Aim. Rifampicin and fluoroquinolone based therapy is generally considered as first-choice targeted oral antimicrobial therapy for staphylococcal prosthetic joint infections (PJI) treated with debridement, antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR). Alternative equally effective antimicrobial strategies are urgently needed due to toxicity and drug-drug interactions that frequently occur with this strategy. Data from recent clinical studies suggests equipoise for other antimicrobial treatment regimens. The objective of the Rifampicin Combination Therapy versus Targeted Antimicrobial Monotherapy in the Oral Antimicrobial Treatment Phase of Staphylococcal Prosthetic Joint Infection (RiCOTTA)-trial is to evaluate whether monotherapy with clindamycin is non-inferior to rifampicin/fluoroquinolone combination therapy in patients with staphylococcal PJI that are treated with DAIR. Method. The RiCOTTA-trial is a multicenter, non-inferiority, open-label, randomized controlled trial evaluating clindamycin versus rifampicin/fluoroquinolone combination therapy in the oral treatment phase in patients with staphylococcal PJI managed with DAIR. The trial is performed in 16 hospitals in the Netherlands. Eligible patients are adults with staphylococcal knee or hip PJI managed by DAIR. Patients are included one to six days before antibiotic treatment is switched from intravenous to oral therapy. Patients with a contraindication for rifampicin, with a megaprosthesis or who receive intravenous antibiotics for more than three weeks after initial debridement are excluded. Primary outcome is treatment success one year after finishing antimicrobial treatment. Success is defined as the absence of: i. Infection related re-surgery, ii. New episode of antibiotic treatment for infection of the index joint after the initial treatment phase of 12 weeks, iii. Ongoing use of antibiotics for the index joint at the end of follow-up, iv. Death. The estimated treatment success of rifampicin combination therapy is 85% and the monotherapy strategy is considered not inferior when the difference in treatment success will be less than 10%. Enrolment of 158 patients per group (316 in total) is needed to confirm non-inferiority of monotherapy with a power of 80%. The trial is currently open for enrolment. The study is approved by the Medical Ethics Committee Leiden, the Hague, Delft, the Netherlands and registered under EU trial number 2022-501620-26-00 in Clinical Trial Information System. Conclusions. Currently, the RiCOTTTA study is the largest randomised clinical trial that compares targeted oral monotherapy with rifampicin combination treatment for staphylococcal PJI. Noninferiority of monotherapy would result in a change in national PJI guidelines and enable clinicians to use a more patient-tailored approach when considering antibiotics for patients during the oral treatment phase of PJI

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

Background. Infiltration is considered the first treatment option for symptomatic Morton's neuroma and can be performed with various medications. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of hyaluronic acid infiltration versus corticosteroid injection in the treatment of Morton's neuroma. Methods. A randomised clinical trial was conducted with 46 patients (50 feet) diagnosed with Morton's neuroma. After randomisation, the control group (CG) received three injections (one per week) of triamcinolone (Triancil®) guided by ultrasound, while the study group (SG) received three applications of hyaluronic acid (Osteonil Plus®). Patients were followed up for six months after the intervention. The primary outcome measure used was the Visual Pain Analog Scale (VAS). Secondary endpoints included patient-reported outcome measures using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and complications. Results. Both groups showed significant improvement in VAS and AOFAS scores (p < 0.001). The CG showed greater improvement than the SG in the VAS (p < 0.05) and AOFAS (p < 0.001) variables. Four patients in the CG experienced skin hypochromia at the injection site, while there were no complications in the SG. Conclusion. Ultrasound-guided hyaluronic acid infiltration in Morton's Neuroma proved to be safe, showing improvement in pain and function after six months of follow-up, without major complications, but with a significantly lower improvement when compared to corticosteroid injection. Taking into account cost implications and the potential for longer lasting improvement from viscosupplementation further medium- and long-term studies are needed

Aims

Removal of infected components and culture-directed antibiotics are important for the successful treatment of chronic periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). However, as many as 27% of chronic PJI patients yield negative culture results. Although culture negativity has been thought of as a contraindication to one-stage revision, data supporting this assertion are limited. The aim of our study was to report on the clinical outcomes for one-stage and two-stage exchange arthroplasty performed in patients with chronic culture-negative PJI.

Aims

Torus fractures are the most common childhood fracture, accounting for 500,000 UK emergency attendances per year. UK treatment varies widely due to lack of scientific evidence. This is the protocol for a randomized controlled equivalence trial of ‘the offer of a soft bandage and immediate discharge’ versus ‘rigid immobilization and follow-up as per the protocol of the treating centre’ in the treatment of torus fractures .

Durable humeral component fixation in shoulder arthroplasty is necessary to prevent painful aseptic loosening and resultant humeral bone loss. Causes of humeral component loosening include stem design and material, stem length and geometry, ingrowth vs. ongrowth surfaces, quality of bone available for fixation, glenoid polyethylene debris osteolysis, exclusion of articular particulate debris, joint stability, rotator cuff function, and patient activity levels. Fixation of the humeral component may be achieved by cement fixation either partial or complete and press-fit fixation. During the past two decades, uncemented humeral fixation has become more popular, especially with short stems and stemless press fit designs. Cemented humeral component fixation risks difficult and complicated revision surgery, stress shielding of the tuberosities and humeral shaft periprosthetic fractures at the junction of the stiff cemented stem and the remaining humeral shaft. Press fit fixation may minimise these cemented risks but has potential for stem loosening. A randomised clinical trial of 161 patients with cemented vs. press fit anatomic total shoulder replacements found that cemented fixation of the humeral component provided better quality of life, strength, and range of motion than uncemented fixation but longer operative times. Another study found increased humeral osteolysis (43%) associated with glenoid component loosening and polyethylene wear, while stress shielding was seen with well-fixed press fit humeral components. During reverse replacement the biomechanical forces are different on the humeral stem. Stem loosening during reverse replacement may have different factors than anatomic replacement. A systemic review of 41 reverse arthroplasty clinical studies compared the functional outcomes and complications of cemented and uncemented stems in approximately 1800 patients. There was no difference in the risk of stem loosening or revision between cemented and uncemented stems. Uncemented stems have at least equivalent clinical and radiographic outcomes compared with cemented stems during reverse shoulder arthroplasty. Durable humeral component fixation in shoulder arthroplasty is associated with fully cemented stems or well ingrown components that exclude potential synovial debris that may cause osteolysis

Over the past 30 years, cemented, cementless, and hybrid fixation options have been utilised with various total knee arthroplasty (TKA) implant systems. While cemented components are widely used and considered the most reliable method of fixation, historical results may not be applicable to contemporary patients, who are increasingly younger than 65 years of age. Moreover, the literature is not definitive on which method of TKA fixation obtains the best clinical, functional, and radiographic results. A recent Cochrane meta-analysis on roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis (RSA) included five randomised clinical trials (RCTs) in 297 participants. The authors observed that cemented fixation of tibial components demonstrated smaller displacement in relation to cementless fixation. However, the risk of future aseptic loosening with uncemented fixation was approximately half that of cemented fixation (risk ratio = 0.47, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.92) with a 16% absolute risk difference between groups. Almost all included studies recorded functional measures of Knee Society and Hospital for Special Surgery knee scores, but the authors of each study found no significant difference between the groups. Recently, highly porous metals have become an attractive fixation option in TKA due to their biomechanical properties. In a large RCT of 397 patients, Pulido et al found that uncemented highly porous metal tibias provided comparably durable fixation and reliable pain relief and restoration of function when compared with traditional cemented modular tibias. While longer term studies are needed, cementless TKAs may be a durable and reliable alternative with highly porous metals, particularly in younger patients

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been cited as one of the most successful surgical procedures performed today. However, as hip surgeons, we desire constantly improving outcomes for THA patients with more favorable complication rates. At the same time, patients desire hip pain relief and return to function with as little interruption of life as possible. The expectation of patients has changed; they have more physical demands for strength and flexibility, and aspire to achieve more in their recreational pursuits. Additionally, health care system constraints require the THA episode of care to become more efficient as the number of procedures increases with time. These factors, over the past fifteen years, have led to a search for improved surgical approaches and peri-operative pain and rehabilitation protocols for primary THA. The orthopaedic community has seen improved pain control, length of stay, and reduction in complications with changes in practice and protocols. However, the choice of surgical approach has provided significant controversy in the orthopaedic literature. In the 2000s, the mini-posterior approach (MPA) was demonstrated as the superior tissue sparing approach. More recently, there has been a suggestion that the direct anterior approach (DAA) leads to less muscle damage, and improved functional outcomes. A recent prospective randomised trial has shown a number of early deficits of the posterior approach when compared to the direct anterior approach. The posterior approach resulted in patients taking an additional 5 days to discontinue a walker, discontinue all gait aids, discontinue narcotics, ascend stairs with a gait aid, and to walk 6 blocks. Patients receiving the posterior approach required more morphine equivalents in the hospital, and had higher VAS pain scores in the hospital than the direct anterior approach. Interestingly, activity monitoring at two weeks post-operatively also favored DAA with posterior approach patients walking 1600 steps less per day than DAA patients. There has been little difference in the radiographic outcomes or complications between approaches in prospective randomised trials. A number of randomised clinical trials have demonstrated that both the direct anterior and posterior approach provided excellent early post-operative recovery with a low complication rate. DAA patients have objectively faster recovery with slightly shorter times to achieve milestones of function, with similar radiographic and clinical outcomes at longer-term outcomes, with a similar complication rate

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an effective medication to limit blood loss and transfusion requirements in association with contemporary total joint arthroplasty. TXA is in a class of medications termed anti-fibrinolytics due to their action to limit the breakdown of clot that has already been formed. It is useful to note that TXA does not promote the formation of clot, it simply limits the breakdown of already established clot. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials of TXA use in total hip replacement demonstrated: 1) a substantial reduction in the proportion of patients who required transfusion and 2) no increase in DVT or PE. Similarly a recent Cochrane Database systematic review assessed Anti-fibrinolytic Use for Minimizing Perioperative Blood Transfusion and found tranexamic acid to be effective in reducing blood loss during and after surgery and to be free of serious adverse effects. In orthopaedic surgery varying doses have been used over time. A pragmatic dosing approach for Total Knee and Total Hip patients has been used at the Mayo Clinic over the past 16 years: 1 gram IV over 10 minutes prior to incision (delivered at same time as pre-op antibiotics) followed by 1 gram IV over 10 minutes at the time wound closure is initiated. Infusion rates greater than 100 mg/minute have been associated with hypotension and thus the recommendation for 1 gram over 10 minutes. A recent review of 1500 TKA patients at Mayo Clinic revealed a very low prevalence of clinically symptomatic DVT and PE when tranexamic acid was used with 3 different thromboembolic prophylaxis regimens (aspirin and foot pumps; coumadin; low molecular weight heparin). The safety of TXA for patients with coronary stents has not been fully clarified

Aims

The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of multiple boluses of intravenous (IV) tranexamic acid (TXA) on the hidden blood loss (HBL) and inflammatory response following primary total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Objectives. This study reports on a secondary exploratory analysis of the early clinical outcomes of a randomised clinical trial comparing robotic arm-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) for medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee with manual UKA performed using traditional surgical jigs. This follows reporting of the primary outcomes of implant accuracy and gait analysis that showed significant advantages in the robotic arm-assisted group. Methods. A total of 139 patients were recruited from a single centre. Patients were randomised to receive either a manual UKA implanted with the aid of traditional surgical jigs, or a UKA implanted with the aid of a tactile guided robotic arm-assisted system. Outcome measures included the American Knee Society Score (AKSS), Oxford Knee Score (OKS), Forgotten Joint Score, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) activity scale, Short Form-12, Pain Catastrophising Scale, somatic disease (Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders Score), Pain visual analogue scale, analgesic use, patient satisfaction, complications relating to surgery, 90-day pain diaries and the requirement for revision surgery. Results. From the first post-operative day through to week 8 post-operatively, the median pain scores for the robotic arm-assisted group were 55.4% lower than those observed in the manual surgery group (p = 0.040). At three months post-operatively, the robotic arm-assisted group had better AKSS (robotic median 164, interquartile range (IQR) 131 to 178, manual median 143, IQR 132 to 166), although no difference was noted with the OKS. At one year post-operatively, the observed differences with the AKSS had narrowed from a median of 21 points to a median of seven points (p = 0.106) (robotic median 171, IQR 153 to 179; manual median 164, IQR 144 to 182). No difference was observed with the OKS, and almost half of each group reached the ceiling limit of the score (OKS > 43). A greater proportion of patients receiving robotic arm-assisted surgery improved their UCLA activity score. Binary logistic regression modelling for dichotomised outcome scores predicted the key factors associated with achieving excellent outcome on the AKSS: a pre-operative activity level > 5 on the UCLA activity score and use of robotic-arm surgery. For the same regression modelling, factors associated with a poor outcome were manual surgery and pre-operative depression. Conclusion. Robotic arm-assisted surgery results in improved early pain scores and early function scores in some patient-reported outcomes measures, but no difference was observed at one year post-operatively. Although improved results favoured the robotic arm-assisted group in active patients (i.e. UCLA ⩾ 5), these do not withstand adjustment for multiple comparisons. Cite this article: M. J. G. Blyth, I. Anthony, P. Rowe, M. S. Banger, A. MacLean, B. Jones. Robotic arm-assisted versus conventional unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: Exploratory secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial. Bone Joint Res 2017;6:631–639. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.611.BJR-2017-0060.R1

Aims

We compared the clinical and radiological outcomes of using a polyetheretherketone cage with (TiPEEK) and without a titanium coating (PEEK) for instrumented transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is reliable, durable, and reproducible in relieving pain and improving function in patients with arthritis of the knee joint. Cemented fixation is the gold standard with low rates of loosening and excellent survivorship in several large clinical series and joint registries. While cementless knee designs have been available for the past 3 decades, changing patient demographics (i.e. younger patients), improved implant designs and materials, and a shift towards TKA procedures being performed in ambulatory surgery centers has rekindled the debate of the role of cementless knee implants in TKA. The drive towards achieving biologic implant fixation in TKA is also driven by the successful transition from cemented hip implants to uncemented THA. However, new technologies and new techniques must be adopted as a result of an unmet need, significant improvement, and/or clinical advantage. Thus, the questions remain: 1) Why switch; and 2) Is cementless TKA more reliable, durable, or reproducible compared to cemented TKA?. There are several advantages to using cement during TKA. First, the technique can be universally applied to all cases without exception and without concerns for bone health or structure. Second, cement can mask imprecisions in bone cuts and is a remarkably durable grout. Third, cement allows for antibiotic delivery at the time surrounding surgery which has been shown in some instances to reduce the risk of subsequent infection. Finally, cement fixation has provided successful and durable fixation across various types knee designs, surface finishes, and articulations. On the other hand, cementless knee implants have had an inconsistent track record throughout history. While some have fared very well, others have exhibited early failures and high revision rates. Behery et al. reported on a series of 70 consecutive cases of cementless TKA matched with 70 cemented TKA cases based on implant design and demographics and found that cementless TKA was associated with a greater risk of aseptic loosening and revision surgery at 5 years follow up. Finally, to date, there has not been a randomised controlled clinical trial demonstrating superiority of cementless fixation compared to cemented fixation in TKA. Improvements in materials and designs have definitely made cementless TKA designs viable. However, concerns with added cost, reproducibility, and durability remain. Cement fixation has withstood the test of time and is not the main cause of TKA failure. Therefore, until there is significant data showing that cementless TKA is more durable, reliable, and reproducible compared to cemented TKA, the widespread use of these implants cannot be recommended

Advances in polyethylene (PE) in total hip arthroplasty have led to interest and increased use of highly crosslinked PE (HXLPE) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Biomechanical data suggest improved wear characteristics for HXLPE inserts over conventional PE in TKA. Short-term results from registry data and few clinical trials are promising. Our aim is to present a review of the history of HXLPEs, the use of HXLPE inserts in TKA, concerns regarding potential mechanical complications, and a thorough review of the available biomechanical and clinical data.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:996–1002.

Over the past 30 years, cemented, cementless, and hybrid fixation options have been utilised with various total knee arthroplasty (TKA) implant systems. While cemented components are widely used and considered the most reliable method of fixation, historical results may not be applicable to contemporary patients, who are increasingly younger than 65 years of age. Moreover, the literature is not definitive on which method of TKA fixation obtains the best clinical, functional, and radiographic results. A recent Cochrane meta-analysis on roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis (RSA) included five randomised clinical trials (RCTs) in 297 participants. The authors observed that cemented fixation of tibial components demonstrated smaller displacement in relation to cementless fixation. However, the risk of future aseptic loosening with uncemented fixation was approximately half that of cemented fixation (risk ratio = 0.47, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.92) with a 16% absolute risk difference between groups. Almost all included studies recorded functional measures of Knee Society and Hospital for Special Surgery knee scores, but the authors of each study found no significant difference between the groups. Recently, highly porous metals have become an attractive fixation option in TKA due to their biomechanical properties. In a large RCT of 397 patients, Pulido et al found that uncemented highly porous metal tibias provided comparably durable fixation and reliable pain relief and restoration of function when compared with traditional cemented modular tibias. While longer-term studies are needed, cementless TKAs may be a durable and reliable alternative with highly porous metals, particularly in younger patients

Aims

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the impact of intravenous tranexamic acid on the reduction of blood loss, transfusion rate, and early post-operative clinical outcome in total shoulder arthroplasty.

Objectives

Intramedullary fixation is considered the most stable treatment for pertrochanteric fractures of the proximal femur and cut-out is one of the most frequent mechanical complications. In order to determine the role of clinical variables and radiological parameters in predicting the risk of this complication, we analysed the data pertaining to a group of patients recruited over the course of six years.

Objectives

Osteoporosis has become an increasing concern for older people as it may potentially lead to osteoporotic fractures. This study is designed to assess the efficacy and safety of ten therapies for post-menopausal women using network meta-analysis.