The aim of our survey was to study the current practice to manage DDH in UK by the members of the British Society for Children's Orthopaedic Surgery.

An online questionnaire link to ask about the management of DDH was emailed to 204 members of the British Society for Children's Orthopaedic Surgery. The response rate was 39%. 73% respondents have a local screening programme, 19% screen only high risk children and 8% had no screening programme. Pavlik harness was used by 87% respondents for Graf Type 2, 96% for Graf type 3 and 90% for Graf type 4. 14% respondents will only observe for Graf Type 2. 36% respondents will follow up children every week, 45% every 2 weeks, 3% every 3 weeks, 9% every 4 weeks, 4% every 6 weeks and 3% will decide the follow up according to severity of DDH and treatment.1.3% respondents will follow up these patients for 6 months, 13% for 12 months, 10.5% each for 24 months, 36 months, 48 months and 50% until skeletal maturity. After the failure of initial splintage, 7% respondents will consider surgery immediately, 13.5% at 3 months, 36.5% at 6 months, 4% at 9 months, 28% at 12 months, 5.4% according to HIP-OP Trial and 5.6% according to the situation.

There was no consensus about the treatment of DDH. 73% respondents have a local screening programme. The most common splintage method used was Pavlik harness. 45% respondents will follow up children every 2 weeks following the start of treatment. 50% respondents will follow up these patients until skeletal maturity. 36% respondents will consider surgery at 6 months following the failure of splintage. This survey highlights the fact that the management of DDH is an art based on the scientific evidence, parent's choice and personal expertise.

Recurrent patellar instability is common in young and active patients. Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction with a single bundle hamstring graft is one method of surgical treatment for this problem. This is a retrospective case series of patients who underwent MPFL reconstruction by a single specialist knee surgeon between January 2009 and July 2014. Data was collected prospectively for the purpose of service evaluation. Recorded data included gender, age, length of rehabilitation, complications, Knee Injury and Outcome Score (KOOS) and International Knee Documentation Score (IKDC). Data is expressed as mean (range). 108 knees (103 patients) were identified (56 female, 52 male) with a mean age of 24.5 years (12–58). Mean length of rehabilitation was 3.2 months (0–11 months). Three patients required further revision surgery for recurrent instability. KOOS and IKDC scores improved from 44 (4–86) and 38 (2–81), respectively before surgery, to 77 (49–100) and 69 (37–95) after rehabilitation. MPFL reconstruction with a single bundle hamstring graft produces a marked improvement in knee function with a low recurrence of instability.

Charlson Index has been found to predict functional outcome, implant survival, mortality, length of hospital stay and resource use after arthroplasty. Obesity can influence the outcome following lower limb arthroplasty. Our aim was to identify if there was a relationship between Charlson index, obesity and disability and whether this relationship had altered in recent years.

Demographic details, Charlson index, BMI, SF-12 and oxford score were recorded prospectively for 88 consecutive patients undergoing lower limb arthroplasty between August 2011 and January 2012(Group B). The results were compared with Charlson index of 92 consecutive patients between August 2005 and March 2006(Group A).

The mean age for Group A was 70 years (range 41–90). 56(61%) were female and 36(39%) male. The mean Carlson index was 3 (range 0–6) and median was 3. The mean age for Group B was 67 years (range 45–91). 53(60%) were female and 35(40%) male. The mean Charlson index was 2.2 (range 0–11) and median was 0. The difference between the groups was statistically significant with a P value of 0.001. The mean BMI for Group B was 31 (range 15–56) and median 30. Thirteen patients (15%) had BMI<25, 29 patients (33%) had BMI between 25–29. 9(Pre-Obese), 23 patients (26%) had BMI between 30–34. 9(Obese-Class 1), 10 patients (11%) had BMI between 35–39. 9(Obese-Class 2)and 13 patients (15%) had BMI>40 (Obese-Class 3). The only difference between group B1(BMI<30) and B2(BMI>30) was of age with a P value of 0.0003 (72 vs 59 years).

The current group had less comorbidity but 85% of patients were overweight or obese. These patients were younger but there was no difference in their health or disability before surgery. The high prevalence of obesity may represent treatment selection of these patients away from waiting list centres. Consideration about the treatment of obesity should be given before lower limb arthroplasty.

Background

Back pain is a common orthopaedic problem which results in hospital admissions in severe cases. The aim of our study was to identify the reasons for back pain admissions and role of further investigations in the treatment of severe back pain.

Background

Nerve Root compression can lead to severe back pain. Different risk factors like high BMI, smoking, alcohol and psychological history have been identified. The aim of our study was to identify if the incidence of these risk factors was higher in patients with nerve root compression.

Background

Hyperlaxity is associated with a high incidence of shoulder dislocations. Collagen V regulates the diameter of fibrils of the abundant collagen type I. Decorin and biglycan are members of the small leucine rich proteoglycans(SLRP's)family and play important roles in the regulation of collagen fibrillogenesis. The aim of this study was to identify if there was a link in hyperlaxity, capsule strength, collagen V and SLRP's expression.

Background

Hyperlaxity is associated with a high incidence of sporting injuries. Collagen V regulates the diameter of fibrils of the abundant collagen type I. Decorin and biglycan are members of the small leucine rich proteoglycans(SLRP's)family and play important roles in the regulation of collagen fibrillogenesis. The aim of this study was to identify if there was a link in hyperlaxity, tissue strength, collagen V and SLRP's expression.

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between generalised ligament laxity and requirement for revision ACL reconstruction.

Background: Complex anterior fracture-dislocations of shoulder are rare injuries and little is known about the functional outcomes following operative treatment. The aim of our study was to evaluate the functional outcomes following open reduction and internal fixation for these injuries.

Methods: Over a ten and a half year period, we studied thirty-two consecutive patients who presented to shoulder injury clinic at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with an acute Type-I complex anterior fracture-dislocation of the shoulder. The average age of the 19 men and 13 women was 58 years (range 21–81 years). All patients were treated with open reduction and internal fixation and were followed up for at least two years. The functional outcomes were assessed by three scoring systems (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire, the Constant questionnaire, and the Short Form-36 general health questionnaire).

Results: At two years post injury, the median DASH score was 26 points and the median Constant score was 83.5 points. The range of motion of the shoulder joint showed significant improvement throughout the two year period and degree of forward flexion and abduction continued to show significant improvement at five years. At two years, the mean forward flexion was 162°, mean extension was 152°, mean internal rotation was 109° and mean external rotation was 73°. All but one patient returned to their job at two years.

Conclusions: Type I complex anterior fracture-dislocations of the shoulder are rare and occur in the middle age and elderly group of population. Following open reduction and internal fixation, the functional outcomes have been shown to be satisfactory. We recommend that open reduction and internal fixation should be the first choice of treatment in Type-I complex anterior fracture-dislocation of shoulder.

Introduction: This study was performed to assess the incidence of generalized ligament laxity in patients presented with 1st time anterior shoulder dislocation.

Patients and Methods: Prospective data was collected for patients presented with 1st time anterior shoulder dislocation and clavicle fracture as a control group between Aug 2008 and Feb 2009 under the care of a specialist shoulder surgeon. Data included demographic details, mechanism of injury and generalized ligament laxity using Beighton score. Laxity is scored on a 0–9 scale. Scores of 4 or above are indicative of generalized ligament laxity. Brighton criteria was used to diagnose Benign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (BJHS)

Results: Data was collected for 44 patients with first time anterior shoulder dislocation and 43 patients with clavicle fracture. There was no difference in the demographics of the groups. There were 40 male (91%) and 4 (9%) female patients in the dislocation group. Mean age was 25 years with a range from 15–55. Most common cause of shoulder dislocation was sports related injuries in 26 patients (60%). The average Beighton score for dislocation group was 3.6 with a range from 0–9 as compared to 2.1 with a range from 0–7 in the control group. Twenty one patients (48%) in the dislocation group had a Beighton score of 4 or more indicating generalized ligament laxity as compared to 12 patients (28%) in the control group. This difference was statistically significant with a P value of 0.009. Six patients (14%) fulfilled the Brighton criteria for BJHS in the dislocation group as compared to 3 patients (7%) in the control group.

Conclusion: We found that there is a high incidence (48%) of generalized ligament laxity in patients presented with first time anterior shoulder dislocation. Appropriate advice should be given to these patients about rehabilitation, risk of recurrent dislocations and timing of shoulder stabilization.

Purpose: This study was performed to assess the incidence of generalized ligament laxity in patients undergoing revision shoulder stabilization.

Methods and Results: Prospective data was collected for 21 patients undergoing revision shoulder stabilization and 43 patients with clavicle fractures as a control group, between 2004 and 2009 under the care of orthopaedic surgeons at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh including demographic details, type of primary stabilization and causes of failure.

Clinical examination was used to assess the ligament laxity using the Beighton score. Laxity is scored on a 0–9 scale. Scores of 4 or above are indicative of generalized ligament laxity. Brighton criteria is used to diagnose Benign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (BJHS) and use signs and symptoms along with Beighton score. The most common primary procedure for shoulder instability was open stabilization in 15 patients (75%).

The most common cause of failure was trauma in 14 patients (67%). The mean age was 29 years with a range from 22–58 years. There were 16 males and 5 females. The average Beighton score for patients undergoing revision shoulder stabilization was 2.8 with a range from 0–7. 13 patients (61%) in this group had a Beighton score of 4 or more as compared to 12 patients (27%) in the control group. This difference was statistically significant with a P value of 0.018. 11 patients (52%) fulfilled the Brighton criteria for BJHS.

Conclusion: We found that there is a high incidence (61%) of generalized ligament laxity in patients undergoing revision shoulder stabilization. Trauma is a common (67%) cause of failure in these patients. Patients with generalized ligament laxity should be made aware about the high failure rate after shoulder stabilization at their primary surgery and appropriate advice about rehabilitation should be given.

Purpose: This study was performed to assess the incidence of generalized ligament laxity in patients undergoing revision ACL reconstruction.

Methods and Results: Prospective data was collected for 40 patients undergoing revision ACL reconstruction, between 2004 and 2009 under the care of a single orthopaedic consultant including demographic details, graft used during primary and revision ACL reconstruction and causes of graft failure.

Clinical examination was used to assess the ligament laxity using the Beighton score. Laxity is scored on a 0–9 scale. Scores of 4 or above are indicative of generalized ligament laxity. Brighton criteria is used to diagnose Benign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (BJHS) and use signs and symptoms along with Beighton score.

The most common graft used was a quadruple hamstring in 23 patients (57%). The causes of graft failure were trauma in 22 patients (55%), biological in 17 patients (42%) and infection in 1 patient (2.5%).

The revision ACL graft was patella tendon in 23 patients (57%), allograft tendon was used in 11 patients (28%) and quadruple hamstring was used in 4 patients (10%).

The average Beighton score for these patients was 3 with a range from 0–9. 20 patients (50%) in this group had a Beighton score of 4 or more. Only 6 patients (15%) fulfilled the Brighton criteria for BJHS.

Conclusion: We found that there is a high incidence (50%) of generalized ligament laxity in patients undergoing revision ACL reconstruction. Biological failure is common (42%) in these patients after using autogenous tendons. We recommend the use of allograft for primary ACL reconstruction in patients with generalized ligament laxity.

Background: Back pain is a common presenting feature in patients with hip arthritis. Hip replacement surgery is performed primarily to relieve hip pain but is known to improve global function. The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of total hip arthroplasty on back pain.

Patients and Methods: A prospective study was conducted from 2001 to 2005 at the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, Fife. A novel body diagram was devised to collect and quantify back pain. Patients were asked to localize their pain on this diagram prior to their surgery and six months later. The patients were also asked to record their level of satisfaction on a visual analogue scale (VAS) and to complete validated functional and psychological assessments (SF-36; Harris Hip Score).

Results: Preoperative and postoperative data were complete for 872 patients. Preoperatively, 234 (27%) patients complained of pain in the lumbar region. A low score in the baseline SF-36 correlated with low back pain. At six-month post total hip arthroplasty, the low back pain had resolved in 50% (n=116) of these patients, and resolution of this pain correlated with improved post-operative SF-36 score. The mean postoperative satisfaction score was 8.8 out of a maximum 10 (VAS). Satisfaction correlated with reduced back pain.

Conclusion: We describe a novel method of pain assessment in total hip arthroplasty. These data from a large prospective cohort indicate that many patients may expect an improvement in their back pain following hip replacement. This data will be useful in the preoperative counselling of patients considering arthroplasty.