Aims. This study describes the Osseointegration Group of Australia’s Accelerated Protocol two-stage strategy (OGAAP-1) for the osseointegrated reconstruction of amputated limbs. Patients and Methods. We report clinical outcomes in 50 unilateral trans-femoral amputees with a mean age of 49.4 years (24 to 73), with a minimum one-year follow-up. Outcome measures included the Questionnaire for persons with a Trans-Femoral Amputation, the health assessment questionnaire Short-Form-36 Health Survey, the Amputation Mobility Predictor scores presented as K-levels, 6 Minute Walk Test and timed up and go tests. Adverse events included soft-tissue problems, infection, fractures and failure of the implant. Results. Our results demonstrated statistically significant improvements in all five outcome measures. A total of 27 patients experienced adverse events but at the conclusion of the study, all 50 were walking on osseointegrated prostheses. Conclusion. These results demonstrate that osseointegrated prostheses are a suitable alternative to socket-fit devices for amputees experiencing socket-related discomfort and that our strategy offers more rapid progress to walking than other similar protocols. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:952–60

Although patients with a history of venous thromboembolism (VTE) who undergo lower limb joint replacement are thought to be at high risk of further VTE, the actual rate of recurrence has not been reported. The purpose of this study was to identify the recurrence rate of VTE in patients who had undergone lower limb joint replacement, and to compare it with that of patients who had undergone a joint replacement without a history of VTE. . From a pool of 6646 arthroplasty procedures (3344 TKR, 2907 THR, 243 revision THR, 152 revision TKR) in 5967 patients (68% female, mean age 67.7; 21 to 96) carried out between 2009 and 2011, we retrospectively identified 118 consecutive treatment episodes in 106 patients (65% female, mean age 70; 51 to 88,) who had suffered a previous VTE. Despite mechanical prophylaxis and anticoagulation with warfarin, we had four recurrences by three months (3.4% of 118) and six by one year (5.1% of 118). In comparison, in all our other joint replacements the rate of VTE was 0.54% (35/6528). The relative risk of a VTE by 90 days in patients who had undergone a joint replacement with a history of VTE compared with those with a joint replacement and no history of VTE was 6.3 (95% confidence interval, 2.3 to 17.5). There were five complications in the previous VTE group related to bleeding or over-anticoagulation. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1515–19

Deep vein thrombosis is a common complication of immobilising the lower limb after surgery. We hypothesised that intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) therapy in outpatients who had undergone surgical repair of acute ruptures of the Achilles tendon could reduce the incidence of this problem. A total of 150 patients who had undergone surgical repair of the Achilles tendon were randomised to either treatment with IPC for six hours per day (n = 74) under an orthosis or treatment as usual (n = 74) in a plaster cast without IPC. At two weeks post-operatively, the incidence of deep vein thrombosis was assessed using blinded, double-reported compression duplex ultrasound. At this point, IPC was discontinued and all patients were immobilised in an orthosis for a further four weeks. At six weeks post-operatively, a second compression duplex ultrasound scan was performed. At two weeks, the incidence of deep vein thrombosis was 21% in the treated group and 37% in the control group (p = 0.042). Age over 39 years was found to be a strong risk factor for deep vein thrombosis (odds ratio (OR) = 4.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.14 to 10.96). Treatment with IPC, corrected for age differences between groups, reduced the risk of deep vein thrombosis at the two-week point (OR = 2.60; 95% CI 1.15 to 5.91; p =0.022). At six weeks, the incidence of deep vein thrombosis was 52% in the treated group and 48% in the control group (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.49 to 1.83). IPC appears to be an effective method of reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis in the early stages of post-operative immobilisation of outpatients. Further research is necessary to elucidate whether it can confer similar benefits over longer periods of immobilisation and in a more heterogeneous group of patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:675–80

Intramedullary infection in long bones represents a complex clinical challenge, with an increasing incidence due to the increasing use of intramedullary fixation. We report a prospective case series using an intramedullary reaming device, the Reamer–Irrigator–Aspirator (RIA) system, in association with antibiotic cement rods for the treatment of lower limb long bone infections. A total of 24 such patients, 16 men and eight women, with a mean age of 44.5 years (17 to 75), 14 with femoral and 10 with tibial infection, were treated in a staged manner over a period of 2.5 years in a single referral centre. Of these, 21 patients had had previous surgery, usually for fixation of a fracture (seven had sustained an open fracture originally and one had undergone fasciotomies). According to the Cierny–Mader classification system, 18 patients were classified as type 1A, four as 3A (discharging sinus tract), one as type 4A and one as type 1B. Staphylococcus species were isolated in 20 patients (83.3%). Local antibiotic delivery was used in the form of impregnated cement rods in 23 patients. These were removed at a mean of 2.6 months (1 to 5). Pathogen-specific antibiotics were administered systemically for a mean of six weeks (3 to 18). At a mean follow-up of 21 months (8 to 36), 23 patients (96%) had no evidence of recurrent infection. One underwent a planned trans-tibial amputation two weeks post-operatively due to peripheral vascular disease and chronic recalcitrant osteomyelitis of the tibia and foot. The combination of RIA reaming, the administration of systemic pathogen-specific antibiotics and local delivery using impregnated cement rods proved to be a safe and efficient form of treatment in these patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014; 96-B:783–8

We compared lower limb coronal alignment measurements obtained pre- and post-operatively with long-leg radiographs and computer navigation in patients undergoing primary total knee replacement (TKR). A series of 185 patients had their pre- and post-implant radiological and computer-navigation system measurements of coronal alignment compared using the Bland-Altman method. The study included 81 men and 104 women with a mean age of 68.5 years (32 to 87) and a mean body mass index of 31.7 kg/m. 2. (19 to 49). Pre-implant Bland–Altman limits of agreement were -9.4° to 8.6° with a repeatability coefficient of 9.0°. The Bland–Altman plot showed a tendency for the radiological measurement to indicate a higher level of pre-operative deformity than the corresponding navigation measurement. Post-implant limits of agreement were -5.0° to 5.4° with a repeatability coefficient of 5.2°. The tendency for valgus knees to have greater deformity on the radiograph was still seen, but was weaker for varus knees. . The alignment seen or measured intra-operatively during TKR is not necessarily the same as the deformity seen on a standing long-leg radiograph either pre- or post-operatively. Further investigation into the effect of weight-bearing and surgical exposure of the joint on the mechanical femorotibial angle is required to enable the most appropriate intra-operative alignment to be selected

We have studied 105 patients with 107 acute, primary, dislocations of the glenohumeral joint seen between January 1, 1991 and July 1, 1994. The mean time of follow-up was 71 months (46 to 91). In 34% the injury occurred during a sports activity and in 28% at home. The bias toward sport was even greater in patients less than 40 years of age, and in men. In patients older than 40 years of age, and in women, the dislocation occurred more often at home. The overall probability of recurrence within four years was 26%. Age was the most significant prognostic factor in recurrence which took place in 64% of patients less than 20 years of age and in 6% of those older than 40 years. Statistically, there was no difference between the rates of recurrence in patients who were active in sport and those who were not. The mean Rowe score for the whole group was 87 (15 to 100). Associated fractures were found in 20 patients (19%) and nerve injuries in 22 (21%). None of those in whom a fracture of the greater tuberosity was seen subsequently suffered a recurrent dislocation. At follow-up we found that 36 patients (34%) had not returned to their former employment but in only 2% was this owing to the injured shoulder

We compared the complications and outcome of tibial lengthening using the Ilizarov method with and without the use of a supplementary intramedullary nail. In a retrospective case-matched series assembled from 176 patients with tibial lengthening, we matched 52 patients (26 pairs, group A with nail and group B without) according to the following criteria in order of importance: 1) difference in amount of lengthening (± 2 cm); 2) percentage difference in lengthening (± 5%); 3) difference in patient’s age (± seven years); 4) aetiology of the shortening, and 5) level of difficulty in obtaining the correction. The outcome was evaluated using the external fixator index, the healing index and an outcome score according to the criteria of Paley. It was found that some complications were specific to group A or B respectively, but others were common to both groups. The outcome was generally better in lengthenings with a nail, although there was a higher incidence of rectifiable equinus deformity in these patients

Internal lengthening devices in the femur lengthen along the anatomical axis, potentially creating lateral shift of the mechanical axis. We aimed to determine whether femoral lengthening along the anatomical axis has an inadvertent effect on lower limb alignment. Isolated femoral lengthening using the Intramedullary Skeletal Kinetic Distractor was performed in 27 femora in 24 patients (mean age 32 years (16 to 57)). Patients who underwent simultaneous realignment procedures or concurrent tibial lengthening, or who developed mal- or nonunion, were excluded. Pre-operative and six-month post-operative radiographs were used to measure lower limb alignment. The mean lengthening achieved was 4.4 cm (1.5 to 8.0). In 26 of 27 limbs, the mechanical axis shifted laterally by a mean of 1.0 mm/cm of lengthening (0 to 3.5). In one femur that was initially in varus, a 3 mm medial shift occurred during a lengthening of 2.2 cm. In a normally aligned limb, intramedullary lengthening along the anatomical axis of the femur results in a lateral shift of the mechanical axis by approximately 1 mm for each 1 cm of lengthening

We investigated the fracture-free survival of long bones stabilised by a telescopic intramedullary rod (TIMR) in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta with respect to the remodelling status of fracture or osteotomy sites and TIMR regions, in order to identify risk factors for fracture. A total of 44 femora and 28 tibiae in 25 patients with a mean age of 5.0 years (1.9 to 10.5) at presentation were studied. There were six patients with Sillence type I, five with type III, 13 with type IV and one with type V osteogenesis imperfecta. All received bisphosphonate treatment at the same stage during the mean follow-up of 7.3 years (0.5 to 18.1). The fracture-free survival was estimated at 6.2 years (95% confidence interval 5.1 to 7.3) by Kaplan-Meier analysis. More than half the fracture or osteotomy sites remained in a less-remodelled state at the latest follow-up or time of fracture. Of the 33 fractures, 29 (87.9%) occurred in long bones containing a less-remodelled site, and these fractures were located at this site. The relative fracture risk at the rod tip was significantly greater than in any other TIMR region (p < 0.001), and this was higher in bone segments having a less-remodelled site. This study shows a persistent fracture risk in TIMR-stabilised long bones, especially at less-remodelled fracture or osteotomy sites and at the rod tip

We present the results of the surgical correction of lower-limb deformities caused by metabolic bone disease. Our series consisted of 17 patients with a diagnosis of hypophosphataemic rickets and two with renal osteodystrophy; their mean age was 25.6 years (14 to 57). In all, 43 lower-limb segments (27 femora and 16 tibiae) were osteotomised and the deformity corrected using a monolateral external fixator. The segment was then stabilised with locked intramedullary nailing. In addition, six femora in three patients were subsequently lengthened by distraction osteogenesis. The mean follow-up was 60 months (18 to 120). The frontal alignment parameters (the mechanical axis deviation, the lateral distal femoral angle and the medial proximal tibial angle) and the sagittal alignment parameters (the posterior distal femoral angle and the posterior proximal tibial angle) improved post-operatively. The external fixator was removed either at the end of surgery or at the end of the lengthening period, allowing for early mobilisation and weight-bearing. We encountered five problems and four obstacles in the programme of treatment. The use of intramedullary nails prevented recurrence of deformity and refracture

Vascular malformations are rare congenital lesions which often have associated skeletal changes. Over a period of ten years, 90 patients at our clinic had a vascular anomaly of the lower limb, examined by either CT or MRI. Of these, 18 (20%) had bony involvement. A questionnaire was sent to these patients (8 men, 10 women) to evaluate their age of presentation, initial symptoms and current complaints. Radiological imaging revealed 15 low- and three high-flow lesions. The mean age at presentation to a physician was six years of age. Pain was the most common complaint. Disparity in leg length of 2 cm or more was observed in ten patients. Of the 16 patients with muscle infiltration, 13 had four or more muscles involved. Treatment by resection alone would require radical surgery

Fragility fractures of the ankle occur mainly in elderly osteoporotic women. They are inherently unstable and difficult to manage. There is a high incidence of complications with both non-operative and operative treatment. We treated 12 such fractures by closed reduction and stabilisation using a retrograde calcaneotalotibial expandable nail. The mean age of patients was 84 years (75 to 95). All were women and were able to walk fully weight-bearing after surgery. There were no wound complications. One patient died from a myocardial infarction 24 days after surgery. The 11 other patients were followed up for a mean of 67 weeks (39 to 104). All the fractures maintained satisfactory alignment and healed without delay. Six patients refused removal of the nail after union of the fracture. The functional rating using the scale of Olerud and Molander gave a mean score at follow-up of 61, compared with a pre-injury value of 70

It has been suggested that arthrodesis of the ankle leads to osteoarthritis of the joints of the ipsilateral hind- and midfoot. We believe these studies overlooked the presence of osteoarthritic changes in these joints before the arthrodesis. We reviewed the pre-operative radiographs of 70 patients with osteoarthritis of the ankle who underwent 71 ankle arthrodeses (one was bilateral). The talonavicular, calcaneocuboid, subtalar and naviculocuneiform joints were given an osteoarthritis score according to Kellgren and Lawrence. The mean age at operation was 54.9 years and the most common indication was for post-traumatic osteoarthritis (52 cases). A total of 68 patients showed pre-existing arthritis in either the hind- or mid-foot, with the subtalar joint the most commonly affected. Ipsilateral hind- and mid-foot arthritis is almost universally present in patients with arthritis of the ankle requiring arthrodesis. The presence of such changes may not be a consequence of this arthrodesis

Diabetes mellitus is considered an indicator of poor prognosis for acute ankle fractures, but this risk may be specific to an identifiable subpopulation. We retrospectively reviewed 42 patients with both diabetes mellitus and an acute, closed, rotational ankle fracture. Patients were individually matched to controls by age, gender, fracture type, and surgical vs non-surgical treatment. Outcomes were major complications during the first six months of treatment. We contrasted secondarily 21 diabetic patients with and 21 without diabetic comorbidities. Diabetic patients and controls did not differ significantly in total complication rates. More diabetic patients required long-term bracing. Diabetic patients without comorbidities had complication rates equal to their controls. Diabetic patients with comorbidities had complications at a higher rate (ten patients; 47%) than matched controls (three patients; 14%, p = 0.034). A history of Charcot neuroarthropathy led to the highest rates of complication. An increased risk of complications in diabetic patients with closed rotational fractures of the ankle are specific to a subpopulation with identifiable related comorbidities

The results of primary total knee replacement performed on a group of haemophiliac patients in a single institution by the same surgeon using the same surgical technique and prosthesis are reported. A total of 35 primary replacements in 30 patients were carried out between 1996 and 2005 and were reviewed retrospectively. The mean age of the patients was 31 years (24 to 42) and the mean follow-up was for 7.5 years (1 to 10). There were 25 patients with haemophilia A and five with haemophilia B. The HIV status and CD4 count were recorded, and Knee Society scores determined. Two patients had inhibitors to the deficient coagulation factor. There were no early wound infections and only one late deep infection which required a two-stage revision arthroplasty, with a good final result. The incidence of infection in HIV-positive and negative patients was thus similar. One knee in a patient with inhibitor had excessive bleeding due to a pseudoaneurysm which required embolisation. The results were excellent in 27 knees (77%), good in six (17%) and fair in two (6%). The survival rate at 7.5 years taking removal of the prosthesis for loosening or infection as the end-point was 97%. The mechanical survival of total knee replacements in haemophiliacs is very good. Our results confirm that this is a reproducible procedure in haemophilia, even in HIV-positive patients with a CD4 count > 200 mm. 3. and those with inhibitors. Our rate of infection was lower than previously reported. This could be due to better control of the HIV status with highly active anti-retroviral therapy and the use of antibiotic-loaded cement

Our aim was to evaluate the results of triple arthrodesis, performed without the use of supplementary bone graft. We carried out a retrospective review of 100 consecutive triple arthrodeses. All the operations had been performed by the senior author (TSS) using a standard technique. Only local bone graft from the excised joint surfaces had been used, thereby avoiding complications at the donor site. The mean age of the patients at surgery was 58 years (18 to 84). The mean time to union was 5.1 months (3 to 17). There were 75 good, 20 fair and five poor results. There were four cases of nonunion. Our study has shown that comparable rates of union are achieved without the need for supplementary bone graft from the iliac crest or other donor site

We reviewed 116 patients who underwent 118 arthroscopic ankle arthrodeses. The mean age at operation was 57 years, 2 months (20 to 86 years). The indication for operation was post-traumatic osteoarthritis in 67, primary osteoarthritis in 36, inflammatory arthropathy in 13 and avascular necrosis in two. The mean follow-up was 65 months (18 to 144). Nine patients (10 ankles) died before final review and three were lost to follow-up, leaving 104 patients (105 ankles) who were assessed by a standard telephone interview. The pre-operative talocrural deformity was between 22° valgus and 28° varus, 94 cases were within 10° varus/valgus. The mean time to union was 12 weeks (6 to 20). Nonunion occurred in nine cases (7.6%). Other complications included 22 cases requiring removal of a screw for prominence, three superficial infections, two deep vein thromboses/pulmonary emboli, one revision of fixation, one stress fracture and one deep infection. Six patients had a subtalar fusion at a mean of 48 months after ankle fusion. There were 48 patients with excellent, 35 with good, 10 with fair and 11 with poor clinical results

Patients with diabetes mellitus may develop plantar flexion contractures (equinus) which may increase forefoot pressure during walking. In order to determine the relationship between equinus and forefoot pressure, we measured forefoot pressure during walking in 27 adult diabetics with a mean age of 66.3 years (. sd. 7.4) and a mean duration of the condition of 13.4 years (. sd. 12.6) using an Emed mat. Maximum dorsiflexion of the ankle was determined using a custom device which an examiner used to apply a dorsiflexing torque of 10 Nm (. sd. 1) for five seconds. Simple linear regression showed that the relationship between equinus and peak forefoot pressure was significant (p < 0.0471), but that only a small portion of the variance was accounted for (R. 2. = 0.149). This indicates that equinus has only a limited role in causing high forefoot pressure. Our findings suggest caution in undertaking of tendon-lengthening procedures to reduce peak forefoot plantar pressures in diabetic subjects until clearer indications are established

Aims

Patients undergoing femoral lengthening by external fixation tolerate treatment less well when compared to tibial lengthening. Lengthening of the femur with an intramedullary device may have advantages.

The results of treatment of Lisfranc injuries are often unsatisfactory. This retrospective study investigated 46 patients with isolated Lisfranc injuries at a minimum of two years after surgery. Thirteen patients had a poor outcome and had to change employment, or were unable to find work as a result of this injury. The presence of a compensation claim (p = 0.02) and a delay in diagnosis of more than six months were associated with a poor outcome (p = 0.01). There was no association between poor functional outcome and age, gender, mechanism of injury or previous occupation. This study may have medico-legal implications on reporting the prognosis for such injuries, and highlights the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment