Prior to the introduction of steroid management in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), the prevalence of scoliosis approached 100%, concomitant with progressive decreases in pulmonary function. As such, early scoliosis correction (at 20-25°) was advocated, prior to substantial pulmonary function decline. With improved pulmonary function and delayed curve progression with steroid treatment, the role of early surgery has been questioned. The purpose of this study was to compare the post-operative outcomes of early versus late scoliosis correction in DMD. We hypothesize that performing later surgery with larger curves would not lead to worse post-operative complications. Retrospective cohort study. Patients with DMD who underwent posterior scoliosis correction, had pre-operative pulmonary function testing, and at least 1-year post-operative follow-up, were included; divided into 2 Groups by pre-operative curve angle – 1: ≤45°, 2: >45°. Primary outcome was post-operative complications by Clavien-Dindo (CD) grading. Secondary outcomes included: age at surgery, forced vital capacity (FVC), steroid utilization, fractional shortening (FS) by echocardiogram, surgery duration, blood transfusion requirements, ICU length of stay (LOS), days intubated post-operatively, hospital LOS, infection, curve correction. Two-tailed t-test and chi-square testing were used for analysis of patient factors and CD complication grade, respectively. 31 patients met the inclusion criteria, with a mean total follow-up of 8.3±3.2 years. Steroid treatment (prednisone, deflazacort) was utilized for 21 (67.7%) patients, for a mean duration of 8.2±4.0 years. Groups were comparable for steroid use, FVC, echo FS, and age at surgery (p>0.05). Primary curve angle was 31.7±10.4° and 58.3±11.1° for Groups 1 and 2, respectively (p 0.05). Surgery duration, ICU LOS, days intubated, hospital LOS, were also not different between Groups. For the entire cohort, however, the overall complication rate was higher for patients with steroid treatment [61.9% vs 10%, respectively (p=0.008)], the majority being CDII. Neither FVC nor echo FS were different between Groups at final follow-up (p=0.6; p=0.4, respectively). Post-operative complication rates were not different for early and late scoliosis correction in DMD. In general, however, patients undergoing steroid treatment were at higher risk of blood transfusion and deep infection. Delaying scoliosis correction in DMD while PF is favourable is reasonable, but patients with prior steroid treatment should be counseled regarding the higher risk of complications.
This study aims to define the epidemiology of trauma presenting to a single centre providing all orthopaedic trauma care for a population of ∼ 900,000 over the first 40 days of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to that presenting over the same period one year earlier. The secondary aim was to compare this with population mobility data obtained from Google. A cross-sectional study of consecutive adult (> 13 years) patients with musculoskeletal trauma referred as either in-patients or out-patients over a 40-day period beginning on 5 March 2020, the date of the first reported UK COVID-19 death, was performed. This time period encompassed social distancing measures. This group was compared to a group of patients referred over the same calendar period in 2019 and to publicly available mobility data from Google.Aims
Methods
The Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) is an hexapod external ring fixation system that can move with six degrees of freedom to correct complex limb deformities. The lengths of the struts between the rings are independently adjusted to correct the deformity. The struts form an acute and obtuse “ring-strut” angle with the ring with the sum of these angles totalling 180°. In the course of a correction schedule a strut may need to be exchanged for one of longer or shorter length. The manufacturer's instructions direct that a temporary seventh strut can be placed in any orientation to ensure stability during the exchange. We have noted several episodes of temporary frame instability during this procedure resulting in discomfort. The aim of this study was to investigate which temporary strut positions gave maximal stability. A TSF frame was constructed in a neutral alignment with a neutral strut height of 130mm. Strut 1 (red) was identified for exchange. There were 169 theoretical placement options for the temporary strut that were sequentially tested. Fast-FX™ struts were used. Strut 1 was released and the shortening that occurred was recorded using the strut length gauge. Shortening of over 10mm was considered grossly unstable.Introduction
Methods
The diagnosis of Periprosthetic Joint Infection (PJI) is a considerable challenge in total joint arthroplasty. The mainstay for diagnosis of PJI is a combination of serological markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), along with joint aspirate for white cell count, differential and culture. The aim of this study was to examine the use of synovial fluid CRP in the diagnosis of PJI. Synovial fluid samples were collected prospectively from patients undergoing primary and revision knee arthroplasty. Samples were assessed for CRP, cell count and differential. Three groups were analyzed; those undergoing primary knee arthroplasty, aseptic knee arthroplasties and infected arthroplasties. Demographic data, along with associated medical co-morbidities, were collected,. Statistical analysis was performed. Synovial fluid CRP was correlated with serum CRP values. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated.Background
Material & Methods
Elevated blood metal ions are associated with the early failure of the Hip Resurfacing Arthroplasty. The aim of this study was to analyse our prospective database of Hip Resurfacing Arthroplasty patients, to independently review the outliers with elevated blood metal ions and to determine whether a screening program would be of value at our institution. In 2004 a ten year prospective longitudinal study was set up to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of Metal on Metal Hip Resurfacings in young, active adults with degenerative hip disease. Six hundred and four patients have enrolled in this multi-surgeon prospective study with strict inclusion criteria for Hip Resurfacing Arthroplasty. All have received the same implant design. All have completed validated functional outcome questionnaires at baseline, three and six months, then annually. A sub-cohort of 196 patients underwent whole blood chromium and cobalt analysis at the same time periods. Metal on metal bearings have a running in period of a minimum of six months before a steady state wear pattern is attained. We chose five parts per billion for Cobalt or Chromium as our threshold value. This value corresponds to the workplace exposure limit in the United Kingdom to Cobalt in whole blood. Therefore patients with ion levels greater than five parts per billion after six months were recalled for independent review, including further metal ion analysis.Purpose
Method
Hip fracture in the elderly has high morbidity and mortality. National guidelines have recommended low molecular weight (LMW) heparin or aspirin for thromboprophylaxis in hip fracture. Unlike other types of major surgery, there is a lack of trial evidence for graduated elasticated compression (GEC) stockings in hip fracture patients. To explore the effect of thromboprophylaxis on survival in hip fracture patients.Background
Objective
Fifty thousand knee replacements are performed annually in the UK at an estimated cost of £150 million. However, there is uncertainty as to the best surgical approach to the knee joint for knee arthroplasty. We undertook a randomised controlled trial to compare a standard medial parapatellar arthrotomy with sub-vastus arthrotomy for patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty in terms of short and long term knee function. Two hundred and thirty-one patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty during 2001-2003 were recruited into the study. Patients were randomised into subvastus (116) or medial parapatellar (115) approaches to knee arthroplasty. The primary outcome measures were the American Knee Society and WOMAC Scores. The secondary outcome measures were patient-based measures of EuroQol and SF-36. All outcomes were measured pre-operatively and 1, 6, 12 and 52 weeks post-operatively. We also looked at a pain diary, analgesia diary, ease of surgical exposure, and complications.Introduction
Methods
