Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the complications after Bernese periacetabular osteomy (PAO) performed by one experienced surgeon using a minimally invasive modified Smith-Petersen approach.

Between May 2012 and December 2015, 224 periacetabular osteotomies (PAO) in 201 patients were performed. The perioperative complications were retrospectively reviewed after reviewing clinical notes and radiographs. The mean age was 28.8 years with 179 females and 22 males. The most common diagnosis was acetabular dysplasia with some cases of retroversion. The average lateral centre edge (LCE) angle was 16.5°(−18–45) and mean acetabular index (AI) 16.79° (−3–50).

Postoperatively the mean LCE angle was 33.1°(20–51.3) and mean AI 3.0°

(−13.5–16.6). There were no deep infections, no major nerve or vascular injuries and only one allogenic blood transfusion.

Nine superficial wound infections required oral antibiotics and two wounds needed a surgical debridement. There was one pulmonary embolus and one deep vein thrombosis. Nine (4%) cases underwent a subsequent hip arthroscopy and three (1.3%) PAO's were converted to a total hip arthroplasty after a mean follow-up of 22 months (3–50).

Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve dysaesthesia was noted in 64 (28.6%) PAO's. In 55 (24.5%) an iliopsoas injection of local anaesthetic and steroid for persistent iliopsoas irritation during the recovery phase was given.

The minimally invasive modified Smith-Petersen approach is suitable to perform a Bernese periacetabular osteotomy with a low perioperative complication rate. Persistent pain related to iliopsoas is a not uncommon finding and perhaps under-reported in the literature.

Aims

The aim of this study was to compare early functional and health related quality of life outcomes (HRQoL) in patients who have undergone total hip arthroplasty (THA) using a bone conserving short stem femoral component and those in whom a conventional length uncemented component was used. Outcome was assessed using a validated performance based outcome instrument as well as patient reported outcome measures (PROMs).

Introduction

A fractured hip is the commonest cause of injury related death in the UK. Prompt surgery has been found to improve pain scores and reduce the length of hospital stay, risk of decubitus ulcer formation and mortality rates. The hip fracture Best Practice Tariff (BPT) aims to improve these outcomes by financially compensating services, which deliver hip fracture surgery within 36 hours of admission. Ensuring that delays are reserved for patients with conditions which compromise survival, but are responsive to medical optimisation, would facilitate enhanced outcomes and help to achieve the 36-hour target.

We aimed to identify medical conditions associated with patients failing to achieve the 36-hour cut off, and evaluated whether these were justified by calculating their associated mortality risk.

Accurate, reproducible outcome measures are essential for the evaluation of any orthopaedic procedure, in both clinical practice and research.

Commonly used patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have drawbacks such as ‘floor’ and ‘ceiling’ effects, limitations of worldwide adaptability and an inability to distinguish pain from function. They are also unable to measure the true outcome of an intervention rather than a patient’s perception of that outcome.

Performance-based functional outcome tools may address these problems. It is important that both clinicians and researchers are aware of these measures when dealing with high-demand patients, using a new intervention or implant, or testing a new rehabilitation protocol.

This article provides an overview of some of the clinically-validated performance-based functional outcome tools used in the assessment of patients undergoing hip and knee surgery.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1431–5.

Introduction

Premature cessation of clopidogrel in certain patients with cardiac conditions is associated with an increased risk of recurrent coronary events. Such patients often present with proximal femoral fractures requiring surgical intervention. Our aim was to ascertain whether it is necessary to stop clopidogrel preoperatively to avoid postoperative complications following hip hemiarthroplasty surgery.

AIM

Failure of a primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is associated with poor functional outcomes even after revision surgery. The aim of this study is to identify early predictors for failure, so that it may aid in recognition of at-risk patients.

Aim

The aim of our study was to assess lateral tracking of the patella with differing designs of Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) and compare to that of the native patella.

Introduction: Blood transfusion is not uncommon in patients following joint replacement surgery. However, allogeneic transfusion is associated with potential risks ranging from immune mediated allergic reactions to transmission of blood-borne organisms. Furthermore its use has a significant economical impact on healthcare services.

Methods: A retrospective audit of the case notes and haematological records of 196 patients who underwent primary total hip (THR), resurfacing hip (BHR) or total knee replacement (TKR) was carried out. Patients were routinely cross-matched for 2 units of blood if their pre-operative haemoglobin (Hb) levels were < 12g/dL in our cohort. Patient details including age, sex, BMI, comorbidities, and ASA grade were also collected. Surgical parameters such as operation time, tourniquet time (for TKR procedures) and trigger haemoglobin levels (Hb) with timing of transfusion were noted. Statistical analysis was undertaken to identify risk factors for transfusion.

Results: Forty-seven (24%) patients were transfused in our cohort. 78.7% of these patients were appropriately transfused with a trigger Hb of < 8g/dL. Patients transfused with a trigger Hb of > 8g/dL were no different with respect to demographics, procedure type and comorbidities. The average postoperative time interval to transfusion was 2.1 days. Five patients required an intra-operative transfusion. The mean pre-operative Hb levels in transfused and non transfused patients were 12.4 g/dL and 13.5 g/dL respectively. The mean number of units transfused was 2.31. A total of 109 units of blood were used: of these 70 units were cross-matched pre-operatively.

Univariate analysis established a significant relationship between the need for postoperative transfusion and preoperative Hb levels (p< 0.0001), length of surgery (p=0.01), age (p=0.03), history of respiratory disease (p=0.028) and hypertension (p=0.01). There was no significant relationship with respect to ASA grade and procedure type. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed pre-operative Hb (p< 0.0001) and age (p=0.015) as the strongest predictors of the need for post-operative transfusion. There is a strong correlation between length of surgery and time interval to transfusion (p=0.037).

Conclusion: Utilisation rates of blood products after primary hip and knee arthroplasty procedures exceed that of what is available from pre-operative cross-matching. In our institution more than 20% of patients may have been transfused inappropriately based upon local guidelines. The decision to cross-match blood pre-operatively for elective arthroplasty procedures should be re-evaluated in light of both patient age and pre-operative Hb levels. Postoperative monitoring of Hb levels should be undertaken early in patients with a prolonged duration of surgery.

Introduction: Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a serious injury associated with symptomatic instability of the knee. There is an increasing trend for confirmation of diagnosis with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before proceeding to reconstruction. The overall sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis using this modality is more than 95%. It is however observer-dependent. We have developed a simple 4 point recognition card to increase the pick-up rate of this injury for professionals without specific radiological training such as orthopaedic trainees. The aim of this study was to determine how much improvement could be achieved using this card and whether any change was sustained.

Methods: 20 participants (orthopaedic trainees surgeons and medical students) were shown 20 MRI scans of the knee (10 with complete ACL ruptures and 10 with normal ACLs) and asked which scans were demonstrative of ACL pathology. Each participant was then randomly allocated to either having verbal teaching in the standard fashion about detection of ACL injuries [Group 1] or given written cards detailing a 4 point recognition plan for recognising ACL injuries on MRI [Group 2]. A repeat test of MRI scans was performed on each participant immediately after the teaching session and at 3 weeks.

Results: The mean time taken to teach Group A was 14 mins and Group B was 11 mins (p < 0.05). The mean number of correct diagnoses was 2.7/10 in Group A and 3.1/10 in Group B pre-intervention (p > 0.05). Immediately following intervention, there were 6.1 correct diagnoses in Group A and 8.2 in Group B (p < 0.05). At 3 weeks, there were 3.4 correct diagnoses in Group A and 7.9 in Group B (p < 0.05). The difference in number of correct diagnoses at 3 weeks compared to immediately following intervention was significant in Group A (p < 0.05), but not in Group B (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: The results support the use of the 4 point recognition card as to tool for increasing the pick-up of ACL injuries on MRI. It offers advantages over standard teaching Methods: since it takes less time to teach and the necessary information is retained to a greater degree than with traditional teaching methods.

Introduction: The bearing surface of total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a key factor in implant survivorship. Ceramic bearings have enhanced wear properties though are prone to fracture and thus Oxinium has been developed as an alternative. The aim of our study was to compare the its wear properties against cobalt-chrome which is currently the most widely used femoral head bearing surface in THA.

Methods: We prospectively randomized 270 consecutive patients undergoing THA at one institution into three groups: Groups I, II and III. Group I received a cobalt-chrome femoral head and cross-linked poly-ethylene (XLPE) liner; Group II received an oxinium femoral head and ultrahigh molecular weight polyeth-ylene (UHMWPE) liner; Group III received an oxinium femoral head and cross-linked polyethylene liner. 32 mm heads were used in all the cases. Patients were longitidunally followed up with clinical evaluation and standardised radiographs of the pelvis and hip. Using DICOMeasure software, we calculated the linear and volumetric wear rate for each group to determine if a difference existed.

Results: The demographics and comorbid conditions were similar between the groups. The survivorship of all components was 100% in all groups at 2 years. No patients were lost to follow-up. After the first 6 months of creep, the rate of linear wear over 2 years was 0.16mm for Group I, 0.10mm for Group II, and 0.06mm for Group III. ANOVA testing demonstrates statistical significance between the groups (P < 0.05).

Discussion and Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that the wear rate using 32mm Oxinium heads is significantly lower than that for cobalt-chrome heads and this effect is dramatically enhanced when used in combination with highly cross linked polyethylene.