Introduction

Ilizarov fixators are reliant on tensioned fine wires for stability. The tension in the wires is generated using specific tensioning devices. Loss of wire tension over time may lead of loss a stability and complications. A series of in vitro experiments were undertaken to explore wire tensioner accuracy, the impact of fixation bolt torque and initial tension on loss of tension in ilizarov constructs under static and dynamic loads.

Introduction

Management of complex fractures poses a significant challenge. Evolving research and changes to national guidelines suggest better outcomes are achieved by transfer to specialist centres. The development of Major Trauma Networks was accompanied by relevant financial arrangements. These do not apply to patients with closed fractures referred for specialist treatment by similar pathways. Despite a surge in cases transferred for care, there is little information available regarding the financial impact on receiving institutions.

Introduction

Traditionally, radiological union of fractures treated with an Ilizarov frame is confirmed by a period of dynamization - destabilisation of the frame for a period prior to removal. Reduced clinic availability during the COVID-19 pandemic caused a shift to selective dynamisation in our department, whereby lower risk patients had their frames removed on the same day as destabilisation. This study investigates the effects of this change in practice on outcomes and complication rates.

Introduction

Routine radiographs in the follow-up of circular frames is commonplace, however the effect on clinical decision making is unclear. Previous work locally has suggested that >95% of radiographs, particularly at early time points, do not affect clinical management. This study was conducted to assess the impact of a transition to early remote follow-up on circular frame patients with limited radiographic assessment.

Introduction of the National Hip fracture database, best practice tariff and NICE guidelines has brought uniformity of care to hip fracture patients & consequently improved outcomes. Low energy femoral shaft fractures of the elderly are not within these guidelines, but represent a similar though significantly smaller patient cohort.

A retrospective review was performed at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary using theatre, coding & hip fracture databases. Data was filtered to include patients ≥75, excluding non-femoral injuries. Imaging & notes were then reviewed confirming femoral shaft fractures; excluding open, peri-prosthetic & high energy fractures.

Between September 2008 and July 2016 24 patients were identified and split into two equal cohorts, before June 2011 NICE Guidelines and after. The groups were equal in terms of age (Mean: 85.25:84.67, P=0.) & sex (12 females Pre-NICE, 9 Post-Nice, P= 0.22). Our main outcome measures of length of stay were 31.89 days:26 days (p=0.38), time to surgery was 29.8hours: 28.4 hours (p=0.8) and 1-year survival rate conditional odds ratio of 1.48 (p=1.00). A secondary measure demonstrated a significantly higher proportion of post-NICE patients receiving surgery after midday 5/12:11/12 (P= 0.03).

The infrequency of low energy femoral shaft fractures makes them difficult to study and production of an adequately powered study in a single centre impossible. The authors hope this work can inspire discussion and a coordinated multicentre approach to answer this question. These patients could easily be treated with the same level of enthusiasm as hip fractures.

Introduction

Reaming of the canal is an important step in the debridement phase of treating intramedullary infections. Numerous techniques of radical canal debridement have been successfully reported. The use of the Reamer-Irrigation-Aspiration system (RIA-Synthes) is currently expanding to include this clinical scenario.

The effect of head injury on systemic physiology, including bone healing is still a topic of vivid discussion. We aimed to investigate whether in patients with long bone fractures the presence of head injury is associated with excessive callus formation. Data on patients with head injury and femoral diaphyseal fracture admitted to our trauma unit between 1997- 2002 were collected and analysed. Patients with factors that could influence bone healing such as smoking, NSAIDs and hormonal disorders were excluded. The severity of head injury was quantified using GCS, AIS and CT scan reports. Patients matched for age, sex and ISS with femoral shaft fractures and no head injury formed the control group of the study. All the fractures were stabilised with reamed femoral nail. The quantification of fracture healing response was estimated by taking the radiological ratio of the largest diameter of callus formed into two planes and the adjacent normal diameter of femoral canal. The minimum follow-up of the patients was 12 months.

In total 42 patients were studied, 17 with head injury and femoral fracture and 25 with an isolated femoral fracture, (control group). Both groups were comparable in terms of age, sex, ISS. The difference between the mean callus to diaphyseal ratio was statistically significant for both the AP and Lateral projections (AP – mean difference 0.462, 95% CI 0.312 to 0.602, p<0.0001, LAT – mean difference 0.289, 95% CI 0.142 to 0.436, p<0.001) with the head injured patients having more florid callus compared to the control group.

This study supports the view that head injury leads to exuberant callus formation in patients with long bone fractures. The mechanisms of this response could be both central and local. Research is ongoing to elucidate the pathways involved in this biological phenomenon.

We aimed to investigate the treatment and outcome of patients over 65 years of age with tibial Pilon fracture. Patients were treated by primary open reduction and internal fixation or external fixation (EF) as determined by local soft tissue conditions. Patient course, incidence of radiological osteoarthritis and functional outcome using the SF-36 questionnaire were recorded. All patients were evaluated serially until discharge from final follow-up. The mean follow-up time was 28 months (12-45). Statistical analysis was performed using Analyse-it(tm) software for Excel.

In total 25 patients were studied. Two patients died before completion of treatment and were excluded from the final analysis. Therefore, 23 patients (10 male) were included with a mean age of 70.9 years (range 66-89) and a mean ISS of 10.25 (range 9-22). There were 4 grade IIIb open injuries.

Three patients suffered superficial tibial wound infection. Two patients underwent early secondary amputation due to deep bone sepsis within 8 weeks of injury. One patient in the ORIF group underwent primary arthrodesis, which was subsequently revised due to non-union. 3 patients underwent secondary bone grafting to enhance healing, performed at 2, 6 and 9 weeks. 2 patients with metal work failure underwent subsequent revision of ORIF and progressed to union; the mean time to union was 33.8 weeks. At final follow-up 7 (28%) patients had radiological features of osteoarthritis but none had symptoms severe enough to warrant ankle arthrodesis. There were significant differences from the USA norm in physical function score, role physical score, and physical component score, (p< 0.01).

Guidelines on the care of the seriously injured have led to widespread changes in clinical practice. The ‘hub and spoke’ model of trauma care means increasing numbers of patients with complex problems are concentrated into regional centres. Though providing the highest standards of treatment, this has cost implications for the receiving unit, particularly given the Department of Health's move towards a ‘Payment by Results’ model of health provision. We undertook an economic evaluation of complex limb reconstruction within our tertiary referral unit.

Patients referred to the complex trauma service were identified. Patients were assigned to either a ‘complicated’ or ‘straightforward’ group by two consultant surgeons, based on the nature of their treatment. 5 cases from each group were randomly selected for further analysis. Data pertaining to the direct healthcare costs for these patients was analysed. Costs per investigation/intervention were obtained relating to hospital stay, outpatient care, operative interventions and investigations. Overall 26 patients were referred to our complex trauma service from other units over 6 months.

A mean of £8,375 (6,163) per patient was recouped using current Service Level Agreements. This amounts to a £26,587 deficit per patient, or £1,394,905 per year assuming current referral rates.

Those planning a service treating complex trauma must allow for the considerable costs involved and make provisions to recoup this from the referring Primary Care Trust.

We aimed to quantify the health related quality of life in a series of patients suffering a variety of different tibial injuries. Patients with previous tibial injury, randomly selected from our trauma database, who successfully completed their entire course of treatment at our institution, were recalled for final assessment. Mean time to final follow-up was 37.4 months. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS computer software.

Overall, 130 patients were evaluated. There was no significant difference in the self-care dimension between the groups. Psychological problems were common in patients with IIIb and IIIc fractures, as well as amputees, with the highest incidence in those with IIIc fractures. Patients who had undergone amputation and those with IIIb open fractures reported problems with mobility significantly more frequently than those who had IIIc type injuries. However, this could be partially attributed to the significant difference in mean age between groups, with patients sustaining IIIc injuries being younger (31.9 vs 46.9). Patients with IIIb and IIIc type fractures reported significantly more problems with pain compared with those who had undergone amputation. Interestingly, patients who had undergone fasciotomy reported pain as frequently as amputees. Regarding the VAS, only patients with closed fractures reported significantly different scores from the mean of all the other groups.

These data represent the health related quality of life of patients having suffered the full spectrum of tibial injury and should be considered when determining the treatment options for these patients.