Introduction: The poor correlation between neurological injury and degree of retropulsion in thoracolumbar burst fractures has been identified, but not adequately explained. We have examined the possibility that variation in the termination of the conus medullaris may offer protection from neurological injury in a proportion of these fractures. Methods: A retrospective study was made of 39 patients presenting with single level thoracolumbar burst fractures between June 1998 and April 2001. Admission MRI was performed on all patients. Age, sex, ISS, neurological status, mode of treatment and any neurological recovery were recorded. From the MRI scans the levels of the conus and the fracture were noted. Transverse Spine Area(TSA) was measured at the cranial, caudal and injured levels. A predicted TSA and % TSA for the injury level was calculated from the mean of the two other levels. Analysis was of severity of neurological injury in relation to canal compromise and involvement of the conus. Results: 26 male and 13 female patients of mean age 35.9 (SD 17) years and mean ASIA motor score 90.4 (SD 23) were studied. Neither sex nor age distribution differed between 18 neurologically injured and 21 intact patients. Mean ISS was 20.2 in the neurologically injured and 10.5 in the intact (p=0.0005). Mean TSA of the canal was 218mm2 in the intact and 150mm2 in the injured groups (p=0.006) and mean %TSA was 70 and 49 respectively (p=0.007). The conus lay between T12 and L2 in all. When the conus lay cranial to the fracture (n=13), 38% were neurologically intact. When the conus lay at the level of the fracture (n=26), 62% were intact (NS). Neurological deficit did not occur in the absence of neurological compression on MRI. Conclusions: Neurological injury is not less likely when the conus lie outside the fracture zone. Canal compromise is a highly significant factor in neurological injury

Many authors recommend surgery to remove retropulsed bone fragments from the canal in burst fractures to 'decompress' the spinal canal. We believe, however, that neurological damage occurs at the moment of injury when the anatomy is most distorted, and is not due to impingement in the resting positions observed afterwards. We studied 20 consecutive patients admitted to our spinal injuries unit over a two-year period with a T12 or L1 burst fracture. There was no correlation between bony or canal disruption and the degree of neurological compromise sustained but there was a significant correlation between the energy of the injury (as gauged by the Injury Severity Score) and the neurological status (p < 0.001). This suggests that neurological injury occurs at the time of trauma rather than being a result of pressure from fragments in the canal afterwards and questions the need to operate simply to remove these fragments.

Background: It has been reported that there is poor correlation between neurological injury and degree of bony retropulsion in thoracolumbar burst fractures¹. Wilcox et al² showed biomechanically that there was poor concordance between the extent of post impact spinal canal occlusion and the maximum amount of occlusion that occurred at the moment of impact. In the current study we examined the possibility that variation in the termination of the conus medullaris may offer protection from neurological injury in a proportion of these fractures.

Methods: A retrospective study was made of 39 patients (26M:13M, mean age 35.9 years, range 15 – 75 years) presenting with a single level thoracolumbar burst fracture (T12–L2) between 1998 and 2001. A whole spine MRI scan was performed on all patients and the level of the conus noted. Age, sex, injury severity score (ISS), neurological status (ASIA motor score) and the transverse spinal canal area (TSCA) of the vertebral levels either side of the fractured vertebra was measured. A predicted TSCA for the injured level was then calculated from the mean of the TSCA’s of the adjacent levels. The actual TSCA of the injured level was calculated and this enabled a percentage decrease of the TSCA to be worked out from the predicted value. Analysis was made of the presence or absence of neurological injury in relation to canal compromise and involvement of the conus.

Results: Eighteen patients with neurological compromise and 21 with intact neurology (the age and sex distribution in the two groups were similar). The mean ± SD ASIA motor score of the patients studied was 90.4 ± 23. Mean ISS was 20.2 in the neurologically injured and 10.5 in the intact (p=0.0005). Mean TSCA of the canal was 218mm² in the intact and 150mm² in the injured groups (p=0.006) and mean %TSCA was 70 and 49 respectively (p=0.007). The conus lay between T12 and L2 in all patients. When the conus lay cranial to the fracture (n=13), 38% were neurologically intact. When the conus lay at the level of the fracture (n=26), 62% were intact (NS). Neurological deficit did not occur in the absence of neurological compression on MRI.

Conclusion: Our study showed that the risk of neurological injury from a thoracolumbar burst fracture was not decreased when the conus lay outside the fracture zone. However, there was a statistically significant difference in percentage of canal compromise when the patients with neurological impairment were compared with those that were neurologically intact.

Aim:

To present the results of multi-modal IOM in 298 patients who underwent spinal deformity correction.

Aims

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate differences in functional outcomes and complications between single- (SI) and double-incision (DI) techniques for the treatment of distal biceps tendon rupture.

In this paper we propose a new classification of neurogenic peri-articular heterotopic ossification (HO) of the hip based on three-dimensional (3D) CT, with the aim of improving pre-operative planning for its excision.

A total of 55 patients (73 hips) with clinically significant HO after either traumatic brain or spinal cord injury were assessed by 3D-CT scanning, and the results compared with the intra-operative findings.

At operation, the gross pathological anatomy of the HO as identified by 3D-CT imaging was confirmed as affecting the peri-articular hip muscles to a greater or lesser extent. We identified seven patterns of involvement: four basic (anterior, medial, posterior and lateral) and three mixed (anteromedial, posterolateral and circumferential). Excellent intra- and inter-observer agreement, with kappa values > 0.8, confirmed the reproducibility of the classification system.

We describe the different surgical approaches used to excise the HO which were guided by the 3D-CT findings. Resection was always successful.

3D-CT imaging, complemented in some cases by angiography, allows the surgeon to define the 3D anatomy of the HO accurately and to plan its surgical excision with precision.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015; 97-B:899–904.

Aims. This systematic review aimed to summarize the full range of complications reported following ankle arthroscopy and the frequency at which they occur. Methods. A computer-based search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Emcare, and ISI Web of Science. Two-stage title/abstract and full-text screening was performed independently by two reviewers. English-language original research studies reporting perioperative complications in a cohort of at least ten patients undergoing ankle arthroscopy were included. Complications were pooled across included studies in order to derive an overall complication rate. Quality assessment was performed using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine levels of evidence classification. Results. A total of 150 studies describing 7,942 cases of ankle arthroscopy in 7,777 patients were included. The overall pooled complication rate was 325/7,942 (4.09%). The most common complication was neurological injury, accounting for 180/325 (55.4%) of all complications. Of these, 59 (32.7%) affected the superficial peroneal nerve. Overall, 36/180 (20%) of all nerve injuries were permanent. The overall complication rate following anterior ankle arthroscopy was 205/4,709 (4.35%) compared to a rate of 35/528 (6.6%) following posterior arthroscopy. Neurological injury occurred in 52/1,998 (2.6%) of anterior cases using distraction, compared to 59/2,711 (2.2%) in cases with no distraction. The overall rate of major complications was 16/7,942 (0.2%), with the most common major complication – deep vein thrombosis – occurring in five cases. Conclusion. This comprehensive systematic review demonstrates that ankle arthroscopy is a safe procedure with a low overall complication rate. The majority of complications are minor, with potentially life-threatening complications reported in only 0.2% of patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(3):239–246

The August 2015 Trauma Roundup. 360 . looks at: Thromboprophylaxis not required in lower limb fractures; Subclinical thyroid dysfunction and fracture risk: moving the boundaries in fracture; Posterior wall fractures refined; Neurological injury and acetabular fracture surgery; Posterior tibial plateau fixation; Tibial plateau fractures in the longer term; Comprehensive orthogeriatric care and hip fracture; Compartment syndrome: in the eye of the beholder?

To analyse and compare long-term functional outcome of combined spino-pelvic injuries to an isolated pelvis and spinal fractures, the outcome of matched 30 patients with combined pelvic and spinal fractures was compared with 32 patients with isolated pelvic fractures and 30 patients with isolated spinal fractures. Functional outcome was measured using the self-report questionnaire EuroQol EQ-5D, a generic outcome tool. The functional outcome was compared with the average UK population scores. The mean age, median ISS and demographic profile were similar in all 3 groups. Neurological injuries were seen in 10 patients in the combined injury group, 5 patients in the pelvic injury group and 3 patients in the spinal fracture group. 1 patient had sexual dysfunction in the combined injury group. The EuroQol EQ-5D descriptive scores for the combined group were 0.67±0.11 (0.71±0.12 for spine fracture, 0.61±0.18 for pelvic fracture) and Valuation scores for the combined injury were 69.6±11.4 (65.1±19.4 for spine fracture, 61.5±21.9 for pelvic fracture), which are p=0.004 and p=0.003 for the combined injury compared to the average UK population. Duration of hospital stay was a mean of 13 days in spine injury group compared to 49 days in the combined injury group. 70% of patients with spinal injuries returned to the same level of employment in a mean duration of 5.3 months with only 10% retired due to injury; compared to 56.6% returned to work in the combined injury group after a mean duration of 12.8 months with 23.3% retired due to injury. Long-term functional outcome is significantly better with isolated spinal injuries compared to pelvic injury or combined injury. There is no significant long-term difference between the combined spino-pelvic group and the isolated pelvic injury group. We feel that the spinal injuries in a patient with coexisting pelvic fracture do not contribute towards the overall functional outcome in those patients

Introduction: Sports injuries to the cervical spine account for about one in ten of all cervical spine injuries. They occur at all levels of participation. Fortunately, the number of patients suffering spinal cord injury is relatively small. Neurological injuries may range from transient quadriparesis through to complete quadriplegia. The decision to allow sportsmen to return to sport following a cervical spine injury is complex. It is based on such factors as history, clinical examination, the nature of the injury, as well as age and other psychosocial factors. The evidence that exists to aid this decision process is at times conflicting. The aim of this presentation is to review some of the contentious issues that exist in the decision making by reference to case presentations of high level sportsmen who were treated following a variety of cervical spine injuries. Methods: Four high-level rugby players (22–31 years old) presented with different cervical spine injuries sustained during sporting activities. Two subjects sustained a “stinger” and two a transient quadriparesis which rapidly resolved. Radiological evaluation included assessment of spinal canal diameter. 1. Results: Two had a C5-6 disc bulge with developmental spinal stenosis. A third had a congenital fusion C2-3 with a disc bulge and developmental stenosis at C3-4. Case 4 had degenerative disc disease at C5-6. All were treated non-operatively and returned to sport. All suffered a recurrence of the neurological symptoms and subsequently underwent an anterior interbody fusion (Case 4 for subluxation of C6-7). Three successfully resumed rugby six months after surgery while one elected not to continue. Discussion: The decision to allow a patient to return to contact sports following a cervical spine injury may be difficult. The four cases presented highlight some of these contentious issues such as transient neurological deficit and the effect that surgery may have on a patient’s ability to return safely to sport. A review of the literature may assist in the decision making. 1,. 2. This may be conflicting and difficult to interpret. Neurological signs, instability, displacement, fusion of more than one level and occipito-atlanto-axial pathologies are considered absolute contraindications. 3

Introduction and Aims: Knee dislocation is an uncommon but serious injury. This study assessed the initial mechanism of injury, pattern of ligament injury, osteochondral and peri-articular soft-tissue trauma, and associated neurovascular injuries in the multi-ligament knee injury. Outcomes following operative and non-operative management were reviewed. Method: Retrospective review of patients with multi-ligament knee injuries was performed. Inclusion criteria were either a confirmed knee dislocation, or complete rupture of two or more ligaments requiring reconstruction. Systematic review of hospital records and imaging was performed for all patients, and clinical assessment, including validated outcome scores, were performed in the majority of patients. All reconstructive surgery was performed by the two senior authors. Results: Forty-five patients with 47 knee injuries were identified over a 13-year period (1990–2003). The most common mechanisms of injury were motorcycle and motor vehicle accidents. Other mechanisms included pedestrians hit by cars, sporting injuries and falls. Approximately half had a documented knee dislocation, while the remainder were located at the time of presentation. Vascular injury occurred in around 25% of patients, all having positive clinical findings. Routine angiography was not performed in the absence of positive clinical findings. Neurological injury also occurred in approximately 20% of patients. Transient neuropraxia was more common than permanent nerve palsy, and there was an association between neurological and vascular injury. Associated injuries were varied, the most frequent being long-bone fracture. A significant number of patients had no associated injuries. Injury patterns were varied, though correlations were found between the reported mechanism and the pattern of ligament rupture and osteochondral injury. The majority of cases were managed with operative repair, and assessment of outcomes revealed that most returned to a good level of function, with some minor objective residual laxity and/or stiffness. Conclusion: Multi-ligament injuries of the knee are uncommon but serious injuries with potentially catastrophic consequences. This detailed analysis provides correlation between mechanism and resulting injury to the knee and periarticular structures. The analysis of this large series provides valuable information to better understand natural history, and improve future management

Aims

The aim of this study was to compare outcomes after growth-friendly treatment for early-onset scoliosis (EOS) between patients with skeletal dysplasias versus those with other syndromes.

The June 2023 Foot & Ankle Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Nail versus plate fixation for ankle fractures; Outcomes of first ray amputation in diabetic patients; Vascular calcification on plain radiographs of the ankle to diagnose diabetes mellitus; Elderly patients with ankle fracture: the case for early weight-bearing; Active treatment for Frieberg’s disease: does it work?; Survival of ankle arthroplasty; Complications following ankle arthroscopy.

Aims

The aim of this study was to report the incidence of implant-related complications, further operations, and their influence on the outcome in a series of patients who underwent primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA).

Aims

Spinal deformity surgery carries the risk of neurological injury. Neurophysiological monitoring allows early identification of intraoperative cord injury which enables early intervention resulting in a better prognosis. Although multimodal monitoring is the ideal, resource constraints make surgeon-directed intraoperative transcranial motor evoked potential (TcMEP) monitoring a useful compromise. Our experience using surgeon-directed TcMEP is presented in terms of viability, safety, and efficacy.

Objectives

A variety of operative techniques have been described as under the term ‘Bristow-Latarjet’ procedure. This review aims to define the original procedure, and compare the variation in techniques described in the literature, assessing any effect on clinical outcomes.

We present a review of litigation claims relating to foot and ankle surgery in the NHS in England during the 17-year period between 1995 and 2012.

A freedom of information request was made to obtain data from the NHS litigation authority (NHSLA) relating to orthopaedic claims, and the foot and ankle claims were reviewed.

During this period of time, a total of 10 273 orthopaedic claims were made, of which 1294 (12.6%) were related to the foot and ankle. 1036 were closed, which comprised of 1104 specific complaints. Analysis was performed using the complaints as the denominator. The cost of settling these claims was more than £36 million.

There were 372 complaints (33.7%) involving the ankle, of which 273 (73.4%) were related to trauma. Conditions affecting the first ray accounted for 236 (21.4%), of which 232 (98.3%) concerned elective practice. Overall, claims due to diagnostic errors accounted for 210 (19.0%) complaints, 208 (18.8%) from alleged incompetent surgery and 149 (13.5%) from alleged mismanagement.

Our findings show that the incorrect, delayed or missed diagnosis of conditions affecting the foot and ankle is a key area for improvement, especially in trauma practice.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1510–14.

Injury to the sciatic nerve is one of the more serious complications of acetabular fracture and traumatic dislocation of the hip, both in the short and long term. We have reviewed prospectively patients, treated in our unit, for acetabular fractures who had concomitant injury to the sciatic nerve, with the aim of predicting the functional outcome after these injuries.

Of 136 patients who underwent stabilisation of acetabular fractures, there were 27 (19.9%) with neurological injury. At initial presentation, 13 patients had a complete foot-drop, ten had weakness of the foot and four had burning pain and altered sensation over the dorsum of the foot. Serial electromyography (EMG) studies were performed and the degree of functional recovery was monitored using the grading system of the Medical Research Council. In nine patients with a foot-drop, there was evidence of a proximal acetabular (sciatic) and a distal knee (neck of fibula) nerve lesion, the double-crush syndrome.

At the final follow-up, clinical examination and EMG studies showed full recovery in five of the ten patients with initial muscle weakness, and complete resolution in all four patients with sensory symptoms (burning pain and hyperaesthesia). There was improvement of functional capacity (motor and sensory) in two patients who presented initially with complete foot-drop. In the remaining 11 with foot-drop at presentation, including all nine with the double-crush lesion, there was no improvement in function at a mean follow-up of 4.3 years.