Introduction

Arthrodesis of the 1st metatarso-phalangeal joint (MTPJ) is a common procedure in forefoot surgery for hallux rigidus and severe hallux valgus. Debate persists on two issues - the best preparation method for the articular surfaces, and the optimal technique for operative stabilisation of the joint.

Congenital Talipes Equinovarus (CTEV) occurs in approximately 1 in 1000 live births. Most cases occur as an isolated birth defect and are considered idiopathic. The widespread adoption of the Ponseti technique of serial casting followed by Achilles tenotomy and long term bracing has revolutionised the outcomes in CTEV. In most cases, plantigrade, flexible, pain-free feet may be produced without the need for extensive surgery. It is estimated that about 10% of cases of CTEV are not idiopathic. These feet are stiffer and more challenging to treat. In particular, there is little evidence in the literature concerning the efficacy of the Ponseti method in these cases.

In our institution, a dedicated weekly Ponseti clinic has operated since 2005. To date 140 patients have been treated. We prospectively enter all details regarding their management onto an independent international database.

The aim of this study was to audit the non-idiopathic cases of CTEV and to assess the effectiveness of the Ponseti technique in these challenging cases. Outcome measures included the Pirani score and eventual need for surgical intervention.

We identified 29 cases (46 feet) with non-idiopathic CTEV. This comprises 21% of our workload. Seventeen were bilateral. The commonest diagnoses were neuromuscular conditions such as spina bifida (5 cases) and cerebral palsy (3 cases). There were 4 cases of Trisomy 21. Other causes included Nail Patella syndrome, Moebius syndrome, Larsen syndrome and Ito syndrome. In approximately 12% of cases, the underlying disorder remained undiagnosed despite thorough medical and genetic testing.

In cases of non-idiopathic CTEV, the mean starting Pirani score was 5.5 (out of 6). After serial casting and Achilles tenotomy, the average score was 2.0. Twenty-one of 46 feet (46%) ultimately required further surgical intervention (mostly posteromedial release). We found that certain conditions were more likely to be successfully treated with the Ponseti method – these included conditions characterised by ligamentous laxity such as Trisomy 21 and Ehlers Danlos syndrome. All patients showed some improvement in Pirani score after serial casting.

We believe that it is essential to attempt the Ponseti method of serial casting in all cases of CTEV. More than half of all non-idiopathic cases will not require further surgical intervention – and those that do are not as stiff thanks to the effects of serial casting. Thus, the surgery required is not as complex as it might otherwise have been. This is the largest series of its kind in the current medical literature.

Introduction

Idiopathic scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine >10° as measured on a frontal plane radiograph by the Cobb angle. Important variables in assessing the risk of curve progression include a young age at presentation, female sex, a large amount of growth remaining, the rate of growth, the curve magnitude, and the curve location. Curves >20° have an inherently low risk of progression. Surgery is indicated for curves >50° or rapidly progressing curves. The timing of surgery is paramount in order to intervene in cases where rapid progression is evident to prevent further deterioration. There is a greater likelihood for more complex surgery to be required in major curves. At present, there are severe restrictions on resources to cater for patients with scoliosis. As a result, patients spend excessive periods on waiting lists prior to having their procedure. The aim of this study is to analyse the progression of curves of patients while on the waiting list and assess the cost implications of curve deterioration.

Introduction: Dislocation following total hip arthroplasty is a recognised complication and is attributable to several factors. The posterior approach to the hip is associated with higher dislocation rates than anterior or lateral approaches. We retrospectively reviewed the incidence of dislocation following total hip arthroplasty, in our institution, over a period of 5 years (from January 2000 to December 2004).

Results: We found 97 instances (in 49 patients) of dislocation following total hip arthroplasty. Of the 49 patients, 35 had the total hip arthroplasty done through the posterior approach. The Stacathro approach was performed on one patient, antero-lateral approach in 7 patients, and the transtrochanteric approach on 6 patients. Eleven patients had undergone revision arthroplasty prior to sustaining a dislocation and 16 had undergone primary arthroplasty. 16 patients had multiple dislocations. 8 of the 16 with multiple dislocations had a primary arthroplasty and rest had revision procedures done. A number of authors have reported decreased dislocation rates after using various techniques for enhancing the closure of the posterior soft tissues following total hip arthroplasties using the posterior approach. We reviewed 256 patient records that had undergone total hip arthroplasty in this period by the senior author through the posterior approach. The Savory technique was used to repair the posterior soft tissue layer. 160 patients had undergone primary arthroplasty and 96 had revision surgery. There were 3 cases of dislocation among the primary arthroplasty cases and 7 among the revision group.

Conclusion: This review showed that posterior approach to the hip continues to be associated with higher dislocation rates than other approaches. Using the Savory technique can reduce the dislocation rate following total hip arthroplasty.

The incidence of DDH Varies depending on genetic and ethnic varieties but in Ireland on an average in 3 per 1,000 live births. Current treatment is focused on early diagnosis and congruent reduction of the hip joint. With conservative measures, principally skilful use of the Pavlik harness, the majority of (85%) of dislocated or subluxated hips will be successfully treated. Late diagnosis impacts on the mode of treatment and on the subsequent outcome.

An audit of annual incidence of DDH in North Eastern health board, in Ireland showed a dramatic increase in late diagnosis (> 4 month). There were 4668 live births in 2004 with 17 cases of DDH presenting between the ages of 4 – 36 months during this period. The mean age of presentation was 10 months. Two cases were bilateral. The male: female ratio was 4.6:1. Risk factor analysis showed, only 50% fell in to the high risk group, majority of them had positive family history. Three fourth of them were frank dislocations and all of them required operative intervention. As opposed to early presenters, only 10% needed operative intervention. 30% of the late presenters needed major osteotomies.

We examined the reasons for this extreme high rate of late presenters and argue for the introduction of routine ultrasound screening in this region based on historical high incidence of DDH and the dramatic incidence of delayed diagnosis.

Study Design: The effects of heat on porcine intertvertebral disc were studied experimentally.

Objective: To assess the effects of in-vitro heating of porcine nucleus pulposus on expression of inducible heat shock protein 70 and subsequent modification of biochemical responses to an inflammatory insult in the heated intervertebral disc tissue.

Subjects: Lumbar spines were harvested from six pigs. The nucleus pulposus was dissected from each intervertebral disc, divided into control (37°C) and heat shocked (42°C) groups then cultured in medium for one hour. All samples were then cultured at 37 C for a further two hours. After three hours tissue and supernatant were harvested from one third of the samples and the expression of inducible heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) was quantified via Western immunoblotting and enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA). The remaining samples were cultured either in normal medium or altered (pro-inflammatory) medium containing 5ug/ml bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). At 24 hours the supernatant from these samples was analysed for both interleukin-8 (IL-8) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) secretion using ELISA.

Outcome Measures: Western immunoblotting and enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) for heat shock protein 70. ELISA for interleukin-8 (IL-8) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2).

Results: HSP70 expression was significantly increased in the heat shocked specimens. IL-8 and PGE2 secretion were significantly increased in nucleus pulposus exposed to LPS at both temperatures. The concentrations of IL-8 and PGE2 secreted in the heat shocked samples were significantly less than controls, particularly after exposure to LPS (p< 0.05, paired students t test).

Conclusions: In vitro heating of porcine nucleus pulposus causes overexpression of HSP70. This heat shock effect can alter aspects of the biochemical response of the intervertebral disc tissue to an inflammatory insult. Intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) may, in theory, reduce discogenic pain at temperatures as low as 42°C by generating similar heat-induced changes in the nuclear biochemistry of degenerate intervertebral discs.

As our population ages, the incidence of hip fractures per annum is increasing rapidly. Within this patient group are an increasing number of very elderly (over 90 years old). These patients present many challenges to the clinician, both in terms of medical co-morbidities and orthopaedic complications. While the mortality and morbidity of hip fractures in general are well recognised, this study looked exclusively at the outcome in these very elderly patients following admission.

We reviewed 100 patients admitted between May 2000 and June 2002. The average age of our patient group was 92.5 years, 18% were male and 82% female. 60% were resident in nursing homes prior to admission, 26% lived with their families and 14% lived alone in the community. 56% of the fractures suffered were intertrochanteric, 40% were intra-capsular and 4% sub-trochanteric.

Following admission, these patients waited on average 1.5 days before undergoing surgery, the predominant cause for pre-operative delay being maximisation of pre-operative medical condition. Median pre-operative ASA score was three. The method of anaesthesia used was spinal in 78% and general in 22%. 64% of the group underwent internal fixation and 34% had a hemiarthroplasty. Two patients were deemed unfit to ever undergo surgery. Following surgery, mean in-hospital stay was 9.3 days.

There were 8 in-patient post-operative mortalities. Major post-operative morbidities occurred in 8% and included: 3 myocardial infarctions, 2 acute onset cardiac failure and 1 prosthetic dislocation. 11% of patients required a blood transfusion. 25% of the patients died within forty days of surgery, however, 50% of the patients were still alive 126 days post-op. Overall, the mean survival was 195 days. Post-discharge morbidity included two patients who had failure of internal fixation and 8 patients with severe immobility.

We conclude that hip fracture surgery in the nonagenarian population is as well tolerated as surgery in younger patients. Careful pre-operative assessment and medical maximisation combined with prompt surgical intervention yielded a good outcome and return to pre-injury status for most patients.

The Mater Hospital is Ireland’s primary referral centre for spinal injuries receiving 80–90% of all spinal cases annually. In today’s society the number of people competing at more competitive and professional levels is also increasing. Over the years, a lot of work has gone into safety precautions in sport. However despite those improvements our impression was that the incidence of both minor and serious sporting injuries is increasing.

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, pattern and mechanism of sports-related spinal injuries in Ireland over the last decade.

Data was collected by performing an audit of the National Spinal Injuries Database from 1994–2001. This database is a prospective computerized database. Data entered relates to the initial presentation, mechanism, level of injury and their acute in-hospital management.

On average 200–220 patients are admitted annually to the National Injuries Spinal Unit. 173 of these were related to sport, which represented 13% of total spinal injuries. 80% are male under 40 years. 29% sustained neurological deficit. The sports responsible for most spinal injuries in Ireland were equestrian (43.8%), followed by rugby (16.4%), diving (15%), GAA (13.6%) and skiing (3%). Rugby injuries were most likely to cause neurological damage. Equestrian accidents commonly caused thoracolumbar fractures while injuries sustained in diving, rugby and GAA were mostly to the cervical spine.

Sport is an important cause of spinal injuries in Ire-land. Coaches and team doctors must be educated about safe practices and emergency management of these terrible injuries and for those unfortunately affected in the prime of their lives adequate rehabilitation resources need to be implemented so as to lessen their economic burden.

Introduction: Increased levels of IL-6 and IL-8 have been found in intervertebral disc (IVD) tissue from patients undergoing fusion for discogenic low back pain. The stimuli that induce these mediators in degenerate discs remain unknown. Impaired diffusion of nutrients and wastes to and from the nucleus pulposus (NP) is believed to be an important factor in the degenerative process. The oxygen tension and pH in the NP of degenerating discs are significantly decreased.

Aims: The aims of this study were to (1) demonstrate the ability of porcine NP to respond to a proinflamma-tory stimulus (lipopolysaccharride) in vitro, (2) investigate the effects of pH, pO₂ and glucose concentration on NP proinflammatory mediator secretion and (3) determine if methylprednisolone or indomethacin can block NP proinflammatory mediator secretion.

Methods: IVDs were harvested from 6-month old pigs and dissected under sterile conditions in the laboratory. 200mg samples of NP were cultured under optimal conditions (control), in a 1% O₂ environment, at pH6 and in culture medium without glucose for 72 hours. Blocking experiments were performed by culturing LPS-stimulated samples with either methylprednisolone or indomethacin for 24 hours. IL-6 and IL-8 levels were estimated by ELISA.

Results: Time and dose-response curves were generated for each experiment (results not shown). Results for the optimum dose and at 72 hours incubation were note.

Data = mean ± standard deviation. Statistical analysis was by students t test. A significant result between control and stimulated groups is indicated by: * p=0.024m, † p=0.0007 or ‡ p=0.012.

Methylprednisolone (2mg/ml) caused a significant (p=0.044) 30-fold reduction in IL-6 production and a significant (p=0.00004) 500-fold reduction in IL-8 levels as compared with nucleus pulposus cultured with 5 μg/ml LPS alone for 24 hours.

Addition of 500 μM indomethacin significantly (p=0.04) decreased IL-6 production by a factor of 120 and IL-8 levels by a factor of 50 (p=0.00004).

Necrotic cell death, as measured by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration, was not significant in any of the experiments.

This study examines patient characteristics, indications for conversion, surgical and anaesthetic technique, peri-operative management and complications of surgery in this small and challenging group of patients. In the six years from 1994 to 1999, 33 conversion arthroplasties were performed for failed femoral hemiarthroplasty. The average age at conversion surgery was 75.5 years (range 65–90). The female to male ratio was 6:1. Primary hemiarthroplasties comprised 24 Austin-Moore, 6 Thompson & 3 Bipolar prostheses. The average interval from primary to conversion surgery was 50 months (6 months to 17 years). The average age at primary surgery was 71.2 years (62–88) – AMP:71.4 years, Thompson’s: 74.2 years, Bipolar: 63.5 years. All hemiarthroplasties were performed for fractured femoral necks. 62% of patients came from the Eastern Health Board area, while 38% were tertiary are referrals from other Health Boards. The average length of stay was 17.5 days (3–24). Indications for conversion included gross loosening/acetabular erosion in 9 cases, suspected infection in 4 cases and abscess/septicaemia in 1 case. All but 3 patients had significant pain (night pain etc.) and/or severely impaired mobility.

We also looked at anaesthetic and analgesic practice, surgical technique and prostheses used.

Post-operatively, mean total blood loss was 1430 ml (420–2280) with an average of 1.4 units of blood transfused (0–5). Intraoperative complications included acetabular & femoral perforation, periprosthetic fracture and cement reactions. Complications post-op (in hospital) included cardiac arrhythmia’s, cerebrovascular accidents, pulmonary embolus, myocardial infarct, respiratory & urinary tract infections, constipation, nausea & vomiting.

The elderly nature of these patients and the physiological stress of what is major surgery allied with multiple co-morbidities make their care especially challenging. A conversion arthroplasty is a procedure with a significant risk of considerable morbidity. Primary total hip replacement or bipolar hemiarthroplasty are options which, therefore, should be seriously considered in the case of fractured femoral necks to minimise the need for further surgery in the future, with all its attendant risks.