With the current wave of enthusiasm for internal fixation with volar locking plates in the treatment of distal radial fractures, radiology of the wrist needs review. With current standardised x-rays of the wrist there is often an appearance of intra-articular screws. This is on account of the objective of getting very distal subchondral fixation and fixation into the radial styloid. As a consequence, due to the volar tilt and radial inclination of the ‘anatomic’ wrist, fixation is often perceived and reported to be intra-articular. It is proposed in this study that ‘standard’ wrist x-rays post-internal fixation be taken with 20° elbow flexion on the lateral view to counteract radial inclination. The postero-anterior view should be angled 10° to view the joint without the effect of normal radial tilt. 30 consecutive wrists treated by fixed angled volar fixation were analysed. In each case standard x-rays and the proposed ‘20, 10’ radiographs were obtained. The ‘20, 10’ x-rays were taken with a custom-made set of bolsters set at 20° and 10° for the Lateral and PA views. Each set of x-rays (a standard PA and lateral and the so called ‘20, 10’ proposed radiographs) were commented on by 2 Radiologists and 2 Orthopaedic Surgeons.Aim
Method and Materials
Fixation of distal radial fractures via the volar approach has become a commonly performed procedure over the past few years. This study is to highlight potential pitfalls with this ‘everyday’ procedure and to perhaps temper over-enthusiasm for plating all wrist fractures. 164 consecutive cases of wrist fracture treated by means of fixed angle volar fixation were looked at. In each case any recorded complication prior to completion of treatment was documented. The complications were divided into major and minor depending on the severity and long-term outcome and overall result.Aim
Method and materials
Reverse shoulder arthroplasty has good mid-term results for rotator cuff deficient arthritic conditions. 103 reverse shoulder arthroplasties were performed in 91 patients from January 2003 to September 2009. Twelve patients had bilateral reverse shoulder arthroplasties.Hypothesis
Methods and Analysis
Currently there is no standard quantitative methodology for the description of Hill-Sachs defects (HSD), the size of which is important in planning surgical treatment for patients with anterior shoulder instability. The main purpose was to develop a simple imaging measurement to improve communication regarding HSDs. The secondary goal was to determine, using this new measurement, whether there was a significant difference in the size of HSDs in patients who underwent a Weber osteotomy (more invasive surgical intervention for those failing Bankart repair) compared with patients who underwent clinically successful arthroscopic Bankart repairs (the first surgical intervention for anterior shoulder instability). HSD volume was calculated with newly developed methodology using computed tomography in ten patients who required eleven Weber osteotomies and using magnetic resonance imaging in twenty-two patients who had clinically successful arthroscopic Bankart repairs. Within the Weber cohort, regression analysis was performed to determine correlation between HSD volume and each of height, maximum depth, and width. Student's t-test analysis was used to compare HSD volume between the Weber and Bankart cohorts. In the Weber cohort, there is a statistically significant correlation between the HSD Volume Ratio and the HSD Maximum Depth Ratio (R2=0.83). The t-test comparison of mean HSD Volumes showed statistically significant (p<0.0015) larger HSD's in the Weber cohort than the Bankart cohort. HSD depth is a radiological indicator for HSD volume. This simple measurement may facilitate orthopaedic pre-operative planning for patients with severe recurrent anterior shoulder instability. In this preliminary study, patients who had Weber osteotomies after failed Bankart repairs had statistically significantly larger HSDs than patients with clinically successful Bankart repairs.
Salvage procedures on the 1st MTPJ following failed arthroplasty, arthrodesis or hallux valgus surgery are difficult and complicated by bone loss. This results in shortened first ray and transfer metatarsalgia. We present our experience of using tri-cortical interposition grafts to manage this challenging problem. Between 2002 and 2009 our department performed 21 1st MTPJ arthrodeses using a tri-cortical iliac crest interposition graft. Surgical fixation was achieved with a compact foot plate. We performed a retrospective review from the medical notes and radiographs along with American Foot and Ankle scores which were collected prospectively. We analysed the following parameters: time to radiological union, requirement for further surgery, lengthening of 1st ray and any post operative complications.Background
Methods
Compression and absolute stability are important in intra-articular fractures such as transverse olecranon fractures. This biomechanical study aims to compare tension band wiring (TBW) with plate fixation by measuring compression within the fracture. A cross-over design and synthetic ulna models were used to reduce variation between samples. Identical transverse fractures were created using a 0.5mm saw blade and cutting jig. A Tekscan(tm) force transducer was calibrated and placed within the fracture gap. Twenty TBW or Acumed(tm) plate fixations were performed according to the recommended technique. Compression was measured while the constructs were static and during simulated elbow range of movement exercises. Dynamic testing was performed using a custom jig reproducing cyclical triceps contraction of 20N and reciprocal brachialis contraction of 10N. Both fixation methods were tested on each sample. Half were randomly allocated to TBW first and half to plating first. Data was recorded using F-scan (v 5.72) and analysed using SPSS(tm) (v 16). Paired T-tests compared overall compression and compression at the articular side of the fracture.Aims
Methods
Orthopaedic cobalt chromium particles and ions can induce indirect DNA damage and chromosome aberrations in human cells on the other side of a cellular barrier in tissue culture. This occurs by intercellular signalling across the barrier. We now show that the threshold for this effect depends on the metal form and the particle composition. Ionic cobalt and chromium induced single strand breaks at concentrations equivalent to those found in the blood of patients with well functioning metal on metal hip prostheses. However, they only caused double strand breaks if the chromium was present as chromium (VI), and did not induce chromosome aberrations. Nanoparticles of cobalt chromium alloy caused DNA double strand breaks and chromosome aberrations, of which the majority were tetraploidy. Ceramic nanoparticles induced only single strand breaks and/or alkaline labile sites when indirectly exposed to human fibroblasts. The assessment of reproductive risk from maternal exposure to biomaterials, especially those liberated by orthopaedic implants, is not yet possible with epidemiology. Whilst the barrier model used here differs from the in vivo situation in several respects, it may be useful as a framework to evaluate biomaterial induced damage across physiological barriers.
