Aim

To assess if Osteoset (CaSO4) improves graft incorporation after shelf procedure and whether spica immobilisation is necessary

Introduction: Early treatment with antibiotics is advocated in the management of septic arthritis. Whilst some argue for mandatory arthrotomy we have used arthrotomy selectively. The results of this approach over a ten year period were reported 20-years ago.

Aim: To review the outcome of joint aspiration and selective rather than mandatory arthrotomy for the management of septic arthritis in children.

Method: We compared the outcome for cases of septic arthritis in children reported from this centre in the decade 1982–1991 (Group I) with a contemporary cohort, from 1997–2006 (Group II) using the same criteria for diagnosis and the same treatment principles.

Results: Group I comprised 61 children, Group II 42. The mean incidence of septic arthritis in children (< 13 years old) was similar for Groups I and II (2.9/100,000 and 3.1/100,000). Infection caused by Haemophilus species declined from 10 of 56 (18%) in Group I to none in Group II. Staphylococcus Aureus reduced from 27/56(48%) in Group I to 13(31%) in Group II. As previously, infections particularly of the infant hip were at highest risk of causing permanent joint damage. There were eleven (18%) sequellae in Group I and two (5%) in group II.

Conclusions: These results continue to support joint aspiration for the management of early acute septic arthritis in children. However involvement of the hip in infants requires arthrotomy, as does late (≥4 days) diagnosis in older children.

The purpose of our study was to estimate the influence of previous fractures and operative procedures around the hip, the follow-up period from the arthroplasty, and effect of the age of patients at the time of surgery on the results of total hip replacement in patients with a history of fracture of the hip.

Forty-six patients were analysed after a mean follow-up of 6 years after arthroplasty. There were 34 females and 12 males. Mean age at the time of operation was 65 years (range 32 to 82). The reasons for arthroplasty were displaced subcapital femoral neck fracture in 23 patients (50%), failure of internal fixation for femoral neck fracture in nine patients (20%), and posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the hip in 14 patients (30%) that included six patients with a history of fracture of the acetabulum. Results were assessed with the Merle d’Aubigne Postel scale (evaluation of gait, range of motion, pain). Radiographic findings were classified according to the Moreland Grouen scale. Quality of life after arthroplasty and subjective assessment of patients was recorded.

Results were: 33 (71%) satisfactory, 14 (30%) excellent, and 19 (41%) good. Thirteen (29%) were classified as unsatisfactory: 9 (20%) fair and 4 (9%) poor. Patients with acute fracture or non-union of the femoral neck showed the best results: 11 excellent and 8 good. The poorest results were in the group of patients with osteoarthritis following acetabular fracture treated by total hip replacement: 3 were classified as fair and 3 as poor. Twelve cases of internal fixation of the femoral neck before arthroplasty had no influence on the final outcome. Although none of the patients returned to their previous occupation, subjective assessment showed 27 (59%) and 14 (30%) with excellent and good results, respectively. There was no significant relationship between age of patient and the final outcome of total hip arthroplasty.

Total hip arthroplasty following hip injury provided satisfactory long-term results. Previous history of internal fixation had no influence on final outcome. The poorest results were achieved in patients with a history of acetabular fracture. Patients’ subjective assessment was satisfactory in most cases despite radiological evidence of loosening of the prosthesis in a statistically insignificant number of patients.