Surgical repair of rotator cuff tears have high failure rates (20–70%), often due to a lack of biological healing. Augmenting repairs with extracellular matrix-based scaffolds is a common option for surgeons, although to date, no commercially available product has proven to be effective. In this study, a novel collagen scaffold was assessed for its efficacy in augmenting rotator cuff repair. The collagen scaffold was assessed
Temporary hemiepiphysiodesis using 8 plate guided growth has gained widespread acceptance for the treatment of paediatric angular deformities. This study aims to look at outcomes of coronal lower limb deformities corrected using temporary hemiepiphysiodesis over an extended period of follow up. A retrospective analysis was undertaken of 56 children (92 legs) with coronal plane deformities around the knee which were treated with an extraperiosteal 2 holed titanium plate and screws between 2007 and 2015. Pre and post-op long leg radiographs and clinic letters were reviewed.Background
Methods
The hierarchical structure of tendon results in a complex mechanical strain environment, with tenocytes experiencing both tension and shear during loading. The mechanotransduction mechanisms involved in sensing these environments is currently unclear. To better understand the effects of shear and tension on cell behaviour, a fibre composite system able to recapitulate the physiological shear-tension ratio found in tendons, was used. Cell attachment within the composite was achieved by using either a collagen type I mimetic peptide, DGEA, or a fibronectin associated peptide, YRGDS, and the gene expression response analysed after loading. Fibre composites with 4 different shear-tension (S-T) ratios were made using both PEG-DGEA and PEG-YRGDS fibres. 4 composites were made for each S-T ratio, of which 2 were loaded and 2 used as non-strained controls. Bovine digital extensor tendon tenocytes were seeded within composites, with 3 biological repeats from different donors. Loaded samples were exposed to 5% cyclic strain (1Hz) for 24 hours maintained in an incubator. The gene expression of 14 matrix related genes were analysed after loading via RT-qPCR.Introduction
Materials and Methods
In August 2007 NICE issued its guidance for the treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) with arthroscopic lavage. The recommendations stated that referral for arthroscopic lavage and debridement should not be offered as part of treatment for osteoarthritis, unless the person has osteoarthritis with a clear history of ‘mechanical locking’ (not gelling, giving way, or x-ray evidence of loose bodies). The aim of this study was to assess both the application of these guidelines over a four month period and whether this procedure had improved symptoms at first follow-up. This was a retrospective review from August-December 2011. The total number of arthroscopies performed during this period was obtained from theatre records. Further data was obtained through the hospital's electronic database. The diagnosis of OA was made through the analysis of referral and clinic letters, plain radiographs, MRI reports and operation notes. Only those patients with persisting OA symptoms were included, those with OA and recent history of injury or trauma were excluded. During this time period, 222 knee arthroscopies were performed in total, 99 were identified with persistent OA symptoms. Having identified these patients, referral letters were further analysed to identify the initial presenting symptom. Of the 99, 50 presented with pain, 28 presented with pain plus another symptom other than locking e.g. stiffness/swelling/giving-way, 21 presented with pain plus mechanical locking. According to current guidelines only these 21 patients should have been offered arthroscopic lavage as a form of treatment. In addition to these findings we identified what procedures had been carried out during arthroscopy for each symptom. Of those presenting with pain, 82% had a washout and debridement, 8% had washout, 4% had partial medial meniscectomy, 4% had lateral patellar release and 2% had partial lateral meniscectomy. Those with pain plus other symptoms not including locking, 82% had washout and debridement, 11% had partial medial meniscectomy, and 7% had a washout. Of those presenting with pain plus mechanical locking, 81% had washout and debridement and 19% had partial medial meniscectomy. Following the procedure, we analysed the outcome of symptoms at first-follow up. The mean follow-up time was 8 weeks. Of those presenting with just pain, 44% showed improvement, 52% had no change/on-going symptoms, 2% were unknown. Of those with pain plus other symptoms other than locking, 57% showed improvement, 35% had no change/on-going symptoms, 8% unknown. Of those with pain plus mechanical locking, 80% showed improvement, 10% had no change/on-going symptoms, 10% unknown. The results of this study support the current evidence that unless there are clear mechanical symptoms of locking, the use of arthroscopy in arthritic knee joints should be judicious and the reasons should be clearly documented.
There is an increasing awareness of the need to avoid of homologous blood transfusion in elective surgical practice. This stems from a better appreciation of the adverse effects of homologous blood transfusion and increasing pressure on blood stocks because of increasing restrictions on potential donors. This study examines the effect of using modern blood conservation methods on the subgroup of our patients having surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. We chose this group because it is a homogenous group of patients of similar age, all of whom had major surgery of a similar severity, and in whom there were few contraindications to our blood conserving strategies. We studied 78 consecutive patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis who underwent surgery. They were divided into two groups. Patients in the study group had one or more modern blood conservation measures used perioperatively. The patients in the comparison group did not have these measures. There were 46 patients in the study group and 32 in the comparison group. Eight patients who had anterior only surgery, were excluded. The two groups did not differ in age, body weight, and number of levels fused or the type of surgery. Only 2 patients in the study group were transfused with homologous blood and even these transfusions were off protocol. Wastage of the autologous predonated units was minimal (6/83 units predonated). In contrast all patients in the comparison group were transfused homologous blood. There was significant decrease (p = 0.005) in the estimated blood loss when all the blood conservation methods were employed in the study group. Using blood conservation measures, lowering the hemoglobin trigger for transfusion and education of the entire team involved in the care of the patient can prevent the need for homologous blood transfusion in patients undergoing surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
