Postero-lateral rotator instability (PLRI) is the most common pattern of recurrent elbow instability. Unfortunately, current imaging to aid PLRI diagnosis is limited. We have developed an ultrasound (US) technique to measure ulnohumeral joint gap with and without stress of the lateral ulnocollateral ligament. We sought to define lateral ulnohumeral joint gap measurements in the resting and stressed state to provide insight into how US may aid diagnosis of PLRI.

Sixteen elbows were evaluated in eight healthy volunteers. Lateral ulnohumeral gap was measured on US in the resting position and with posterolateral drawer stress test maneuver applied. Joint laxity was calculated as the difference between stress and rest conditions. Measurements were performed by two independent readers with comparison performed between stress and rest positions.

A highly significant difference in ulnohumeral gap was seen between stress and rest conditions (Reader 1: p < 0 .0001 and Reader 2: p=0.0002) with median values of 2.93 mm and 2.50 mm at rest and 3.92 mm and 3.40 mm at stress for Reader 1 and 2 respectively. Median joint laxity was 1.02 mm and 0.74 mm respectively for each reader. Correlation and agreement between readers was good.

This study provides key new insight into use of US for diagnosis as PLRI as it defines normal ulnohumeral distances and demonstrates widening when applying the posterolateral drawer stress maneuver. Further evaluation of this technique is required in patients with PLRI.

Metatarsal fractures are extremely common injuries accounting for 10% of all fractures seen in our accident and emergency departments (3). The vast majority can be treated conservatively. There is no standardised treatment, but it is commahplace to immobilise the foot and ankle joint in a below-knee back-slab, full cast or functional brace for a period of up to 6 weeks, weight-bearing the patient as pain allows. This practice is time-consuming and expensive, not to mention debilitating, and carries a morbidity risk to the patient.

We describe a simple, effective and cheap treatment method for metatarsal fracture management using the functional forefoot-offloading shoe (FOS). This is clinically proven to offload pressure on the metatarsals and is commonly used in both elective forefoot surgery and in diabetic patients.

Between January and September 2009, we identified 57 patients attending our fracture clinic with new metatarsal fractures. 28 met our inclusion criteria.

All patients reported a significant improvement in their pain

At Injury – mean 8.21 out of 10 (range 4-10)

After FOS fitting - mean 2.92 out of 10 (range 0-6)

The forefoot-offloading shoe is an excellent alternative to plaster casting or functional boot immobilisation, offering high patient satisfaction, an excellent outcome and a considerable cost-saving to the hospital trust.