The aim of this study was to measure the effect of hospital case-volume on the survival of revision total knee arthroplasty (RTKA). A retrospective analysis of Scottish Arthroplasty Project data was performed. The primary outcome was RTKA survival at ten years. The primary explanatory variable was annual hospital case-volume. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted with 95% confidence intervals (CI) to determine the lifespan of RTKA. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards were used to estimate relative revision risks over time. From 1998 to 2019, 8894 patients underwent RTKA surgery in Scotland (median age 70 years, median follow-up 6.2 years, 4789 (53.5%) females; 718 (8.8%) for infection). Of these patients, 957 (10.8%) underwent a second revision procedure on their knee. Male sex, younger age at index revision, and positive infection status were associated with need for re-revision. The ten-year survival estimate for RTKA was 87.3% (95%CI 86.5–88.1). Adjusting for gender, age, surgeon volume and infection status, increasing hospital case-volume was significantly associated with lower risk of re-revision (Hazard Ratio 0.78 (0.64–0.94, p<0.001)). The risk of re-revision steadily declined in centres performing >20 cases per year: relative risk reduction 16% with >20 cases; 22% with >30 cases; and 28% with >40 cases. The majority of RTKA in Scotland survive up to ten years. Increasing yearly hospital case-volume above 20 cases is independently associated with a significant risk reduction of re-revision. Development of high-volume tertiary centres may lead to an improvement in the overall survival of RTKA

Debate surrounds the optimum operative treatment of periprosthetic distal femoral fractures (PDFFs) at the level of well fixed femoral components; lateral locking plate fixation (LLP-ORIF) or distal femoral replacement (DFR). To determine which attributed the least peri-operative morbidity and mortality we performed a retrospective cohort study of 60 consecutive unilateral PDFFs of Su types II (40/60) and III (20/60) in patients ≥60 years; 33 underwent LLP-ORIF and 27 underwent DFR. The primary outcome measure was reoperation. Secondary outcomes included perioperative complications and functional mobility status. Kaplan Meier survival analysis was performed. Cox multivariable regression analysis identified risk factors for reoperation after LLP-ORIF. Mean length of follow-up was 3.8 years (range 1.0–10.4). One-year mortality was 13% (8/60). Reoperation rate was significantly higher following LLP-ORIF: 7/33 vs 0/27, p=0.008. For the endpoint reoperation, five-year survival was better following DFR: 100% compared to 70.8% (51.8 to 89.8 95%CI) (p=0.006). For the endpoint mechanical failure (including radiographic loosening) there was no difference at 5 years: ORIF 74.5% (56.3 to 92.7); DFR 78.2% (52.3 to 100), p=0.182). Reoperation following LLP-ORIF was independently associated with medial comminution: HR 10.7 (1.45 to 79.5, p=0.020). Anatomic reduction was protective against reoperation: HR 0.11(0.013 to 0.96, p=0.046). When inadequately fixed fractures were excluded differences in survival were no longer significant: reoperation (p=0.156); mechanical failure (p=0.453). Reoperation rates are higher following LLP-ORIF of low PDFFs compared to DFR. Where adequate reduction, proximal fixation and augmentation of medial comminution is used there is no difference in survival between LLP-ORIF and DFR

The aim was to determine the influence of COVID-19 on 30-day mortality in hip fracture. Secondary aims were to examine: (1) predictors of COVID-19 on presentation and later in the admission; (2) rate of hospital-acquired COVID-19; (3) predictive value of negative swabs on admission. A nationwide multicentre retrospective cohort study of all patients with hip fracture in all 17 Scottish hospitals in March-April. Demographics, blood results, COVID-19 status, Nottingham Hip Fracture Score (NHFS), management, length of stay (LOS), and 30-day mortality were recorded. 78/833 (9.4%) patients had COVID-19 (65 swab-proven). 30-day survival with COVID-19 was lower than without (65.4% vs 91%; p<0.001). COVID-19 within 7 days of admission (likely community-acquired) was independently associated with male sex (OR 2.34, p=0.040, CI 1.04–5.25) and COVID-19 symptoms (OR 15.56, CI 6.61–36.60, p<0.001). COVID-19 within 7–30 days (probable hospital-acquired) was independently associated with male sex (OR 1.73, CI 1.05–2.87, p=0.032), NHFS □7 (OR 1.91, CI 1.09–3.34, p=0.024), pulmonary disease (OR 1.68, CI 1.00–2.81, p=0.049), ASA □3 (OR 2.37, CI 1.13–4.97, p=0.022) and LOS □9 days (OR 1.98, CI 1.18–3.31, p=0.009). 38/65 (58.5%) of COVID-19 cases were probably hospital-acquired. The false negative rate of swabs on admission was 0% in asymptomatic and 2.9% in symptomatic patients. COVID-19 was associated with a threefold-increased 30-day mortality. Nosocomial transmission may have accounted for half of all cases. Identification of risk factors for having COVID-19 on admission, or acquiring COVID-19 later, may guide patient pathways. LOS was the only modifiable risk factor, emphasising the importance of high-quality, timely care

Aims

To analyze the short-term outcome of two types of total wrist arthroplasty (TWA) in terms of wrist function, migration, and periprosthetic bone behaviour.

Aims

The benefit of MRI in the preoperative assessment of scaphoid proximal fragment vascularity remains controversial. The purpose of this study is to compare preoperative MRI findings to intraoperative bleeding of the proximal scaphoid.

Aims. The aims of this study were to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of the Universal-2 total wrist arthroplasty (TWA) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Patients and Methods. This was a retrospective review of all 95 Universal-2 TWAs which were performed in our institution between 2003 to 2012 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A total of six patients were lost to follow-up and two died of unrelated causes. A total of ten patients had bilateral procedures. Accordingly, 75 patients (85 TWAs) were included in the study. There were 59 women and 16 men with a mean age of 59 years (26 to 86). The mean follow-up was 53 months (24 to 120). Clinical assessment involved recording pain on a visual analogue score, range of movement, grip strength, the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and Wrightington wrist scores. Any adverse effects were documented with particular emphasis on residual pain, limitation of movement, infection, dislocation and the need for revision surgery. Radiographic assessment was performed pre-operatively and at three, six and 12 months post-operatively, and annually thereafter. Arthroplasties were assessed for distal row intercarpal fusion and loosening. Radiolucent zones around the components were documented according to a system developed at our institution. Results. The mean worst pain was 8.1 (3 to 10) pre-operatively and 5.4 (0 to 10) at latest follow-up (p <  0.001). Movements were preserved with mean dorsiflexion of 29. o . (0. o. to 70. o. ) and palmar flexion of 21. o. (0. o. to 50. o. ). The mean grip strength was 4.8 kg (1.7 to 11.5) pre-operatively and 10 kg (0 to 28) at final follow-up (p < 0.001). The mean QuickDASH and Wrightington wrist scores improved from 61 (16 to 91) to 46 (0 to 89) and 7.9 (1.8 to 10) to 5.7 (0 to 7.8) (p <  0.001). A total of six patients (7%) had major complications; three required revision arthroplasty and three an arthrodesis. The Kaplan-Meier probability of survival using removal of the components as the endpoint was 91% at 7.8 years (95% confidence interval 84 to 91). Conclusion. The Universal-2 TWA is recommended for use in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:1642–7

Arthritis of the wrist is a painful disabling condition that has various causes and presentations. The traditional treatment has been a total wrist fusion at a price of the elimination of movement. However, forms of treatment which allow the preservation of movement are now preferred. Modern arthroplasties of the wrist are still not sufficiently robust to meet the demands of many patients, nor do they restore normal kinematics of the wrist. A preferable compromise may be selective excision and partial fusion of the wrist using knowledge of the aetiology and pattern of degenerative change to identify which joints can be sacrificed and which can be preserved.

This article provides an overview of the treatment options available for patients with arthritis of the wrist and an algorithm for selecting an appropriate surgical strategy.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1303–8.

Wrist block has been used to provide pain relief for many procedures on the hand and wrist but its role in arthroscopy of the wrist remains unexplored. Chondrotoxicity has been a concern with the intra-articular infiltration of local anaesthetic. We aimed to evaluate and compare the analgesic effect of portal and wrist joint infiltration with a wrist block on the pain experienced by patients after arthroscopy of the wrist.

A prospective, randomised, double-blind trial was designed and patients undergoing arthroscopy of the wrist under general anaesthesia as a day case were recruited for the study. Levo-bupivacaine was used for both techniques. The effects were evaluated using a ten-point visual analogue scale, and the use of analgesic agents was also compared. The primary outcomes for statistical analyses were the mean pain scores and the use of analgesia post-operatively.

A total of 34 patients (63% females) were recruited to the portal and joint infiltration group and 32 patients (59% males) to the wrist block group. Mean age was 40.8 years in the first group and 39.7 years in the second group (p > 0.05). Both techniques provided effective pain relief in the first hour and 24 hours post-operatively but wrist block gave better pain scores at bedtime on the day of surgery (p = 0.007) and at 24 hours post-operatively (p = 0.006).

Wrist block provides better and more reliable analgesia in patients undergoing arthroscopy of the wrist without exposing patients to the risk of chondrotoxicity.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1250–6.

We present an economic evaluation using data from the Distal Radius Acute Fracture Fixation Trial (DRAFFT) to compare the relative cost effectiveness of percutaneous Kirschner wire (K-wire) fixation and volar locking-plate fixation for patients with dorsally-displaced fractures of the distal radius.

The cost effectiveness analysis (cost per quality-adjusted life year; QALY) was derived from a multi-centre, two-arm, parallel group, assessor-blind, randomised controlled trial which took place in 18 trauma centres in the United Kingdom. Data from 460 patients were available for analysis, which includes both a National Health Service cost perspective including costs of surgery, implants and healthcare resource use over a 12-month period after surgery, and a societal perspective, which includes the cost of time off work and the need for additional private care.

There was only a small difference in QALYs gained for patients treated with locking-plate fixation over those treated with K-wires. At a mean additional cost of £714 (95% confidence interval 588 to 865) per patient, locking-plate fixation presented an incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) of £89 322 per QALY within the first 12 months of treatment. Sensitivity analyses were undertaken to assess the ICER of locking-plate fixation compared with K-wires. These were greater than £30 000.

Compared with locking-plate fixation, K-wire fixation is a ‘cost saving’ intervention, with similar health benefits.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1082–9.