This study was proposed to evaluate the efficacy of fibrin clot augmentation in meniscal tear using inside-out meniscal repair.

A total of 35 patients with meniscus tears were operated on with inside-out meniscus repair and fibrin clot augmentation. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively with clinical criteria, Lysholm knee scoring system, and MRI.

Out of the total 35 cases, 5 cases were lost to follow up. Clinical improvement was observed in 29 out of 30 patients (96.6%). The mean Lysholm score improved significantly from 67.63 ± 6.55 points preoperatively to 92.0 ± 2.9 points postoperatively (P < 0.05) in 2 years follow-up. Follow-up MRI in all patients revealed complete healing except in 1 case where the patient presented with recurrence of symptoms such as pain and locking which resolved with partial meniscectomy. Paraesthesia in the anterior part of the knee was observed in 2 cases. (6.6%).

We conclude that fibrin clot augmentation is a good cost-effective modality of treatment for repairable meniscus tears to preserve the meniscus and decrease the point contact pressure on the condyles which may prevent the early occurrence of osteoarthritis.

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is the most common cause of disability worldwide, and lumbar spine fusion (LSF) is often chosen to treat pain caused by advanced degenerative disease when clinical treatment failed certain cases, the post-surgical outcomes are not what was expected. Several studies highlight how important are. In psychological variables during the postoperative spine surgery period. The aim of this study is to assess the role of preoperative depression on postoperative clinical outcomes. We included patients who underwent LSF since December 2021. Preoperative depression was assessed administering Beck Depression Inventory questionnaire (BDI). And pain and disability were evaluated at 1, 3, and 6 months, administering respectively Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). As statistical analysis Mann-Whitney test was performed. We included 46 patients, 20 female (43,5%) and 26 male (56,5%) with an average age of 64,2. The population was divided in two groups, fixing the BDI cut-off point at 10. Patients with BDI < 10 points (N=28) had normal mental health status, instead patients with BDI > 10 points (N=16) had depressive disorders. At 3 months patients with healthy mental status reported statistically significant reduction of pain (U = 372,5, p = .006) and improvement of disability but without statistical significancy (U = 318, p = 0,137). At 6 months patients without psychological disease reported statistically significant reduction of pain (U = 342, p = 0,039) and disability (U = 372,5, p = 0,006).

This study demonstrates the correlation between pre-existing depressive state and poorer clinical outcomes after spine surgery. These results are consistent with the literature. Therefore, during the surgical decision making it is crucial to take psychological variables into account in order to predict the results after surgery and inform patients on the potential influence of mental status.

Summary. There is little consensus regarding the regime for treatment of tuberculosis of spine, although WHO has laid down guidelines couple of years back classifying spinal tuberculosis in Category 1. This study proves the efficacy of WHO regime in spinal tuberculosis by clinico-radiological evaluation. Introduction. The medical fraternity is divided over the duration of chemotherapy in cases spinal tuberculosis. WHO clearly recommend spinal tuberculosis under Category I, but not accepted by most clinicians. Patient and Methods. In this prospective study during the period between August 2005 and July 2012, a total of 76 cases were diagnosed and evaluated clinico-radiologically to test the efficacy of WHO protocol (2HRZE+4HR) in our hospital with a mean follow up of 50 months (30 – 80 months). Results. Spinal tuberculosis was seen in 56% of all osteoarticular tuberculosis. Maximum population was between 11–50 years, females were involved more than males (66%), and regional distribution was different in males (Lumbar) and females (Thoracic). Skip and multifocal lesions were seen in 13% (6 cases), more common in immune compromised cases. Pain was the most common symptom (95%) followed by constitutional symptoms. Radiographic changes were nonspecific, appear late and suggestive of tuberculosis in 53%case, MRI is very useful in diagnosing in 95% cases especially when X ray is contributory. ESR is useful tool for follow up of patients, elevated in 94%cases. Results were evaluated on clinical, hematological and radiological basis. Of the total 64cases (after dropouts, lost in follow up, mortality), 50 patients (78%) received treatment for 6 months and14 cases for more than 6months (P value<0.001). No MDR cases were present. In 50 patients fall in ESR at the end of 2 months was found to be statistically significant (P value<0.05) and hence were given a treatment for 6 months, the fall at the end of 6 months was highly significant (P value<0.001). In rest of the 14 cases the duration of treatment was given for more than 6 months as the trend of fall of ESR was not significant. MRI changes were assessed in the form of osteitis, osteitis with discitis, abscess formation and granulation tissue on initiation of treatment, completion of treatment and 6 months after completion of treatment. Conclusion and Discussion. The experience shows that spinal tuberculosis is common in a tertiary health care centre in India with diagnosis possible by combination of clinical evaluation and radiological evaluation. Statistical significance was found in clinical symptoms, ESR trends and MRI evaluation in cases receiving 6 months of chemotherapy. With this study, WHO short course chemotherapy was found to be effective in spinal tuberculosis, with no relapse over a period of 6 years

The incidence of wound complications after a hip or a knee replacement is well established, but there is no such data about foot/ankle surgery. Without this data it is difficult to compare performance between different care-providers. It is also difficult to benchmark services that could potentially be provided by a wide range of care providers (chiropodists, podiatrists, podiatric surgeons, general orthopaedic surgeons with a small foot/ankle practice, etc). Our aim was to establish the incidence of wound complications after foot/ankle surgery and provide a baseline for future comparison. Our study was done in two parts. First part was to conduct an opinion-survey of BOFAS members with a substantial foot/ankle practice, on wound complications from foot/ankle surgery in their own practice. Second part was to conduct a prospective study on the incidence of wound complications from our own foot/ankle practice. The study was registered as an audit and did not require ethical approval. All wound complications (skin necrosis, wound dehiscence, superficial and deep infections) were recorded prospectively. Record of such data was obtained by an independent observer, and from multiple sources, to avoid under-reporting. 60 % of the responders to our survey had a predominant foot/ankle practice (exclusive or at least 75 % of their practice was foot/ankle surgery) and were included for further analysis of their responses. A large majority of these responders (64%) reported a rate of 2–5 % for superficial infection, and a significant majority (86 %) reported a deep infection rate of less than 2 %. Results from our own practice showed an incidence of superficial infection of 2.8 % and deep infection of 1.5 %. With increasing focus on clinical outcome measures as an indicator of quality, it is imperative to publish data on wound complications/ infection after foot/ankle surgery, and in the absence of such data, our two-armed study (survey-opinion and prospective audit) provides a useful benchmark for future comparisons

Shortening of patellar tendon after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was previously reported by several studies. Its etiology still remains controversial. Patellar tendon shortening, a direct cause of patella baja, has a dramatic negative impact in terms of clinical outcomes after TKA. Main objective of this study is to assess the feasibility of utilizing a different technique with Ultrasound that is easy to use, cost-effective and able to eliminate the problem of differential magnification occurring in other techniques which count on standard x-rays and to establish the correlation between clinical outcomes and changes in patellar tendon length and thickness after TKA.

The study was designed as prospective cohort and, after a minimum of 4-year-follow up period, 47 knees of 24 patients who had undergone primary TKA without patellar resurfacing were included in the study. All patients were scored with Kujala and HSS scores and all patellar tendons were evaluated with USG regarding their length and thickness. We used conventional grey-scale ultrasound imaging (US) to determine any changes in patellar tendon morphology. All cases were evaluated by the same radiologist. The patellar tendon was examined with the knee in 30° flexion. The flexion angle helped to stretch the extensor mechanism and avoid anisotropy (concavity) of the patellar tendon. The transducer was placed along the long axis of the tendon. The patellar tendon was initially examined in the longitudinal plane in order to measure the total length. Then, total length was divided into three parts and sagittal thickness was calculated at the proximal, median, and distal thirds of the patellar tendon. Both the length and thickness of the tendon were measured before surgery and at the 4th year of follow-up.

Of the 47 knees that were included in our study, the mean pre-operative and postoperative length of the patellar tendon was 40.78±6.15 mm and 35.93±4.52 mm. Our results suggested significant shortening of the patellar tendon after primary TKA surgery (p<0.05). Intergroup analysis suggested that reduced sagittal thickness in the proximal third of the tendon was more strongly correlated with an increase in functional outcomes (p<0.05). Our results suggested no significant difference in clinical outcome scores between patients with increased or decreased length of the patellar tendon after TKA (p>0.05).

We suggest that determining morphologic changes in sagittal thickness as well as length is important in explaining some of the ambiguous causes of anterior knee pain and impaired clinical outcomes after TKA. More accurate documentation of morphologic changes in the patellar tendon after TKA will certainly help to develop new techniques by surgeons or avoid some existing routines that may harm the tendon. USG is a feasible method for evaluating patellar tendon morphology after TKA but more future studies are needed.

Background-. Health care is best delivered face to face, doctor to patient. However, in some places like Scotland, patients can be in remote areas, far from the nearest health care provider. Medical video conferencing (VC) enables patients and doctors to meet for consultations from wherever they may be without the need for travel, and is already used widely in countries like Australia and Canada. Aim-. To do a pilot study of using the existing VC facility at our hospital for surgical pre-assessment of patients for elective foot/ankle and lower limb arthroplasty surgery. Methods- A prospective pilot study was performed at our hospital after approval from our ethics committee. Patient-records were vetted to include/exclude from the study and cases considered as “straightforward” were included. Two separate rooms with VC facility were set up in the orthopaedic outpatients, one with the patient and a trained physiotherapist, while the surgeon used the second room to discuss patient's complaints, do a physical examination, and discuss surgery where appropriate. Results-. 120 patients were included in the study out of which 82 (68 %) patients were seen exclusively through VC. Out of the 82, there were 42 foot/ankle cases and 40 cases for lower limb arthroplasty (TKR/THR). There were 40 cases where the VC consultation had to be converted into a face-to-face consultation mainly because the surgeon (31/40) was not entirely satisfied with the VC consultation (inadequate information in notes, anxious patient, etc). Conclusion-. We found that the VC consultation worked for a large majority of “straightforward” elective foot/ankle and lower limb arthroplasty conditions. We believe that there is certainly a role for VC consultation, especially for patients in rural/remote areas of Scotland, thus bringing down the cost and inconvenience of patient transport considerably

Background

The discussion over the duration, type of therapy and regimen to be used in osteoarticular tuberculosis is losing importance in all orthopaedic gathering. Still little consensus is there over the universality of a treatment regime for osteoarticular tuberculosis.

Objectives

There are various pin-in-plaster methods for treating fractures of the distal radius. The purpose of this study is to introduce a modified technique of ‘pin in plaster’.

Background

People with back pain often experience long-term pain with recurrences and fluctuations. However, few studies have considered which factors predict long-term outcomes.

Smartphones are often equipped with inertial sensors capable of measuring individuals' physical activities. Their role in monitoring the patients' physical activities in telemedicine, however, needs to be explored. The main objective of this study was to explore the correlation between a participant's daily step counts and the daily step counts reported by their smartphone. This prospective observational study was conducted on patients undergoing lower limb orthopedic surgery and a group of non-patients. The data collection period was from 2 weeks before until four weeks after the surgery for the patients and two weeks for the non-patients. The participants' daily steps were recorded by physical activity trackers employed 24/7, and an application recorded the number of daily steps registered by the participants' smartphones. We compared the cross-correlation between the daily steps time-series taken from the smartphones and physical activity trackers in different groups of participants. We also employed mixed modeling to estimate the total number of steps. Overall, 1067 days of data were collected from 21 patients (11 females) and 10 non-patients (6 females). The cross-correlation coefficient between the smartphone and physical activity tracker was 0.70 [0.53–0.83]. The correlation in the non-patients was slightly higher than in the patients (0.74 [0.60–0.90] and 0.69 [0.52–0.81], respectively). Considering the ubiquity, convenience, and practicality of smartphones, the high correlation between the smartphones and the total daily step time-series highlights the potential usefulness of smartphones in detecting the change in the step counts in remote monitoring of the patient's physical activity

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) outcome in patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head ONFH) are excellent, however, there is controversy when compared with those in patients with osteoarthritis (OA). Reduced mineralization capacity of osteoblasts of the proximal femur in patients with ONFH could affect implant fixation.

We asked if THA fixation in patients with ONFH is worse than in those with OA.

We carried out a prospective comparative case (OA)-control (ONFH) study of patients undergoing THA at our hospital between 2017 and 2019. The minimum follow-up was 2 years. Inclusion criteria were patients with uncemented THA, younger than 70 years old, a Dorr femoral type C and idiopathic ONFH. We compared the clinical (Merlé D'Aubigné-Postel score) and radiological results related with implant positioning and fixation. Engh criteria and subsidence were assessed at the immediate postoperative, 12 weeks, 6 months, 12 months and yearly. Osteoblastic activity was determined by mineralization assay on primary cultures of osteoblasts isolated from trabecular bone samples collected from the intertrochanteric area obtained during surgery.

Group 1 (ONFH) included 18 patients and group 2 (OA), 22. Average age was 55.9 years old in group 1 and 61.3 in group 2. (p=0.08). There were no differences related with sex, Dorr femoral type or femoral filling. The mean clinical outcome score was 17.1 in group 1 and 16.5 in group 2 (p=0.03). There were no cases of dislocation, infection, or revision surgery in this series. There were 5 cases (28%) of femoral stem subsidence greater than 3mm within 6 first months in group 1 and 1 case (4.5%) in group 2 (p=0.05).

Although there were no significant differences related to clinical results, bone fixation was slower, and a greater subsidence was observed in patients with ONFH. Greater femoral stem subsidence was associated with a lower capacity for mineral nodule formation in cultured osteoblasts. The surgical technique could influence THA outcome in patients with reduced mineralization capacity of osteoblasts.

Aim

This study aims to define the normal postoperative presepsin kinetics in patients undergoing primary cementless total hip replacement (THR).

The use of hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA) has largely regressed due to the fear of metal-on-metal bearings. However committed HRA users continue to assert the functional advantages that a geometry retaining implant would have on a patient”s hip. Currently worldwide, HRA is only recommended to men who demand an active lifestyle. Despite this precarious indication, it is not clear to what extent HRA has on higher activity function. The aim of this study was to determine the functional extent to which could be achieved with HRA. The primary objective is to assess the loading pattern change for patients implanted with HRA at high walking speeds and inclinations. The second objective is to compare their loading features to a healthy group to determine if a normal gait pattern could be achieved. Between 2012 and 2016, a total of 28 prospective unilateral HRA patients were analysed on an instrumented treadmill from a single centre. All 28 patient patients had a uniform implant type and had no other lower limb operations or disease. Perioperative plain orthogonal radiographs were used to measure hip length and global hip offset change. A healthy control group (n=35) were analysed to compare. All HRA patients gait characteristics were assessed at incrementally higher speeds and inclinations to determine the extent of improvement HRA has on a challenging activity. A Student t-test along with a multivariate analysis was done with significance set at α=0.05. Weight and height variance was accounted with Hof normalisation. The HRA and control group were reasonably matched for age (57 vs 55yrs), BMI (27 vs 25) and height (175 vs 170cm) respectively. Hip measurements revealed less than 5mm change for all cases. The mean time from initial preoperative gait assessment to postoperative assessment was 30 months (24–48months). The mean top walking speed for controls was 1.97m/s and postoperatively 2.1 m/sec for the HRA group. The significant (p<0.001) loading change during flat walking can be seen with restoration of symmetry. Walking at an inclination demonstrated a marked change during weight acceptance (p<0.001) and a loading pattern returning to near normal. This prospective study found HRA patients walking faster than age matched controls. They demonstrated a significant change in their loading pattern, by significantly shifting load from the unaffected side to the implanted side. Uphill walking, an activity which requires more hip flexion, demonstrated a change in stance phase which was near normal. This small comparative study confirms near physiological function can be achieved with HRA at higher activity levels

Summary. open tibia fractures are best treated in an orthopaedic-plastic surgical multidisciplinary setting. Introduction. Open fractures of the leg represent a severe trauma. It is often stated that combining the skills of Plastic and Orthopaedic surgeons can optimise the results of limb salvage in complex limb injury. The multidisciplinary approach, shared between plastic and orthopaedic surgeons, is likely to provide the optimal treatment of these injuries, although this mutidisciplinary simultaneous treatment is not routinely performed. Given the relatively low incidence of these traumas, a multicentric recruitment of these patients can contribute in providing an adequately numerous cohort of patients to be evaluated through the long process of soft tissue and bone healing following an open tibia fracture. We compared three centres with different protocols for management of these challenging cases. Patients & Methods. The following trauma centres, either orthoplastic or orthopaedic, were involved in a prospective observational study: Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute/University of Bologna (leading centre) and Maggiore Hospital (Bologna), Frenchay Hospital (Bristol, Regno Unito), Jinnah Hospital (Lahore, Pakistan), a centre in the developing world who have adopted an Ortho-Plastic approach. From 01/01/2012, all patients consecutively hospitalised in the mentioned centres due to Gustilo grade 3 tibial open fractures were included in the study and propspectively followed. Demographics, mechanism of the trauma, type of lesion, timing and way of transfer to the trauma centre, as well as timing and techniques of bone and soft tissue treatment were recorded. The considered outcome measures were duration of hospitalization (main outcome measure), rate of reintervention, Enneking score at 3, 6 and 12 months, the incidence of osteomyelitis, non union, amputation and other complications. Results. The number of patients included in the first 6 months was 42. Mechanism, severity of injury and techniques regarding definitive bone reconstruction were similar accross the three centres. The main difference occured in soft-tissue management with VAC therapy being utilised by the Italian centre compared to vascularised tissue transfer in Pakistan and Britain. The mean duration of hospital stay in the Italian centre was 72 days compared with 24 days in Pakistan and 25 days in Britain. Patients treated in a centre with an orthoplastic team, therefore, spent an average of 46 fewer days in hospital (P<0.005, 95% CI −69 to −24days). Discussion. From an initial analysis of data, the duration of hospitalization is strongly influenced by the fact that a plastic procedure is performed or not. The first evaluations on the hospital management of these injuries show a relevant advantage deriving from a combined orthoplastic approach, evenwhen applied into a comparatively hostile cohort

Introduction. The different types of treatment for osteonecrosis of the femoral head have not led to a consensus about which treatment is best for the different stages. Particularly in the later stages of osteonecrosis, the disease still progresses to destruction of the femoral dome. The purpose of our study was to check the outcome of bone impaction grafting used for the head-preserving treatment of severe femoral head osteonecrosis. In order to preserve the femoral head, the sphericity and mechanical properties of the femoral dome must be contained and further collapse prevented. Methods. In this prospective study, we included 28 hips in 27 patients who had severe complaints of pain due to an extensive osteonecrotic lesion. The mean age of the patients was 33 years with a mean follow up time of 42 months. Results. Eight patients (29%) underwent a conversion to a total hip arthroplasty. The pre-operative Harris hip score for all cases was 55 points and the post-operative score was 79 points. Fifty-four percent of all cases showed a radiological and sixty-four percent a clinical success. The clinical success rate of Stage 2 was 73%, of early Stage 3, 67%, and late Stage 3, 45%. Conclusion. In conclusion, we can state that the bone impaction grafting technique shows promising results and is an excellent addition for the treatment arsenal for osteonecrosis of the femoral head

Introduction

Durable bone fixation of uncemented porous-coated acetabular cups can be observed at a long-term, however, polyethylene (PE) wear and osteolysis may affect survivorship. Accurate wear measurements correlated with clinical data may offer unique research information of clinical interest about this highly debated issue.

Introduction. 20 cases of bone defect have been treated by the induced membrane technique avoiding allograft, microsurgery and amputation. Material and Methods. 9 cases of long bone defect (humerus and 2 bones arm) and 11 cases of bone defct at the hand have been included in this multicentric prospective study (3 centers). 11 cases were traumatic, 7 cases were septic non union and 2 cases were tumor. At hand level's bone reached at least one phalanx, and for long bone the mean defect was 5cm (3–11). All cases were treated by the induced membrane technique which consists in stable fixation, flap if necessary and in filling the void created by the bone defect by a cement spacer (PMMA). This technique needs a second stage procedure at the 2. nd. month where the cement is removed and the void is filled by cancellous bone. The key point of this induced membrane technique is to respect the foreign body membane which appeared around the cement spacer and which create a biologic chamber after the second time. Bone union was evaluated prospectively in each case by an surgeon not involved in the treatment by Xray and CT scan. Failure was defined as a non union at 1 year, or an uncontrolled sepsis at 1 month. Results. 3 cases failed to achieve bone union, 2 at hand level and 1 for long bone. No septic complications occured and all septic cases werre stopped. In 14 cases bone union was achieved with a delay of 5 months (1, 5–12). 2 biopsies allowed to proove us that osteoid tissue was created by the technic. At hand level all fingers have included. At shoulder and elbow level, function reached 75% of motion than controlateral side. Discussion. Masquelet first reported 35 cases of large bone defect of tibia non union treated by the induced membrane technic which allow to fill bone defect with cancellous bone alone. The cement spacer allows to induce a foreign body membrane which constitute a biological chamber. Works on animal model reported by Pellissier and Viatteau showed the properties of the membrane: secretion of growths factors (VEGF, TGFbéta1, BMP2) and osteoinductive activitie of the cells. The induced membrane seem to play the role of a neo periosteum. Using this technic is possible in emergency or in septic condition where bone defect can not been solved by shortening. This technic avoids to use microsurgical technic and the limit is the quantity of avalaible cancellous bone

Purpose of the Study

Assessment of long term results of Chemonucleolysis vs. surgery for soft disc herniation

Summary. Management of metal on metal hip replacements can be accomplished with a simple algorithm including easily available metal ion levels and hip MRI with metal artifact reducing software. After revision serum metal ion levels can be expected to fall rapidly. Introduction. Metallic ion release may be related to bearing surface wear and thus serves as an indicator of the in-vivo performance of metal on metal articulations. The purpose of this prospective, controlled study was to compare new large head metal on metal hip components with established modular metal on metal and metal on polyethylene and to determine their effects on serum metal levels before and after revision. Patients & Methods. We performed a multi-surgeon, prospective, controlled trial to compare clinical, radiographic, and metal ion concentration in serum (cobalt and chrome) results across multiple devices including the Large Head ASR XL System (MoM-1), the Ultamet Advanced Modularity System (MoM-2), and as the control the Pinacle Acetabular Cup System with polyethylene liner (MoP). One hundred and fifty-one consecutive patients undergoing THA were enrolled in the study: MoM-1 n=97; MoM-2 n=22; MoP n=32. Clinical, radiographic, and venous blood assessments were performed pre-operatively, and post-operatively at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years, and after revision (1,3,6,12 months). All serum ion concentrations are reported in nmol/L. We are following metal ion levels after revision and have developed an algorithm to diagnose and manage patients with MoM THA. Results. MoM-1 patients had significantly increased average cobalt and chromium levels. Clinical scores improved after surgery in all groups and continued to improve in MoM-2 and MoP patients after 2 years but decreased slightly in the MoM-1 patients at 2 years. Average cup inclination angle did not differ significantly between the groups: MoM-1 50.2, MoM-2 47.8, and MoP 51.7. In the MoM-1 group 11 patients (11%) had significantly elevated ion levels (MoM-1 Outliers). Nine hips (9.3%) in 8 MoM-1 outlier patients required revision. Metal ion levels were not significantly different between MoM-2 and MoP groups. Metal ion levels after revision in the MoM-1 group decreased rapidly but at one year post-operatively have still not returned to an equivalent baseline comparable to the MoM-2 and MoP groups. All revisions were in the MoM-1 group. Chromium levels decreased more slowly than Cobalt levels. Discussion. To our knowledge this is the only data in the literature prospectively comparing ion levels among groups and reporting post revision ion levels. Average serum ion levels were elevated at all post-operative samples in the MoM-1 group but this was due to significantly elevated levels in a subset of outliers who required revision. Excluding the outliers there is not a significant difference in post-operative ion levels between the groups. There was no radiographic evidence of component malposition or aseptic loosening in any of the groups. Control groups (MoM-2, MoP) performed comparatively across all variables. We present an algorithm to diagnose and manage patients with metal on metal THA and offer evidence that metal ion levels do decrease after revision but still remain abnormally elevated at one-year post revision compared to the control group. A significant portion of MoM-1 performs comparatively to the controls in terms of ions

Primary malignant bone and soft tissue tumours often occur in the lower extremities of active individuals including children, teenagers and young adults. Survivors routinely face long-term physical disability. Participation in sports is particularly important for active young people but the impact of sarcoma treatment is not widely recognised and clinicians may be unable to provide objective advice about returning to sports. We aimed to identify and summarise the current evidence for involvement in sports following treatment of lower limb primary malignant bone and soft tissue tumours. A comprehensive search strategy was used to identify relevant studies combining the main concepts of interest: (1) Bone/Soft Tissue Tumour, (2) Lower Limb, (3) Surgical Interventions and (4) Sports. Studies were selected according to eligibility criteria with the consensus of three authors. Customised data extraction and quality assessment tools were used. 22 studies were selected, published between 1985 – 2020, and comprising 1005 patients. Fifteen studies with data on return to sports including 705 participants of which 412 (58.4%) returned to some form of sport at a mean follow-up period of 7.6 years. Four studies directly compared limb sparing and amputation; none of these were able to identify a difference in sports participation or ability. Return to sports is important for patients treated for musculoskeletal tumours, however, there is insufficient published research to provide good information and support for patients. Future prospective studies are needed to collect better pre and post-treatment data at multiple time intervals and validated clinical and patient sports participation outcomes such as type of sports participation, level and frequency and a validated sports specific outcome score, such as UCLA assessment. In particular, more comparison between limb sparing and amputation would be welcome