Aims

We review our experience of Coonrad-Morrey total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) for fractures of the distal humerus in non-rheumatoid patients with a minimum of ten years follow-up.

To discover whether orthopaedic surgeons follow the BOA guidelines for secondary prevention of fragility fractures, a retrospective audit on neck of femur fractures treated in our hospital in October/November 2003 was carried out. There were 27 patients. Twenty-six patients (96%) had full blood count measured. LFT and bone-profile were measured in 18 patients (66%). Only nine patients (30%) had treatment for osteoporosis (calcium and vitamin D). Only one patient was referred for DEXA scan.

Steps were taken to create better awareness of the BOA guidelines among junior doctors and nurse practitioners. In patients above 80 years of age it was decided to use abbreviated mental score above 7 as a clinical criterion for DEXA referral. A hospital protocol based on BOA guidelines was made.

A re-audit was conducted during the period August-October 2004, with 37 patients. All of them had their full blood count and renal profile checked (100%). The bone-profile was measured in 28 (75.7%) and LFT in 34 (91.9%) patients. Twenty-four patients (65%) received treatment in the form of calcium + Vit D (20) and bisphosphonate (4). DEXA scan referral was not indicated in 14 patients as 4 of them were already on bisphosphonates and 10 patients had an abbreviated mental score of less than 7. Among the remaining 23 patients, nine (40%) were referred for DEXA scan. This improvement is statistically significant (p=0.03, chi square test).

The re-audit shows that, although there is an improvement in the situation, we are still below the standards of secondary prevention of fragility fractures with 60% of femoral fragility fracture patients not being referred for DEXA scan. A pathway lead by a fracture liaison nurse dedicated to osteoporotic fracture patients should improve the situation.

We analysed the outcome of the Coonrad-Morrey total elbow replacement used for fracture of the distal humerus in elderly patients with no evidence of inflammatory arthritis and compared the results for early versus delayed treatment.

We studied a total of 32 patients with 15 in the early treatment group and 17 in the delayed treatment group. The mean follow-up was 56.1 months (18 to 88). The percentage of excellent to good results based on the Mayo elbow performance score was not significantly different, 84% in the early group and 79% in the delayed group. Subjective satisfaction was 92% in both the groups. One patient in the early group developed chronic regional pain syndrome and another type 4 aseptic loosening. Two elbows in the early group also showed type 1 radiological loosening. Two patients in the delayed group had an infection, two an ulnar nerve palsy, one developed heterotopic ossification and one type 4 aseptic loosening. Two elbows in this group also showed type 1 radiological loosening. The complication rates in the early and delayed treatment group were 13% and 29% respectively. The Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis for the early and delayed treatment groups was 93% at 88 months and 76% at 84 months, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups.

We conclude that total elbow replacement provides a preditable and reproducible outcome in terms of pain relief and functional range of movement in elderly osteoporotic patients with difficult distal humerus fractures.

Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study is to present our initial experience of single stage revision surgery for infected total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods and results: 12 patients underwent single stage revision for infected TKA. The average patient age was 72.5 years and M: F was 2:1. 5 of the 12 patients had frank infection with presence of discharging sinuses pre-operatively. The procedure involved explantation, debridement, subtotal synovectomy, use of high pressure carbon dioxide (Carbojet) and re-implantation using revision prosthesis and antibiotic laden cement. Utmost care was taken to restore the balance and stability of the revised knee. All the patients were given appropriate intravenous and oral antibiotics in the peri-operative period. Oxford knee scores (OKS) were obtained pre-operatively and at the latest follow-up. Patient satisfaction was also assessed.

At the latest follow-up, none of the patients had recurrence of the infection nor did they need any further surgical procedure. There was no radiographic evidence of loosening of the prosthesis. The OKS had improved from a mean of 17 pre-operative to 41 at the latest follow-up. All the patients were extremely satisfied with the outcome.

Conclusion: Knee function and patient satisfaction improved significantly after single stage revision for infected TKA. None of the patients needed further surgery in the short term. Early results are very encouraging and this change in practice may save on costs and patient morbidity associated with the second stage.

Aim: To review our practice of performing two-stage revision for infected total knee arthroplasty by using articulating interval prosthesis and short course parenteral antibiotic therapy

Patients and Methods: We included 70 patients treated by a single surgeon using a uniform protocol since 2001. All patients were planned to have two- stage revision for infected total knee arthroplasty with an articulating interval prosthesis made up of cruciate retaining femur and all poly tibia at stage one. All patients were given short course parenteral antibiotic therapy (5 days IV) followed by and 6 weeks dual oral therapy.

Results: The average age was 68 yrs at the time of first stage. Five patients required repeat of 1st stage procedure because of persistent infection. Twenty six (40%) patients opted not to have a 2nd stage procedure because of eradication of infection after 1st stage and good functional result with interval prosthesis. We had recurrence of infection in 6 patients after two-stage procedure at a mean follow up of 42 months. Four patients out of these six had multiple surgeries for infection before our two-stage protocol

Conclusion: Articulating interval prosthesis gives excellent function and also makes subsequent revision easier with well preserved soft tissue balance. It also takes pressure off on the time constraint for the 2nd stage and good number of them may not require a 2nd stage at all. Our results of recurrence are comparable with published literature evidence and we don’t think that prolonged parenteral antibiotics therapy is required provided adequate surgical debridement has been performed.

Aim: To evaluate the outcome of displaced distal radius fracture in children & review our practice.

Methods: A retrospective review of case notes and radiographs of all children requiring orthopaedic intervention under general anaesthetic for displaced distal radius in our hospital over a period of 18 months (January 2005 to June 2006) was carried out. We had treated 72 fractures of the distal radius in same number of children. All but 3 cases were treated by primary closed manipulation & plaster immobilisation. Average age was 11.7 years (range 5 to 16 years).

We looked at the re-displacement rate amongst these children that required a second procedure. We also sought predictive factors for redisplacement if any.

Results: There were 22 female & 50 male patients. All the fractures were closed injuries with no distal neuro-vascular deficit. Of the 72 cases, 16 cases showed more than 50% initial displacement and 6 were completely displaced (off-ended). 9 cases had volar angulation.

Redisplacement of fracture after initial satisfactory reduction was seen in 9 cases (12.7%) & required a second procedure. The secondary procedure involved closed reduction and percutaneous K wire fixation in 4 patients and open reduction in 2 cases. 3 cases had closed remanipulation & change of plaster.

We reviewed the factors responsible for re-displacement after a closed reduction such as initial displacement, angulation, adequacy of initial reduction, associated ulna fracture, type of plaster, and initial post-operative images.

Average age has been 12.7 years. 3 out of 5 (60 %) completely displaced fractures treated by closed reduction and manipulation required a second procedure. Only 1 in 16 cases of incompletely displaced fracture required a second procedure.

Volar angulated fractures tend to redisplace after closed reduction, 3 out of 7cases (42 %) required a second procedure. Associated ulna fracture (22.7%) increased the risks of redisplacement.

5 out of 24 epiphyseal injuries redisplaced but these were either severely displacement or had volar angulation. 3 out of 4 cases (75 %)that were severely displaced had inadequate primary closed reduction & underwent a second procedure.

Conclusion: We would like to conclude that despite achieving a very good initial reduction, offended distal radius fractures & those with volar displacement have high risk of re-displacement. Inadequate primary reduction has invariably resulted in requiring a second procedure. It is advisable to treat such cases by primary open reduction and K wire fixation in order to prevent redisplacement.

In management of paediatric distal radius fractures, primary reduction with percutaneous Kirschner wire has better outcome and lower incidence of redisplacement in selected cases with features of complete displacement and volar angulation especially in the older age group (> 11 years).

We analysed the outcome of the Coonrad-Morrey total elbow replacement used for fracture of the distal humerus in elderly patients with no evidence of inflammatory arthritis and compared the results for early versus delayed treatment. We studied a total of 32 patients with 15 in the early treatment group and 17 in the delayed treatment group. The mean follow-up was 56.1 months (18 to 88). The percentage of excellent to good results based on the Mayo elbow performance score was not significantly different, 84% in the early group and 79% in the delayed group. Subjective satisfaction was 92% in both the groups.

One patient in the early group developed chronic regional pain syndrome and another type 4 aseptic loosening. Two elbows in the early group also showed type 1 radiological loosening.

Two patients in the delayed group had an infection, two an ulnar nerve palsy, one developed heterotopic ossification and one type 4 aseptic loosening. Two elbows in this group also showed type 1 radiological loosening. The Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis for the early and delayed treatment groups was 93% at 88 months and 76% at 84 months, respectively.

No significant difference was found between the two groups.

Aim: To determine the factors affecting the blood loss and blood transfusion in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA)

Patients and methods: A prospective study involving 59 patients, who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty were included. A standardized protocol was used. Patients demographic details, intraoperative blood loss, post operative blood loss, pre-operative and post-operative hemoglobin values on day 1,2,7,14 were recorded.

Results: Average(+/− SD) intraoperative and post operative blood loss were 220(+/−115.6) ml and 443.6 (+/−160.9)ml respectively. Male patients had post-operative blood loss more than female (p= 0.001, students t- test). Patients with rheumatoidarthritic knees and osteoarthritic knees did not show any statistical difference in intraoperative or postoperative blood loss. Tourniquet time and surgical time showed a positive correlation with intraoperative blood loss. Body mass index did not show any correlation with intraoperative or postoperative blood loss. Incidence of blood transfusion was more in patients with rheumatoid knees as the pre operative haemoglobin value was lower in these patients. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of blood transfusion in male and female patients. There was 66% incidence of blood transfusion in patient with pre-operative hemoglobin less then 10.5 gm% . The over all blood loss and blood transfusion incidence were lower in our series when compared to many other series reported in the literature.

Discussion and conclusion: Gender has a role in blood loss in TKA, but diagnosis (OA or RA) has no role. Increase in tourniquet time and surgical time increase the intraoperative and hence the total blood loss. Blood loss and blood transfusion can be reduced to a lower level by following a standardized protocol. Blood transfusion depends on pre-operative hemoglobin rather than intraoperative blood loss. The post operative transfusion trigger can be brought to 8.5 gm% in a haemodynamically stable patient.