Introduction

Continuous compression implants (CCIs) are small memory alloy bone staples that can provide continuous compression across a fracture site, which change shape due to temperature changes. Reviews of CCIs in orthopaedics have documented their use in mainly foot and ankle surgery, with very limited descriptions in trauma. They could be beneficial in the management of complex or open injuries due to their low profile and quick insertion time. The aim of this case series were to clarify the use of CCIs in modern day limb reconstruction practice.

Industries such as agriculture, construction and military have stringent rules about hearing protection due to the risk of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). Due to the use of power tools, orthopaedic staff may be at risk of the same condition. The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have clear standards as to what is deemed acceptable occupational noise levels on an A-weighted and C weighted scale. This review is aimed to assess evidence on noise exposure testing within Orthopaedic theatres to see if it exceeds the HSE regulations.

A targeted search of online databases PUBMED and EMBASE was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) principles. This review was registered prospectively in PROSPERO. An eligibility criterion identifying clinical studies which assessed noise exposure for Orthopaedic staff in theatres were included. Noise exposure data was extracted from these studies and a comparison was made with A weighted and C weighted acceptable exposure levels as quoted in the HSE regulations.

Fourteen papers were deemed eligible, which reviewed 133 Orthopaedic operations and 64 Orthopaedic instruments. In total, 61% (81 of 132) of Orthopaedic operations and 70% (45 of 64) of instruments exceeded the noise regulations on an A weighted scale. 22% (10 of 46) of operations exceeded the maximum C weighted peak acceptable noise level.

Orthopaedic instruments and operations can exceed safe occupational noise levels. NHS Trusts have clear policies about noise exposure in the workplace but have yet to identify Orthopaedic theatres as a potential at risk area. Orthopaedic staff need education, monitoring and protection whereas Employers and Occupational Health should consider assessments to identify at risk staff in Orthopaedic theatres and offer preventative methods from NIHL.

Background

Office seating includes a variety of chair styles. There is limited research investigating their effects on spinal angles.

Introduction Central placement of a total disc arthroplasty (TDA) in the coronal plane will result in equivalent facet joint loading, less tendency for lateral core migration, optimum kinematics, and better outcomes. This study was performed to determine which of the radiographic markers – the vertebral body, the pedicles, or the spinous process – provides the most accurate guide to the coronal midline, so to optimise coronal TDA. The coronal midline was defined as the perpendicular bisector of a line drawn between the midpoints of the two facet joints.

Methods Axial CT images were reconstructed from 35 abdominal CT’s to show the relevant anatomy at L4, L5, and S1. Measurements were taken comparing the consistency of the midpoints of the vertebral body, the pedicles, and the spinous processes, in relation to the coronal midline.

Results The mean distance from the coronal midline to the vertebral body midpoint was 0.55mm (SD 0.45), to the interpedicular midpoint was 0.19mm (SD 0.40), and to the spinous process midpoint was and 1.30mm (SD 1.30). 16% of the distances from the coronal midline to the spinous process midpoint were greater than or equal to 3mm, compared with 0% of the distances to the interpedicular midpoint or the vertebral body midpoint. The interpedicular midpoint was significantly closer to the coronal midline than the spinous process midpoint or the vertebral body midpoint at all levels (p< 0.001).

Discussion The interpedicular midpoint is the most accurate guide to the coronal midline. We recommend this landmark be used in preference to the spinous processes or the vertebral body midpoint when placing the implant in TDA. The close location of the interpedicular midpoint to the implant, compared with the more posteriorly located spinous process, means the likelihood of parallax error, by rotation of the patient or the C arm, is reduced using the interpedicular midpoint.