This prospective Randomised Controlled Trial compared two surgical approaches with respect to accuracy of guidewire and tibial nail
Introduction. Femorotibial malalignment exceeding ±3° is a recognised contributor of early mechanical failure after total knee replacement (TKR). The angle between the mechanical and anatomical axes of the femur remains the best guide to restore alignment. We investigated where the femoral head lies relative to the pelvis and how its
Pain produced by the tourniquet is a common source of complaint for patients undergoing carpal tunnel decompression. Practice varies as to tourniquet
Introduction. Due to the commercial launch of newly developed ceramic-on-metal (COM) bearings, we compared the deformation and stresses in the liner with ceramic-on-ceramic (COC), metal-on-metal (MOM) as well as ceramic-on-polyethylene (COP) bearings using a finite-element (FE)-model, analyzing a variety of head size and implant
This ongoing prospective RCT compares two surgical approaches with respect to accuracy of guidewire and tibial nail
The longitudinal midline and medial-parapatellar incision are commonly used in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA). Medial-parapatellar incision n offers a smaller wound, avoids creation of thin skin flaps and easier exposure in obese patients. This incision creates a lateral skin flap which may be subject to poor blood supply and delayed wound healing. We undertook a Randomised Controlled Trial (n=20) comparing midline and medial-parapatellar incisions. Cutaneous blood-flow was measured using a Doppler Imager. Interstitial fluid measurements for lactate, pyruvate, lactate/pyruvate ratio and glucose were obtained from subcutaneous microdialysis catheters. Wound cosmesis was graded and skin sensation tested. Immediately post-op there was no significant difference in subcutaneous blood flow, but by day 3 patients with medial-parapatellar incisions showed greater bloodflow than midline incisions, particularly on the medial side (387 vs 278units p=0.148). At both day 1 and 3 post-op the lateral flap of the medial parapatellar incision showed decreased blood flow compared to the medial side, though these failed to reach significance. In contrast the midline incision showed no discernable difference in blood flow between the medial and lateral flaps. Concentrations of subcutaneous glucose increased from 4 hours post-op in the midline group, returning to baseline by 24hours. In contrast, the parapatellar group remained at base line throughout. Lactate concentrations increased over time in both groups peaking at 12hours post-op. No difference was noted between incision types with regard to wound cosmesis. We conclude that the use of a medial-parapatellar incision results in only minimal biochemical changes, which are unlikely to alter wound healing. Medial-parapatellar incision is therefore a safe alternative to a midline incision and can be utilised in appropriate complex cases to aid surgical exposure.
Aims. To evaluate if, for orthopaedic trainees, additional cadaveric simulation training or standard training alone yields superior radiological and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing dynamic hip screw (DHS) fixation or hemiarthroplasty for hip fracture. Methods. This was a preliminary, pragmatic, multicentre, parallel group randomized controlled trial in nine secondary and tertiary NHS hospitals in England. Researchers were blinded to group allocation. Overall, 40 trainees in the West Midlands were eligible: 33 agreed to take part and were randomized, five withdrew after randomization, 13 were allocated cadaveric training, and 15 were allocated standard training. The intervention was an additional two-day cadaveric simulation course. The control group received standard on-the-job training. Primary outcome was implant
Aims. Proper preoperative planning benefits fracture reduction, fixation, and stability in tibial plateau fracture surgery. We developed and clinically implemented a novel workflow for 3D surgical planning including patient-specific drilling guides in tibial plateau fracture surgery. Methods. A prospective feasibility study was performed in which consecutive tibial plateau fracture patients were treated with 3D surgical planning, including patient-specific drilling guides applied to standard off-the-shelf plates. A postoperative CT scan was obtained to assess whether the screw directions, screw lengths, and plate
Introduction. Knee arthroscopy can be used for ligamentous repair, reconstruction and to reduce burden of infection. Understanding and feeling confident with knee arthroscopy is therefore a highly important skillset for the orthopaedic surgeon. However, with limited training or experience, furthered by reduced practical education due to COVID-19, this skill can be under-developed amongst trainee surgeons. Methods. At a single institution, ten junior doctors (FY1 to CT2), were recruited as a part of a five, two-hour session, training programme utilising the Simbionix® ARTHRO Mentor knee arthroscopy simulator, supplemented alongside educational guidance with a consultant orthopaedic knee surgeon. All students had minimal to no levels of prior arthroscopic experience. Exercises completed included maintaining steadiness, image centring and orientation, probe triangulation, arthroscopic knee examination, removal of loose bodies and meniscectomy. Pre and post experience questionnaires and quantitative repeat analysis on simulation exercises were undertaken to identify levels of improvement. Results. Comparing pre and post experience questionnaires significant improvements in levels of confidence were noted in the following domains: naming arthroscopic instruments, port
Lateral-entry wiring (LEW) for displaced supracondylar humeral fractures (SHFs) has been popularised internationally. BOAST guidance suggests either LEW or crossed wires; the latter has reported lower risk of loss of fracture reduction –we explore technical reasons why. We reviewed 8 years of displaced SHFs in two regional centres. Injuries were grouped using the Gartland Classification, with posterolateral or posteromedial displacement assessment for Gartland 3 injuries. We identified any loss of fracture reduction, and reviewed intra-operative imaging to identify learning points that may contribute to early rotational displacement (ERD). 345 SHFs were included, between 2012 and 2020. Gartland 2 (n=117) injuries had a 3.42% risk. ERD. Gartland 3 crossed wirings (n=114) had a 6.14% risk of ERD, with those moving all being posterolaterally displaced. Gartland 3, posterolaterally displaced LEW (n=56) had a 35.7% risk of ERD. Gartland 3, posteromedially displaced LEW (n=58) had a 22.4% risk of ERD. All injuries with ERD except 3 had identifiable learning points, the commonest being non-divergence of wires, or wires not passing through both fracture fragments. LEW requires divergent spread and bicolumnar fixation. Achieving a solid construct through this method appears more challenging than crossed wiring, with rates of ERD 3–5× higher. Low-volume surgeons should adhere to BOAST guidelines and choose a wiring construct that works best in their hands. They can also be reassured that should a loss of
Proximal femur fractures treatment can involve anterograde nailing with a single or double cephalic screw. An undesirable failure for this fixation is screw cut-out. In a single-screw nail, a tip-apex distance (TAD) greater than 25 mm has been associated with an increased risk of cut-out. The aim of the study was to examine the role of TAD as a risk factor in a cephalic double-screw nail. A retrospective study was conducted on 112 patients treated for intertrochanteric femur fracture with a double proximal screw nail (Endovis BA2; EBA2) from January to September 2021. The analyzed variables were age, sex, BMI, comorbidities, fracture type, side, time of surgery, quality of reduction, pre-existing therapy with bisphosphonate for osteoporosis, screw placement in two different views, and TAD. The last follow-up was at 12 months. Logistic regression was used to study the potential factors of screw cut-out, and receiver operating characteristic curve to identify the threshold value.Aims
Methods
Posterior column plating through the single anterior approach reduces the morbidity in acetabular fractures that require stabilization of both the columns. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of posterior column plating through the anterior intrapelvic approach (AIP) in the management of acetabular fractures. We retrospectively reviewed the data from R G Kar Medical College, Kolkata, India, from June 2018 to April 2023. Overall, there were 34 acetabulum fractures involving both columns managed by medial buttress plating of posterior column. The posterior column of the acetabular fracture was fixed through the AIP approach with buttress plate on medial surface of posterior column. Mean follow-up was 25 months (13 to 58). Accuracy of reduction and effectiveness of this technique were measured by assessing the Merle d’Aubigné score and Matta’s radiological grading at one year and at latest follow-up.Aims
Methods
Correct femoral tunnel
The purpose of this study was to develop a convolutional neural network (CNN) for fracture detection, classification, and identification of greater tuberosity displacement ≥ 1 cm, neck-shaft angle (NSA) ≤ 100°, shaft translation, and articular fracture involvement, on plain radiographs. The CNN was trained and tested on radiographs sourced from 11 hospitals in Australia and externally validated on radiographs from the Netherlands. Each radiograph was paired with corresponding CT scans to serve as the reference standard based on dual independent evaluation by trained researchers and attending orthopaedic surgeons. Presence of a fracture, classification (non- to minimally displaced; two-part, multipart, and glenohumeral dislocation), and four characteristics were determined on 2D and 3D CT scans and subsequently allocated to each series of radiographs. Fracture characteristics included greater tuberosity displacement ≥ 1 cm, NSA ≤ 100°, shaft translation (0% to < 75%, 75% to 95%, > 95%), and the extent of articular involvement (0% to < 15%, 15% to 35%, or > 35%).Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to assess the safety and clinical outcome of patients with a femoral shaft fracture and a previous complex post-traumatic femoral malunion who were treated with a clamshell osteotomy and fixation with an intramedullary nail (IMN). The study involved a retrospective analysis of 23 patients. All had a previous, operatively managed, femoral shaft fracture with malunion due to hardware failure. They were treated with a clamshell osteotomy between May 2015 and March 2020. The mean age was 42.6 years (26 to 62) and 15 (65.2%) were male. The mean follow-up was 2.3 years (1 to 5). Details from their medical records were analyzed. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the quality of correction of the deformity, functional recovery, the healing time of the fracture, and complications.Aims
Methods
In the Netherlands, general practitioners (GPs) can request radiographs. After a radiologically diagnosed fracture, patients are immediately referred to the emergency department (ED). Since 2020, the Máxima Medical Centre has implemented a new care pathway for minor trauma patients, referring them immediately to the traumatology outpatient clinic (OC) instead of the ED. We investigated whether this altered care pathway leads to a reduction in healthcare consumption and concomitant costs. In this retrospective cohort study, patients were included if a radiologist diagnosed a fracture on a radiograph requested by the GP from August to October 2019 (control group) or August to October 2020 (research group), on weekdays between 8.30 am and 4.00 pm. The study compared various outcomes between groups, including the length of the initial hospital visit, frequency of hospital visits and medical procedures, extent of imaging, and healthcare expenses.Aims
Methods
Several previously identified patient-, injury-, and treatment-related factors are associated with the development of nonunion in distal femur fractures. However, the predictive value of these factors is not well defined. We aimed to assess the predictive ability of previously identified risk factors in the development of nonunion leading to secondary surgery in distal femur fractures. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients with traumatic distal femur fracture treated with lateral locking plate between 2009 and 2018. The patients who underwent secondary surgery due to fracture healing problem or plate failure were considered having nonunion. Background knowledge of risk factors of distal femur fracture nonunion based on previous literature was used to form an initial set of variables. A logistic regression model was used with previously identified patient- and injury-related variables (age, sex, BMI, diabetes, smoking, periprosthetic fracture, open fracture, trauma energy, fracture zone length, fracture comminution, medial side comminution) in the first analysis and with treatment-related variables (different surgeon-controlled factors, e.g. plate length, screw placement, and proximal fixation) in the second analysis to predict the nonunion leading to secondary surgery in distal femur fractures.Aims
Methods
Ankle fracture fixation is commonly performed by junior trainees. Simulation training using cadavers may shorten the learning curve and result in a technically superior surgical performance. We undertook a preliminary, pragmatic, single-blinded, multicentre, randomized controlled trial of cadaveric simulation versus standard training. Primary outcome was fracture reduction on postoperative radiographs.Aims
Methods
Despite limited clinical scientific backing, an additional trochanteric stabilizing plate (TSP) has been advocated when treating unstable trochanteric fractures with a sliding hip screw (SHS). We aimed to explore whether the TSP would result in less post operative fracture motion, compared to SHS alone. Overall, 31 patients with AO/OTA 31-A2 trochanteric fractures were randomized to either a SHS alone or a SHS with an additional TSP. To compare postoperative fracture motion, radiostereometric analysis (RSA) was performed before and after weightbearing, and then at four, eight, 12, 26, and 52 weeks. With the “after weightbearing” images as baseline, we calculated translations and rotations, including shortening and medialization of the femoral shaft.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to compare the functional and radiological outcomes and the complication rate after nail and plate fixation of unstable fractures of the ankle in elderly patients. In this multicentre study, 120 patients aged ≥ 60 years with an acute unstable AO/OTA type 44-B fracture of the ankle were randomized to fixation with either a nail or a plate and followed for 24 months after surgery. The primary outcome measure was the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot score. Secondary outcome measures were the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire, the Olerud and Molander Ankle score, the EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire, a visual analogue score for pain, complications, the quality of reduction of the fracture, nonunion, and the development of osteoarthritis.Aims
Methods