Specific brace-fitting complications in idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) have been rarely described in published series, and usually focus on non-compliance. Our primary aim was to compare the rate of persistent pressure sores in patients fitted with Markell boots and Mitchell boots. Our additional aims were to describe the frequency of other brace fitting complications and identify age trends in these complications. A retrospective analysis of medical files of 247 idiopathic CTEV patients born between 01/01/2010 - 01/01/2021 was performed. Data was collected using a REDCap database. Pressure sores of sufficient severity for clinician to recommend time out of brace occurred in 22.9% of Mitchell boot and 12.6% of Markell boot patients (X. 2. =6.9, p=0.009). The overall rate of bracing complications was 51.4%. 33.2% of parents admitted to bracing non-compliance and 31.2% of patients required re-casting during the bracing period for relapse. For patients with a minimum follow-up of age 6 years, 44.2% required tibialis anterior tendon transfer. Parents admitting to non-compliance were significantly more likely to have a child who required tibialis anterior tendon transfer (X. 2. =5.71, p=0.017). Overall rate of capsular release (posteromedial release or posterior release) was 2.0%. Neither medium nor longterm results of Ponseti treatment in the Australian and New Zealand clubfoot have been published. Globally, few publications describe specific bracing complications in clubfoot, despite this being a notable challenge for clinicians and families. Recurrent pressure sores is a persistent complication with the Mitchell boots for patients in our center. In our population of Australian clubfoot patients, tibialis anterior tendon transfer for relapse is common, consistent with the upper limit of tibialis anterior tendon transfer rates reported globally

Abstract. Non-operative management of AIS can present practical and psychological challenges, as effective bracing requires a considerable investment of time in adolescence which is a formative point of physical and emotional development. The management team lacks input from the psychological team and thus, it would be prudent for the spinal teams to appreciate and deal with the psychosocial effects associated with bracing. We sought to investigate how bracing as a part of non-operative management of idiopathic scoliosis, is perceived among adolescents. We performed a search of CINAHL, Medline, AMED, PsychARTICLES, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection and PsychINFO databases to identify qualitative research investigating the thoughts, feelings and experiences and attitudes of those undergoing bracing for AIS. Keywords used were (((“adoles∗” OR “young pe∗”) AND “idiopathic scoliosis”) AND “brac∗”) AND (“perce∗” OR “experience∗” OR “perspective∗” OR “attitude∗”). Ten research articles were identified using our search strategy. Only one article addressed our research question specifically. This reported that almost all adolescent patients experienced psychological difficulties during treatment and received most of their support from family and friends rather than health professionals. Our interpretation of the literature on this subject has yielded three recommendations for service providers. First, the policy ought to change to ensure that psycholological support is engrained within the treatment process; second, more information and advice must be given to patients and their families; and third, health professionals should appreciate and directly address in their consultations the psychological difficulties involved in brace wearing and the need for adequate support

Introduction. Bracing, a strategy employed by humans and robotic devices, can be generally described as a parallel mechanical link between the actor, the environment, and/or the workpiece that alters the mechanical impedance between the tool and workpiece in order to improve task performance. In this study we investigated the potential value of bracing in the context of bone milling to treat cam-type femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) lesions. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether a proposed bracing technique could enable a user to perform a cam resection more accurately and quickly than a currently employed arthroscopic technique. Materials/Methods. Test samples consisted of white urethane plastic reproductions of a commercially available adult proximal femur, which were laser scanned to obtain ground-truth surface information. A black cam lesion was then cast onto the surface of the femur in the anterosuperior region of the femoral neck, creating a clear visual resection boundary for the simulated osteochondroplasty. Test subjects were 4 adult males (25 +/− 3 years) with no surgical experience. Test conditions included two binary factors: (1) Braced vs. Unbraced – The braced case introduced a spherical bearing tool support mounted in the approximate anterolateral arthroscopic portal position. (2) Speed vs. Accuracy – The subject was instructed to perform the resection as quickly as possible or as accurately as possible with a moderate regard for time. Following the removal of the lesion, femurs were laser scanned to acquire the post-resection surface geometry, with accuracy being reported as RMS deviation between the pre- and post-resection scans over the anterosuperior neck region. Results. In both accuracy and speed cases, bracing tended to reduce errors (on the order of 7–14%) and task duration (on the order of 32–52%), although given the small number of subjects in this pilot study, these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion. These results provide some encouragement that our hypothesis that bracing can improve both speed and accuracy of cam lesion resection by untrained subjects may be true. The standard deviations between subjects are high and are likely due to both the difficulty of the task and differences in experience using handheld power tools, so additional subjects would be needed to verify the trends identified here

Controversy remains regarding the optimal treatment for iatrogenic injury to the medial collateral ligament (MCL) during primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Some authors have recommended converting to a prosthesis that provides varus/valgus constraint while others have recommended primary repair. In this study we report the results of a 45 patients who sustained intra-operative MCL injuries during primary TKA that were treated with primary repair. Of 3922 consecutive primary TKA there were 48 (1.2%) intra-operative MCL lacerations or avulsions. One patient was lost and one died before 24-month follow-up. All but one patient underwent primary repair with placement of components without varus/valgus constraint. This left 45 knees with a mean follow up of 89 months (range, 24 – 214 months). The mean HSS knee scores increased from 47 to 85 points (p<0.001). No patients had subjective complaints of instability. No patients had excessive varus/valgus laxity when tested in full extension and 30 degrees of flexion. The range of motion at the time of final follow-up averaged 110 degrees (range, 85 – 130 degrees). Five knees required treatment for stiffness with 4 knees undergoing manipulation under anesthesia and 1 knee undergoing open lysis of adhesions with polyethylene articular surface exchange. Two knees underwent revision for aseptic loosening of the tibial component. In the three knees that underwent open revision, the MCL was noted to be in continuity and without laxity. Primary repair with 6 weeks of post-operative hinged bracing after iatrogenic injury to the MCL during primary TKA was successful at preventing instability although stiffness was seen in approximately 10% of patients. The increased morbidity associated with implantation of a semi-constrained or constrained implant may be unwarranted in this situation

Controversy remains regarding the optimal treatment for iatrogenic injury to the medial collateral ligament (MCL) during primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Some authors have recommended converting to a prosthesis that provides varus/valgus constraint while others have recommended primary repair. In this study, we report the results of 45 patients who sustained intra-operative MCL injuries during primary TKA that were treated with primary repair. Of 3922 consecutive primary TKA there were 48 (1.2%) intra-operative MCL lacerations or avulsions. One patient was lost and one died before 24 months follow up. All but one patient underwent primary repair with placement of components without varus/valgus constraint. This left 45 knees with a mean follow up of 89 months (range, 24 to 214 months). The mean HSS knee scores increased from 47 to 85 points (p<0.001). No patients had subjective complaints of instability. No patients had excessive varus/valgus laxity when tested in full extension and 30 degrees of flexion. The range of motion at the time of final follow-up averaged 110 degrees (range, 85 to 130 degrees). Five knees required treatment for stiffness with 4 knees undergoing manipulation under anaesthesia and 1 knee undergoing open lysis of adhesions with polyethylene articular surface exchange. Two knees underwent revision for aseptic loosening of the tibial component. In the three knees that underwent open revision, the MCL was noted to be in continuity and without laxity. Primary repair with 6 weeks of post-operative hinged bracing after iatrogenic injury to the MCL during primary TKA was successful at preventing instability although stiffness was seen in approximately 10% of patients. The increased morbidity associated with implantation of a semi-constrained or constrained implant may be unwarranted in this situation

Poor availability of allografts in South Africa has led to an increased use of synthetic augmentation to stabilize knee joints in the treatment of knee dislocations. This study aims to evaluate multiligament knee injuries treated with a posterior cruciate ligament internal brace.

The study included patients with knee dislocations who were treated with a PCL internal brace. The internal brace involved the insertion of a synthetic suture tape, which was drilled into the femoral and tibial footprint. Chronic injuries were excluded. Patient-reported outcome scores (PROMs), range of motion, stress X-Rays, and MRI scans were reviewed to assess outcomes. Acceptable outcomes were defined as a Lysholm score of 84 or more, with grade II laxity in no more than one ligament and a range of motion from full extension to 90° or more.

The study included eight patients, with a median age of 42, of which five were female. None of the patients had knee flexion less than 90° or an extension deficit of more than 20°. PROMs indicated acceptable outcomes (EQ5D, Tegner Lysholm). Stress radiographs showed less than 7mm (Grade I) of posterior translation laxity in all patients. Four patients underwent MRI scans 1–2 years after the initial surgery, which revealed healing of the PCL in all patients. However, increased signal in a continuous ligament suggested only partial healing in two patients. Tunnel widening of 200% and 250% was noted around the tibial and femoral PCL footprints, respectively.

All patients demonstrated stable knees and acceptable PROMs. Tunnel widening was observed in all patients who had MRI scans. Factors such as suspensory fixation, anisometric tunnel position, and the absence of PCL tear repair may have contributed to the tunnel widening.

The aim of this audit was to assess the union rate of humeral shaft fractures treated conservatively in a functional brace in our unit, compared to a “gold standard” of 98% as reported by Sarmiento (JBJS 1977).

A retrospective clinical and radiographic review of 155 closed humeral shaft fractures managed with a humeral brace from 2005–2012 was performed. Pathological fractures and patients under 18 were excluded. The mean age was 60 (18–94) with 45 males and 72 females. 15 (10%) patients under 18 and 8 (5%) pathological fractures were excluded; 15 (10%) patients were lost to follow up.

Of the remaining 117 fractures, 83 (71%) went on to union and 34 (29%) developed a non-union. Mean time to union was 131 days (47–622). 80% of distal fractures and 75% of midshaft fractures united but only 58% of proximal fractures went on to unite. There was no significant difference in union rates between multi fragmentary (> 3 parts) and simple fracture patterns (69% vs 71% respectively).

Our study suggests that a lower threshold for operative intervention of proximal third humeral shaft fractures may be required.

Fractures of the shaft of the humerus are often treated conservatively in a hanging cast or a humeral brace. The conservative management of this fracture is often prolonged and quite uncomfortable for the patient. Some of the patients will need an operative fixation after a trial of conservative management.

We retrospectively looked at 72 consecutive patients with fractures of the shaft of the humerus that presented in our institution over a period of two years. The fracture pattern, treatment modality time to union and the number that needed operative fixation following a trial of conservative treatment was analysed. Of the 72 patients 4 were lost to follow-up. 45 patients had a 1.2.B or 1.2.C type of fracture and 23 had a 1.2.A type of fracture. 29 (41%) were successfully treated conservatively, 11 (16%) patients were operated as the primary procedure and 15 (22%) patients were operated due to delayed or non union. 13 (19%) patients were operated within 4 weeks of the fracture as their alignment was not acceptable on their weekly follow-up.

The average time to union in the patients treated conservatively was 22 weeks, while that of the patients treated primarily by open reduction and plating was 14 weeks (p-value<0.05). Patients who needed operation after initial conservative management required prolonged period of rehabilitation and union time was 32.2 weeks. At the time of fracture union 72% of the patients who had been treated conservatively had joint stiffness requiring physiotherapy, while only 18% of those who had an open reduction and internal fixation had stiffness and required physiotherapy. (p-value < 0.05).

In conclusion careful consideration should be given before it is decided to treat this fracture conservatively especially in the case of 1.2.A fracture pattern.

Introduction

A prospective study was done using Kirschner (K) wires to internally fix capitellum fractures and its results were analysed.

Individuals with multi-compartment knee osteoarthritis (KOA) frequently experience challenges in activities of daily living (ADL) such as stair ambulation. The Levitation “Tri-Compartment Offloader” (TCO) knee brace was designed to reduce pain in individuals with multicompartment KOA. This brace uses novel spring technology to reduce tibiofemoral and patellofemoral forces via reduced quadriceps forces. Information on brace utility during stair ambulation is limited. This study evaluated the effect of the TCO during stair descent in patients with multicompartment KOA by assessing knee flexion moments (KFM), quadriceps activity and pain. Nine participants (6 male, age 61.4±8.1 yrs; BMI 30.4±4.0 kg/m2) were tested following informed consent. Participants had medial tibiofemoral and patellofemoral OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grades two to four) diagnosed by an orthopaedic surgeon. Joint kinetics and muscle activity were evaluated during stair descent to compare three bracing conditions: 1) without brace (OFF); 2) brace in low power (LOW); and 3) brace in high power (HIGH). The brace spring engages from 60° to 120° and 15° to 120° knee flexion in LOW and HIGH, respectively. Individual brace size and fit were adjusted by a trained researcher. Participants performed three trials of step-over-step stair descent for each bracing condition. Three-dimensional kinematics were acquired using an 8-camera motion capture system. Forty-one spherical reflective markers were attached to the skin (on each leg and pelvis segment) and 8 markers on the brace. Ground reaction forces and surface EMG from the vastus medialis (VM) and vastus lateralis (VL) were collected for the braced leg. Participants rated knee pain intensity performing the task following each bracing condition on a 10cm Visual Analog Scale ranging from “no pain” (0) to “worst imaginable pain” (100). Resultant brace and knee flexion angles and KFM were analysed during stair contact for the braced leg. The brace moment was determined using brace torque-angle curves and was subtracted from the calculated KFM. Resultant moments were normalized to bodyweight and height. Peak KFMs were calculated for the loading response (Peak1) and push-off (Peak2) phases of support. EMG signals were normalized and analysed during stair contact using wavelet analysis. Signal intensities were summed across wavelets and time to determine muscle power. Results were averaged across all 3 trials for each participant. Paired T-tests were used to determine differences between bracing conditions with a Bonferroni adjustment for multiple comparisons (α=0.025). Peak KFM was significantly lower compared to OFF with the brace worn in HIGH during the push-off phase (p Table 1: Average peak knee flexion moments, quadriceps muscle power and knee pain during stair descent in 3 brace conditions (n=9). Quadriceps activity, knee flexion moments and pain were significantly reduced with TCO brace wear during stair descent in KOA patients. These findings suggest that the TCO assists the quadriceps to reduce KFM and knee pain during stair descent. This is the first biomechanical evidence to support use of the TCO to reduce pain during an ADL that produces especially high knee forces and flexion moments. For any figures or tables, please contact the authors directly

Introduction. Mode of non-operative management of thoracolumbar spine fracture continues to remain controversial with the most common modality hinging on bracing. TLSO is the device with a relative extension locked position, and many authors suggest they may have a role in the healing process, diminishing the load transferred via the anterior column, limiting segmental motion, and helping in pain control. However, several studies have shown prolonged use of brace may lead to skin breakdown, diminished pulmonary capacity, weakness of paraspinal musculature with no difference in pain and functional outcomes between patients treated with or without brace. Aims. To identify number of spinal braces used for spinal injury and cost implications (in a DGH), to identify the impact on length of stay, to ascertain patient compliance and quality of patient information provided for brace usage, reflect whether we need to change our practice on TLSO brace use. Methods. Data collected over 18-month period (from Jan.2020 to July 2021). Patients were identified from the TLSO brace issue list of the orthotic department, imaging (X-rays, CT, MRI scans) reviewed to confirm fracture and records reviewed to confirm neurology and non-operative management. Patient feedback was obtained via post or telephone consultation. Inclusion criteria- patients with single or multi -level thoracolumbar osteoporotic or traumatic fractures with no neurological involvement treated in a TLSO brace. Exclusion criteria- neurological involvement, cervical spine injuries, decision to treat surgically, concomitant bony injuries. Results. 72 braces were issued in the time frame with 42 patients remaining in the study based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Patient feedback reflected that 62% patients did not receive adequate advice for brace usage, 73% came off the brace earlier than advised, and 60% would prefer to be treated without a brace if given a choice. The average increase in length of stay was 3 days awaiting brace fitting and delivery. The average total cost burden on the NHS was £127,500 (lower estimate) due to brace usage. Conclusion. If there is equivalence between treatment with/without a brace, there is a need to rethink the practice of prescribing brace for all non-operatively treated fractures and a case-by-case approach may prove more beneficial

The Pavlik harness (PH) is commonly used to treat infantile dislocated hips. Variability exists in the duration of brace treatment after successful reduction of the dislocated hip. In this study we evaluate the effect of prescribed time in brace on acetabular index (AI) at two years of age using a prospective, international, multicenter database. We retrospectively studied prospectively enrolled infants with at least one dislocated hip that were initially treated with a PH and had a recorded AI at two-year follow-up. Subjects were treated at one of two institutions. Institution 1 used the PH until they observed normal radiographic acetabular development. Institution 2 followed a structured 12-week brace treatment protocol. Hip dislocation was defined as less than 30% femoral head coverage at rest on the pre-treatment ultrasound or IHDI grade III or IV on the pre-treatment radiograph. Fifty-three hips met our inclusion criteria. Hips from Institution 1 were treated with a brace 3x longer than hips from institution 2 (adjusted mean 8.9±1.3 months vs 2.6±0.2 months)(p < 0 .001). Institution 1 had an 88% success rate and institution 2 had an 85% success rate at achieving hip reduction (p=0.735). At 2-year follow-up, we observed no significant difference in AI between Institution 1 (adjusted mean 25.6±0.9˚) compared to Institution 2 (adjusted mean 23.5±0.8˚) (p=0.1). However, 19% of patients from Institution 1 and 44% of patients from Institution 2 were at or below the 50th percentile of previously published age- and sex- matched AI normal data (p=0.049). Also, 27% (7/26) of hips from Institution 1 had significant acetabular dysplasia, compared to a 22% (6/27) from Institution 2 (p=0.691). We found no correlation between age at initiation of bracing and AI at 2-year follow-up (p=0.071). Our findings suggest that prolonged brace treatment does not result in improved acetabular index at age two years. Hips treated at Institution 1 had the same AI at age two years as hips treated at Institution 2, while spending about 1/3 the amount of time in a brace. We recommend close follow-up for all children treated for dislocated hips, as ~1/4 of infants had acetabular index measurements at or above the 90th percentile of normal. Continued follow-up of this prospective cohort will be critical to determine how many children require acetabular procedures during childhood. The PH brace can successfully treat dislocated infant hips, however, prolonged brace treatment was not found to result in improved acetabular development at two-year follow-up

The Ponseti method is the gold standard treatment for clubfoot. It begins in early infancy with weekly serial casting for up to 3 months. Globally, a commonly reported barrier to accessing clubfoot treatment is increased distance patients must travel for intervention. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the distance traveled by families to the hospital on the treatment course and outcomes for idiopathic clubfoot. No prior studies in Canada have examined this potential barrier. This is a retrospective cohort study of patients managed at a single urban tertiary care center for idiopathic clubfoot deformity. All patients were enrolled in the Pediatric Clubfoot Research Registry between 2003 and April 2021. Inclusion criteria consisted of patients presenting at after percutaneous Achilles tenotomy. Postal codes were used to determine distance from patients’ home address to the hospital. Patients were divided into three groups based on distance traveled to hospital: those living within the city, within the Greater Metro Area (GMA) and outside of the GMA (non-GMA). The primary outcome evaluated was occurrence of deformity relapse and secondary outcomes included need for surgery, treatment interruptions/missed appointments, and complications with bracing or casting. A total of 320 patients met inclusion criteria. Of these, 32.8% lived in the city, 41% in the GMA and 26% outside of the GMA. The average travel distance to the treatment centre in each group was 13.3km, 49.5km and 264km, respectively. Over 22% of patients travelled over 100km, with the furthest patient travelling 831km. The average age of presentation was 0.91 months for patients living in the city, 1.15 months for those within the GMA and 1.33 months for patients outside of the GMA. The mean number of total casts applied was similar with 7.1, 7.8 and 7.3 casts in the city, GMA and non-GMA groups, respectively. At least one two or more-week gap was identified between serial casting appointments in 49% of patients outside the GMA, compared to 27% (GMA) and 24% (city). Relapse occurred in at least one foot in 40% of non-GMA patients, versus 27% (GMA) and 24% (city), with a mean age at first relapse of 50.3 months in non-GMA patients, 42.4 months in GMA and 35.7 months in city-dwelling patients. 12% of the non-GMA group, 6.8% of the GMA group and 5.7% of the city group underwent surgery, with a mean age at time of initial surgery of 79 months, 67 months and 76 months, respectively. Complications, such as pressure sores, casts slips and soiled casts, occurred in 35% (non-GMA), 32% (GMA) and 24% (city) of patients. These findings suggest that greater travel distance for clubfoot management is associated with more missed appointments, increased risk of relapse and treatment complications. Distance to a treatment center is a modifiable barrier. Improving access to clubfoot care by establishing clinics in more remote communities may improve clinical outcomes and significantly decrease the burdens of travel on patients and families

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. Results. Overall, significant improvements in SHORE scores were seen at both six months and mid-term follow-up. Preoperatively, acute patients (median score 27.1 (interquartile range (IQR) 22.9)) reported significantly poorer SHORE scores than chronic patients (median score 42.9 (IQR 22.1); p < 0.001). However, this difference was not maintained postoperatively. For partial tears, acutely repaired patients reported significantly lower preoperative SHORE scores compared to chronically reapired partial tears (median score 24.3 (IQR 15.7) vs median score 40.0 (IQR 25.0); p < 0.001) but also significantly higher SHORE scores at six-month follow-up compared to chronically repaired partial tears (median score 92.9 (IQR 10.7) vs. median score 82.9 (IQR 14.3); p < 0.001). For complete tears, there was only a difference in preoperative SHORE scores between acute and chronic groups. Overall, acute repairs had a significantly shorter operating time (mean 64.67 minutes (standard deviation (SD) 12.99)) compared to chronic repairs (mean 74.71 minutes (SD = 12.0); t = 5.12, p < 0.001). Conclusion. Surgical repair of proximal hamstring avulsions successfully improves patient reported functional outcomes in the majority of patients, irrespective of the timing of their surgery or injury classification. However, reducing the time from injury to surgery is associated with greater improvement in patient outcomes and an increased likelihood of returning to preinjury functional status. Acute repair appears to be a technically less complex procedure, as indicated by reduced operating times, postoperative neurological symptoms and number of patients requiring bracing. Acute repair is therefore a preference among many surgeons. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(10):1419–1427

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent disease that has a debilitating role in every day function and activity. In 2002, the indirect cost of OA was 5 billion dollars, secondary to absenteeism and loss of productivity. There are multiple management options available for OA, with surgery usually being a last resort. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) provides a long-lasting treatment option with excellent results. However, a high proportion of patients still express dissatisfaction following surgery, possibly due to a combination of pain, continued limitation of function, and high expectations. The use of bracing provides a non-operative treatment option as well as a useful therapy adjunct in patients who undergo TKA. Bracing may aid in rehabilitation prior to TKA as well as postoperatively, and it also plays a beneficial role in problematic situations, such as patients who have undergone revision surgery or who have extensor mechanism problems. They are thought to aid in gait ‘retraining’, quadriceps muscle strengthening, improving joint alignment, and increasing stability of the joint. Although the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons remains inconclusive on the role of bracing, multiple studies have highlighted that they may be of benefit. The use of valgus bracing has been shown to provide short-term treatment for activity, bracing for uni-compartmental OA has shown an improvement in outcome measures, and the use of an unloader brace has led to improved general physical health and function outcomes, as measured by the SF-12 and WOMAC, respectively

Purpose. The rate of club foot recurrence following Ponseti treatment has been reported in the literature as between 14 and 58%. Recurrence is defined as any child who has been treated and is in need of recasting, surgery or bracing. True recurrence is defined as presentation 6 months after last treatment and incomplete treatment is defined as presentation within 6 months of last treatment. Currently no local data exists to determine the cause of recurrence in this unit. The aim of this study is to review all recurrences to improve the outcome of club foot management. Methods. A retrospective audit of all club foot recurrences was performed at an academic hospital. The review included the location of initial treatment, initial treatment method and abduction brace compliance as factors contributing to the recurrence rate. Results. Thirty seven (48%) patients attending the club foot clinic were recurrences – 68% were true recurrences and 32% were defined as incomplete treatments. The mean age at presentation of club foot recurrence was 25 months (Range 6–84 months). Seventy percent of recurrences were referred from outside healthcare facilities – all patients had serial manipulation and casting. The overall complete compliance for casting was 74%. Eighty percent of patients had a Tendo Achilles tenotomy at a mean age of 10.5 months (range 2–66 months) after initial plastering (mean 12.5 plasters). Post tenotomy, 65% had abduction bracing for a mean duration of 4.5 months and 35% had no bracing. No patient continued bracing until the recommended age of four years. Conclusion. Despite the challenges of compliance to casting the overwhelming identified problem is compliance with abduction bracing. The challenge is to improve bracing protocol and ensure compliance in this critical part in the treatment of club foot

Purpose of study:. The question of prolonged bracing following injury in patients diagnosed with SCIWORA remains controversial. Proponents of the ‘Segmental Spinal Instability’ hypothesis claim that there is occult ligamentous injury leading to instability and a risk of recurrent injury. Published reports of recurrent SCIWORA involve patients with minor, transient neurological symptoms and normal MRI findings. The contradicting ‘differential stretch hypothesis’ is based on the premise that the spinal column will deform elastically, exceeding the elastic deforming potential of the more fragile spinal cord, but will return to its baseline stability. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the need for bracing in patients with SCIWORA based on MRI evidence of instability. Methods:. A retrospective chart review was performed for a series of eleven patients with documented SCIWORA that presented to Red Cross Children's Hospital over the past 8 years. Details regarding mode of injury, age at presentation, neurological deficit at presentation, MRI findings and long term prognosis were documented. MRI's were reviewed by the authors as well as a consultant radiologist. Results:. There were 9 males and 2 females. The average age was 4.5 years. All patients were victims of motor vehicle accidents and had multiple injuries. Five patients had cervical, five thoracic and one had both cervical and thoracic injuries. There were 1 monoplegia, 4 hemiplegias, 3 paraplegias and 3 triplegias. None of the MRIs performed on these patients demonstrated ligamentous or bony injury. Patients with only T2 changes demonstrated progressive neurological recovery within a few months following injury. There were no recurrences and none of the patients were braced following the diagnosis of SCIWORA. Conclusion:. Our results from this small series support the ‘differential stretch hypothesis’ and we maintain that patient's with SCIWORA does not demonstrate spinal instability and therefore does not require bracing following injury

Extensor mechanism complications after or during total knee arthroplasty are problematic. The prevalence ranges from 1–12% in TKR patients. Treatment results for these problems are inferior to the results of similar problems in non-TKR patients. Furthermore, the treatment algorithm is fundamentally different from that of non-TKR patients. The surgeon's first question does not focus on primary fixation; rather the surgeon must ask if the patient needs surgery and if so am I prepared to augment the repair? Quadriceps tendon rupture, periprosthetic patellar fracture, and patellar tendon rupture have similar treatment algorithms. Patients who are able to perform a straight leg raise and have less than a 20-degree extensor lag are generally treated non-operatively with extension bracing. The remaining patients will need surgical reconstruction of the extensor mechanism. Loose patellar components are removed. Primary repair alone is associated with poor results. Whole extensor mechanism allograft, Achilles tendon allograft, and synthetic mesh reconstruction are the current techniques for augmentation. In the acute setting if these are not available hamstring tendon harvest and augmentation is an option. Achilles tendons and synthetic mesh are easier to obtain than and entire extensor mechanism but are limited to patients that have an intact patella and the patella that can be mobilised to within 2–3 cm of the joint line. No matter which technique is used the principles are: rigid distal/tubercle fixation, coverage of allograft/mesh with host tissue to decrease infection, tensioning the augment material in extension, no flexion testing of reconstruction and post-operative extension bracing

Extensor mechanism complications after or during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are problematic. The prevalence ranges from 1%-12% in TKA patients. Treatment results for these problems are inferior to the results of similar problems in non-TKA patients. Furthermore, the treatment algorithm is fundamentally different from that of non-TKA patients. The surgeon's first question does not focus on primary fixation; rather the surgeon must ask if the patient needs surgery and if so am I prepared to augment the repair? Quadriceps tendon rupture, peri-prosthetic patellar fracture, and patellar tendon rupture have similar treatment algorithms. Patients who are able to perform a straight leg raise and have less than a 20-degree extensor lag are generally treated non-operatively with extension bracing. The remaining patients will need surgical reconstruction of the extensor mechanism. Loose patellar components are removed. Primary repair alone is associated with poor results. Whole extensor mechanism allograft, Achilles tendon allograft, and synthetic mesh reconstruction are the current techniques for augmentation. In the acute setting if these are not available, hamstring tendon harvest and augmentation is an option. Achilles tendons and synthetic mesh are easier to obtain than an entire extensor mechanism but are limited to patients that have an intact patella and the patella that can be mobilised to within 2–3 cm of the joint line. No matter which technique is used the principles are: rigid distal/tubercle fixation, coverage of allograft/mesh with host tissue to decrease infection, tensioning the augment material in extension, no flexion testing of reconstruction and post-operative extension bracing

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating and progressive condition that accounts for over 80% of the total osteoarthritis burden. Surgical intervention is the suitable option in end-stage osteoarthritis, however, in cases of less severe disease, it may be warranted to use non-operative methods. Knee braces have recently become a popular option as an addition to conventional treatment, and have displayed good results in improving function, reducing pain, and attenuating disease progression. Furthermore, other non-invasive modalities can be supplemented to bracing as a means to improve recovery and delay the need for surgery. Studies have indicated that the medial compartment of the knee sustains 62% of loading forces during the stance phase of regular gait, meanwhile the lateral compartment receives the remaining 38%. It is postulated that this distribution of knee loading forces is the reason why the medial compartment is more frequently deteriorated as compared to the lateral joint compartment. The use of medial compartment unloader braces can reduce these stresses by the means of distraction and rotation of the knee joint with the goal of increasing the medial joint space and producing pain relief. Knee bracing has the capability to enhance patients’ functional status, and even correct the gait changes associated with knee OA. Therefore, our goal is to assess: 1) the use of knee braces at our institution, and 2) the effectiveness of the various types of knee braces in treating OA associated knee pain