Spasticity used to be considered a contraindication for total hip replacement (THR) procedures. Due to the development of implants as well as surgical skills, THR became an option for the treatment of painful dislocation of the hip joint in patients with spastic plegia. The aim of this study was an evaluation of mid-term results of THR in spastic CP adolescent patients with painful hips with hip joint subluxation or dislocation. In 2014–2022, 18 pts (19 hips) with CP aged 16 to 20 years underwent THR in our department. The mean follow-up was 4 years (range: 1 – 9 years). Results were evaluated using the Gross Motor Function Scale, VAS scale in accordance with the Ashworth scale, types of implants used (dual mobility cup and not dual mobility cup), and radiological assessment (Crowe scale). Complications have been thoroughly analyzed. In 10 pts there has been an improvement in the GMFSC scale average from 1 to 2 points observed after the surgery. All pts have improved in the VAS scale average of 8 points (from 10 to 7). According to the Crowe scale repositioning of preoperative dislocation to primary acetabulum was achieved in all cases. Complications occurred in 4 cases: dislocations of 2 THR with dual mobility cup and 2 THR with non-dual mobility cup requiring revision surgery with good final result. No statistical significance was noted according to the type of cup (Mann-Whitney U Test). The most important risk factor for complications is severe spasticity. We believe, that CP pts with painful hips should be treated using THR. We didn't observe any significant differences between the types of implants. These findings may serve as a basis for the prediction of outcomes of THR treatment in this specific group of pts. Level of evidence: Case-control or retrospective comparative study-Level III

While obesity is associated with an increased risk of complications after total hip arthroplasty (THA) the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the risk of early postoperative complications has not been fully characterized. This study sought to describe the relationship between BMI and the risk of early postoperative complications, including periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), composite surgical, and composite medical complications.

Primary, elective THAs performed from 2016–2021 were identified using the Premier Healthcare Database (PHD). The study's primary outcome was the diagnosis of PJI within 90 days of THA. Using BMI as a continuous variable, logistic regression was used to develop restricted cubic splines (RCSs) to determine the impact of BMI on PJI risk. Bootstrap simulation was used to identify an inflection point in the final RCS model. The same technique was used to characterize the effects of BMI on composite medical and surgical complications.

We found that PJI risk increased exponentially beyond a BMI cutpoint of 37.4 kg/m². Relative to the cutpoint, patients with a BMI of 40 or 50 kg/m² were at a 1.22- and 2.55-fold increased risk of developing PJI, respectively. Surgical complications increased at a BMI of 32 kg/m² and medical complications increased at a BMI of 39 kg/m². Relative to these cutpoints, patients with a BMI of 50 kg/m² were at a 1.36- and 2.07-fold increased risk of developing medical and surgical complications, respectively.

The results of this study indicate a non-linear relationship between patient BMI and early postoperative risk of PJI, composite medical complications, and composite surgical complications following THA. The identified cutpoints with associated odds ratios can serve as tools to help risk-stratify and counsel patients seeking primary THA.

The objective of this study was to assess the clinical and radiological results of patients who were revised using a new generation custom-made triflange acetabular component (CTAC) for component loosening and large acetabular defect (Paprosky 3A and 3B) after previous total hip arthroplasty (THA). New generation CTACs involve the use of patient-specific drill guides and incorporate three-dimensional printed bone models, enhancing precision during surgical implantation. Data were extracted from a single centre prospective database of patients with large acetabular defects who were treated with a new generation CTAC. Patients were included if they had a minimum follow-up of five years. The modified Oxford Hip Score (mOHS), EurQol EuroQoL five-dimension three-level (EQ-5D-3L) utility, and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), including visual analogue score (VAS) for pain, were gathered at baseline, and at two- and five-year follow-up. Reasons for revision, and radiological and clinical complications were registered. Trends over time are described and tested for significance (p<0.05). A total of 49 (70%) of 70 patients with a mean age of 73.5 years (SD 7.7) had a complete follow-up of 5 years. A significant improvement was found in HOOS, mOHS, EQ-5D-3L utility and NRS, VAS pain rest and activity between baseline and final follow-up. Complications included 8 cases with loosening screws, 4 with bony fractures, 4 periprosthetic infections and 2 cases with dislocation. One patient with bilateral pelvic discontinuity had revision surgery due to recurrent dislocations. No revision surgery was performed for screw failure or implant breakage. New generation CTAC in patients with THA acetabular loosening and massive acetabular bone loss (Paprosky 3A and 3B) can result in stable constructs and significant improvement in functioning and health-related quality of life at five years’ follow-up

Aims

This aim of this study was to analyze the detection rate of rare pathogens in bone and joint infections (BJIs) using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), and the impact of mNGS on clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Aims

The escalating demand for medical resources to address spinal diseases as society ages is an issue that requires careful evaluation. However, few studies have examined trends in spinal surgery, especially unscheduled hospitalizations or surgeries performed after hours, through large databases. Our study aimed to determine national trends in the number of spine surgeries in Japan. We also aimed to identify trends in after-hours surgeries and unscheduled hospitalizations and their impact on complications and costs.

Aims. The aims of this study were to describe the epidemiology of metacarpal shaft fractures (MSFs), assess variation in treatment and complications following standard care, document hospital resource use, and explore factors associated with treatment modality. Methods. A multicentre, cross-sectional retrospective study of MSFs at six centres in the UK. We collected and analyzed healthcare records, operative notes, and radiographs of adults presenting within ten days of a MSF affecting the second to fifth metacarpal between 1 August 2016 and 31 July 2017. Total emergency department (ED) attendances were used to estimate prevalence. Results. A total of 793 patients (75% male, 25% female) with 897 MSFs were included, comprising 0.1% of 837,212 ED attendances. The annual incidence of MSF was 40 per 100,000. The median age was 27 years (IQR 21 to 41); the highest incidence was in men aged 16 to 24 years. Transverse fractures were the most common. Over 80% of all fractures were treated non-surgically, with variation across centres. Overall, 12 types of non-surgical and six types of surgical treatment were used. Fracture pattern, complexity, displacement, and age determined choice of treatment. Patients who were treated surgically required more radiographs and longer radiological and outpatient follow-up, and were more likely to be referred for therapy. Complications occurred in 5% of patients (39/793). Most patients attended planned follow-up, with 20% (160/783) failing to attend at least one or more clinic appointments. Conclusion. MSFs are common hand injuries among young, working (economically active) men, but there is considerable heterogeneity in treatment, rehabilitation, and resource use. They are a burden on healthcare resources and society, thus further research is needed to optimize treatment. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(8):652–661

The August 2024 Children’s orthopaedics Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Antibiotic prophylaxis and infection rates in paediatric supracondylar humerus fractures; Clinical consensus recommendations for the non-surgical treatment of children with Perthes’ disease in the UK; Health-related quality of life in idiopathic toe walkers: a multicentre prospective cross-sectional study; Children with spinal dysraphism: a systematic review of reported outcomes; No delay in age of crawling, standing, or walking with Pavlik harness treatment: a prospective cohort study; No value found with routine early postoperative radiographs after implant removal in paediatric patients; What do we know about the natural history of spastic hip dysplasia and pain in total-involvement cerebral palsy?; Evaluating the efficacy and safety of preoperative gallows traction for hip open reduction in infants

Aims. The aims of this study were to report the outcomes of patients with a complex fracture of the lower limb in the five years after they took part in the Wound Healing in Surgery for Trauma (WHIST) trial. Methods. The WHIST trial compared negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) dressings with standard dressings applied at the end of the first operation for patients undergoing internal fixation of a complex fracture of the lower limb. Complex fractures included periarticular fractures and open fractures when the wound could be closed primarily at the end of the first debridement. A total of 1,548 patients aged ≥ 16 years completed the initial follow-up, six months after injury. In this study we report the pre-planned analysis of outcome data up to five years. Patients reported their Disability Rating Index (DRI) (0 to 100, in which 100 = total disability), and health-related quality of life, chronic pain scores and neuropathic pain scores annually, using a self-reported questionnaire. Complications, including further surgery related to the fracture, were also recorded. Results. A total of 1,015 of the original patients (66%) provided at least one set of outcome data during the five years of follow-up. There was no evidence of a difference in patient-reported disability between the two groups at five years (NPWT group mean DRI 30.0 (SD 26.5), standard dressing group mean DRI 31.5 (SD 28.8), adjusted difference -0.86 (95% CI -4.14 to 2.40; p = 0.609). There was also no evidence of a difference in the complication rates at this time. Conclusion. We found no evidence of a difference in disability ratings between NPWT compared with standard wound dressings in the five years following the surgical treatment of a complex fracture of the lower limb. Patients in both groups reported high levels of persistent disability and reduced quality of life, with little evidence of improvement during this time. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(8):858–864

Aims

The gold standard for percutaneous Achilles tendon tenotomy during the Ponseti treatment for idiopathic clubfoot is a tenotomy with a No. 15 blade. This trial aims to establish the technique where the tenotomy is performed with a large-bore needle as noninferior to the gold standard.

Femoral shaft fractures are fairly common injuries in paediatric age group. The treatment protocols are clear in patients of age less than 4 years and greater than 6 years. The real dilemma lies in the age group of 4–6 years. The aim of this study is to find whether a conservative line should be followed, or a more aggressive surgical intervention can provide significantly better results in these injuries. This study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Bhubaneswar, India from January 2020 to March 2021. A total of 40 patients with femur shaft fractures were included and randomly divided in two treatment groups. Group A were treated with a TENS nail while group B were treated with skin traction followed by spica cast. They were regularly followed up with clinical and radiological examination to look out for signs of healing and any complications. TENS was removed at 4–9 months’ time in all Group A patients. Group A patients had a statistically significant less hospital stay, immobilisation period, time to full weight bearing and radiological union. Rotational malunions were significantly lower in Group A (p-value 0.0379) while there was no statistically significant difference in angular malunion in coronal and sagittal plane at final follow up. Complications unique to group A were skin necrosis and infection. We conclude that TENS is better modality for treatment of shaft of femur fractures in patients of 4–6 years age as they significantly reduce the hospital stay, immobilization period and rotational malalignment

Aims

This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes associated with culture-negative limb osteomyelitis patients.

Aims. Proximal humeral fractures are the third most common fracture among the elderly. Complications associated with fixation include screw perforation, varus collapse, and avascular necrosis of the humeral head. To address these challenges, various augmentation techniques to increase medial column support have been developed. There are currently no recent studies that definitively establish the superiority of augmented fixation over non-augmented implants in the surgical treatment of proximal humeral fractures. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the outcomes of patients who underwent locking-plate fixation with cement augmentation or bone-graft augmentation versus those who underwent locking-plate fixation without augmentation for proximal humeral fractures. Methods. The search was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. Articles involving patients with complex proximal humeral fractures treated using open reduction with locking-plate fixation, with or without augmentation, were considered. A meta-analysis of comparative studies comparing locking-plate fixation with cement augmentation or with bone-graft augmentation versus locking-plate fixation without augmentation was performed. Results. A total of 19 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis, and six comparative studies were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, 120 patients received locking-plate fixation with bone-graft augmentation, 179 patients received locking-plate fixation with cement augmentation, and 336 patients received locking-plate fixation without augmentation. No statistically relevant differences between the augmented and non-augmented cohorts were found in terms of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire score and Constant-Murley Score. The cement-augmented group had a significantly lower rate of complications compared to the non-augmented group. Conclusion. While locking-plate fixation with cement augmentation appears to produce a lower complication rate compared to locking-plate fixation alone, functional outcomes seem comparable between augmented and non-augmented techniques. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(7):646–655

Aims. In cases of severe periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) of the knee, salvage procedures such as knee arthrodesis (KA) or above-knee amputation (AKA) must be considered. As both treatments result in limitations in quality of life (QoL), we aimed to compare outcomes and factors influencing complication rates, mortality, and mobility. Methods. Patients with PJI of the knee and subsequent KA or AKA between June 2011 and May 2021 were included. Demographic data, comorbidities, and patient history were analyzed. Functional outcomes and QoL were prospectively assessed in both groups with additional treatment-specific scores after AKA. Outcomes, complications, and mortality were evaluated. Results. A total of 98 patients were included, 52 treated with arthrodesis and 47 with AKA. The mean number of revision surgeries between primary arthroplasty and arthrodesis or AKA was 7.85 (SD 5.39). Mean follow-up was 77.7 months (SD 30.9), with a minimum follow-up of two years. Complications requiring further revision surgery occurred in 11.5% of patients after arthrodesis and in 37.0% of AKA patients. Positive intraoperative tissue cultures obtained during AKA was significantly associated with the risk of further surgical revision. Two-year mortality rate of arthrodesis was significantly lower compared to AKA (3.8% vs 28.3%), with age as an independent risk factor in the AKA group. Functional outcomes and QoL were better after arthrodesis compared to AKA. Neuropathic pain was reported by 19 patients after AKA, and only 45.7% of patients were fitted or were intended to be fitted with a prosthesis. One-year infection-free survival after arthrodesis was 88.5%, compared to 78.5% after AKA. Conclusion. Above-knee amputation in PJI results in high complication and mortality rates and poorer functional outcome compared to arthrodesis. Mortality rates after AKA depend on patient age and mobility, with most patients not able to be fitted with a prosthesis. Therefore, arthrodesis should be preferred whenever possible if salvage procedures are indicated. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(7):669–679

Aims

Ankle fractures are common, mainly affecting adults aged 50 years and over. To aid recovery, some patients are referred to physiotherapy, but referral patterns vary, likely due to uncertainty about the effectiveness of this supervised rehabilitation approach. To inform clinical practice, this study will evaluate the effectiveness of supervised versus self-directed rehabilitation in improving ankle function for older adults with ankle fractures.

Introduction. Unstable ankle fractures are routinely managed operatively. Due to soft-tissue and implant related complications, there has been recent literature reporting on the non-operative management of well-reduced medial malleolus fractures following fibular stabilisation, but with limited evidence supporting routine application. This trial assessed the superiority of internal fixation of well-reduced (displacement ≤2mm) medial malleolus fractures compared with non-fixation following fibular stabilisation. Methods and participants. Superiority, pragmatic, parallel, prospective randomised clinical trial conducted over a four year period. A total of 154 adult patients with a bi- or trimalleolar fractures were recruited from a single centre. Open injuries and vertical medial malleolar fractures were excluded. Following fibular stabilisation, patients were randomised intra-operatively on a 1:1 basis to fixation or non-fixation after satisfactory fluoroscopic fracture reduction was confirmed. The primary outcome was the Olerud Molander Ankle Score (OMAS) at one-year post-randomisation. Complications and radiographic outcomes were documented over the follow-up period. Results. Among 154 participants (mean age, 56.5 years; 119 women [77%]), 144 [94%] completed the trial. At one-year the median OMAS was 80 (IQR, 60–90) in the fixation group compared with 72.5 (IQR, 55–90) in the non-fixation group (p=0.17). Complication rates were comparable. Significantly more patients in the non-fixation group developed a radiographic non-union (20% vs 0%; p<0.001), with the majority (n=8/13) clinically asymptomatic and one patient required surgical re-intervention for this. Fracture type and reduction quality appeared to influence fracture union and patient outcome. Conclusions. In this randomised clinical trial comparing internal fixation of well-reduced medial malleolus fractures with non-fixation, following fibular stabilisation, fixation was not superior according to the primary outcome. However, 1 in 5 patients following non-fixation developed a radiographic non-union and whilst the re-intervention rate to manage this was low, the future implications require surveillance. These results may support selective non-fixation of anatomically reduced medial malleolus fractures

Aims

The purpose of this study was to compare reoperation and revision rates of double plating (DP), single plating using a lateral locking plate (SP), or distal femoral arthroplasty (DFA) for the treatment of periprosthetic distal femur fractures (PDFFs).

Introduction. This is a multi-centre, prospective, observational study of 503 INFINITY fixed bearing total ankle arthroplasties. We report the minimum two-year results of this prosthesis which was introduced to the UK Market in 2014 and is now the most used ankle arthroplasty in the National Joint Registry of England and Wales. Methods. Patients were recruited from 11 centres in the United Kingdom between June 2016 and November 2019. Demographic, radiographic, and functional outcome data (Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale, Manchester Oxford Foot Ankle Questionnaire and Euroquol 5D-5L) were collected preoperatively, at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years and 5 years. The average age was 67.8 (range 23.9 to 88.5) and average BMI 29.3 (18.9 to 48.0). The COFAS grading system was used to stratify deformity. There were 261 (51.9%) COFAS Type 1, 122 (24.2%) COFAS Type 2, 31 (6.2%) COFAS 3 and 89 (17.7%) COFAS type 4. 38 patients (7.6%) presented with inflammatory arthritis. 99 (19.7%) implantations utilised patient specific instrumentation. Complications and reoperations were recorded as adverse events. Radiographs were assessed for lucencies, cysts and/or subsidence. Results. The mean follow up was 34.2 months (range 24–64). 15 patients have died, 8 withdrawn and 3 lost to follow up. 8 implants (1.6%) have been revised. According to the Glazebrook classification there were low grade complications in 6.6%, medium grade in 1.4% and high grade in 1.6%. There have been an additional 13 non revision re-operations (2.6%) at the latest follow up. There was a significant (p < 0.01) improvement across all functional outcome scores at a minimum of 2yr follow up. Discussion and conclusion. This large cohort has shown a low early revision rate and high functional outcomes with a low-profile fixed bearing prosthesis

Aims

During total knee replacement (TKR), surgeons can choose whether or not to resurface the patella, with advantages and disadvantages of each approach. Recently, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended always resurfacing the patella, rather than never doing so. NICE found insufficient evidence on selective resurfacing (surgeon’s decision based on intraoperative findings and symptoms) to make recommendations. If effective, selective resurfacing could result in optimal individualized patient care. This protocol describes a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of primary TKR with always patellar resurfacing compared to selective patellar resurfacing.

The June 2024 Foot & Ankle Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: First MTPJ fusion in young versus old patients; Minimally invasive calcaneum Zadek osteotomy and the effect of sequential burr passes; Comparison between Achilles tendon reinsertion and dorsal closing wedge calcaneal osteotomy for the treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy; Revision ankle arthroplasty – is it worthwhile?; Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis or below-knee amputation – salvage or sacrifice?; Fusion or replacement for hallux rigidus?.