The musculoskeletal (MSK) profiles of water polo players and other overhead athletes has been shown to relate to injury and throwing performance (TP). There have been no robust studies conducted on the MSK profiles and the variables affecting TP amongst female, adolescent, elite water polo players. A prospective quantitative cohort design was conducted amongst eighty-three female adolescent, elite water polo players (range 14–19 years). All participants filled out the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic questionnaire, followed by a battery of screening tests aimed to identify possible MSK factors affecting TP. Pain provocation tests, range of motion (ROM), upward scapula rotation (USR), strength and pectoralis minor length measurements were all included. Participants also performed throwing speed (TS) and throwing accuracy (TA) tests. All the data collected were grouped together and analysed using SPSS 28.0. The condition for statistical significance was set as p <0.05. Multi-collinearity was tested for among variables to find out inter-variable correlations. Finally, a multiple regression analysis was performed. The mean KJOC score was 82.55 ± 14.96. 26.5% tested positive for at least one of the impingement tests. The MSK profile revealed decreased internal rotation ROM, increased external rotation ROM, a downwardly rotated scapula, weak external rotators, weak serratus anterior strength, strong lower trapezius and gluteus medius strength and a shorter pectoralis minor length all on the dominant side. Age, pectoralis minor length, upper trapezius and serratus anterior strength as well as upward scapula rotation were all positively correlated with TS, while sitting height, upper trapezius and serratus anterior strength and glenohumeral internal rotation ROM were positively correlated with TA. Multiple MSK parameters were found to be related to TS and TA in elite, adolescent water polo players

The aim of this study was to determine the long term 20 year survival and outcomes of high tibial osteotomy (HTO). 100 consecutive subjects underwent HTO under the care of a single surgeon between 2000 and 2002, consented to participation in a prospective study and completed preoperative WOMAC scores. Subjects were reviewed at 10 years, and again at a minimum of 20 years after surgery. PROMS included further surgery, WOMAC scores, Oxford Knee Score (OHS), KOOS, and EQ-5D, and satisfaction with surgery. 20 year survival was assessed with Kaplan-Meir analysis, and failure defined as proceeding to subsequent knee arthroplasty. The mean age at HTO was 50 years (range 26-66), and 72% were males. The 5, 10, and 20 year survival of the HTO was 88%, 76%, 43% respectively. On multiple regression analysis HTO failure was associated with poor preoperative WOMAC score of 45 or less (HR 3.2, 95% CI 1.7-6.0, p=0.001), age at surgery of 55 or more (HR 2.3, 95% CI 1.3-4.0, p=0.004), and obesity (HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.4, p=0.023). In patients who met all criteria of preoperative WOMAC score of 45 or less, age <55 years and body mass index of <30 HTO survival was 100%, 94%, and 59% at 5, 10 and 20 years respectively. Of those who had not proceeded to TKA the mean Oxford Score was 40, KOOS Pain score was 91 and KOOS function score was 97. 97% reported they were satisfied with the surgery and 88% would have the same surgery again under the same circumstances. At 20 years after HTO 43% had not proceeded to knee arthroplasty, and were continuing to demonstrate high subjective scores and satisfaction with surgery. HTO survival was higher in those under 55 years, with BMI <30 and baseline WOMAC score of >45 at 59% HTO survival over 20 years. HTO may be considered a viable procedure to delay premature knee arthroplasty in carefully selected subjects

Introduction. Wound condition after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is important for prevention of periprosthetic infection. Any delay in wound healing will cause deep infection, which leads to the arthroplasty failure. Prevention of soft tissue problems is thus essential to achieve excellent clinical results. However, it is unknown as to the important surgical factors affecting the wound healing using detailed wound score after primary TKA so far. It was hypothesized that operative technique would affect wound healing in primary TKA. The purpose of the present study was to investigate and to clarify the important surgical factors affecting wound score after primary TKA. Methods. A total of 139 knees in 128 patients (mean 73 years) were enrolled. All primary TKAs were done by single surgeon. All patients underwent unilateral or bilateral TKA using Balanced Knee System®, posterior stabilized (PS) design (Ortho Development, Draper, UT) or Legion®, PS design (Smith and Nephew, Memphis, TN) under general and/or epidural anesthesia. Patients with immunosuppressive therapy, hypokalemia, poor nutrition (albumin < 3.4 g/dL), diverticulosis, infection elsewhere, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (HbA1C>7.0%), obesity (Body Mass Index > 35 kg/m2), smoking, renal failure, hypothyroidism, alcohol abuse, rheumatoid arthritis, posttraumatic arthritis, and previous knee surgery were excluded. Hollander Wound Evaluation Score (HWES) was assessed on postoperative day 14. We evaluated age, sex, body mass index, HbA1C (%), preoperative femorotibial angle (FTA) on plain radiograph. In addition, intraoperative patella eversion, intraoperative anterior translation of the tibia, patella resurfacing, surgical time, tourniquet time, unidirectional barbed suture and length of skin incision were also evaluated as surgical factors. Multiple regression analysis was done using stepwise method to identify the surgical factors affecting HWES. Results. Detailed demographic data was presented in Table 1. The average HWES was 5.0 ± 0.8 point. As to the distribution of the HWES, data was shown in Figure 1. Namely, HWES was 3 point in 5 cases, 4 in 29 cases, 5 in 63 cases, and 6 in 42 cases. As any adverse events were not found in each TKA, there were no cases requiring debridement and re-closure of the wound after primary TKA. According to stepwise forward regression test, intraoperative patella eversion and anterior translation of the tibia were entered in this model, while age, Sex, BMI, HbA1C, FTA, surgical time, tourniquet time, patella resurfacing, unidirectional barbed suture and length of skin incision were not entered in the model. The multiple regression analysis in the current study would show the appropriate results, as Durbin-Watson ratio was 1.762. Standardized partial regression coefficient was as follows; 0.57 in anterior translation of the tibia, 0.38 in patella eversion (Table 2). Discussion. The results of the present study would support out hypothesis that operative technique would affect wound healing in primary TKA. Specifically, intraoperative patella eversion and anterior translation of the tibia should be avoided for quality cosmesis of the wound healing in primary TKA. To view tables/figures, please contact authors directly

It is undetermined which factors predict return to work following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. We aimed to identify which factors predicted return to work at any level, and return to pre-injury levels of work 6 months post-arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Multiple logistic regression analysis of prospectively collected demographic, pre-injury, preoperative, and intraoperative data from 1502 consecutive primary arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs, performed by a single surgeon, was performed to identify independent predictors of return to work, and return to pre-injury levels of work respectively, 6 months post-surgery. Six months post-rotator cuff repair, 76% of patients returned to work (RTW), and 40% returned to pre-injury levels of work (Full-RTW). RTW at 6 months was likely if patients were still working after their injuries, but prior to surgery (Wald statistic [W]=55, p<0.0001), were stronger in internal rotation preoperatively (W=8, p=0.004), had full-thickness tears (W=9, p=0.002), and were female (W=5, p=0.030). Patients who achieved Full-RTW were likely to have worked less strenuously pre-injury (W=173, p<0.0001), worked more strenuously post-injury but pre-surgery (W=22, p<0.0001), had greater behind-the-back lift-off strength preoperatively (W=8, p=0.004), and had less passive external rotation range of motion preoperatively (W=5, p=0.034). Patients who were still working post-injury, but pre-surgery were 1.6-times more likely to RTW than patients who were not (p<0.0001). Patients who nominated their pre-injury level of work as “light” were 11-times more likely to achieve Full-RTW than those who nominated “strenuous” (p<0.0001). Six months post-rotator cuff repair, a higher patient-rated post-injury, but pre-surgery level of work was the strongest predictor of RTW. A lower patient-rated pre-injury level of work was the strongest predictor of Full-RTW. Greater preoperative subscapularis strength independently predicted both RTW, and Full-RTW

Purpose. The correction obtained in the coronal plane knee deformity using guided growth was assessed in children with sick physes (Height<1SD of the normal children) to define the limits of this technique in sick physis. Methods. We retrospectively assessed deformity correction following guided growth using 8 plates in children with coronal plane deformity and metabolically abnormal physis- renal rickets in 6 and bone dysplasias (multiple epiphyseal dyspasia, spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, metaphyseal dysplasia, mesomelic dysplasia, chondrodysplasia punctata) in 10 children aged 2 to 14 years. Lateral distal femoral angle(LDFA) and medial proximal tibia(MPTA) angles were serially assessed after eight plate application as a day care procedure. We noted correction achieved rate of correction, complications and additional surgical procedures. Fischer's exact test and multiple regression analysis was done to assess the effect of modifiers. Results. Sixteen children mean aged 7.8 years (2–14 years) with 9 boys and seven girls were followed for a mean of 16.125 months. Deviations from normal MPTA(n=6) were a mean of 11.82(range 8.4–16.9) and from normal LDFA(n=15) a mean of 13.96 (range 5.7–35.1). Mean rate of correction was 0.8°(range 0.1–2.65) per month in dysplasia group and 1.09°(range 0.5–1.6)per month. Complete correction was achieved in 2 out of 6 in renal and 4 out of 10 in dysplasia group. Complication included backing out of screw (1), suboptimal screw placement (2) in dysplasia group and stiffness of the knee (1). Multiple regression analysis found sex, severity of deformity >15° and duration of follow up to be not significant, however, age less than 6 years had a significantly higher chance of deformity correction(P=0.001). Conclusion. The rate of deformity correction with eight plates for guided growth is very variable even within the same patient in dysplasia group, chondrodyspalsia and SED having very slow correction rates. The deformities however correct completely before the age of 6 years irrespective of etiology. Bone dysplasias and metabolic causes require further study to understand their growth pattern and possibilities of relapse

Introduction. Inappropriate soft tissue tension around an artificial hip is regarded as one cause of dislocation or abductor muscle weakness. It has been considered that restoration of leg offset is important to optimise soft tissue tension in THA, while it is unclear what factors determine soft tissue tension around artificial hip joints. The purpose of the present study was to assess how postoperative leg offset influence the soft tissue tension around artificial hip joints. Materials and Methods. The subjects were 89 consecutive patients who underwent mini-incision THA using a navigation system through antero-lateral or postero-lateral approach. Soft tissue tension was measured by applying traction amounting to 40% of body weight with the joint positioned at 0°, 15°, 30°, and 45° of flexion. The distance of separation between the head and the cup was measured using the navigation system. Results. The distance of cup/head separation differed significantly for different angles of flexion, with the greatest distance at 15° of flexion which was 11±5 (SD) mm. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that postoperative leg offset discrepancy, antero-lateral approach, preoperative abduction ROM were correlated with the distance of cup/head separation at 15° of flexion. Postoperative leg offset discrepancy were also correlated negatively with the distance of cup/head separation at 0° and 30° of flexion. Conclusion. Postoperative leg offset discrepancy influenced significantly the soft tissue tension around THA at a wider range of flexion

Thigh-calf contact force is the force acting on posterior side of the thigh and calf during deep knee flexion. It has been reported the force is important to analyze the kinetics of a lower limb and a knee joint. Some previous researches reported the measured thigh-calf contact force, however, the values varied among the reports. Furthermore, the reports indicated that there were large variations even in a single report. One of the reports tried to find the relationship between the magnitude of thigh-calf contact force and anthropometric measurement as height, weight or perimeter of the lower limb, however, there could not found clear correlations. We considered that the cause of the variations might be the difference of the posture. At heel-rise squatting posture, we can bend or stand upright the upper body. Therefore we tried to create the equation to estimate the thigh-calf contact force by multiple regression analysis, using the anthropometric and posture parameters as explanatory variables. We performed the experiment to measure thigh-calf contact force, joint angles and anthropometric information. Test subjects were 10 healthy male. First we measured their height, weight, perimeter of the thigh and muscle mass of the legs and whole body. Muscle mass was measured by body composition meter (BC-118E, Tanita Co., Japan). Then, test subjects were asked to squat with their heels lifted and with putting the pressure distribution sensor between thigh and calf. And they bent their upper body forward and backward. The pressure sensor to be used was ConfroMat System (Nitta Co., Japan). After that, we measured the joint angles of the hip, knee and ankle, and the angle between the floor and upper body using the videos taken during the experiment. Then, we created the equation to estimate the thigh-calf contact force by linear combination of the anthropometric values and joint angles. The coefficients were settled as to minimize the average error between measured and estimated values. Results are shown in Fig.1. Forces were normalized by the body weight of the test subjects. Because the horizontal axes show the measured and vertical axis show the estimated values, the estimation is accurate when the plots are near the 45-degree line. Average error was 0.11BW by using only physical values, 0.15BW by angles and 0.06BW using both values. And the maximum error was 0.69BW, 0.43BW and 0.32BW respectively. Thus we could estimate the thigh-calf contact force by multiple regressions, using both physical parameters and angles to indicate the posture. Using the equation, we would be able to analyze the kinetics of a lower limb by physical and motion measurement. Our future work might be increasing the number of subjects to consider the appropriateness, because the test subjects of this study were very limited

The outcomes of hip arthroscopy in the treatment of dysplasia are variable. Historically, arthroscopic treatment of severe dysplasia (lateral center-edge angle [LCEA] < 18°) resulted in poor outcomes and iatrogenic instability. However, in milder forms of dysplasia, favorable outcomes have been reported. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes following hip arthroscopy for femorocetabular impingement (FAI) in borderline dysplastic (BD) patients compared with a control group of non-dysplastic patients. Between March 2009 and July 2012, a BD group (LCEA 18°–25°) of 46 patients (55 hips) was identified. An age and sex-matched control group of 131 patients (152 hips) was also identified (LCEA 25°–40°). Patient-reported outcome scores, including the Modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), the Hip Outcome Score-Activity of Daily Living (HOS-ADL), the Sport-specific Subscale (HOS-SSS), and the International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-33), were collected pre-operatively, at 1, and 2 years. The mean LCEA was 22.4 ± 2.0° (range, 18.4°–24.9°) in the BD group and 31.0 ± 3.1° (range, 25.4°–38.7°) in the control group (p<0.001). The mean preoperative alpha angle was 66.3 ± 9.9° in the BD group and 61.7 ± 13.0° in the control group (p=0.151). Cam decompression was performed in 98.2% and 99.3% of cases in the BD and control groups. Labral repair was performed in 69.1% and 75.3% of the BD and control groups respectively, with 100% of patients having a complete capsular closure performed in both groups. At a mean follow-up of 31.3 ± 7.6 months (range, 23.1–67.3) in unrevised patients and 21.6 ± 13.3 months (range 4.7–40.6) in revised patients, there was significant improvement (p<0.001) in all patient reported outcome scores in both groups. Multiple regression analysis did not identify any significant differences between groups. Importantly, female sex did not appear to be a predictor for inferior outcomes. Two patients (4.3%) in the BD group and six patients (4.6%) in the control group required revision arthroscopy during the study period. Favorable outcomes can be expected following the treatment of impingement in borderline dysplastics when labral refixation and capsular closure are performed, with comparable outcomes to non-dysplastic patients. Further follow-up in larger cohorts is necessary to prove the durability and safety of hip arthroscopy in this challenging group and to further explore potential gender-related differences in outcome

Introduction. The application of digital radiography in orthopaedic settings has facilitated the improvement in the retention and utilization of these images in pre and post-operative assessments [1]. In addition to the cost-effectiveness of such technology the use of digital imaging combined with advanced computer image processing software such as TraumaCadTM software system (TraumaCad, BRAINLAB, Westchester, IL, USA) can provide more accurate details about patients in total hip replacement arthroplasty (THA), a process traditionally called preoperative templating [2] by which intraoperative complications are minimized and overall surgical time is reduced[3]. In a study of 486 patients we demonstrated that patients demographic had significant effect on the outcome of the measurement and utilizing them in a predictive model had helped with improving the results [4]. In this study, we aimed to improve and optimize the proposed algorithm by utilizing more patients’ information and improving the model by using a nonlinear relationship. Our main hypothesis in this study was that the model would significantly predict the actual implant size based on the preoperative assessments. Method. We analyzed the outcome of digital radiographs of 1018 patients who were treated with THA. Minimum. Maximum. Mean. Std. Deviation. Templated Acetabulum Size. 44.00. 64.00. 54.12. 4.05. Height (m). 147.32. 202.20. 172.02. 10.73. Weight (kg). 39.10. 139.10. 84.44. 19.67. BMI. 15.48. 43.06. 28.33. 5.18. Acetabular Size. 44.00. 64.00. 54.25. 3.75. Digital radiographs were acquired in the anteroposterior view of the pelvis centered over the pubic symphysis. The hip was internally rotated 10° to 15°. We evaluated multiple interactions and nonlinear models and developed the most significant model based on the available clinical data. Results. We derived the following equation based on the model presented by the multiple regression analysis. Act[estimated]=−9.0467–0.35*Act[temp]+34.79*Height−0.35*Weight+1.32*BMI+0.01* (Act[temp])∘2–3.56*Height∘2–0.01*BMI∘2. In which Act[estimated] is the estimated size of acetabulum cup, Act[temp] is the preoperative templated acetabulum size from digital radiography, Height was in m and Weight was in kg. Figure 1 and Figure 2 depicts the residual assessments of the model. Figure 3 depicts the range of effects by each factor. Discussion. Patients’ specific data would improve the preoperative accuracy by more than 5% within one size of the actual acetabular component size. This improvement in accuracy translates into significant cost saving in THA cases as the cost of implant inventory could be significantly minimized. In our practice based on these assessments we use customized patients trays to reduce intraoperative costs

With the growing number of individuals with asymptomatic cam-type deformities, elevated alpha angles alone do not always explain clinical signs of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Differences in additional anatomical parameters may affect hip joint mechanics, altering the pathomechanical process resulting in symptomatic FAI. The purpose was to examine the association between anatomical hip joint parameters and kinematics and kinetics variables, during level walking. Fifty participants (m = 46, f = 4; age = 34 ± 7 years; BMI = 26 ± 4 kg/m²) underwent CT imaging and were diagnosed as either: symptomatic (15), if they showed a cam deformity and clinical signs; asymptomatic (19), if they showed a cam deformity, but no clinical signs; or control (16), if they showed no cam deformity and no clinical signs. Each participant's CT data was measured for: axial and radial alpha angles, femoral head-neck offset, femoral neck-shaft angle, medial proximal femoral angle, femoral torsion, acetabular version, and centre-edge angle. Participants performed level walking trials, which were recorded using a ten-camera motion capture system (Vicon MX-13, Oxford, UK) and two force plates (Bertec FP4060–08, Columbus, OH, USA). Peak sagittal and frontal hip joint angles, range of motion, and moments were calculated using a custom programming script (MATLAB R2015b, Natick, MA, USA). A one-way, between groups ANOVA examined differences among kinematics and kinetics variables (α = 0.05), using statistics software (IBM SPSS v.23, Armonk, NY, USA); while a stepwise multiple regression analysis examined associations between anatomical parameters and kinematics and kinetics variables. No significant differences in kinematics were observed between groups. The symptomatic group demonstrated lower peak hip abduction moments (0.12 ± 0.08 Nm/kg) than the control group (0.22 ± 0.10 Nm/kg, p = 0.01). Sagittal hip range of motion showed a moderate, negative correlation with radial alpha angle (r = −0.33, p = 0.02), while peak hip abduction moment correlated with femoral neck-shaft angle (r = 0.36, p = 0.009) and negatively with femoral torsion (r = −0.36, p = 0.009). With peak hip abduction moment in the stepwise regression analysis, femoral torsion accounted for a variance of 13.3% (F(1, 48) = 7.38; p = 0.009), while together with femoral neck-shaft angle accounted for a total variance of 20.4% (R² change = 0.07, F(2, 47) = 6.01; p = 0.047). Although elevated radial alpha angles may have limited sagittal range of motion, the cam deformity parameters did not affect joint moments. Femoral neck-shaft angle and femoral torsion were significantly associated with peak hip abduction moment, suggesting that the insertion location of the abductor affects muscle's length and its resultant force vector. A varus neck angle, combined with severe femoral torsion, may ultimately influence muscle moment arms and hip mechanics in individuals with cam FAI

Introduction. Patellofemoral (PF) complications are among the most frequently observed adverse events after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). It has been reported that PF complications after TKA include decreasing knee range of motion, anterior knee pain, quadriceps and patellar-tendon rupture, patellar subluxation, and partial abrasion and loosening of the patellar component. Although recent improvements in surgical technique and prosthetic design have decreased these complications, the percentage of patients who have a revision TKA for PF complications still ranged up to 6.6% to 12%. For the present study, we hypothesized that the alignment of the femoral component is correlated with PF contact stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between femoral component alignment and PF contact stress in vivo, using a pressure sensor in patients who had favorable extension-flexion gap balance during TKA. Methods. Thirty knees with medial compartment osteoarthritis that underwent posterior stabilized mobile-bearing TKA using identical prostheses (PFC Sigma RPF; Depuy, Warsaw, IN, USA) by a single surgeon (TM) with modified gap technique under a computed tomography (CT)-based navigation system (Vector Vision 1.61; Brain Lab, Heimstetten, Germany) were evaluated. PF contact stress was measured intraoperatively and compared with the alignment of the femoral component including intraoperative navigation data concerning medial shift of the patella and lateral tilt of the patella, postoperative coronal femoral component angle (alpha angle), postoperative sagittal femoral component angle (gamma angle), postoperative condylar twist angle (CTA), postoperative lateral condylar lift-off angle, and postoperative mechanical femoral component angle (mFCA). In addition, postoperative Insall-Salvati ratio (I-S ratio) was measured by dividing the length of patellar tendon by the greatest diagonal length of the patella. Results. Maximum PF stress was 2.4 ± 1.9 MPa, medial shift of the patella was 2.6 ± 1.5 mm, and lateral tilt of the patella was 8.5 ± 4.2 degrees. The PF contact stress was not correlated sagittal and coronal alignment of the femoral component and patella tracking, whereas rotational alignment of the femoral component was negatively correlated with the PF contact stress (r = −0.718, p < 0.01). Discussion and conclusion. Multiple regression analysis shows that PF contact stress correlates with CTA, I-S ratio positively correlates with PF contact stress in Spearman correlation analysis. The results of the present study showed a negative correlation between maximum stress in the PF joint and CTA. It has been reported that excessive external rotation increases the medial flexion gap, leading to symptomatic flexion instability of the femoral component. In addition, external rotation of the femoral component can cause relative medialization of the trochlear groove during flexion, resulting in anterior knee pain. Therefore, we should carefully decide the proper rotational alignment of the femoral component. It has been reported that PF contact stress in a normal knee was from 2.1 to 2.9 MPa in a cadaveric study. In the present study, patients with rotational alignment of the femoral component after TKA between 1.2° and 2.2° internally rotated from CEA had PF contact stress in this normal range

Introduction. Postoperative knee flexion is an important indicator of success in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Factors influencing the postoperative range of motion (ROM) were reported to be preoperative ROM, primary indication, height of postoperative joint line, patellar thickness, postoperative pain and rehabilitation. In this study, we aimed to identify the relationship between preoperative hip ROMs and postoperative knee flexion through reviewing the TKA results in Japanese patients. Patients & Methods. We retrospectively reviewed primary TKAs 55 knees in 55 patients (33 left and 22 right) between April 2012 and March 2013 inclusive. The patients were 11 men and 44 women, with a mean age of 76.7 years. Preoperative hip ROMs and perioperative knee flexion were measured by using goniometer. Hip ROMs were flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, external rotation; ER, internal rotation; IR and total rotation; TR (The total rotation added up ER and IR.). Hip ROMs were measured passively, with the pelvis was fixed manually. Postoperative knee flexion was measured in the fourth week. The patients were classified according to the good group (28 knees), the postoperative knee flexion was more than 125 degrees; and the poor group (27 knees), less than 120 degrees. We compared preoperative hip ROMs in each groups. Multiple regression analysis and Single regression analysis were used for comparison between preoperative hip ROMs and postoperative knee flexion. For comparisons between paired groups we used Wilcoxon test, between unpaired groups Mann-Whitney U test. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results. Knee flexion of all patients did not have significant changes before and after the operation (p=0.09). Although the good group was a similar result (p=0.94), the poor group significantly decreased after the operation (p=0.01). (Table 1) The linear combination of hip ER and hip IR explained 28% (R. 2. = 0.28, p=0.0008) of the variance in postoperative knee flexion. The correlation coefficient of postoperative knee flexion and preoperative flexion was 0.41 (p=0.0017), and postoperative knee flexion and hip IR was 0.27(p=0.048), and postoperative knee flexion and hip TR was 0.35(p=0.008). There were only a low correlation between hip ROMs and postoperative knee flexion. (Table 2) As for the hip ER and hip IR, there were no significant differences between good group and poor group, however there was a significant difference for the hip TR between the two groups (p=0.013).(Figure 1). Discussion. The mean postoperative flexion of our patients was 122.4°, with a loss of 2.4° flexion but postoperative flexion was improved on equality with preoperative flexion. There was a positive correlation between preoperative and postoperative flexion. This study also showed that there was a positive correlation between postoperative flexion and preoperative hip TR. A new finding is that there was a significant difference for the hip TR between good group and poor group. These finding may imply that biarticular muscles of origin around hip joint participate with the postoperative flexion. We conclude that it is important for TKAs to evaluate hip ROMs

Aims. To devise a simple clinical risk classification system for patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (PTKR) to facilitate risk and cost estimation, and aid pre-operative planning. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed a series of consecutive PTKRs performed by the senior author. A classification system was devised to take account of principal risk factors in PTKR. Four groups were devised: 1) Non complex PTKR (CP0): no local or systemic complicating factors; 2) CPI: Locally complex: Severe or fixed deformity and/or bone loss, previous bony surgery or trauma, or ligamentous instability; 3) CPII Systemic complicating factors: Medical co-morbidity, steroid or immunosuppressant therapy, High BMI, (equivalent to ASA of III or more); 3) CPIII: Combination of local and systemic complicating factors (CPI+CPII). The patients were grouped accordingly and the following were compared: 1) length of stay, 2) post-operative complications, and 3) early post-discharge follow-up assessment. The complications were divided into local (wound problems, DVT, sepsis) and systemic (cardiopulmonary, metabolic, and systemic thromboembolic) complications. Results. The total number of patients was 119 (CP0=37,CPI=19,CPII=30,CPIII=33). Multiple regression analysis revealed: 1) no significant difference between complication rates in the CP0 and CPI groups, 2) 3-fold and 4-fold increase in the cumulative risk in the CPII and CPIII groups respectively (p<0.001), 3) significantly increased length of stay in the CPII and CPIII groups (p<0.001). Conclusion. The groups in this classification system correlate well with complication rates from surgery. As such this system has a role in stratifying patients for pre-operative planning and risk counselling. It is reproducible and can be used for larger patient groups via the National Joint Registry. Our findings also have implications for payment by results and fixed tariffs for PTKR, as the higher complication rates in the CPII and CPIII groups are likely to attract greater expense by hospitals in the course of these patients' treatment

Background. Cup anteversion and inclination are important to avoid implant impingement and dislocation in total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, it is well known that functional cup anteversion and cup inclination also change as the pelvic sagittal inclination (PSI) changes, and many reports have been made to investigate the PSI in supine and standing positions. However, the maximum numbers of subjects studied are around 150 due to the requirement of considerable manual input in measuring the PSIs. Therefore, PSI in supine and standing positions were measured fully automatically with a computational method in a large cohort, and the factors which relate to the PSI change from supine to standing were analyzed in this study. Methods. A total of 422 patients who underwent THA from 2011 to 2015 were the subjects of this study. There were 83 patients with primary OA, 274 patients with DDH derived secondary OA (DDH-OA), 48 patients with osteonecrosis, and 17 patients with rapidly destructive coxopathy (RDC). The median age of the patient was 61 (range; 15–87). Preoperative PSI in supine and standing positions were measured and the number of cases in which PSI changed more than 10° posteriorly were calculated. PSI in supine was measured as the angle between the anterior pelvic plane (APP) and the horizontal line of the body on the sagittal plane of APP, and PSI in standing was measured as the angle between the APP and the line perpendicular to the horizontal surface on the sagittal plane of APP (Fig. 1). The value was set positive if the pelvis was tilted anteriorly and was set negative if the pelvis tilted posteriorly. Type of hip disease, sex, and age were analyzed with multiple logistic regression analysis if they were related to PSI change of more than 10°. For accuracy verification, PSI in supine and standing were measured manually with the previous manual method in 100 cases and were compared with the automated system used in this study. Results. The median PSI in the supine position was 5.1° (interquartile range [IQR]: 0.4 to 9.4°), and the median PSI in the standing position was −1.3° (IQR: −6.5 to 4.2°). There were 79 cases (19%) in which the PSI changed more than 10° posteriorly from supine to standing with a maximum change of 36.9° (Fig. 2). In the analysis of the factors, type of hip disease (p = 0.015) and age (p = 0.006, Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.035) were the significant factors. The OR of primary OA (p = 0.005, OR: 2.365) and RDC (p = 0.03, OR: 3.146) were significantly higher than DDH-OA. In accuracy verification, the automated PSI measurement showed ICC of 0.992 (95% CI: 0.988 to 0.955) for supine measurement and 0.978 (95% CI: 0.952 to 0.988) for standing measurement. Conclusions. PSI changed more than 10° posteriorly from supine to standing in 19% of the cases. Age and diagnosis of primary OA and RDC were related to having their pelvis recline more than 10° posteriorly. For any figures or tables, please contact authors directly (see Info & Metrics tab above).

Background. A stem sitting proud (SP) or that above the final rasp position remains in some patients who undergo hip replacement using proximally coated tapered wedge stems. Surgeons may face challenges providing the best fit due to unpredictable stem seating. Zimmer Inc. introduced a new rasp to solve this issue but the clinical results of this rasp have not yet been published. Therefore, we aimed to address the following: 1) What is SP incidence using a proximally coated cementless tapered wedge stem? 2) Does the new rasp system improve seating height? 3) What are the risk factors of SP?. Methods. We performed a retrospective study with 338 hips, in which Tri-Lock Bone Preservation Stem (BPS) was used in 181 and M/L Taper stem was used in 157 hips (82 hips before and 75 hips after the new rasp). A positive stem SP was defined as a stem proud height of >2 mm. We analyzed and compared SP incidence in two stems and in M/L Taper stems before and after the new rasp use. Results. Statistical differences were found across mean age, sex, preoperative diagnosis, and Dorr type between the Tri-Lock BPS and M/L Taper stem groups (P < 0.05); however, no significant difference was found within the M/L Taper groups before and after the 0-mm Rasp use. The sitting proud incidence of the stem was 13% (23/181 hips) with a mean height of 3.0 mm (range: 2.1–4.3 mm) in Tri-Lock BPS and was 15% (12/82 hips) in M/L Taper stem before the 0-mm Rasp use with a mean height of 2.8 mm (range: 2.1–4.0 mm). After the 0-mm Rasp use, only 4% (3/75 hips) showed stem sitting proud with a mean height of 2.2 mm (range: 2.1–2.5 mm). There was no significant difference in the sitting proud incidence between the Tri-Lock BPS and M/L Taper stem groups; however, the sitting proud incidence with M/L Taper stem substantially decreased after the 0-mm Rasp use (P = 0.024). According to the results of the univariate analysis, stem sitting proud was significantly higher at high offset (19%) than at standard offset (8%) in the Tri-Lock BPS system (P < 0.043). In the M/L Taper stem, however, there were no significant differences across all variables, including stem offset, between the stem sitting proud and non-proud groups (Tables 3 and 4). Regarding preoperative diagnosis, the sitting proud incidence was lower in fragility fractures in patients aged ≥50 years (0/18 hips) than in other diagnoses (12/64 hips) using M/L Taper stem before the 0-mm Rasp use, but this result was not statistically significant. When multiple logistic regression analysis was performed, the significant risk factor for stem sitting proud was use of the high offset option in Tri-Lock BPS (P = 0.048; OR = 2.474; 95% CI, 1.009–6.063). There was no substantial difference in the sitting proud incidence between the case groups, each consisting of 30 cases. Regarding femoral head offset, short offset was more frequently used in the stem proud group (13% in Tri-Lock BPS and 58% in M/L Taper stem) than in the non-proud group (4% in Tri-Lock BPS and 21% in M/L Taper stem), and there was a significant difference in M/L Taper stem (P = 0.013). The mean postoperative LLD was 3.0 ± 2.9 mm in Tri-Lock BPS, 3.6 ± 3.2 mm in M/L Taper stem before the 0-mm Rasp use, and 2.7 ± 2.3 mm in M/L Taper stem after the 0-mm Rasp use. There was no significant difference in the mean postoperative LLD between the stem proud and non-proud groups regardless of stem type. At a minimum 6-month follow-up, there was no measurable stem subsidence across all cases. Conclusions. The proximally coated cementless tapered wedge stems are associated with potential problems related to stem sitting proud. The newly developed 0-mm Rasp of M/L Taper stem showed significant improvement in initial seating height compared with the conventional rasp system without postoperative stem subsidence. The use of high offset Tri-Lock BPS stem was the only risk factor for stem proud, but its clinical significance remains unknown. Therefore, large-scale multicenter studies should be conducted to determine relevant risk factors for sitting proud of these stems using a conventional rasp system. For any figures or tables, please contact the authors directly

Aim. Up to 34% of fractures of the distal radius in children can ‘re-displace’ early after reduction. Main risk factors are initial displacement (bayonet apposition, > 50% translation, and > 30°angulation), isolated distal radius fracture, associated ulna fracture at the same level, inadequate initial closed reduction and poor casting technique. This study was to identify the rate of ‘re-displacement’ following first successful reduction in distal radius fractures. We also assessed the risk factors associated with initial injury and compared the efficacy of the available indices to assess the quality of casting. Materials & Methods. We performed a case note based radiographic analysis of 90 distal radius fractures treated at our centre from 2005 to 2008. A cohort of 18 patients with re-displacement was compared with 72 patients with maintenance of reduction. Radiological indices were calculated to assess the quality of casting technique. The patient and fracture demographics were compared between the two groups. Statistical analysis was carried out using ANOVA, Fisher's Exact Test and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results. The rate of ‘re-displacement’ in our study was 20 %. A desirable cast index of < 0.7 was achieved in 4 out of 55 cases treated with cast alone. A significant difference (p< 0.008) was observed in the Three Point Index, the degree of comminution (< 0.01) and the quality of the initial reduction (< 0.003). Conclusion. We recommend careful identification of high risk factors and appropriate stabilisation for potentially unstable fractures at first treatment. The magnitude of initial deformity, the comminution, and the amount of remaining skeletal growth must all be considered in the decision making process. Further training to improve the quality of casting technique cannot be over-emphasised. Trainees should be trained to calculate the Three Point Index before accepting the reduction after casting to prevent late displacement and second anaesthesia

Aims

Orthopaedic infection is a potentially serious complication of elective and emergency trauma and orthopaedic procedures, with a high associated burden of morbidity and cost. Optimization of vitamin D levels has been postulated to be beneficial in the prevention of orthopaedic infection. This study explores the role of vitamin D in orthopaedic infection through a systematic review of available evidence.

Purpose. The majority (73%) of orthopaedic surgeons in Canada prefer using semitendinosus-gracilis (STG) autograft for ACL reconstruction. However, there is large variation in tendon size between individuals which makes pre-operative estimation of graft size unpredictable. Inadequate graft size may require an alternative source of graft tissue that should be planned prior to surgery. The purpose of this study is to determine if clinical anthropometric data and MRI measurements of STG tendons can be used to predict hamstring graft size. Method. One-hundred and fourteen patients with ACL deficiency awaiting reconstruction using hamstring autograft were retrospectively evaluated. The following information was obtained from patient charts: height, weight, body mass index (BMI), age, and gender. Cross-sectional area (CSA) of gracilis (G) and semitendinosus (ST) tendons were determined from pre-operative MRI scans using NIH ImageJ analysis software. Actual STG graft diameters were obtained from operative reports. Correlations between patient height, weight, BMI, age, gender, ST-CSA, G-CSA, STG-CSA and intraoperative graft size were calculated to determine the association between these variables. Multiple stepwise regression was performed to assess the predictive value of these variables to intraoperative graft diameter. In addition, three investigators with no radiological experience made independent measurements of the ST and G tendons to determine the inter-rater reliability (ICC) of MRI measurements. Results. All variables were independently correlated with intraoperative graft size (p<0.001). However, based on multiple stepwise regression analysis, only models including STG-CSA (r2=.212; p<.001); STG-CSA and sex (r2=.285; p<.001); and STG-CSA, sex and weight (r2=.294; p<.001) were found to be significant predictors of graft size (when co-variation in other factors was controlled). Inter-class correlation coefficients demonstrated very high agreement between raters for measurements of the ST, G and STG (.816, .827, .863, respectively). Conclusion. Measurement of tendon CSA from MRI images is very reliable. A model including STG-CSA, sex and weight was found to be strongly predictive of hamstring graft diameter for ACL reconstruction. This model may enhance our ability to predict adequate graft size and identify instances that other graft tissues may be a better option. The results of this study may improve pre-operative planning for ACL reconstruction