Medical complications and death are rare events following elective orthopaedic surgery. Diagnostic and operative codes are routinely collected on every patient admitted to English NHS hospitals. This is the first study investigating rates of these events following total joint replacement (TJR) on a national scale. All patients (585177 patients) who underwent TJR (hip arthroplasty [THR], knee arthroplasty [TKR], or hip resurfacing) between 2005 and 2010 were identified. Patients were subdivided based on Charlson co-morbidity score. Data was extracted on 30-day complication rates for myocardial infarction (MI), cerebrovascular event (CVA), chest infection (LRTI), renal failure (RF), pulmonary embolus (PE) and inpatient 90-day mortality (MR).Background
Methods
Unstable fractures of the distal tibia are being increasingly treated by open reduction and internal fixation using pre-contoured locking plates. Functional outcome following this type of fixation has not been reported previously. The aim of this study was to functionally assess patients following MIPO fixation of distal tibial fractures. Case notes of 26 patients treated at a single centre were reviewed. The fracture type, fixation technique, complications, time to union and subsequent treatment were documented. All patients returned for functional scoring using the validated American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) foot and ankle core score. Twenty-six consecutive patients were treated between 2002-2005. The majority were male, and 5 were open fractures. There were 13 AO type A, 4 type B and 9 type C fractures. Mean follow up was 20 months. Average time from injury to surgery was 2.5 days. All fractures were treated by a MIPO technique. A pre-contoured distal locking plate was used for the distal tibial reconstruction. Secondary surgical procedures e.g. 2nd look, delayed primary closure, or skin grafting were necessary in 3 cases. The fibula was plated in 60% of cases. Four patients developed wound infections requiring antibiotics, and all resolved. The commonest rehabilitation regime was 6 weeks non weight bearing in plaster. Mean time to union was 18 weeks. There were 3 cases of delayed union, requiring bone grafting. One patient required removal of the plate due to local irritation, and one required a broken screw to be removed. Mean range of movement was 10 degrees dorsiflexion, 30 plantarflexion. The mean normalised AAOS foot and ankle core score was 41 (SD +/− 8). We conclude that MIPO fixation of distal tibial fractures is a safe and effective method of treatment. Functional outcome does not significantly differ from that of the general population.
To compare clinical parameters associated with medial parapatellar and midvastus approaches for total knee arthroplasty in the early post-operative period. We present a prospective observational study of 77 patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty using medial parapatellar(40) or midvastus approach(37). The prosthetic design and physical intervention was standardised in all the patents. The Oxford Knee Score, pain scale, knee flexion, unassisted straight leg raise, standing and walking were compared at 3rd, 5th and 7th day post-operatively, then at 6 weeks and at 3 months. The patients and physiotherapist were blinded to the type of approach used. The average age was 67 years (range 42 to 88). There were 42 women and 35 men. The average hospital stay was 7 days (range 2 to 15). There was statistically significant difference in duration of hospital stay, unassisted straight leg raise and standing at 3 days (p=0.001) and pain scale at 5 days, all in favour of midvastus approach. There was no statistically significant difference in Oxford Knee Scores and duration to achieving full flexion and walking. The average duration to achieving straight leg raise for the midvastus group was 5 days and for the medial parapatellar approach group was 8 days.Objective
Methods and results
We conducted a randomised, controlled trial to determine whether changing gloves at specified intervals can reduce the incidence of glove perforation and contamination in total hip arthroplasty. A total of 50 patients were included in the study. In the study group (25 patients), gloves were changed at 20-minute intervals or prior to cementation. In the control group (25 patients), gloves were changed prior to cementation. In addition, gloves were changed in both groups whenever there was a visible puncture. Only outer gloves were investigated. Contamination was tested by impression of gloved fingers on blood agar and culture plates were subsequently incubated at 37°C for 48 hours. The number of colonies and types of organisms were recorded. Glove perforation was assessed using the water test. The incidence of perforation and contamination was significantly lower in the study group compared with the control group. Changing gloves at regular intervals is an effective way to decrease the incidence of glove perforation and bacterial contamination during total hip arthroplasty.
