Diabetes is a poor prognostic indicator after an acute ankle fracture. Many surgeons avoid essential surgery due to their concerns regarding complications.

We performed a retrospective analysis of complication rates for acute ankle fractures in diabetics with a control non-diabetic patient treated by all surgeons in our unit and assessed factors for success including long-segment fixation methodologies.

Patient records were cross-referenced with departmental databases and a retrospective review of all ankle fractures managed in our department was conducted from 2014. All patients subjected to a retrospective review of their notes and assessment of their follow up for at least 6 months. Radiographs were assessed of the ankle before and at completion of treatment were reviewed independently (RA and FR).

We identified all patients with a diabetic ankle fracture their HB1Ac (for diabetic control) and systematic co-morbidities. Fractures were classified into unimalleolar, bi malleolar and trimalleolar and surgery grouped into standard or long-segment-rigid fixation. Statistical analysis was conducted using absolute/relative risk (RR); numbers needed to treat (NNT) were calculated. We compared a control-group, a diabetic group managed conservatively, and undergoing surgery; comparing the concept of rigid fixation. Further sub-analysis conducted to assess differences between diabetic neuropathy, retinopathy and nephropathy. Ethics approval was granted as per our institutional policy by our governance lead.

We identified 64 patients with a diabetic ankle fractures, their fracture pattern and a control group. Thirty-one had conservative treatment; 33 had operative fixation of which 13 had rigid fixation. Compared to the control (n=32) both diabetic groups had a higher risk of possible complication. The relative risk was between 3.1–3.4 (P<0.002) and linked to systematic complications of diabetes e.g. neuropathy 5.9 (P<0.003); HBA1c 4.6 P<0.004); and neuropathy and retinopathy 6.2 P<0.0003). We observed RR is reduced for a complication occurring following surgery with prolonged immobilization (0.86) and rigid fixation (0.65) and NNT required to see a benefit from rigid fixation was 7. The overall RR for a complication was similar between conservative and surgical management (4.6 vs.5.1).

We agree diabetics have a higher risk for complications than non-diabetics, however the risk is not as great as previously reported. There is little difference in surgical or conservative treatment but strong evidence indicating rigid long-segment-fixation with prolonged-immobilization could improve the risk benefit ratio when compared to non- operative management alone but further evaluation is required.

The mid foot joints are usually the first to be affected in Charcot neuroarthropathy(CN). Reconstruction is technically demanding and fraught with complications. Fixation methods have evolved over time from cancellous screws, plates, bolts and a combination of these.

We present our experience of mid foot fusion in CN from a tertiary diabetic foot centre. In this series we undertook mid foot corrective fusion in 27 feet (25patients) and are presenting the results of those with a minimumof six months follow up. Twelve of these had concurrent hindfoot fusion. Eleven patients had type 1 diabetes, 12 had type 2 and 2 were non-diabetics. 23 patients were ASA grade3 and 2 were ASA 2. 21 feet had ulcers preoperatively and mean HbA1c was 8.2. 13 patients had diabetic retinopathy and 6 had nephropathy.

Average patient age was 59 (43 to 80) and our mean follow up was 35 months (7 to 67). One patient was lost to follow up and 2 patients died. 18 patients had plates, 3 had bolts and 6 had a combination. Complete follow up data was available for 26 feet in 24 patients. Satisfactory correction of deformity was achieved in all patients. The mean correction of calcaneal pitch was from 0.6 preoperatively to 10.6 degrees postoperatively, mean Meary angle from 22 to 9 degrees, talo- metatarsal angle on AP view from 33 to 13 degree. Bony union was achieved in 21 out of 26 feet and atleast one joint failed to fuse in 5. 19 out of 24 patients were able to mobilize fully or partially weight bearing. We had 6 patients with persisting and 3 withrecurrent ulceration. Seven repeat procedures were carried out which included 2 revision fixations. 4 out of 5 non-unions were seen where bolts were used alone or supplemented with plates.

With our technique and a strict protocol 100% limb salvage and 81% union was achieved. 80% patients were mobile and ulcer healing was achieved in 72%. Corrective mid foot fusion is an effective procedure in these complex casesbut require the input of a multidisciplinary team for perioperative care.

Osteonecrosis of femoral head is well known and recognised complication in Sickle cell disease patients. Due to the severity of the Osteonecrosis, hip pain is major limiting factor for these patients requiring total hip arthroplasty in relatively young age. We studied and report our results in total hip arthroplasty of sickle cell patients.

We studied 80 patients from our combined Orthopaedic & Haematology Sickle cell clinic. Twenty four patients had painful Osteonecrosis with secondary osteoarthritis of hip and underwent total hip arthroplasty. Three patients had bilateral hip replacements. A total of twenty seven replacements were studied retrospectively. 19 patients had uncemented (Corail/Pinnacle), 5 patients had hybrid(Pinnacle/Exeter) and 3 patients had cemented(Exeter) total hip arthroplasties respectively.

The patients were serially followed up for clinical and radiological assessments for loosening. Oxford hip score (OHS) was used to assess the functional outcome. The average age of the patients at the time of surgery was 38.4 (Range – 20 to 59 years. The average follow up was 5.1 years (Range – 6 months to 10 years). There were 13 female and 11 male patients. The average oxford hip score was 38.07 with 10% infection rate and 11% aseptic loosening.

Arthroplasties carry high risk in patients with sickle cell disease. We report lower rates of infection and loosening rates compared to the earlier studies. Combined Haematological and Orthopaedic team input is optimal during assessment, surgery, peri-operative period and follow up. Our results of total hip replacements in sickle cell disease patients are good.

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the failure rate among different fixation devices for undisplaced fracture neck of femur. All 52 patients with Garden I and II hip fractures who underwent surgery in a teaching hospital in London from January 2007 to June 2012 were included. Electronic patient records were accessed to collect the patient data.

There were 52% females and the mean age of patients was 70 years. Thirty patients had cannulated screws, 18 – dynamic hip screw (DHS) with de-rotation screw and 4 had DHS alone. Initial results showed that 36% patients had re-operation. 7(77%) had total hip replacement and 1(11%) had metal work removal. The reason for revision was failure of fixation in 8 (88%) and avascular necrosis in 1 (11%). There was significantly higher failure rate in the DHS with derotation screw group (50%) compared to the cannulated screw group (35%) and the DHS alone group (0%). Average time to planned revision was 11.1 months.

Traditionally undisplaced intra capsular hip fractures are treated by in-situ fixation using different devices. Biomechanically DHS with de-rotation screw achieves better rotational and axial stability compared to other fixation devices. However, our study showed a higher failure rate in this group. Inability to achieve a perfectly parallel screw position seems to be a significant factor responsible for high failure. Higher failure rates with fixation may boost the role of replacement arthroplasty as one off surgical treatment in elderly patients.

Hip simulator studies have shown reduced hip offset can cause microseparation and increased wear in hard-on-hard hip bearings. However this has not been analysed yet in vivo. We studied the effect of reduced hip offset on serum metal ion levels in patients with metal-on-metal (MoM) hip arthroplasty.

From all patients who underwent unilateral MoM bearing hip arthroplasty between 2005 and 2009, 63 patients had complete clinical evaluation, measurement of serum chromium and cobalt ion levels as well as biomechanical measurements on pre- and post operative radiographs (cup inclination, head inclination, change in hip offset and change in hip length.)

Ten arthroplasties were revised due to adverse metal reaction and six patients awaiting revision. 55% of ASR hips showed higher metal ions (>7 ppb) whereas only 15% of non-ASR hips had higher ion levels. Patients with reduced postoperative hip offset by more than 5 mm had significantly higher mean metal ion levels compared to the the rest of the hips (31.8 ppb vs. 7.4 ppb, p=0.002). On subgroup analysis this effect was present in non-ASR hips (18.7 ppb vs. 4.7 ppb, p=0.025) but was not significant in ASR hips (29.6 ppb vs. 16.3 ppb, p=0.347).

Our study demonstrated significantly higher serum metal ion levels in patients who lost more than 5 mm hip offset after arthroplasty. Reduced soft tissue tension leading to microseparation of the articulation and edge loading is a theoretical explanation for this effect. This may be relevant in other hard bearings such as ceramic-on-ceramic as well.

Introduction

Hind foot Charcot deformity is a disastrous complication of diabetic neuropathy and can lead to instability, ulceration and major amputation. The treatment of these patients is controversial. Internal stabilization and/or external fixation have demonstrated variable results of limb salvage and some authorities thus advise patients to undergo elective major amputation. However, we report a series of 9 diabetic patients with severe hind foot deformity complicated by ulceration in 5/9, who underwent acute corrective internal fixation with successful correction of deformity, healing of ulceration in 4/5 patients and limb salvage in all cases.

Hind foot Charcot deformity is a disastrous complication of diabetic neuropathy and can lead to instability, ulceration and amputation. The treatment of these patients is controversial. Internal stabilisation and external fixation have demonstrated variable results of limb salvage and some authorities thus advise patients to undergo elective amputation. We report a series of 9 diabetic patients with severe hind foot deformity complicated by ulceration in 5/9, who underwent acute corrective internal fixation with successful correction of deformity, healing of ulceration in 4/5 patients and limb salvage in all cases.

Conservative measures such as total contact casting were tried in 5 patients had predominant varus deformity, 2 with valgus deformity and 2 with unstable ankle joints. 5 patients had developed secondary ulceration.

All patients underwent corrective hind foot fusion with tibio-talo-calcaneal arthrodesis using a retrograde intramedullary nail fixation and screws and bone grafting. One patient also with fixed planovalgus deformity of the foot underwent a corrective midfoot reconstruction.

Patients were followed up in a diabetic/orthopaedic multidisciplinary foot clinic and were treated with total contact casting. (Mean follow up time was 15.6 ±6.9months) In all patients the deformity was corrected with successful realignment to achieve a plantigrade foot. Healing of the secondary ulcers was achieved in 4/5 cases and limb salvage was achieved in all cases.

Three patients underwent further surgical procedure to promote bone fusion. One patient required removal of a significantly displaced fixation screw. Two patients had postoperative wound infections which that were treated with initially intravenous antibiotic therapy and then negative pressure wound therapy.

In conclusion, internal fixation for severe hind foot deformity together with close follow up in a multidisciplinary diabetic/orthopaedic foot clinic can be successful in diabetic patients with advanced Charcot osteoarthropathy and secondary ulceration.

We present a novel approach to the management of patients with longstanding heel ulcers complicated by open calcaneal fractures. The principles of management of diabetic foot ulcers were combined with applied physiology of fracture healing.

Case notes of 6 consecutive patients who presented to our diabetic foot clinic between January 2009 and December 2009 were reviewed. Type of diabetes, duration of heel ulcer, type of fracture and treatment given were recorded. Initial treatment consisted of regular local debridement and application of dressing. Vacuum Assisted Continuous (VAC) pump application was deferred until 6 weeks to preserve fracture hematoma and thereby initiate fracture healing. In all patients, VAC pump was started at 6 weeks and continued till healing of ulcer to adequate depth. Infection was treated aggressively with appropriate antibiotics according to the microbiology results.

The average age was 53 (40-60) and the mean duration of follow up was 6 months. All wound healed completely, fractures united and patients returned to previous function.

An open calcaneal fracture presents a severe injury likely to be complicated by infection and consequent osteomyelitis leading to amputations. In our group of patients, a novel treatment approach consisting of multidisciplinary model resulted in successful limb preservation and return to function.