Aims. Delirium is associated with adverse outcomes following hip fracture, but the prevalence and significance of delirium for the prognosis and ongoing rehabilitation needs of patients admitted from home is less well studied. Here, we analyzed relationships between delirium in patients admitted from home with 1) mortality; 2) total length of hospital stay; 3) need for post-acute inpatient rehabilitation; and 4) hospital readmission within 180 days. Methods. This observational study used routine clinical data in a consecutive sample of hip fracture patients aged ≥ 50 years admitted to a single large trauma centre during the COVID-19 pandemic between 1 March 2020 and 30 November 2021. Delirium was prospectively assessed as part of routine care by the 4 A’s Test (4AT), with most assessments performed in the emergency department. Associations were determined using logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation quintile, COVID-19 infection within 30 days, and American Society of Anesthesiologists grade. Results. A total of 1,821 patients were admitted, with 1,383 (mean age 79.5 years; 72.1% female) directly from home. Overall, 87 patients (4.8%) were excluded due to missing 4AT scores. Delirium prevalence in the whole cohort was 26.5% (460/1,734): 14.1% (189/1,340) in the subgroup of patients admitted from home, and 68.8% (271/394) in the remaining patients (comprising care home residents and inpatients when fracture occurred). In patients admitted from home, delirium was associated with a 20-day longer total length of stay (p < 0.001). In multivariable analyses, delirium was associated with higher mortality at 180 days (odds ratio (OR) 1.69 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13 to 2.54); p = 0.013), requirement for post-acute inpatient rehabilitation (OR 2.80 (95% CI 1.97 to 3.96); p < 0.001), and readmission to hospital within 180 days (OR 1.79 (95% CI 1.02 to 3.15); p = 0.041). Conclusion. Delirium affects one in seven patients with a hip fracture admitted directly from home, and is associated with adverse outcomes in these patients. Delirium assessment and effective management should be a mandatory part of standard hip fracture care. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(6):447–456

Aims. To describe outcome reporting variation and trends in non-pharmacological randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of distal tibia and/or ankle fractures. Methods. Five electronic databases and three clinical trial registries were searched (January 2000 to February 2022). Trials including patients with distal tibia and/or ankle fractures without concomitant injuries were included. One reviewer conducted all searches, screened titles and abstracts, assessed eligibility, and completed data extraction; a random 10% subset were independently assessed and extracted by a second reviewer at each stage. All extracted outcomes were mapped to a modified version of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework. The quality of outcome reporting (reproducibility) was assessed. Results. Overall, 105 trials (n = 16 to 669 participants) from 27 countries were included. Trials compared surgical interventions (n = 62), post-surgical management options (n = 17), rehabilitative interventions (n = 14), surgical versus non-surgical interventions (n = 6), and pre-surgical management strategies (n = 5). In total, 888 outcome assessments were reported across seven domains: 263 assessed body structure or function (85.7% of trials), 136 activities (68.6% of trials), 34 participation (23.8% of trials), 159 health-related quality of life (61.9% of trials), 247 processes of care (80% of trials), 21 patient experiences (15.2% of trials), and 28 economic impact (8.6% of trials). From these, 337 discrete outcomes were described. Outcome reporting was inconsistent across trials. The quality of reporting varied widely (reproducibility ranged 4.8% patient experience to 100% complications). Conclusion. Substantial heterogeneity in outcome selection, assessment methods, and reporting quality were described. Despite the large number of outcomes, few are reported across multiple trials. Most outcomes are clinically focused, with little attention to the long-term consequences important to patients. Poor reporting quality reduces confidence in data quality, inhibiting data synthesis by which to inform care decisions. Outcome reporting guidance and standardization, which captures the outcomes that matter to multiple stakeholders, are urgently required. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(10):832–840

Aims. In order to release the contracture band completely without damaging normal tissues (such as the sciatic nerve) in the surgical treatment of gluteal muscle contracture (GMC), we tried to display the relationship between normal tissue and contracture bands by magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) images, and to predesign a minimally invasive surgery based on the MRN images in advance. Methods. A total of 30 patients (60 hips) were included in this study. MRN scans of the pelvis were performed before surgery. The contracture band shape and external rotation angle (ERA) of the proximal femur were also analyzed. Then, the minimally invasive GMC releasing surgery was performed based on the images and measurements, and during the operation, incision lengths, surgery duration, intraoperative bleeding, and complications were recorded; the time of the first postoperative off-bed activity was also recorded. Furthermore, the patients’ clinical functions were evaluated by means of Hip Outcome Score (HOS) and Ye et al’s objective assessments, respectively. Results. The contracture bands exhibited three typical types of shape – feather-like, striped, and mixed shapes – in MR images. Guided by MRN images, we designed minimally invasive approaches directed to each hip. These approaches resulted in a shortened incision length in each hip (0.3 cm (SD 0.1)), shorter surgery duration (25.3 minutes (SD 5.8)), less intraoperative bleeding (8.0 ml (SD 3.6)), and shorter time between the end of the operation and the patient’s first off-bed activity (17.2 hours (SD 2.0)) in each patient. Meanwhile, no serious postoperative complications occurred in all patients. The mean HOS-Sports subscale of patients increased from 71.0 (SD 5.3) to 94.83 (SD 4.24) at six months postoperatively (p < 0.001). The follow-up outcomes from all patients were “good” and “excellent”, based on objective assessments. Conclusion. Preoperative MRN analysis can be used to facilitate the determination of the relationship between contracture band and normal tissues. The minimally invasive surgical design via MRN can avoid nerve damage and improve the release effect. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(9):776–784

Two hundred and eighty-three patients with tuberculosis of the thoracic and/or lumbar spine have been followed for 10 years from the start of treatment. All patients received PAS plus isoniazid daily for 18 months, either with streptomycin for the first three months (SPH) or no streptomycin (PH), by random allocation. There was also a second random allocation for all patients: in Masan to inpatient rest in bed (IP) for six months followed by outpatient treatment or to ambulatory outpatient treatment from the start (OP), and in Pusan to outpatient treatment with a plaster-of-Paris jacket (J) for nine months or to ambulatory treatment without any support (No J). A favourable status was achieved on their allocated regimen by 88% of patients at 10 years. Some of the remaining patients also attained a favourable status after additional chemotherapy and/or operation, and if these are included the proportion achieving such a status increases to 96%. There were five patients whose deaths were attributed to their spinal disease. A sinus or clinically evident abscess was present on at least one occasion in the 10-year period in 42% of the patients. Residual sinuses persisted at 10 years in two patients, at death at seven years in a third and at default in the seventh year in a fourth. Thirty-five patients had paraparesis at some time during the 10-year period, including two who died with paraplegia before five years. Complete resolution occurred in 26 patients (in six after additional chemotherapy and/or surgery). At 10 years two patients had severe paraplegia and one a moderate paraparesis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In two centres in Korea 350 patients with a diagnosis of tuberculosis of the thoracic and/or lumbar spine were allocated at random: in Masan to in-patient rest in bed (IP) for six months followed by out-patient treatment or to ambulatory out-patient treatment (OP) from the start; in Pusan to out-patient treatment with a plaster-of-Paris jacket (J) for nine months or to ambulatory treatment without any support (No J). All patients recieved chemotherapy with PAS with isoniazid for eighteen months, either supplemented with streptomycin for the first three months (SPH) or without this supplement (PH), by random allocation. The main analysis of this report concerns 299 patients (eighty-three IP, eighty-three OP, sixty-three J, seventy No J; 143 SPH, 156 PH). Pre-treatment factors were similar in both centres except that the patients in Pusan had, on average, less extensive lesions although in a greater proportion the disease was radiographically active. One patient (J/SPH) died with active spinal disease and three (all No J/SPH) with paraplegia. A fifth patient (IP/PH) who died from cardio respiratory failure also had pulmonary tuberculosis. Twenty-three patients required operation and/or additional chemotherapy for the spinal lesion. A sinus or clinically evident abscess was either present initially or developed during treatment in 41 per cent of patients. Residual lesions persisted in ten patients (four IP, two OP, one J, three No J; six SPH, four PH) at five years. Thirty-two patients had paraparesis on admission or developing later. Complete resolution occurred in twenty on the allocated regimen and in eight after operation or additional chemotherapy or both. Of the remaining four atients, all of whom had operation and additional chemotherapy, three died and one still had paraparesis at five years. Of 295 patients assessed at five years 89 per cent had a favourable status. The proportions of the patients responding favourably were similar in the IP (91 per cent) and OP (89 per cent) series, in the J (90 per cent) and No J (84 per cent) series and in the SPH (86 per cent) and PH (92 per cent) series.

Aims. There is no consensus regarding optimum timing and frequency of ultrasound (US) for monitoring response to Pavlik harness (PH) treatment in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The purpose of our study was to determine if a limited-frequency hip US assessment had an adverse effect on treatment outcomes compared to traditional comprehensive US monitoring. Methods. This study was a single-centre noninferiority randomized controlled trial. Infants aged under six months whose hips were reduced and centred in the harness at initiation of treatment (stable dysplastic or subluxable), or initially decentred (subluxated or dislocated) but reduced and centred within four weeks of PH treatment, were randomized to our current standard US monitoring protocol (every clinic visit) or to a limited-frequency US protocol (US only at end of treatment). Groups were compared based on α angle and femoral head coverage at the end of PH treatment, acetabular indices, and International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) grade on one-year follow-up radiographs. Results. Overall, 100 patients were included; 42 patients completed the standard protocol (SP) and 40 completed the limited protocol (LP). There was no significant difference in mean right α angle at the end of treatment (SP 70.0° (SD 3.2°) ; LP 68.7° (SD 2.9°); p = 0.033), nor on the left (SP 69.0° (SD 3.5°); LP 68.1° (SD 3.3°); p = 0.128). There was no significant difference in mean right acetabular index at follow-up (SP 23.1° (SD 4.3°); LP 22.0° (SD 4.1°); p = 0.129), nor on the left (SP 23.3° (SD 4.2°); LP 22.8° (SD 3.9°); p = 0.284). All hips had femoral head coverage of > 50% at end of treatment, and all were IHDI grade 1 at follow-up. In addition, the LP group underwent a 60% reduction in US use once stable. Conclusion. Our study supports reducing the frequency of US assessment during PH treatment of DDH once a hip is reduced and centred. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(9):1081–1088

The February 2024 Spine Roundup. 360. looks at: Surgeon assessment of bone – any good?; Robotics reduces radiation exposure in some spinal surgery; Interbody fusion cage versus anterior lumbar interbody fusion with posterior instrumentation; Is robotic-assisted pedicle screw placement an answer to the learning curve?; Acute non-traumatic spinal subarachnoid haematomas: a report of five cases and a systematic review of the literature; Is L4-L5 lateral interbody fusion safe and effective?

Benefits of early stabilization of femoral shaft fractures, in mitigation of pulmonary and other complications, have been recognized over the past decades. Investigation into the appropriate level of resuscitation, and other measures of readiness for definitive fixation, versus a damage control strategy have been ongoing. These principles are now being applied to fractures of the thoracolumbar spine, pelvis, and acetabulum. Systems of trauma care are evolving to encompass attention to expeditious and safe management of not only multiply injured patients with these major fractures, but also definitive care for hip and periprosthetic fractures, which pose a similar burden of patient recumbency until stabilized. Future directions regarding refinement of patient resuscitation, assessment, and treatment are anticipated, as is the potential for data sharing and registries in enhancing trauma system functionality. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(4):361–364

The April 2024 Shoulder & Elbow Roundup. 360. looks at: Acute rehabilitation following traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation (ARTISAN): pragmatic, multicentre, randomized controlled trial; Prevalence and predisposing factors of neuropathic pain in patients with rotator cuff tears; Are two plates better than one? The clavicle fracture reimagined; A single cell atlas of frozen shoulder capsule identifies features associated with inflammatory fibrosis resolution; Complication rates and deprivation go hand in hand with total shoulder arthroplasty; Longitudinal instability injuries of the forearm; A better than “best-fit circle” method for glenoid bone loss assessment; 3D supraspinatus muscle volume and intramuscular fatty infiltration after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

Aims. The purpose of this study was to explore a simple and effective method of preparing human acellular amniotic membrane (HAAM) scaffolds, and explore the effect of HAAM scaffolds with juvenile cartilage fragments (JCFs) on osteochondral defects. Methods. HAAM scaffolds were constructed via trypsinization from fresh human amniotic membrane (HAM). The characteristics of the HAAM scaffolds were evaluated by haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, picrosirius red staining, type II collagen immunostaining, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) were isolated, and stemness was verified by multilineage differentiation. Then, third-generation (P3) hAMSCs were seeded on the HAAM scaffolds, and phalloidin staining and SEM were used to detect the growth of hAMSCs on the HAAM scaffolds. Osteochondral defects (diameter: 3.5 mm; depth: 3 mm) were created in the right patellar grooves of 20 New Zealand White rabbits. The rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: the control group (n = 5), the HAAM scaffolds group (n = 5), the JCFs group (n = 5), and the HAAM + JCFs group (n = 5). Macroscopic and histological assessments of the regenerated tissue were evaluated to validate the treatment results at 12 weeks. Results. In vitro, the HAAM scaffolds had a network structure and possessed abundant collagen. The HAAM scaffolds had good cytocompatibility, and hAMSCs grew well on the HAAM scaffolds. In vivo, the macroscopic scores of the HAAM + JCFs group were significantly higher than those of the other groups. In addition, histological assessments demonstrated that large amounts of hyaline-like cartilage formed in the osteochondral defects in the HAAM + JCFs group. Integration with surrounding normal cartilage and regeneration of subchondral bone in the HAAM + JCFs group were better than those in the other groups. Conclusion. HAAM scaffolds combined with JCFs promote the regenerative repair of osteochondral defects. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(6):349–361

Aims. Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) describes a pathological relationship between the femoral head and acetabulum. Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) may be used to treat this condition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of PAO in adolescents and adults with persistent DDH. Methods. Patients were divided into four groups: A, adolescents who had not undergone surgery for DDH in childhood (25 hips); B, adolescents who had undergone surgery for DDH in childhood (20 hips); C, adults with DDH who had not undergone previous surgery (80 hips); and D, a control group of patients with healthy hips (70 hips). The radiological evaluation of digital anteroposterior views of hips included the Wiberg angle (centre-edge angle (CEA)), femoral head cover (FHC), medialization, distalization, and the ilioischial angle. Clinical assessment involved the Harris Hip Score (HHS) and gluteal muscle performance assessment. Results. Significant improvements in radiological parameters were achieved in all measurements in all groups (p < 0.05). The greatest improvement was in CEA (mean of 19° (17.2° to 22.3°) in Group B), medialization (mean of 3 mm (0.9 to 5.2) in Group C), distalization (mean of 6 mm (3.5 to 8.2) in Group B), FHC (mean of 17% (12.7% to 21.2%) in Group B), and ilioischial angle (mean of 5° (2.3° to 8.1°) in Group B). There were significant improvements in the mean HHS and gluteal muscle performance scores postoperatively in all three groups. Conclusion. The greatest correction of radiological parameters and clinical outcomes was found in patients who had undergone hip surgery in childhood. Although the surgical treatment of DDH in childhood makes subsequent hip surgery more difficult due to scarring, adhesions, and altered anatomy, it requires less correction of the deformity and has a beneficial effect on the outcome of PAO in adolescence and early adulthood. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(7):775–780

The June 2024 Research Roundup. 360. looks at: Do the associations of daily steps with mortality and incident cardiovascular disease differ by sedentary time levels?; Large-scale assessment of ChatGPT in benign and malignant bone tumours imaging report diagnosis and its potential for clinical applications; Long-term effects of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis on physical function: a longitudinal analysis; Effect of intramuscular fat in the thigh muscles on muscle architecture and physical performance in the middle-aged females with knee osteoarthritis; Preoperative package of care for osteoarthritis an opportunity not to be missed?; Superiority of kinematic alignment over mechanical alignment in total knee arthroplasty during medium- to long-term follow-up: a meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

The February 2023 Children’s orthopaedics Roundup. 360. looks at: Trends in management of paediatric distal radius buckle fractures; Pelvic osteotomy in patients with previous sacral-alar-iliac fixation; Sacral-alar-iliac fixation in patients with previous pelvic osteotomy; Idiopathic toe walking: an update on natural history, diagnosis, and treatment; A prediction model for treatment decisions in distal radial physeal injuries: a multicentre retrospective study; Angular deformities after percutaneous epiphysiodesis for leg length discrepancy; MRI assessment of anterior coverage is predictive of future radiological coverage; Predictive scoring for recurrent patellar instability after a first-time patellar dislocation

The October 2023 Shoulder & Elbow Roundup. 360. looks at: Arthroscopic capsular shift surgery in patients with atraumatic shoulder joint instability: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial; Superior capsular reconstruction partially restores native glenohumeral loads in a dynamic model; Gene expression in glenoid articular cartilage varies in acute instability, chronic instability, and osteoarthritis; Intra-articular injection versus interscalene brachial plexus block for acute-phase postoperative pain management after arthroscopic shoulder surgery; Level of pain catastrophizing rehab in subacromial impingement: secondary analyses from a pragmatic randomized controlled trial (the SExSI Trial); Anterosuperior versus deltopectoral approach for primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: a study of 3,902 cases from the Dutch National Arthroplasty Registry with a minimum follow-up of five years; Assessment of progression and clinical relevance of stress-shielding around press-fit radial head arthroplasty: a comparative study of two implants; A number of modifiable and non-modifiable factors increase the risk for elbow medial ulnar collateral ligament injury in baseball players: a systematic review

Aims. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical application of the PJI-TNM classification for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) by determining intraobserver and interobserver reliability. To facilitate its use in clinical practice, an educational app was subsequently developed and evaluated. Methods. A total of ten orthopaedic surgeons classified 20 cases of PJI based on the PJI-TNM classification. Subsequently, the classification was re-evaluated using the PJI-TNM app. Classification accuracy was calculated separately for each subcategory (reinfection, tissue and implant condition, non-human cells, and morbidity of the patient). Fleiss’ kappa and Cohen’s kappa were calculated for interobserver and intraobserver reliability, respectively. Results. Overall, interobserver and intraobserver agreements were substantial across the 20 classified cases. Analyses for the variable ‘reinfection’ revealed an almost perfect interobserver and intraobserver agreement with a classification accuracy of 94.8%. The category 'tissue and implant conditions' showed moderate interobserver and substantial intraobserver reliability, while the classification accuracy was 70.8%. For 'non-human cells,' accuracy was 81.0% and interobserver agreement was moderate with an almost perfect intraobserver reliability. The classification accuracy of the variable 'morbidity of the patient' reached 73.5% with a moderate interobserver agreement, whereas the intraobserver agreement was substantial. The application of the app yielded comparable results across all subgroups. Conclusion. The PJI-TNM classification system captures the heterogeneity of PJI and can be applied with substantial inter- and intraobserver reliability. The PJI-TNM educational app aims to facilitate application in clinical practice. A major limitation was the correct assessment of the implant situation. To eliminate this, a re-evaluation according to intraoperative findings is strongly recommended. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2024;13(1):19–27

The June 2024 Spine Roundup. 360. looks at: Intraoperative navigation increases the projected lifetime cancer risk in patients undergoing surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis; Intrawound vancomycin powder reduces delayed deep surgical site infections following posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis; Characterizing negative online reviews of spine surgeons; Proximal junctional failure after surgical instrumentation in adult spinal deformity: biomechanical assessment of proximal instrumentation stiffness; Nutritional supplementation and wound healing: a randomized controlled trial

Aims. To systematically review the efficacy of split tendon transfer surgery on gait-related outcomes for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) and spastic equinovarus foot deformity. Methods. Five databases (CENTRAL, CINAHL, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science) were systematically screened for studies investigating split tibialis anterior or split tibialis posterior tendon transfer for spastic equinovarus foot deformity, with gait-related outcomes (published pre-September 2022). Study quality and evidence were assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies, the Risk of Bias In Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation. Results. Overall, 17 studies (566 feet) were included: 13 studies used clinical grading criteria to report a postoperative ‘success’ of 87% (75% to 100%), 14 reported on orthotic use with 88% reduced postoperative use, and one study reported on ankle kinematics improvements. Ten studies reported post-surgical complications at a rate of 11/390 feet (2.8%), but 84 feet (14.8%) had recurrent varus (68 feet, 12%) or occurrence of valgus (16 feet, 2.8%). Only one study included a patient-reported outcome measure (pain). Conclusion. Split tendon transfers are an effective treatment for children and youth with CP and spastic equinovarus foot deformities. Clinical data presented can be used for future study designs; a more standardized functional and patient-focused approach to evaluating outcomes of surgical intervention of gait may be warranted. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(5):283–298

We aim to explore the potential technologies for monitoring and assessment of patients undergoing arthroplasty by examining selected literature focusing on the technology currently available and reflecting on possible future development and application. The reviewed literature indicates a large variety of different hardware and software, widely available and used in a limited manner, to assess patients’ performance. There are extensive opportunities to enhance and integrate the systems which are already in existence to develop patient-specific pathways for rehabilitation. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(10):1104–1109

Aims. The aim of this study was to establish consensus statements on the diagnosis, nonoperative management, and indications, if any, for medial patellofemoral complex (MPFC) repair in patients with patellar instability, using the modified Delphi approach. Methods. A total of 60 surgeons from 11 countries were invited to develop consensus statements based on their expertise in this area. They were assigned to one of seven working groups defined by subtopics of interest within patellar instability. Consensus was defined as achieving between 80% and 89% agreement, strong consensus was defined as between 90% and 99% agreement, and 100% agreement was considered to be unanimous. Results. Of 27 questions and statements on patellar instability, three achieved unanimous consensus, 14 achieved strong consensus, five achieved consensus, and five did not achieve consensus. Conclusion. The statements that reached unanimous consensus were that an assessment of physeal status is critical for paediatric patients with patellar instability. There was also unanimous consensus on early mobilization and resistance training following nonoperative management once there is no apprehension. The statements that did not achieve consensus were on the importance of immobilization of the knee, the use of orthobiologics in nonoperative management, the indications for MPFC repair, and whether a vastus medialis oblique advancement should be performed. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(12):1259–1264