We prospectively reviewed a consecutive series of 101 patients with mobile bearing total knee replacement (TKR) and 72 patients with the fixed bearing cruciate retaining TKR. Patients were assessed for diagnoses, range of motion, pre- and post-operative Oxford knee scores and complications. In the mobile bearing group of 113 knees in 101 patients, 97 had minimum 10-year follow up. By ten years, 16 patients had died of unrelated causes. Mean Revised Oxford Knee score improved from 16 pre-operatively to 42 at last follow up. The mean range of flexion was 115 degrees (75 – 130). One patient dislocated the bearing and needed manipulation. One patient reported superficial infection which resolved with antibiotics. One patient had deep vein thrombosis and one had non-fatal pulmonary embolism. In the fixed bearing group, 89 TKR's were performed in 72 patients. The mean age was 71.9 years and the mean follow up was 12.1 (10–14.1) years. 19 patients died during this study period. The mean range of flexion was 111.2 (80–135) degrees of flexion at latest follow- up. There was an improvement in the mean Oxford knee score from 16.2 preoperatively, to 42.5 to date. One patient required revision surgery at 12 years for polyethylene wear. One patient developed deep infection 10 years after the primary procedure but declined revision surgery. At ten years no revisions were performed in either group. This series has highlighted excellent results with both fixed and mobile bearing CR knees with hundred percent survival at ten years.

Hamstring tendons are commonly used for Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction. In our series of 100 consecutive Hamstring ACL reconstructions, a four-strand graft was less than 7.0 mm in 5 patients. The aim of this study was to develop a screening test to assess the size of the hamstring tendon and so aid in the pre operative planning and patient counselling especially if hamstring size was deemed to be inadequate. A retrospective study of 100 consecutive hamstring ACL reconstructions analysed the correlation of the tendon size to height, weight and body mass index. A prospective double blind study was also set up involving independent observations by a musculoskeletal radiologist and the lead Orthopaedic surgeon.

Introduction: A single hip screw is the recommended method of fixation for slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE). Current practice favours the placement of the screw in the centre of the femoral head on both anteroposterior and lateral planes to avoid the risks of chondrolysis and avascular necrosis (AVN).

Aims: To investigate the correlation between different positions of the screw in the femoral head and the prevalence of AVN, chondrolysis, late slippage, and the time to epiphyseal closure.

Methods: The clinical notes and radiographs of 38 consecutive patients (61 hips), who underwent single screw fixation for SUFE, were evaluated retrospectively with a mean follow up of 36 months. Two way ANOVA and post hoc test was performed to analyse the correlation between the different variables and the outcome, at 5% significance level.

Results: There were 16 acute slips, 18 chronic slips and 10 acute on chronic slips. 17 slips were treated prophylactically. Mild slip was encountered in 39 hips, moderate in 4 and severe in 1 hip. Central-Central position was only achieved in 51% of cases. The most significant results of the study were as follows. I: No significant difference between the time to epiphyseal closure and the position of the screw. II. No late slippage or chondrolysis was observed in our series.

Conclusion: Our results showed that the position of the screw, other than in the centre of the femoral head, has the ability to provide physeal stability and has no correlation with the timing to closure of the epiphysis and the risk of avascular necrosis or chondrolysis. We therefore recommend that other positions be considered if the “optimal central-central position” is not initially achieved specifically for the treatment of mild SUFE as the potential hazards from several attempts to achieve the optimum position outweigh the benefits.

Purpose of study: A single dynamic hip screw is the recommended method of fixation for slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE). Current practice favours placement of the screw in the centre of the femoral head on both anteroposterior and lateral planes. This study investigated screw placement in the femoral head for SUFE and the prevalence of AVN, chondrolysis, late slippage, and time to physeal closure.

Method: Clinical notes and radiographs of 38 consecutive patients (61 hips), who underwent single screw fixation for SUFE, were evaluated retrospectively with a minimum follow up of 24 months (24–56). Two way ANOVA and post hoc tests were performed to analyse the correlation between the different variables and the outcome, at a 5% significance level.

Results: There were 16 acute slips, 18 chronic slips and 10 acute on chronic slips. 17 slips were treated prophylactically. Mild slip was noted in 39 hips, moderate in 4 and severe in 1 hip. A central-central position was only achieved in 50% of cases. No significant difference between the time to physeal closure and the screw position was found. No late slippage, AVN or chondrolysis occurred in this series.

Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that positions of the screw, other than in the centre of the femoral head, provide adequate stability. There is no correlation between screw position and the time to physeal closure, the risk of avascular necrosis or chondrolysis. We recommend that positions other than the “optimal central-central position” be accepted if not initially achieved, especially for mild SUFE. The potential hazards from several attempts to achieve the optimum position outweigh the benefits.