A revision for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in total hip arthroplasty (THA) has a major effect on the patient’s quality of life, including walking capacity. The objective of this case control study was to investigate the histological and ultrastructural changes to the gluteus medius tendon (GMED) in patients revised due to a PJI, and to compare it with revision THAs without infection performed using the same lateral approach. A group of eight patients revised due to a PJI with a previous lateral approach was compared with a group of 21 revised THAs without infection, performed using the same approach. The primary variables of the study were the fibril diameter, as seen in transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the total degeneration score (TDS), as seen under the light microscope. An analysis of bacteriology, classification of infection, and antibiotic treatment was also performed.Aims
Methods
Health care facilities are major contributors of waste to landfills, with operating rooms estimated to assume 20–70% of this waste. With hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) on the rise, it is important to understand its environmental impact and identify areas for greening practices. Given its minimally-invasive nature, we hypothesise overall arthroscopic waste per FAI patient case to be approximately 5 kg, with minimal biohazard waste. The purpose of this study was to determine the amount of waste produced in FAI procedures and understand the environmental impact of the procedure to aid us in developing greening practices. A single surgeon waste audit (with descriptive statistics) of five FAI hip arthroscopy procedures – categorised by: 1) normal/landfill waste; 2) recyclable cardboards and plastics; 3) biohazard waste; 4) sharp items; 5) linens; and 6) sterile wrapping – was performed in April 2015. The surgical waste (except laundered linens) from the five FAI surgeries totalled 47.4 kg, of which 21.7 kg (45.7%) was biohazard waste, 11.7 kg (24.6%) was sterile wrap, 6.4 kg (13.5%) was normal/landfill waste, 6.4 kg (13.5%) was recyclable plastics, and 1.2 kg (2.6%) was sharp items. There was an average of 9.4 kg (excluding laundered linens) of waste produced per procedure. Considerable waste, specifically biohazard waste, is produced in FAI procedures with an average of 9.4 kg of waste produced per procedure, including 4.3 kg of biohazard waste. In Canada (population 35.7 million), approximately 18 800 kg of waste (8600 kg of biohazard waste) is produced from an estimated 2000 FAI procedures performed every year. Additional recycling programs, reducing surgical overage, and continued adherence to proper waste segregation will be helpful in reducing waste production and its environmental burden. An emphasis on “green outcomes” is also required to demonstrate environmental responsibility and effectively manage and allocate finite resources.
In this retrospective study, we assessed the outcome in 99 patients who underwent reconstruction of the lateral ligaments of the ankle for chronic anterolateral instability with a minimum follow-up of 15 years. Two techniques were compared: 54 patients had an anatomical reconstruction (AR group) and 45 had an Evans tenodesis (ET group). They were followed up for 19.9 ± 3.6 years and 21.8 ± 4.6 years, respectively. During follow-up, seven patients in the AR group and 17 in the ET group required a further operation (p = 0.004). At follow-up, significantly more patients (n = 15) in the ET group had limited dorsiflexion than in the AR group (n = 6, p = 0.007) and 18 in the ET group had a positive anterior drawer test compared with seven in the AR group (p = 0002). In the ET group 27 had tenderness on palpation of the ankle compared with 15 in the AR group (p = 0.001). Stress radiographs showed ligamentous laxity significantly more often in the ET group (n = 30) than in the AR group (n = 13, p <
0.001). The mean values for talar tilt and anterior talar translation were significantly higher in the ET group than in the AR group (p <
0.001, p = 0.007, respectively). There were degenerative changes on standard radiographs in 32 patients in the AR group and 35 in the ET group (p = 0.05). Four patients in the ET group had developed severe osteoarthritis compared with none in the AR group (p = 0.025). Assessment of functional stability revealed a mean Karlsson score of 83.7 ± 10.4 points in the AR group and 67.0 ± 15.8 points in the ET group (p <
0.001). According to the Good rating system, 43 patients in the AR group had good or excellent results compared with 15 in the ET group (p <
0.001). Compared with anatomical reconstruction, the Evans tenodesis does not prevent laxity in a large number of patients. Long-standing ligamentous laxity leads to degenerative change in the ankle, resulting in chronic pain, limited dorsiflexion and further operations. The functional result deteriorates more rapidly after the Evans tenodesis than after anatomical reconstruction.
In a prospective, randomised, multicentre study, 112 patients (99 men and 13 women, aged between 21 and 63 years) with acute, complete rupture of tendo Achillis were allocated either to surgical treatment followed by early functional rehabilitation, using a brace, or to non-surgical treatment, with plaster splintage for eight weeks. The period of follow-up was for two years. Evaluation was undertaken by independent observers and comprised interviews, clinical measurements, isokinetic muscle performance tests, heel-raise tests and an overall outcome score. The rate of rerupture was 20.8% after non-surgical and 1.7% after surgical treatment (p <
0.001). Surgical and non-surgical treatment produced equally good functional results if complications were avoided. However, the rate of rerupture after non-surgical treatment was unacceptably high.
We reviewed the long-term results of the treatment of slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE) using realignment procedures in 36 patients (37 hips) at an average follow-up of 33.8 years (26 to 42). There were serious short-term complications in seven of the 22 hips treated by subcapital osteotomy, three of the 11 hips treated by intertrochanteric osteotomy and three of the four hips treated by manipulative reduction. At re-examination, the clinical and radiological results were excellent or good in 41% of the hips treated by subcapital osteotomy, in 36% treated by intertrochanteric osteotomy and in none treated by manipulative reduction. In all, seven hips (19%) had had arthrodesis or total hip replacement. The natural history of SUFE was probably not improved by any of the treatments used in our study. We therefore discourage the use of subcapital and intertrochanteric osteotomy as well as manipulative reduction in the primary treatment of chronic SUFE.
We have reviewed 42 of 52 consecutive patients at an average of 14 years after a tenodesis based on Evans' operation performed for chronic lateral instability of the ankle. Only 21 patients (50%) had satisfactory long-term functional results, and 12 patients with satisfactory early results had deteriorated after three to six years. Stress radiographs were used to measure anterior talar translation and talar tilt, and a good correlation was found between function and mechanical stability. Talar tilt had been controlled more successfully than anterior translation. Marginal osteophytes were found in most ankles, and were larger and more numerous in those with the greatest instability.