Intra-articular distal humeral fractures in the elderly are difficult to treat. There is evidence in the literature to support the use of both Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) and Total Elbow Arthroplasty (TEA) as primary procedures, although we have been unable to find any direct comparisons of outcome.

This study reports the results of ORIF in 12 elderly patients with distal humeral fractures and compares the outcome with 12 matched patients who had undergone TEA.

All procedures were performed by two experienced Consultant Surgeons. The Coonrad-Morrey TEA was used in all cases of TEA and a double-plating technique was used in all ORIFs.

Both groups of patients were similar with respect to fracture configuration, age, sex, co-morbidity and hand dominance. The mean follow-up in both groups of patients was over 30 months.

At final review, patients who had had a TEA had a mean Mayo score of 91 and a range of flexion/extension of 90 degrees. There was 1 superficial wound infection that resolved with antibiotics, 1 temporary radial nerve palsy, and 1 case of heterotrophic ossification The ORIF group had a mean Mayo score of 89 (p> 0.05) and a range of flexion/extension of 112 degrees (P=0.03). There was 1 case of heterotrophic ossification, 2 cases of ulnar nerve compression that needed decompression and 1 superficial wound infection that resolved with antibiotics. All the fractures united.

This study indicates that both treatment modalities can lead to excellent results. ORIF has the advantage of preserving the joint and once union has occurred has a low risk of long term complications.

Introduction: Stiffness is a disabling problem following TKR surgery. The overall incidence is 1–3%. Though multiple factors have been implicated in development of stiffness, it still remains an incompletely understood condition. Furthermore, opinion is divided about the efficacy, timing and the number of MUA’s post TKR surgery, as there are no definitive guidelines.

Aims & Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the predisposing factors for stiffness following TKR surgery, to determine the efficacy of single and multiple manipulations and to investigate the most appropriate timing for manipulation.

Material & Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 86 patients who underwent manipulation for stiffness post-primary TKR surgery with at least one-year follow up. The number of manipulations, predisposing factors, the flexion gain at different intervals, final gain in flexion and range of movement was noted till the end of 1 year.

Results: Results were assessed by timing and number of MUA’s performed. Sixty five patients underwent single MUA and 21 had multiple MUA. At the end of one year the single MUA group showed 310 of sustained gain in flexion and in the multiple MUA group only 90 flexion gain was noted (p=0.003). MUA within 20 weeks of primary surgery showed 300 of flexion gain, whereas only 70 of flexion gain was seen when MUA was undertaken after 20 weeks (p=0.004). Patients on warfarin (9.5%) and with previous major surgeries to the knee prior to TKR (11.5%) had increase incidence of stiffness and poor flexion gain.

Conclusion: The timing of the 1st MUA is crucial, with better results achieved in MUA performed less than 20 weeks (particularly between 12–14 weeks) from primary surgery. Age, sex and type of disease do not influence the severity of stiffness in this study. There appears to be no added benefit in re-manipulation.

In situ fixation of mild slips of the slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a safe and reliable method of treatment. Hardware failure and fractures are reported at the time of pin retrieval. Difficulty in removing these pins is well reported. Major problems can be expected when arthroplasty is necessary years later, if the pins are still inside the proximal femur. Hence we have come up with a novel technique to remove these pins during Primary Total hip arthroplasty.

The hip is exposed through posterior approach, dislocated and the neck is then cut at the usual site. It is then segmented in both sagittal and coronal planes into approximately eight to ten pieces and removed piecemeal. The pins are thus exposed, cleared of any bony debris and hammered retrograde.

By using our simple and novel technique to remove these pins we feel it avoids unnecessary trauma to the outer cortex of femur and also reduces the operating time significantly.