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The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 102-B, Issue 10 | Pages 1419 - 1427
3 Oct 2020
Wood D French SR Munir S Kaila R

Aims

Despite the increase in the surgical repair of proximal hamstring tears, there exists a lack of consensus in the optimal timing for surgery. There is also disagreement on how partial tears managed surgically compare with complete tears repaired surgically. This study aims to compare the mid-term functional outcomes in, and operating time required for, complete and partial proximal hamstring avulsions, that are repaired both acutely and chronically.

Methods

This is a prospective series of 156 proximal hamstring surgical repairs, with a mean age of 48.9 years (21.5 to 78). Functional outcomes were assessed preinjury, preoperatively, and postoperatively (six months and minimum three years) using the Sydney Hamstring Origin Rupture Evaluation (SHORE) score. Operating time was recorded for every patient.


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 102-B, Issue 3 | Pages 388 - 393
1 Mar 2020
French SR Kaila R Munir S Wood DG

Aims

To validate the Sydney Hamstring Origin Rupture Evaluation (SHORE), a hamstring-specific clinical assessment tool to evaluate patient outcomes following surgical treatment.

Methods

A prospective study of 70 unilateral hamstring surgical repairs, with a mean age of 47.3 years (15 to 73). Patients completed the SHORE preoperatively and at six months post-surgery, and then completed both the SHORE and Perth Hamstring Assessment Tool (PHAT) at three years post-surgery. The SHORE questionnaire was validated through the evaluation of its psychometric properties, including; internal consistency, reproducibility, reliability, sensitivity to change, and ceiling effect. Construct validity was assessed using Pearson’s correlation analysis to examine the strength of association between the SHORE and the PHAT.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 101-B, Issue SUPP_9 | Pages 23 - 23
1 Sep 2019
Munir S Freidin M Rade M Määttä J Livshits G Williams F
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Background

Endplate defect is an MRI trait, found to be associated with intervertebral disc degeneration. There is a lack of understanding regarding the mechanism underlying lumbar disc degeneration (LDD). This large-scale longitudinal population-based study aimed to determine the order of appearance of degenerative change in the vertebral body and intervertebral disc, the influence of endplate degeneration on LBP and whether there is a genetic influence on endplate damage.

Methods

Individuals from the TwinsUK spine study having longitudinal T2-weighted lumbar MRI scans at baseline (n=996) and a decade later (n=438) were included. LDD, vertebral endplate defect expressed as a total endplate (TEP) score and Modic change (MC) were assessed using standard techniques. Mixed-effects models were used to determine the association between spine pathology features adjusted for covariates. Endplate defect heritability was estimated using variance component analysis.


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 5, Issue 9 | Pages 370 - 378
1 Sep 2016
Munir S Oliver RA Zicat B Walter WL Walter WK Walsh WR

Objectives

This study aimed to characterise and qualitatively grade the severity of the corrosion particles released into the hip joint following taper corrosion.

Methods

The 26 cases examined were CoC/ABG Modular (n = 13) and ASR/SROM (n = 13). Blood serum metal ion levels were collected before and after revision surgery. The haematoxylin and eosin tissue sections were graded on the presence of fibrin exudates, necrosis, inflammatory cells and corrosion products. The corrosion products were identified based on visible observation and graded on abundance. Two independent observers blinded to the clinical patient findings scored all cases. Elemental analysis was performed on corrosion products within tissue sections. X-Ray diffraction was used to identify crystalline structures present in taper debris.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 98-B, Issue SUPP_9 | Pages 64 - 64
1 May 2016
Munir S Wang T Regazzola G Walsh W
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Introduction

Cementless devices can be designed with varying surface treatments with the hope of achieving osseointegration. The surface finish dictates the interaction, adhesion and growth of bone therefore it is an important parameter that be measured and compared. The surface topography of a material can be viewed both microscopically and macroscopically. Surface microtopography focuses on the peaks and valleys where deviations in the characteristics of the size and spacing of these features determine the variability between surface topography. The most common parameter used worldwide to describe surface roughness is the arithmetic average height (Ra). The definition of Ra is the absolute deviation of the surface irregularities from a mean line across the sampling length given by the equation shown in figure 1.

Many techniques can be used to relate to surface characteristics of materials, with the common two options revolving around contact and non-contact methods. These techniques are expensive and are limited in detecting the interaction of implantable devices at a macroscopic level. This study sought to develop a method to determine the surface roughness and characterise implants based on cross sectional images and scanning electron microscopy.

Method

The profile of 6 trunnions from a total hip replacement was obtained in x and y coordinates along a set length using a profilometer. A custom program to calculate the Ra of the material was created using a mathematical program (MATLAB). Each material profile was inputted into a mathematical program to provide the surface roughness of the material. The surface parameters were initially obtained from a surface analyser to determine the accuracy of the program.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 98-B, Issue SUPP_10 | Pages 26 - 26
1 May 2016
Shah S Walter W de Steiger R Munir S Tai S Walter W
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Introduction

Dislocation is one of the leading causes of revision after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). Polyethylene wear is one of the risk factors for late dislocations (>2 years). It can induce an inflammatory response resulting in distension and thinning of the pseudocapsule, predisposing the hip to dislocation. Alternatively, eccentric seating of the femoral head in a worn out socket may result in an asymmetric excursion arc predisposing the hip to impingement, levering out and dislocation. Highly cross linked polyethylene has a significantly lower wear rate as compared to conventional polyethylene. Incidence of late dislocations has been shown to be significantly greater with conventional polyethylene bearings as compared to ceramic bearings. However, there is no literature comparing the risk of dislocation between ceramic- on- ceramic (CoC) bearings with metal/ceramic- on- cross linked polyethylene (M/CoP) bearings and this was the aim our study

Methods

Data regarding revision for dislocation after primary THA for osteoarthritis (OA) between September 1999 and December 2013 was obtained from the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOA NJRR). Revision risk for dislocation was compared between CoC, CoP, and MoP bearings. Only those THAs with 28 mm, 32 mm, or 36 mm heads were included in the study.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 98-B, Issue SUPP_9 | Pages 62 - 62
1 May 2016
Munir S Bertollo N Pelletier M Walsh W
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Introduction

Modern hip replacements all have encapsulated the design concept of proximal modularity. The factors contributing to the increased wear and corrosion at the taper junction are trunnion geometry, surface characteristics, head size, impaction forces, and material coupling. This study maps the inferior and superior region of the trunnion and bore to provide a visual identification of the corrosion severity. The corrosion/wear generated inferiorly and superiorly at the bore and trunnion will be quantified to understand how corrosion is affected by mechanical stresses in relation to anatomical orientation.

Methodology

Three neck tapers generated from bar stock containing a threaded trunnion Ti-6Al-4V and 3× 32mm femoral heads (Co-Cr-Mo) with a +4 offset manufactured by Signature Orthopaedics were used within this study. Rectangular Rozzette strain gauges (Tokyo Sokki Kenkyujo Co., Ltd.) were adhered onto the inferior and superior sections of the neck section. The tapers were fatigued in accordance to ISO 7206 at 5Hz for 5 million cycles at 37 degrees Celsius in phosphate buffered saline. The tapers were sectioned from the center of the femoral head to split both trunnion and bore into superior and inferior components. SEM imaging of all surface areas for each component, per taper (4) was done under ×100 magnification. The images were used to quantify the corrosion present across the surface area using a MATLAB based program called Histomorph. To obtain a visual observation of the variation of corrosion across the bore and trunnion the proximal, medial, and distal regions were mapped together for both the superior and inferior sections.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 98-B, Issue SUPP_9 | Pages 63 - 63
1 May 2016
Munir S Oliver R Zicat B Walter W Walter W Walsh W
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Introduction

The possibility of corrosion at the taper junction of hip replacements was initially identified as a concern of generating adverse reactions in the late 1980s. Common clinical findings of failure are pain, clicking, swelling, fluid collections, soft tissue masses, and gluteal muscle necrosis identified intra operatively.

Methodology

The joint replacement surgery was performed utilizing a posterior approach to the hip joint. The data from all surgical, clinical and radiological examinations was prospectively collected and stored in a database. Patients were separated into two groups based on bearing material, where group 1 had a CoC bearing and ABG modular stem whilst group 2 had a MoM bearing and SROM stem, with each group having 13 cases. Pre-operative revision surgery and post-operative blood serum metal ion levels we collected. Cup inclination and anteversion was measured using the Ein-Bild-Roentgen-Analyse (EBRA) software. A range of 2–5 tissue sections was examined per case. 2 independent observers that were blinded to the clinical patient findings scored all cases. The tissue grading for the H&E tissue sections were graded based on the presence of fibrin exudates, necrosis, inflammatory cells, metallic deposits, and corrosion products. The corrosion products were identified into 3 groups based on visible observation and graded based on abundance. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) Hitachi S3400 was used to allow for topographic and compositional surface imaging. Unstained tissue sections were used for imaging and elemental analysis. X-Ray diffraction was the analytical technique used for the taper debris that provided identification on the atomic and molecular structure of a crystal.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 98-B, Issue SUPP_4 | Pages 113 - 113
1 Jan 2016
Munir S Molloy D Hasted T Jack CM Shimmin A Walter W
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Sagittal stability of the knee is believed to be of significant importance following total knee arthroplasty. We examine four different knee designs at a minimum of twenty-four months postoperatively. Sagittal stability was measured at four degrees of flexion: 0°; 30°; 60°; and 90°, to examine the effect of design on mid-flexion stability.

The knee designs included were: the rotating platform LCS design (DePuy); the cruciate sparing Triathlon system (Stryker); SAIPH system (Matortho, UK); and the medial rotating knee design, MRK (Matortho, UK).

Following ethical approval, 64 cases were enrolled into the study, 22 male and 42 female. Inclusion criteria included: a minimum of 18 months from surgery; ability to flex beyond 90 degrees; and have no postoperative complications. 18 LCS, 18 MRK, 14 SAIPH and 14 Triathlon knee designs were analysed. Sagittal stability was measured using the KT1000 device. Active range of movement was measured using a hand held goniometer and recorded as was Oxford knee score, WOMAC knee score, SF12 and Kujala patellofemoral knee score.

Mean follow-up was 33.7 months postoperative, with a mean age of 72 years. Mean weight was 82.7kgs and height 164cms. There was no significant difference in preoperative demographics between the groups. Mean active post-operative range of motion of the knee was from 2–113° with no significant difference between groups.

Sagittal stability was similar in all four groups in full extension; however the MRK and SAIPH designs showed improved stability in the mid-range of flexion (30–90°). Patient satisfaction also showed a similar trend with MRK achieving better patient reported functional outcomes and satisfaction than that of the SAIPH, LCS and Triathlon systems.

All four knee designs demonstrated good post-operative range of movement with comparative improvement of patient scores to other reported studies. The MRK and SAIPH knee design showed an improved mid-flexion sagittal stability with better patient reported satisfaction and functional scores.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 98-B, Issue SUPP_4 | Pages 112 - 112
1 Jan 2016
Munir S Stephens A Thornton-Bott P Walter W
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Purpose

The aim of this study is to describe the influence of sitting and standing posture on sagittal pelvic inclination in preoperative total hip replacement patients to assist with correct acetabular component positioning.

Methods

Lateral radiographs of the pelvis and lumbar spine in sitting and standing of preoperative hip arthroplasty patients with primary hip osteoarthritis were extracted. Pelvic tilt was measured using the vertical inclination of a line from the ASIS to pubic tubercle. Sacral inclination was measured as the angle between the anterior surface of the sacrum and a horizontal reference. Figure one is a representation of the pelvic tilt angle and sacrel inclination angle taken during standing. The Cobb angle of the lumbar spine was recorded represented for a sitting patient in figure 2. Hip flexion was recorded (figure 2).


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 96-B, Issue SUPP_11 | Pages 150 - 150
1 Jul 2014
Yiasemidou M Teanby D Munir U
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Summary Statement

This study assesses the service provision of viscosupplementation within an NHS (British National Health System) hospital. The results of this study show long term efficacy of the treatment, when provided by a dedicated, orthopaedic unit.

Introduction

The service provision of viscosupplementation for osteoarthritis within the National Health System (NHS) remains controversial. The treatment was recommended in the 2007 NICE guidelines but support was withdrawn the following year. Furthermore, whether it should be provided by orthopaedic surgeons or in primary care is also a matter of debate. St Helens and Knowsley Trust, runs an orthopaedic outpatient clinic dedicated to the administration of viscosupplementation to patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. This study aims to assess the efficacy of viscosupplementation for knee osteoarthritis when that is provided by a highly specialised, orthopaedic, dedicated service


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 95-B, Issue SUPP_34 | Pages 575 - 575
1 Dec 2013
Imbuldeniya A Munir S Chow J Walter W Zicat B Walter W
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Introduction

Squeaking is a potential problem of all hard on hard bearings yet it has been less frequently reported in metal-on-metal hips. We compared a cohort of 11 squeaking metal-on-metal hip resurfacings to individually matched controls, assessing cup inclination and anteversion between the groups to look for any differences.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the patient records of 332 patients (387 hip resurfacings) who underwent hip resurfacing between December 1999 and Dec 2012. 11 hips in 11 patients were reported to squeak postoperatively. Each of these patients, except one, were matched by age, sex, BMI and implant to 3 controls. The final patient only had one control due to his high BMI.

The latest post-operative radiographs of the squeaking group and controls were analysed using EBRA (Einzel-Bild-Roentgen-Analysis, University of Innsbruck, Austria) software to evaluate cup inclination and anteversion.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 95-B, Issue SUPP_34 | Pages 197 - 197
1 Dec 2013
Munir S Imbuldeniya A Walsh WWW
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Introduction

The Morse taper was adapted into orthopaedics as a connecting junction in total hip replacements. The benefit of modular systems includes the adjustment of leg length, offset and the ability to remove the head for acetabular exposure during revision surgery. The design of the Morse taper facilitates the intimate contact of the conical trunnion of the femoral stem (male component), with the conical bore of the femoral head (female component). Design consideration for tapers involve physical parameters (angle, length, diameter and contact points), and manufacturing finish (surface characteristics). Orthopaedic trunnion tapers are not standardized and vary in length, taper angle and base dimension. Variations in the design and surface characteristics of the trunnion, which directly reflects on the interface at the taper junction can influence the likelihood of subsequent wear, corrosion and ultimately effect longevity of the implant.

Methods and Materials

We studied 11 clean un-used commercial stems from five different companies (DePuy, Stryker, Biomet, Wright Medical, Smith and Nephew). Trunnion surface was scanned with an optical profilometer (Bruker ContourGT-I 3D Optical Microscope (Karlsruhe, Germany), an interference microscopes with the capability to analyse 3 dimensional topographical features of materials. Three measurements of each trunnion were taken on the anterior surface at the proximal, mid-point, and distal segments. Each region scan was conducted under a 20x objective with the scan length of 1000 um and a back scan of 500 um.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 95-B, Issue SUPP_15 | Pages 84 - 84
1 Mar 2013
Jenabzadeh R Munir S Burke J Walter WK Zicat B Walter WL
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Introduction

The Delta Motion device (developed by Finsbury Orthopaedics, Leatherhead, United Kingdom, now manufactured by DePuy, Leeds, United Kingdom) is a pre-assembled factory fitted cup. It has been introduced to overcome some of the concerns relating to intra-operative assembly with improper seating of the liner and chipping. This device has a thinner shell and liner in comparison with other cups, allowing the use of larger sized heads which should help reduce the risk of impingement and dislocation. A drawback of the pre-assembled design is the inability to use supplementary screws to achieve stability and the difficulty in obtaining primary stability compared with a thin titanium shell. To date we are not aware of any publications reviewing the outcomes of these devices.

Methods

206 DeltaMotion cups were implanted in 195 patients, between Dec 2008 to Dec 2009 by the three senior authors. All the hips had the same stem (Osteonics) and a ceramic head was used. Data was prospectively collected and we reflect on our two year results.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 95-B, Issue SUPP_15 | Pages 127 - 127
1 Mar 2013
Cross MB Esposito C Sokolova A Jenabzadeh R Molloy D Munir S Zicat B Walter WK Walter WL
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Introduction

Modularity is being increasingly used throughout the world for both primary and revision total hip arthroplasty. Recently there have been concerns of increased corrosion and fretting at the modular junctions. In the SROM® modular hip system, two modular junctions are the head-neck taper junction and the stem-sleeve taper junction. The aim of this study was to investigate corrosion at these junctions with the use of different bearing materials.

Methods

Between 1994 and 2012, fourty-two patients were revised with SROM® stems. Reasons for revision included aseptic loosening of the cup or stem (11), periprosthetic fracture (2), osteolysis (8), dislocation (13) and other reasons (7). One was revised for stem breakage, and this was excluded from this study. We examined 41 retrieved S-ROM® comprised of 6 metal-on-metal (MOM), 12 metal-on-polyethylene (MOP), 7 ceramic-on-polyethylene (COP) and 16 ceramic-on-ceramic (COC). The orientation for all components was marked at the time of revision surgery. Both the proximal sleeve/stem and the femoral head-neck modular junctions were examined under 10X magnification, and graded by two independent observers. The head tapers were divided into 4 regions, and graded using a previously published 3 point scoring system for fretting and corrosion damage (Goldberg et al, Kop et al), for a total corrosion damage score of 12. The SROM stems were also assessed at the sleeve/stem taper junction. Each stem was divided into 8 quadrants, and graded for corrosion and fretting using the same system as the taper. In addition to severity, we also quantified area of corrosion damage of the stem at the sleeve-stem junction from 0–3, which was multiplied by the severity of damage, to give a score out of 9 for each quadrant (maximum total score of 72 for the stem). The bearing type was unknown to the investigators, so the grading was done in a blinded fashion. Corrosion scores were divided by time to account for differences in time to revision.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 92-B, Issue SUPP_I | Pages 166 - 166
1 Mar 2010
Alam MS Haque M Khalid H Azad T Tanveer R Munir Zakir
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Intra-medullarly nail techniques for fracture fixation has gained Universal acceptance over the past 50 years. Closed interlocking nail fixation is the procedure of choice for femoral shaft fracture specially in poly trauma. Unlocked Nail can be considered when a non comminuted fracture occurs through the narrowest part of the medullarly canal. Unlocked Nail does not resist axial and rotational deformation of the fracture. Interlocking fixation controls bending and rotational deformation but allows nearly full axial load transfer by bone. Interlocking nails can be used in almost all long bones.

A total of 67 cases were stabilized by intra-medullarly interlocking nails. It was a prospective study done in SSMC & Private hospital from the period of January 2004 to February 2008. Total period of follow up was about 4 years. Both male & female were included in this series. Fresh, delayed fracture & Non Union all were included. Maximum cases were closed fracture but few were fresh but open fracture. Simple unstable fracture comminuted segmental fracture, implant failure was the selection criteria. Fracture, tibia femur and humerus were selected for this study. Both closed and open techniques were applied in this series without any support from C-arm.

In maximum cases bony union was achieved in expected time. In few cases healing process was delayed due to extensive soft tissue damage during the occurrence of fracture and non-cooperation of patients during post operative period. Excellent results were achieved in fresh cases. Over all result of this series is very satisfactory.

Breaking of screws was in 2 cases, bending of nail was in one case due to early weight bearing. Revision of surgery done in 2 cases.

Intra Modularly interlocking nail fixation is very simple device for unstable comminuted and segmental fracture shaft of long bones. If C-arm is available in that case procedure becomes more simple and easy. But without C-arm sometimes surgery becomes very lengthy and in that case expected results may not be achieved.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 90-B, Issue SUPP_III | Pages 470 - 471
1 Aug 2008
George J Munir M
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Sitting is the main activity of daily living for the majority of patients with cerebral palsy. More than 60% of dependent sitters have hip disorders. Surgical management of hip and pelvic postural mal-alignment remains controversial.

The aim of this study was to investigate effectiveness of open hip release in patients with spastic hip deformities. Seventeen patients with spastic cerebral palsy were treated with a selective release of the adductors, hamstrings, and iliopsoas, and capsulotomy of the hip joint. There were 6 females and 9 males. Ten of the patients were nonambulatory and seven were ambulatory. The average age at operation was 6 years 4 months (4 to 14 years). The follow-up period ranges from 2 to 9 years (average of 4.8 years). The patients were evaluated clinically and radiologically. The migration and acetabular indices were measured on the pre-operative and follow-up radiographs.

The results of hip release were rated satisfactory in 12 patients and unsatisfactory in 5 patients. The latter was due to severe acetabular dysplasia and posterior instability that was later improved by acetabuloplasty.

We concluded that a soft tissue release of spastic hip deformities improved sitting stability in nonambulatory and walking posture in ambulatory patients.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 88-B, Issue SUPP_I | Pages 83 - 83
1 Mar 2006
Dussa C Cu D Munir U Herbert J Tudor G
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Aim: To see the efficacy of white cell scan in the diagnosis of prosthetic joint infections.

Materials and methods: A retrospective study was done from Jan 2001 to Dec 2003 on patients with suspected joint infections after prosthetic joint surgery that had white cell scans. 109 patients were identified. We excluded 13 patients due to lack of proper documentation. The case notes for clinical details, laboratory investigations, radiological investigations were reviewed for this purpose. All the patients who did not have intervention were followed for a year for signs of infection.

Results: After exclusion, of 13 patients, 96 patients were taken into the study. Of these, 44 were males and 52 were females. The age range was from 53 years to 91 years with an average of 76 years. We identified 30 total hip replacements, 61 total knee replacements, 3 shoulder replacements and 2 hemi-arthroplasties. 77 of these were cemented and 19 uncemented. The scan was done on an average of 23 months, with a range of 4 months to 16 years after the surgery. The chief complaint was persistant pain at rest and walking in all patients.11 patients had swelling, 7 had redness. None of the patients had discharge. White cells were raised in 6, ESR was raised in 28, and CRP was raised in 15 patients. Antibiotics were started on clinical grounds in 10 patients of which 4 patients showed no response. Plain X-Rays suggested infection in 5 patients. White cell scan suggested infection in 26 patients. Irrespective of scan report, 28 patients were operated for symptoms. There was surgical evidence of infection in 11 patients and 17 had aseptic loosening. Of the 11 surgically confirmed cases of infection, white cell scan showed infection only in 7 patients.

Infection +ve Infection –ve

Positive White Cell Scan 7 19

Negative White Cell Scan 5 65

The specificity of the WCS is 0.77 and sensitivity is 0.58. The positive predictive value is 0.36, and negative predictive value is 0.92.

Conclusion: White cell scan has a good predictive value for exclusion of prosthetic joint infections it has high false positive rate. However caution must be excised in interpreting the negative scans. Persistent symptoms should not be ignored. We recognise that the limitation of our study is our small sample size.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 87-B, Issue SUPP_III | Pages 370 - 370
1 Sep 2005
Rehman K Munir U Michelle A Shannon F
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We present a retrospective study on the outcome of Clayton’s forefoot arthroplasty in 23 patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The average age at surgery was 51.2 years (range 26–88). Pre-operative symptoms were pain, deformity, and footwear problems. Hallux valgus, lesser toe deformities and callosities were the common signs. One surgeon performed all procedures. All patients were assessed radiologically and clinically using American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) rating system.

Thirteen patients had bilateral correction, and 10 had single foot surgery, providing a total of 36 feet for analysis. Complications included eight wound infections, two toe tip ulceration, two ischaemic toes and two painful feet.

The AOFAS average score was under 45 before surgery and it improved to 83 (range 47–100) for hallux and 79 (range 40–100) for the lesser toes. Overall 91% patients were pleased with the procedure. Our results suggest that Clayton’s forefoot arthroplasty is a procedure, which provides predictable comfort and immediate, functional improvement in advanced rheumatoid arthritis.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 87-B, Issue SUPP_III | Pages 372 - 372
1 Sep 2005
Dussa C Munir U Morgan G
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Aim To assess the outcome of ankle fractures in diabetic patients.

Method The case notes and X-rays of 39 patients with diabetes, who had sustained ankle fractures between 1994–2003, were retrospectively analysed.

Results There were 23 females and 16 males with mean age of 66 years in females and 51 years in males. The fracture was the result of a twisting injury in 37 of 39 patients. The average duration of diabetes prior to the fracture was 9.6 years. Thirty per cent of patients had systemic complications. Twenty patients had insulin dependent and 19 had non-insulin dependent diabetes. Fractures were on the left side in 21 patients. One patient had a Gustilo grade 2 fracture. Two had a single malleolar fracture, 28 had bi-malleolar fractures and the remaining nine had tri-malleolar fractures. Talus shift was present in 26 cases. The average time to surgery is 3.8 days. The mean ASA grade is 2.3. Twenty-one patients were managed operatively, of which seven had an infection. One patient underwent amputation. One had post-operative myocardial infarction. Nineteen were managed conservatively and in this group, four patients had infected pressure sores from the plaster, of which two needed plastic surgery care. One was managed with external fixator and developed osteomyelitis, and persistent talus shift and non-union.

Three patients died within 2 years of fracture due to diabetes-related complications. Union was achieved in 36 cases and 30 of the patients walked independently after union.

Conclusion There is a high complication rate following surgery for fractures of the ankle in diabetic patients, but conservative treatment also carries a significant risk because poor skin condition can lead to pressure sores while in plaster and these may need major plastic interventions.