We have reviewed the long-term results of 22 patients (23 fusions) with fractures of the os calcis, who had subtalar arthrodesis with correction of the deformity between 1975 and 1991. The mean follow-up was nine years (5 to 20). All patients were evaluated according to a modified foot score. A radiological assessment was used in which linear and angular variables were measured including the fibulocalcaneal abutment, the height of the heel and fat pad, the angle of the arch and the lateral talocalcaneal and the lateral talar declination angles. The technique used restores the normal relationship between the hindfoot and midfoot and corrects the height of the heel. This leads to better biomechanical balance of the neighbouring joints and gives a favourable clinical outcome. The modified foot score showed a good or excellent result in 51% of the feet. Residual complaints were mostly due to problems with the soft tissues. Subjectively, an excellent or good score was achieved in 78% of the cases. After statistical analysis, except for the height of the heel and the degenerative changes in the calcaneocuboid joint, no significant difference was found in the measured variables between the operated and the contralateral side

We have assessed the long-term results after operative and non-operative treatment of undisplaced and displaced calcaneal fractures. At a mean of 6.5 years, we reviewed 70 patients with a calcaneal fracture who were divided into four groups: group 1, 18 patients with undisplaced fractures and a normal Böhler’s angle (BA) who had been treated non-operatively; group 2, 23 with intra-articular fractures and a BA < 10° who had been treated non-operatively; group 3, 13 with intra-articular fractures and a BA > 10° who had been treated surgically; and group 4, 16 with intra-articular fractures and a BA < 10° who had been treated surgically. The results were assessed by a clinical score considering pain, return to work, return to physical activity, change in shoe-wear and the requirement for subtalar arthrodesis. Patients with undisplaced calcaneal fractures had a good outcome. Those with displaced fractures treated surgically who presented at follow-up with a BA > 10° had a satisfactory functional outcome and those with displaced fractures who had non-operative treatment had a poor outcome. The poorest outcome was consistently seen in patients who were treated operatively without restoration of BA. Open reduction and internal fixation of intra-articular calcaneal fractures can only be expected to benefit those patients in whom nearly anatomical reconstruction is obtained

We reviewed 32 ankles in 30 patients at an average of five years after a Watson-Jones tenodesis. All but one patient had had ankle pain before operation and 19 had had clicking, catching, or locking of the ankle. Eleven of these had an ankle arthrotomy at the time of ligament reconstruction for intraarticular pathology. At review seven of 23 ankles had a significant decrease in ankle motion, and five in subtalar motion, but only two were unstable on examination. Twenty-one ankles, however, caused some pain on activity and nine were tender on palpation. These findings indicate intra-articular degeneration or injury rather than simple instability. Radiographs of 16 ankles showed good varus and anterior-drawer stability. Seven had talocrural osteoarthritis, but only four showed grade-1 subtalar osteoarthritis. We found no correlation between follow-up time and long-term results. The Watson-Jones tenodesis provides good rotational and lateral ankle instability and does not appear to lead to subtalar degeneration

Aims

The routine use of dual-mobility (DM) acetabular components in total hip arthroplasty (THA) may not be cost-effective, but an increasing number of patients undergoing THA have a coexisting spinal disorder, which increases the risk of postoperative instability, and these patients may benefit from DM articulations. This study seeks to examine the cost-effectiveness of DM components as an alternative to standard articulations in these patients.

Objectives

Bone void fillers are increasingly being used for dead space management in arthroplasty revision surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of calcium sulphate bone void filler (CS-BVF) on the damage and wear of total knee arthroplasty using experimental wear simulation.

Long-term regular haemodialysis for chronic renal failure is associated with amyloidosis. In this condition excess amounts of the unexcretable plasma protein beta-microglobulin are laid down in tendons, joints and bones. Amyloidosis presents with various musculoskeletal disorders only after several years of dialysis. We reviewed 83 patients who had been dialysed for at least 10 years. The commonest complaint was severe joint pain in the absence of radiological changes of arthritis (41%), the shoulders usually being the most affected (33%). Carpal tunnel syndrome had developed in 26 patients, and was bilateral in 14 of them; at operation the presence of amyloid was confirmed. Six of these patients had recurrent symptoms after a further two to three years and required another decompression. Other manifestations of amyloidosis included trigger finger, flexor tendon contracture, spontaneous tendon rupture and pathological fracture through amyloid bone cysts. The frequency of symptoms was proportional to the duration of dialysis: all 13 patients on dialysis for over 20 years were affected. Symptoms developed earlier in older patients

Tibiotalar fusion is considered to be the standard treatment for end-stage post-traumatic arthritis of the ankle. We report a retrospective, objective long-term study of the quality of life of 17 patients with 18 arthrodeses of the ankle, over a period of more than 20 years. We looked particularly for correlation between clinical and radiological signs of osteoarthritis in adjoining joints. At serial physical examinations, clinical grades were awarded according to the Olerud Molander Ankle (OMA) score. Any degree of degenerative change in the adjoining joints was recorded on standing radiographs. Patients filled out a SF-36 Health Survey form. Subjectively, 50% of patients were not handicapped in the performance of daily activities and 44% were in the same job as at the time of injury. At follow-up the mean OMA score was 59.4 points, the visual analogue scale was 1.99 and the radiological score was 2.7. The SF-36 for physical function, emotional disturbance and bodily pain revealed significant deficits. There was a significant correlation between the OMA and the radiological score (p = 0.05), and between the clinical and the SF-36 score (p = 0.01), but no significant correlation between the radiological score and the SF-36 score. Arthrodesis of the ankle leads to deficits in the functional outcome, to limitations in the activities of daily living and to radiological changes in the adjoining joints. The clinical outcome score correlates closely with the SF-36 score

Metal-on-metal (MOM) bearings for hip arthroplasty are increasing in popularity. Concern remains, however, regarding the potential toxicological effects of the metal ions which these bearings release. The serum levels of cobalt and chromium in 22 patients who had undergone MOM resurfacing arthroplasty were compared with a matched group of 22 patients who had undergone 28 mm MOM total hip arthroplasty (THA). At a median of 16 months (7 to 56) after resurfacing arthroplasty, we found the median serum levels of cobalt and chromium to be 38 nmol/l (14 to 44) and 53 nmol/l (23 to 165) respectively. These were significantly greater than the levels after 28 mm MOM THA which were 22 nmol/l (15 to 87, p = 0.021) and 19 nmol/l (2 to 58, p < 0.001) respectively. Since the upper limit for normal patients without implants is typically 5 nmol/l, both groups had significantly raised levels of metal ions. MOM bearings of large diameter, however, result in a greater systemic exposure of cobalt and chromium ions than bearings of small diameter. This may be of relevance for potential long-term side-effects. It is not known to what extent this difference is due to corrosion of the surfaces of the component or of the wear particles produced

Avascular necrosis is an iatrogenic complication of the treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip. In order to assess the incidence of this and other complications, we have reviewed a consecutive series of 211 children treated at some stage with the modified Denis Browne splint used in Adelaide. In 173 children treated with this splint alone for 238 subluxed or dislocated hips which were stable when reduced, six hips (2.5%) developed radiographic avascular necrosis, though there was progressive growth deformity in only one. There was a much higher incidence among cases treated for unstable reduction by tenotomy, plaster spica and then the splint, 20 of 33 hips (60.6%) showing radiographic signs, though only one led to progressive abnormality. Of seven patients treated by adductor tenotomy and the splint no case of avascular necrosis was encountered. In the whole series the incidence of significant long-term growth disturbance in children treated in this splint was 0.7%. The great majority of our cases of avascular necrosis were attributable to manipulation and plaster, not to the subsequent use of a splint

We review 210 Stanmore knee replacements in 163 patients to assess the survival of the prostheses and the long-term results. The annual rate of failure reached a maximum of 4.6% in the fourth year after operation; thereafter it declined to reach zero by the eighth year. Between two and eight years after operation, 66.3% of the surviving knees were completely free of pain and 30.2% had mild retropatellar pain. Fixed flexion deformities present before operation were completely corrected in 73% of the knees, and varus or valgus deformities were invariably corrected. Stability was always restored to unstable knees and 80.8% of knees flexed to 90 degrees or more after replacement. Aseptic loosening (8.1%), prosthetic infection (4.3%) and femoral fracture (2.9%) led to 8.5% of the prostheses being revised or removed over eight years. Modifications in prosthetic design and operative techniques have been introduced to minimise such complications in the future

We analysed the long-term results of arthrodesis of the shoulder after infection in 15 patients. At the time of operation, 14 cultures were positive for Staphylococcus aureus. The mean follow-up was 8.3 years (3 to 14) and 90% of the patients were satisfied with the outcome. There were complications in five patients (33%); in three there was nonunion with loosening of the implant. One patient had a sound bony union but with a persistent sinus six years after arthrodesis and another had a sinus which healed after the metal was removed. Four of these five patients (80%) were heavy smokers (> 20 cigarettes/day). Cancellous bone grafting did not affect the incidence of complications. The mean age of the patients with complications was 58.6 v 48.6 years for those without (p = 0.2808 ; not significant). Those with complications had had more previous operations (6.4 v 2.5, p < 0.05). Antibiotics, as determined by the bacteriological cultures, were administered for six weeks. The complication rate was higher in patients with active sepsis but the younger the patient and the fewer number of previous operations (< 50 years, < four previous operations), the better was the outcome. Considering the rate of complications, we recommend early surgery in these patients

This abridged account of a report to the British Medical Research Council describes a long-term investigation of 1,503 subcapital fractures of the femur, almost all of which were treated by reduction and internal fixation. With three exceptions, union occurred in all Garden Stage I and Stage II fractures and in 67% of Stage III and Stage IV fractures, of which only 14-5% were united at six months. In women, late segmental collapse was seen after union had occurred in 16% of Stage I and in 27-6% of Stage III and Stage IV fractures. Delay of up to one week before operation had no significant effect on the incidence of non-union or of late segmental collapse. The incidence of union followed by late segmental collapse was higher in women with normal bone density than in those with osteoporosis. Smith-Petersen nailing was found to be the least effective form of fixation in displaced fractures. The age and physical state of the patient, the accuracy of reduction, and the security of fixation had the greatest influence on union

Aims

The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative denosumab in achieving prospectively decided intention of therapy in operable giant cell tumour of bone (GCTB) patients, and to document local recurrence-free survival (LRFS).

We have followed for 13 years a consecutive series of 31 patients who had open repair of a torn meniscus. They were between 13 and 43 years of age at the time of operation and all had intact stabilising ligaments. Comparison was made with a matched group of normal subjects of similar age and level of activity. The total rate of failure after meniscal repair was 29%; three of the repaired menisci did not heal and six reruptured during the follow-up period. At follow-up 80% of the patients had normal knee function for daily activities. Radiological changes were found in seven. Two had reduction of the joint space (Ahlbäck grade 1), one with successful and one with failed repair. In the control group of uninjured subjects one knee showed Fairbank changes but none had changes according to Ahlbäck. The incidence of radiological changes did not differ between the group with meniscal repair and the control group but knee function was reduced after meniscal repair (p < 0.001). We conclude that the long-term results of meniscal repair in stable knees are good with nearly normal function and a low incidence of low-grade radiological changes

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of developmental spinal stenosis (DSS) on the risk of re-operation at an adjacent level.

Aims

Concurrent hip and spine pathologies can alter the biomechanics of spinopelvic mobility in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). This study examines how differences in pelvic orientation of patients with spine fusions can increase the risk of dislocation risk after THA.

Aims

In 2013, we introduced a specialized, centralized, and interdisciplinary team in our institution that applied a standardized diagnostic and treatment algorithm for the management of prosthetic joint infections (PJIs). The hypothesis for this study was that the outcome of treatment would be improved using this approach.

We describe 22 patients who presented between the ages of 4 and 14 years with gradual onset of malaise and pain at the sites of multiple bone lesions. The symptoms from the bone lesions were sometimes sequential in onset and often relapsing. The radiological findings were typical of osteomyelitis. Radioisotope bone scans identified some clinically silent lesions. Bone biopsies were performed in 20 patients and the changes of osteomyelitis were seen in 17; microbiological culture was positive in only one. Seven patients had polyarthritis, two had palmoplantar pustulosis and one had psoriasis. Some symptomatic relief was obtained with anti-inflammatory agents and, to a less extent, with antibiotics. No patient had primary immunodeficiency. The mean duration of symptoms from the bone lesions was two years (1 to 4). When arthritis was present the joint symptoms lasted considerably longer (mean 7 years; range 4 to 10). The long-term prognosis was generally good. There was no evidence of altered bone growth or abnormal joint development. One patient developed a progressive kyphosis requiring fusion, but no other surgical intervention was necessary

Comminuted and displaced fractures of the inferior pole of the patella are not easy to reduce and it is difficult to fix the fragments soundly enough to allow early movement of the knee. We have evaluated the clinical effectiveness of the separate vertical wiring technique in acute comminuted fractures of the inferior pole of the patella. A biomechanical study was also performed using ten pairs of embalmed cadaver knees. A four-part fracture was made on the inferior pole of the patella and fixed by two separate vertical wires on one side and two pull-out sutures after partial patellectomy on the other. The ultimate load to failure in the first group was significantly higher than in the second (250.1± 109.7 N v 69.7 ± 18.9 N, p< 0.002), as was the stiffness (279.9 ± 76.4 N/mm v 23.2 ± 11.4 N/mm, p< 0.001). The separate wire technique was used in 25 patients with comminuted fractures of the inferior pole of the patella who were followed up for a mean period of 22 months (10 to 50). All the fractures healed at a mean of seven weeks (6 to 10). No breakage of a wire or infection occurred. The mean grading at the final follow-up was 29.5 points (27 to 30) using the Böstman method. This technique preserved the length of the patella, fixed the comminuted fragments of the inferior pole and avoided long-term immobilisation of the knee