The trapeziometacarpal joint (TMJ) is the most commonly involved arthritic joint in the hand and is often injected in the outpatient setting. This study assesses the accuracy of TMJ injections.

Six pairs of thawed, fresh-frozen cadaveric upper limbs were placed in the anatomic position. The limbs were randomized to be injected by one of two clinicians (a senior and a junior orthopaedic trainee). The TMJ of these specimens was palpated and injected with 0.5mls aqueous jelly dyed with methylene blue. An independent investigator dissected the specimens and the location of the dye was recorded. A Posterior-Anterior radiograph was then taken to assess the bony anatomy of the joint and graded according to Eaton's classification.

Dye was found inside the joint capsule in 10 (83%) of the 12 specimens. Using Fishers Exact test no significant difference was found between the 2 injectors (p=0.46). The 2 joints where the dye was extra-articular had grade III and IV arthritis, whereas all other joints were graded I.

This study shows that good accuracy of TMJ injection can be achieved using palpation in the earlier stages of TMJ arthritis, when surface anatomy is accurate enough for an intra-articular injection. This is also when synovitis is more prevalent and injections are more relevant. However the failure rate of injections increases as the disease advances.

Introduction: We report our experience with the ZMR Hip System (Zimmer Inc.). The system accommodates a number of femoral fixation philosophies including spline, porous and taper stem options. The tapered stem is designed to achieve a distal wedge fit and also allow bone on-growth via the corundumized titanium alloy surface. The modular mid-stem junction allows a selection of body designs to be selected providing significant intra-operative flexibility and version adjustment.

Method: This study considers 64 cases performed in 63 patients with a mean age at the time of surgery of 70 years (range 55–89) utilising the taper stem design. The indication for revision surgery was aseptic loosening in 33 patients (Paprosky types II – 12, IIIA-10, IIIB-11) 22 peri-prosthetic fractures (Vancouver types B2-15, B3-7), 8 for infection and 4 patients with instability.

Results: The cohort had a minimum three-year follow-up with a mean of 50 months (range 36–72) and clinical assessment included Oxford score and thigh pain assessment. Engh’s criteria was utilised in the radiological evaluation when considering femoral component fixation. Femoral stem subsidence and femoral bone stock were also appraised on serial follow-up radiographs.

Discussion: The survival rate at follow-up with stem revision being the end point was 100%. When re-operation for any reason and radiological loosing are considered as the end point the survival rate was 95%.

Conclusion: We conclude excellent medium term results with the use of a cementless modular taper stem in challenging femoral revision surgery.

Background: There has been an exponential rise in Internet use over recent years with over 11 million homes in the United Kingdom currently having access to the Internet. Previous studies have shown that up to 50% of orthopaedic outpatients have researched their condition on the Internet and that this percentage is dependent upon the condition from which they are suffering. The aim of our study was therefore to assess the prevalence of Internet usage among three groups of orthopaedic outpatients and to further determine how the patients felt their Internet research compared to the information received at consultation.

Methods: Data was collected from 150 patients / parents attending three outpatient clinics; 50 consecutive patients attending scoliosis clinic; 50 patients attending paediatric orthopaedic clinic; 50 patients attending back pain clinic.

Results: 58% of scoliosis, 22% of general paediatric and 30% of back pain patients had researched their condition on the Internet. 83% of scoliosis, 64% of paediatric and 80% of back pain patients found this information useful. Nearly all patients, however, would trust their doctor more than the Internet.

Conclusion: We believe therefore that clinicians need to keep up to date with information available on the Inter-net and provide recommended websites to patients wishing to consolidate their knowledge of their condition.