The optimal treatment strategy for post-traumatic long bone non-unions is subject of an ongoing discussion. At the Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+) the induced membrane technique is used to treat post-traumatic long bone non-unions. This technique uses a multimodal treatment algorithm involving bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), the reamer-irrigator-aspirator (RIA) and P-15 bioactive peptide (iFactor, Cerapedics). Bioactive glass (S53P4 BAG, Bonalive) is added when infection is suspected. This study aims to objectify the effect of this treatment algorithm on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with post-traumatic long bone non-unions. We hypothesized that HRQoL would improve after treatment. From January 2020 to March 2023, consecutive patients who were referred to a multidisciplinary (trauma, orthopaedic and plastic surgery) non-union clinic at the MUMC+, The Netherlands, were evaluated using the Non-Union Scoring System (NUSS). The EQ-5D-5L questionnaire and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) were employed to obtain HRQoL outcomes both prior to and subsequent to surgery, with a follow-up at 6, 18 and 35 weeks. Seventy-six patients were assessed at baseline (T0), with a mean NUSS of 40 (± 13 SD). Thirty-eight patients had their first follow-up, six weeks after surgery (T1). Thirty-one patients had a second follow-up at 18 weeks (T2), and twenty patients had the third follow-up at 35 weeks (T3). The EQ-5D index mean at baseline was 0.480, followed by an index of 0.618 at T1, 0.636 at T2, and 0.702 at T3. A significant difference was found in the HRQoL score between T0 and T1, as well as T2 and T3 (p<0.001; p=0.011). The mean LEFS significantly increased from 26 before intervention to 34, 39, and 43 after treatment (p<0.001; p=0.033; p=0.016). This study demonstrated a significant improvement in the health-related quality of life of patients with post-traumatic long bone non-unions after the standardized treatment algorithm following the induced membrane technique

Objectives

We aimed first to summarise minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) after total hip (THR) or knee replacement (TKR) in health-related quality of life (HRQoL), measured using the Short-Form 36 (SF-36). Secondly, we aimed to improve the precision of MCID estimates by means of meta-analysis.

Objectives. Electronic forms of data collection have gained interest in recent years. In orthopaedics, little is known about patient preference regarding pen-and-paper or electronic questionnaires. We aimed to determine whether patients undergoing total hip (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR) prefer pen-and-paper or electronic questionnaires and to identify variables that predict preference for electronic questionnaires. Methods. We asked patients who participated in a multi-centre cohort study investigating improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after THR and TKR using pen-and-paper questionnaires, which mode of questionnaire they preferred. Patient age, gender, highest completed level of schooling, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, indication for joint replacement and pre-operative HRQoL were compared between the groups preferring different modes of questionnaire. We then performed logistic regression analyses to investigate which variables independently predicted preference of electronic questionnaires. Results. A total of 565 THR patients and 387 TKR patients completed the preference question. Of the THR patients, 81.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 78.4 to 84.7) preferred pen-and-paper questionnaires to electronic questionnaires, as did 86.8% (95% CI 83.1 to 89.8) of TKR patients. Younger age, male gender, higher completed level of schooling and higher BMI independently predicted preference of electronic questionnaires in THR patients. Younger age and higher completed level of schooling independently predicted preference of electronic questionnaires in TKR patients. Conclusions. The majority of THR and TKR patients prefer pen-and-paper questionnaires. Patients who preferred electronic questionnaires differed from patients who preferred pen-and-paper questionnaires. Restricting the mode of patient-reported outcome measures to electronic questionnaires might introduce selection bias. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2013;2:238–44

Objectives

To define Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) thresholds for the Oxford hip score (OHS) and Oxford knee score (OKS) at mid-term follow-up.

Orthopaedic surgical site infections (SSI's) prolong total hospital stays by a median of 2 weeks per patient, approximately double re-hospitalization rates, and increase healthcare costs by more than 300%. Patients with orthopaedic SSI's have significant reductions in their health-related quality of life. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare differences in outcomes between use of sutures and non-absorbable staples for closure of orthopaedic surgical wounds in adults. The primary outcomes were rates of superficial and deep SSI. Secondary outcomes included wound dehiscence, length of hospital stay, patient satisfaction and pain during removal of closure material. Data sources including PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, . clinicaltrials.gov. , National Institute for Health and Research, UK clinical trials gateway were searched for randomised controlled trials (RCT's) meeting inclusion criteria. Sixteen RCT's published between 1987 and 2017 were included. Overall, wound infection outcomes (superficial and deep infections combined) showed no statistically significant difference between closure with staples compared with sutures with arelative risk of 1.17 (95% CI 0.59–2.30, p=0.66). A subgroup was performed specific to hip wound infection outcomes. Interestingly, a sensitivity analysis demonstrated sutures to be statistically favourable (p=0.04) in terms of hip wound infection outcomes. There was no statistically significant difference among secondary outcomes between sutures and staple groups. Overall it appears the choice of sutures or staples in closure of orthopaedic wounds has no effect on wound complications. However, caution is needed in applying the findings to different population groups due to heterogeneity across studies

Background. Over 96% of primary total hip replacements (THR) recorded in the National Joint Registry (NJR) are performed through a posterior or lateral surgical approach. There is no high quality evidence available to support the use of one approach over the other in primary THR and even less evidence when the outcome of revision THR is considered. Methods. Questionnaires were sent to 267 patients who had revision hip replacements between January 2006 and March 2010 for aseptic loosening. They rated their pain from 0–10, and used the Self-Administered Patient Satisfaction Scale (SAPS), Oxford Hip Score (OHS), Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Short form-12 (SF-12). Results. We performed 275 revision total hip replacements for aseptic loosening on patients in whom the primary operation details were available. Their mean age was 69 years (SD12) with 43% male and 57% right-sided procedures. 205 patients responded to our questionnaires (209/275 hips, 76%). Unfortunately 19 patients had died, 4 had dementia and 13 declined to participate. We were unable to contact a further 33.Grouping by approach, 20% (43/209) had primary and revision lateral approaches, 20% (43/209) had primary lateral and revision posterior and 60% (123/209) had both primary and revision via posterior approaches. The WOMAC and OHS were significantly better in patients who had a posterior approach for both primary and revision surgery, compared to those that did not (OHS p=0.028, WOMAC p=0.026). We found no significant differences in pain, satisfaction or health-related quality of life between the groups. Conclusions. Registry data may help further explore the relationship between surgical approach and outcome in revision hip surgery. A randomised controlled trial of the posterior versus lateral approach for revision surgery would provide a definitive answer. Level of Evidence. 2b - retrospective cohort study. Disclosures. No financial disclosures or conflicts of interests from any authors

The Cochrane Collaboration has produced five new reviews relevant to bone and joint surgery since the publication of the last Cochrane Corner These reviews are relevant to a wide range of musculoskeletal specialists, and include reviews in Morton’s neuroma, scoliosis, vertebral fractures, carpal tunnel syndrome, and lower limb arthroplasty.

Objectives

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterised by articular cartilage degradation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified in the development of OA. The purpose of our study was to explore the functional role and underlying mechanism of miR-138-5p in interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)-induced extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation of OA cartilage.