hip Replacement surgery for osteoarthritis or osteonecrosis between 2008 and 2012 by an anterior, posterior or lateral approach. All the pre-operative and post-operative HOOS (Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score) and WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) scores were noted. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVAs) were used to study the relationship between amount of change in HOOS and WOMAC subscales (dependant variables) and approach used, by also including confounding factors of age, gender, ASA (American Society of Anaesthesiologists) score, Charnley score and Body Mass Index. A total of 1895 patients underwent a primary total hip arthroplasty during the considered period. Among them, 367 had pre-operative and ≥5 years post operative PROM scores (19.47%). The mean follow-up for the study cohort was 5.3 years (range 5 to 7 years) with, 277 at 5 years, 63 at 6 years, and 27 at 7 years. In the posterior approach group we had 138 patients (37.60%), 104 in the lateral approach (28.34%) and 125 in the anterior approach (34.06%). There were no significant differences between the 3 groups concerning the Charnley classification, BMI, Gender, ASA score, side and pre-operative functional scores. We did not observe any significant difference in the amount of change in HOOS and WOMAC subscales between the 3 groups. There were no differences either in the post-operative scores in ultimate value. Our monocentric observational study shows that these three approaches provide predictable and comparable outcomes on HRQL and PROMs at long-term follow-up both in terms of final outcome but also in percent improvement. This study has several limitations. We excluded patients who underwent revision surgery leaving the unanswered question of how choice of surgical approach could lead to different revision rates, which have an impact on the functional outcomes. Moreover, even if we controlled for the most important confounders by a multivariate analysis model, there is still some involved cofounders, which could potentially lead to a bias such as smoking, socio-economical status or femoral head diameter. But we do not have any reason to think that these parameters could be unequally distributed between the three groups. Finally, our study cohort represents of 19.47% of the complete cohort. The fact that not all patients have PROM's was pre-determined as eight years ago we instituted that only 1 in 5 patients that returned their pre-operative questionnaire would get their PROM's at follow-up. Despite this, our statistical power was sufficient