A Core Outcome Set (COS) for treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is essential to ensure that the most meaningful outcomes are evaluated and used consistently. Measuring the same outcomes ensures evidence from clinical trials and routine clinical practice of different treatments can be more easily compared and combined, therefore increasing the quality of the evidence base. The SPINE-COS-AYA project aims to develop a gold standard COS which can be used internationally in research and routine clinical practice to evaluate the treatment (surgical and bracing) of AIS.

In this qualitative study, the views of adolescents and young adults with AIS (10-25 years of age), their family members and healthcare professionals in a UK region were sought, via interviews, on treatment outcomes. Participants were purposively recruited from a variety of sources including NHS outpatient clinics and social media. Semi-structured interviews were analysed using thematic analysis.

Key findings will be presented, to include potential core outcome domains identified by the different subgroups.

The core outcome domains identified in this research programme will subsequently form part of an international consensus survey to agree a COS. In future, if the COS is used by healthcare staff and researchers, it will be easier for everyone, including patients and their families, to assess which treatment works best.

Purpose: Fractures of the proximal femur are increasing in incidence as the population ages. In order to address this problem the Province of Ontario, Canada (population 14 million) has advocated an integrated model of care.

Method: A policy to improve the outcome for patients sustaining hip fractures has been developed. It has been implemented in the 14 health regions of the province. The objectives are:

All surgical procedures to be performed within 48 hours of patient’s admission to hospital.

Results: Since the implementation of this policy 90% of all hip fracture patients are receiving definitive surgical treatment within 48 hours of admission. Site variations are identified and remedial actions implemented for those hospitals which fail to meet this target. Acute care length of stay following hip fracture has declined from a mean of 17 days to a mean of 8 days. The number of patients with hip fractures returning to their pre-injury residence has increased significantly from approximately 35% to 70% at 3 months post-fracture.

Conclusion: A structured program for hip fracture care can be developed in large population areas and has been implemented for the approximate 10,000 patients sustaining hip fractures annually within our jurisdiction. This model should be broadly applicable to other health regions.

Aim: Spinal stenosis is a known entity in achondroplasia and a need for screening for the symptomatic children was identified in a tertiary limb reconstruction service. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether clinical and radiological imaging would identify the at risk group.

Materials and methods: 205 achondroplastic children were treated at our service in the last 20 years. A prospective clinical screening programme for spinal stenosis which also included the MRI imaging of entire spine was however introduced only in 1996. 26 patients were available for this study. Case notes were reviewed for clinical symptoms and neurological signs. MR images were assessed for stenosis especially at Cervico medullary junction and lumbar level. Canal diameters were measured at all spinal levels from CMJ to lumbo-sacral junction. Neurosurgical interventions were recorded. An attempt was made to identify high risk factors that required surgical intervention.

Results: Delayed milestones were observed in 7 patients. Positive history of back pain or radicular pain was obtained in 10 whereas 10 patients had symptoms of neurogenic claudication. Brisk reflexes and clonus were consistent findings. Severe foramen magnum narrowing was observed in 23 patients and 13 showed ‘kinking’ or ‘pinching’, suggesting severe compression. Of the 17 patients seen by neurosurgeons 6 required single or multiple surgical decompressions. Ventriculo-peritoneal shunt was inserted in 4. 5 children required CMJ decompression and one required lumbar canal decompression. There was a 7 mm difference in AP diameter measured on MRI at CMJ between the two non operated and operated groups. Female patients with delayed milestones and CMJ narrowing to less than 25 mm were identified as high risk.

Conclusion: The cause of increased morbidity and mortality in young achondroplasts is attributable to severe CM compression. Sudden death can occur by acute or gradual progressive encroachment of respiratory centre at medulla oblongata. We were able to identify symptomatic patients early before developing myelomalacia and cord changes by screening all symptomatic children with achondroplasia. We propose that female gender, especially with delayed milestones as another high risk factor. We stress upon the importance of developing a nationalised selective screening programme with guidelines in specialist orthopaedic and joint multi-disciplinary Skeletal Dysplasia clinics.