Aims

Though the pathogenesis of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD) is unknown, repetitive microtrauma resulting in deformity has been postulated. The purpose of this study is to trial a novel upright MRI scanner, to determine whether any deformation occurs in femoral heads affected by LCPD with weightbearing.

Ultrasound scans were made of the hips of 209 neonates born consecutively over a two-week period. Of the 418 scans, 62 images were selected at random and 25 of these were duplicated to give a total of 87 scans. These static images were then presented to five experienced observers who each made nine different assessments and measurements. Interobserver and intraboserver agreement was calculated and expressed as kappa values. Our results showed poor reliability on both counts

1. The findings in this series of fractures of the shaft of the femur treated by intramedullary nailing confirm the observation of Smith (1959) that the incidence of non-union is significantly diminished when operative intervention is postponed more than one week from the time of the injury. 2. The series is too small to afford conclusive proof, and it offers no explanation of the opposite findings of Smith and Sage (1957), but it indicates that this very important aspect of the operative treatment of fractures ought to be submitted to thorough investigation by many more observers

We reviewed two comparable groups of patients who had been treated for lumbar disc herniation by chymopapain chemonucleolysis (145) or conventional surgical discectomy (91). They were reviewed 10 years after treatment by questionnaire, followed by a personal interview by an independent observer. The results of the surgically treated groups were slightly better than those treated with chymopapain. In particular, there was significantly better early relief of leg and low back pain, and fewer patients needed a second procedure. Complications were few in both groups

Aims

Appropriate acetabular component placement has been proposed for prevention of postoperative dislocation in total hip arthroplasty (THA). Manual placements often cause outliers in spite of attempts to insert the component within the intended safe zone; therefore, some surgeons routinely evaluate intraoperative pelvic radiographs to exclude excessive acetabular component malposition. However, their evaluation is often ambiguous in case of the tilted or rotated pelvic position. The purpose of this study was to develop the computational analysis to digitalize the acetabular component orientation regardless of the pelvic tilt or rotation.

Aims

Conservative treatment of moderately displaced proximal humeral head fractures yields good clinical results, but secondary fragment displacement may occur. Identification of those fractures at risk of displacement may influence initial decision-making.

Aims

To determine the effectiveness of prone traction radiographs in predicting postoperative slip distance, slip angle, changes in disc height, and lordosis after surgery for degenerative spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine.

We carried out a retrospective review of 155 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis who had been treated surgically and followed up regularly: 77 were evaluated at a mean of 6.5 years (5 to 8) after surgery by two independent observers. The outcome was assessed using the scoring system of Roland and Morris, and the rating system of Prolo, Oklund and Butcher. Instability was determined according to the criteria described by White and Panjabi. A significant decrease in low back pain and disability was seen. An excellent or good outcome was noted in 79% of patients; 9% showed secondary radiological instability. Surgical decompression is a safe and efficient procedure. In the absence of preoperative radiological evidence of instability, fusion is not required

We made a study of 49 total hip arthroplasties at five years, comparing the Charnley hip score, the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) score and the appearance on serial radiographs. Each of the three investigations was performed by an independent observer with no knowledge of the results of the other two studies. The eight patients with radiographic signs of prosthetic loosening had significant reductions in function and quality of life as measured by the NHP questionnaire, but no differences in the mean Charnley hip scores. None of the eight patients had clinical signs of prosthetic loosening sufficient to recommend revision of their THR. The NHP is a relatively low-cost method of providing long-term follow-up of THR

Aims

Limb salvage in bone tumour patients replaces the bone with massive segmental prostheses where achieving bone integration at the shoulder of the implant through extracortical bone growth has been shown to prevent loosening. This study investigates the effect of multidrug chemotherapy on extracortical bone growth and early radiological signs of aseptic loosening in patients with massive distal femoral prostheses.

We report a prospective, randomised, controlled trial of 50 severely displaced comminuted Colles' fractures treated by either external fixation or manipulation and plaster. Each patient was assessed radiographically throughout treatment, and functionally by an independent observer at three and six months. The functional result correlated with the anatomical result, which was significantly better in patients treated by external fixation. This resulted in significantly improved function especially in young patients, and also a lower complication rate. We recommend the use of external fixation for young patients with comminuted displaced Colles' fractures unless manipulation and plaster show excellent reduction

Inter-observer agreement and reproducibility of opinion were assessed for the radiographic diagnosis of union of scaphoid fractures on films taken 12 weeks after injury. Weighted kappa statistics were used to compare the opinions of eight senior observers reviewing 20 sets of good quality radiographs on two occasions separated by two months. There was poor agreement on whether trabeculae crossed the fracture line, whether there was sclerosis at or near the fracture and on whether the proximal part of the scaphoid was avascular. As a consequence, agreement on union also was poor; it appears that radiographs taken 12 weeks after a scaphoid fracture do not provide reliable and reproducible evidence of healing

The lumbar spines of 22 patients were examined for disc degeneration by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and by discography. The results from 50 intervertebral discs visualised by both techniques were independently assessed and graded on a five-point scale from normality to gross degeneration and then compared. In 44 discs the results agreed. Of the six discs which gave differing results, four discrepancies were due to observer error and two to incorrect placement of the discographic needle. MRI was shown to be more accurate than discography in the diagnosis of disc degeneration. It has several major advantages, which should make it the investigation of choice

In a prospective, randomised, multicentre study, 112 patients (99 men and 13 women, aged between 21 and 63 years) with acute, complete rupture of tendo Achillis were allocated either to surgical treatment followed by early functional rehabilitation, using a brace, or to non-surgical treatment, with plaster splintage for eight weeks. The period of follow-up was for two years. Evaluation was undertaken by independent observers and comprised interviews, clinical measurements, isokinetic muscle performance tests, heel-raise tests and an overall outcome score. The rate of rerupture was 20.8% after non-surgical and 1.7% after surgical treatment (p < 0.001). Surgical and non-surgical treatment produced equally good functional results if complications were avoided. However, the rate of rerupture after non-surgical treatment was unacceptably high

Our aim was to determine whether tantalum markers improved the accuracy and/or precision of methods for the measurement of migration in total hip replacement based on conventional measurements without mathematical correction of the data, and with Ein Bild Roentgen Analyse – Femoral Component Analysis (EBRA-FCA) which allows a computerised correction. Three observers independently analysed 13 series of roentgen-stereophotogrammetric-analysis (RSA)-compatible radiographs (88). Data were obtained from conventional measurements, EBRA-FCA and the RSA method and all the results were compared with the RSA data. Radiological evaluation was also used to quantify in how many radiographs the intraosseous position of the bone markers had been simulated. The results showed that tantalum markers improve reliability whereas they do not affect accuracy for conventional measurements and for EBRA-FCA. Because of the danger of third-body wear their implantation should be avoided unless they are an integral part of the method

Aims

The aim of this study was to compare the ability of tantalum, 3D porous titanium, antibiotic-loaded bone cement, and smooth titanium alloy to inhibit staphylococci in an in vitro environment, based on the evaluation of the zone of inhibition (ZOI). The hypothesis was that there would be no significant difference in the inhibition of methicillin-sensitive or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA/MRSA) between the two groups.

Aims

The extensive variation in axial rotation of tibial components can lead to coronal plane malalignment. We analyzed the change in coronal alignment induced by tray malrotation.

Objectives

Different criteria for assessing the reduction quality of trochanteric fractures have been reported. The Baumgaertner reduction quality criteria (BRQC) are relatively common and the Chang reduction quality criteria (CRQC) are relatively new. The objectives of the current study were to compare the reliability of the BRQC and CRQC in predicting mechanical complications and to investigate the clinical implications of the CRQC.