Distal radius fractures are common in South Africa. Accurate, decisive radiographic parameter interpretation is key in appropriate management. Digital radiographic facilities are rare in the public setting and goniometer usage is known to be low, thus, visual estimates are the primary form of radiographic assessment. Previous research associated orthopaedic experience with accuracy of distal radius fracture parameter estimation but, oftentimes, doctors treating orthopaedic patients are not experienced in orthopaedics. A cross-sectional questionnaire including four distal radius fracture radiographs administered to 149 orthopaedic doctors at three Johannesburg teaching hospitals. Participants grouped into ranks of: consultants (n=36), registrars (n=41), medical officers (n=20) and interns (n=52). Participants visually estimated values of distal radius fracture parameters, stated whether they would accept the position of the fractures and stated their percentage of routine usage of goniometers in real practice. The registrar group was most accurate in visually estimating radial height, whilst the interns were least accurate (p=0.0237). The consultant, registrar and medical officer groups were equally accurate in estimating radial inclination whilst the intern group was the least accurate (p<0.0001). The consultant and registrar group were equally accurate at estimating volar tilt, whilst the medical officer and intern groups were least accurate (p<0.0001). The Gwet's AC agreement was 0.1612 (p=0.047) for acceptance of position of the first radiograph, 0.8768 (p<0.0001) for the second, 0.8884 (p<0.0001) for the third and 0.8064 (p<0.0001) for the fourth. All groups showed no difference in goniometer usage, using them largely 0–25% of practice (p=0.1937). The study found that accuracy in visual estimations of distal radius fracture parameters was linked to orthopaedic experience but not linked to routine practice goniometer usage, which was minimal across all groups. Inter-rater agreement on acceptability of fracture position is potentially dependent on severity of deviation from acceptable parameters

To determine if there are osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions of the knee that are so unstable on MRI that they are incapable of healing without operative intervention. A secondary objective was to determine the ability of orthopaedic residents to accurately grade OCD lesions according to the Kijowski criteria of stable and unstable. A retrospective review was performed of patients who had femoral condyle OCD lesions from 2009-present. Only patients with open growth plates and serial MRIs were included. Each MRI was classified according to the Kijowski classification by a junior orthopaedic surgery resident as well as an MSK trained radiologist. A weighted kappa value was used to assess the inter-rater agreement. The final analysis included 16 patients (17 knees) with 49 MRI's. The weighted kappa agreement between reviewers for overall lesion stability was moderate (0.570 [95% CI 0.237–0.757]). The initial MRI lesion was graded as stable in 59% (10/17) of the knees. Two of these 10 knees became unstable during the study period, however, both stabilised again on subsequent MRIs, one with surgery and the other without surgery. The initial MRI was graded as unstable in 41% (7/17) of the knees. Two of the seven knees (29%) later demonstrated MRI evidence of lesion stability without surgical intervention. The most important finding in this study was the ability of unstable OCD lesions on MRI to heal without operative intervention. The ability of an orthopaedic surgery resident to grade these lesions on MRI was moderate

The Radiographic Union Score for Hip (RUSH) is an outcome instrument designed to describe radiographic healing of femoral neck fractures. The ability to identify fractures that have not healed is important for defining non-union in clinical trials and predicting patients that likely require additional surgery to promote fracture healing. We sought to determine a RUSH threshold score that defines nonunion at 6-months post-injury. Our secondary objective was to determine if this threshold was associated with increased risk for non-union surgery. A sample of 248 patients with adequate six-month hip radiographs and complete two-year clinical follow-up were analysed from a multi-national hip fracture trial (FAITH). All patients had a femoral neck fracture and were treated with either multiple cancellous screws or a sliding hip screw. Two reviewers independently determined the RUSH score based on the six-month post-injury radiographs, and agreement was assessed using the Interclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Fracture healing was determined by two independent methods: 1) prospectively by the treating surgeon using clinical and radiographic assessments, and 2) retrospectively by a Central Adjudication Committee using radiographs alone. Receiver Operator Curve analysis was used to define a RUSH threshold score that was specific for fracture nonunion. RUSH score inter-rater agreement was high (ICC: 0.81, 95% CI 0.76 to 0.85). The mean six-month RUSH score for all included patients was 24.4 (SD 3.4). A threshold score of <18 was associated with a greater than 98% specificity for nonunion. Furthermore, patients with a six-month RUSH score below 18 were more the seven-times more likely to require revision surgery for nonunion (Relative Risk: 7.25, 95% CI 2.62 to 20.00). The six-month RUSH score can effectively be used to communicate when a femoral neck fracture has not healed. The validity of our conclusions was further supported by the increased risk of nonunion surgery for patients below the RUSH threshold. We believe our findings can standardise a definition of nonunion for clinical trials and recommend the use of the RUSH and its <18-point threshold when describing femoral neck nonunion

Anatomic studies have demonstrated that bipolar glenoid and humeral bone loss have a cumulative impact on shoulder instability, and that these defects may engage in functional positions depending on their size, location, and orientation, potentially resulting in failure of stabilisation procedures. Determining which lesions pose a risk for engagement remains a challenge, with Itoi's 3DCT based glenoid track method and arthroscopic assessment being the accepted approaches at this time. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interaction of humeral and glenoid bone defects on shoulder engagement in a cadaveric model. Two alternative approaches to predicting engagement were evaluated; 1) CT scanning the shoulder in abduction and external rotation 2) measurement of Bankart lesion width and a novel parameter, the intact anterior articular angle (IAAA), on conventional 2D multi-plane reformats. Hill-Sachs and Bony Bankart defects of varying size were created in 12 cadaveric upper limbs, producing 45 bipolar defect combinations. The shoulders were assessed for engagement using cone beam CT in various positions of function, from 30 to 90 degrees of both abduction and external rotation. The humeral and glenoid defects were characterised by measurement of their size, location, and orientation. The abduction external rotation scan and 2D IAAA approaches were compared to the glenoid track method for predicting engagement. Engagement was predicted by Itoi's glenoid track method in 24 of 45 specimens (53%). The abduction external rotation CT scan performed at 60 degrees of glenohumeral abduction (corresponding to 90 degrees of abduction relative to the trunk) and 90 degrees of external rotation predicted engagement accurately in 43 of 45 specimens (96%), with sensitivity and specificity of 92% and 100% respectively. A logistic model based on Bankart width and IAAA provided a prediction accuracy of 89% with sensitivity and specificity of 91% and 87%. Inter-rater agreement was excellent (Kappa = 1) for classification of engagement on the abduction external rotation CT, and good (intraclass correlation = 0.73) for measurement of IAAA. Bipolar lesions at risk for engagement can be identified using an abduction external rotation CT scan at 60 degrees of glenohumeral abduction and 90 degrees of external rotation, or by performing 2D measurements of Bankart width and IAAA on conventional CT multi-plane reformats. This information will be useful for peri-operative decision making around surgical techniques for shoulder stabilisation in the setting of bipolar bone defects

Purpose. Radial head implant over-lengthening, a common cause of capitellar wear and clinical failure, is difficult to diagnose using radiographs of the injured elbow. The purpose of this study was to determine if a novel measurement technique based on contralateral elbow radiographs, termed the RACER method, could be used to accurately estimate the magnitude of radial head implant over-lengthening. Part I of this study examined the side-to-side consistency of radiographic landmarks used in the measurement technique. Part II of this study validated the technique using simulated radial head implant over-lengthening in a cadaveric model. Method. Part I: A side-to-side comparison of elbow joint dimensions was performed in 50 patients (100 radiographs). Part II: Radial head prostheses of varying lengths (0,+2mm,+4mm,+6mm,+8mm) were implanted in 4 paired cadaveric specimens (8 elbows). Radiographs were obtained and measurements were performed by 2 examiners blinded to implant size to determine if contralateral radiographs could diagnose and provide a valid estimate of the magnitude of implant over-lengthening. Intra and inter-rater reliability was determined. Results. No significant side-to-side differences (p>0.2) in radiographic measurements were identified between paired elbows. The RACER measurement technique using contralateral radiographs was successful in predicting the implant size (1mm) in 104 of 120 (87%) of scenarios tested. The sensitivity of the technique, the ability of the test to correctly identify over-lengthening when it was present within 1mm, was 98%. The intra-rater agreement for a single orthopaedic surgeon measuring on 2 separate occasions was excellent (ICC>0.90). The inter-rater agreement between two separate surgeons was also excellent, with the 95% lower confidence interval exceeding 0.90 in all cases. Conclusion. A novel measurement technique based on contralateral elbow radiographs can be used to diagnose and calculate the magnitude of radial head implant over-lengthening. Clinical Significance: Implantation of an incorrectly sized radial head prosthesis is not uncommon. The described technique can be used to effectively diagnose and determine the magnitude of over-lengthening

Introduction. UHMWPE particle-induced osteolysis is one of the major causes of arthroplasty revisions. Recent in vitro findings have suggested that UHMWPE wear particles containing vitamin-E (VE) may have reduced functional biologic activity and decreased potential to cause osteolysis (Bladed C. L. et al, JBMR B 2012 and 2013). This is of significant importance since VE-stabilized cross-linked UHMWPEs were recently introduced for clinical use, and there is no in vivo data determining the effects of wear debris. In this study we hypothesized that particles from VE-stabilized, radiation cross-linked UHMWPE (VE-UHMWPE) would cause reduced levels of osteolysis in a murine calvarial bone model when compared to virgin gamma irradiated cross-linked UHMWPE. Methodology. Study groups were the following: 1). Radiation cross-linked VE-UHMWPE (0.8% by weight) diffused after 100 kGy; 2). Radiation cross-linked virgin UHMWPE (virgin UHMWPE); 3). Sham controls. Particle generation and implantation: UHMWPE was sent to Bioengineering Solutions (Oak Park, IL) for particle generation. After IACUC approval, C57BL/6 mice (n=12 for each group) received equal amount of particulate debris (3mg) overlying the calvarium and were euthanized after 10 days. Micro-CT scans: High resolution micro-CT scans were performed using a set voltage of 70 kV and current of 70 µA. Topographical Grading Scale: Each calvarial bone was blindly scored using the following scale: 0=No osteolysis, defined as intact bone; 1=Minimal osteolysis, affecting 1/3 or less of the bone area; 2=Moderate osteolysis, affecting at least 2/3 of the bone area; 3=Severe osteolysis, defined as completely osteolytic bone. Histology: H&E and TRAP staining was done on tissue to confirm micro-CT findings and quantify osteoclasts. Statistical Analysis: Inter-rater analysis was done using Cohen's kappa analysis. An inter-rater coefficient >0.65 was considered as high inter-rater agreement. Comparison between groups was made using one-way ANOVA with post hoc Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Correlations are reported as Spearman's rho. P-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. More than 83% of the VE-UHMWPE and more than 85% of the virgin UHMWPE particles measured less than 1 µm in mean particle size. There was a statistically significant greater level of osteolysis visualized on the topographical grading scale in calvaria implanted with virgin UHMWPE wear particles. Micro-CT findings were confirmed histologically (Fig. 1). A greater amount of inflammatory tissue overlaying the calvaria was observed in the virgin UHMWPE group when compared to both shams and VE-UHMWPE groups. Post hoc analysis revealed significant difference between VE-UHMWPE and virgin UHMWPE for the topographical osteolysis grading score (p=0.002) but no difference in osteoclast counts (p=0.293). Discussion and Conclusion. This is the first in vivo study reporting the effects of clinically-relevant UHMWPE particles generated from a VE-UHMWPE implant that is in current clinical use. These results suggest that VE-UHMWPE particles have reduced osteolysis potential in vivo when compared to virgin, highly cross-linked UHMWPE in a murine calvarial bone model. Arthroplasty procedures using VE-UHMWPE might be less susceptible to peri-prosthetic loosening caused by wear debris

Introduction. In vitro findings (Bladed CL et al. ORS 2011 and J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater, 2012) have suggested that UHMWPE wear particles containing vitamin-E (VE) may have reduced functional biologic activity and decreased osteolytic potential. Currently, there is no in vivo data determining the effects of wear debris from this new generation of implants. In this study we hypothesized that particles from VE-stabilized, radiation cross-linked UHMWPE (VE-UHMWPE) would cause reduced levels of osteolysis in a murine calvarial bone model when compared to virgin gamma irradiated cross-linked UHMWPE. Methods. Study groups: 1). Radiation cross-linked VE-UHMWPE, 0.8% by weight, diffused after 100 kGy; 2). Radiation cross-linked virgin UHMWPE (virgin UHMWPE); 3). Shams. Particle generation and implantation: UHMWPE was sent to Bioengineering Solutions for particle generation. After IACUC approval, C57BL/6 mice (n = 12 for each group) received 3 mg of particulate debris overlying the calvarium and euthanized after 10 days. Micro-CT scans: Performed using an X-Tek-HMX-ST-225 with 70 kV voltage and 70 μA current. Topographical Grading Scale: Each calvarial bone was blindly scored with the following scale: 0 = No osteolysis, defined as intact bone; 1 = Minimal osteolysis, affecting 1/3 or less of the bone area; 2 = Moderate osteolysis, affecting at least 2/3 of the bone area; 3 = Severe osteolysis, defined as completely osteolytic bone. Histology H&E and TRAP staining was performed. Statistical Analysis: Inter-rater analysis was performed using Cohen's kappa analysis. Inter-rater coefficient >0.65 was considered as high inter-rater agreement. Comparison between groups was made using one-way ANOVA with post hoc Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Correlations are reported as Spearman's rho. A p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. More than 83% of the VE-UHMWPE and more than 85% of the virgin UHMWPE particles measured less than 1 μm in mean particle size. There was a statistically significant greater level of osteolysis visualized on the topographical grading scale in calvaria implanted with virgin UHMWPE wear particles. The micro-CT findings were confirmed histologically (Fig. 1). A greater amount of inflammatory tissue overlaying the calvaria was observed in the virgin UHMWPE group when compared to both shams and VE-UHMWPE groups. Post hoc analysis revealed significant difference between VE-UHMWPE and virgin UHMWPE for the topographical osteolysis grading score (p = 0.002) but no difference in osteoclast count (p = 0.293). Discussion/Conclusion. This is the first in vivo study reporting the effects of clinically-relevant UHMWPE particles generated from a VE-UHMWPE implant that is in current clinical use. These results suggest that VE-UHMWPE particles have reduced osteolysis potential in vivo when compared to virgin, highly cross-linked UHMWPE in a murine calvarial bone model

Purpose. Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) may contribute to the development of early onset hip osteoarthritis (OA). A cam lesion (or pistol grip deformity) of the proximal femur reduces head-neck offset resulting in cam type FAI. The alpha angle is a radiographic measurement recommended for diagnosis of cam type FAI. The purpose of this study was to determine if patients that develop end stage hip OA prior to 55 years of age have radiographic evidence of cam type FAI. Method. The anteroposterior (AP) pelvis and lateral hip radiographs of 244 patients (261 hips) who presented to our institution for hip arthroplasty or hip fracture fixation between 2006 and 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Three cohorts were compared: 1) patients with end stage hip OA < 55 years old (N=76); 2) patients with end stage hip OA > 55 years old (N=84); 3) hip fracture patients > 65 years old without radiographic evidence of hip arthritis were used as controls (N=101). Patients with inflammatory arthritis, avascular necrosis and post-traumatic hip OA were excluded. Alpha angles were measured on the AP pelvis and lateral radiographs by three coauthors using ImageJ 1.43 software (National Institutes of Health, USA). For patients with end stage hip OA, AP alpha angles were measured on both the hip with OA and the contralateral hip. Lateral alpha angles were measured only on the hip with OA. For patients with hip fracture, AP alpha angles were measured on the non-fractured hip and lateral alpha angles were measured on the fractured hip. A one-way ANOVA with post hoc Tukeys HSD test was used to compare the AP and lateral alpha angles for the three cohorts. Results. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for the three coauthors measuring AP and lateral alpha angles was 0.85 and 0.86 respectively, indicating excellent inter-rater agreement. Patients < 55 years old with end stage hip OA had the largest AP and lateral alpha angles (82.711.6 degrees AP and 63.918.5 degrees lateral). These angles were significantly larger (p<0.01 for both comparisons) than patients > 55 years old with end stage hip OA (71.717.8 degrees AP and 55.518.0 degrees lateral) and hip fracture patients without hip OA (52.710.9 degrees AP and 44.411.4 degrees lateral). Comparing AP alpha angles of the contralateral hips, the mean AP alpha angle for patients < 55 years old with hip OA (70.813.2 degrees) was significantly larger (p=0.04) than patients > 55 years old with hip OA (64.516.2 degrees) which in turn was significantly larger (p<0.01) than the hip fracture patients (52.710.9 degrees). Conclusion. Patients < 55 years old with hip OA had the largest mean AP and lateral alpha angles, significantly larger than patients > 55 years old with hip OA and hip fracture patients without hip OA. Thus young patients with end stage hip OA do have radiographic evidence of cam type FAI. Furthermore, this case-controlled study suggests that cam type FAI may contribute to the development of early onset hip OA

We evaluated the quality of guidelines on thromboprophylaxis in orthopaedic surgery by examining how they adhere to validated methodological standards in their development. A structured review was performed for guidelines that were published between January 2005 and April 2013 in medical journals or on the Internet. A pre-defined computerised search was used in MEDLINE, Scopus and Google to identify the guidelines. The AGREE II assessment tool was used to evaluate the quality of the guidelines in the study.

Seven international and national guidelines were identified. The overall methodological quality of the individual guidelines was good. ‘Scope and Purpose’ (median score 98% interquartile range (IQR)) 86% to 98%) and ‘Clarity of Presentation’ (median score 90%, IQR 90% to 95%) were the two domains that received the highest scores. ‘Applicability’ (median score 68%, IQR 45% to 75%) and ‘Editorial Independence’ (median score 71%, IQR 68% to 75%) had the lowest scores.

These findings reveal that although the overall methodological quality of guidelines on thromboprophylaxis in orthopaedic surgery is good, domains within their development, such as ‘Applicability’ and ‘Editorial Independence’, need to be improved. Application of the AGREE II instrument by the authors of guidelines may improve the quality of future guidelines and provide increased focus on aspects of methodology used in their development that are not robust.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:19–23.

Using inaccurate quotations can propagate misleading information, which might affect the management of patients. The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of quotation inaccuracy in the peer-reviewed orthopaedic literature related to the scaphoid. We randomly selected 100 papers from ten orthopaedic journals. All references were retrieved in full text when available or otherwise excluded. Two observers independently rated all quotations from the selected papers by comparing the claims made by the authors with the data and expressed opinions of the reference source. A statistical analysis determined which article-related factors were predictors of quotation inaccuracy. The mean total inaccuracy rate of the 3840 verified quotes was 7.6%. There was no correlation between the rate of inaccuracy and the impact factor of the journal. Multivariable analysis identified the journal and the type of study (clinical, biomechanical, methodological, case report or review) as important predictors of the total quotation inaccuracy rate.

We concluded that inaccurate quotations in the peer-reviewed orthopaedic literature related to the scaphoid were common and slightly more so for certain journals and certain study types. Authors, reviewers and editorial staff play an important role in reducing this inaccuracy.