The objective was to compare vastus lateralis muscle splitting verses muscle sparing surgical approach to proximal femur for fixation of intertrochanteric fracture.

Of the 16 patients in this prospective randomised double blind study 8 were randomised to vastus lateralis muscle splitting and rest to muscle sparing group. Main outcome measurement was assessment of status of vastus lateralis muscle at 2 and 6 weeks using nerve conduction study. Preoperative demographics were identical for both the groups.

There was no statistically significant difference between the groups with regards to velocity, latency, and amplitude. The postoperative haemoglobin drop, heamatocrit, position of the dynamic hip screw and mobility status were identical.

Both clinical and neurophysiological outcome suggest that damage done to vastus lateralis either by splitting or elevating appears to be identical.

Ankle fractures are among the most common types of fractures. If surgery is not performed within 12 to 24 hours, ankle swelling is likely to develop and delay the operative fixation. This leads to patients staying longer in the ward waiting and increased hospital occupancy. This prolonged stay has significant financial implication as well as it is frustrating for both patients and health care professionals. The aim was to formulate a pathway for the ankle fracture patients coming to the emergency department, outpatients and planned for operative intervention. To identify whether pre-operative hospital admissions of stable ankle fracture patients are reduced with the implementation of the pathway. We formulated an ankle fracture fixation pathway, which was approved for use in December 2020. A retrospective analysis of 6 months hospital admissions of ankle fracture patients in the period between January to June 2020. The duration from admission to the actual surgery was collected to review if some admissions could have been avoided and patients brought directly on the surgery day. A total of 23 patients were included. Mean age was 60.5 years and SD was 17years. 94% of patients were females. 10 patients were appropriately discharged.7 Patients were appropriately admitted. 6 Patients were unnecessarily admitted. These 6 patients were admitted on presentation to ED. Retrospective analysis of this audit showed that this cohort of patients met the safe discharge criteria and could have been discharged. Duration of unnecessary stay ranged from 1 to 11 days (21 days in total). Total saving could have been £6300. Standards were met in 74% of cases. Preoperative hospital admission could be reduced with the proposed pathway. It is a valuable tool to be used and should be implemented to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions

Abstract. Objectives. The outcomes from patella fracture have remained dissatisfactory despite advances in treatment, especially from operative fixation1. Frequently, reoperation is required following open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of the patella due to prominent hardware since the standard technique for patella ORIF is tension band wiring (TBW) which inevitably leaves a bulky knot and irritates soft tissue given the patella's superficial position2. We performed a systematic review to determine the optimal treatment of patella fractures in the poor host. Methods. Three databases (EMBASE/Medline, ProQuest and PubMed) and one register (Cochrane CENTRAL) were searched. 476 records were identified and duplicates removed. 88 records progressed to abstract screening and 73 were excluded. Following review of complete references, 8 studies were deemed eligible. Results. Complication rates were shown to be high in our systematic review. Over one-fifth of patients require re-operation, predominantly for removal of symptomatic for failed hardware. Average infection rate was 11.95% which is higher than rates reported in the literature for better hosts. Nevertheless, reported mortality was low at 0.8% and thromboembolic events only occurred in 2% of patients. Average range of movement achieved following operative fixation was approximately 124 degrees. Upon further literature review, novel non-operative treatment options have shown acceptable results in low-demand patients, including abandoning weight-bearing restrictions altogether and non-operatively treating patients with fracture gaps greater than 1cm. Regarding operative management, suture/cable TBW has been investigated as a viable option with good results in recent years since the materials used show comparable biomechanics to stainless steel. Additionally, ORIF with locking plates have shown favourable results and have enabled aggressive post-operative rehabilitation protocols. TBW with metallic implants has shown higher complication rates, especially for anterior knee pain, reoperation and poor functional outcomes. Conclusion. There is sparse literature regarding patella fracture in the poor host. Nevertheless, it is clear that ORIF produces better outcomes than conservative treatment but the optimal technique for patella ORIF remains unclear. TBW with metallic implants should not remain the standard technique for ORIF; low-profile plates of suture TBW are more attractive solutions. Non-operative treatment may be considered for low-demand individuals however any form of patellectomy should be avoided if possible. Declaration of Interest. (b) declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported:I declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project

Advancements in treating complications of operatively treated distal radius fractures. We will review tips and tricks to avoid complications associated with operative fixation of these complicated injuries. We will cover treatment of the distal radioulnar joint, associated distal ulna fracture, complications of malreduction and implant prominence. During this session, we will review the latest techniques for treating these complex distal radius fractures and how to avoid associated complications

Fifth metatarsal fractures are common and the majority unite regardless of treatment. A sub-type of these fractures carries a risk of non-union and for this reason many centres follow up all 5. th. metatarsal fractures. In 2011, a standardised protocol was introduced to promote weight-bearing as pain allowed with a tubigrip or Velcro boot according to symptoms. No routine fracture clinic appointments were made from A&E but patients were provided with information and a help-line number to access care if required. Some patients still attended fracture clinics, but only after review of their notes/X-rays by an Orthopaedic Consultant, or after self-reported “failure to progress” using the special help-line number. Audit of a year prior to the introduction of the protocol and the year following it was performed. All x-rays taken at presentation in A&E were reviewed and classified independently (KBF/JM) for validation. During 2009/2010, 279 patients presented to A&E with a 5. th. metatarsal fracture and were referred to a fracture clinic. 106(38%) attended 1 appointment, 130(47%) attended 2 appointments and 31 (11%) attended 3 or more appointments – 491 appointments in total. 3% failed to attend the clinic. Operative fixation was performed in 3 patients (1.07%). In 2011/2012, of 339 A&E fractures, only 63 (19%) attended fracture clinic. 37 (11%) attended 1 appointment, 12 (4%) 2 and 9 (3%) 3 or more appointments – 96 appointments in total. Four patients (1.17%) required operative fixation. Our study did not demonstrate any added value for routine outpatient follow-up of 5. th. metatarsal fractures. Patients can be safely allowed to weight bear and discharged at the time of initial presentation in the A&E department if they are provided with appropriate information and access to a “help line” run by experienced fracture clinic staff. The result is a more efficient, patient-centred service

Background. Functional outcomes of conservatively managed, valgus impacted proximal humeral fractures are poor. Operative fixation can improve results but can be technically challenging. We prospectively assessed outcomes following fixation of valgus unstable proximal humeral fractures with a novel hybrid fixed angle blade plate, at a minimum of 12 months follow up. Methods. A new hybrid fixed angle blade plate design (Fx Plate, Exactech, Gainesville, USA) was used by the senior author to treat patients with displaced and potentially valgus unstable proximal humeral fractures, at our institution between November 2012 and March 2014. The study was approved by the research and development department. Outcomes were prospectively assessed using the Oxford and Constant shoulder scores and quality of life was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. Radiographs were taken at regular intervals to assess fracture healing. Results. In total 12 patients were identified and included in the study. All patients had comminution of the medial calcar, with potentially valgus unstable fracture patterns. Six of the patients had two-part displaced fractures, whereas six had three and four-part fractures. One patient died for reasons unrelated to surgery and three others were lost to follow up. Average follow up after surgery was 15.4 months (Range 12–20 months). At final follow up the average Oxford Shoulder Score was 41 (35 to 48) and Constant Score 73 (60 to 87), indicating a good functional outcome of the operated side. The average physical and mental component scores of the SF-36 questionnaire were 49 and 52 respectively, suggesting a good overall quality of life. Radiographs, taken at final follow up, confirmed fracture union in all cases. No significant complications occurred following surgery. Conclusions. Patients with displaced, potentially valgus unstable, proximal humeral fractures remain a challenging cohort to treat. Our results, however, indicate good functional and radiographic outcomes when using a novel hybrid fixed angle blade plate

Talar neck fractures are associated with high complication rates with significant associated morbidity. Adequate exposure and stable internal fixation remains challenging. We investigated the anterior extensile approach for exposure of these fractures and their fixation by screws introduced through the talo-navicular articulation. We also compared the quality and quantity of exposure of the talar neck obtained by this approach, with the classically described medial/lateral approaches. An anterior approach to the talus between the tibialis anterior and the extensor hallucis tendons protecting both the superficial and deep peroneal nerves was performed on 5 fresh frozen cadaveric ankles . The surface area of talar neck accessible was measured using an Immersion Digital Microscribe and analysed with Rhinoceros 3D graphics package. Standard antero-medial and antero –lateral approaches were also carried out on the same ankles, and similar measurements taken. Seven talar neck fractures underwent operative fixation using the anterior approach with parallel cannulated screws inserted through the talo-navicular joint. 3D mapping demonstrated that the talar surface area visible by the anterior approach (mean 1200sqmm) is consistently superior to that visible by either the medial or lateral approaches in isolation or in combination. Medial malleolar osteotomy does not offer any additional visualisation of the talar neck. 3D reconstruction of the area visualised by the three approaches confirms that the anterior approach provides superior access to the entirety of the talar neck. 5 male and 2 female patients were reviewed. All had anatomical articular restoration, and no wound problems. None developed non union or AVN. The anterior extensile approach offers superior visualisation of the talar neck in comparison to other approaches for anatomical articular restoration. We argue that this approach is safe, adequate and causes less vascular disruption

Operative fixation is the treatment of choice for a rupture of the distal tendon of biceps. A variety of techniques have been described including transosseous sutures and suture anchors. The poor quality of the bone of the radial tuberosity might affect the load to failure of the tendon repair in early rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to determine the loads to failure of different techniques of fixation and to investigate their association with the bone mineral density of the radial tuberosity. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography was carried out to measure the trabecular and cortical bone mineral density of the radial tuberosity in 40 cadaver specimens. The loads to failure in four different techniques of fixation were determined. The Endobutton-based method showed the highest failure load at 270 N (. sd. 22) (p < 0.05). The mean failure load of the transosseous suture technique was 210 N (. sd. 66) and that of the TwinFix-QuickT 5.0 mm was 57 N (. sd. 22), significantly lower than those of all other repairs (p < 0.05). No significant correlation was seen between bone mineral density and loads to failure. The transosseous technique is an easy and cost-saving procedure for fixation of the distal biceps tendon. TwinFix-QuickT 5.0 mm had significantly lower failure loads, which might affect early rehabilitation, particularly in older patients