Aims. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and patterns of neuropathic pain over one year in a cohort of patients with chronic post-surgical pain at three months following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods. Between 2016 and 2019, 363 patients with troublesome pain, defined as a score of ≤ 14 on the Oxford Knee Score pain subscale, three months after TKA from eight UK NHS hospitals, were recruited into the Support and Treatment After Replacement (STAR) clinical trial. Self-reported neuropathic pain and postoperative pain was assessed at three, nine, and 15 months after surgery using the painDETECT and Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) questionnaires collected by postal survey. Results. Symptoms of neuropathic pain were common among patients reporting chronic pain at three months post-TKA, with half reporting neuropathic pain on painDETECT (191/363; 53%) and 74% (267/359) on DN4. Of those with neuropathic pain at three months, half continued to have symptoms over the next 12 months (148/262; 56%), one-quarter had improved (67/262; 26%), and for one-tenth their neuropathic symptoms fluctuated over time (24/262; 9%). However, a subgroup of participants reported new, late onset neuropathic symptoms (23/262; 9%). Prevalence of neuropathic symptoms was similar between the screening tools when the lower cut-off painDETECT score (≥ 13) was applied. Overall, mean neuropathic pain scores improved between three and 15 months after TKA. Conclusion. Neuropathic pain is common in patients with chronic pain at three months after TKA. Although neuropathic symptoms improved over time, up to half continued to report painful neuropathic symptoms at 15 months after TKA. Postoperative care should include screening, assessment, and treatment of neuropathic pain in patients with early chronic postoperative pain after TKA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(6):582–588

Aims. The amount of glenoid bone loss is an important factor in deciding between soft-tissue and bony reconstruction when managing anterior shoulder instability. Accurate and reproducible measurement of glenoid bone loss is therefore vital in evaluation of shoulder instability and recommending specific treatment. The aim of this systematic review is to identify the range methods and measurement techniques employed in clinical studies treating glenoid bone loss. Methods. A systematic review of the PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase databases was undertaken to cover a ten-year period from February 2011 to February 2021. We identified clinical studies that incorporated bone loss assessment in the methodology as part of the decision-making in the management of patients with anterior shoulder instability. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) were used. Results. A total of 5,430 articles were identified from the initial search, of which 82 studies met the final inclusion criteria. A variety of imaging methods were used: three studies did not specify which modality was used, and a further 13 used CT or MRI interchangeably. There was considerable heterogeneity among the studies that specified the technique used to quantify glenoid bone loss. A large proportion of the studies did not specify the technique used. Conclusion. This systematic review has identified significant heterogeneity in both the imaging modality and method used to measure glenoid bone loss. The recommendation is that as a minimum for publication, authors should be required to reference the specific measurement technique used. Without this simple standardization, it is impossible to determine whether any published paper should influence clinical practice or should be dismissed. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(1):12–18

Aims. A pragmatic, single-centre, double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted in a NHS teaching hospital to evaluate whether there is a difference in functional knee scores, quality-of-life outcome assessments, and complications at one-year after intervention between total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and patellofemoral arthroplasty (PFA) in patients with severe isolated patellofemoral arthritis. Methods. This parallel, two-arm, superiority trial was powered at 80%, and involved 64 patients with severe isolated patellofemoral arthritis. The primary outcome measure was the functional section of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score at 12 months. Secondary outcomes were the full 24-item WOMAC, Oxford Knee Score (OKS), American Knee Society Score (AKSS), EuroQol five dimension (EQ-5D) quality-of-life score, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Physical Activity Rating Scale, and complication rates collected at three, six, and 12 months. For longer-term follow-up, OKS, EQ-5D, and self-reported satisfaction score were collected at 24 and 60 months. Results. Among 64 patients who were randomized, five patients did not receive the allocated intervention, three withdrew, and one declined the intervention. There were no statistically significant differences in the patients’ WOMAC function score at 12 months (adjusted mean difference, -1.2 (95% confidence interval -9.19 to 6.80); p = 0.765). There were no clinically significant differences in the secondary outcomes. Complication rates were comparable (superficial surgical site infections, four in the PFA group versus five in the TKA group). There were no statistically significant differences in the patients’ OKS score at 24 and 60 months or self-reported satisfaction score or pain-free years. Conclusion. Among patients with severe isolated patellofemoral arthritis, this study found similar functional outcome at 12 months and mid-term in the use of PFA compared with TKA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(3):310–318

Aims. Modern total knee arthroplasty (TKA) prostheses are designed to restore near normal kinematics including high flexion. Kneeling is a high flexion, kinematically demanding activity after TKA. The debate about design choice has not yet been informed by six-degrees-of-freedom in vivo kinematics. This prospective randomized clinical trial compared kneeling kinematics in three TKA designs. Methods. In total, 68 patients were randomized to either a posterior stabilized (PS-FB), cruciate-retaining (CR-FB), or rotating platform (CR-RP) design. Of these patients, 64 completed a minimum one year follow-up. Patients completed full-flexion kneeling while being imaged using single-plane fluoroscopy. Kinematics were calculated by registering the 3D implant models onto 2D-dynamic fluoroscopic images and exported for analysis. Results. CR-FB designs had significantly lower maximal flexion (mean 116° (SD 2.1°)) compared to CR-RP (123° (SD 1.6°)) and PS-FB (125° (SD 2.1°)). The PS-FB design displayed a more posteriorly positioned femur throughout flexion. Furthermore, the CR-RP femur was more externally rotated throughout kneeling. Finally, individual patient kinematics showed high degrees of variability within all designs. Conclusion. The increased maximal flexion found in the PS-FB and CR-RP designs were likely achieved in different ways. The PS-FB design uses a cam-post to hold the femur more posteriorly preventing posterior impingement. The external rotation within the CR-RP design was surprising and hasn’t previously been reported. It is likely due to the polyethylene bearing being decoupled from flexion. The findings of this study provide insights into the function of different knee arthroplasty designs in the context during deep kneeling and provide clinicians with a more kinematically informed choice for implant selection and may allow improved management of patients' functional expectations. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(1):105–112

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The primary aim of this trial was to compare the subsidence of two similar hydroxyapatite-coated titanium femoral components from different manufacturers. Secondary aims were to compare rotational migration (anteversion/retroversion and varus/valgus tilt) and patient-reported outcome measures between both femoral components.

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The aims of this study were first, to determine if adding fusion to a decompression of the lumbar spine for spinal stenosis decreases the rate of radiological restenosis and/or proximal adjacent level stenosis two years after surgery, and second, to evaluate the change in vertebral slip two years after surgery with and without fusion.

Aims. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is proven to reduce blood loss following total knee arthroplasty (TKA), but there are limited data on the impact of similar dosing regimens in revision TKA. The purpose of this multicentre randomized clinical trial was to determine the optimal regimen to maximize the blood-sparing properties of TXA in revision TKA. Patients and Methods. From six-centres, 233 revision TKAs were randomized to one of four regimens: 1 g of intravenous (IV) TXA given prior to the skin incision, a double-dose regimen of 1 g IV TXA given both prior to skin incision and at time of wound closure, a combination of 1 g IV TXA given prior to skin incision and 1 g of intraoperative topical TXA, or three doses of 1950 mg oral TXA given two hours preoperatively, six hours postoperatively, and on the morning of postoperative day one. Randomization was performed based on the type of revision procedure to ensure equivalent distribution among groups. Power analysis determined that 40 patients per group were necessary to identify a 1 g/dl difference in the reduction of haemoglobin postoperatively between groups with an alpha of 0.05 and power of 0.80. Per-protocol analysis involved regression analysis and two one-sided t-tests for equivalence. Results. In total, one patient withdrew, five did not undergo surgery, 16 were screening failures, and 25 did not receive the assigned treatment, leaving 186 patients for analysis. There was no significant difference in haemoglobin reduction among treatments (2.8 g/dl for single-dose IV TXA, 2.6 g/dl for double-dose IV TXA, 2.6 g/dl for combined IV/topical TXA, 2.9 g/dl for oral TXA; p = 0.38). Similarly, calculated blood loss (p = 0.65) and transfusion rates (p = 0.95) were not significantly different between groups. Equivalence testing assuming a 1 g/dl difference in haemoglobin change as clinically relevant showed that all possible pairings were statistically equivalent. Conclusion. Despite the higher risk of blood loss in revision TKA, all TXA regimens tested had equivalent blood-sparing properties. Surgeons should consider using the lowest effective dose and least costly TXA regimen in revision TKA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B(Supple 7):10–16

Aims. The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in functional outcome after repair and non-repair of the pronator quadratus muscle in patients undergoing surgical treatment for a distal radial fracture with volar plating. Patients and Methods. A total of 72 patients with a distal radial fracture were included in this randomized clinical trial. They were allocated to have the pronator quadratus muscle repaired or not, after volar locked plating of a distal radial fracture. The patients, the assessor, the primary investigator, and the statistician were blinded to the allocation. Randomization was irreversibly performed using a web application that guaranteed a secure and tamper-free assignment. The primary outcome measure was the Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) after 12 months. Secondary outcomes included the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, pronation strength, grip strength, the range of pronation and supination, complications, and the operating time. Results. Of the 72 patients, 63 (87.5%) completed follow-up for the primary outcome measure: 31 (86.1%) from the non-repair group and 32 (88.9%) from the repair group. At the 12-month follow-up, the mean difference in PRWE of 5.47 (95% confidence interval (CI) -4.02 to 14.96) between the repair (mean 18.38 (95% CI 10.34 to 26.41)) and non-repair group (mean 12.90 (95% CI 7.55 to 18.25)) was not statistically significant (p = 0.253). There was a statistically significant difference between pronation strength, favouring non-repair. We found no difference in the other secondary outcomes. Conclusion. We found that repairing pronator quadratus made no difference to the clinical outcome, 12 months after volar plating of a distal radial fracture. We conclude that there is no functional advantage in repairing this muscle under these circumstances and advise against it. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:1498–1505

Multicentre clinical trials in trauma care are gaining prominence as a means of generating good-quality evidence to inform and influence clinical practice. We believe multicentre trials have an important role to play in supporting evidence-based practice, and further investment in such trials is justified

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We compared decompression alone to decompression with fusion surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis, with or without degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS). The aim was to evaluate if five-year outcomes differed between the groups. The two-year results from the same trial revealed no differences.

There is an urgent need for the staged, controlled, introduction of new technology and new procedures to surgery. A classification system in four stages is proposed, which would allow for prospective assessment of new devices or methods before they are released for use by the surgical community. The proposal recognises the unique nature of a surgical operation and its learning curve. The issues of randomisation and of informed consent are discussed, and are shown not to be barriers to clinical trials, but necessary adjuncts to orderly testing. The importance of continued surveillance of innovations is emphasised

A study was made of the mechanics of blood-bearing in a series of patients treated with a cast-brace for fracture of the distal femur. Knee hinges incorporating strain-gauges, a simple force-plate on the floor and a standardised weight-bearing test were used to record axial loads through the cast-brace itself and through the fracture during the phases of healing. The cast-brace carried loads of only 10 to 20 per cent of body weight and functioned mainly as an antibuckling hinged tube. Patterns of weight-bearing recovery showed that the fracture itself limited loads to safe levels. A measure of the recovery of strength at the fracture was determined and termed the "fracture load index". Graphs obtained in this way demonstrated four biomechanical phases of bony union which correlated well with the stages of clinical healing. The clinical application of these results have led to improvements in the design of braces and the use of a cylinder cast-brace for fractures of the distal half of the femoral shaft and of a new type of brace with a hinge at the hip attached to the thigh cast for fractures of the proximal shaft. A simple clinical test is described by which it is possible to monitor the healing of fractures in cast-braces

Cost is a factor in the choice of prosthetic components in joint replacement. For a given performance, the least expensive components are the most cost-effective. When evaluating a new prosthesis with an unknown outcome, the use of an economic model allows estimation of potential cost-effectiveness. We used published data for the survival of cemented total hip replacements from Sweden, and cost and demographic information from New South Wales, Australia, in such a model. In young active total hip recipients a new prosthetic design which offered a 90% improvement in survivorship over 15 years and a 15% reduction in the cost of revision surgery, could be sold at a price of 2 to 2.5 times that of conventional cemented components such as the Charnley Low Friction Arthroplasty and still be cost-effective. Using more likely estimates of the improved performance of new technology, however, the upper limit of cost-effectiveness is an increase of 1.5 to 1. Only a very small increase in the cost of a prosthesis could ever be justified for older patients of either sex. Most of the potential benefits of a better level of survivorship appear towards the end of the 15-year period. The results of modelling may be incorporated in clinical trial design. Given the known performance of some well-established and relatively inexpensive designs of prostheses, very large randomised studies would be required to prove an improvement in performance

We studied the safety of combining the postoperative use of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with low-dose heparin. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial we reviewed the complications in 235 patients after total hip replacement, all treated with low-dose heparin and either indomethacin or a placebo. The incidence and type of complications in the two groups were nearly equal; indomethacin-treated patients had no increase in complications related to bleeding. Postoperative bleeding into drains was marginally greater in the indomethacin group, although the difference was not statistically significant. We conclude that treatment with indomethacin and low-dose heparin after hip replacement does not significantly increase the bleeding or other complications. We also found that patients receiving indomethacin were mobilised an average of one day before those on placebo

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To compare the functionality of adults with displaced mid-shaft clavicular fractures treated either operatively or nonoperatively and to compare the relative risk of nonunion and reoperation between the two groups.

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The aim of this study was to explore whether time to surgery affects functional outcome in displaced proximal humeral fractures

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Recent studies of nonoperatively treated displaced midshaft clavicular fractures have shown a high incidence of nonunion and unsatisfactory functional outcome. Some studies have shown superior functional results and higher rates of healing following operative treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome in these patients after nonoperative management with those treated with fixation.

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Pin-site infection remains a significant problem for patients treated by external fixation. A randomized trial was undertaken to compare the weekly use of alcoholic chlorhexidine (CHX) for pin-site care with an emollient skin preparation in patients with a tibial fracture treated with a circular frame.

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The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of anterior knee pain after antegrade tibial nailing using suprapatellar and infrapatellar surgical approaches