Aim

The primary aim of multidisciplinary management of diabetic foot disease is limb savage. Difficulty in eradication of infection with systemic antibiotics and obliteration of dead space created by debridement, are two major stumbling blocks in achieving this. Antibiotic loaded bio composites help achieve both these objectives. The aim of this study is to report the early results of antibiotic loaded bio composites in diabetic foot disease

Background

Cheilectomy and arthrodesis are accepted procedures for symptomatic hallux rigidus. Although good functional outcomes have been reported, there is little data available on post-operative sporting ability for these patients.

Introduction

The mid foot joints are usually the first to be affected in Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN). Reconstruction is technically demanding and fraught with complications.

Introduction

Corrective fusion for the unstable deformed hind foot in Charcot Neuroarthropathy (CN) is quite challenging and is best done in tertiary centres under the supervision of multidisciplinary teams.

Originally used for correction of angular malalignment, 2 hole plate epiphyseodesis has recently gained popularity in paediatric orthopaedic practice for the correction of leg length discrepancy. In this study we aim to assess the efficiency of guided growth plates in correcting leg length discrepancy

Thirty-three children treated for leg length discrepancy with guided growth plates (“8-Plate”, Orthofix, Inc and “I-Plate”, Orthopediatrics) in a tertiary referral centre were retrospectively analysed. Medial and Lateral plates were inserted for symmetrical growth reduction and patients were followed up with clinical and radiological assessment. Thirty patients had distal femoral epiphyseodesis and three had proximal tibial epiphyseodesis. Leg lengths and individual bone lengths were measured from pre and post – operative radiographs. The angle between the screws was measured from radiographs taken intra operatively and at the time of final follow up to assess screw divergence with growth. Efficiency was calculated as the ratio of growth inhibition achieved to the projected discrepancy at maturity if left untreated.

At a mean follow up of 17 months (4–30 m) leg length discrepancy improved from a mean of 30 mm (50–15mm) to 13 mm (2.5–39mm) (p < 0.01). The angle between screws increased from 6 degrees to 26 degrees over the follow up period. Efficiency was found to be 66%. There were 5 patients with angular deformity who needed plate removal and 2 patients developed superficial infection that responded to oral antibiotics.

Epiphyseodesis using guided growth plates is an effective way to correct leg length discrepancy as it is a reversible procedure. Patients undergoing this treatment should be kept under close follow up to prevent development of angular malalignment. Inserting the screws in a divergent fashion at the outset may increase the effectiveness of this procedure.

The mid foot joints are usually the first to be affected in Charcot neuroarthropathy(CN). Reconstruction is technically demanding and fraught with complications. Fixation methods have evolved over time from cancellous screws, plates, bolts and a combination of these.

We present our experience of mid foot fusion in CN from a tertiary diabetic foot centre. In this series we undertook mid foot corrective fusion in 27 feet (25patients) and are presenting the results of those with a minimumof six months follow up. Twelve of these had concurrent hindfoot fusion. Eleven patients had type 1 diabetes, 12 had type 2 and 2 were non-diabetics. 23 patients were ASA grade3 and 2 were ASA 2. 21 feet had ulcers preoperatively and mean HbA1c was 8.2. 13 patients had diabetic retinopathy and 6 had nephropathy.

Average patient age was 59 (43 to 80) and our mean follow up was 35 months (7 to 67). One patient was lost to follow up and 2 patients died. 18 patients had plates, 3 had bolts and 6 had a combination. Complete follow up data was available for 26 feet in 24 patients. Satisfactory correction of deformity was achieved in all patients. The mean correction of calcaneal pitch was from 0.6 preoperatively to 10.6 degrees postoperatively, mean Meary angle from 22 to 9 degrees, talo- metatarsal angle on AP view from 33 to 13 degree. Bony union was achieved in 21 out of 26 feet and atleast one joint failed to fuse in 5. 19 out of 24 patients were able to mobilize fully or partially weight bearing. We had 6 patients with persisting and 3 withrecurrent ulceration. Seven repeat procedures were carried out which included 2 revision fixations. 4 out of 5 non-unions were seen where bolts were used alone or supplemented with plates.

With our technique and a strict protocol 100% limb salvage and 81% union was achieved. 80% patients were mobile and ulcer healing was achieved in 72%. Corrective mid foot fusion is an effective procedure in these complex casesbut require the input of a multidisciplinary team for perioperative care.

Introduction

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) of the UK have published guidelines for annual follow up of patients with metal on metal hip replacements following widespread concern regarding metallosis

Purpose

Handgrip dynamometry has previously been used to detect pre - operative malnutrition and predict the likelihood of post - operative complications. This study explored whether a relationship exists between pre-operative pinch and power grip strength and length of hospital stay in patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty. We investigated whether handgrip dynamometry could be used pre - operatively to identify patients at greater risk of longer inpatient stays.

Large studies have reported high dislocation rates (7 to 24%) following revision total hip arthroplasty (THA), particularly when the revision is undertaken in the presence of pre-existing instability. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and radiographic outcome of 155 consecutive revision THA's that had been performed using an unconstrained dual-mobility acetabular implant. It features a mobile polyethylene liner articulating with both the prosthesis head and a metal acetabular cup, such that the liner acts as the femoral head in extreme positions. It can be implanted in either a press fit or cemented manner. Mean follow-up was 40 months (18–66) and average age 77 (42–89). Uncemented (n=122) and cemented (n=33) implants with a reinforcing cage, were used. Indications were aseptic loosening (n=113), recurrent instability (n=29), periprosthetic fracture (n=11) and sepsis (n=2). Three of the 155 cases (1.9%) dislocated within 6 weeks of surgery and were successfully managed with closed reduction. The 3 dislocations occurred in the groups revised for recurrent dislocation and periprosthetic fracture. There were no cases of recurrent dislocation and no revisions for implant failure. Despite a pantheon of options available, post-operative dislocation remains a challenge especially in patients with risk factors for instability. The use of large diameter heads is proven to improve stability but there are concerns regarding wear rates, metal toxicity and recurrent dislocation in the presence of abductor dysfunction. With constrained liners there are concerns regarding device failure and aseptic loosening due to implant overload. Our dislocation rates of 1.9% and survivorship to date compare favourably with alternative techniques and are also in line with studies from France using implants of a similar design. In our hands, where there are risk factors for dislocation, the use of a dual-mobility implant has been very effective at both restoring and maintaining stability in patients undergoing revision THA.

Introduction: Previous studies on ankle arthroscopy have reported the results of treatment in adult patients. To our knowledge there are no studies reporting the out-come in children.

Aim: To analyse retrospectively the outcome of ankle arthroscopy in children.

Method: Between March 2005 and September 2007, twenty-two children (14 boys and 8 girls) underwent ankle arthroscopy for post-traumatic pathology. Their average age was 13.5 years (range 8.6 to 18). The symptoms were ankle pain (21 out of 22), instability (7) or clicking (6). Indications for arthroscopy were no response to conservative treatment, including physiotherapy, for at least 12 weeks or a grade 3 or 4 osteochondral defect (OCD) on imaging.

In five patients radiographs revealed an OCD. MR scans were obtained in eleven patients, which revealed OCDs in five, evidence of tarsal coalition in two, features suggesting posterior ankle impingement in 1 and normal scans in the remaining three.

At arthroscopy OCDs were visualised in nine cases, two of which were grade 4, four were grade 3 and three were grade 2. The grade 4 lesions were debrided and drilled, the grade 3 lesions had their edges debrided and the rest were stable. There were 3 false positive MRI scans where an OCD was reported but not seen on arthroscopy.

Impingement lesions were seen in twelve ankles (8 antero-lateral, 2 syndesmotic, 1 medial and 1 posterior), which were debrided. MRI scans had been performed in eight of these twelve cases but only one suggested an impingement lesion.

Results: Seventeen of our twenty- two patients had complete relief of symptoms at 3 months. They were back to their normal activity including sports. Three patients had persistent pain at 3 months. Two of these showed features of instability, one of which went on to have a Brostrom repair; the second had a repeat arthroscopy and debridement while the third improved with restricted activity. The average AOFAS score improved from 52 pre-operatively to 79 at 3 months following surgery.

Conclusions: Ankle arthroscopy has a successful outcome in paediatric patients with a painful ankle where conservative treatment has failed. MR imaging lacked sensitivity for diagnosing soft tissue impingement of the ankle.

Introduction: The advantages of metal on metal bearings (MoM) include improved wear characteristics and lower dislocation rate. Metal sensitivity and Aseptic Lymphocyte Dominated Vasculitis Associated Lesion (ALVAL) reaction are becoming increasingly recognised. The BOA has recently issued a statement regarding MoM bearings. They suggested that any revisions for symptoms of pain and soft tissue reaction should be reported to the MHRA and histological specimens forwarded to the Stanmore Retrieval Centre.

Methods and results: We report four patients (all females), who presented with late dislocation of a large diameter MoM bearing (three following total hip replacements and one following resurfacing). They all made good initial recovery with complete relief of pain. They developed pain around groin between one and two years following the surgery. Inflammatory markers were normal. MRI/Ultrasound scanning showed the presence of cystic lesions around the hip. They all presented with relatively late dislocation (26 months to six years). At exploration there was a large joint effusion with necrosis and detachment of the abductors. A characteristic finding was an avascular bare trochanter stripped free of any soft tissues. Histology showed a predominantly histiocytic response in keeping with the findings of Willert and Pandit.

Discussion: In the absence of any obvious causes for dislocation, one should have a high index of suspicion for the possibility of metal hypersensitivity causing joint effusion, muscle necrosis and thereby leading to instability due to the progressive periosteal and soft tissue erosion. These patients should be considered for early revision of the bearing surface to prevent further damage to the muscle and bone. If the abductors are completely detached a more constrained type of bearing should be used to improve the stability. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of this unusual complication following MoM bearings.

Digital x-ray systems are now widely used in hospitals in the UK. Most systems have facilities to take measurements from the images that, we are lead to believe, can be used in accurate pre-operative planning. The aim of this study was to assess whether or not pre-operative planning can reliably predict the size of the implant required when using a hemiarthroplasty to treat an intracapsular hip fracture.

A magnification factor was calculated for pre-operative pelvic x-rays using typical beam to plate distance and plate to hip distance. The pre-operative digital radiographs of 188 consecutive patients who underwent a hip hemiarthroplasty were examined. The femoral head diameters of both the fractured and non-fractured sides were measured. The size of the implanted prosthesis was also recorded from the patients’ operation notes. The x-ray measurements were multiplied by the magnification factor and compared with the known size of the prosthesis. The calculated magnification factor was 128%. Attempts at estimating implant size from measurements of the fractured and non-fractured sides underestimated the size of the prosthesis by 3.0mm (CI 6.5 to −0.5) and 3.1mm (CI 6.8 to −0.6) respectively.

Many hospitals do not stock the full range of hemiarthroplasty implants on the shelf. Sizes at the extremes of the range may need to be specially ordered. It is important that the correct size prosthesis be inserted; an oversized prosthesis can increase the risk of dislocation and an undersized prosthesis will result in point loading and acetabular erosion. Our study shows that pre-operative planning consistently underestimates the size of the implant. However, the accuracy of these estimations is not sufficiently reliable, being +/− 3.5mm, to be able to accurately predict the size of the prosthesis required. Reasons for the under estimation are likely to be due to the fact that the measurement taken from the images does not account for the articular cartilage covering the femoral head. One of the factors leading to inaccuracy in the estimation is variation in patient anatomy and habitus, which affects hip to plate distance and thus the magnification factor. Also, the distance of the beam to plate will vary according to the radiographer’s positioning of the x-ray source.

In order to accurately pre-operatively plan the size of the prosthesis one would need to standardise the beam to hip distance. radio-opaque markers would need to be positioned at the level of the hip in order to accurately calculate the magnification factor. Without these modifications, we do not feel that hip prosthesis size can be accurately predicted from pre-operative images.