Aim

Biomaterial-associated infections (BAI) present a formidable clinical challenge. Bioactive glasses (BG) have proven highly successful in diverse clinical applications, especially in dentistry and orthopaedics. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of three commonly used BG composition and particle sizes on cell and bacterial attachment and growth. Our focus is on understanding the changes in pH and osmotic pressure in the surrounding environment during glass degradation.

Introduction

Flexor sheath infections require prompt diagnosis, and management with intravenous antibiotics and/or surgical washout followed by physiotherapy. Complication rates as high as 38% have been reported.

A hip fracture represents the extreme end of osteoporosis, placing a significant burden on secondary care, society, and the individual patient. The National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD) reports each hospital's attainment of the BPT with other measures, along with reporting outcomes. There is clearly wide variability in provision of orthogerriatrician (OG) services across the dataset. Unfortunately, despite overwhelming evidence that provision of an OG service is of benefit, it is presently challenging to recruit to this important specialty within the UK.

Publicly available reports from the NHFD were obtained for each of the 177 participating hospitals for 2017. This was matched with information held within the annual NHFD Facilities Audit for the same period, which include hours of OG support for each hospital. This information was combined with a Freedom of Information request made by email to each hospital for further details concerning OG support. The outcome measures used were Length of Stay (LoS), mortality, and return to usual residence. Comparison was made with provision of OG services by use of Pearson's correlation coefficient. In addition, differences in services were compared between the 25% (44) hospitals delivering outcomes at the extremes for each measure.

Attainment of BPT correlated fairly with LoS (−0.48) and to less of a degree with mortality (−0.1) and return home (0.05). Perioperative medical assessment contributed very strongly with BPT attainment (0.75). In turn perioperative medical assessment correlated fairly with LoS (−0.40) and mortality (−0.23) but not return home (0.02). Provision of perioperative medical assessment attainment was correlated fairly with total OG minutes available per new patient (0.22), total OG minutes available per patient per day (0.29) and number of days per week of OG cover (0.34); with no link for number of patients per orthogeriatrician (0.01). Mortality for the best units were associated with 30% more consultant OG time available per patient per day, and 51% more OG time available per patient. Units returning the most patients to their usual residence had little association with OG time, although had 59% fewer patients per OG, the best units had a 19% longer LoS. For all three measures results for the best had on average 0.5 days per week better routine OG access.

There is no doubt that good quality care gives better results for this challenging group of patients. However, the interaction of BPT, other care metrics, level of OG support and patient factors with outcomes is complex. We have found OG time available per patient per day appears to influence particularly LoS and mortality. Options to increase OG time per patient include reducing patient numbers (ensuring community osteoporosis/falls prevention in place, including reducing in-patient falls); increasing OG time across the week (employing greater numbers/spreading availability over 7 days per week); and reducing LoS. A reduction in LoS has the largest effect of increasing OG time, and although it is dependent on OG support, it is only fairly correlated with this and many other factors play a part, which could be addressed in units under pressure.

Aims

Orthopaedic surgeries are complex, frequently performed procedures associated with significant haemorrhage and perioperative blood transfusion. Given refinements in surgical techniques and changes to transfusion practices, we aim to describe contemporary transfusion practices in orthopaedic surgery in order to inform perioperative planning and blood banking requirements.

Aims

The purpose of our study was to determine which groups of orthopaedic providers favour virtual care, and analyze overall orthopaedic provider perceptions of virtual care. We hypothesize that providers with less clinical experience will favour virtual care, and that orthopaedic providers overall will show increased preference for virtual care during the COVID-19 pandemic and decreased preference during non-pandemic circumstances.

Acromioclavicular joint is an integral component of Shoulder Complex and common site of injury particularly for athletes involved in sports such as Football, Cricket, Rugby and Shotput. Acromioclavicular Injuries are often neglected and goes untreated especially in low demand patients. Classic surgical techniques are associated with high complication rates.

This is a prospective study from 2015–2017 wherein 32 patients with Acute grade 3, 4, 5, 6 Acromioclavicular joint dislocations, were operated with Minimally Invasive Double Tunnel Anatomical Coraco-clavicular Ligament Reconstruction (DT-ACCLR) with Tightrope Suspensory fixation. Clinical Outcomes were evaluated with Visual Analog Scale, Constant functional scale, Start of Movement, Return to Work, Satisfaction index and Coraco-clavicular distance over 12 months.

Mean follow-up was 14 ± 3.8 months. Visual analog scale and Constant scores revealed significant advancements 0 ± 0.5 (range, 0–2) and 95 ± 3 (range, 92–98) scores at 12 months respectively. The coraco-clavicular distance significantly reduced from 23 ± 2.4 mm to 8 ± 0.5 mm. Mean return to work by 7 days. 98.6% patients were satisfied with surgical results.

We conclude that DT-ACCLR is simple and creative surgical technique which provides stable, reliable and painless AC joint. The patients can move the shoulder same day and return to Work by 5–7days and Sports 3–4 weeks.

Gap balancing technique aims to achieve equal and symmetric gap at full extension and in flexion; however, little is known about the connection between the native and the replaced knee gaps. In this study, a novel robotic assisted ligament tensioning tool was used to measure the pre- and post- operative gaps to better understand their relationship when aiming for balance gaps in flexion and extension. The accuracy of a prediction algorithm for the post-operative gaps based on the native gap and implant alignment was evaluated in this study. The medial and lateral gap were smallest at full extension. The native gaps increase with flexion until 30 degrees where they plateaued for the remaining flexion range. The native lateral gap was larger than the medial gap throughout the flexion range. Planning for equal gaps at extension and flexion resulted with tightest gaps at these angle; however, the gaps in mid-flexion were 3–4 mm larger. Good agreement was observed between the post-operative results and the predicted gas from the software algorithm. The results showed that the native gaps are neither symmetric nor equal. In addition, aiming for equal gaps reduces the variation at these angles but could result in mid- flexion laxity. Advanced robotics-assisted instrumentation can aid in evaluation of soft-tissue and help in surgical planning of TKA. This allows the surgeon to achieve the targeted outcome as well as record the final implant tension to correlate with clinical outcomes.

As a treatment for end-stage elbow joint arthritis, total elbow replacement (TER) results in joint motions similar to the intact joint; however, bearing wear, excessive deformations and/or early fracture may necessitate early revision of failed implant components. Compared to hips, knees and shoulders, very little research has been focused on the evaluation of the outcomes of TER, possible failure mechanisms and the development of optimal designs. The current study aims to develop computational models of TER implants in order to analyze implant behaviour; considering contact stresses, plastic deformations and damage progression.

A geometrical model of a TER assembly was developed based on measurements from a Coonrad-Morrey TER implant (Zimmer, Inc., Warsaw, IN). Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) nonlinear elasto-plastic material properties were assigned to the humeral and ulnar bushings. A frictional penalty contact formulation with a coefficient of friction of 0.04 was defined between all of the surfaces of the model to take into account every possible interaction between different implant components in vivo. The loading scenario applied to the model includes a flexion-extension motion, a joint force reaction with variable magnitude and direction and a time varying varus-valgus (VV) moment with a maximum magnitude of 13 N.m, simulating a chair-rise scenario as an extreme loading condition. An explicit dynamic finite element solver was used (ABAQUS Explicit, Dassault Systèmes, Vélizy-Villacoublay, France), due to improved capabilities when performing large deformation analyses. Model results were compared directly with corresponding experimental data. Experimental wear tests were performed on the abovementioned implants using a VIVO (AMTI, Watertown, MA) six degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) joint motion simulator apparatus. The worn TER bushings were scanned after the test using micro computed tomography (µCT) imaging techniques, and reconstructed as 3D models. Comparisons were made based on the sites of damage and deformed geometries between the numerical results and experimental test data. In addition to that, parametric geometrical models were developed using worn geometry of the retrievals in order to account for primary wear and deformations while simulating long-term contact stress and secondary damage progression on the bushings (Fig. 1).

Contact pressure distributions on the humeral and ulnar bushings correlate with the sites of damage as represented by the µCT data and gross observation of clinical retrievals. Furthermore, deformation patterns and kinematics of the components are in good agreement with the experimental results (Fig.2). Excessive plastic deformations are evident in both the numerical and the experimental results close to the regions with high contact pressures. Simulating parametric initially-worn geometries results in the formation of secondary damage zones, as well as redistribution of contact stresses and contact locations (Fig. 3).

The results demonstrate UHMWPE bushing damage due to different loading protocols. Numerical results demonstrate strong agreement with experimental data based on the location of deformation and creep on bushings and exhibit promising capabilities for predicting the damage and failure mechanisms of TER implants.

For figures/tables, please contact authors directly.

Purpose

There is a postulated association between increased serum metal ions and pseudotumour formation in patients with metal-on-metal hip replacements. The primary aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of pseudotumour in 31 asymptomatic patients with a large femoral head (LFH) metal-on-metal hip implant. This was compared to the prevalence of pseudotumour in 20 matched asymptomatic patients with a hip resurfacing (HRA) and 24 matched asymptomatic patients with a standard metal-on-polyethylene (MOP) total hip. A secondary objective was to assess possible correlation between increased serum metal ions and pseudotumour formation

Purpose

Dislocation after revision total hip is a common complication. The purpose of this study was to assess whether a large femoral head (36/40mm) would result in a decreased dislocation rate compared to a standard head (32mm).

Purpose

Electrothermal arthroscopic capsulorrhaphy (ETAC) was a technology introduced for orthopaedic surgery without good scientific clinical evidence supporting its use. This multicentre randomized clinical trial provides the scientific clinical evidence comparing ETAC to Open Inferior Capsular Shift (ICS), by measuring disease-specific quality of life at 2-years post-operatively, in patients with shoulder instability due to capsular redundancy.

Purpose

This prospective, expertise-based randomized clinical trial compares arthroscopic to open shoulder stabilization by measuring the disease-specific quality of life outcome in patients with traumatic unidirectional anterior shoulder instability, and determining the incidence of recurrent instability at 2-years post-operatively.

Purpose

The outcome following isolated liner exchange for revision knee arthroplasty, while an attractive option for its simplicity, has a mixed outcome reported in the literature. We report our experience in patients who had a minimum of two years follow-up.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the MIS Anterolateral Approach to that of the MIS Posterolateral and MIS Direct Lateral Approach.

Introduction

Bearing surfaces used for total hip arthroplasty must have characteristics including bio-compatibility, low friction and low wear rate. Bearing combinations are generally characterised as Soft on Hard/Hard. In general, all newer bearing combinations have reduced wear but may present with other issues that impact on patient outcomes.

We report 79 cases of bone and joint tuberculosis between 1988 and 2005, eight of which were in the Caucasian population and 71 in the non-white population.

The diagnosis was made in the majority (73.4%) by positive bacteriology and/or histology. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was higher in the Caucasian group at 51.5 years (28 to 66) than in the South Asian group at 36.85 years (12 to 93). Only one patient had previous BCG immunisation.

The spine was the site most commonly affected (44.3%). Surgical stabilisation and/or decompression was performed in 23% of these cases because of cord compression on imaging or the presence of neurological signs.

A six-month course of chemotherapy comprising of an initial two months of rifampicin, isoniazide, pyrazinamide and sometimes ethambutol followed by four months treatment with rifampicin and isoniazide, was successful in all cases without proven drug resistance.