Surfing is a popular UK water-sport. Recommendations for protective gear are based on studies abroad from trauma from large waves and reef breaks which may not be relevant in the UK. This study assesses the aetiology of UK surfing injuries in order to assist treatment and provide formative recommendations on protective equipment.

Data was collected from UK surf clubs via an online survey. 130 individuals reported 335 injuries. M:F ratio 85:45, median age 28 (range 17–65). Head injuries were the most common (24%) followed by foot and ankle (19%). Surfers collided most often with their own boards (31%) followed by rocks/coral (15%), the sea (11%) and other surf boards (10%). Lacerations were the commonest injury (31%); followed by bruises/ black-eyes (24%) and joint/ligament sprains (15%). Concussions (5%), fractures (3%) and teeth injuries (1%) were rare. Less than 1/3 of all injuries required professional medical attention, 2 required operative intervention.

Surfing injuries in the UK are common but usually minor. Serious head injuries (fractures and concussions) are rare. There is insufficient evidence to warrant the routine use of protective helmets whilst surfing in the UK, although protective head and foot gear may be considered when surfing the rarer reef/ rock breaks.

Stand-up paddle-boarding (SUP) is an increasingly popular water sport. To our knowledge no published data exists regarding injuries sustained whilst participating in this new sport. This study investigates the frequency, pattern, and mechanism of SUP injuries.

Data was collected from UK SUP and surfing clubs via an online survey. Completed surveys were obtained from 31 paddle-boarders (M:F 25:6, median age 27, range 21–65) reporting 18 injuries and 130 surfers reporting 4 SUP-related injuries.

50% of paddle-boarders reported an injury. All SUP injuries were sustained when surfing waves, rather than paddling on calm water. Sprains accounted for 50%, lacerations 22%, contusions 17% and fractures 5%. 78% of injuries were to the lower extremity, and 17% to the head and neck. 17% sustained recurrent twisting injuries, two suffering recurrent knee injuries and one suffering recurrent ankle injuries, resulting in sprains. 17% of injuries resulted from contact with one's own paddle-board, 17% from another paddle-board, and 5% from the sea floor. Despite surfer concerns regarding paddle-board mass and control, paddle-board related injuries only accounted for 1% of the 335 injuries reported by surfers.

SUP is relatively safe in calm water conditions, with a similar injury pattern to surfers when used in waves.

Opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) is a treatment option for medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee in the young active adult. Limited evidence exists in the literature regarding return to activities following OWHTO.

We performed a retrospective study of local patients who underwent OWHTO from 2005 – 2012 assessing post-operative return to sporting function. Patients with additional knee pathology, surgery or alternative issues affecting activity were excluded.

110 patients met inclusion criteria, 75 were successfully contacted.

Mean improvement in pain score = 4.8/10 (95%CI 4.2 to 5.4, p<0.01). Mean pre-operative KOS-SAS score = 0.5/2, mean post-operative KOS-SAS score = 1.1/2, mean change in KOS-SAS score following OWHTO = 0.6 (95% CI 0.5 to 0.7, p<0.01). Mean pre-morbid Tegner score = 5.9/10, pre-operative = 2.7/10, post-operative = 4.2/10. Mean change in Tegner score following OWHTO = 1.5 (95% CI 1 to 1.9, p<0.01). Following OWHTO 25% of patients achieved pre-morbid Tegner scores. Patient BMI, age, type of implant or graft used had no significant effect on outcome.

OWHTO can temporarily improve pain, activity and sporting levels in young patients with isolated medial compartment knee OA. Return to pre-morbid activity levels and even high level sports function is possible although not the norm.

Limited literature exists providing comprehensive assessment of complications following opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO). We performed a retrospective study of local patients who underwent OWHTO for isolated medial compartment knee osteoarthritis from 1997–2013.

One hundred and fifteen patients met inclusion criteria. Mean follow-up = 8.4years. Mean age = 47 (range 32–62). Mean BMI = 29.1 (range 20.3–40.2). Implants used included Tomofix (72%), Puddu plate (21%) and Orthofix (7%) (no significant differences in age/ sex/ BMI). Wedge defects were filled with autologous graft (30%), Chronos (35%) or left empty (35%).

Five year survival rate (conversion to arthroplasty) = 80%. Overall complication rate = 31%. 25% of patients suffered 36 complications including minor wound infections (9.6%), major wound infections (3.5%), metalwork irritation necessitating plate removal (7%), non-union requiring revision (4.3%), vascular injury (1.7%), compartment syndrome (0.9%), and other minor complications (4%). No thromboembolic complications were observed.

A higher BMI (mean 34.2) was apparent in those patients suffering complications than those not (mean 26.9). No significant differences existed in complication rates relative to implant type, type of bone graft used or patient age at surgery.

Complications following OWHTO appear higher than previously reported in the literature; serious complications appear rare.

Debate currently exists regarding the economic viability for screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip in infants.

A retrospective study of infant hip dysplasia over the period of 1998–2008 (36,960 live births) was performed to determine treatment complexity and associated costs of disease detection and hospital treatment, related to the age at presentation and treatment modality.

179 infants (4.8/1000) presented with hip dysplasia. 34 infants presented late (>3 months of age) and required closed or open reduction. 145 infants presented at <3 months of age, 14 of whom failed early pavlik harness treatment. A detailed cost analysis revealed:

131 early presenters with successful management in a pavlik harness at a cost of £601/child.

34 late presenters who required surgery (36 hips, 19 closed/ 17 open reductions, 1 revision procedure) at a cost of £4352/child.

14 early presenters with failed management in a pavlik harness requiring more protracted surgery (18 hips, 4 closed/ 14 open reductions, 7 revision procedures) at a cost of £7052/ child.

Late detection causes increased treatment complexity and a seven-fold increase in the short-term costs of treatment, compared to early detection and successful management in a pavlik harness. However improved strategies are needed for the 10% of early presenting infants who fail pavlik harness treatment and require the most complex and costly interventions.

Chondral damage within the knee commonly occurs during sport following direct trauma or following degeneration through overuse. Radio frequency energy chondroplasty (RFC) can be used as an alternative to mechanical chondroplasty in the arthroscopic treatment of chondral lesions. Current literature supports the theoretical advantage of RFC and purports to in vitro improvements in cartilage structure and function following RFC. We conducted a retrospective study of patients undergoing RFC for isolated chondral lesions in the knee and assessed the short term clinical benefits.

Retrospective analysis was completed of operative notes and arthroscopic images of all patients who underwent arthroscopic chondroplasty at the royal Devon and Exeter Hospital between January 2009 and June 2012. Inclusion criteria included 1 to 2 defined chondral lesions, less than 2cm2, of Outerbridge grade II-IV, treated via arthroscopic RFC. Exclusion criteria included diffuse articular cartilage damage, additional pathologies affecting the knee or subsequent further injuries or invasive procedures to the knee. Data was collected via a subjective and objective questionnaire assessing patient outcome.

35 patients met the inclusion criteria, 32 were successfully followed up. Male: female ratio was 16:16, with a mean age of 39.5 (range 19–60).

84% (n=27) of patients experienced a significant reduction in pain (mean reduction of 51%, p < 0.001) lasting until the time of study (median of 21 months, range 9 to 31 months). There was no correlation between change in symptoms and site and grade of chondral lesion. Pre-operative instability symptoms did not significantly improve following RFC. Satisfaction with treatment was in direct correlation with pain relief achieved.

Our study appears to support current literature by suggesting short term improvements to pain following the use of RFC on chondral lesions. Greater population size and longer follow-up are required to provide more significant conclusions.