Introduction

Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is a highly prevalent injury in athletes and non-athletes with an unknown aetiology. Genetic risk factors have been a recent focus of investigation. The aim of this systematic review was to determine which loci have been linked with mid-portion AT and could potentially be used as biomarkers in tendinopathy risk models or as preventative or therapeutic targets.

Dislocation of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) in association with fractures of both bones of the forearm has received relatively little attention in the literature. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the integrity of DRUJ and evaluate the association between the level of fracture and instability of DRUJ following fracture both bones of forearm.

This was a prospective study of 65 patients, over 3 years followed up for 12 months. All patients were treated with open reduction and internal fixation of radius and ulna. The mean age of the patients was 34.8 years (15–68 yrs). There were 51 males and 14 females. There were 18 fractures involving distal third of forearm, 42 fractures in the middle third and 5 fractures of the proximal third. 38 fractures (58.4%) had subluxation of the DRUJ and 27 had no DRUJ subluxation. All subluxations were dorsal. Post-operatively, 30 of the 38 fractures (78.9%) had persistent DRUJ subluxation. Of the 27 fractures, which had no pre-operative DRUJ subluxation, 10 fractures (37%) revealed dorsal subluxation in the post-operative radiographs. All fractures were immobilised in above elbow plaster casts for 6 weeks. All patients were followed up at 3, 6 and 12 months. Patients were assessed clinically, radiologically with standardised radiographs and functional assessment of grip and pinch strength using Jamar dynamometer. At 12 months, 12 patients had significant symptoms associated with DRUJ. Of these, 4 had functional restriction, which were related to complex DRUJ dislocations.

DRUJ dislocations are more common in fractures, which are in the direction of the interosseous membrane (p< 0.002). They are commonly associated in fractures involving the middle and distal third of the forearm. There is a tendency for under-reporting of DRUJ dislocations in fractures of both bones of forearm and hence, more attention should be paid to this entity.

Aims: To report medium term results of Beuchal Pappas total ankle replacement carried out at Corbett hospital. Methods: We report a series of 15 patients who underwent this procedure at the Corbett hospital in Dudley between February 95 and March 01. One patient died of an unrelated cause and 14 were followed for an average of 4 years. All patients received the New Jersey total ankle replacement performed by one senior consultant orthopaedic surgeon (SA). The patients were invited to attend a special follow up clinic for clinical and radiological review. The Kitioka ankle scoring system was used to assess outcome. Results: The average age was 64 years. There were 8 women and 6 men. The preoperative diagnosis was advanced post-traumatic arthritis in all patients. Two underwent revision of tibial component- one at 3 years post operative for septic loosening, and the other at 2 years post operative for aseptic loosening. One patient required open washout 7 months post operative for deep infection. The average ankle score in the group was 79. All patients replied in the afþr-mative when asked if they would undergo the operation again. Conclusions: We feel that in carefully selected patients ankle replacement gives satisfactory outcome and can be safely performed in a district general hospital setting. Careful preoperative counselling regarding risks of loosening and infection is essential.

Adverse effects of different preparations of Botulinus Toxin were studied. 97 episodes of injections in 67 children with cerebral palsy carried out between 1994 and 2001 were available for study. A telephonic interview was carried out according to a format in which the nature of adverse effects and the onset and duration of beneficial effect were recorded. 52 children had diplegia, 27 had hemiplegia and 18 had quadriplegia. 69 injections were made using Botox and remainder were made using Dysport. The dose for botox was up to 12 units per kilogram body weight and for dysport up to 40 units per kilogram body weight. The average age at injection was 94 months. The diagnoses were evenly distributed between the groups. A total of 72 adverse effects were noted in 44 episodes. Botox group accounted for 35 episodes and dysport for 9 (p=0.23). Thirty-three children had at least one adverse effect. Botox group accounting for 23 and Dysport group for 10 (p=0.45). The commonest adverse effect was pain at the injection site. The student t test was carried out to test statistical significance. There were no significant differences in the occurrence of adverse effects or the onset and duration of beneficial effect.

It may be concluded that botulinum therapy for cerebral palsy provided a high degree of patient/carer satisfaction. It produced few adverse effects and is generally well tolerated. The effects of botox and dysport were comparable.