Aims

The new COVID-19 variant was reported by the authorities of the UK to the World Health Organization (WHO) on 14 December 2020. We aim to describe the clinical characteristics and nosocomial infection rates in major trauma and orthopaedic patients comparing the first and second wave of COVID-19 infection.

There is no firm published evidence to support the use of closed suction drains. Over 20 years ago, large studies by the Public Health Laboratory Service and the National Research Council found that drains were risk factors for wound infection. A prospective randomised study of the use of closed suction drains after surgery for fractured neck of femur in 70 patients failed to show that drains improved wound healing. Drained cases had more complications

Aims

Rotating-hinge knee prostheses are commonly used to reconstruct the distal femur after resection of a tumour, despite the projected long-term burden of reoperation due to complications. Few studies have examined the factors that influence their failure and none, to our knowledge, have used competing risk models to do so. The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors for failure of a rotating-hinge knee distal femoral arthroplasty using the Fine-Gray competing risk model.

Aims

It is important to understand the rate of complications associated with the increasing burden of revision shoulder arthroplasty. Currently, this has not been well quantified. This review aims to address that deficiency with a focus on complication and reoperation rates, shoulder outcome scores, and comparison of anatomical and reverse prostheses when used in revision surgery.

Aims

High-energy injuries can result in multiple complications, the most prevalent being infection. Vancomycin powder has been used with increasing frequency in orthopaedic trauma given its success in reducing infection following spine surgery. Additionally, large, traumatic injuries require wound coverage and management by dressings such as negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). NPWT has been shown to decrease the ability of antibiotic cement beads to reduce infection, but its effect on antibiotic powder is not known. The goal of this study was to determine if NPWT reduces the efficacy of topically applied antibiotic powder.

Aims

While interdisciplinary protocols and expedited surgical treatment improve the management of hip fractures in the elderly, the impact of such interventions on patients specifically undergoing arthroplasty for a femoral neck fracture is not clear. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of an interdisciplinary protocol for the management of patients with a femoral neck fracture who are treated with an arthroplasty.

Aims

The direct anterior approach (DAA) for total hip arthroplasty (THA) has potential advantages over other approaches and is most commonly performed with the patient in the supine position. We describe a technique for DAA THA with the patient in the lateral decubitus position and report the early clinical and radiological outcomes, the characteristics of the learning curve, and perioperative complications.

We have carried out a retrospective review of 11 Souter-Strathclyde primary total elbow arthroplasties in ten patients with osteoarthritis, over a period of nine years. The diagnosis was primary osteoarthritis in nine elbows and post-traumatic arthritis in two. The mean follow-up was 68 months (15 to 117). Although no patient was symptomatic, radiological review revealed evidence of loosening affecting three humeral and two ulnar components, one of which subsequently failed and was revised at 97 months. There were no dislocations, deep infections or mechanical failures. Complications included two superficial wound infections and two neurapraxias of the ulnar nerve which resolved. This study shows that the unlinked Souter-Strathclyde total elbow arthroplasty can be considered for patients with osteoarthritis and gives good symptomatic relief and improvement in function

The results of 62 ankle arthrodeses, mostly performed for osteoarthritis, have been reviewed; of these, 39 were examined clinically and radiographically after an average follow-up period of seven years. Compression arthrodesis was associated with the highest incidence of complications, and an anterior sliding graft gave the most satisfactory results. Very few patients required modification of their footwear; most could walk independently with a slight limp and were able to return to their pre-operative work. However, after operation, the ability to run and to participate in vigorous sporting activities was limited. Complications included wound infection, non-union, and some change in midtarsal mobility, but excellent pain relief was reported by all patients

Giant-cell tumour of bone (GCT) is a locally benign aggressive tumour. The use of adjuvant agents, such as phenol or liquid nitrogen has been recommended to destroy the remaining tumour cells after curettage, and filling of the defect with methylmethacrylate cement has been advocated. Between 1957 and 1992 we treated 92 patients with a GCT with 50% aqueous zinc chloride solution and bone grafting. Their mean age at the time of surgery was 31 years (15 to 59) and the mean follow-up was 11 years (5 to 31). Twelve (13%) had a local recurrence and one had a wound infection. Two developed degenerative changes around the knee. Eighty-six (93%) achieved good or excellent function. Three had moderate function, and three needed amputation. Our findings indicate that treatment with an aqueous solution of zinc chloride and reconstructive bone grafting after curettage gives good results

Between December 2004 and June 2006, 136 patients (156 total hip replacements), were sent from the waiting list of the Cardiff Vale NHS Trust to the NHS Treatment Centre, Weston-super-Mare, in an attempt to reduce the waiting time for total hip replacement. Because of concerns about their outcome, each patient was contacted and invited to attend a review appointment with a consultant specialising in hip and revision hip replacement. A total of 98 patients (113 hips) were reviewed after a mean of 23 months (11 to 30). There were 104 cemented hips, seven hybrid and two cementless. An acetabular inclination of > 55° was seen in 18 (16%). Radiolucent lines around the acetabular component were seen in 76 (67%). The femoral component was in more than 4° of varus in 47 (42%). The medial floor had been breached in 13 (12%) and there was a leg-length discrepancy of more than 1 cm in ten (9%). There were three dislocations, one femoral fracture, one pulmonary embolus, one deep infection and two superficial wound infections. To date, 13% (15 hips) have been revised and a further 4% (five hips) await revision, mostly for a painful loose acetabular component. The revision rate far exceeds the 0.5% five-year failure rate reported in the Swedish Registry for the components used. This initiative and the consequent need for correction of the problems created, has significantly increased the workload of our unit

A study has been made of 800 consecutive arthroscopic examinations of the knee with special emphasis on the changes in management that resulted. Of 614 knees that would have been operated upon if arthroscopy had not been available, open operation was avoided in 32 per cent, a different operation was done or planned in 27 per cent, and there was no important change in the remaining 41 per cent. Of 186 knees that would have been treated conservatively if arthroscopy had not been available, the examination resulted in some immediate benefit to 30 per cent of the patients. There were no wound infections after arthroscopy alone, and the known incidence of incorrect interpretation was 1.4 per cent

Aims

The prevalence of ipsilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is rising in concert with life expectancy, putting more patients at risk for interprosthetic femur fractures (IPFFs). Our study aimed to assess treatment methodologies, implant survivorship, and IPFF clinical outcomes.

The management of spinal metastases is palliative and aimed at improving quality of life at an acceptable risk. This population study uses administrative databases and measures survivorship and complication rates after surgery for spinal metastases. The effects of various potential predictor variables were evaluated. We identified 987 patients with a median survival for all types of cancer of 227 days. The one and three-month mortality was 9% and 29%, respectively. Increasing age, male gender and primary lung cancer were significant risk factors for death within 30 days of surgery. A preoperative neurological deficit contributed a 19% increase in mortality and a 71% increase in the risk of postoperative wound infection. We found an overall major complication rate of 27%. This information will provide patients, families and clinicians with objective data which will help in the choice of treatment and the understanding of the surgical risk and outcome

The Madelung deformity can result in pain and decreased function of the wrist and hand. None of the surgical techniques available has been shown consistently to improve grip strength, range of movement or relieve pain. In this prospective study we have treated 18 patients with the Madelung deformity (25 wrists) by wedge subtraction osteotomy of the radius and shortening of the ulna. Our results show statistically significant improvement in grip strength and range of movement of the wrist and forearm. Pain improved in 80% of the patients and 88% were satisfied with the appearance. One patient had a wound infection and another developed reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Two had some recurrence due to continued growth of the ulna and it is recommended that the procedure be delayed until skeletal maturity, or else combined with epiphysiodesis of the ulna

We treated 26 patients with 27 aneurysmal bone cysts by curettage and cryotherapy and evaluated local tumour control, complications and functional outcome. The mean follow-up time was 47 months (19 to154). There was local recurrence in one patient. Two patients developed deep wound infections and one had a postoperative fracture. We compared our results with previous reports in which several different methods of treatment had been used and concluded that curettage with adjuvant cryotherapy had similar results to those of marginal resection, and that no major bony reconstruction was required. We recommend the use of cryotherapy as an adjuvant to the surgical treatment of aneurysmal bone cysts. It provides local tumour control. Combination with bone grafting achieved consolidation of the lesion in all our patients

Primary skin closure after surgery for club foot in children can be difficult especially in revision operations. Between 1990 and 1996 a soft-tissue expander was implanted in 13 feet before such procedures. Two were primary operations and 11 were revisions. A standard technique was used for implantation of the expander. Skin augmentation was successful in 11 cases. There was failure of one expander and one case of wound infection. Sufficient stable skin could be gained at an average of five weeks. Primary skin closure after surgery was achieved in 12 cases. We conclude that soft-tissue expansion can be used successfully before extensive surgery for club foot. The method should be reserved for revision procedures and for older children. The technique is not very demanding, but requires experience to achieve successful results

Exchange nailing for failure of union after primary intramedullary nailing of the tibia is widely used but the indications and effectiveness have not been reported in detail. We have reviewed 33 cases of uninfected nonunion of the tibia treated by exchange nailing. This technique was successful without open bone grafting in all closed fractures and in open fractures of Gustilo types I, II and IIIa. The requirement for open bone grafting was reduced in type-IIIb fractures, but exchange nailing failed in type-IIIb fractures with significant bone loss. For these we recommend early open bone grafting. The most common complication was wound infection, seen more often than after primary nailing. We discuss our protocol for the use and timing of exchange nailing of all grades and types of tibial fracture