Aims

Periprosthetic fractures (PPFs) following hip arthroplasty are complex injuries. This study evaluates patient demographic characteristics, management, outcomes, and risk factors associated with PPF subtypes over a decade.

Abstract

Is Non-Weight-Bearing Necessary? (INWN) is a pragmatic multicentre randomised controlled trial comparing immediate protected weight-bearing (IWB) with non-weight-bearing cast immobilisation (NWB) following ankle fracture fixation (ORIF). This trial compares; functional outcomes, complication rates and performs an economic analysis to estimate cost-utility. IWB within 24hrs was compared to NWB, following ORIF of all types of unstable ankle fractures. Skeletally immature patients and tibial plafond fractures were excluded. Functional outcomes were assessed by the Olerud-Molander Ankle Score (OMAS) and RAND-36 Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) taken at regular follow-up intervals up to one year. A cost-utility analysis via decision tree modelling was performed to derive an incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER). A standard gamble health state valuation model utilising SF-36 scores was used to calculate Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) for each arm. We recruited 160 patients (80 per arm), aged 15 to 94 years (M = 45.5), 54% female. Complication rates were similar in both groups. IWB demonstrated a consistently higher OMAS score, with significant values at 6 weeks (MD=10.4, p=0.005) and 3 months (MD 12.0, p=0.003). Standard gamble utility values demonstrated consistently higher values (a score of 1 equals perfect health) with IWB, significant at 3 months (Ẋ = 0.75 [IWB] / 0.69 [NWB], p=0.018). Cost-utility analysis demonstrated NWB is €798.02 more expensive and results in 0.04 fewer QALYs over 1 year. This results in an ICER of −€21,682.42/QALY. This negative ICER indicates cost savings of €21,682.42 for every QALY (25 patients = 1 QALY gain) gained implementing an IWB regime. IWB demonstrates a superior functional outcome, greater cost savings and similar complication rates, compared to NWB following ankle fracture fixation

Abstract

Aims

Proximal femoral endoprosthetic replacements (PFEPRs) are the most common reconstruction option for osseous defects following primary and metastatic tumour resection. This study aimed to compare the rate of implant failure between PFEPRs with monopolar and bipolar hemiarthroplasties and acetabular arthroplasties, and determine the optimum articulation for revision PFEPRs.

Joint surface restoration of deep osteochondral defects represents a significant unmet clinical need. Moreover, untreated lesions lead to a high rate of osteoarthritis. The current strategies to repair deep osteochondral defects such as osteochondral grafting or sandwich strategies combining bone autografts with ACI/MACI fail to generate long-lasting osteochondral interfaces. Herein, we investigated the capacity of juvenile Osteochondral Grafts (OCGs) to repair osteochondral defects in skeletally mature animals. With this regenerative model in view, we set up a new biological, bilayered, and scaffold-free Tissue Engineered (TE) construct for the repair of the osteochondral unit of the knee. Skeletally immature (5 weeks old) and mature (11 weeks old) Lewis rats were used. Cylindrical OCGs were excised from the intercondylar groove of the knee of skeletally immature rats and transplanted into osteochondral defects created in skeletally mature rats. To create bilayered TE constructs, micromasses of human periosteum-derived progenitor cells (hPDCs) and human articular chondrocytes (hACs) were produced in vitro using chemically defined medium formulations. These constructs were subsequently implanted orthotopically in vivo in nude rats. At 4 and 16 weeks after surgery, the knees were collected and processed for subsequent 3D imaging analysis and histological evaluation. Micro-computed tomography (µCT), H&E and Safranin O staining were used to evaluate the degree of tissue repair. Our results showed that the osteochondral unit of the knee in 5 weeks old rats exhibit an immature phenotype, displaying active subchondral bone formation through endochondral ossification, the absence of a tidemark, and articular chondrocytes oriented parallel to the articular surface. When transplanted into skeletally mature animals, the immature OCGs resumed their maturation process, i.e., formed new subchondral bone, partially established the tidemark, and maintained their Safranin O-positive hyaline cartilage at 16 weeks after transplantation. The bilayered TE constructs (hPDCs + hACs) could partially recapitulate the cascade of events as seen with the immature OCGs, i.e., the regeneration of the subchondral bone and the formation of the typical joint surface architecture, ranging from non-mineralized hyaline cartilage in the superficial layers to a progressively mineralized matrix at the interface with a new subchondral bone plate. Cell-based TE constructs displaying a hierarchically organized structure comprising of different tissue forming units seem an attractive new strategy to treat osteochondral defects of the knee

Aims

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is one of the most common hip diseases of adolescence that can cause marked disability, yet there is little robust evidence to guide treatment. Fundamental aspects of the disease, such as frequency, are unknown and consequently the desire of clinicians to undertake robust intervention studies is somewhat prohibited by a lack of fundamental knowledge.

Aims

Idiopathic scoliosis is the most common spinal deformity in adolescents and children. The aetiology of the disease remains unknown. Previous studies have shown a lower bone mineral density in individuals with idiopathic scoliosis, which may contribute to the causation. The aim of the present study was to compare bone health in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis with controls.

INTRODUCTION

Endochondral ossification in the growth plate is directly responsible for skeletal growth and its de novo bone-generating activity. Growth plates are vulnerable to disturbances that may lead to abnormal skeletal development. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used analgesics but have been reported to impair endochondral ossification-driven fracture healing. Despite the general awareness that NSAIDs affect endochondral ossification, the consequences of NSAIDs on skeletal development are unknown. We hypothesise that the NSAID celecoxib leads to impaired growth plate development and consequently impairs skeletal development.

Aims

Different methods of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction have been described for skeletally immature patients before closure of the growth plates. However, the outcome and complications following this treatment remain unclear. The aim of this systematic review was to analyse the outcome and complications of different techniques which may be used for reconstruction of the ACL in these patients.

Aims

Fractures of the distal femur can be challenging to manage and are on the increase in the elderly osteoporotic population. Management with casting or bracing can unacceptably limit a patient’s ability to bear weight, but historically, operative fixation has been associated with a high rate of re-operation. In this study, we describe the outcomes of fixation using modern implants within a strategy of early return to function.

Summary. A novel in vivo animal model to establish new surgical interventions for patients with ACL insufficiency. Introduction. After ACL reconstruction, recruited cells from surrounding tissues play crucial roles in ligamentization to obtain adequate structural properties. To allow athletes to return sports activity sooner, these remodeling processes should be elucidated and be accelerated. However, in conventional animal models, it has been difficult to differentiate donor and recipient cells. Here we introduce the transgenic Kusabira-Orange pigs, in which cells produce fluorescence systemically, as in vivo model to trace cell recruitment after ACL reconstruction. Methods. After the approval by the Institutional Animal Care and Used Committee, a transgenic pig that carries and produces red fluorescent Kusabira-Orange (KO) was established. Skeletally immature transgenic pigs (n=12) (20 wks old, 76.0 ± 17.5 kg) and wild type (WT) pigs were used as recipient and donor, respectively. For validation of the pigs as in vivo model, the ACL histological structure, cell shape, mitogenic activity, and migration activity were assessed and were compared to those of wild type pigs. The sensitivity and specificity of KO fluorescence under microscopy were analyzed. Histological analyses were conducted with HE, Masson trichrome (MT), and DAPI staining. The length change pattern in our ACL reconstruction was evaluated to validate the surgical procedure. After allograft ACL reconstruction with fresh-frozen flexor digital tendon of WT pigs, pigs were euthanised at 3, 6, 12, and 24 weeks postoperatively (3 pigs each) for the histological analyses. Results. The histological analyses, and mitogenic/migration assays did not show any apparent differences between KO and WT pigs. The sensitivity and specificity of KO fluorescence revealed to be 98%. Maximal length change of the reconstructed ACL was less than 3.5 mm. Three weeks postoperatively, host cells producing KO fluorescence repopulated mainly at the peripheral part of the graft, while, interestingly, cells also located in inter-territorial space of collagen fascicles. More cells migrated towards the mid of the graft in 6–12 week. Cell distribution became homogeneous in parallel to matrix remodeling in 12–24 week. Discussion. As far as we know, this is the first study to apply the genetically engineered pig producing a fluorescent protein as in vivo model to analyze biological remodeling processes after ACL reconstruction. ACL fibroblasts in KO pigs could be detected under fluorescence with high sensitivity and specificity. In addition, structural organization, mitogenic and migration activity were not different from those in WT. As for histological experiments, the recipient cells could be easily and effectively differentiated from donor cells especially 3 weeks postoperatively. Cells migrated in the inter-territorial region among collagen fascicles earlier than we expected. We are going to investigate angiogenesis, matrix remodeling, and structural properties in parallel to the cell migration

The June 2014 Oncology Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Infection still a problem in endoprosthetic reconstruction; massive allografts not as successful as we perhaps think; curopsy for aneurysmal bone cysts?; lengthening prosthesis: days are numbered; new WHO classification in brief; proximal tumours and fluid levels: bad news; infection is predictable in orthopaedic oncology; psychosocial support key in oncological outcomes.

Permanent growth arrest of the longer bone is an option in the treatment of minor leg-length discrepancies. The use of a tension band plating technique to produce a temporary epiphysiodesis is appealing as it avoids the need for accurate timing of the procedure in relation to remaining growth. We performed an animal study to establish if control of growth in a long bone is possible with tension band plating. Animals (pigs) were randomised to temporary epiphysiodesis on either the right or left tibia. Implants were removed after ten weeks. Both tibiae were examined using MRI at baseline, and after ten and 15 weeks. The median interphyseal distance was significantly shorter on the treated tibiae after both ten weeks (p = 0.04) and 15 weeks (p = 0.04). On T₁-weighted images the metaphyseal water content was significantly reduced after ten weeks on the treated side (p = 0.04) but returned to values comparable with the untreated side at 15 weeks (p = 0.14). Return of growth was observed in all animals after removal of implants.

Temporary epiphysiodesis can be obtained using tension band plating. The technique is not yet in common clinical practice but might avoid the need for the accurate timing of epiphysiodesis.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:855–60.

This study was performed to evaluate the results of transphyseal anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in children with open physes.

Between 2001 and 2009, 31 knees in 29 patients with a mean age of 14.1 years (10-16) underwent transphyseal, arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using an autogenous four-strand hamstrings graft. The technique was identical to that used in the adult population in our unit, except that care was taken to ensure fixation did not cross the physes. The patients were followed up to the point of physeal closure at skeletal maturity. The mean length of follow up was 25 months. The primary outcome measure was graft survival. Functional outcome was measured using Lysolm scores, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores and the Tegner activity scale. Post-operative clinical examination and radiological findings were also recorded.

There were two cases of re-rupture following a further sports injury, one 12 months post-operative and one at six years. Both patients later had successful revision ACL reconstructive surgery. The re-rupture rate in this case series was 6%. Two patients underwent repair of a concomitant lateral meniscal tear at the time of surgery. The mean post-operative Lysolm score was 88 and the mean IKDC score was 88.1. The mean Tegner activity scale was 7.95. There was no evidence of growth disturbance radiologically or leg length inequality clinically. There was one case of deep infection which was successfully treated with two subsequent arthroscopic washouts.

This study demonstrates that transphyseal arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using hamstrings graft and an ‘adult’ technique, in skeletally immature patients, provides good functional outcomes, has a low revision rate and is not associated with physeal growth arrest or disturbance.

The early surgical management of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in children remains controversial. The argument for nonoperative treatment is driven by concerns about the risk of growth arrest caused by a transphyseal procedure. On the other hand, early surgical reconstruction is favoured because of poor compliance with conservative treatment and increased risk of secondary damage due to instability. This paper reports a series of 39 very young children who had an ACL reconstruction using a transphyseal procedure with a hamstring graft. Patients were followed to skeletal maturity or for a minimum of three years. Only those patients with either a chronological age less than 14 years or with a Tanner stage of 1 and 2 of puberty were included in the study. Thirty children were Tanner 1 or 2 and nine were Tanner 3-4 but were younger than 14. The mean age at operation was 12.2 years (Range 9.5-14.2, Median 12.4). The mean follow up was 60.7 months (range 36-129, median: 51) months. Thirty four patients had attained skeletal maturity at the last follow up. The mean Lysholm score improved from 72.4 pre-operatively to 95.86 postoperatively (p<0.0001). The mean Tegner activity scale was 4.23 after injury and it improved to 7.52 after operation (p<0.0001)) which was a reasonable comparison to the pre- injury score of 8.0. One patient had a mild valgus deformity with no functional disturbance. No other growth related abnormalities including limb length discrepancy were noted. There has been one re-rupture but all others had good or excellent outcome. This is one of the largest series reporting the long term results of ACL reconstruction in very young children. Most other studies include children up to the age of 16. Based on our results we can conclude that transphyseal ACL reconstruction modified for very young patients is a safe procedure.

Purpose: Fractures of the femoral diaphysis are common injuries in the paediatric population. Rigid, locked, intramedullary nailing allows for early mobilization, but is usually reserved for older children and adolescents. Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head is a rare but serious complication of this technique. The entry site of the nail has been speculated to have an effect on this risk. Different nail entry sites have been used and include the piraformis fossa, tip of the greater trochanter, and the lateral greater trochanter. The purpose of this study is to complete a review of the literature to determine the effects of nail entry site on the risk of proximal femoral AVN.

Method: The English medical literature (Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane database, and relevant articles from the bibliographies) was searched and 1277 articles were identified. Articles were excluded if they were case reports, if they did not examine long term complications, or if the insertion location could not be determined. Patients treated using each insertion site were combined together for analysis to determine the overall AVN and complication rate for each site.

Results: From the 1277 articles identified, 19 articles met the inclusion criteria. The piraformis fossa treatment group included 239 patients and had an AVN rate of 2%. The tip of the greater trochanter treatment group included 139 patients and had an AVN rate of 1.4%. The lateral greater trochanter treatment group included 80 patients and had no reported cases of AVN. Other complications included length discrepancy, heterotrophic ossification, and changes in proximal femoral morphology (articular trochanteric distance, neck shaft angle, trochanter to trochanter distance, and femoral neck diameter).

Conclusion: Based on the current literature, the lateral greater trochanteric entry site for rigid, locked intra-medullary nailing has a lower risk of AVN as compared to the piraformis fossa and the tip of the greater trochanter entry sites.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of transphyseal ACL reconstruction technique in skeletally immature patients.

Material & Methods: Between 2002 and 2008, twenty knees in twenty skeletally immature patients with a mean chronological age of 13.2 years (range, 7 to 16.2 years) underwent transphyseal reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament with use of an autogenous quadrupled hamstrings-tendon graft with metaphyseal fixation. Ten knees had additional meniscal surgery. The functional outcome, graft survival, radiographic outcome, and any growth disturbance were evaluated at a mean of 2.2 years (range, 1.0 to 5.9 years) after the surgery.

Results: No patient underwent revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The mean International Knee Documentation Committee subjective knee score (SD) was 90.5 (10.0) points and the mean Lysholm knee score was 92.2 (10.0) points. The result of the Lachman examination was normal in 18 knees and nearly normal in two; it was not abnormal or severely abnormal in any knee. The mean increase in total height was 7.2 cm (range, 1.2 to 20.4 cm) from the time of surgery to the time of final follow-up. No angular deformities of the lower extremity were measured radiographically, and no lower-extremity length discrepancies were measured clinically. Complications included one case of knee stiffness requiring physiotherapy, one case of persistent pain leading to medial menisectomy for tear and one case of re-injury five months post ACL reconstruction requiring medial meniscus repair.

Conclusion: Excellent functional outcome was noted in skeletally immature patients after transphyseal reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament with use of an autogenous quadrupled hamstrings-tendon graft with metaphyseal fixation. There were very few complications and no growth disturbance.

In the last decades the number of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in skeletally immature patients (SIP) increased as a result of the participation in competitive sports at younger age and improved diagnostic tools allowing early diagnosis of ACL injury. Although the eminence avulsion fracture is more frequent in SIP and considered the ACL injury pediatric equivalent, intra-substance ACL injury in children is a growing problem. With torn ACL injured knee remains unstable. This instability is poorly tolerated in teens since it is difficult to limit their activity and leads to meniscal and chondral tears and causes resignation from sport carrier. Intraarticular transphyseal ACL reconstruction seems to be effective technique to restore knee stability despite potential iatrogenic complications such as epiphisiodesis, leg length discrepancy and axial malalignment. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and results of this method and assess frequency of potential complications.

Material: From 2006 to 2007 we performed 15 reconstructions (7 boys, 8 girls) of ACL in skeletally immature patients (Tanner 3). All patients were athletes. Average age of girls was 11,2 years and boys 12,3 years. The period from injury to reconstruction were shorter than 10 months. All patients were operated by the same surgeon using the same surgical technique – gracilis-semitendinosus autograft, with transphyseal tibial and femoral tunnels and extraarticular fixation with AO screws. Average tunnel diameter was 7 mm. All beside one ACL injuries were isolated, with 1 meniscus tear.

Methods: In prospective study without control group patients were examined before reconstruction, and 6, 12, 24 months after surgery IKDC, Lysholm and Tegner score. We assessed the growth, leg length and axial disturbances by clinical and radiological assessment and the return to prior level of sport activity.

Results: In 12 and 24 months follow-up no disturbance of angular and longitudinal growth were observed, 11/12 patients returned to previous sport activity after mean of 7 months post- op with scores: IKDC 96,5 after 12 months and 97 after 24 months, Lysholm 95 after 12 months and 96 after 24 months. Average gain of growth was 5,5cm/12 months on average.

Conclusion: The use of complete transphyseal reconstruction is a safe, reliable technique in patients who have significant growth remaining, providing adequate knee stability, good satisfaction and allowing return to sport activity.

Introduction: Following resection of tumours in the distal femur, reconstruction with joint-sparing prostheses have shown good short-term functional outcomes. There is however limited literature on the affect of knee-sparing prostheses on function of the femoral physes in skeletally immature children.

Method: We discuss two patients, a male (11yrs) and female (10yrs) who had joint-sparing distal femoral prostheses inserted for treatment of Ewing’s sarcoma. The knee joint, along with the distal growth plate, was preserved and fixed to the distal end of the prosthesis using unicortical screws positioned distal to the physis. In the female, these screws were removed 6 months post-op due to prominence of the screws under the skin. In both patients, we assessed radiographs from immediately post-surgery and the most recent follow-up (20 and 28 months respectively). In each set, for the operated limb, we measured the height and width of the distal femoral epiphysis, the total length of the femur and the length of the proximal femoral bone segment from the femoral head to the proximal bone-prosthesis interface. In addition, post-operative assessments of leg lengths, bilaterally, were documented.

Results: In both patients, distal femoral epiphyseal height and width in the operated leg showed no significant change following endoprosthetic replacement. In the female, growth did not resume even after removal of the epiphyseal screws. In both patients, lengths of the femur and the proximal bone segment increased significantly following surgery. The patients demonstrated no clinical leg length discrepancy at the most recent follow-up.

Discussion: This study suggests that the function of the distal femoral growth plate ceases following insertion of joint-sparing distal femoral endoprostheses, probably due to trans-physeal fixation. This does not appear to resume following early removal of distal screws. The proximal growth plate, however, continues to function adequately enough to maintain symmetry in overall leg length.