The aim of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of
intramedullary nail fixation and ‘locking’ plate fixation in the
treatment of extra-articular fractures of the distal tibia. An economic evaluation was conducted from the perspective of
the United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS) and personal social
services (PSS), based on evidence from the Fixation of Distal Tibia
Fractures (UK FixDT) multicentre parallel trial. Data from 321 patients
were available for analysis. Costs were collected prospectively
over the 12-month follow-up period using trial case report forms
and participant-completed questionnaires. Cost-effectiveness was
reported in terms of incremental cost per quality adjusted life
year (QALY) gained, and net monetary benefit. Sensitivity analyses
were conducted to test the robustness of cost-effectiveness estimates.Aim
Patients and Methods
Several studies have reported the safety and efficacy of subcapital
re-alignment for patients with slipped capital femoral epiphysis
(SCFE) using surgical dislocation of the hip and an extended retinacular
flap. Instability of the hip and dislocation as a consequence of
this surgery has only recently gained attention. We discuss this
problem with some illustrative cases. We explored the literature on the possible pathophysiological
causes and surgical steps associated with the risk of post-operative
instability and articular damage. In addition, we describe supplementary
steps that could be used to avoid these problems.Aims
Materials and Methods
Large bone defects remain a tremendous clinical challenge. There is growing evidence in support of treatment strategies that direct defect repair through an endochondral route, involving a cartilage intermediate. While culture-expanded stem/progenitor cells are being evaluated for this purpose, these cells would compete with endogenous repair cells for limited oxygen and nutrients within ischaemic defects. Alternatively, it may be possible to employ extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by culture-expanded cells for overcoming key bottlenecks to endochondral repair, such as defect vascularization, chondrogenesis, and osseous remodelling. While mesenchymal stromal/stem cells are a promising source of therapeutic EVs, other donor cells should also be considered. The efficacy of an EV-based therapeutic will likely depend on the design of companion scaffolds for controlled delivery to specific target cells. Ultimately, the knowledge gained from studies of EVs could one day inform the long-term development of synthetic, engineered nanovesicles. In the meantime, EVs harnessed from
Meniscal allograft transplantation is undertaken to improve pain
and function in patients with a symptomatic meniscal deficient knee
compartment. While case series have shown improvements in patient
reported outcome measures (PROMs), its efficacy has not been rigorously
evaluated. This study aimed to compare PROMs in patients having
meniscal transplantation with those having personalized physiotherapy
at 12 months. A single-centre assessor-blinded, comprehensive cohort study,
incorporating a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) was performed
on patients with a symptomatic compartment of the knee in which
a (sub)total meniscectomy had previously been performed. They were
randomized to be treated either with a meniscal allograft transplantation
or personalized physiotherapy, and stratified for malalignment of
the limb. They entered the preference groups if they were not willing
to be randomized. The Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS),
International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score and Lysholm
score and complications were collected at baseline and at four,
eight and 12 months following the interventions.Aims
Patients and Methods
Circulating exosomes represent novel biomarkers for multiple diseases. In this study, we investigated whether circulating exosome levels could be used as a diagnostic biomarker for steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). We assessed the serum exosome level of 85 patients with steroid-induced ONFH and 115 healthy donors by Nanosight detection. We then assessed the diagnostic accuracy of serum exosomes by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.Objectives
Methods
Posterior condylar offset (PCO) and posterior tibial slope (PTS) are critical factors in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A computational simulation was performed to evaluate the biomechanical effect of PCO and PTS on cruciate retaining TKA. We generated a subject-specific computational model followed by the development of ± 1 mm, ± 2 mm and ± 3 mm PCO models in the posterior direction, and -3°, 0°, 3° and 6° PTS models with each of the PCO models. Using a validated finite element (FE) model, we investigated the influence of the changes in PCO and PTS on the contact stress in the patellar button and the forces on the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), patellar tendon and quadriceps muscles under the deep knee-bend loading conditions.Objectives
Methods
Malalignment of the tibial component could influence the long-term survival of a total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The object of this study was to investigate the biomechanical effect of varus and valgus malalignment on the tibial component under stance-phase gait cycle loading conditions. Validated finite element models for varus and valgus malalignment by 3° and 5° were developed to evaluate the effect of malalignment on the tibial component in TKA. Maximum contact stress and contact area on a polyethylene insert, maximum contact stress on patellar button and the collateral ligament force were investigated.Objectives
Methods
While medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is indicated
for patients with full-thickness cartilage loss, it is occasionally
used to treat those with partial-thickness loss. The aim of this
study was to investigate the five-year outcomes in a consecutive
series of UKAs used in patients with partial thickness cartilage
loss in the medial compartment of the knee. Between 2002 and 2014, 94 consecutive UKAs were undertaken in
90 patients with partial thickness cartilage loss and followed up
independently for a mean of six years (1 to 13). These patients
had partial thickness cartilage loss either on both femur and tibia
(13 knees), or on either the femur or the tibia, with full thickness
loss on the other surface of the joint (18 and 63 knees respectively).
Using propensity score analysis, these patients were matched 1:2 based
on age, gender and pre-operative Oxford Knee Score (OKS) with knees
with full thickness loss on both the femur and tibia. The functional
outcomes, implant survival and incidence of re-operations were assessed
at one, two and five years post-operatively. A subgroup of 36 knees
in 36 patients with partial thickness cartilage loss, who had pre-operative
MRI scans, was assessed to identify whether there were any factors
identified on MRI that predicted the outcome.Aims
Patients and Methods
Due to the complex anatomy of the pelvis, limb-sparing resections
of pelvic tumours achieving adequate surgical margins, can often
be difficult. The advent of computer navigation has improved the
precision of resection of these lesions, though there is little
evidence comparing resection with or without the assistance of navigation. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of navigation-assisted surgery
for the resection of pelvic bone tumours involving the posterior
ilium and sacrum. Using our prospectively updated institutional database, we conducted
a retrospective case control study of 21 patients who underwent
resection of the posterior ilium and sacrum, for the treatment of
a primary sarcoma of bone, between 1987 and 2015. The resection
was performed with the assistance of navigation in nine patients
and without navigation in 12. We assessed the accuracy of navigation-assisted
surgery, as defined by the surgical margin and how this affects
the rate of local recurrence, the disease-free survival and the
effects on peri-and post-operative morbidity. Aims
Patients and Methods
We wished to compare the clinical outcome, as assessed by questionnaires
and the rate of complications, in total knee arthroplasty (TKA)
undertaken with patient-matched positioning guides (PMPGs) or conventional
instruments. A total of 180 patients (74 men, 106 women; mean age 67 years)
were included in a multicentre, adequately powered, double-blind,
randomised controlled trial. The mean follow-up was 44 months (24
to 57).Aims
Patients and Methods
