Aims

This is a multicentre, prospective assessment of a proportion of the overall orthopaedic trauma caseload of the UK. It investigates theatre capacity, cancellations, and time to surgery in a group of hospitals that is representative of the wider population. It identifies barriers to effective practice and will inform system improvements.

Aims

Understanding of open fracture management is skewed due to reliance on small-number lower limb, specialist unit reports and large, unfocused registry data collections. To address this, we carried out the Open Fracture Patient Evaluation Nationwide (OPEN) study, and report the demographic details and the initial steps of care for patients admitted with open fractures in the UK.

Aims

The Open-Fracture Patient Evaluation Nationwide (OPEN) study was performed to provide clarity in open fracture management previously skewed by small, specialist centre studies and large, unfocused registry investigations. We report the current management metrics of open fractures across the UK.

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Delayed management of high energy femoral shaft fractures is associated with increased complication rates. It has been suggested that there is less urgency to stabilize lower energy femoral shaft fractures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of surgical delay on 30-day complications following fixation of lower energy femoral shaft fractures.

Patients ≥ 18 years who underwent either plate or nail fixation of low energy (falls from standing or up to three steps' height) femoral shaft fractures from 2005 – 2016 were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) via procedural codes. Patients with pathologic fractures, fractures of the distal femur or femoral neck were excluded. Patients were categorized into early (< 2 4 hours) or delayed surgery (2–30 days) groups. Bivariate analyses were used to compare demographics and unadjusted rates of complications between groups. A multivariable logistic regression was used to compare the rate of major and minor complications between groups, while adjusting for relevant covariables. Head injury patients and polytrauma patients are not included in the NSQIP database.

Of 2,716 lower energy femoral shaft fracture patients identified, 2,412 (89%) were treated within 1 day of hospital admission, while 304 (11.2%) were treated between 2 and 30 days post hospital admission. Patient age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification score, presence of diabetes, functional status, smoking status, and surgery type (nail vs. plate) were significantly different between groups (p After adjusting for all relevant covariables, delayed surgery significantly increased the odds of 30-day minor complications (p=0.02, OR = 1.48 95%CI 1.01–2.16), and 30-day mortality (p < 0 .001), OR = 1.31 (95%CI 1.03–2.14).

The delay of surgical fixation of femoral shaft fractures appears to significantly increase patients' risk of minor adverse events as well as increase mortality. With only 89% of patients being treated in the 24 hour timeframe that constitutes best practice for treatment of femoral shaft fractures, there remains room for improvement. These results suggest that early treatment of all femoral shaft fractures, even those with a lower energy mechanism of injury, leads to improved outcomes.

This study was designed to compare atypical hip fractures with a matched cohort of standard hip fractures to evaluate the difference in outcomes.

Patients from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program's (NSQIP) targeted hip fracture data file (containing a more comprehensive set of variables collected on 9,390 specially targeted hip fracture patients, including the differentiation of atypical from standard hip fractures) were merged with the standard 2016 NSQIP data file. Atypical hip fracture patients aged 18 years and older in 2016 were identified via the targeted hip fracture data file and matched to two standard hip fracture controls by age, sex, and fracture location. Patient demographics, length of hospital stay, 30-day mortality, major and minor complications, and other hip-specific variables were identified from the database. Binary outcomes were compared using the McNemar's test for paired groups, and continuous outcomes were compared using a paired t-test.

Ninety-five atypical hip fractures were identified, and compared to 190 age, sex, and fracture location matched standard hip fracture controls. There was no statistical difference in body mass index (BMI), race, ASA score, smoking status, timing of fixation, or functional status between the two groups (P>0.05). Thirty-day mortality was significantly higher in the atypical hip fracture group (atypical 7.36%, standard 2.11% p

This is the first study, to our knowledge, that demonstrates an increase in the rate of mortality in atypical hip fractures. Comparing atypical hip fractures with a matched cohort of standard hip fractures revealed a significantly greater 30-day mortality rate with an odds ratio of 3.62 in atypical hip fractures (95% CI 1.03–12.68). Prospective, clinical studies are recommended to further investigate these findings.

Osteoarthritis of the hip is common and the mainstay of surgical treatment for end-stage disease is total hip replacement. There are few RCTs comparing long-term outcomes between prostheses; therefore, surgeons and patients are reliant on single-centre case-series and recently, analysis of joint registries, when making evidence-based implant choices.

We conducted a systematic review, conforming to PRISMA, of Medline and Embase in September 2017. Single-centre case-series and papers analysing registries were included. Series looking at disease-specific cohorts (other than OA), under 15 years follow-up or lacking survival analyses were excluded. Resurfacings, revisions and complex-primaries were also excluded. 2750 abstracts were screened, resulting in 299 full-text articles. Following full review 124 articles were excluded and 21 series added from references, resulting in 150 analyses of individual prostheses/constructs and 12 papers from registries. We also analysed annual reports of registries.

Registry data indicated cemented prostheses tended to better outcomes at late follow-ups, whereas case-series showed cementless prostheses tended to have better survival past 15 years with revision for any reason (of stem, cup or either component) as the end-point.

The discrepancy between results from registry data and single-centre case series is stark, and whilst the reasons for these differences may be multifactorial, single-centre case-series included in this review often lacked sufficient power to provide precise estimates of survival. This is contrasted to data from registries, which tended to have far greater numbers from multiple centres, allowing results to be generalised to the population.

The difference between these two modes of analysis suggests bias exists in selection and outcomes from single-centre series. The varied quality of reporting in case-series make it difficult for a reader to adequately assess bias, and accurately inform contemporary decision making.

Surgeons and patients should be cautious when interpreting single-centre case series and systems relying on data generated from them.

Hip fracture is a common injury with a high associated mortality. Many recommendations regarding timing of operative intervention exist for patients with such injuries. The Best Practice Tariff was introduced in England and Wales in 2010, offering financial incentives for surgery undertaken within 36 hours of admission. The England and Wales National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guidance states that surgery should be performed on the day or day after admission. Due to lack of clear evidence, this recommendation is based on Humanitarian grounds. NICE have called for further research into the effect of surgical timing on mortality.

We utilised data from the National Hip Fracture database prospectively collected between 2007 and 2015, comprising 413,063 hip fractures. Using 11 variables, both Cox and Logistic regression analysis was used to establish the effect on mortality of each 12 hour interval from admission to surgery.

For each 12 hour time frame from admission to surgery a trend for improved 30 day survival was demonstrated the earlier the surgery was performed. However, this did not reach significance until beyond 48 hours (Hazard ratio of 1.12, 95% CI: 1.04–1.20). Surgery after 48 hours suffered significantly higher chance of mortality compared to surgery done within 12 hours.

This is the largest analysis undertaken to date. Lowest mortality rates are found within the 0–12 hour window. After 48 hours there is a significant increased risk of mortality compared to the 0–12 hour time frame. As such, expeditious surgery within 48 hours can be justified both on humanitarian and survivorship grounds.

Hip fracture surgery performed within 48 hours is associated with reduced mortality when compared to that beyond this time. This is in agreement with Blue Book recommendations and extends the currently recommended NICE and Best Practice Tariff targets of 36 hours.

Background

A dedicated referral pathway for patients with bony metastases was introduced at Guy's and St Thomas’ Hospitals (GSTT) in 2009. The aim was to facilitate prompt, consultant-led decision-making and intervention for patients at risk of pathological fracture of long bones.

Background

Previous studies have individually shown extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) to be beneficial for mid-substance Achilles tendinopathy, insertional Achilles tendinopathy or plantar fasciitis. The purpose of this pragmatic study was to determine the efficacy of ESWT in managing the three main causes of refractory heel pain in our routine clinical practice.

Introduction

Partial meniscectomy, a surgical treatment for meniscal lesions, allows athletes to return to sporting activities within two weeks. However, this increases knee joint shear stress, which is reported to cause osteoarthritis. The volumes and locations of partial meniscectomy that would result in a substantial increase in knee joint stress is not known. This information could inform surgeons when a meniscus reconstruction is required.

Background

Management of failed total ankle replacements (TAR) remains a difficult challenge. Ankle arthrodesis, revision TAR, debridement and amputation are all utilized as surgical options. The purpose of the study was to review a series of failed TAR surgically managed in our tertiary referral centre.

Introduction:

The Best Practice Tariff (BPT) for hip fractures was introduced in April 2010 to promote a number of quality markers, including surgery within 36 hours. We conducted an audit to see whether the introduction of the BPT has had an inadvertent adverse effect on delay to fixation of unstable ankle fractures.

Introduction:

In 2009 the Smart Toe implant was introduced as an option for lesser toe fusion in our department. The Smart Toe is an intramedullary device made from Nitinol, an alloy that can change shape with a change of temperature, expanding within the intramedullary canals of the proximal and middle phalanx to achieve fixation. The advantages of the Smart Toe are that patients are spared 6 weeks with K-wires protruding from their toes and there is no need for wire removal. We conducted a retrospective review of radiographic and clinical outcomes to assess the performance of this implant.

Routine postoperative radiographs following hip hemiarthroplasty are commonly undertaken despite it being suggested that they can cause delays to discharge, discomfort to patients and unnecessary radiation. Our study considered the necessity of these post-operative radiographs.

A retrospective search was conducted of all hemiarthroplasty procedures on the Royal Cornwall Hospital database. These were reviewed for cases where re-operation was conducted within 6 weeks. Notes and post-operative check radiographs of those who underwent re-operation were reviewed to determine how essential radiographs were in diagnosing complications requiring re-operations.

A total of 1557 hemiarthroplasty operations were identified. There were 37 incidences of re-operation within 6 weeks. 29 cases had normal check radiographs. 8 dislocations were picked up on post-operative radiographs. In all but one of these cases, clinical suspicion of complication had been raised prior to the radiograph. In the remaining case documentation was poor and no firm conclusion as to clinical suspicion could be drawn.

Our review of over 1500 hemiarthroplasty cases, demonstrated one incident where the check radiograph solely diagnosed an abnormality needing intervention that might not have been apparent clinically. We thus suggest that check radiographs following hip hemiarthroplasty should not be routinely ordered for all patients.

Aims

Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a rare condition which requires urgent treatment to reduce the risk of long term neurological morbidity. Most authors recommend surgical decompression within 24–48 hours of the onset of symptoms, which may not be possible if there are delays in referral to hospital, performance of diagnostic imaging or poor access to a spine surgeon. We present a snap shot of referrals of patients with suspected cauda equina syndrome to the Orthopaedic department in a district general hospital including the diagnoses, management and outcome.

In recent years the Weil osteotomy has become the dominant technique employed by most surgeons for distal metatarsal osteotomy. This is generally a reliable technique but problems with stiffness can frequently occur in the operated metatarso-phalangeal joints. We present our experience with a minimally invasive distal metatarsal extra-articular osteotomy technique. This technique utilises a high-speed burr via a tiny skin portal to perform a distal metatarsal extra-articular osteotomy under image intensifier guidance without the need for fixation.

A consecutive series of 55 osteomies in 21 patients were included in the study. All osteotomies were performed for metatarsalgia/restoration of metatarsal cascade. The mean age was 49 (38-78), and 20/21 were female. The senior author performed all surgery. All patients were allowed to weight bear immediately in a postoperative shoe and then an ordinary shoe from 4-6 week post-operatively. Mean follow-up was 8 months (4-13) and patients were assessed clinically and scored using the AOFAS scoring system and a subjective outcome score.

The mean AOFAS score improved significantly postoperatively. All patients were very satisfied/satisfied with the outcome. Two patients had minor superficial portal infections, which resolved with oral antibiotics. One patient reported irritating numbness and stiffness in toes (1st case performed). Most patients reported swelling persisting to 3-4 months. There was one symptomatic delayed at 4 months treated successfully with short air boot immobilisation. There were no mal unions.

This series suggests that MIS distal metatarsal osteotomy results compare well with outcomes reported with modern open techniques such as the Weil. We now favour an MIS distal metatarsal osteotomy technique for most indications due to the minimal stiffness observed postoperatively as well as much reduced surgical time without the need for tourniquet.

Introduction

Chronic ruptures of the Achilles tendon pose a significant management challenge to the clinician. Numerous methods of surgical reconstruction have been described and are generally associated with a higher complication rate than with immediate repair. We report our results with a single 5cm incision technique to reconstruct chronic Achilles tendon ruptures with transfer of FHL. This simple technique also enables easy tensioning of the graft/reconstruction to match the uninjured leg and early mobilisation.