Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of Tomofix plate fixation, in joint retaining surgery, for Medial compartment Osteoarthritis of the knee in young patients

Methods: We report on 33 patients (36 knees) who underwent High tibial osteotomy for unicompartmental osteoarthritis of the knee. The mean age was 39.5 (30–49). There were 20 males and 13 female. All the patients had Medial opening-wedge type Osteotomy using the Tomofix device. The mean duration of follow-up was 48 months (44–60 months). The patients were assessed on the basis of pre and post-operative oxford knee score, knee range of motion, radiological evidence of healing of the osteotomy site and alignment of the knee.

Results: There were no nonunions at the osteotomy site and the medial open-wedge filled-in without any need for bone graft or its substitutes. The mean preoperative oxford knee score was 48 (S.D 4.7 Range 38–54). This improved to a mean score of 22 (S.D 5.9 Range 17–31) after 1 year follow-up. The improvement was significant (pvalue= 0.07). The preoperative average knee flexion was 103.1 (S.D 25.2 Range 10–125) which improved after 1 year follow up to 112 (S.D 15.9 Range 0–140). The mean preoperative Femorotibial angle was 10 degrees varus (range 9–15). The mean postoperative Femorotibial angle was 8 deg valgus (range 6–12). Radiologically, there was no loss of correction during our follow-up. One patient had post-operative DVT.

Conclusion: Our study shows that Tomofix plate fixation in High Tibial osteotomy gives immediate stability, good deformity correction and allows early rehabilitation. The osteotomy gap does not require bone grafting and the correction is maintained. The Short term functional results are encouraging. Longer-term follow-up is however needed to establish its effectiveness in deferring joint replacement surgery in young patients.

AIM: To create a set of reference data of commonly used scoring systems in the normal population, and to compare these results with published postoperative scores for commonly performed knee operations.

METHODS: This was a questionnaire-based study and a total of 657 questionnaires were sent out, of which 407 replies were received. A further 159 were excluded due to ongoing knee problems or previous knee surgery. Six scoring systems were addressed: Lysholm and Oxford Knee Scores, Tegner and UCLA activity scales and Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) for both pain and function. Data was collected into groups based on age (20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, 70–79, 80–89 years). The reference data obtained was then compared to published postoperative scores for knee arthroplasty and ACL reconstruction, to assess whether these patients did indeed return to “normal”.

RESULTS: The mean scores for sequential age groups (described above) were as follows: Oxford Knee Score – 13, 14, 14, 14, 17, 15, 19; Lysholm Knee Score – 95, 92, 92, 90, 88, 90, 79; Tegener Activity Scale – 5, 5, 5, 4, 4, 3, 3; UCLA Activity Scale – 9, 7, 7, 7, 6, 6, 5; VAS pain – 2, 9, 9, 9, 14, 12, 20; VAS function 97, 94, 92, 90, 86, 86, 83. Symptom based scoring systems (Oxford Knee Score, Lysholm) were independent of age. Activity scores (Tegner, UCLA) showed a statistically significant decrease with age. There was no significant difference detected between scores in different sexes in the same age group. Compared to published scores in an age-matched population following TKR, the data obtained showed that patients do not return to normal scores following arthroplasty. Following ACL reconstructive surgery, activity scores were higher than compared to the data obtained from our population.

CONCLUSIONS: Data generated from this study can be used as reference data and can play an important role in interpreting post-intervention scores following knee surgery.

The use of wound drains in arthroplasty patients is controversial. Previous work including a meta analysis looking at closed drainage systems has shown no benefit in their use. It is postulated that retransfusion drains may offer an advantage over closed drains and cut allogenic transfusion requirements and aid wound healing. This study was designed to assess the use of retransfusion drains in hip and knee replacement patients and prove the null hypothesis that there is no difference in post op haemaglobin levels or transfusion with their use.

Following an initial pilot audit of blood drainage in such patients we designed a protocol for a prospective trial. In a prospective randomised controlled study we evaluated the use of retransfusion drains in primary hip and knee arthroplasty patients. Eighty patients were randomised to removal of the drain at six or twenty-four hours post op, to assess the most efficient and beneficial use of such drains. The rate of blood drainage, post-operative haemaglobin (Hb) levels, blood transfusion, hospital stay, complications and rehabilitation observed. The two groups were comparable, have a follow up of two years and all attempts to control variables were made.

The drop in haemaglobin, hospital stay, complications and rehabilitation between both groups revealed no significant difference in all respects. Wound healing appeared better in six-hour group for hip and knee patients. There is no effect of type of joint or age on the drop in Hb. The TKR patients drained sig. more blood than the THR patients. The rate of blood loss is discussed. The amount of blood drained that was retransfused was 94% efficient. The allogenic transfusion rates were higher in the six-hour knee group. Three patients required post operative antibiotic but at latest follow up all patients were reported as having no problems and no evidence of infection.

This study concludes that retransfusion drains offer no advantage in the arthroplasty patients’ care.

AIM: Operative treatment is the choice of management for unstable sub-trochanteric fractures because it allows early mobilisation thus preventing serious and fatal complications. This study was conducted to compare the results, advantages and disadvantages of using dynamic condylar screw and interlocking nail for treatment of subtrochanteric fractures.

METHOD: A prospective randomised controlled study was carried in our centre. The study included 64 patients presenting to our Trauma and Orthopaedic unit between July 2000 to November 2003. The criterias for inclusion were an age of less than 70 years, a non-pathalogical sub-trochtanteric fracture less than 4 weeks with no previous history of surgery and a femoral anatomy that allowed osteosynthesis with intramedullary nail or a dynamic condylar screw. The patients were randomly divided in 2 groups which was accomplished with use of computer generated random numbers. The group1 treated with DCS and group 2 was treated with interlocking nail. Both groups were comparable with regard to age, gender, body mass index, medical history according to index of Fitts et al and system of American Society of Aneasthesiologists, mental status and mobility score. The pre-injury functional status of the patients was recorded using Sikor-ski and Barrington pain and mobility scale and parker and palmer mobility score. The estimated intraoperative blood loss, operative time and intraoperative complications were recorded. Follow-up was done at 4th, 12th and 24th week and then 1 year. Patients were assessed for range of hip movements, muscle strength while functional recovery was assessed with Sikorski and Barrington pain and mobility scale. The radiograph at 1 year was used to assess the neck shaft angle.

RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 49 (range 30–65). There were 38 males and 26 females. The intra-operative blood loss, average hospital stay and operative time was more in case of patients undergoing DCS fixation(p< 0.05). The time fracture union and full weight bearing mobilisation was better in patients who had intra-medullary fixation.1 patient in group1 had screw cut out from femoral shaft, this was treated by change of side plate to longer one with bone graft augmentation.1 patient in group 2 had non-union which was treated by removal of interlocking nail and refixation of fracture with DCS along with bone graft. There was no infection, DVT or mal-union in any group.1 pateint from each group was lost to follow-up. All other patients were evaluated with Sikorski and Barrington’s pain and mobility score. The difference was not significant between the goups(p< 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The results of our study support the use of interlocking nail especially in communited fractures of subtrochanteric region.

Aim: PFC Sigma total knee was introduced in 1997 incorporating a number of design changes. We report our medium-term results of a consecutive series of PFC sigma knees performed between Nov 1997 and Dec 1998.

Method: Between November 1997 and December 1998 a consecutive series of 166 TKAs (156 patients)were carried out using the PFC Sigma total knee replacement system at Wrightington Hospital. Out of the 156 patients 9 were lost to follow-up. This left 147 patients (156 knees) with a mean follow-up of 90 months (range 84 – 96 months). 137 patients (88%) had primary osteoarthritis, 14(9%) had R.A and 5(3%) had post-traumatic arthritis. The mean age was 70 yrs (53 – 88 yrs).85 were female and 62 male. All patients were followed at 3 months, 6 months,1 year and then yearly. Clinical evaluation was done by American Knee Society and Oxford knee scores. Knee society score was used to assess the postoperative radiographs.

Results: The mean Knee society score improved from the preoperative mean of 45 (range 30 – 65) to postoperative mean of 84 points(range 45 – 92). The mean preoperative functional score was 38(range 25 –5) and mean postoperative functional score was 73 points(range 50–95). According to the final scoring 90 % of the knees were rated excellent, 4% good, 4 % fair and 2 % poor. The mean preoperative Oxford knee score was 43 (range 33–52) and mean postoperative score was 17 (14–29). Range of motion improved from a mean of 90(range 50–125) to 105(range 65–130). There was no significant difference (p = 0.03) in the American Knee Society score and Oxford knee score when comparing patients with and without resurfacing of the patella and PCL-retaining with PCL-substituting implants.1 knee (0.6%) was revised within 18 months due to aseptic loosening.1 knee(0.6%) had superficial wound infection which cleared with oral antibiotics.2 patients(2 knees) developed deep infection out of which one resolved following early debridement, the other developed chronic infection requiring long term suppressive antibiotics. 3 patients had proven below knee deep venous thrombosis; one of them developed a non-fatal pulmonary embolism. Radiological review using radiological knee society scoring showed radiolucent lines under 35 % of the tibial components(56 knees)and 11 % of Femoral components(18 knees). For survivorship analysis, the actuarial life- table method was used with calculation of the numbers at risk and the survival rates at annual intervals. The 95% confidence limits were calculated by the method of Rothman. The survivorship at the end of eight year follow-up was 99.40. None of the patellar components failed.

Conclusion: Our study shows excellent clinical results of PFC Sigma Total knee replacement after almost eight years follow-up. We plan to continue monitoring this cohort of patients for long-term results.

INTRODUCTION: CTS is the most common nerve entrapment syndrome. Repeated flexion and extension activities of the wrist coupled with certain finger flexion causes oedema and compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel of the wrist. Several treatment options, both conservative and surgical are available to relieve the pressure on the median nerve. Although studies support the efficacy of splinting for CTS the length of splinting, type of splints, day or night use and the effects on other variables are still less agreed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Randomised control trial with subjects randomised to a splint and a control group. 44 patients(60 hands) evaluated at recruitment, 2,8 and 12 weeks. Difference in Levine’s symptom and functional severity scores, between the two groups, used as the primary outcome measure.

STATISTICAL METHODS: Repeated measure analysis(ANOVA) and paired t test used for statistical analysis between the two groups.

RESULTS: There was no difference between the two groups at baseline. Improvement in symptom severity score in the splinted group at the end of 12 weeks(p< 0.05). No difference in functional severity between the two groups.

CONCLUSION: Splintage helps to improve symptoms related to carpal tunnel syndrome in a short term period. This is the duration that the patients referred by GP’s have to wait before seeing a hand specialist. Hence they can be treated with splints during this period to give them symptomatic relief.

We describe the use of a vascularised periosteal patch onlay graft based on the 1,2 intercompartmental supraretinacular artery in the management of 11 patients (ten men, one woman) with chronic nonunion involving the proximal third of the scaphoid. The mean age of the patients was 31 years (21 to 45) with the dominant hand affected in eight. Six of the patients were smokers and three had undergone previous surgery to the scaphoid. All of the proximal fragments were avascular. The presence of union was assessed using longitudinal axis CT.

Only three patients progressed to union of the scaphoid and four required a salvage operation for a symptomatic nonunion. The remaining four patients with a persistent nonunion are asymptomatic with low pain scores, good grip strength and a functional range of wrist movement.

Although this technique has potential technical advantages over vascularised pedicled bone grafting, the rate of union has been disappointing and we do not recommend it as a method of treatment.