Aim. To determine mortality and outcomes of patients diagnosed with fracture-related infections (FRIs). Method. FRI patients treated at a trauma centre between 2001 and 2020 were analysed. The primary outcome was 1-year mortality; mortality associations with FRI organism, depth of involvement, and temporality were investigated with multivariable survival analysis. Healthcare-associated and serological outcomes were reported as secondary outcomes. Results. 311 FRIs with mean age of 67.0 and median Charlson comorbidity index of 0 were analysed. Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) (29.9%) was the most frequently implicated organism. The majority of FRIs were deep infections (62.7%). FRIs were diagnosed at a median of 40 (IQR 15–200) days post index surgery. The mean follow-up was 5.9 years. One-year mortality amounted to 17.7%. MSSA FRIs were associated with better survival (adj HR 0.34, 95%CI 0.15–0.76, p=0.008). There was no difference in survivorship between deep or superficial FRI (adj HR 0.86, 95%CI 0.62–1.19, p=0.353) or in relation to onset time (adj HR 1.0, 95%CI 0.99–1.00, p=0.943). Implant removal or debridement alone was performed in 61.7% and 17% respectively. Antibiotics was prescribed for 53 (IQR 23–110) days, and patients were hospitalised for 39 (IQR 19–78) days. CRP and ESR normalised in 70.3% (median 46 days) and 53.8% (median 86 days) patients respectively. Conclusions. Fracture-related infections are associated with significant mortality and morbidity regardless of depth and temporality. Non-MSSA FRIs are associated with inferior survival

Abstract. Introduction. The management of hip fractures has advanced on all aspects from prevention, specialised hip fracture units, early operative intervention and rehabilitation in line with increasing incidence in an aging population. Accurate data analysis on the incidence and trends of hip fractures is imperative to guide future management planning. Methods. A review of all articles published on mortality after hip fracture over a twenty year period (1999–2018) was undertaken to determine any changes that had occurred in the demographics and mortality over this period. This article complements and expands upon the findings of a previous article by the authors assessing a four decade period (1959 – 1998) and attempts to present trends and geographical variations over sixty years. Results. The mean age of patients sustaining hip fractures has increased from 73 years (1960s) to 81 years (2000s) to 82 years (2010s). Over the six decade period one-year mortality has reduced from 27% (1960s) to 20% (2010s). The proportion of female hip fractures has decreased from 84% (1960s) to 70% in 2010s. Intracapsular fractures have drecreased from 54% (1970s) to 49% (2000s) and 48% (2010s). Conclusion. Our study indicates that progress has been made with preventative planning, medical management, specialised orthogeriatric units and surgical expediency all playing a role in the improvements in mean age of hip fracture and reduction in mortality rates. While geographical variations do still exist there has been an increase in the study of hip fractures globally indicating increased attention and commitment to an

Ankle fractures in the elderly are common and have a mortality rate of 12% within the first year. Treatment is challenging due to osteoporotic bone and patient co-morbidities. Many patients struggle with non-weight-bearing (NWB) and presently there is no consensus in the literature regarding optimum management of these injuries. We hypothesised that early weight-bearing in frail patients, Clinical Frailty scale (CFS) score of 4 or more will reduce morbidity and allow patients to return to their usual place of residence faster without jeopardising clinical outcome. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 80 patients aged over 65 years managed at Fiona Stanley Hospital for ankle fractures between January 2016 and 2018. Patients were divided into two cohorts: 40 patients managed NWB and 40 who were permitted to weight-bear as tolerated (WBAT). Patients were stratified as fit (CFS 1–3) or frail (CFS 4+). Primary outcomes were one-year mortality, return to primary residence at six weeks and complications. Secondary outcomes included length of acute hospital stay and rehab stay. For frail patients, those managed NWB stayed in rehab for 19 days longer (p=0.03) and had 28% more complications (p=0.03). By 6 weeks, fewer patients returned to full weight-bearing (p=0.03) and fewer patients had returned home (p=0.01). For fit patients, there were no significant differences in primary outcomes between NWB and WBAT. Our novel study categorising patients by CSF demonstrates that early mobilisation in frail patients results in improved outcomes. Currently there is no formal treatment protocol for the management of ankle fractures in the elderly, and we hope that our proposed algorithm will assist surgeons at our institution and elsewhere. Our study suggests that WBAT may benefit frail patients. We propose a protocol to assist in the management of geriatric ankle fracture patients based on clinical frailty scores

Introduction. Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been shown to decrease hemoglobin loss and reduce the need for transfusions in primary hip and knee arthroplasty. Recently, authors have proven similar results in revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA). No previous paper has focused on the safety and efficacy of TXA for revision TKA for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). The purpose of our study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of topical TXA in revision TKA for PJI. Methods. We performed a retrospective review of all patients who underwent two-stage revision total knee arthroplasty for infection at our institution between September 25, 2007 and July 12, 2013. We evaluated hemoglobin loss, need for transfusion, one-year reinfection rate, length of stay (LOS), complications and one-year mortality with and without the use of TXA in all patients who underwent Stage-1 removal of hardware with antibiotic spacer placement and/or revision (Stage-2) for PJI of the knee. All data sets were analyzed using a two-sample t-test. Results. During the study period, 45 patients underwent 49 Stage-1 procedures (20 knees with TXA, 29 without) and 44 patients underwent 47 Stage-2 revisions (28 with TXA, 19 without). Tranexamic acid use significantly decreased the hemoglobin loss in the Stage 1 group (19.8% vs 30.05%, p=0.0004) and the Stage-2 group (24.5% vs 32.01%, p=0.01). Furthermore, in both groups, the use of TXA was associated with a significant reduction in transfusion rates (Stage-1 25% vs 51.7%, p=0.04; Stage-2 25% vs 52.6%, p=0.05). There was a non-statistical decreased LOS of over a day in both groups (Stage-1 5.15 vs 6.72 days, p=0.055; Stage-2 5.21 vs 6.84 days, p=0.09). Finally, in both groups, there was no statistical difference in one-year re-infection rate (p=0.98) or one-year mortality (0 vs 0). There was a single upper extremity DVT around a PICC line, occurring in a patient who underwent a Stage 1 procedure augmented with topical TXA. There were no PEs. Conclusion. Topical tranexamic acid is both safe and effective for use in both stages of revision TKA for PJI. Despite the small number of patients, we show a significant reduction in the hemoglobin loss and transfusion requirement in both stages of TKA revision for PJI. Although it did not reach significance with our number of patients, we feel an average LOS over a day shorter in each group is a strong potential for cost savings. Previous studies have shown TXA to aggravate staphylococcal infection in mice, however, we show that topical TXA does not seem to have a negative effect on the treatment of PJI in our patients and does not increase the one-year re-infection or mortality rate

Hip fractures are common injuries in the elderly, with significant mortality and morbidity from several factors. Many of these patients have cardiac disease, and some develop cardiac complications which may increase mortality. Troponin T is a marker of myocardial injury but can be raised in other conditions. Patients over 60 years old admitted with hip fracture during the study period had their troponin T measured on admission and following surgery. Assay was performed after the patient had completed their treatment. We report the results of this study one year after the last patient was admitted. 108 patients were recruited. The average age was 84 years; 86% were female. This study found that 27% of hip fracture patients had some increase in the troponin T levels in the peri-operative period. This increase was not associated with an increase in early mortality, but there was an increase in one-year mortality for those with an increase in troponin T (45% versus 22%, p=0.03). These findings indicate that the routine measurement of troponin T after a hip fracture is unnecessary

Background. Red cell distribution width (RDW), an automated measure of variability in red blood cell size on full blood count (FBC), has recently emerged as a strong independent predictor of mortality in large population studies as well as several disease states. We wanted to determine the prognostic value of RDW in patients following a hip fracture - a condition associated with high mortality. This relationship has not been assessed to date. Methods. We examined the relationship between admission RDW and all-cause mortality on 1-year follow-up, in consecutive hip fracture cases who presented between January 2007 and November 2009. We used Cox regression analysis to adjust for baseline Haemoglobin (Hb), Mean corpuscular Volume (MCV), creatinine, age, gender, ASA grade, Charlson index, pre-morbid independence level, Mental test score (MTS), delay to surgery and post-operative cardio-respiratory complication. Results. Of 577 consecutive patients there were 377 females, 199 males; median age 81.4y. Seventeen (3%) were lost to follow-up at 1-year but were coded as survivor. One-year mortality was 23% overall. Unadjusted mortality was 12%, 15%, 29% and 35% in quartiles of increasing RDW. Along with age, gender, MTS, post-op cardiac or respiratory complication, Charlson index and ASA score, RDW remained a significant independent predictor of 120-day mortality (adjusted hazard ratio (HR): 1.211, 95% CI: 1.062–1.380, p=.004), as well as 1-year mortality (HR: 1.142, 95% CI: 1.032–1.263, p=.01). We repeated analysis excluding those lost to follow-up and this did not alter its predictive value. A third analysis in non-anaemic patients (n=464) showed that RDW remained an independent predictor of mortality on multivariate analysis (HR: 1.201, 95% CI: 1.039–1.389, p=.013). Conclusion. RDW, a widely-available parameter on full blood count, is a significant independent predictor of short and long-term mortality following hip fracture, regardless of age, co-morbidity or anaemia status

Purpose. The objective of this meta-analysis was to compare the effects of early and delayed surgery on the risk of mortality, common post-operative complications, and length of hospital stay among elderly hip fracture patients. Methods. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for relevant prospective studies evaluating surgical delay in patients undergoing surgery for hip fractures published in all languages between 1966 and 2008. Two reviewers independently assessed methodological quality and extracted relevant data. Results. Of 1939 citations identified, 16 observational studies that included a total of 13,478 patients with complete mortality data (1764 total deaths) met our inclusion criteria. Irrespective of the cut-off for delay (24, 48, or 72 hours), earlier surgery (< 24, < 48, or < 72 hours) was significantly associated with a reduction in the risk of unadjusted one-year mortality (relative risk 0.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.40 to 0.75, p=0.0002) and adjusted mortality rates (relative risk 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.68 to 0.96, p=0.01). Based on unadjusted data, earlier surgery also reduced in-hospital pneumonia (relative risk 0.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.37 to 0.93, p=0.02), pressure sores (relative risk 0.48; 95% confidence interval, 0.34 to 0.69, p< 0.0001) and hospital stay (weighted mean difference 9.95 days; 95% confidence interval, 1.52 to 18.39, p=0.02). Conclusion. Earlier surgery was associated with a reduced risk of mortality, post-operative pneumonia, pressure sores, and length of hospital stay among elderly hip fracture patients. This suggests that it may be warranted to reduce surgical delays whenever possible. However, unadjusted analyses are certainly confounded, and residual confounding may be responsible for apparent effects in adjusted analyses. A definitive answer to this issue will require the conduct of a large randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effect of earlier surgery among patients admitted with a hip fracture

INTRODUCTION. The number of patients undergoing total hip replacement surgery is rising and thus the number of periprosthetic fractures is set to increase. The risk factors for periprosthetic fractures include osteolysis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and use of certain types of implants. Evidence from literature suggests that the mortality rate within one year is similar to that following treatment for hip fractures thus as surgeons it is important for us to understand the various management strategies of these fractures. MANAGEMENT. Acetabular periprosthetic fractures are uncommon and classified into Type I, in which the acetabular component is radiographically stable and Type II, in which the acetabular component is unstable. It is better to prevent than to treat these fractures. Femoral periprosthetic fractures have several classifications the most commonly used is the Vancouver classification (fig 1). Type-A fractures are proximal and can involve the greater or lesser trochanter. These are often related to osteolytic wear debris and therefore revision of the bearing surface with bone grafting is recommended. AG involves the greater trochanter and A. L. involves the lesser, and these can usually be stabilised by cerclage wires supplemented by screws or plates if required (fig 2). Management of type B fractures is more controversial and will be discussed in depth with reference to all recent papers at the meeting and data from the Swedish Joint Registry. In summary the management is shown in fig 3. In type-C fractures, one should ensure the fixation device bypasses the femoral stem by at least 2 diaphyseal diameters. Management is as shown in fig 4. DISCUSSION. The incidence of periprosthetic fractures is rising and effective management involves a multi-disciplinary approach, and begins with taking a careful history to identify co-morbidities, pre-fracture mobility, and pre-fracture symptoms of loosening or acetabular erosion. Use of NSAIDs and smoking status should be noted. Examination findings should focus on mental status, any signs of infection, neurovascular status and the integrity of the soft tissue envelope. Clear radiographs are required to effectively comment on bone quality and the identification of any pathological lesions. White cell count, CRP and ESR should help confirm the absence of infection and if any doubt exists, a pre-operative aspiration should be considered. Ideally surgery should be performed within 2 days of fracture by a revision arthroplasty surgeon, followed by monitoring on a high dependency unit. With regard to the formulation of an operative strategy, certainly there is no substitute for careful assessment of remaining bone stock, diameter of the canal, fracture configuration and patient-related factors. There is a paucity of data in the current literature relating to the management of acetabular fractures. Displaced femoral fractures are managed with cerclage fixation along with bone grafting of any osteolytic lesions and revision of the bearing surfaces. Regarding femoral periprosthetic fractures it would appear that one should err on the side of long stem revision arthroplasty +/− impaction allografting should any doubt exist around loosening of the implant since this reduces the one-year mortality rate and the risk of failure

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.

Aims

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, incidence of hip fracture has not changed. Evidence has shown increased mortality rates associated with COVID-19 infection. However, little is known about the outcomes of COVID-19 negative patients in a pandemic environment. In addition, the impact of vitamin D levels on mortality in COVID-19 hip fracture patients has yet to be determined.

Aims

Hip fracture patients are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness, and admission into hospital puts them at further risk. We implemented a two-site orthopaedic trauma service, with ‘COVID’ and ‘COVID-free’ hubs, to deliver urgent and infection-controlled trauma care for hip fracture patients, while increasing bed capacity for medical patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.