Aims. The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of revision for distal femoral arthroplasty (DFA) performed as a primary procedure for native knee fractures using data from the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Arthroplasty Registry (AOANJRR). Methods. Data from the AOANJRR were obtained for DFA performed as primary procedures for native knee fractures from 1 September 1999 to 31 December 2020. Pathological fractures and revision for failed internal fixation were excluded. The five prostheses identified were the Global Modular Arthroplasty System, the Modular Arthroplasty System, the Modular Universal Tumour And Revision System, the Orthopaedic Salvage System, and the Segmental System. Patient demographic data (age, sex, and American Society of Anesthesiologists grade) were obtained, where available. Kaplan-Meier estimates of survival were used to determine the rate of revision, and the reasons for revision and mortality data were examined. Results. The AOANJRR identified 153 primary DFAs performed for native knee fractures in 151 patients during the study period, with 63.3% of these (n = 97) performed within the last five years. The median follow-up was 2.1 years (interquartile range 0.8 to 4.4). The patient population was 84.8% female (n = 128), with a mean age of 76.1 years (SD 11.9). The cumulative percent revision rate at three years was 10%. The most common reason for revision was loosening, followed by infection. Patient survival at one year was 87.5%, decreasing to 72.8% at three years postoperatively. Conclusion. The use of DFA to treat native knee fractures is increasing, with 63.3% of cases performed within the last five years. While long-term data are not available, the results of this study suggest that DFA may be a reasonable option for elderly patients with native knee fractures where fixation is not feasible, or for whom prolonged non-weightbearing may be detrimental. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(7):894–901

Aims

Patients with proximal femoral fractures (PFFs) are often multimorbid, thus unplanned readmissions following surgery are common. We therefore aimed to analyze 30-day and one-year readmission rates, reasons for, and factors associated with, readmission risk in a cohort of patients with surgically treated PFFs across Austria.

The aim of this study was to measure the effect of hospital case volume on the survival of revision total hip arthroplasty (RTHA). This is a retrospective analysis of Scottish Arthroplasty Project data, a nationwide audit which prospectively collects data on all arthroplasty procedures performed in Scotland. The primary outcome was RTHA survival at ten years. The primary explanatory variable was the effect of hospital case volume per year on RTHA survival. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to determine the lifespan of RTHA. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards were used to estimate relative revision risks over time. Hazard ratios (HRs) were reported with 95% CI, and p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. From 1999 to 2019, 13,020 patients underwent RTHA surgery in Scotland (median age at RTHA 70 years (interquartile range (IQR) 62 to 77)). In all, 5,721 (43.9%) were female, and 1065 (8.2%) were treated for infection. 714 (5.5%) underwent a second revision procedure. Co-morbidity, younger age at index revision, and positive infection status were associated with need for re-revision (p<0.001). The ten-year survival estimate for RTHA was 93.3% (95% CI 92.8 to 93.8). Adjusting for sex, age, surgeon volume, and indication for revision, high hospital case volume was not significantly associated with lower risk of re-revision (HR1, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.00, p 0.073)). The majority of RTHA in Scotland survive up to ten years. Increasing yearly hospital case volume cases is not independently associated with a significant risk reduction of re-revision

Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty (rTKA) is predicted to increase by more than 600% between 2005 and 2030. The survivorship of primary TKA has been extensively investigated, however more granular information on the risks of rTKA is needed. The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence of re-revision TKA, with explanatory variables of time from primary to revision, and indication (aseptic vs septic). Secondary aim was to investigate mortality. This is an analysis of the Scottish Arthroplasty Project data set, a national audit prospectively recording data on all joint replacements performed in Scotland. The period from 2000 to 2019 was studied. 4723 patients underwent revision TKA. The relationship between time from primary to revision TKA and 2nd revision was significant (p<0.001), with increasing time lowering probability of re-revision (OR 0.99 95% CI 0.987 to 0.993). There was no significant association in time to first revision on time from 1st revision to re-revision (p>0.05). Overall mortality for all patients was 32% at 10 years (95% CI 31-34), Time from primary TKA to revision TKA had a significant effect on mortality: p=0.004 OR 1.03 (1.01-1.05). Septic revisions had a reduced mortality compared to aseptic, OR 0.95 (0.71-1.25) however this was not significant (p=0.69). This is the first study to demonstrate time from primary TKA to revision TKA having a significant effect on probability of re-revision TKA. Furthermore the study suggests mortality is increased with increasing time from primary procedure to revision, however decreased if the indication is septic rather than aseptic

Aims. The aim of this study was to investigate the potentially increased risk of dislocation in patients with neurological disease who sustain a femoral neck fracture, as it is unclear whether they should undergo total hip arthroplasty (THA) or hemiarthroplasty (HA). A secondary aim was to investgate whether dual-mobility components confer a reduced risk of dislocation in these patients. Methods. We undertook a longitudinal cohort study linking the Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Register with the National Patient Register, including patients with a neurological disease presenting with a femoral neck fracture and treated with HA, a conventional THA (cTHA) with femoral head size of ≤ 32 mm, or a dual-mobility component THA (DMC-THA) between 2005 and 2014. The dislocation rate at one- and three-year revision, reoperation, and mortality rates were recorded. Cox multivariate regression models were fitted to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs). Results. A total of 9,638 patients with a neurological disease who also underwent unilateral arthroplasty for a femoral neck fracture were included in the study. The one-year dislocation rate was 3.7% after HA, 8.8% after cTHA < 32 mm), 5.9% after cTHA (= 32 mm), and 2.7% after DMC-THA. A higher risk of dislocation was associated with cTHA (< 32 mm) compared with HA (HR 1.90 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26 to 2.86); p = 0.002). There was no difference in the risk of dislocation with DMC-THA (HR 0.68 (95% CI 0.26 to 1.84); p = 0.451) or cTHA (= 32 mm) (HR 1.54 (95% CI 0.94 to 2.51); p = 0.083). There were no differences in the rate of reoperation and revision-free survival between the different types of prosthesis and sizes of femoral head. Conclusion. Patients with a neurological disease who sustain a femoral neck fracture have similar rates of dislocation after undergoing HA or DMC-THA. Most patients with a neurological disease are not eligible for THA and should thus undergo HA, whereas those eligible for THA could benefit from a DMC-THA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(1):134–141

This study aims to determine the lifetime risk of revision surgery after primary knee arthroplasty (KA). The Scottish Arthroplasty Project dataset was utilised to identify all patients undergoing primary KA during the period 1998–2019. The cumulative incidence function for revision and death was calculated and adjusted analyses utilised cause-specific Cox regression modelling to determine the influence of patient-factors. The lifetime risk was calculated for patients aged between 45–99 years using multiple decrement lifetable methodology. The lifetime risk of revision ranged between 32.7% (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 22.62–47.31) for patients aged 45–49 years and 0.63% (95%CI 0.1–4.5) for patients aged over 90 years. Adjusted analyses demonstrated the converse effect of age on revision (Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.5, 95%CI 0.5–0.6) and death (HR 3.5, 95%CI 3.4–3.7). Male sex was associated with increased risks of revision (HR 1.1, 95%CI 1.1–1.2) and death (HR 1.4, 95%CI 1.3–1.4). Patients with inflammatory arthropathy had a higher risk of death (HR 1.7, 95%CI 1.7–1.8), but were less likely to be revised (HR 0.85, 95%CI 0.74–0.98) than those treated for osteoarthritis. Patients with greater number of comorbidities and greater levels of socio-economic deprivation were at increased risk of death, but neither increased the risk of revision. The lifetime risk of revision knee arthroplasty varies depending on patient sex, age at surgery and underlying diagnosis. Patients aged between 45 and 49 years have a one in three probability of revision surgery within their lifetime. Conversely, patients aged 90 years or over were very unlikely to experience revision

Endoprosthetic replacement of the proximal femur may be required to treat primary bone tumours or destructive metastases either with impending or established pathological fracture. Modular prostheses are available off the shelf and can be adapted to most reconstructive situations for this purpose. We have assessed the clinical and functional outcome of using the METS (Stanmore Implants Worldwide) modular tumour prosthesis to reconstruct the proximal femur in 100 consecutive patients between 2001 and 2006. We compared the results with the published series for patients managed with modular and custom-made endoprosthetic replacements for the same conditions. There were 52 males and 48 females with a mean age of 56.3 years (16 to 84) and a mean follow-up of 24.6 months (0 to 60). In 65 patients the procedure was undertaken for metastases, in 25 for a primary bone tumour, and in ten for other malignant conditions. A total of 46 patients presented with a pathological fracture, and 19 presented with failed fixation of a previous pathological fracture. The overall patient survival was 63.6% at one year and 23.1% at five years, and was significantly better for patients with a primary bone tumour than for those with metastatic tumour (82.3% vs 53.3%, respectively at one year (p = 0.003)). There were six early dislocations of which five could be treated by closed reduction. No patient needed revision surgery for dislocation. Revision surgery was required by six (6%) patients, five for pain caused by acetabular wear and one for tumour progression. Amputation was needed in four patients for local recurrence or infection. The estimated five-year implant survival with revision as the endpoint was 90.7%. The mean Toronto Extremity Salvage score was 61% (51% to 95%). The implant survival and complications resulting from the use of the modular system were comparable to the published series of both custom-made and other modular proximal femoral implants. We conclude that at intermediate follow-up the modular tumour prosthesis for proximal femur replacement provides versatility, a low incidence of implant-related complications and acceptable function for patients with metastatic tumours, pathological fractures and failed fixation of the proximal femur. It also functions as well as a custom-made endoprosthetic replacement

Laminar airflow systems are universal in current orthopaedic operating theatres and are assumed to be associated with a lower risk of contamination of the surgical wound and subsequent early infection. Evidence to support their use is limited and sometimes conflicting. We investigated whether there were any differences in infection rates (deep and superficial) between knee and hip arthroplasty cases performed in non-laminar and laminar flow theatres at 10 year follow-up. Between 2002 and 2006, 318 patients underwent knee and hip arthroplasty in a non-laminar flow theatre. Prospectively collected local arthroplasty audit data was collected including superficial and deep infection, revision for infection and functional outcomes. A cohort of patients from the same time period, who underwent knee and hip arthroplasty in a laminar flow theatre, were matched for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), operative approach, implant and experience of surgeon. Superficial infection rates were lower overall in the non-laminar flow theatre (2.2percnt; versus 4.7percnt;), with a significantly lower superficial infection rate for knee arthroplasty performed in the non-laminar flow theatre (2percnt; versus 6.9percnt;). The deep infection rates were similar (1.3percnt; vs 1.9percnt;) for both laminar and non-laminar flow theatre respectively. Revision rates for infection were similar between both groups (0.9percnt; in non-laminar flow theatre vs 0.3percnt; in laminar flow). Whilst the causes of post-operative surgical site infection are multifactorial, our results demonstrate that at long –term follow-up, there was no increased risk of infection without laminar flow use in our theatre

In a series of 450 patients over 70 years of age with displaced fractures of the femoral neck sustained between 1995 and 1997 treatment was randomised either to internal fixation or replacement. Depending on age and level of activity the latter was either a total hip replacement or a hemiarthroplasty. Patients who were confused or bed-ridden were excluded, as were those with rheumatoid arthritis. At ten years there were 99 failures (45.6%) after internal fixation compared with 17 (8.8%) after replacement. The rate of mortality was high at 75% at ten years, and was the same in both groups at all times. Patient-reported pain and function were similar in both groups at five and ten years. Those with successfully healed fractures had more hip pain and reduction of mobility at four months compared with patients with an uncomplicated replacement, and they never attained a better outcome than the latter patients regarding pain or function. Primary replacement gave reliable long-term results in patients with a displaced fracture of the femoral neck

The primary aim of this study was to compare the knee specific functional outcome of partial compared with total knee replacement (TKR) for the management of patellofemoral osteoarthritis. Fifty-four consecutive Avon patellofemoral replacements were identified and propensity score matched to a group of 54 patients undergoing a TKR with patella resurfacing for patellofemoral osteoarthritis. The Oxford knee score (OKS), the Short Form (SF-) 12 and patient satisfaction were collected (mean follow up 9.2 years). Survival was defined by revision or intention to revise. There was no significant difference in the OKS (p>0.60) or SF-12 (p>0.28) between the groups. The TKR group was significantly less likely to be satisfied with their knee (95.1% versus 78.3%, OR 0.18, p=0.03). Length of stay was significantly (p=0.008) shorter for the Avon group (difference 1.8 days, 95% CI 0.4 to 3.2). The 10 year survival for the Avon group was 92.3% (95% CI 87.1 to 97.5) and for the TKR group was 100% (95% CI 93.8 to 100). There was no statistical difference in the survival rate (Log Rank p=0.10). The Avon patellofemoral replacement have a shorter length of stay with a functional outcome and satisfaction rate that is equal to that of TKR. The benefits of the Avon need to be balanced against the increased rate of revision when compared with TKR

Non-surgical osteoarthritis management includes analgesia escalation to oral opiates; however, tolerance can occur. This study aims to assess analgesic effects of opiate use pre-operatively and whether this influences outcome 1-year post-operatively in patients undergoing total hip/knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA).

This prospective study assessed 1487 patients undergoing primary THA (n=729) or TKA (n=758) for osteoarthritis, with 95 respectively reporting pre-operative opiate use >1 month. THA opiate users had significantly higher BMI (p=0.007) and more likely to suffer associated comorbidities. TKA opiate users were significantly younger (p<0.001), with higher BMI (p=0.019) and more likely to suffer associated comorbidities. Pre-operative quality of life (QoL) and joint specific function were significantly worse (Hip EQ-5D 0.17 vs 0.41, p<0.001, OHS 14.6 vs 21.2, p<0.001; Knee EQ-5D 0.27 vs 0.44, p<0.001, OKS 16.4 vs 21.4, p<0.001). Pre-operative pain was significantly worse in those taking opioids (Hip Pain VAS 42.73 vs 50.70, p<0.001; Knee Pain VAS 50.93 vs 53.36, p=0.30). Post-operatively the THA opiate group had significant improvement in EQ-5D (0.175, p<0.001) and OHS (6.5, p<0.001) but were significantly less improved than opiate naïve patients after adjusting for confounding (EQ-5D 0.10, p<0.001; OHS 3.2, p<0.001). TKA opiate group also had significant improvement in EQ-5D (p<0.001) and OKS (p<0.001) but were significantly less (EQ-5D 0.089, p<0.001; OKS 3.9, p<0.001) than opioid naïve patients.

Pre-operative opiate use was associated with significantly worse pre-operative QoL, joint specific function and worse subjective pain. Post-operatively, the opiate group had significantly lower improvement in their QoL and joint specific function.

Sixty eight consecutive patients underwent proximal humeral replacement with a fixed fulcrum massive endoprosthesis, for tumour, between 1997 and 2007. The mean age was 46 years, (7–87). Ten patients were lost to follow up and 16 patients died. The 42 surviving patients were assessed using the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society (MSTS) Score and the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS). The mean MSTS score was 72.3% and the mean TESS was 77.2%. Four of 42 patients received a new constrained humeral liner to reduce the risk of dislocation. This sub group of 4 patients had a mean MSTS score of 77.7% and a mean TESS of 80.0%. Endoprosthetic replacement for tumour of the proximal humerus using this prosthesis is a reliable operation yielding good functional results without the documented problems of unconstrained prostheses. The performance of this prosthesis is expected to improve further with the new constrained humeral liner

It remains a matter of debate whether displaced fractures of the neck of the femur should be treated by internal fixation or arthroplasty. We have compared the two methods with regard to complications, mortality and functional outcome. We studied 409 patients, aged 70 years and over, with subcapital fractures graded as Garden 3 or 4, in a two-year prospective multicentre study from 12 Swedish hospitals. They were randomised to internal fixation or arthroplasty. Patients who were mentally confused, bedridden or in a nursing-home were excluded from the survey. After two years the rate of failure was 43% in the internal fixation (IF) and 6% in the arthroplasty group (p < 0.001). In the IF group 36% had impaired walking and 6% had severe pain compared with 25% and 1.5%, respectively, in the arthroplasty group (both p < 0.05). There was no difference in mortality. With a high rate of failure and poor functional outcome after IF, we recommend primary arthroplasty for displaced fractures of the neck of the femur in patients over 70 years of age

Infection rates following arthroplasty surgery are between 1–4%, with higher rates in revision surgery. The associated costs of treating infected arthroplasty cases are considerable, with significantly worse functional outcomes reported. New methods of infection prevention are required. HINS-light is a novel blue light inactivation technology which kills bacteria through a photodynamic process. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of HINS-light for the inactivation of bacteria isolated from infected arthoplasty cases. Specimens from hip and knee arthroplasty infections are routinely collected to identify causative organisms. This study tested a range of these isolates for sensitivity to HINS-light. During testing, bacterial suspensions were exposed to increasing doses of HINS-light of (123mW/cm2 irradiance). Non-light exposed control samples were also set-up. Bacterial samples were then plated onto agar plates and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours before enumeration. Complete inactivation was achieved for all Gram positive and negative microorganisms More than a 4-log reduction in Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus populations were achieved after exposure to HINS-light for doses of 48 and 55 J/cm2, respectively. Current investigations using Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae show that gram-negative organisms are also susceptible, though higher doses are required. This study has demonstrated that HINS-light successfully inactivated all clinical isolates from infected arthroplasty cases. As HINS-light utilises visible-light wavelengths it can be safely used in the presence of patients and staff. This unique feature could lead to possible applications such as use as an infection prevention tool during surgery and post-operative dressing changes

Objective. High grade hallux rigidus is a forefoot deformity characterized by a limitation of dorsiflexion of the first toe associated with pain, and severe damage of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. Most authors recommended resection arthroplasty or arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. The aim of this study was to present the results of our series of 42 consecutive cases of severe hallux rigidus treated by resection of the first metatarsal head and implant of a poly D-L lactic (PDLLA) bioreabsorbable spacer to promote the interposition of fibrous tissue to preserve the range of motion of the joint. Material and methods. Forty-two feet in 27 patients affected by high grade hallux rigidus were included in the study. Surgical treatment consisted of resection of the first metatarsal head and positioning of a poly D-L lactic acid (PDLLA) bioreabsorbable implant. Post-operative care consisted in gauze bandage of the forefoot, and immediate weight-bearing with talus shoes for 3 weeks. All patients were clinically and radiographically evaluated preoperatively and checked at a mean 6 (5–7) year follow-up. Results. No intraoperative complication occurred. No sinus formation were observed. All implants resulted well tolerated by the patients. Mean AOFAS score was 42±14 preoperatively and 81±9 postoperatively. Mean preoperative metatarsophalangeal joint ROM was 27±17 degrees and mean postoperative metatarsophalangeal joint ROM was 75±8 degrees. Conclusions. First metatarsophalangeal joint arthroplasty using bioreabsorbable implant demonstrated to be an effective surgical option for treatment of high grade hallux rigidus, thank to its ability to promote fibrous tissue formation during its reabsorption

Background. Osteoarthritis of basal joint of the thumb represents one of the commonest degenerative diseases of the hand and wrist region. Depending on the severity of clinical symptoms surgical treatment is often recommended. Resection arthroplasty of the CMC joint with tendon interposition can be regarded as the gold standard. The aim of our study is to compare the Burton Pellegrini technique with a new modified technique of resection arthroplasty with interposition of local capsule tissue. Materials and Methods. We retrospectively evaluated 2 groups of patients. Two Consultant Surgeons took part in the study, one for each group, with each consultant performing trapeziectomies using only one of the techiniques for all his patients. The first group underwent trapeziectomy and local capsule interposition. It consists of 26 patients with a female/male ratio of 20/6, an average age of 64 years (range 53–88), an average follow up of 3.15 years (range 9–1) and a left/right ratio of 16/10. The second group underwent a standard Burton Pellegrini including flexor tendon interposition. It consists of 13 patients with a female/male ratio of 5/8, an average age of 68 years (range 58–85), an average follow up of 4.46 years (range 9–1) and a left/right ratio of 5/8. The outcomes were compared using the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire. A 2-tailed independent samples t-test was used for the statistical analysis of our data. Results. We found that there is significant difference between the two procedures only on the ability of working in present, t = 2.153 and p = 0.038. However, there is no significant difference between the other parameters we examined: overall hand function, t = 0.237 and p = 0.814; activities of daily living using the operated hand, t = 0.194 and p = 0.847; activities of daily living using both hands, t = 0.184 and p = 0.855; overall activities of daily living, t = 0.204 and p = 0.839; pain, t = 0.123 and p = 0.903; aesthetics, t = 1.063 and p = 0.295; satisfaction, t = 0.628 and p = 0.534; total score, t = 0.509 and p = 0.613. Furthermore, the overall score for the two procedures suggests that there is no significant difference between them. Conclusions. The new modified procedure is simpler and quicker than the traditional operation and avoids the morbidity of tendon harvesting. The overall outcome score for the two operations is equal, suggesting that there is no advantage to the more complex procedure. We have shown a difference between the two procedures in post op working ability, being better in the group with local capsule interposition

Introduction. Pre-operative patient education prior to hip and knee arthroplasty is thought to be beneficial for patients in general, although the clinical effect is unproven. Pre-operative education is now standard practice in many orthopaedic units, including our own. Anecdotally, we found patients in the private sector to be more satisfied with their education than those in the public sector, despite very similar education programs. We set out to investigate this observation and establish whether there were differences in the perception of educational quality between these groups. Methods. After appropriate power calculation, 60 patients in each group (120 total) were interviewed after hip or knee arthroplasty. Satisfaction with education was assessed on a simple 5 point scale and demographic data including internet access was obtained, as well as Short-Form 12 (SF-12) data to establish physical and mental function. The education program in each group was similar, with written material provided and verbal education given at a single pre-operative session. This included specialist nursing and physiotherapy input. Results were analysed with the chi2 test, Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression as appropriate, with significance at P<0.05. Results. Overall, there was a high level of satisfaction in both groups but patients in the private sector were significantly more satisfied with their pre-operative education. Significant differences were identified between the groups in provision of written information, provision of internet resources, access to the internet, attendance at education sessions and the mental component score of the SF-12. Logistic regression modelling showed that factors influencing satisfaction rates were interdependent. The relationship between lower SF-12 mental component scores and lower satisfaction rates was linear. Conclusion. Private patients are more satisfied with their pre-operative education than public patients, a disparity which may be due to several demographic and educational factors including lower SF-12 mental component scores. The relationships between these factors are complex and not independent. Satisfaction in the public sector may be improved by improving attendance rates at education sessions. However, public patients may not benefit from advances in education that rely on internet access or computer use. Although the use of the internet and computers in general is gaining support, it may not be as beneficial to patients in the public sector as the private sector. This has implications for service provision and planning in arthroplasty units

Hip resurfacing arthroplasty is an established and effective intervention for osteoarthritis of the hip in the young active patient, relying on the principle of femoral bone-stock preservation. A recognised mode of failure is neck thinning leading to radiological evidence of neck collapse and clinical failure. We report on a series of these slow-neck-failure patients and highlight the increased incidence of this phenomenon in post-menopausal female patients. This is a single operator, single implant series; 172 cases were identified from databases at our institution. 76 were female, mean (SD) age 52 (7) years. 96 were male, mean (SD) age 51(12) years. 15 (8.7%) patients required revision. 12 (80%) were female, 9 (75%) of these were due to slow neck failure. In the men one patient developed ALVAL requiring removal of his bilateral hip resurfacings, the other failure mode was early femoral neck failure. Mean time to failure was 6 months in men and 37 months in women. This difference in failure rates is also seen in the NJR figures. This review confirms the relatively high incidence of premature failure in post-menopausal females. NICE guidance in 2003, currently under review, stated that resurfacing is indicated in male patients up to 65 and female patients up to 60. As a result of this study we are currently advising post-menopausal patients that this risk of early failure may make total hip replacement a preferable option to resurfacing arthroplasty

Kirschner wires are commonly used in paediatric fractures, however, the requirement for removal and the possibility of pin site infection provides opportunity for the development of new techniques that eliminate these drawbacks. Bioabsorbable pins that remain in situ and allow definitive closure of skin at the time of insertion could provide such advantages.

Three concurrent studies were performed to assess the viability of bioabsorbable pins across the growth plate. (1) An epidemiological study to identify Kirschner wire infection rates. (2) A mechanical assessment of a bioabsorbable pin compared to Kirschner wires in a simulated supracondylar fracture. (3) The insertion of the implants across the physis of sheep to assess effects of the bioabsorbable implant on the growth plate via macroscopic, pathohistological and micro-CT analysis.

An infection rate of 8.4% was found, with a deep infection rate of 0.4%. Mechanically the pins demonstrated comparable resistance to extension forces (p=) but slightly inferior resistance to rotation (p=). The in vivo component showed that at 6 months: there was no leg length discrepancy (p=0.6), with micro-CT evidence of normal physeal growth without tethering, and comparable physeal width (p=0.3).

These studies combine to suggest that bioabsorbable pins do not represent a threat to the growth plate and may be considered for physeal fracture fixation.

Introduction. New methods to reduce inpatient stay, post-operative complications and recovery time are continually being sought in surgery. Many factors affect length of hospital stay, such as, analgesia, patient and surgeon expectations, as well as provision of nursing care and physiotherapy. Development of the use of postoperative local anaesthetic infiltration delivered intra-articularly by a catheter appears to be an effective analgesic method which reduces patient's opioid requirements and allows early physiotherapy without motor blockade of muscles. Our study aimed to explore if the use of local anaesthetic infiltration intra-articularly following joint athroplasty affected the patient's duration of hospitalisation. Methods. Looking retrospectively at arthroplasty audit data, we compared two groups of age and sex-matched patients who underwent primary hip arthroplasty (replacement and resurfacing) and knee arthroplasty performed by a single surgeon using the same surgical techniques. The surgeon began to utilize local anesthetic infiltration intra-articularly in 2009. The first group included patients operated on the year prior to the change and the second group were those operated on within a year of the change of practice. There were 103 patients (27 resurfacings, 28 knees, 48 hips) in the local anaesthetic group and 141 patients (48 resurfacings, 36 knees, 64 hips) in the non-local anaesthetic group. The length of stay was investigated for plausible Normality using the Shapiro Wilks statistic. Between-treatment group differences were examined using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Factors observed were, use of local anaesthetic (yes/no), joint (hip/knee) and day of surgery (weekend/not weekend). Between treatment group differences in gender and complications were investigated using Chi-squared methods. Results. Patients who received local anaesthetic had shorter stays, irrespective of the joint or day of operation. Patients undergoing hip arthroplasty discharged sooner when local anaesthetic was used compared with those without (mean 4.0 days and 4.4 days respectively P=0.04). Patients undergoing knee replacement also discharged sooner when local anaesthetic was used compared with those without (mean 4.9 days and 6.1 days respectively P=0.09). When knee and hip figures were combined and analysed to measure the significance of effects of treatment on the length of stay, local anaesthetic use was found to be statistically significant in reducing length of stay (P=0.01). There were no between-treatment group differences in proportions of complications, gender or day of surgery. Conclusion. The findings of this study highlight that local anaesthetic infiltration reduces duration of in-patient stay following knee and hip joint athroplasty and there is no associated significant increase in immediate post-operative complications