Cervical total disc replacement has been in practice for years now as a viable alternative to cervical fusion in suitable cases, aspiring to preserve spinal motion and prevent adjacent segment disease. Reports are rife that neck pain emerges as an annoying feature in the early postoperative period. The facet joint appears to be the most likely source of pain.

50 patients were prospectively followed up through 5 years after having received disc replacement surgery, indicated for symptomatic soft disc herniation of the cervical spine presenting with radiculopathy.

We excluded those with degenerative trophic changes of the cervical spine, focal instability, trauma, osteoporosis, previous cervical spine surgery, previous infection, ossifying axial skeletal disease and inflammatory spondyloarthritides. The device used was an unconstrained implant with stabilizing teeth. Over the 5 years, we studied their postoperative comfort level via the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Visual Analogue Score (VAS). Pre-operative and post-operative analysis of the sagittal axis and of involved facet joints were done.

22 patients suffered postoperative neck pain as reflected by the NDI and VAS scores. Of these, 10 reported of neck pain even 24 months after surgery. However, none were neurologically worse and all patients returned to their pre-morbid functions and were relieved of pain by 28 months. All 22 patients reported of rapid dissolution of neckache after peri-facetal injections of steroids were done under image guidance.

We draw attention to the facet joint as the pain generator, triggered by inappropriate implant height, eccentric stresses via hybrid constructs, eccentric loading due to unconstrained devices and unaddressed Luschka joint degeneration. Such factors require careful selection of patients for surgery, necessitate proper pre-operative templating and call for appropriate technical solutions during surgery.

Summary Statement

A three dimensional meniscal scaffold with controlled fibre diameter and orientation was fabricated by an improved E-Jetting system that mimic the internal structure of natural meniscus. In vitro cellular tests proved its feasibility in meniscal tissue engineering applications.

We hypothesise that the Masquelet induced membrane used for the reconstruction of large bone defects were likely to involve mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), given the excellent resultant skeletal repair. This study represents the first characterisation in humans of the induced membrane formed as a result of the Masquelet technique.

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate PDGF release in the peripheral circulation following trauma and to correlate it with the numbers of MSCs in iliac crest bone marrow (BM) aspirate.

Purpose

In children presenting with irritable hip symptoms we wished to determine the incidence of hip septic arthritis, pathogen characteristics and the functional outcome.

Background and objectives

Fracture healing represents a physiological process regulated by a variety of signalling molecules, growth factors and osteogenic progenitor cells. Bone healing following trauma is associated with increased serum concentrations of several pro-inflammatory and angiogenic growth factors1. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) has been shown to stimulate mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) proliferation in vitro. However, the in vivo relationship between the levels of PDGF and the numbers of MSCs in humans has not yet been explored. The aim of this study was to investigate PDGF release in the peripheral circulation following trauma and to correlate it with the numbers of MSCs in iliac crest bone marrow (BM) aspirate and in peripheral blood.

Introduction: Locking plate technology for fixation of periarticular fractures has been adopted widely since its development. Distal tibial/pilon fractures represent one of the major indications of this method of fixation. The recent development of polyaxial locking systems has offered more versatility to the surgeon.

Patients and Methods: In this cohort prospective study we present our early experience of a new polyaxial locked plating system in the treatment of complex ankle and distal tibial fractures (anatomic locked plating systems– ALPS, DePuy). Demographic, mechanism of injury, AO-OTA classification, surgical procedure, postoperative course, complications, rehabilitation scheme, clinical and radiological healing as well as functional outcome (SF-36, Olerud & Molander Ankle Score, AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale, VAS pain score) were all recorded over a minimum follow-up period of 9 months.

Results: Between July 2008 and July 2009, there were 21 patients with complex ankle and distal tibial fractures who were treated with this method of fixation. There were 16 males and 5 females. The mean age was 42.9 years (16–90). All female patients were over 60 years. The majority of these injuries were related to falls or RTAs (11 and 8 cases respectively). The mean time from injury to operation was 5 days (range 1 to 14 days), and in the majority of these cases a temporary bridging external fixator was applied (in 17/21 cases). All injuries were closed fractures. There were 11 patients with 43-A, 5 with 43-B, 5 with 43-C. Fractures were treated with a choice of medial ALPS tibial plate (12 patients), anterolateral ALPS tibial plate (9 patients). There were 8 associated distal fibular fractures, which were also fixed with a plate. The mean length of stay was 8 days (range 4 to 27 days). One patient had to be converted to a circular external fixator due to local deep sepsis, while two other patients had local wound healing problems managed without implant removal. The overall healing rate was over 95%, with one case of non-union at 9 months. Fifteen of them have returned to their work, while the recorded functional scores at the last follow-up visit were good in the majority.

Conclusions: The overall clinical and functional outcome of this cohort of patients over the short-term follow-up was recorded to be comparable to existing similar case series of open reduction internal fixation of pilon fractures. The surgical advantages of the new system lie in its versatility, and short learning curve.