Aims. The aim of this study was to report the three-year follow-up for a series of 400 patients with a displaced intracapsular fracture of the hip, who were randomized to be treated with either a cemented polished tapered hemiarthroplasty or an uncemented hydroxyapatite-coated hemiarthroplasty. Methods. The mean age of the patients was 85 years (58 to 102) and 273 (68%) were female. Follow-up was undertaken by a nurse who was blinded to the hemiarthroplasty that was used, at intervals for up to three years from surgery. The short-term follow-up of these patients at a mean of one year has previously been reported. Results. A total of 210 patients (52.5%) died within three years of surgery. One patient was lost to follow-up. Recovery of mobility was initially significantly better in those treated with a cemented hemiarthroplasty, although by three years after surgery this difference became statistically insignificant. The mortality was significantly lower in those treated with a cemented hemiarthroplasty (p = 0.029). There was no significant difference in pain scores, or in the incidence of implant-related complications or revision surgery, between the two groups. Conclusion. These results further support the use of a cemented hemiarthroplasty for the routine management of elderly patients with a displaced intracapsular fracture of the hip. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(11):1196–1200

Aims. The aims of this study were to report the outcomes of patients with a complex fracture of the lower limb in the five years after they took part in the Wound Healing in Surgery for Trauma (WHIST) trial. Methods. The WHIST trial compared negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) dressings with standard dressings applied at the end of the first operation for patients undergoing internal fixation of a complex fracture of the lower limb. Complex fractures included periarticular fractures and open fractures when the wound could be closed primarily at the end of the first debridement. A total of 1,548 patients aged ≥ 16 years completed the initial follow-up, six months after injury. In this study we report the pre-planned analysis of outcome data up to five years. Patients reported their Disability Rating Index (DRI) (0 to 100, in which 100 = total disability), and health-related quality of life, chronic pain scores and neuropathic pain scores annually, using a self-reported questionnaire. Complications, including further surgery related to the fracture, were also recorded. Results. A total of 1,015 of the original patients (66%) provided at least one set of outcome data during the five years of follow-up. There was no evidence of a difference in patient-reported disability between the two groups at five years (NPWT group mean DRI 30.0 (SD 26.5), standard dressing group mean DRI 31.5 (SD 28.8), adjusted difference -0.86 (95% CI -4.14 to 2.40; p = 0.609). There was also no evidence of a difference in the complication rates at this time. Conclusion. We found no evidence of a difference in disability ratings between NPWT compared with standard wound dressings in the five years following the surgical treatment of a complex fracture of the lower limb. Patients in both groups reported high levels of persistent disability and reduced quality of life, with little evidence of improvement during this time. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(8):858–864

The aim of this study was to identify psychosocial factors associated with pain intensity and disability following distal radius fracture (DRF). We prospectively followed up 216 adult patients with DRF for 9 months. Demographics, injury and treatment details and psychological measures (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score (HADS), Pain Catastrophising Scale (PCS), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist – Civilian (PCL-C), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), Illness Perception Questionnaire Brief (IPQB), General Self-efficacy Scale (GSES) and Recovery Locus of Control (RLOC)) were collected at enrolment. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify factors associated with DASH and Likert pain score. Ten week DASH was associated with age (β-coefficient (β)= 0.3, p < 0.001), deprivation score (β=0.2, p = 0.014), nerve injury (β=0.1, p = 0.014), HADS depression (β=0.2, p = 0.008), IPQB (β=0.2, p = 0.001) and RLOC (β= −0.1, p = 0.031). Nine month DASH was associated with age (β=0.1, p = 0.04), deprivation score (β=0.4, p = 0.014), number of medical comorbidities (β=0.1, p = 0.034), radial shortening (β=0.1, p = 0.035), HADS depression (β=0.2, p = 0.015) and RLOC (β= −0.1, p = 0.027). Ten week pain score was associated with deprivation score (β=0.1, p = 0.049) and IPQB (β=0.3, p < 0.001). Pain score at 9 months was associated with number of medical comorbidities (β=0.1, p = 0.047). Psychosocial factors are more strongly associated with pain and disability than injury or treatment characteristics after DRF. Identifying and treating these factors could enhance recovery

Aims. No randomized comparative study has compared the extensile lateral approach (ELA) and sinus tarsi approach (STA) for Sanders type 2 calcaneal fractures. This randomized comparative study was conducted to confirm whether the STA was prone to fewer wound complications than the ELA. Methods. Between August 2013 and August 2018, 64 patients with Sanders type 2 calcaneus fractures were randomly assigned to receive surgical treatment by the ELA (32 patients) and STA (32 patients). The primary outcome was development of wound complications. The secondary outcomes were postoperative complications, pain scored of a visual analogue scale (VAS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, 36-item Short Form health survey, operative duration, subtalar joint range of motion (ROM), Böhler’s angle and calcaneal width, and posterior facet reduction. Results. Although four patients (12.5%) in the ELA groups and none in the STA group experienced complications, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.113). VAS and AOFAS score were significantly better in the STA group than in the ELA group at six months (p = 0.017 and p = 0.021), but not at 12 months (p = 0.096 and p = 0.200) after surgery. The operation time was significantly shorter in the STA group than in the ELA group (p < 0.001). The subtalar joint ROM was significantly better in the STA group (p = 0.015). Assessment of the amount of postoperative reduction compared with the uninjured limb showed significant restoration of calcaneal width in the ELA group compared with that in the STA group (p < 0.001). Conclusion. The ELA group showed higher frequency of wound complications than the STA group for Sanders type 2 calcaneal fractures even though this was not statistically significant. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(2):286–293

Aims. This study describes and compares the operative management and outcomes in a consecutive case series of patients with dislocated hemiarthroplasties of the hip, and compares outcomes with those of patients not sustaining a dislocation. Patients and Methods. Of 3326 consecutive patients treated with hemiarthroplasty for fractured neck of femur, 46 (1.4%) sustained dislocations. Of the 46 dislocations, there were 37 female patients (80.4%) and nine male patients (19.6%) with a mean age of 83.8 years (66 to 100). Operative intervention for each, and subsequent dislocations, were recorded. The following outcome measures were recorded: dislocation; mortality up to one-year post-injury; additional surgery; residential status; mobility; and pain score at one year. Results. Of 43 dislocations, 30 (70%) occurred within one month and 42 (98%) occurred within three months of hip fracture surgery. Seven (16%) of these patients were treated with a single closed reduction and sustained no further dislocations. Four (9%) were treated with open reduction and experienced no further dislocations. Three (7%) hips were left dislocated and the remaining 32 (74%) patients required additional surgery of further closed reduction, revision, or excision arthroplasty. The one-year mortality rates for patients treated with two or fewer reductions (open or closed), successful revision arthroplasty, and excision arthroplasty were 3/14 (21%), 1/7 (14%), and 8/14 (57%) respectively. The only statistically significant difference in mortality was the difference between patients who did not sustain a dislocation and those who did and were treated by excision arthroplasty (p = 0.03). Patients treated by excision arthroplasty had the greatest reduction in mobility scores and highest pain scores. The excision arthroplasty group also included the greatest proportion of patients not able to mobilize and the smallest proportion of patients remaining in their own home. Conclusion. Most dislocations of hemiarthroplasties of the hip occur within one month of surgery. Closed reduction is generally unsuccessful. For those patients with unsuccessful closed reduction, revision arthroplasty should be considered when possible, as this results in a better functional outcome with a lower mortality than excision arthroplasty

Aims. Debate continues about whether it is better to use a cemented or uncemented hemiarthroplasty to treat a displaced intracapsular fracture of the hip. The aim of this study was to attempt to resolve this issue for contemporary prostheses. Methods. A total of 400 patients with a displaced intracapsular fracture of the hip were randomized to receive either a cemented polished tapered stem hemiarthroplasty or an uncemented Furlong hydroxyapatite-coated hemiarthroplasty. Follow-up was conducted by a nurse blinded to the implant at set intervals for up to one year from surgery. Results. A total of 115 patients died in the year after surgery. There was a tendency towards a slightly higher mortality in those treated with the uncemented prosthesis after one year (64 vs 51; p = 0.18). For the survivors, there was no significant difference in pain score at any of the time intervals. Patients treated using the cemented hemiarthroplasty recovered mobility better than those treated with the uncemented hemiarthroplasty (mean decrease in mobility score at one year: 1.7 vs 1.1, SD 1.9; p = 0.008). There was a tendency to more periprosthetic fractures in the uncemented group (five vs two cases; p = 0.45), but overall the need for further surgery was similar in both groups (nine vs seven cases). There were four perioperative deaths in the cemented group. Conclusion. These results indicate that a contemporary cemented hemiarthroplasty gives better results than an uncemented hemiarthroplasty for patients with a displaced intracapsular fracture of the hip. When the condition of the patient permits, a cemented hemiarthroplasty should be used. Cite this article: Bone Joint J. 2020;102-B(1):11–16

Aims. Tibial plateau fractures are serious injuries about the knee that have the potential to affect patients’ long-term function. To our knowledge, this is the first study to use patient-reported outcomes (PROs) with a musculoskeletal focus to assess the long-term outcome, as compared to a short-term outcome baseline, of tibial plateau fractures treated using modern techniques. Methods. In total, 102 patients who sustained a displaced tibial plateau fracture and underwent operative repair by one of three orthopaedic traumatologists at a large, academic medical centre and had a minimum of five-year follow-up were identified. Breakdown of patients by Schatzker classification is as follows: two (1.9%) Schatzker I, 54 (50.9%) Schatzker II, two (1.9%) Schatzker III, 13 (12.3%) Schatzker IV, nine (8.5%) Schatzker V, and 26 (24.5%) Schatzker VI. Follow-up data obtained included: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) or Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pain scores, Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment (SMFA), and knee range of movement (ROM). Data at latest follow-up were then compared to 12-month data using a paired t-test. Results. Patient-reported functional outcomes as assessed by overall SMFA were statistically significantly improved at five years (p < 0.001) compared with one-year data from the same patients. Patients additionally reported an improvement in the Standardized Mobility Index (p < 0.001), Standardized Emotional Index (p < 0.001), as well as improvement in Standardized Bothersome Index (p = 0.003) between the first year and latest follow-up. Patient-reported pain and knee ROM were similar at five years to their one-year follow-up. In total, 15 of the patients had undergone subsequent orthopaedic surgery for their knees at the time of most recent follow-up. Of note, only one patient had undergone knee arthroplasty following plateau fixation related to post-traumatic osteoarthritis (OA). Conclusion. Knee pain following tibial plateau fracture stabilizes at one year. However, PROs continue to improve beyond one year following tibial plateau fracture, at least in a statistical sense, if not also clinically. Patients displayed statistical improvement across nearly all SMFA index scores at their minimum five-year follow-up compared with their one-year follow-up. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(5):632–637

Aims. A lack of supporting clinical studies have been published to determine the ideal length of intramedullary nail in fixation of trochanteric fractures of the hip. Nevertheless, there has been a trend to use shorter intramedullary nails for the internal fixation of trochanteric hip fractures. Our aim was to determine if the length of nail affected the outcome. Methods. We randomized 229 patients with a trochanteric hip fracture between two implants: a ‘standard’ nail of 220 mm and a shorter nail of 175 mm, which had decreased proximal angulation (4° vs 7°) and a reduced diameter at the level of the lesser trochanter. Patients were followed up for one year by a nurse blinded to the type of implant used to determine if there were differences in mobility and pain with two nail designs. Pain was assessed on a scale of 1 (none) to 8 (severe and constant) and mobility on a scale of 1 (full mobility) to 9 (immobile). Results. The shorter nail did not require any reaming of the femur and was quicker to insert (mean difference 5.1 minutes; p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval (CI) of the difference 3.16 to 7.04). Those treated by the shorter nail were less mobile (mean difference in reduction in mobility score at one year 0.80; p = 0.007, 95% CI 1.38 to 0.22). In addition, there was a trend toward greater residual pain for those treated with the shorter nail, although this was not statistically significant (mean difference in pain score at one year 0.24; p = 0.064, 95% CI -0.01 to 0.49). Conclusion. These results suggest that the increasing use of this very short intramedullary nail with its design modification may not be appropriate. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(3):394–399

Aims

To determine whether platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection improves outcomes two years after acute Achilles tendon rupture.

Aims

Factors associated with high mortality rates in geriatric hip fracture patients are frequently unmodifiable. Time to surgery, however, might be a modifiable factor of interest to optimize clinical outcomes after hip fracture surgery. This study aims to determine the influence of postponement of surgery due to non-medical reasons on clinical outcomes in acute hip fracture surgery.

Aims

The aim of this study was to describe the current pathways of care for patients with a fracture of the hip in five low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) in South Asia (Nepal and Sri Lanka) and Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines).

Background. Many patients undergo frame removal in the outpatient setting and nitrous oxide is frequently used, but has varying effects. The aim of the study was to ascertain whether pain levels during frame removal are improved with local infiltration of local anaesthetic (LA) and to assess the effect of LA and nitrous oxide compared to nitrous oxide alone. Methodology. This was a small single centre study using patient reported questions to assess pain levels during frame removal. The test group received 5–20ml 2% lidocaine infiltrated into tissues surrounding half pins and olive wire exit sites. All patients were asked to complete a questionnaire to assess pain levels and patient satisfaction following the procedure. Patients were asked to mark their pain level on a 100mm visual analogue scale giving a final pain score out of 100. Results. There were twenty three patients in the LA group but due to observed levels of increased distress without LA, the control group was restricted to 7 patients. Patient satisfaction was high and there were no complications across both groups. The LA group (N=23) had a mean pain score of 35, which was significantly lower than the mean of 62 in the N=7 control patients (unpaired t-test: p=0.010). Conclusion. Frame removal in clinic has been shown to be a safe and well tolerated procedure and this study has shown that LA does improve pain levels during frame removal. Further work to compare pain levels and patient satisfaction with alternative frame removal methods at other centres is being carried out

Aims

There has been an increasing use of early operative fixation for scaphoid fractures, despite uncertain evidence. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate up-to-date evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), comparing the effectiveness of the operative and nonoperative treatment of undisplaced and minimally displaced (≤ 2 mm displacement) scaphoid fractures.

Anterior knee pain (AKP) is the commonest complication of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study aims to assess whether sagittal femoral component position is an independent predictor of AKP after cruciate retaining single radius TKA without primary patellofemoral resurfacing. From a prospective cohort of 297 consecutive TKAs, 73 (25%) patients reported AKP and 89 (30%) reported no pain at 10 years. Patients were assessed pre-operatively and at 1, 5 and 10 years using the short form 12 and Oxford Knee Score (OKS). Variables assessed included demographic data, indication, reoperation, patella resurfacing, and radiographic criteria. Patients with AKP (mean age 67.0 (38–82), 48 (66%) female) had mean Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) Pain scores of 34.3 (range 5–100). VAS scores were 0 in patients with no pain (mean age 66.5 (41–82), 60 (67%) female). Femoral component flexion (FCF), anterior femoral offset ratio, and medial proximal tibial angle all differed significantly between patients with AKP and no pain (p<0.001), p=0.007, p=0.009, respectively). All PROMs were worse in the AKP group at 10 years (p<0.05). OKSs were worse from 1 year (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis confirmed FCF and Insall ratio <0.8 as independent predictors of AKP (R. 2. = 0.263). Extension of ≥0.5° predicted AKP with 87% sensitivity. AKP affects 25% of patients following single radius cruciate retaining TKA, resulting in inferior patient-reported outcome measures at 10 years. Sagittal plane positioning and alignment of the femoral component are important determinants of long-term AKP with femoral component extension being a major risk factor

Introduction. The peri-operative analgesic management of patients having either Total Knee Replacement (TKR) or Unicompartmental Knee Replacement (UKR) is an area that continues to have prominence, driven in part by the desire to reduce hospital stay, while maintaining high patient satisfaction. This is particularly relevant in the current climate of healthcare cost savings. We evaluated the role of “top up” intra-articular local anaesthetic injection after identifying that an appreciable number of patients in the unit suffered “breakthrough pain” on the first post-op day, when the effects of local analgesia are wearing off. Method. 43 patients, who were scheduled to have a cemented Oxford UKR, were prospectively recruited and randomised. All patients had the same initial anaesthetic regime of general anaesthesia, femoral nerve block and intra-operative intra-articular infiltration of the cocktail. All patients had a 16G multi-holed epidural catheter placed intra-articularly prior to wound closure. Patients had the same operative technique, post operative rehabilitation and rescue analgesia. An independent observer recorded post-operative pain scores using a visual analogue score (1–10) every 6 hours and any rescue analgesia that was required. On the morning after surgery, 22 patients, (Group I), received 20 mls of 0.5% bupivicaine through the catheter whilst 21 patients, (Group II), had 20 mls of normal saline by the same observer, (who was blinded to the contents of the solution being injected), after which the catheter was removed. Results. When comparing these two groups there was no statistical difference found in their pain scores on the day of operation. However, patients in Group I had a significantly better pain score initially post top up and then at 6 hours (2.4 (0–8) vs 5.7 (2–9), Mann-Whitney p<0.001). This cohort of patients required less rescue analgesia (22% vs 75%, Mann-Whitney p<0.001). In addition, Group I had statistically significant higher patient satisfaction outcome scores after the infiltration, (p<0.001), with 16 reporting very good satisfaction in comparison to 1 in Group II. There were no complications in either group. Discussion. Our study has shown that injection of local anaesthesia via an intra-articular catheter does reduce pain scores when compared to placebo. This implies that this technique may have a role in providing optimal pain relief after UKR

The best surgical treatment of lateral epicondylitis remains uncertain. Recently radiofrequency microtenotomy (RFMT) has been proposed as a suitable surgical treatment. We aim to compare open release with RFMT and present the results of our randomised controlled trial. Patients with symptoms of tennis elbow for at least 6 months who had failed to respond to conservative management were included in the trial. They were randomised to open release or RFMT. Outcome measures included grip strength, pain and DASH scores. 41 patients were randomised, 23 to RFMT and 18 to open release, 2 patients withdrew from the study. Our results show that both treatments give a significant benefit at all time points for DASH and pain scores, but only open release gives a significant improvement in grip strength. Comparing the two treatments the only significant difference is the open group have better pain scores at 6 weeks, but this is not seen at later follow up. In conclusion both groups have shown benefit from the treatments, but one is not shown to be clearly superior

Aims

The study objective was to prospectively assess clinical outcomes for a pilot cohort of tibial shaft fractures treated with a new tibial nailing system that produces controlled axial interfragmentary micromotion. The hypothesis was that axial micromotion enhances fracture healing compared to static interlocking.

Purpose. This study compares outcomes in patients with complete congenital fibula absence treated with an amputation protocol to those using an extension prosthesis. Introduction. Complete fibula absence presents with significant lower limb deformity. Parental counselling regarding management is paramount in achieving the optimum functional outcome. Amputation offers a single surgical event with minimal complications and potential excellent functional outcome. Method. 32 patients were identified. 9 patients (2M: 7F, median age at presentation of 22yrs) utilized an extension prosthesis. 23 patients (16M: 7F, median age at presentation of 10 months) underwent 25 amputations during childhood: only two underwent tibial kyphus correction. Mobility was assessed using SIGAM and K scores. Quality of life was assessed using the PedsQL inventory questionnaire; pain by a verbal severity score. Results. 19 Syme and one Boyd amputation in 19 patients were performed early (mean age 15 months). 4 Syme and one trans-tibial amputation in 4 patients took place in older children (mean age 6.6 years). K Scores were significantly higher (mean 4 versus 2) and pain scores lower in the amputation group allowing high impact activity compared to community ambulation with an extension prosthesis. The SIGAM and PedsQL scores were all better in the amputation group, but not significantly so. Conclusion. Childhood amputation for severe limb length inequality and foot deformity in congenital fibula absence offers excellent short term functional outcome with prosthetic support. The tibial kyphus does not need routine correction and facilitates prosthetic suspension. Accommodative extension prostheses offer reasonable long term function but outcome scores are lower

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.

The prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) is expected to rise however reports of the outcomes of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients with PD in the literature are sparse. We present the first study to compare short to medium term outcomes of TKA in patients with and without PD. We performed a retrospective analysis of data from our regional arthroplasty database. In our PD group 32 TKAs were implanted. In our age-matched control group 33 TKAs were implanted. Mean age at operation was 73 years and the primary indication was osteoarthritis in both groups. Data was collected pre-operatively and at routine 1, 3 and 5 year follow-up attendances. Median in-patient stay was comparable in both groups (P=0.714). Pre-operatively, there were no between-group differences in range of movement, Knee Society Function Score (KSFS), Knee Society Score (KSS) or Pain score taken as an independent variable (P=0.108, 0.079, 0.478 and 0.496). KSS improved in both groups post-operatively with no significant between-group differences (P=0.707). Improvement was maintained to Year 5 (median 30 points pre-operatively and 91 points at Year 5 in PD group). Pain score also improved in both groups. There was no functional improvement following TKA in the PD group. In the controls, an increase in KSFS at Year 1 was followed by a return to pre-operative values at Year 5. Complications in the PD group included 1 case of bilateral quadriceps tendon avulsion and 1 dislocation requiring revision. Patients with PD benefit from excellent pain relief following TKA for at least 5 years after surgery