Aims

Tobacco, in addition to being one of the greatest public health threats facing our world, is believed to have deleterious effects on bone metabolism and especially on bone healing. It has been described in the literature that patients who smoke are approximately twice as likely to develop a nonunion following a non-specific bone fracture. For clavicle fractures, this risk is unclear, as is the impact that such a complication might have on the initial management of these fractures.

Aims

To compare the cost-effectiveness of high-dose, dual-antibiotic cement versus single-antibiotic cement for the treatment of displaced intracapsular hip fractures in older adults.

Aims

Several previously identified patient-, injury-, and treatment-related factors are associated with the development of nonunion in distal femur fractures. However, the predictive value of these factors is not well defined. We aimed to assess the predictive ability of previously identified risk factors in the development of nonunion leading to secondary surgery in distal femur fractures.

Trainees experience significant stress in the operating room, with potentially adverse effects on performance and learning. Psychological resilience explains why some individuals excel despite significant stress, meeting challenges with optimism and flexibility. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between trainee resilience, intraoperative stress, and desire to leave residency training. Qualitative focus groups and a literature review were used to develop a new instrument to assess Surgical TRainee Experiences of StresS in the Operating Room (STRESSOR). STRESSOR was used in a survey of Canadian surgical residents to assess trainee stress. Resiliency was measured using the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resiliency Scale (CD-RISC-10). The survey was distributed nationally and 171 responses were collected for a 36% response rate. The greatest sources of intraoperative stress were time pressure, attending temperament, and being interrupted by a pager. The STRESSOR instrument had strong reliability (Cronbach's α=0.92) and demonstrated good construct validity using confirmatory factor analysis. The mean CD-RISC-10 score was 28.8, which is similar to that of Canadian medical students. Resilience was protective against intraoperative stress (R2=0.16, p<0.001). Residents with higher stress or lower resilience were more likely to have seriously considered leaving their training program (Spearman's rho = 0.42, p<0.001). Screening for resilience may assist in selecting trainees who are better able to manage stress during surgery and reduce resident attrition. Resiliency training may help learners manage the high stress environment of the operating room, potentially improving surgical performance and learning in the next generation of surgeons

Aims

We introduced a self-care pathway for minimally displaced distal radius fractures, which involved the patient being discharged from a Virtual Fracture Clinic (VFC) without a physical review and being provided with written instructions on how to remove their own cast or splint at home, plus advice on exercises and return to function.

The aim of this study was to produce estimates of specificity and predictive value of presenting symptoms and signs of paediatric bone cancer, a rare and frequently misdiagnosed condition, to aid clinical decision-making in primary care. A systematic literature review plus questionnaire to primary care physicians were carried out to determine frequency of bone cancer symptoms in both cancer and the benign conditions as which cancer is misdiagnosed. Literature sources – Ovid MEDLINE (1950-May 2008), EMBASE (1980-May 2008) and AMED (Allied and Alternative Medicine) (1985-May 2008). Literature review methods – We included systematic reviews, cohort studies or case series (where n ≥ 10), reporting frequency of symptoms and signs at initial presentation, as originally recorded in case notes or observed by the authors, in subjects aged 0–18 years. Disease incidence data was taken from retrospective and prospective studies from 1980 onwards which recorded incidence over a defined time period, in a large pre-defined population within Europe, North America or Australia. Questionnaire respondents – 32 general practitioners and paediatric Accident & Emergency physicians throughout Scotland and England. Positive predictive values (PPVs) for bone cancer symptoms range from 0.003 to 0.034% (percentage of children presenting with symptom who have cancer). Specificity (percentage of children without cancer who do not have the symptom) varies considerably between symptoms and ranges from 24% (tenderness) to 95% (weight loss). Specificity can be improved by looking for combinations of symptoms. Weight loss and fever are the features with both highest specificity and highest PPV. Bone cancer symptoms, even those with high specificity for cancer, have low positive predictive value. We suggest that diagnosis based on initial presentation to primary care is intrinsically difficult and that delay in diagnosis is not unreasonable if it is to make use of time as a diagnostic aid

Objectives. The aim of this systematic literature review was to assess the clinical level of evidence of commercially available demineralised bone matrix (DBM) products for their use in trauma and orthopaedic related surgery. Methods. A total of 17 DBM products were used as search terms in two available databases: Embase and PubMed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses statement. All articles that reported the clinical use of a DBM-product in trauma and orthopaedic related surgery were included. Results. The literature search resulted in 823 manuscripts of which 64 manuscripts met the final inclusion criteria. The included manuscripts consisted of four randomised controlled trials (level I), eight cohort studies (level III) and 49 case-series (level IV). No clinical studies were found for ten DBM products, and most DBM products were only used in combination with other grafting materials. DBM products were most extensively investigated in spinal surgery, showing limited level I evidence that supports the use Grafton DBM (Osteotech, Eatontown, New Jersey) as a bone graft extender in posterolateral lumbar fusion surgery. DBM products are not thoroughly investigated in trauma surgery, showing mainly level IV evidence that supports the use of Allomatrix (Wright Medical, London, United Kingdom), DBX (DePuy Synthes, Zuchwil, Switzerland), Grafton DBM, or OrthoBlast (Citagenix Laval, Canada) as bone graft extenders. Conclusions. The clinical level of evidence that supports the use of DBM in trauma and orthopaedic surgery is limited and consists mainly of poor quality and retrospective case-series. More prospective, randomised controlled trials are needed to understand the clinical effect and impact of DBM in trauma and orthopaedic surgery. Cite this article: J. van der Stok, K. A. Hartholt, D. A. L. Schoenmakers, J. J. C. Arts. The available evidence on demineralised bone matrix in trauma and orthopaedic surgery: A systemati c review. Bone Joint Res 2017;6:423–432. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.67.BJR-2017-0027.R1

Background:. The aim of this study was to review the surgical complications and clinical outcomes of patients with Pilon fractures treated with Ilizarov frames. Methods:. Data collected included surgical complications, grade of initial injury using the Ruedi-Allgower classification and quality of reduction according to the Teeny and Wiss criteria. Outcome scores were collected retrospectively using the Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI). Results:. A total of 97 consecutive patients were identified. All patients were treated with indirect reduction by capsuloligamentotaxis and stabilisation using an ankle-spanning Ilizarov external fixator. The mean time to union was 6 months. Data was available for 70 patients. 35 patients developed a pin site infection. There were no cases of osteomyelitis. 4 patients developed a DVT and 1 patient a PE, 4 patients required ankle fusions. Quality of reduction according to the criteria of Teeny and Wiss was anatomic in 40 patients, good in 23 patients, fair in 6 patients, poor in 3 patients. Conclusion:. This is one of the larger series of Pilon factures on literature review. Ilizarov frame fixation achieves stable reduction of the fractured fragments without additional trauma to soft tissues with minimal complications and good functional results

Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks on vehicles have been a significant feature of recent conflicts. The Dynamic Response Index (DRI), developed for predicting spinal injury in aircraft ejection, has been adopted for testing vehicles in underbelly blast. Recent papers suggest that DRI is not accurate in blast conditions. We suggest that the distribution of blast and ejection injuries is different. A literature review identified the distribution of spinal fractures in aircraft ejection incidents. A Joint Theatre Trauma Registry search identified victims of mounted IED blast with spinal fractures. The distribution of injuries in the two groups was compared using the Kruskall Wallis test. 329 fractures were identified in ejector seat incidents; 1% cervical, 84% thoracic and 16% lumbar. 245 fractures were identified in victims of mounted blast; 16% cervical, 34% thoracic and 50% lumbar. There was no significant similarity between the two (p=1). There was no statistically significant difference between the distribution of fractures in blast survivors versus fatalities. The difference between blast and ejection injury patterns suggests that injury prediction models for ejection should not be extrapolated to blast mechanisms and that new models need to be developed

A systematic literature review of distraction osteogenesis (DO) for the primary reconstruction of bone defects following resection of primary malignant tumours of long bones (PMTLB) is presented. Fewer than 50 cases were identified. Most reports relate to benign tumours or secondary reconstructive procedures. The outcomes of our own series of 7 patients is also presented (4 tibiae, 3 femora). All patients had isolated bone lesions without metastases and were assessed through the hospital sarcoma board. Mean follow-up was 59 months (17–144). Mean age was 42 years. Final histologic diagnoses were 3 chondrosarcoma, 2 malignant fibrous histiocytoma, 1 adamantinoma and 1 malignant intraosseous nerve sheath tumour. Mean bone defect after resection was 13.1cm (10–17) and bone transport was the reconstruction method in all. There was one local recurrence of tumour six months post-resection, necessitating amputation. Mean frame index for remaining cases was 30.9 days/cm (15.7–41.6). Complications included pin infection, docking site non-union, premature corticotomy union, soft-tissue infection and minor varus deformity. Six cases remain tumour-free with united, well-aligned bones and good long-term function. We conclude DO provides an effective biologic reconstruction option in select cases of PMTLB

Introduction. The treatment of clavicle fractures remains controversial. Although most clavicle fractures can be treated successfully nonoperatively, no consensus exists for the complete range of lesions. A systematic literature review was performed to summarize and compare the results of different treatments. Material and Methods. A Pubmed search on ‘clavicle’ and ‘fracture’ was performed and relevant papers collected. Predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria had to be met and parameters were extracted. The articles were regrouped according to fracture location: midshaft; lateral; or location not specified. Main parameters were: Edinburgh classification; treatment type; complications; pseudarthrosis; cosmetic satisfaction and pain. Results. From 105 papers retrieved, 41 were included representing 4959 patiens with a median follow-up of 33 months. Patients lost to follow-up was 20.2%. The rate of displacement was higher in the lateral fracture group (63.5% versus 50.5% for the midshaft group and 33.5% for location not specified. Of all patients, 75.9% were treated nonoperatively. The lateral fracture group was operated on most (48.4%). Nonoperative treatment led to pseudarthrosis in 3.1% of midshaft fractures compared to 12.6% for lateral fractures. Operative treatment led to 7% and 2.7% of pseudarthrosis for the midshaft and lateral fractures respectively. Cosmetic dissatisfaction was frequent (13.6% for the nonoperatively treated fractures and 7.9% for surgically treated fractures). Surgical complications occurred frequently, especially wound infections (5.8%). Operatively treated patients had better pain scores at final follow-up. Conclusions. A considerable number of patients treated nonsurgically have suboptimal outcome at follow-up. In selected cases, especially displaced lateral fractures, surgery may be warranted

Aims

The aim of this study was to describe variation in hip fracture treatment in Norway expressed as adherence to international and national evidence-based treatment guidelines, to study factors influencing deviation from guidelines, and to analyze consequences of non-adherence.

Aims

The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of anterior knee pain after antegrade tibial nailing using suprapatellar and infrapatellar surgical approaches

A Morton's neuroma is a painful forefoot disorder characterised by plantar pain and toe paraesthesia. Many treatments have been tried including modification of shoe wear, injections and surgery. The results from different treatment modalities are extremely variable in the scientific literature. We reviewed 79 patients who presented with an ultrasound proven Morton's Neuromata at an average of 60 months following treatment in a patient blind randomised trial. 35 had surgery with resection of the Morton's Neuromata. We compared the results of the patients who had had a steroid injection and surgery, a steroid injection alone, a placebo injection and then surgery and a placebo injection alone. We looked at the requirement for further consultations, pain scores, activity restrictions, footwear restriction, overall satisfaction with their treatment and overall quality of life scores. We found no significant difference between the groups. Overall 80% of the surgical patients had a good or excellent result and 67% of the non- operatively managed patients had a good or excellent result. There was no difference in their quality of life scores. Previous studies have shown little benefit in steroid injections in the treatment of Morton's Neuromata. We conclude at the five year mark there is no significant differences between operating on Morton's Neuromata and treating them conservatively. Further research should focus on comparing operative vs conservative treatment in the short to medium term. In order to justify the risks and costs of surgery

Aims

To evaluate the effect of a single early high-dose vitamin D supplement on fracture union in patients with hypovitaminosis D and a long bone fracture.

Background

Approximately half of all hip fractures are displaced intracapsular fractures. The standard treatment for these fractures is either hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty. The recent National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on hip fracture management recommends the use of ‘proven’ cemented stem arthroplasty with an Orthopaedic Device Evaluation Panel (ODEP) rating of at least 3B (97% survival at three years). The Thompsons prosthesis is currently lacking an ODEP rating despite over 50 years of clinical use, likely due to the paucity of implant survival data. Nationally, adherence to these guidelines is varied as there is debate as to which prosthesis optimises patient outcomes.

Objectives

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are often used to evaluate the outcome of treatment in patients with distal radial fractures. Which PROM to select is often based on assessment of measurement properties, such as validity and reliability. Measurement properties are assessed in clinimetric studies, and results are often reviewed without considering the methodological quality of these studies. Our aim was to systematically review the methodological quality of clinimetric studies that evaluated measurement properties of PROMs used in patients with distal radial fractures, and to make recommendations for the selection of PROMs based on the level of evidence of each individual measurement property.

National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines state that cemented stems with an Orthopaedic Data Evaluation Panel (ODEP) rating of > 3B should be used for hemiarthroplasty when treating an intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck. These recommendations are based on studies in which most, if not all stems, did not hold such a rating.

This case-control study compared the outcome of hemiarthroplasty using a cemented (Exeter) or uncemented (Corail) femoral stem. These are the two prostheses most commonly used in hip arthroplasty in the UK.

Data were obtained from two centres; most patients had undergone hemiarthroplasty using a cemented Exeter stem (n = 292/412). Patients were matched for all factors that have been shown to influence mortality after an intracapsular fracture of the neck of the femur. Outcome measures included: complications, re-operations and mortality rates at two, seven, 30 and 365 days post-operatively. Comparable outcomes for the two stems were seen.

There were more intra-operative complications in the uncemented group (13% vs 0%), but the cemented group had a greater mortality in the early post-operative period (n = 6). There was no overall difference in the rate of re-operation (5%) or death (365 days: 26%) between the two groups at any time post-operatively.

This study therefore supports the use of both cemented and uncemented stems of proven design, with an ODEP rating of 10A, in patients with an intracapsular fracture of the neck of the femur.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:94–9.

Our aim was to compare the one-year post-operative outcomes following retention or removal of syndesmotic screws in adult patients with a fracture of the ankle that was treated surgically. A total of 51 patients (35 males, 16 females), with a mean age of 33.5 years (16 to 62), undergoing fibular osteosynthesis and syndesmotic screw fixation, were randomly allocated to retention of the syndesmotic screw or removal at three months post-operatively. The two groups were comparable at baseline.

One year post-operatively, there was no significant difference in the mean Olerud–Molander ankle score (82.4 retention vs 86.7 removal, p = 0.367), the mean American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score (88.6 vs 90.1, p = 0.688), the mean American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons foot and ankle score (96.3 vs 94.0, p = 0.250), the mean visual analogue pain score (1.0 vs 0.7, p = 0.237), the mean active dorsiflexion (10.2° vs 13.0°, p = 0.194) and plantar flexion (33.6° vs 31.3°, p = 0.503) of the ankle, or the mean radiological tibiofibular clear space (5.0 mm vs 5.3 mm, p = 0.276) between the two groups. A total of 19 patients (76%) in the retention group had a loose and/or broken screw one year post-operatively.

We conclude that removal of a syndesmotic screw produces no significant functional, clinical or radiological benefit in adult patients who are treated surgically for a fracture of the ankle.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1699–1705.

This study describes the epidemiology and outcome of 637 proximal humeral fractures in 629 elderly (≥ 65 years old) patients. Most were either minimally displaced (n = 278, 44%) or two-part fractures (n = 250, 39%) that predominantly occurred in women (n = 525, 82%) after a simple fall (n = 604, 95%), who lived independently in their own home (n = 560, 88%), and one in ten sustained a concomitant fracture (n = 76, 11.9%). The rate of mortality at one year was 10%, with the only independent predictor of survival being whether the patient lived in their own home (p = 0.025). Many factors associated with the patient’s social independence significantly influenced the age and gender adjusted Constant score one year after the fracture. More than a quarter of the patients had a poor functional outcome, with those patients not living in their own home (p = 0.04), participating in recreational activities (p = 0.01), able to perform their own shopping (p < 0.001), or able to dress themselves (p = 0.02) being at a significantly increased risk of a poor outcome, which was independent of the severity of the fracture (p = 0.001).

A poor functional outcome after a proximal humeral fracture is not independently influenced by age in the elderly, and factors associated with social independence are more predictive of outcome.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:970–7.