Open tibial fractures can be difficult to manage, with a range of factors that could affect treatment and outcome. We present a large cohort of patients, and analyse which factors have significant associations with infection outcome. Elucidation will allow clinicians to strive for treatment optimisation, and patients to be advised on likely complications. Open tibia fractures treated at a major trauma centre between 2015-2021 were included. Mean age at injury was 55.4 (range 13-102). Infection status was categorized into no
Fragility ankles fractures in the geriatric population are challenging to manage, due to fracture instability, soft tissue compromise, patient co-morbidities. Traditional management options include open reduction internal fixation, or conservative treatment, both of which are fraught with high complication rates. We aimed to present functional outcomes of elderly patients with fragility ankle fractures treated with tibiotalocalcaneal nails. 171 patients received a tibiotalocalcaneal nail over a six-year period, but only twenty met the inclusion criteria of being over sixty and having poor bone stock, verified by radiological evidence of osteopenia or history of fragility fractures. Primary outcome was mortality risk from co-morbidities, according to the Charlson co-morbidity index (CCI), and patients’ post-operative mobility status compared to pre-operative mobility. Secondary outcomes include intra-operative and post-operative complications, six-month mortality rate, time to mobilisation and union. The mean age was 77.82 years old, five of whom are type 2 diabetics. The average CCI was 5.05. Thirteen patients returned to their pre-operative mobility state. Patients with low CCI are more likely to return to pre-operative mobility status (p=0.16; OR=4.00). Average time to bone union and mobilisation were 92.5 days and 7.63 days, respectively. Mean post-operative AOFAS ankle-hindfoot and Olerud-Molander scores were 53.0 (range 17-88) and 50.9 (range 20-85), respectively. There were four cases of broken distal locking screws, and four cases of
Abstract. Objectives. Current literature on pilon fracture includes a range of different management strategies, however there is no universal treatment algorithm. We aim to determine clinical outcomes in patients with open and closed pilon fractures, managed using a treatment algorithm applied consistently over the span of this study. Methods. 135 patients over a 6-year period were included. Primary outcome was AOFAS score at 3, 6, 12-months post-injury. Secondary outcomes include time to partial weight-bear (PWB), full weight-bear (FWB), bone union time, follow-up time. AO/OTA classification was used (43A: n=23, 43B: n=30, 43C: n=82). Treatment algorithm consisted of fine wire fixator (FWF) for severely comminuted closed fractures (AO/OTA type 43C3), or open fractures with severe soft tissue injury (GA type 3). Otherwise, open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) was performed. When required, minimally invasive osteosynthesis was performed in combination with FWF to improve joint congruency. Results. Mean AOFAS score 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment for open and closed fracture patients were 44.12 and 53.99 (p=0.007), 62.38 and 67.68 (p=0.203), 78.44 and 84.06 (p=0.256), respectively. 119 of 141 fractures healed without further intervention (84.4%). Average time to union was 51.46 and 36.48 weeks for open and closed fractures, respectively (p=0.019). On average, open, and closed fracture patients took 12.29 and 10.76 weeks to PWB (p=0.361); 24.04 and 20.31 weeks to FWB (p=0.235), respectively. Common complications for open fractures were non-union (24%), post-traumatic arthritis (16%); for closed fractures they were post-traumatic arthritis (25%),
To conduct a meta-analysis for intertrochanteric hip fractures comparing in terms of efficacy and safety short versus long intralomedullary nails. A pubmed search of the last 10 years for intertrochanteric fracture 31A1-31A3 according to the AO/OTA classification was performed. Baseline characteristics of each article were obtained, complication measures were analyzed: Peri-implant fracture, reoperations, deep/
Introduction and Objective. Despite the low incidence of pilon fractures among lower limb injuries, their high-impact nature presents difficulties in surgical management and recovery. Current literature includes a wide range of different management strategies, however there is no universal treatment algorithm. We aim to determine clinical outcomes in patients with open and closed pilon fractures, managed using a treatment algorithm that was applied consistently over the span of this study. Materials and Methods. This retrospective study was conducted at a single institution, including 141 pilon fractures in 135 patients, from August 2014 to January 2021. AO/OTA classification was used to classify fractures. Among closed fractures, 12 had type 43A, 18 had type 43B, 61 had type 43C. Among open fractures, 11 had type 43A, 12 had type 43B, 27 had type 43C. Open fractures were further classified with Gustilo-Anderson (GA); type 1: n=8, type 2: n=10, type 3A: n=12, type 3B: n=20. Our treatment algorithm consisted of fine wire fixator (FWF) for severely comminuted closed fractures (AO/OTA type 43C3), or open fractures with severe soft tissue injury (GA type 3). Otherwise, open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) was performed. When required, minimally invasive osteosynthesis (MIO) was performed in combination with FWF to improve joint congruency. All open fractures, and closed fractures with severe soft tissue injury (skin contusion, fracture blister, severe oedema) were initially treated with temporary ankle-spanning external fixation. For all open fracture patients, surgical debridement, soft tissue cover with a free or pedicled flap were performed. For GA types 1 and 2, this was done with ORIF in the same operating session. Those with severe soft tissue injury (GA type 3) were treated with FWF four to six weeks after soft tissue management was completed. Primary outcome was AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot score at 3, 6 and 12-months post-treatment. Secondary outcomes include time to partial weight-bear (PWB) and full weight-bear (FWB), bone union time. All complications were recorded. Results. Mean AOFAS score 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment for open and closed fracture patients were 44.12 and 53.99 (p=0.007), 62.38 and 67.68 (p=0.203), 78.44 and 84.06 (p=0.256), respectively. 119 of the 141 fractures healed without further intervention (84.4%). Average time to bone union was 51.46 and 36.48 weeks for open and closed fractures, respectively (p=0.019). Union took longer in closed fracture patients treated with FWF than ORIF (p=0.025). On average, open and closed fracture patients took 12.29 and 10.76 weeks to PWB (p=0.361); 24.04 and 20.31 weeks to FWB (p=0.235), respectively. Common complications for open fractures were non-union (24%), post-traumatic arthritis (16%); for closed fractures they were post-traumatic arthritis (25%),
There is no consensus on how to evaluate and grade pin site infection. A precise, objective and reliable pin site infectious score is warranted. The literature was reviewed for pin site infection classification systems, The Modified Gordon Score (MGS) grade 0-6 was used. The aim was to test the reliability of The Modified Gordon Infection Score. The observed agreement and inter-rater reliability were investigated between nurse and doctors. MGS was performed in the outpatient clinic at Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark on 1472 pin sites in 119 patients by one nurse and one of three orthopaedic surgeons blinded to each other's judgement. The data was stored in a Red Cap Database for further statistical analysis. The observed agreement between the nurse and the 3 orthopaedic surgeons was evaluated with a one-way random-effect model with interclass correlation with absolute agreement. Furthermore the observed agreement for each of the 3 surgeons with the nurse was calculated. The distribution of MGS infection grade in the 1472 pin sites was: Grade 0; n=1372, Grade 1; n=32, Grade 2; n=39, Grade 3; n=24, Grade 4; n=5, Grade 5; n=0, Grade 6; n=0. The observed agreement between the nurse and the surgeons was calculated as 98%. The ICC estimated between nurse and the surgeons was 0,8943 (ICC >0,85 = reliable). The grading was done by three different doctors with an agreement with the nurse as follows. Rater1 (n=416) =99,5 %, Rater2 (n=1440) =97,4%, Rater3 (n=1440) =96,6%. A limitation to this study is that the dataset represents mostly clean pin sites with MGS 0. Only 100 pin sites had signs of
Fragility ankle fractures are traditionally managed conservatively or with open reduction internal fixation (ORIF). Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) fusion is an alternative option for the geriatric patient. This systematic review and meta-analysis provides a detailed analysis of the functional and clinical outcomes of hindfoot nailing for fragility ankle fractures presented so far in the literature. A systematic search was performed on MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, identifying fourteen studies for inclusion. Studies including patients over 60 with a fragility ankle fracture, treated with TTC nail were included. Patients with a previous fracture of the ipsilateral limb, fibular nails, and pathological fractures were excluded. Subgroup analyses were performed according to (1) open vs closed fractures, (2) immediate post-operative FWB vs post-operative NWB, (3) majority of cohort are diabetics vs minority of cohort are diabetics. Meta-regression analyses were done to explore sources of heterogeneity, and publication bias was assessed using Egger's test. The pooled proportion of
Objectives. Pilon fractures represent one of the most surgically challenging fractures in orthopaedics. Different techniques exist for their management, with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) and External fixation (Ex-Fix) the most widely used. Whilst there is a plethora of data regarding these strategies for Pilon fractures as a whole, very limited data exists solely on the management of open Pilon fractures. This study aimed to elucidate how surgical management options can influence postoperative complications, and if this can influence future management protocols. Materials and methods. We conducted a search in PubMed, EMBASE and CENTRAL for postoperative complications and functional outcomes in open pilon fractures in those treated with Ex-Fix vs ORIF (PROSPERO-CRD42020184213). The postoperative complications measured included non-union, mal-union, delayed union, bone grafting, amputation, osteoarthritis, deep
Introduction. The BOAST (British Orthopaedic Association Standards for Trauma) guidelines do advise that open pilon fractures amongst other open lower limb fractures need to be treated at a specialist centre with Orthoplastic care. The purpose of this study was to determine clinical outcomes in patients with open pilon fractures treated as per BOAST guidelines including relatively aggressive bone debridement. Methods. A retrospective analysis of a single surgeon series of open pilon fractures treated between 2014 and 2019 was conducted. Injuries were graded according to the Gustillo-Anderson classification and all patients were included for the assessment of the rate of infection and fracture healing. Functional outcome assessment was performed in all patients according to the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) at 6 months after definitive surgery. Initial wound with bone debridement and application of a spanning external fixator was performed within an average of 13.5 (Range: 3–24) hours. Fixation with FWF (Fine Wire Frame) was performed when the wound was healed, with the mean time from primary surgery to application of FWF being 24.5 (Range: 7–60) days. Results. There was a total of 20 patients including 16 males and 4 females. The mean age was 50.45 (Range: 16–88) years. Follow-up was for an average of 23.2 (Range: 5–51) months. There were 3 patients with Gustilo Type I injuries, 6 with Type II, 4 Type with type IIIa and 7 with Type IIIb injuries. Average time to bone union was 9.3 (Range: 2–18) months. The mean AOFAS score was 66 (Range: 15–97) points. TSF was used on 18 patients, while 2 patients had an Ilizarov frame. A corticotomy was performed on 4 patients with critical bone defect post debridement, while 2 patients had Stimulan beads with antibiotics. There was 1 case (5%) of deep infection and 9 cases (45%) of
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
Blood management protocols attempt to reduce blood loss by strategies including autologous blood donation, red cell salvage, normovolaemic haemodilution and haemostatic agents such as tranexamic acid (TXA). TXA usage in particular has become increasingly commonplace with numerous studies demonstrating a significant reduction in peri-operative blood loss and proportion of patients requiring transfusion, without increasing the risk of venous thromboembolism. Tourniquet usage has now become ubiquitous in TKA operations with reported benefits of improved visualization, shorter operative time and decreased intra-operative bleeding. However, its use is not without considerable complications including wounding dehiscence, increased venous thromboembolism,
Introduction. Simultaneous correction of knee varus malalignment with medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) combined with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery aims to address symptomatic unicompartmental osteoarthritis in addition to restore knee stability in order to improve outcomes. The aim of this study is to present at least 5 years results of 32 patients who underwent simultaneous knee realignment osteotomy with ACL surgery. Methods. Patients with symptomatic instability due to chronic ACL deficiency or failed previous ACL surgery together with a varus malalignment of ≥6°, previous medial meniscectomy and symptomatic medial compartment pain who were treated with MOWHTO combined with ACL surgery were enrolled. ACL surgery was performed with the anatomical single bundle all-inside technique using TightRope. ®. RT (Arthrex, Naples, FL, USA) and MOWHTO using TomoFix. ®. medial high tibia plate (DePuy Synthes, Raynham, MA, USA) in all cases. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and at 6 months, 12 months and annually postoperatively using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and Euroqol's Visual Analogue Score (VAS) for pain. Results. 32 patients (22 men and 10 women) with a mean age of 41.2 years and mean BMI of 28.6 kg/m. 2. , underwent the combined procedures. Tibiofemoral neutral re-alignment was achieved in all patients with HTO. Complete subjective and objective scores have been obtained in 84.4% of patients with at least 5 years of follow-up (mean 8.7 years). An improvement in total KOOS of 27.1 points (p<0.003), OKS of 15.1 (p<0.003) and VAS for pain of 24.7 points (p<0.001) were detected. No ACL reconstruction failure was noted. Complications consisted of one
This edition of the Cochrane Corner looks at the three reviews that were published in the second half of 2023: surgical versus non-surgical interventions for displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures; cryotherapy following total knee arthroplasty; and physical activity and education about physical activity for chronic musculoskeletal pain in children and adolescents.
Background. Definitive proof is lacking on mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) cellular therapy to regenerate bone if biological potential is insufficient. High number of MSCs after GMP expansion may solve the progenitor insufficiency at the injury but clinical trials are pending. Methods. A prospective, multicenter, multinational Phase I/IIa interventional clinical trial was designed under the EU-FP7 REBORNE Project to evaluate safety and early efficacy of autologous expanded MSCs loaded on biomaterial at the fracture site in diaphyseal and/or metaphysodiaphyseal fractures (femur, tibia, humerus) nonunions. The trial included 30 recruited patients among 5 European centres in France, Spain, Germany, and Italy. Safety endpoints (local and general complication rate) and secondary endpoints for early efficacy (number of patients with clinically and radiologically proven bone healing at 12 and 24 weeks) were established. Cultured MSCs from autologous bone marrow, expanded under GMP protocol was the Investigational Medicinal Product, standardised in the participating countries confirming equivalent cell production in all the contributing GMP facilities. Cells were mixed with CE-marked biphasic calcium phosphate biomaterial in the surgical setting, at an implanted dose of 20−106 cells per cc of biomaterial (total 10cc per case) in a single administration, after debridement of the nonunion. Results. Of 30 recruited patients, 28 patients received the treatment and completed the protocol up to 24 weeks (one case pending at submission). No adverse effects related to cells were detected. Two
Flexion Deformity of knee is the most common deformity in post polio residual deformity. Wilson's release, supracondylar osteotomy etc have been described for its treatment. We present our result of fractional hamstring lengthening followed by gradual distraction using threaded rod in hollow tube to treat flexion deformity of knee. This retrospective study included 150 cases (80 males and 70 females) with the mean of 15 years (8-22yrs). The mean duration of deformity was 6 years (2 – 14yrs) with mean follow up 0f 3 years. The mean preoperative flexion deformity was 45degree (110 – 30 degree) with a mean pre operative further flexion of 110 degree (130 – 90) .20 cases were had a crawling gait and 10 cases were wheel chair bound. Flexion got corrected to 0 degree in 110 cases (P value <0.01). Post operative mean arc of motion was 80degree We had 10 cases who could not tolerate plaster and hence were put on traction . 20 cases had knee stiffness on removal of plaster which could not improve on physiotherapy. 10 cases had
Rivaroxaban has been recommended for routine use as a thromboprophylactic agent in patients undergoing lower-limb arthroplasty. Starting January 2011, our unit has converted from aspirin to Rivaroxaban use routinely following lower-limb arthroplasty for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis. The aim of this audit was to retrospectively review its efficacy and the morbidity associated with its use. All patients undergoing primary and revision lower-limb arthroplasty between February 2011 and July 2011 were reviewed. All patients undergoing total knee replacement surgery and total hip replacement surgery received oral rivaroxaban 10 mg daily post-operatively for 14 days and 35 days respectively. Outcome measures recorded were; investigation for DVT/PE, rate of DVT/PE, wound complications (infection, dehiscence, leaking, bleeding), blood transfusion rate and readmission rate within 6 weeks of surgery. Of the 162 patients identified, 19 were excluded due to insufficient information or because they did not receive rivaroxaban as VTE prophylaxis. 141 patients (mean age 71.7 years) were included. 69 primary and 5 revision total knee replacements were performed. 60 primary and 7 revision total hip replacements were performed. 9 patients (6.4%) underwent Doppler USS for a painful swollen leg with 1 (0.7%) DVT diagnosed. None were investigated for a pulmonary embolus. 25 (17.7%) patients developed wound complications: 10
Currently, the cement being used for hemiarthroplasties and total hip replacements by the authors and many other surgeons in the UK is Palacos® (containing 0.5g Gentamicin). Similar cement, Copal® (containing 1g Gentamicin and 1g Clindamycin) has been used in revision arthroplasties, and has shown to be better at inhibiting bacterial growth and biofilm formation. We aim to investigate the effect on SSI rates of doubling the gentamicin dose and adding a second antibiotic (clindamycin) to the bone cement in hip hemiarthroplasty. We randomised 848 consecutive patients undergoing cemented hip hemiarthroplasty for fractured NOF at one NHS trust (two sites) into two groups: Group I, 464 patients, received standard cement (Palacos®) and Group II, 384 patients, received high dose, double antibiotic-impregnated cement (Copal®). We calculated the SSI rate for each group at 30 days post-surgery. The patients, reviewers and statistician were blinded as to treatment group. The demographics and co-morbid conditions (known to increase risk of infection) were statistically similar between the groups. The combined superficial and deep SSI rates were 5 % (20/394) and 1.7% (6/344) for groups I and II respectively (p=0.01). Group I had a deep infection rate 3.3 %(13/394) compared to 1.16% (4/344) in group II (p=0.082). Group I had a
Introduction. Primary Total Elbow Replacement (TER) is gaining popularity as a primary treatment option for osteoporotic fractures of the elbow, particularly in patients with low demand. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical and functional efficacy of TER as a primary treatment for comminuted distal humerus fractures in the elderly. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed twenty-three patients (22 females and 1 male) who were treated with primary total elbow replacement for complex, intra-articular fractures of the distal humerus in the elderly between March 2000 and January 2010. The average age of the patients was seventy-five years (ranging from 66 to 94 years). Postoperative elbow function was assessed using the Mayo Elbow Performance Score. The radiological assessment was performed using antero-posterior and lateral radiographs done at follow-up appointments. Results. The average duration of follow up was 6 years. Overall, the mean Mayo elbow performance score was 93 points out of 100. The arc of flexion averaged at 94.3degrees. One patient developed blisters at her arm postoperatively but resolved with dressings. Two patients (8.6%) had mild pain at two years post surgery but there was no evidence of implant loosening or evidence of infection. One patient developed
Methods. A retrospective review of 80 patients with unilateral slipped capital femoral epiphysis from 1998–2012 was undertaken to determine the outcome of the unaffected hip. All patients were treated with either prophylactic single Richards screw fixation or observation of the uninvolved hip and were followed up for at least 12 months. The unaffected hip of 44 patients (mean age 12.6 years, range 9–17) had simultaneous prophylactic fixation and 36 patients (mean age 13.4 years, range 9–17.4) were managed with observation. Results. Sequential slip of the unaffected hip was noted in 10 patients (28 per cent) in the observation group and only in 1 patient (2 per cent) in the group managed with prophylactic fixation. A Fisher's exact test showed significantly high incidence of sequential slip in unaffected hips when managed with regular observation (p-value 0.002). Only 3 cases had symptomatic hardware on the unaffected side after prophylactic fixation with one requiring revision of the metal work; one had
Background. Surgical wound closure is not the surgeon”s favorite part of the total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery however it has vital rule in the success of surgery. Knee arthoplasty wounds are known to be more prone to infection, breakdown or delayed healing compared to hip arthroplasty wounds, and this might be explained by the increased tensile force applied on the wound with knee movement. This effect is magnified by the enhanced recovery protocols which aim to obtain high early range of movement. Most of the literature concluded that there is no difference between different closure methods. Objectives. We conducted an independent study comparing the complication rate associated with using barbed suture (Quill-Ethicon), Vicryl Rapide (polyglactins910-Ethicon) and skin staples for wound closure following TKA. Study Design & Methods. Retrospective study where the study group included all the patients admitted to our unit for elective primary knee arthroplasty in 2015, we excluded patients admitted for partial knee arthroplasty, revision knee arthroplasty or arthroplasty for treatment of acute trauma due to the relatively higher complication rates. All the patients notes were reviewed to identify wound related problems such as wound dehiscence, wound infection and delayed healing (defined as delayed wound healing more than 6 weeks). Results. 327 patients were included in this study; 151 in Quill group, 99 in staples group and 77 in the last group where the wound closed with Rapide. We identified 9 (5.9%) cases of wound dehiscence in the Quill group, 3 cases of wound dehiscence in each of other two groups (3.8%) with Rapide and (3%) with staples. On the other hand
