Aims

The aim of this study was to determine the current incidence and epidemiology of humeral diaphyseal fractures. The secondary aim was to explore variation in patient and injury characteristics by fracture location within the humeral diaphysis.

Aims. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential for achieving local and systemic control after local recurrence of a chondrosarcoma of bone. Patients and Methods. A total of 126 patients with local recurrence (LR) of chondrosarcoma (CS) of the pelvis or a limb bone were identified from a prospectively maintained database, between 1990 and 2015 at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom. There were 44 female patients (35%) and 82 male patients (65%) with a mean age at the time of LR of 56 years (13 to 96). The 126 patients represented 24.3% of the total number of patients with a primary CS (519) who had been treated during this period. Clinical data collected at the time of primary tumour and LR included the site (appendicular, extremity, or pelvis); primary and LR tumour size (in centimetres); type of operation at the time of primary or LR (limb-salvage or amputation); surgical margin achieved at resection of the primary tumour and the LR; grade of the primary tumour and the LR; gender; age; and oncological outcomes, including local recurrence-free survival and disease-specific survival. A minimum two years’ follow-up and complete histopathology records were available for all patients included in the study. Results. For patients without metastases prior to or at the time of local recurrence, the disease-specific survival after local recurrence was 62.5% and 45.5% at one and five years, respectively. After univariable analysis, significant factors predicting disease-specific survival were grade (p < 0.001) and surgical margin (p = 0.044). After multivariable analysis, grade, increasing age at the time of diagnosis of local recurrence, and a greater time interval from primary surgery to local recurrence were significant factors for disease-specific survival. A secondary local recurrence was seen in 26% of patients. Wide margins were a good predictor of local recurrence-free survival for subsequent recurrences after univariable analysis when compared with intralesional margins (p = 0.002) but marginal margins did not reach statistical significance when compared with intralesional margins (p = 0.084). Conclusion. In cases of local recurrence of a chondrosarcoma of bone, we have shown that if the tumour is non-metastatic at re-staging, an increase in disease-specific survival and in local recurrence-free survival is achievable, but only by resection of the local recurrence with a wide margin. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:266–271

Aims

We aim to objectively assess the impact of COVID-19 on mean total operative cases for all indicative procedures (as outlined by the Joint Committee on Surgical Training (JCST)) experienced by orthopaedic trainees in the deanery of the Republic of Ireland. Subjective experiences were reported for each trainee using questionnaires.

Aims

The aims of this study were to investigate the mortality following a proximal humeral fracture. Data from a large population-based fracture register were used to quantify 30-day, 90-day, and one-year mortality rates after a proximal humeral fracture. Associations between the risk of mortality and the type of fracture and its treatment were assessed, and mortality rates were compared between patients who sustained a fracture and the general population.

Aims. The aims of this study were to compare the use of resources, costs, and quality of life outcomes associated with subacromial decompression, arthroscopy only (placebo surgery), and no treatment for subacromial pain in the United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS), and to estimate their cost-effectiveness. Patients and Methods. The use of resources, costs, and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were assessed in the trial at six months and one year. Results were extrapolated to two years after randomization. Differences between treatment arms, based on the intention-to-treat principle, were adjusted for covariates and missing data were handled using multiple imputation. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated, with uncertainty around the values estimated using bootstrapping. Results. Cumulative mean QALYs/mean costs of health care service use and surgery per patient from baseline to 12 months were estimated as 0.640 (standard error (. se. ) 0.024)/£3147 (. se. 166) in the decompression arm, 0.656 (. se. 0.020)/£2830 (. se. 183) in the arthroscopy only arm and 0.522 (. se. 0.029)/£1451 (. se. 151) in the no treatment arm. Statistically significant differences in cumulative QALYs and costs were found at six and 12 months for the decompression versus no treatment comparison only. The probabilities of decompression being cost-effective compared with no treatment at a willingness-to-pay threshold of £20 000 per QALY were close to 0% at six months and approximately 50% at one year, with this probability potentially increasing for the extrapolation to two years. Discussion. The evidence for cost-effectiveness at 12 months was inconclusive. Decompression could be cost-effective in the longer-term, but results of this analysis are sensitive to the assumptions made about how costs and QALYs are extrapolated beyond the follow-up of the trial

Aims. The objectives of this study were to compare postoperative pain, analgesia requirements, inpatient functional rehabilitation, time to hospital discharge, and complications in patients undergoing conventional jig-based unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) versus robotic-arm assisted UKA. Patients and Methods. This prospective cohort study included 146 patients with symptomatic medial compartment knee osteoarthritis undergoing primary UKA performed by a single surgeon. This included 73 consecutive patients undergoing conventional jig-based mobile bearing UKA, followed by 73 consecutive patients receiving robotic-arm assisted fixed bearing UKA. All surgical procedures were performed using the standard medial parapatellar approach for UKA, and all patients underwent the same postoperative rehabilitation programme. Postoperative pain scores on the numerical rating scale and opiate analgesia consumption were recorded until discharge. Time to attainment of predefined functional rehabilitation outcomes, hospital discharge, and postoperative complications were recorded by independent observers. Results. Robotic-arm assisted UKA was associated with reduced postoperative pain (p < 0.001), decreased opiate analgesia requirements (p < 0.001), shorter time to straight leg raise (p < 0.001), decreased number of physiotherapy sessions (p < 0.001), and increased maximum knee flexion at discharge (p < 0.001) compared with conventional jig-based UKA. Mean time to hospital discharge was reduced in robotic UKA compared with conventional UKA (42.5 hours (. sd 5.9). vs 71.1 hours (. sd. 14.6), respectively; p < 0.001). There was no difference in postoperative complications between the two groups within 90 days’ follow-up. Conclusion. Robotic-arm assisted UKA was associated with decreased postoperative pain, reduced opiate analgesia requirements, improved early functional rehabilitation, and shorter time to hospital discharge compared with conventional jig-based UKA

Aims

This study aims to investigate the effects of posterior tibial slope (PTS) on knee kinematics involved in the post-cam mechanism in bi-cruciate stabilized (BCS) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using computer simulation.

Aims. Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) has become the most reliable surgical solution for patients with end-stage arthritis of the ankle. Aseptic loosening of the talar component is the most common complication. A custom-made artificial talus can be used as the talar component in a combined TAA for patients with poor bone stock of the talus. The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional and clinical outcomes of combined TAA. Patients and Methods. Ten patients (two men, eight women; ten ankles) treated using a combined TAA between 2009 and 2013 were matched for age, gender, and length of follow-up with 12 patients (one man, 11 women; 12 ankles) who underwent a standard TAA. All had end-stage arthritis of the ankle. The combined TAA features a tibial component of the TNK ankle (Kyocera, Kyoto, Japan) and an alumina ceramic artificial talus (Kyocera), designed using individualized CT data. The mean age at the time of surgery in the combined TAA and standard TAA groups was 71 years (. 61. to 82) and 75 years (62 to 82), respectively. The mean follow-up was 58 months (43 to 81) and 64 months (48 to 88), respectively. The outcome was assessed using the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot (JSSF) ankle-hindfoot scale, the Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale (AOS), and the Self-Administered Foot Evaluation Questionnaire (SAFE-Q). Results. The mean preoperative JSSF score of the combined TAA and standard TAA groups was 44 (. sd. 11) and 49 (. sd. 10), respectively. The mean postoperative JSSF scores were 89 (. sd. 6.1) and 72 (. sd. 15), respectively. The mean postoperative JSSF score of the combined TAA group was significantly higher (p = 0.0034). The mean preoperative AOS scores for pain and function in the combined TAA and standard TAA groups were 5.8 (. sd. 3.3) and 5.5 (. sd. 3.1), and 8.6 (. sd. 1.3), and 7.1 (. sd. 2.9), respectively. The mean postoperative AOS scores of pain and function were 2.5 (. sd. 2.5) and 2.2 (. sd. 1.9), and 2.5 (. sd. 3.3) and 3.4 (. sd. 2.9), respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of postoperative AOS scores. The mean postoperative SAFE-Q scores were: for pain, 76 (. sd. 23) and 70 (. sd. 23); for physical function, 66 (. sd. 25) and 55 (. sd. 27); for social function, 73 (. sd. 35) and 62 (. sd. 34); for shoe-related, 73 (. sd. 19) and 65 (. sd. 26); and for general health, 78 (. sd. 28) and 67 (. sd. 29), respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of postoperative SAFE-Q scores. Conclusion. Combined TAA resulted in better clinical results than standard TAA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:443–446

Aims. The aim of this study was to report the outcome of femoral condylar fresh osteochondral allografts (FOCA) with concomitant realignment osteotomy with a focus on graft survivorship, complications, reoperation, and function. Patients and Methods. We identified 60 patients (16 women, 44 men) who underwent unipolar femoral condylar FOCA with concomitant realignment between 1972 and 2012. The mean age of the patients was 28.9 years (10 to 62) and the mean follow-up was 11.4 years (2 to 35). Failure was defined as conversion to total knee arthroplasty, revision allograft, or graft removal. Clinical outcome was evaluated using the modified Hospital for Special Surgery (mHSS) score. Results. A total of 14 grafts (23.3%) failed at a mean of 8.6 years (1.4 to 20.1). Graft survivorship was 87.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) 79.0 to 96.6), 85.0% (95% CI 75.8 to 95.3), 74.8% (95% CI 62.2 to 90.0), 65.2% (95% CI 49.9 to 85.2), and 59.8% (95% CI 43.5 to 82.1) at five, ten, 15, 20, and 25 years, respectively. A total of 23 patients (38.3%) developed complications, and 26 (43.3%) had a further operation. Persistent postoperative malalignment occurred more frequently in failed grafts (28.6% vs 4.3%; p = 0.023), and was a risk factor for graft failure (hazard ratio 6.55; 95% CI 1.61 27.71; p = 0.009). The mean mHSS score improved from 74.1 (40 to 91) preoperatively to 89.0 (66 to 100) at final follow-up (p < 0.001). Conclusion. Femoral condylar FOCA with concomitant realignment osteotomy provides excellent long-term graft survival and reliable functional improvement. Persistent malalignment may increase the risk for graft failure

Aims. The aims of this study were to review the surgical technique for a combined femoral head reduction osteotomy (FHRO) and periacetabular osteotomy (PAO), and to report the short-term clinical and radiological results of a combined FHRO/PAO for the treatment of selected severe femoral head deformities. Patients and Methods. Between 2011 and 2016, six female patients were treated with a combined FHRO and PAO. The mean patient age was 13.6 years (12.6 to 15.7). Clinical data, including patient demographics and patient-reported outcome scores, were collected prospectively. Radiologicalally, hip morphology was assessed evaluating the Tönnis angle, the lateral centre to edge angle, the medial offset distance, the extrusion index, and the alpha angle. Results. The mean follow-up was 3.3 years (2 to 4.6). The modified Harris Hip Score improved by 33.0 points from 53.5 preoperatively to 83.4 postoperatively (p = 0.03). The Western Ontario McMasters University Osteoarthritic Index score improved by 30 points from 62 preoperatively to 90 postoperatively (p = 0.029). All radiological parameters showed significant improvement. There were no long-term disabilities and none of the hips required early conversion to total hip arthroplasty. Conclusion. FHRO combined with a PAO resulted in clinical and radiological improvement at short-term follow-up, suggesting it may serve as an appropriate salvage treatment option for selected young patients with severe symptomatic hip deformities

Aims

The use of biologics in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries in Olympic and professional athletes appears to be increasing. There are no studies which currently map the extent, range, and nature of existing literature concerning the use and efficacy of such therapies in this arena. The objective of this scoping review is to map the available evidence regarding the use of biologics in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries in Olympic and professional sport.

Aims

To analyze the potential role of synovial fluid peptidase activity as a measure of disease burden and predictive biomarker of progression in knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Aims. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of obesity on the clinical outcomes and survivorship ten years postoperatively in patients who underwent a fixed-bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Patients and Methods. We prospectively followed 184 patients who underwent UKA between 2003 and 2007 for a minimum of ten years. A total of 142 patients with preoperative body mass index (BMI) of < 30 kg/m. 2. were in the control group (32 male, 110 female) and 42 patients with BMI of ≥ 30 kg/m. 2. were in the obese group (five male, 37 female). Pre- and postoperative range of movement (ROM), Knee Society Score (KSS), Oxford Knee Score (OKS), 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and survivorship were analyzed. Results. Patients in the obese group underwent UKA at a significantly younger mean age (56.5 years (. sd. 6.4)) than those in the control group (62.4 years (. sd. 7.8); p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in preoperative functional scores. However, those in the obese group had a significantly lower ROM (116° (. sd. 15°) vs 123° (. sd. 17°); p = 0.003). Both groups achieved significant improvement in outcome scores regardless of BMI, ten years postoperatively. All patients achieved the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for OKS and KSS. Both groups also had high rates of satisfaction (96.3% in the control group and 97.5% in the obese group) and the fulfilment of expectations (94.9% in the control group and 95.0% in the obese group). Multiple linear regression showed a clear association between obesity and a lower OKS two years postoperatively and Knee Society Function Score (KSFS) ten years postoperatively. After applying propensity matching, obese patients had a significantly lower KSFS, OKS, and physical component score (PCS) ten years postoperatively. Seven patients underwent revision to total knee arthroplasty (TKA), two in the control group and five in the obese group, resulting in a mean rate of survival at ten years of 98.6% and 88.1%, respectively (p = 0.012). Conclusion. Both groups had significant improvements in functional and quality-of-life scores postoperatively. However, obesity was a significant predictor of poorer improvement in clinical outcome and an increased rate of revision ten years postoperatively

Objectives. Long bone defects often require surgical intervention for functional restoration. The ‘gold standard’ treatment is autologous bone graft (ABG), usually from the patient’s iliac crest. However, autograft is plagued by complications including limited supply, donor site morbidity, and the need for an additional surgery. Thus, alternative therapies are being actively investigated. Autologous bone marrow (BM) is considered as a candidate due to the presence of both endogenous reparative cells and growth factors. We aimed to compare the therapeutic potentials of autologous bone marrow aspirate (BMA) and ABG, which has not previously been done. Methods. We compared the efficacy of coagulated autologous BMA and ABG for the repair of ulnar defects in New Zealand White rabbits. Segmental defects (14 mm) were filled with autologous clotted BM or morcellized autograft, and healing was assessed four and 12 weeks postoperatively. Harvested ulnas were subjected to radiological, micro-CT, histological, and mechanical analyses. Results. Comparable results were obtained with autologous BMA clot and ABG, except for the quantification of new bone by micro-CT. Significantly more bone was found in the ABG-treated ulnar defects than in those treated with autologous BMA clot. This is possibly due to the remnants of necrotic autograft fragments that persisted within the healing defects at week 12 post-surgery. Conclusion. As similar treatment outcomes were achieved by the two strategies, the preferred treatment would be one that is associated with a lower risk of complications. Hence, these results demonstrate that coagulated BMA can be considered as an alternative autogenous therapy for long bone healing. Cite this article: Z. X. H. Lim, B. Rai, T. C. Tan, A. K. Ramruttun, J. H. Hui, V. Nurcombe, S. H. Teoh, S. M. Cool. Autologous bone marrow clot as an alternative to autograft for bone defect healing. Bone Joint Res 2019;8:107–117. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.83.BJR-2018-0096.R1