Uncemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) implants have become the standard for younger patients on account of increased implant survivorship and multiple other advantages. Nevertheless, uncemented THA remains controversial in elderly patients. The evidence base for this is limited, as previous studies have compared octogenarians to a younger control group. The aim of this prospective cohort study is to evaluate the outcome of octogenarian patients undergoing uncemented THA with a control group of similarly aged patients undergoing hybrid THA with a minimum 5 years follow up. Clinical outcomes including intra and postoperative complications, blood transfusion, revision rate and mortality were recorded. Radiological analysis of pre and postoperative radiograph assessed bone quality, implant fixation and any subsequent loosening. 143 patients, (mean age 86.2 yrs.) were enrolled in the study. 76 patients underwent uncemented THA and 67 underwent hybrid THA. The uncemented cohort had fewer intraoperative and postoperative complications. The uncemented cohort also had a lower transfusion rate (p=0.002). Mean hospital stay (p=0.27) was comparable between the 2 groups. Two patients underwent revision surgery in either cohort. Our study demonstrates uncemented THA is safe for the octogenarian patient and we recommend that age should be not be a barrier of choice of implant. However intraoperative assessment of bone quality should guide surgeon to the optimum decision regarding uncemented and hybrid implant.

Purposes of the study and background

Pain of lumbar facet-joint origin is a common cause of low back pain in adults, and may lead to chronic pain and disability. At present, there is no definitive research to support the use of targeted lumbar facet-joint injections to manage this pain.

The study's objective was to assess the feasibility of carrying out a definitive study to evaluate the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of lumbar facet-joint injections compared to a sham procedure.

Introduction

Currently, a validate scale of ankle osteoarthritis (OA) is not available and different classifications have been used, making comparisons between studies difficult. In other joints as the hip and knee, the Kellgren-Lawrence (K&L) scale, chosen as reference by the World Health Organizations is widely used to characterize OA. It consists of a physician based assessment of 3 radiological features: osteophyte formation, joint space narrowing and bone end sclerosis described as follows: grade 0: normal joint; grade 1: minute osteophytes of doubtfull significance; grade 2: definite osteophytes; grade 3: moderate diminution of joint space; grade 4: joint space greatly impaired, subchondral sclerosis. Until now, the K&L scale has never been validated in the ankle. Our objective was to assess the usefulness of the K&L scale for the ankle joint, by determining its reliability and by comparing it to functional scores and to computerized minimal joint space width (minJSW) and sclerosis measurements. Additionally we propose an atlas of standardized radiographs for each of the K&L grades in the ankle.

Patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) experience significant post-operative pain. We report the results of a new comprehensive patient care plan to manage peri-operative pain, enable early mobilisation and reduce length of hospital stay in TKA.

A prospective audit of 1081 patients undergoing primary TKA during 2008 and 2009 was completed. All patients followed a planned programme including pre-operative patient education, pre-emptive analgesia, spinal/epidural anaesthesia with propofol sedation, intra-articular soft tissue wound infiltration, post-operative high volume intermittent ropivacaine boluses with an intra-articular catheter and early mobilisation. The primary outcome measure was the day of discharge from hospital. Secondary outcomes were verbal rating pain scores on movement, time to first mobilisation, nausea and vomiting scores, urinary catheterisation for retention, need for rescue analgesia, maximum flexion at discharge and six weeks post-operatively, and Oxford score improvement.

The median day of discharge to home was post-operative day four. Median pain score on mobilisation was three for first post-operative night, day one and day two. 35% of patients ambulated on the day of surgery and 95% of patients within 24 hours. 79% patients experienced no nausea or vomiting. Catheterisation rate was 6.9%. Rescue analgesia was required in 5% of cases. Median maximum flexion was 85° on discharge and 93° at six weeks post-operatively. Only 6.6% of patients had a reduction in maximum flexion (loss of more than 5°) at six weeks. Median Oxford score had improved from 42 pre-operatively to 27 at six weeks post-operatively. The infection rate was 0.7% and the DVT and PTE rates were 0.6% and 0.5% respectively.

This multidisciplinary approach provides satisfactory post-operative analgesia allowing early safe ambulation and discharge from hospital. Anticipated problems did not arise, with early discharge not being detrimental to flexion achieved at six weeks and infection rates not increasing with the use of intra-articular catheters.

Introduction: The Less Invasive Stabilisation System (L.I.S.S.) is a new internal fixator for the treatment of complex distal femoral and proximal tibial fractures. Traditional treatment of these injuries is associated with recognised complications and fixation failure.

The LISS is designed to preserve periosteal perfusion and to facilitate a minimally invasive application. Self drilling unicortical screws provide angular stability with the implant giving it a mechanical and biological advantage over conventional fixation methods.

Aim: To evaluate clinical & radiological results of our experience with the LISS in the stabilisation of distal femoral and proximal tibial fractures

Method: Twenty two patients (12 male & 10 female), mean age 60.7 years (range 12–95 years) were treated in our institution over a 29 month period. Nine patients treated with proximal tibial fractures included 4 tibial plateau fractures (AO 41-B, 41-C) and 5 metaphyseal fractures (AO 41-A). Thirteen distal femoral fractures (AO-33) were treated of which 3 were periprosthetic. There were 15 low energy and 7 high energy fractures. Three open fractures of which two required soft tissue cover. Nineteen primary procedures performed following acute fractures and 3 revisions. Quality of life score was measured with SF12.

Results: Follow up rate of 91% (20/22; one died and the other left the country). Union was seen in 90% (18/20) of cases. Mean time to union was17 weeks (range 12–26) for low energy fractures and 27 weeks (range 13–52) for high energy fractures. Complications included: 2 delayed union, 2 late infections, 1 implant failure and 1 varus malunion.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates the LISS system is a useful implant for the treatment of complex fractures of the distal femur and proximal tibia, especially when bone quality is poor.