Hallux valgus (HV) deformities have been well defined in the adult population. HV appears to be more prevalent in elderly and female populations and it is postulated that women's shoe wear contributes to its progression. This study was a pilot to quantify the prevalence of foot deformities and foot pain in an adolescent population. Our cohort consisted of 202 school children aged 11–17 recruited from two schools in Edinburgh. Foot health data was recorded via the Manchester Scale (MHVS) and the Oxford Ankle and Foot Questionnaire (OAFQ). Photographic assessment of all participants allowed MHVS to be calculated by two orthopaedic surgeons. The photographic assessment was then repeated by the same surgeon 12 months later to allow inter and intra observer reliability to be calculated. Results showed that the prevalence of HV in our cohort was 32.7% and there was a female preponderance 56% to 44%. Other foot measurements revealed 48.5% had HV-interphalangeus, 25.7% had a low medial longitudinal arch and 22.3% had a valgus hindfoot angle. Significantly more females (18%) than males (5%) wore shoes narrower than their feet (p=0.003). OAFQ scores revealed that foot pain was more common in those with HV deformities although not statistically significant (75% to 68%, p=0.243). The prevalence of foot pain was negatively correlated with age (r=−0.175, p=0.14). This study suggests that there is a significant prevalence of HV and foot pain amongst female adolescents. This will need to be confirmed by a population study based on power calculation informed by this pilot

This international multicentre retrospective cohort study aimed to assess: 1) prevalence of COVID-19 in hip fracture patients, 2) effect on mortality, and 3) clinical factors associated mortality among COVID-19-positive patients. A collaboration among 112 centres in 14 nations collected data on all patients with a hip fracture between 1st March-31st May 2020. Patient, injury and surgical factors were recorded, and outcome measures included admission duration, COVID-19 and 30-day mortality status. There were 7090 patients and 651 (9.2%) were COVID-19-positive. COVID-19 was independently associated with male sex (p=0.001), residential care (p<0.001), inpatient fall (p=0.003), cancer (p=0.009), ASA grade 4–5 (p=0.008; p<0.001), and longer admission (p<0.001). Patients with COVID-19 had a significantly lower chance of 30-day survival versus those without (72.7% versus 92.6%, p<0.001), and COVID-19 was independently associated with increased 30-day mortality risk (p<0.001). Increasing age (p=0.028), male sex (p<0.001), renal (p=0.017) and pulmonary disease (p=0·039) were independently associated with higher 30-day mortality risk in patients with COVID-19 when adjusting for confounders. The prevalence of COVID-19 in hip fracture patients was 9% and was independently associated with a three-fold increased 30-day mortality risk. Clinical factors associated with mortality among COVID-19-positive hip fracture patients were identified for the first time. This is the largest study, and the only global cohort, reporting on the effect of COVID-19 in hip fracture patients. The findings provide a benchmark against which to determine vaccine efficacy in this vulnerable population and are especially important in the context of incomplete vaccination programmes and the emergence of vaccine-resistant strains

Periprosthetic femur fracture (PPF) are heterogeneous, complex, and thought to be increasingly prevalent. The aims were to evaluate PPF prevalence, casemix, management, and outcomes. This nationwide study included all PPF patients aged >50 years from 16 Scottish hospitals in 2019. Variables included: demographics; implant and fracture factors; management factors, and outcomes. There were 332 patients, mean age 79.5 years, and 220/332 (66.3%) were female. One-third (37.3%) were ASA1-2 and two-thirds (62.3%) were ASA3+, 91.0% were from home/sheltered housing, and median Clinical Frailty Score was 4.0 (IQR 3.0). Acute medical issues featured in 87/332 (26.2%) and 19/332 (5.7%) had associated injuries. There were 251/332 (75.6%) associated with a proximal femoral implant, of which 232/251 (92.4%) were arthroplasty devices (194/251 [77.3%] total hip, 35/251 [13.9%] hemiarthroplasty, 3/251 [1.2%] resurfacing). There were 81/332 (24.4%) associated with a distal femoral implant (76/81 [93.8%] were total knee arthroplasties). In 38/332 (11.4%) there were implants proximally and distally. Most patients (268/332; 80.7%) were treated surgically, with 174/268 (64.9%) requiring fixation only and 104/268 (38.8%) requiring an arthroplasty or combined solution. Median time to theatre was longer for arthroplasty versus fixation procedures (120 vs 46 hours), and those requiring inter-hospital transfer waited longer (94 vs 48 hours). Barriers to investigating PPF include varied classification, coding challenges, and limitations of existing registries. This is the first study to examine a national PPF cohort and presents important data to guide service design and research. Additional findings relating to fracture patterns, implant types, surgeon skill-mix, and outcomes are reported herein

Aims. To identify the prevalence of neuropathic pain after lower limb fracture surgery, assess associations with pain severity, quality of life and disability, and determine baseline predictors of chronic neuropathic pain at three and at six months post-injury. Methods. Secondary analysis of a UK multicentre randomized controlled trial (Wound Healing in Surgery for Trauma; WHiST) dataset including adults aged 16 years or over following surgery for lower limb major trauma. The trial recruited 1,547 participants from 24 trauma centres. Neuropathic pain was measured at three and six months using the Doleur Neuropathique Questionnaire (DN4); 701 participants provided a DN4 score at three months and 781 at six months. Overall, 933 participants provided DN4 for at least one time point. Physical disability (Disability Rating Index (DRI) 0 to 100) and health-related quality-of-life (EuroQol five-dimension five-level; EQ-5D-5L) were measured. Candidate predictors of neuropathic pain included sex, age, BMI, injury mechanism, concurrent injury, diabetes, smoking, alcohol, analgaesia use pre-injury, index surgery location, fixation type, Injury Severity Score, open injury, and wound care. Results. The median age of the participants was 51 years (interquartile range 35 to 64). At three and six months post-injury respectively, 32% (222/702) and 30% (234/787) had neuropathic pain, 56% (396/702) and 53% (413/787) had chronic pain without neuropathic characteristics, and the remainder were pain-free. Pain severity was higher among those with neuropathic pain. Linear regression analyses found that those with neuropathic pain at six months post-injury had more physical disability (DRI adjusted mean difference 11.49 (95% confidence interval (CI) 7.84 to 15.14; p < 0.001) and poorer quality of life (EQ-5D utility -0.15 (95% CI -0.19 to -0.11); p < 0.001) compared to those without neuropathic characteristics. Logistic regression identified that prognostic factors of younger age, current smoker, below knee fracture, concurrent injuries, and regular analgaesia pre-injury were associated with higher odds of post-injury neuropathic pain. Conclusion. Pain with neuropathic characteristics is common after lower limb fracture surgery and persists to six months post-injury. Persistent neuropathic pain is associated with substantially poorer recovery. Further attention to identify neuropathic pain post-lower limb injury, predicting patients at risk, and targeting interventions, is indicated. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(6):1047–1054

Nerve damage is a complication of THA and TKA procedures. The incidence of subclinical nerve injury following arthroplasty is unknown. The aim was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic nerve deficits in an arthroplasty population group, and the incidence of post-operative changes in nerve function. A Secondary aim was to identify the nature of any deficits. And the association between nerve deficits and history of backache. A non-randomised prospective series of patients undergoing lower limb arthroplasty for osteoarthritis were studied at a single hospital. The peroneal nerve was investigated using nerve conduction in forty patients. Twenty patients had upper limb testing to differentiate between a polyneuropathy or isolated lower limb neuropathy. Nerve function deficits were detected in the peroneal nerve in fifteen patients pre-operatively and fifteen post-operatively, of those twelve had A waves detected suggestive of a generalised neuropathy. Ten patients who had upper limb testing had a conduction defect (five had asymptomatic Carpal tunnel). There was a positive correlation between presence of post-operative deficit and age(r=0.389, p=0.013). A negative correlation was found for presence of post-operative A waves and BMI(r=−0.370, p=0.019). The prevalence of pre-operative subclinical peroneal neuropathy is much higher than expected in this group (37.5%) of arthroplasty patients. There is a strong correlation between presence of post-operative conduction abnormalities and age. There is no relationship between peripheral neuropathy and history of backache or residual post-operative deficit

Introduction. Radiolucencies beneath the tibial component are well recognized in knee arthroplasty; the aetiology and significance are poorly understood. Non-progressive narrow radiolucencies with a sclerotic margin are thought not to be indicative of loosening. Factors which decrease the incidence of radiolucencies include cementless fixation and the use of pulse lavage. Leg/component alignment or BMI do not influence radiolucency. We are not aware of any studies that have looked at the effect of load type on radiolucency. The Oxford domed lateral tibial component was introduced to decrease the bearing dislocation rate that was unacceptably high with the flat tibial tray. However, the introduction of the domed tibial component alters the forces transmitted through the implant-cement-bone interface. As the Oxford UKR uses a fully congruent mobile bearing, the forces transmitted through the interface with a flat tray are compressive, except for the effect of friction. However, with the domed tibial component shear forces are introduced. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of radiolucency beneath the previous flat design and the new domed tibial tray. Patients and methods. A consecutive series of 248 cemented lateral UKRs (1999–2009) at a single institution were assessed. The first 55 were with a flat tibia and the subsequent 193 with a domed component. One year post-op radiographs were assessed, by two observers, for the presence (full or partial) and distribution of radiolucency. The distribution and thickness of each radiolucency. Cases were excluded for missing or poorly aligned radiographs. Results. In the flat group there were 42 patients (17 male, 25 female) with 42 joints. In the domed group there were 139 patients (44 male, 95 female) with 146 joints. There was a statistical significant difference between groups for the presence and extent of radiolucency (p<0.001). In the flat group, 6 (14%) had a full radiolucency and 18 (43%) had a partial radiolucency. 14 of the 18 partial radiolucencies involved the far lateral zones (1&2) and 3 partial radiolucencies involved the keel. In the domed group 6, (4.1%) had a full radiolucency and 13 (8.9%) had a partial radiolucency. All radiolucencies observed were less than 1 mm thick. Intra-class correlation for inter-observer agreement for assessment of radiolucency was 0.679. Discussion. The introduction the domed lateral tibial component results in a reduction in prevalence of radiolucency compared to a flat component. This suggests, as the mode of fixation is identical, that the forces across the tibial-cement-bone interface have a significant effect on the development of the tissue at that interface. In particular it suggests that compressive forces alone tend to cause soft tissue to be formed at the interface, whereas shear force causes bone

Epidemiological studies enhance clinical practice in a number of ways. However, there are many methodological difficulties that need to be addressed in designing a study aimed at the collection and analysis of data concerning fractures and other injuries. Most can be managed and errors minimised if careful attention is given to the design and implementation of the research.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:863–7.

Aims and objectives

The aim of this study was to statistically analyse the calcaneal fractures occurring in the community and distribution within the various age groups divided into decades.

Aims. The impact of concomitant injuries in patients with proximal femoral fractures has rarely been studied. To date, the few studies published have been mostly single-centre research focusing on the influence of upper limb fractures. A retrospective cohort analysis was, therefore, conducted to identify the impact and distribution of concomitant injuries in patients with proximal femoral fractures. Methods. A retrospective, multicentre registry-based study was undertaken. Between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2019, data for 24,919 patients from 100 hospitals were collected in the Registry for Geriatric Trauma. This information was queried and patient groups with and without concomitant injury were compared using linear and logistic regression models. In addition, we analyzed the influence of the different types of additional injuries. Results. A total of 22,602 patients met the inclusion criteria. The overall prevalence of a concomitant injury was 8.2% with a predominance of female patients (8.7% vs 6.9%; p < 0.001). Most common were fractures of the ipsilateral upper limb. Concomitant injuries resulted in prolonged time-to-surgery (by 3.4 hours (95 confidence interval (CI) 2.14 to 4.69)) and extended length of stay in hospital by 2.2 days (95% CI 1.74 to 2.61). Mortality during the admission was significantly higher in the concomitant injury group (7.4% vs 5.3%; p < 0.001). Additionally, walking ability and quality of life were reduced in these patients at discharge. More patients were discharged to a nursing home instead of their own home compared to patients without additional injuries (25.8% vs 30.3%; p < 0.001). Conclusion. With a prevalence of 8.2%, the appearance of a concomitant injury is common in elderly patients with hip fracture. These patients are at a greater risk for death during the admission, longer hospital stays, and delayed surgery. This knowledge is clinically important for all who are involved in the treatment of proximal femur fractures. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(9):1526–1533

This study compares outcomes of fixation of subtrochanteric femoral fractures using a single lag screw (Gamma3 nail, GN) with a dual lag screw device (InterTAN nail, IN). The primary outcome was mechanical failure, defined as lag screw cut-out, back-out, nail breakage or peri-implant fracture. Technical factors associated with mechanical failure were also identified. All adult patients (>18yrs) with a subtrochanteric femoral fracture treated in a single centre were retrospectively identified using electronic records. Included patients underwent surgical fixation using either a long GN (2010–2017) or IN (2017–2022). Cox regression analysis was used to determine the risk of mechanical failure and technical predictors of failure. The study included 587 patients, 336 in the GN group (median age 82yrs, 73% female) and 251 in the IN group (median age 82yrs, 71% female). The IN group exhibited a higher prevalence of osteoporosis (p=0.002) and CKD□3 (p=0.007). There were no other baseline differences between groups. The risk of any mechanical failure was increased two-fold in the GN group (HR 2.51, p=0.020). Mechanical failure comprising screw cut-out (p=0.040), back-out (p=0.040) and nail breakage (p=0.51) was only observed in the GN group. The risk of peri-implant fracture was similar between the groups (HR 1.10, p=0.84). Technical predictors of mechanical included varus >5° for cut-out (HR 15.61, p=0.016), TAD>25mm for back-out (HR 9.41, p=0.020) and shortening >1cm for peri-implant fracture (HR 6.50, p=<0.001). Dual lag screw designs may reduce the risk of mechanical complications for patients with subtrochanteric femoral fractures

The Covid-19 pandemic restricted access to elective arthroplasty theatres. Consequently, there was a staggering rise in waiting times for patients awaiting total hip arthroplasty (THA). Concomitantly, rapidly destructive osteoarthritis (RDOA) incidence also increased. Two cohorts of patients were reviewed: patients undergoing primary THA, pre-pandemic (December 2017-December 2018) and patients with RDOA (ascertained by dual consultant review of pre-operative radiographs) undergoing THA after the pandemic started (March 2020 – March 2022). There were 236 primary THA cases in the pre-pandemic cohort. Out of the 632 primary THA cases post-pandemic, 186 cases (29%) had RDOA. Within this RDOA cohort, the pre-operative mean OHS, EQ5D3L and EQVAS (12.7, 10.5 and 57.6 respectively) were all poorer than in the pre-pandemic population (18.3, 9.4 and 66.7 respectively) (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the RDOA and pre-pandemic cohort in Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMS) at 12 months, perhaps due to their ceiling effect. Within the RDOA cohort, 7 cases required acetabular augments, 1 of which also required femoral shortening. The rate of intra-operative fracture, dislocation, infection, return to theatre, and revision were 2.2%, 2.7%, 4.3%, 3.8% and 2.2% respectively, greater than those reported in the literature. No fractures nor dislocations occurred in robot assisted arthroplasties. With ever increasing waiting lists, RDOA prevalence will continue to rise. Increased surgical challenges and potential use of additional implants generated by its presence excludes these patients from waiting list initiative pathways, potentiating the complexity of the operative procedure. Going forwards, the economic burden and training implications must be considered

International literature reports a 30% lifetime prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV, domestic abuse). Many of those affected have little interaction with healthcare. Since a third of abused patients sustain musculoskeletal injuries, the fracture clinic has potential for identifying victims of abuse. The aim was to identify the proportion of fracture clinic patients who had suffered IPV within the past year. A prospective questionnaire study of patients in three UK adult fracture clinics was conducted. There were no gender/age exclusions and the target sample size was 278. This study had ethics approval and the questionnaire used is validated in this population. Of 336 respondents, 46% were females with 63% aged over 40 (212/336). The total prevalence of IPV within the preceding 12 months was 9% (29/336). The lifetime prevalence of IPV amongst respondents was 20% (68/336). 38% of patients suffering from IPV had been physically abused by their partner (11/29 vs. 7% in controls, p<0.001). None of the patients were being seen for an injury related to abuse. Two thirds of respondents thought that staff should ask routinely about IPV (64% 216/336) but only 5% had been asked about abuse (18/336). This is the first study in the UK investigating prevalence of IPV in orthopaedics. There is a high lifetime prevalence of abuse in fracture clinic patients. Patients are willing to disclose abuse within the fracture clinic setting and are supportive of staff asking about abuse. This presents an opportunity to identify those at risk in this vulnerable population

Aims. Malreduction of the syndesmosis has been reported in up to 52% of patients after fixation of ankle fractures. Multiple radiological parameters are used to define malreduction; there has been limited investigation of the accuracy of these measurements in differentiating malreduction from inherent anatomical asymmetry. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of positive malreduction standards within the syndesmosis of native, uninjured ankles. Methods. Three observers reviewed 213 bilateral lower limb CT scans of uninjured ankles. Multiple measurements were recorded on the axial CT 1 cm above the plafond: anterior syndesmotic distance; posterior syndesmotic distance; central syndesmotic distance; fibular rotation; and sagittal fibular translation. Previously studied malreduction standards were evaluated on bilateral CT, including differences in: anterior, central and posterior syndesmotic distance; mean syndesmotic distance; fibular rotation; sagittal translational distance; and syndesmotic area. Unilateral CT was used to compare the anterior to posterior syndesmotic distances. Results. A difference of anterior to posterior syndesmotic distance > 2 mm was observed in 89% of ankles (n = 190) on unilateral CT assessment. Using bilateral CT, we found that 35% (n = 75) of normal ankles would be considered malreduced by current malreduction parameters. In 50 patients (23%), only one parameter was anomalous, 18 patients (8%) had two positive parameters and seven patients (3%) had three. Difference in fibular rotation had the lowest false positive rate of all parameters at 6%, whereas posterior syndesmotic distance difference had the highest at 15%. Conclusion. In this study, 35% of native, uninjured syndesmoses (n = 75) would be classified as malreduced by current diagnostic standards on bilateral CT and 89% had an asymmetric incisura on unilateral CT (n = 190). Current radiological parameters are insufficient to differentiate mild inherent anatomical asymmetry from malreduction of the syndesmosis. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(1):178–183

Nasal carriers of methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) have an increased risk for health-care associated infections. There is currently no national screening policy for the detection of MSSA in the UK. This study aimed to: evaluate the diagnostic performance of molecular and culture techniques in MSSA screening, determine the cause of any discrepancy between the diagnostic techniques, and model the potential effect of different diagnostic techniques on MSSA detection in orthopaedic patients. Paired nasal swabs for PCR assay and culture of S. aureus were collected from a study population of 273 orthopaedic outpatients due to undergo joint replacement surgery. The prevalence of MSSA nasal colonisation was found to be between 22.4–35.6%. The current standard direct culturing methods for detecting S. aureus significantly underestimated the prevalence (p=0.005), failing to identify its presence in ∼1/3 of patients undergoing joint replacement surgery. Modelling these results to national surveillance data, it was estimated that 800–1200 MSSA surgical site infections could be prevented annually in the UK by using alternative diagnostic methods to direct culture in pre-operative MSSA screening and eradication programmes

Aims

To determine if patient ethnicity among patients with a hip fracture influences the type of fracture, surgical care, and outcome.

Combined glenoid and humeral bone loss has been identified as an important factor in predicting recurrence after arthroscopic shoulder stabilisation. The “glenoid track” concept is proposed to predict recurrent instability by comparing the relative size of the glenoid to the humeral bone defect. The aim of this study was to investigate whether assessment of the glenoid track on a pre-operative MR arthrogram could be used to predict subsequent instability in a typical UK population. A retrospective study was undertaken of 175 primary arthroscopic stabilisation procedures of which 82% (n=143) were men. The median age was 26 years (IQR 22 to 32, range 16 to 77). The median follow-up was 76 months (range 21 to 125). A pre-operative MR arthrogram was used to determine if the shoulder was on-track or off-track. The endpoint of recurrent dislocation was examined. The prevalence of “off-track” bone loss in this group was 14.2% (n=25). There were 6 (24%) dislocations in the off-track group compared with 5 (3.33%) dislocations in the on-track group (RR 7.2, 95% CI 2.45 to 20.5, p=0.001). At 5 years, the cumulative redislocation rate was 26.1% in the off-track group compared with 8.7% in on-track group. The rate of any recurrent instability was 60% (n=15) v 18% (n=27) (RR 3.33, 95% CI 2.02 to 5.20, p<0.0001). Glenoid track (on v off) was not predicted by gender (p=0.411). In a typical UK population assessment of the glenoid track on an MR arthrogram can be used to risk stratify patients with shoulder instability

Aims

Understanding of open fracture management is skewed due to reliance on small-number lower limb, specialist unit reports and large, unfocused registry data collections. To address this, we carried out the Open Fracture Patient Evaluation Nationwide (OPEN) study, and report the demographic details and the initial steps of care for patients admitted with open fractures in the UK.

Background. Metatarsus adductus is the most common forefoot deformity. Variable prevalence values were reported in literature using different techniques in different populations. Numerous radiological measurements have been proposed to assess this deformity with a paucity of studies reporting the reliability of these methods. The metatarsus adductus angle was shown to correlate with the severity of hallux abductovalgus in normal feet and preselected populations of juvenile hallux valgus. Materials & Methods. Weight bearing dorsoplantar radiographs of 150 feet were examined for 5 angles commonly used in assessing metatarsus adductus: angle between the second metatarsus and the longitudinal axis of the lesser tarsus (using the 4th or 5th metatarso-cuboid joint as a reference), Engel's angle and modified angle's angle. The prevalence of metatarsus adductus was assessed according to published criteria for different techniques. Inter and intra-observer reliabilities of these angles were evaluated on 50 X-rays. Linear regression tests were used to assess the correlation between hallux valgus and different angles used in assessing metatarsus adductus. Results. Intraclass correlation coefficients were high for intra- as well as inter-observer reliability for the 5 angles tested. Prevalence of metatarsus adductus ranged (45–70%) depending on the angle used in the same population. Only the metatarsus adductus angle using the 4th metatasro-cuboid joint as a reference demonstrated significant correlation between metatarsus adductus and hallux abductovalgus angles. Conclusions. Five techniques commonly used in assessing metatarsus adductus demonstrated high inter and intra-observer reliability values. Prevalence of metatarsus adductus and the correlation between the severity of this deformity and hallux valgus angle is sensitive to the assessment method

Aims

National hip fracture registries audit similar aspects of care but there is variation in the actual data collected; these differences restrict international comparison, benchmarking, and research. The Fragility Fracture Network (FFN) published a revised minimum common dataset (MCD) in 2022 to improve consistency and interoperability. Our aim was to assess compatibility of existing registries with the MCD.

Aims

Tobacco, in addition to being one of the greatest public health threats facing our world, is believed to have deleterious effects on bone metabolism and especially on bone healing. It has been described in the literature that patients who smoke are approximately twice as likely to develop a nonunion following a non-specific bone fracture. For clavicle fractures, this risk is unclear, as is the impact that such a complication might have on the initial management of these fractures.