Multiligament knee injuries (MLKI) are associated with significant morbidity and healthcare requirements. The primary aim of this study is to report the patient reported outcomes measures (PROMs) after reconstructive surgery.

Patients undergoing surgery for MLKI between 2014 and 2018 in the single large-volume trauma centre were included. Electronic patient records were reviewed for demographic data, details of surgery and complications. PROMs collected were EQ-5D-5L, Lysholm Knee Score (LKS), UCLA Activity and Sport and patient satisfaction.

Thirty-five patients were included. Mean age was 31 years (range 16-66), and 71% were male. The most common mechanism of injury was sports-related (71%). Obesity was present in eight (23%) patients. No vascular injuries were recorded and four patients sustained nerve injuries. PROMs were available for 18 patients (51%) with a median follow up of 4.5 years. Median EQ-5D-5L was 0.78 (IQR 0.14). Median LKS was 84.5 (IQR 21) and there was no correlation with time to surgery (p=0.43). Grade of MLKI did not impact LKS (p=0.09). Fifteen patients (83%) saw a reduction in their activity level. All patients were satisfied with their surgical treatment. Recurrent instability was noted in four patients (11%). Three patients (8%) required further surgery (one revision reconstruction, one meniscectomy, one conversion to a hinged knee replacement.

This study demonstrates two groups of patients who sustain MLKI: the sporting population and obese patients. Health related quality of life, functional outcomes and satisfaction are high after surgery. Time to surgery did not impact on functional outcomes.

Purpose of the study and background

Although pain is usually described as a private experience, how pain is understood and responded to by others is important. A crucial feature of this process is empathy. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between empathy for pain and observers' health anxiety and fear of pain. The role of the observer's sex and age were also examined.

Necrotising Fasciitis is a life threatening rapidly progressing bacterial infection of the skin requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment. Optimum care warrants a combination of antibiotics, surgical debridement and intensive care support. All cases of Necrotising Fasciitis over 10 years in the North East of Scotland were reviewed to investigate trends and learn lessons to improve patient care, with the ultimate aim of developing and implementing new treatment algorithms.

All cases from August 2006-February 2016 were reviewed using a combination of paper based and electronic hospital records. Data including observations, investigations, operative interventions, microbiology and clinical outcomes was reviewed and analysed with pan-specialty input from Microbiology, Infectious Disease, Trauma & Orthopaedics, Plastic Surgery and Intensive Care teams.

36 cases were identified, including 9 intravenous drug abusers. The mean LRINEC Score was 7. Patients were commonly haemodynamically stable upon admission, but deteriorated rapidly. 18/31 of cases were polymicrobial. Streptococcus Pyogenes was the most common organism in monomicrobial cases. 29/36 patients were discharged, 6 patients died acutely, giving an acute mortality rate of 17%. In total 6 amputations or disarticulations were performed from a total of 82 operations carried out on this group, with radical debridement the most common primary operation. The mean time to theatre was 3.54 hours. A grossly elevated admission respiratory rate (50 resp/min) was associated with increased mortality.

Necrotising fasciitis presents subtly, but carries significant morbidity and mortality. A high index suspicion allows timely intervention. We strongly believe that a pan-specialty approach is the cornerstone for good outcomes.

Purposes of Study and Background

This study investigates the role of the patient and the therapeutic relationship with their medical practitioner in resolving CLBP (chronic low back pain). Many cases of chronic pain persist due to the stress response. The body is equipped with natural self-healing mechanisms that must be activated by the patient. This needs facilitation by someone trained to engage the patient in this process. Evidence shows that conventional medication; surgery and physical rehabilitation do not always resolve chronic pain. To ensure that the stress response doesn't sabotage biomedical intervention the patient may need to address any problems obstructing a healthy lifestyle. This means supporting healthy relationships, and good health in other areas such as: professional life, financial matters, beliefs and creativity.

Introduction

Osteoarthritis (OA) involves pathological change in all joint tissues, including cartilage degradation and synovitis. Synovial inflammation is significantly associated with pain severity and incidence in knee OA. It is becoming evident that synovitis also plays an active role in the initiation and progression of cartilage erosion in OA, through direct secretion of catabolic enzymes as well as factors that stimulate chondrocyte catabolic activity. Therapeutic agents that target both synovitis and cartilage pathology are likely to be maximally beneficial in treating pain and slowing cartilage breakdown in OA. We have previously shown that an amide-derivative of HA (HYMOVIS™) was superior to native HA of the same MW in improving gait, and reducing synovial hyperplasia in a sheep OA model. In the present study the mechanisms whereby the chemically modified HA may be beneficial were examined using chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts from knees of OA patients.

The aim of the study was to assess the medium term outcome for complex proximal humeral fractures treated with the long proximal humeral internal locking system (PHILOS) plate fixation.

All patients who had long PHILOS plate fixation of proximal humerus fractures with metaphyseal or diaphyseal extension over a three year period at our institution were included in the study. Patients had their case notes and radiographs reviewed. Patients were also contacted to assess functional outcome using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, DASH, Oxford shoulder score (OSS) and Stanmore Percentage of Normal Shoulder Assessment (SPONSA).

Out of an initial cohort of 34 patients, 1 died, 2 patients had unrelated illnesses resulting in them being unable to complete the assessment and 6 were lost to follow-up, leaving 25 patients (74%) for review. All patients had proximal humeral fractures with metaphyseal or diaphyseal extension requiring long plate osteosynthesis. One patient had the procedure for non union following initial treatment with an intra medullary nail and the rest were acute injuries. The patients were followed up after a mean of 27 months (range 11–60). The length of plate used varied from 5 to 12 holes for the shaft region.

There was 1 wound infection. 3 patients had non unions which required bone grafting and revision internal fixation. At final follow-up, mean pain was 3.6 (95% Confidence Interval 2.5–4.8) with only 4 patients having residual pain greater than 5 on the VAS scale. Mean DASH score was 41.2 (95% CI 32.0–50.4), mean OSS was 29.1 (95% CI 24.3–33.9) and mean SPONSA was 63.9% (95% CI 50.8–77.2)

The long PHILOS plate appears to represent a good treatment option for complex proximal humerus fractures with favourable medium term results and few complications.

The aim of the study was to assess the rate of greater tuberosity non union in reverse shoulder arthroplasty performed for proximal humerus fractures and to assess if union is related to type of fracture or the intraoperative reduction of the greater tuberosity.

All cases of reverse shoulder arthroplasty for proximal humerus fractures at our institution over a three year period were retrospectively reviewed from casenotes and radiologically and the position of the greater tuberosity was documented at immediate post op, 6 months and 12 months. Any malunion or non union were noted.

A total of 27 cases of reverse shoulder arthroplasty for proximal humeral fractures were identified. 4 cases did not have complete follow up xrays and were excluded from analysis. The average age at operation of the cohort of the 23 remaining patients was 79 years (range 70–91). The greater tuberosity was anatomically well positioned intraoperatively in 17 of the 23 cases.

At the end of 12 months there were 4 cases of tuberosity non union (17%), all except one occurring in poorly intraoperatively positioned greater tuberosity. 50% (3 out of 6) of greater tuberosities displaced further and remained ununited if the intraoperative position was poor. Only 6% (1 out of 17) greater tuberosities did not unite if the greater tuberosities was reduced anatomically. Intra operatively position of the greater tuberosity was strongly associated with their union (Fischer's exact test p<0.05). Union of greater tuberosity was not statistically associated with fracture pattern (Fischer's exact test p=0.48).

Our case series show a low rate of tuberosity malunion after reverse shoulder arthroplasty for proximal humerus fracture. Good positioning and fixation of the greater tuberosity intra operatively is a strong predictor of their uneventful union to shaft.

Introduction

Recent concerns over adverse effects of metal ion release, have led to the development of alternative hip joint replacements. This study reports the performance of new hemispherical MOTIS® (milled pitch-carbon fibre reinforced polyetheretherketone) acetabular cups articulating against Biolox Delta® femoral heads with the aim of producing lower wear and more biologically compatible bearings.

R Appleyard, Murray Maxwell Biomechanics Lab, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney

The fundamental mechanisms that underlie tendon breakdown are ill understood. There is an emerging hypothesis that altered mechanical strain modulates the metabolism and/or phenotype of tenocytes, disrupting the balance of matrix synthesis and degradation, and that rupture then occurs through an abnormal tendon matrix. The critically regulated genes have not yet been determined. We have developed sheep model in sheep where both stress-deprived and over-stressed areas can be examined in the one tendon, to evaluate the pathological and molecular changes over time. We have also used ‘wild type’ and genetically modified mice to determine the role of specific enzymes and proteoglycans in tendon degeneration. Stress-deprived and over-stressed regions showed classical changes of increased cellularity and vascularity, rounded tenocytes and interfascicular matrix infiltration. These structural changes resolved for up to one year after injury. Resolution was more rapid in over-stressed regions. Irrespective of the initiating stress, proteoglycan staining and chondroid metaplasia increased in tendon with time. There were distinct molecular and temporal differences between regions, which are reviewed here. While tendon degeneration has traditionally been regarded as a single field of change, our studies show that at a molecular level, the injured tendon may be regarded as a number of distinct regions—overloaded and underloaded, adjacent to bone or adjacent to muscle. Each region manifests distinct molecular changes, driven by relevant gene expression.

While collagen metabolism in pathological tendon has received much attention, accumulation of proteoglycan is also consistently induced by altered mechanical loading. We suggest that ADAMTS enzymes, which cleave aggrecan, versican and small proteoglycans, may play a significant role in tendon homeostasis and pathology. Regulating proteoglycan turnover may represent a novel target for treating tendon degeneration. We have initiated studies using mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), not to directly augment healing but to modify the molecular pathology in tendon resulting from altered loading. Preliminary data indicates that injection of MSC into an acute tendon defect significantly abrogates the increase in expression of aggrecan and collagen degrading metalloproteinases in the adjacent over-stressed tendon. This may decrease the resultant degeneration. The effects of MSC in treating tendon degeneration are reviewed here, as are the possible benefits of radiofrequency microtenotomy.

The authors are not aware of any research comparing computed tomography (CT) and avascular necrosis (AVN) of the scaphoid bone. The primary aim of our study was to investigate the use of longitudinal CT in predicting AVN of the proximal pole of the scaphoid, and subsequent fracture nonunion following internal fixation.

Thirty-two patients operated on by the senior author for scaphoid fracture were included. Preoperative CT scans were independently assessed for deformity, comminution, fracture position, proximal pole sclerosis, and bridging trabeculae. Intra-operative biopsy of the proximal pole was assessed independently by a blinded musculoskeletal histologist. AVN was determined by histology of a proximal pole biopsy, using the criteria described by Ficat. Post-operative CT scan was utilised to determine fracture union.

Preoperative CT features which significantly correlated with AVN were, increased radiodensity of the proximal pole, the absence of any bridging trabeculae comminution, dorsal cortical angle, proximal fracture and age less than 20. Features predictive of subsequent nonunion were fractures of the proximal, increased radiodensity of the proximal pole, and AVN.

Preoperative CT scan findings are significantly correlated with histologically confirmed AVN and fracture union. Preoperative longitudinal CT scan is of significant prognostic value and should be considered to assist in predicting outcome and assessing treatment options.

The morbidity associated with tendinopathy is a costly burden on our health system. Recent investigations in our laboratory have shown that alterations in mechanical stress cause significant changes in tendon expression of key matrix molecules and proteolytic enzymes including the aggrecanase molecules, (e.g. ADAMTS-5). Here, we investigate the biomechanical consequences of such altered tensile stress in tail tendons from mice with and without deletion of the ADAMTS-5 gene. Tail tendons from 12 week old C57BL6 wild type and ADAMTS-5 knock-out mice were immediately snap frozen (ex vivo), or cultured stress deprived for 120 hours in DMEM/10% FCS (eight tendons per group). Material properties including maximum stress, strain and elastic modulus were determined for each tendon in uniaxial tension to failure at a constant strain rate of 1.0 mm/second (10% strain/second) on an Instron 8874 servo-hydraulic testing apparatus. Significant differences between groups were determined with Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance, followed by Mann-Whitney U test with Benjamini-Hochberg post-hoc corrections for multiple comparisons. Stress deprivation for 120 hours led to a significant increase in maximum stress for both the wild type (~150% increase, p = 0.0008) and ADAMTS-5 deficient (~100%, p = 0.0033) mice when compared to ex vivo tendon. Stress deprivation led to a 100% increase in elastic modulus compared to ex vivo for the wild type tendons (p = 0.0033) but failed to increase this parameter in the ADAMTS-5 deficient mice. When the effect of stress deprivation of the ADAMTS-5 deficient mice was directly compared to the wild type stress deprived tendons, a 35% decrease in elastic modulus was found (p = 0.021). We have shown for the first time that deletion of an aggrecanase molecule significantly decreases the material properties of tendon. Alterations in the expression of the aggrecanase molecules may play a role in the development and progression of tendinopathy through their ability to modulate the metabolism of aggrecan [1]. Previous research in our laboratory has shown that aggrecanase expression is markedly up-regulated by stress deprivation. This finding in combination with the results of the present study suggest that the aggrecanase molecules may provide a future therapeutic target for the treatment tendinopathy.

Introduction: Patients with complex pelvic fractures with uncontrollable haemorrhage have a very mortality from pelvic haemorrhage and associated injuries. Management remains controversial and includes an number of techniques including pelvic stabilisation, angiography and direct surgical control of haemorrhage. Packing the pelvic cavity is a technique used rarely in this situation but is popular to control haemorrhage from other sources in similar situations. We have reviewed our experience of pelvic packing for uncontrollable haemorrhage to assess the effectiveness of this technique.

Materials & Methods: From a prospectively gathered database of 132 patients with significant pelvic fractures admitted between April 2002 and December 2005, 8 patients (5 males and 3 females) with an average age of 52.9 yrs were identified who underwent pelvic stabilisation and packing as an emergent life saving procedure for uncontrolled haemorrhage associated with pelvic fracture. Basic data including their presenting vital signs, pelvic fracture pattern and associated injuries were recorded. All were subject to pelvic stabilisation packing and their subsequent clinical course including their transfusion requirements and additional management was also assessed

Results: 6 out of these 8 patients died, 5 within the first 24 hrs after injury and one after 14 days from sepsis & MOF/MODS. The exact source of bleed could not be identified in any of these patients and was assumed to be venous and from large fractured bony surfaces. 4 patients had angiography and embolisation in addition and 2 of these survived.

Conclusion: The mortality of haemodynamically unstable pelvic fractures remains high and all modalities of treatment should be used to control bleeding. Pelvic packing may form an important part in the armamentarium of haemostatic measures; its role, however, needs to be better defined by larger multi-centre studies. Although difficult to conclude, the pelvic packing may have been responsible for reducing the mortality in this subgroup from a 100% to 75%.

Aim: To evaluate and assess the validity and accuracy of various described ways of performing the McMurray’s test in the diagnosis of meniscal tears.

Material & Methods: Prospective study with patients divided into seven groups based on seven described ways of performing McMurray’s test. Twenty-five patients in each group, aged between 15 to 60 years-undergoing arthroscopy of knee for clinically suspected meniscal tear. Exclusion criteria were ACL tear on arthroscopy, radiological or arthroscopic evidence of osteoarthritis and patients within six weeks of injury.

All patients were assessed preoperatively with knee examined in one of seen different methods. EUA followed by arthroscopy. Clinical and arthroscopic findings were correlated and sensitivity and specificity were determined.

The study is ongoing with following results.

Conclusion: Accuracy of McMurrays test ranged between 0 to 95% in various studies. Factors determining outcome include patient selection difference in applying test and interpretation of results. McMur-rays original description included no varus or valgus stress and a click a was positive test. Other descriptions include varus or valgus stress and apart from click pain is also considered a positive test. Comparisons among results in literature are difficult with confusing results. Our study is incomplete but trends suggest Reider’s method may be the most accurate.

Radiological examination is a useful tool in assessing osteoarthritis (OA) in the knee. We have compared the extent of osteoarthritis in the knee graded on radiographs and by intraoperative observation to determine if there is significant difference with relevance to preop-erative planning.

Radiographs for fifty-eight patients were graded for OA under blind conditions using the Ahlback classification system and direct measurement of the medial and lateral joint spaces. Intraoperative assessment of the corresponding joint surfaces was performed under blind conditions by a separate surgeon and graded using the Outerbridge classification system.

OA was found to be more common in the medial compartment than the lateral, both on radiographs and intraoperatively. Spearman correlation coefficient for the medial compartment comparing joint space narrowing and intraoperative assessment was −0.545. For the lateral compartment the Spearman correlation coefficient was lower at –0.406. Positive predictive values for OA in the medial and lateral compartments on radiography were 90% and 66.67% respectively. Negative predictive values for OA in the medial and lateral compartments on radiography were 44.74% and 34.69% respectively.

Conclusion: We have demonstrated that although radiographs have reasonable to good accuracy at showing OA in both compartments the absence of OA on radiographs does not correlate well with the absence of OA in the knee. This is of importance when planning operations, particularly unicompartmental knee replacement, as intraoperative findings of bilateral disease will change the operation required.

Introduction and Aims: Assessment of the metabolic state of articular cartilage (AC) is important in understanding the initiation and progression of osteoarthritis (OA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in gene expression of the major AC extracellular matrix (ECM) components, in addition to a number of molecules involved in OA, including the novel glycoprotein lubricin, following lateral meniscectomy in a sheep model of OA.

Method: AC tissue from both medial (MTP) and lateral (LTP) tibial plateaux were collected from six non-operated control (NOC) and six lateral meniscectomised (MEN) pure-bred Merino sheep six months post-surgery for semi-quantitative RT-PCR to assess patterns of mRNA expression (relative to GAPDH). Histological evaluation using a modified Mankin score was undertaken in the same sheep to grade the AC and immunohistochemical localisation of gene products was performed.

Results: Cartilage degeneration was evident both macroscopically and histologically in the LTP following MEN, with less marked changes appearing in the MTP. The mean total tissue RNA increased greater than five-fold in the LTP following MEN (p< 0.01). Expression of aggrecan (p< 0.01) and collagen type II (p< 0.01) were found to be significantly elevated in LTP AC following MEN. Increased expression of biglycan (p< 0.01) was observed in LTP AC following MEN, whereas conversely, there was a decreased expression of decorin (p< 0.01), the other fibril associated small leucine rich proteoglycan. Expression of both lubricin (p< 0.01) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) (p< 0.05) were also found to decrease following MEN in LTP AC. TGFβ demonstrated no change in expression following MEN. Significant changes in gene expression were generally not seen in the MTP following MEN; however trends were observed reflecting similar gene profile changes to those occurring in the LTP.

Conclusion: Strong up-regulation in gene expression of the major cartilage ECM components was found, reflecting an anabolic response and attempted tissue repair. Significant changes were also observed for other ECM macromolecules thought to be involved in degenerative joint disease, contributing to alterations in the gene expression profile associated with OA.

Aims: The aim of this study was to reassess whether the use of a Ôone knife techniqueñ can be considered as safe as the current practice of using separate skin and inside knives for elective orthopaedic surgery. Methods: A tatal of 609 knife blades from 203 elective orthopaedic operations consisting of equal numbers of skin, inside and control blades, were cultured using direct and enrichment media. Results: Thirty-one skin blades (15.3%), 22 inside blades (10.8%) and 13 control blades (6.4%) gave bacterial growth. In only 3 cases (1.4%) skin and inside knife cultures grew corresponding organisms. However, in the presence of skin knife contamination the same organism was found on 10% of inside blades. It remains to be seen whether in the remaining 90% contamination of deeper layers was prevented by changing the knife after the skin incision, since the incidence of late deep sepsis is not yet known in these cases. Conclusions: The organisms cultured in this study were predominantly coagulase-negative staphylococci, known to be major culprits in early and late peripros-thetic infection. Our study suggests that the rationale for separate skin and inside knives can be supported, since the cost of a single deep infection in human and þnancial terms can be considerable

Total knee arthroplasty is sometimes associated with excessive bleeding necessitating blood transfusion. Transfusion is associated with risk of disease transmission and immunological burden to the recipient. Material and methods: 100 patients undergoing primary total knee replacement were randomly allocated into 2 groups: a) immediate release of drain following release of tourniquet and b) delaying release of the clamp by one hour. Drains were removed at 48 hours post-op. Results:Average amount of postoperative bleeding in the immediate release group was 1050 ml (95% CI interval for mean 728 to 1172) compared to delayed release group of 732 ml (95% CI interval for mean 620 to 845). Applying Mann- Whitney U test p< 0.001 which was highly signiþcant. Corrected drop in Hb% at 48 hours showed an average difference of 0.17 gm% less drop in the delayed release group. 78 units were transfused in the immediate group compared to 66 units in the delayed group. There was no difference in parameters like length of stay (average 13 days in both groups), bruising around the knee, oozing or blister formation between the two groups. Three patients had DVT and 1 PE in the immediate release group, 2 cases of DVT in the delayed release group. One patient required MUA in the immediate release group compared to 3 in the delayed group. Conclusion:Our result conclusively shows that delaying release of drain by an hour can signiþcantly reduce blood loss. It is a simple method without any associated complications and can reduce transfusion requirements in patients undergoing knee replacement surgery.

Introduction: Modern imaging techniques have demonstrated that up to 28% of patients with spinal cord injury develop syringomyelia. Cyst formation and enlargement are thought to be related to abnormalities of cerebrospinal fluid hydrodynamics, however the exact mechanism and route of entry into the spinal cord remain incompletely understood. Previous work in rats has demonstrated that experimental post-traumatic syrinxes occur more reliably and are larger when the excitotoxic injury is combined with arachnoiditis produced by subarachnoid kaolin injection. A sheep model of post-traumatic syringomyelia (P.T.S.) has been characterised and studies of cerebrospinal fluid dynamics are currently being undertaken. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of focal subarachnoid space blockage on spinal fluid pressures and flow.

Methods: Arachnoiditis was induced in 5 sheep by injection of 1.5 mls of kaolin in the subarachnoid space (SAS) of upper thoracic spinal cord. The animals were left for 6–8 weeks before C.S.F. studies were undertaken. In another 5 sheep, a ligature was passed around the spinal cord to simulate an acute blockage of the subarachnoid space. Fluid-coupled monitors were used to measure blood pressure, central venous pressure and subarachnoid pressure (1cm rostral and 1 cm caudal to the arachnoiditis or ligature). Fiberoptic monitors were used to measure intracranial pressure. In the ligature group, subarachnoid pressures were also measured prior to tying the ligature to obliterate the SAS and served as baseline control pressures. The effects of Valsalva and Queckenstedt manoeuvres on SAS pressures were examined in both groups.

CSF flow was studied at 0 and 10 minutes after injection of the CSF tracer horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Vibratome sections of the spinal cord were processed using tetramethylbenzidine and sections examined under light microscopy.

Results: The mean SAS pressure rostral to the arachnoiditis was found to be greater than the mean caudal SAS pressure by 1.7 mmHg. In the ligature group, the difference was 0.9 mmHg, being higher in the caudal SAS. Queckenstedt manoeuvre exaggerated this difference to 3 mmHg in the Kaolin group and 4 mmHg in the ligature group. The effect of Valsalva was much less marked in both groups.

Perivascular spaces were enlarged in most cases of arachnoiditis and HRP was seen to stain these spaces and the central canal within 10 minutes.

Discussion: Post-traumatic syrinxes are usually juxtaposed to the injury site with 80% occurring rostral, 4% caudal and 15%in both directions. The finding of a higher subarachnoid pressure rostral to the injury site may help explain this phenomenon. We hypothesize that a reduction of compliance in subarachnoid space increases the pulse pressure and hence increases perivascular flow of C.S.F. contributing to the formation and enlargement of PTS. We are currently investigating this hypothesis by measuring subarachnoid space compliance directly in the sheep model of arachnoiditis described above.

INTRODUCTION: Modern imaging techniques have demonstrated that up to 28% of patients with spinal cord injury develop syringomyelia. Cyst formation and enlargement are thought to be related to abnormalities of cerebrospinal fluid hydrodynamics, however the exact mechanism and route of entry into the spinal cord remain incompletely understood. Previous work in rats has demonstrated that experimental post-traumatic syrinxes occur more reliably and are larger when the excitotoxic injury is combined with arachnoiditis produced by subarachnoid kaolin injection. A sheep model of post-traumatic syringomyelia (P.T.S.) has been characterised and studies of cerebrospinal fluid dynamics are currently being undertaken. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of focal subarachnoid space blockage on spinal fluid pressures and flow.

METHODS: Arachnoiditis was induced in five sheep by injection of 1.5 mls of kaolin in the subarachnoid space (SAS) of upper thoracic spinal cord. The animals were left for 6–8 weeks before C.S.F. studies were undertaken. In another five sheep, a ligature was passed around the spinal cord to simulate an acute blockage of the subarachnoid space. Fluid-coupled monitors were used to measure blood pressure, central venous pressure and subarachnoid pressure (1 cm rostral and 1 cm caudal to the arachnoiditis or ligature). Fiberoptic monitors were used to measure intracranial pressure. In the ligature group, subarachnoid pressures were also measured prior to tying the ligature to obliterate the SAS and served as baseline control pressures. The effects of Valsalva and Queckenstedt manoeuvres on SAS pressures were examined in both groups.

CSF flow was studied at 0 and 10 minutes after injection of the CSF tracer horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Vibratome sections of the spinal cord were processed using tetramethylbenzidine and sections examined under light microscopy.

RESULTS: The mean SAS pressure rostral to the arachnoiditis was found to be greater than the mean caudal SAS pressure by 1.7 mmHg. In the ligature group, the difference was 0.9 mmHg, being higher in the caudal SAS. Queckenstedt manoeuvre exaggerated this difference to 3 mmHg in the Kaolin group and 4 mmHg in the ligature group. The effect of Valsalva was much less marked in both groups.

Perivascular spaces were enlarged in most cases of arachnoiditis and HRP was seen to stain these spaces and the central canal within 10 minutes.

DISCUSSION: Post-traumatic syrinxes are usually juxtaposed to the injury site with 80% occurring rostral, 4% caudal and 15% in both directions. The finding of a higher subarachnoid pressure rostral to the injury site may help explain this phenomenon. We hypothesise that a reduction of compliance in subarachnoid space increases the pulse pressure and hence increases peri-vascular flow of C.S.F. contributing to the formation and enlargement of PTS. We are currently investigating this hypothesis by measuring subarachnoid space compliance directly in the sheep model of arachnoiditis described above.

To assess the percentage of patients with an osteoporotic distal radial fracture who had any subsequent investigation or treatment for osteoporosis, and to compare this to the gold standard, all patients seen in a hospital fracture clinic with an osteoporotic fracture should be advised of the possibility of osteoporosis and their primary care team informed of the need for follow-up (Royal College of Physicians, National Osteoporosis Society and The Advisory Group on Osteoporosis).

All patients over 50 years old who sustained a distal radial fracture and a subsequent fractured neck of femur after simple falls, over a 7-year period, were included. Evidence of any treatment for, or investigation of, osteoporosis between the initial radial fracture and subsequent neck of femur fracture was recorded.

74 patients met the above criteria. 7 male and 67 female, median age 83 (54 to 99). Eight percent of cases were on treatment for osteoporosis at time of first fracture. A further 8% had evidence of treatment for, or investigation of, osteoporosis commenced by time of their 2nd fracture. 84% of patients received no advice, investigation or treatment.

As orthopaedic surgeons we have a duty to inform the primary care team of the need to follow-up patients with osteoporotic fractures. There is a significant cost benefit both to the patient and the health service. We aim to introduce a system whereby a letter is automatically sent to the GP informing them that their patient has been seen in fracture clinic with an osteoporotic distal radial fracture. The letter will also advise them of the current Royal College and Government guidelines on investigation and treatment of osteoporosis. We aim to repeat the audit cycle after a 5-year period with the new system in place.