Introduction

Osteochondral defects of the knee may occur following patella dislocation or following direct trauma or twisting injuries to the knee in adolescents. Often a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, if these lesions are left, posttraumatic osteoarthritis may occur. This retrospective single centre study presents the short-term results following operative fixation of osteochondral fragments of the knee using Omnitech ® screws.

Introduction: The conventional radiological assessment of hallux valgus (HV) involves measuring the intermetatarsal angle, HV angle, congruity of the metatarsophalangeal joint and the overall clinical deformity of the forefoot. However, in the current practice, these angles are seldom measured. We observed consistent displacement of the lateral sesamoid (LS) along with HV deformity. The position of the LS in relation to the head of the first metatarsal has never been studied before. We aim to study this pattern of the LS and to quantify the severity of the deformity which could help make clinical decisions.

Methods: 112 radiographs of 60 consecutive patients who underwent a weight bearing radiographs of their feet were studied. Statistical analysis was performed to identify the correlation of displacement with conventional angle measurements.

Results: A definite pattern in displacement of the lateral sesamoid was noted. This displacement also showed a statistical correlation with the conventional measurement of inter-metatarsal angle.

Discussion: Previous research which studied the displacement of medial sesamoid in these deformities was not received with great enthusiasm due to the difficulty in locating the medial sesamoid through the head of the metatarsal. In contrast, the lateral sesamoid lies laterally and any progressive deformity makes it more accessible to assessment. We report a consistent pattern in the displacement of the LS and classified as the position as normal, mild, moderate and severe. As it does not involve any measurements, we believe, this is a quick and reliable technique of assessment of HV deformity and should help to base our operative decisions.

Introduction: Leg length discrepancy (LLD) following total hip arthroplasty (THA) can lead to disappointed patients, increased dislocation, increased wear and suboptimal function. It is one of the commonest reasons for litigation following THA in the United States. The purpose of this study was to radiologically and functionally assess the efficacy of a simple technique for intra-operative leg length assessment during THA via a posterior approach.

Materials & Methods: This technique was undertaken in 50 consecutive THAs. The pre-and 3 month postoperative LLD was measured on standing AP pelvis radiographs. The results were compared with 50 THAs performed by the same surgeons without using the technique. Pre-and post-operative OHS and UCLA scores were recorded in both groups.

Results: In the control group the mean pre- and postoperative LLD was 9.38 mm and 7.75mm respectively. In the new technique group the mean pre-operative LLD was 11.37 and the post-operative LLD was 1.70mm. The final LLD was significantly less in the new technique group (p< 0.001). Fifteen patients in the control group and three patients in the new technique group had post–operative lengthening. Oxford Hip and UCLA score improvement in new technique group was greater than in the control group (p< 0.05).

Discussion: The technique we introduced to assess leg length intra-operatively has shown to be safe, reliable and accurate. We have nonetheless demonstrated much greater accuracy at providing equal leg lengths and improved functional outcome using this new technique.

Introduction: The clinical results of the modular Charnley Elite total hip system have been the subject of some interest in recent years. Some studies have shown significant subsidence and rotational instability in some stems when used with low-viscosity cement. These unstable stems have been shown to fail early. This purpose of this study is to demonstrate our conflicting clinical results.

Materials and Methods: 616 modular Charnley Elite total hip arthroplasties were inserted between 1995 and 2002 at Wrightington Hospital, which is a tertiary referral centre and centre of excellence for joint replacement in United Kingdom. Both Consultants and trainees performed operations and a variety of surgical approaches were used. Normal viscosity bone cement was used in all patients. All patients were followed up prospectively.

Results: At mean follow-up of 8 years (range 5–12), 471 hips were available for review. 87 patients had died and 12 were lost to follow-up. 2.7% (13 cases) of femoral components and 2.9% (14 cases) of acetabular components had been revised for aseptic loosening. 10 hips (2.1%) underwent revision for deep infection and 2 (0.04%) for recurrent dislocation. The overall survival with aseptic loosening as an end point was 97% and for revision for any reason was 94.5%.

Conclusion: Our results show acceptable clinical survivor-ship for this implant when used with standard viscosity cement. This contrasts with the lower survivorship rates published by other centres. Our result should reassure patients and surgeons alike that this prosthesis can be associated with acceptable results in the medium term.

Introduction: Total hip replacement (THR) in young patients is a controversial subject due to high failure rates reported in the literature. The purpose of this study was to show our short term results of primary total hip replacement in patients younger than 30 years of age.

Methods: Patients who underwent THR prior to the age of 30 years between 1998 and 2007 were identified and records of all patients were reviewed together with the radiographs till the last follow up.

Results: Forty three THRs were performed on 36 patients with an average age of 24.4 years (range, 17–30) and an average follow up period of 47 months (range, 7–109 months). There were 5 cases of Juvenile chronic arthritis, 2 Rheumatoid arthritis, 11 DDH, 2 septic arthritis, 1 pseudoachondroplasia, 4 Perthes disease, 2 seronegative arthitides, 2 SUFE and 7 AVN [alcohol, leukaemia, fracture, SLE (2), mannosidosis, idiopathic].

Thirty cemented THRs and 13 hybrid THRs were performed through trochanteric osteotomy approach (23), posterior approach (17), Hardinge approach (2) and anterior approach (1). In the cemented group there were 3 cases of superficial wound discharges, 1 recurrent dislocation, 1 complete femoral nerve palsy, 2 cases of neuropraxia and 1 case with persistent hip pain but no cases of infection. In the hybrid group there was one case of partial femoral nerve palsy. None of the patients has undergone any revision surgery till the latest follow up. Radiologically only one case showed aseptic loosening in both femoral and acetabular components, which is not revised as the patient is asymptomatic.

Discussion: THR is an elegant procedure and should be certainly considered in young patients suffering with disabling arthritic conditions affecting the hip joint. Our results show that THR - both cemented and hybrid types - is a successful and durable treatment.

Leg length discrepancy (LLD) following total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a well-known and documented phenomenon. LLD can pose a substantial problem for both the patient and the surgeon. Patient dissatisfaction with LLD after THA is the most common reason for litigation against orthopaedic surgeons. Failure to restore limb length may lead to an unstable hip, whereas over-lengthening may cause low back pain, sciatic nerve palsy and early mechanical loosening.

Several intra operative techniques both invasive and non invasive have been reported in the literature to over-come LLD during THA. The accuracy of all the methods that measure from pins anchored into pelvis to point on the greater trochanter may be affected by the inherent variability of the leg position when measurements are made. Bending or dislodging the pins and using of calliper devices can be cumbersome during the THA surgery and can compromise the measurements.

Hence we describe a simple, safe and reliable intra operative technique to overcome LLD by using a stout braided suture material tied to the stout Judd pin used to retract the soft tissues in posterior approach. Utilising the routine incision for the posterior approach to the hip, this technique can be easily carried out in primary THA surgery as compared to other techniques used to avoid LLD, which require further incision, and specialised equipment which are time consuming, cumbersome and may not be very secure. This technique of using a suture mark over the Judd pin is simple, inexpensive and easily adaptable.

Introduction: The clinical results of the modular Charnley Elite total hip system have been the subject of some interest in recent years. Some studies have shown significant subsidence and rotational instability in stems when used with low-viscosity cement. These unstable stems have been shown to fail early. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate our conflicting clinical results.

Materials and Methods: 616 modular Charnley Elite total hip arthroplasties were inserted between 1995 and 2002 at Wrightington Hospital, which is a tertiary referral centre and centre of excellence for joint replacement in United Kingdom. Both Consultants and trainees performed operations and a variety of surgical approaches were used. Normal viscosity bone cement was used in all patients. All patients were followed up prospectively.

Results: At mean follow-up of 8 years (range 5–12), 471 hips were available for review. 87 patients had died and 12 were lost to follow-up. 2.7% (13 cases) of femoral components and 2.9% (14 cases) of acetabular components had been revised for aseptic loosening. 10 hips (2.1%) underwent revision for deep infection and 2 (0.04%) for recurrent dislocation. The overall survival with aseptic loosening as an end point was 97% and for revision for any reason was 94.5%.

Conclusion: Our results show acceptable clinical survivor-ship for this implant when used with standard viscosity cement. This contrasts with the lower survivorship rates published by other centres. Our result should reassure patients and surgeons alike that this prosthesis can be associated with acceptable results in the medium term.

Introduction: The tribiological properties of bearing surfaces are one of the main topics in discussion in the orthopaedic research. Hard-on-hard bearings are one of the ways to reduce wear rates. Modern hard-on-hard bearing low wear rates depend on the correct pairing of bearing surfaces and strict manufacturing tolerances in surface roughness, clearance, and roundness.

There have been some concerns in using ceramic bearings, particularly regarding the fracture rate and their subsequent management. Hence, we present here 2 similar cases that highlight the catastrophic failure of metal head when used subsequently to treat the complication of ceramic fractures in Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA).

Case Details: Two patients underwent primary THA at different centres with ceramic-on-ceramic bearing. After an initial asymptomatic period of 2 years, ceramic fracture occurred in both the cases, which were subsequently replaced by metal-on-polyethylene bearings by the primary surgeons. One year after the revision of bearings, both the patients developed severe pain and discomfort, which on further investigation revealed massive metallosis, wear of the metal head and aseptic loosening of the acetabular components with cavitation in acetabulum.

Both the patients underwent revision THA under the senior author at our tertiary centre-Wrightington Hospital. Intraoperatively near total erosion of the metal head was noted with more than one litre of black, dense material collection in and around the hip joint revealing extensive metallosis. The acetabular cup was grossly loose and significant loss of bone stock was noted due to metallosis.

Single stage revision surgery was performed with impaction bone grafting for deficient acetabulum and cemented components were used. At one-year follow-up none of the cases have shown any further wear or complications.

Conclusion: One of the main objectives of successful THA is to improve implant longevity. To achieve this understanding the mechanisms of wear between the interacting surfaces is extremely important. The use of ceramic head is good, but there is always a risk of fracture. We do not recommend using metal heads in cases with prior ceramic fractures, as the wear of metal is most likely to occur as it is an ongoing process due to the residual ceramic debris. Hence in these difficult scenarios we recommend usage of ceramic-on-polyethylene as a safe option to prevent catastrophic erosion of metal head and improve implant longevity.

In situ fixation of mild slips of the slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a safe and reliable method of treatment. Hardware failure and fractures are reported at the time of pin retrieval. Difficulty in removing these pins is well reported. Major problems can be expected when arthroplasty is necessary years later, if the pins are still inside the proximal femur. Hence we have come up with a novel technique to remove these pins during Primary Total hip arthroplasty.

The hip is exposed through posterior approach, dislocated and the neck is then cut at the usual site. It is then segmented in both sagittal and coronal planes into approximately eight to ten pieces and removed piecemeal. The pins are thus exposed, cleared of any bony debris and hammered retrograde.

By using our simple and novel technique to remove these pins we feel it avoids unnecessary trauma to the outer cortex of femur and also reduces the operating time significantly.

We present a case of osteolytic lesion in Gruen Zone 2, 3 in a six-month post-operative cemented THR initially diagnosed as early loosening-?Septic. Investigations and biopsy revealed metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

A 79 year old gentleman had a Left cemented THR and was symptom free post-operative. Six months later he had pain in the left groin and thigh. Examination revealed painless hip movements. X-ray showed lytic area in zone 2 and 3. ESR -90 mm and CRP – 50 mg/dl. Hip aspiration excluded sepsis. Bone scan showed increased uptake of left femoral shaft, right scapula and L1 vertebra. Bone chemistry, renal & liver Assay and tumour markers were normal.

Open biopsy showed erosion of lateral cortex, with friable soft tissue mass with profuse bleeding. Histopathological report showed classical clear cell renal cell carcinoma. CT abdomen and chest revealed multiple nodules in lung fields, multiple nodules in liver, mass in both kidneys consistent with Renal cell carcinoma, multiple skeletal lytic lesions.

Patient was referred to oncologist for palliative treatment

DISCUSSION: In case of osteolytic erosive lesions at cement bone interface, the possibility of metastatic lesions should be considered.

In old age groups Biopsy is recommended to exclude malignancy after exclusion of septic and aseptic loosening and abdominal ultrasound to exclude primaries.

Aim of the study: To assess the results of the uncemented oblong shaped Bofor cup in acetabular revision.

Methods & materials: A prospective study from January 2001 to July 2006.15 cases of acetabular revision in 14 patients is studied. Paprosky classification for the acetabular defects is used. Final outcome assessed clinically and radiologically. Both Harris hip and Oxford hip functional scoring is used to assess the patients. None of the cases are lost in follow up.

Results: The average follow-up was 36 months (range 8–52 months). All the cases were of aseptic loosening. 1case of type 2a, 6 cases of type 2b, 5 cases of type 2c, 3cases of type 3 defect and 4 cases with medial wall defect were noted. Stem was revised in 8 cases.

In 4 cases auto graft from iliac crest was used. allograft was not used in any cases. In 12 cases 15 degree hooded insert was used. Average HHS improved from 30 points (range 20–38) to 84 points (range 70–90). Average OHS improved from 24 points (range 18–40) to 82 points (range 74–92). There were no cases of dislocation& infection.1 patient had sciatic nerve neuropraxia.1 case of severe Ankylosing spondylitis failed which was revised.

Conclusion: Assemytical shape and design of the Boforcup makes it an useful cup for segmental and cavitatory acetabular defects. Pre operative classification of acetabular defects is inconsistent and unreliable. Allograft usage is not essential for these defects.

Aim and objectives of the study: To assess the true incidence and reasons for readmission after fracture neck of femur treatment and its effect on Trust star rating.

Introduction: Star ratings (zero to three) show how well a Trust is performing and is awarded against a set of performance indicators (Patient Focus, Capacity and Capability Focus and Clinical Focus) as laid by CHAI

These indicators cover the standards and outcomes of treatment given.

CHAI reports 9% readmission as an emergency within 28 days, and assumes that a proportion of the observed readmissions are potentially avoidable.

Materials and Methods: An audit done by the managers found 15 (19%) cases of readmission of fracture neck of femur during April to October 2004. We did Re audit by reviewing the exact cause for readmissions in all the cases.

Results: Out of 15 cases identified by the managers only 4 (5.19%) were true readmission, which is below the national average.8 readmissions were for medical reasons, 3 for social reasons and rest 4 were related to fracture complications like infection.

Conclusion: Star ratings (zero to three) reflect Trust performance and are awarded against a set of performance indicators, which cover the standards, and outcomes of treatment given (Patient Focus, Capacity and Capability Focus and Clinical Focus) as laid by CHAI.

We conclude that audit should be done as a team-work involving all responsible health care professionals and proper uniform coding system needs to be followed to obtain correct results.

To assess the incidence of infection in cases of Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty with prior steroid injection into the knee joint.

Steroid injection into the arthritic joint is a well-known modality of treatment of arthritic joints. Its efficacy is well-documented. Increased incidence of infection secondary to steroid injection as compared to uninjected joints is reported in recent literature.

A retrospective study was conducted. Four hundred and forty patients underwent Total Knee Replacement by the senior author during 1997–2005 at Wrightington hospital. Ninety patients had intraarticular steroid injection prior to surgery of which 35 patients had injection within 1 year prior to surgery. All patients had at least one year follow-up. Infection rate was assessed by case note, x-rays and microbiology review till last follow-up. One hundred and eighty patients of matched cohort who had Total Knee Replacement without steroid injection were compared for infection rate.

Two cases of superficial infection were noted in the infection group and 5 cases of superficial infection in the non-injection group. No case of deep infection was noted in either group. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference in incidence of infection in either group.

Steroids are useful adjuncts in the management of patients with arthritic joints. This study shows no increased incidence of infection in patients who were given steroid injection prior to arthroplasty.

Aim of the study: to assess the early complication rate following k-wiring of distal radial fractures and their final clinical outcome.

Materials & methods: a prospective study. 48 Patients with 50 distal radial fractures (26 male,22 female) with mean age 34 years(range 4–88) were treated by closed k-wiring during the period jan 2005-june 2005.

They were assessed in terms of early complications following mua and k-wiring and their final clinical outcome.

Results: 12 patients(24%)had discharge, pin tract granulation, loosening out of which 4 required antibiotics. Out of 12 only 2(4%) had positive swab culture requiring i.V. Antibiotics

.3(6%)Had symptoms suggesting superficial radial nerve damage of which 2 recovered completely after pin removal. One had residual symptom which got better before planned exploration.

9 Patients (18%)had stiffness of which only 3(6%)had residual stiffness at the end of 6 months. Crps was noted in 1 patient(2%)who recovered after good physio.

There wer nocases of deep infection, osteomyelitis, tendon rupture, pin migration or significant loss of position.

Conclusion: our data suggests that though early complication rate of k-wiring is alarming, it doesnot affect the final clinical outcome of fracture management and this complication can be avoided by proper technique and care.

There is no rationale in giving antibiotic coverage for all the pintract discharges unless swab positive.