Diaphyseal fractures of the tibia in 80 patients were treated by external skeletal fixation using a unilateral frame, either in a fixed mode or in a mode which allowed the application of a small amount of predominantly axial micromovement. Patients were allocated to each regime by random selection. Fracture healing was assessed clinically, radiologically and by measurement of the mechanical stiffness of the fracture. Both clinical and mechanical healing were enhanced in the group subjected to micromovement, compared to those treated with frames in a fixed mode possessing an overall stiffness similar to that of others in common clinical use. The differences in healing time were statistically significant and independently related to the treatment method. There was no difference in complication rates between treatment groups

1. Anterior synovectomy was undertaken in sixteen knees of fourteen patients with rheumatoid arthritis associated with popliteal or calf cysts. Subsequent changes in the knees and cysts were observed clinically and by arthrography. 2. In all instances there was alleviation of symptoms and in fourteen cases the cysts disappeared. 3. It is suggested that anterior synovectomy is the logical treatment of a posterior cyst associated with rheumatoid arthritis of the knee

We reviewed, retrospectively, 65 patients who had undergone arthroscopic treatment for osteochondral lesions of the talus. The 46 men and 19 women with a mean age at operation of 34.25 years, were followed up for a mean of 3.5 years. The medial aspect was affected in 45 patients and the lateral aspect in 20. All the lateral lesions and 35 (75%) of the medial lesions were traumatic in origin. Medial lesions presented later than lateral lesions (3 v 1.5 years) and had a much greater incidence of cystic change (46% v 8%). At follow-up, 34 patients had achieved a good result, and 17 and 14 fair and poor results, respectively. Of the 14 poor results, 13 involved medial lesions. Cystic lesions had a poor outcome in 53% of patients. Excision and curettage led to better results than excision and drilling of the base. Further arthroscopic surgery for patients with a poor result was disappointing. There was no association between outcome and the patient’s age

Aims

A single-centre prospective randomized trial was conducted to investigate whether a less intensive follow-up protocol would not be inferior to a conventional follow-up protocol, in terms of overall survival, in patients who have undergone surgery for sarcoma of the limb. Initial short-term results were published in 2014.

Macrodactyly of the foot is a rare but disabling condition. We present the results of surgery on 18 feet of 16 patients, who underwent ray amputation and were followed-up for more than two years at a mean of 80 months (25 to 198).

We radiologically measured the intermetatarsal width and forefoot area pre-operatively and at six weeks and two years after surgery. We also evaluated the clinical results using the Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire for children (OxAFQ-C) and the Questionnaire for Foot Macrodactyly.

The intermetatarsal width and forefoot area ratios were significantly decreased after surgery. The mean OxAFQ-C score was 42 (16 to 57) pre-operatively, improving to 47 (5 to 60) at two years post-operatively (p = 0.021). The mean questionnaire for Foot Macrodactyly score two years after surgery was 8 (6 to 10).

Ray amputation gave a measurable reduction in foot size with excellent functional results. For patients with metatarsal involvement, a motionless toe, or involvement of multiple digits, ray amputation is a clinically effective option which is acceptable to patients.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1364–9.

All elderly patients with extracapsular hip fractures seen in hospitals in Newcastle upon Tyne over a 12-month period were studied and followed up for six months. At one of the hospitals, patients were randomised to treatment by AO dynamic hip-screw or by traction. Complications specific to the two treatments were low, and general complications, six-month mortality and prevalence of pain, leg swelling and unhealed sores, showed no difference between the two modes of treatment. Operative treatment gave better anatomical results and a shorter hospital stay, but significantly more of the patients treated by traction showed loss of independence six months after injury

We describe the results of conservative treatment for complete midsubstance tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in 18 skeletally immature patients, followed for a minimum of 36 months. Six patients had an ACL reconstruction during the follow-up period and were assessed immediately before their operation. The average time from initial injury to evaluation was 51 months. All patients had symptoms when reviewed. The modified Lysholm knee score showed one excellent result, one good, eight fair, and eight poor with a mean score of 64.3. Only one patient had returned to her preinjury level of athletics. Secondary meniscal tears were confirmed in six patients, and three more had the clinical signs of a tear at follow-up. Radiological evidence of degenerative changes was found in 11 of the 18 patients. We conclude that the results of non-operative treatment for ACL injuries in this age group are poor and not acceptable

We have developed a new drug-delivery system using reconstituted bone xenograft to treat chronic osteomyelitis. This material, which has the capabilities of osteoinduction and osteoconduction, was supplemented with up to 2000 times the minimum inhibitory concentration of gentamicin against Staphylococcus aureus to prepare a gentamicin-reconstituted bone xenograft-composite (G-RBX-C). In a rabbit model, we evaluated the release of gentamicin from this composite in vivo, its capability for induction of ectopic bone and the repair of segmental defects of the radius. There was a high level of concentration of antibiotics, which was sustained for at least ten days. In the study of induction of ectopic bone, there was abundant woven bone in the G-RBX-C group two weeks after operation. At 16 weeks after implantation of G-RBX-C the radial defects had been repaired, with the formation of lamellar bone and recanalisation of the marrow cavity. Our findings suggest that G-RBX-C may be useful in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis

Sixty-seven patients with sternomastoid tumours have been treated by stretching and manipulation of the neck and the results evaluated after an average follow-up of six and a half years. Stretching was found to be useful in early management, although initial facial asymmetry and limitation of neck rotation of over 30 degrees usually precluded a good prognosis. The results were also unsatisfactory if, during the first six months of treatment, improvement was slow; in such cases facial asymmetry and head-tilting frequently persisted

We evaluated the efficacy of anterior fusion alone compared with combined anterior and posterior fusion for the treatment of degenerative cervical kyphosis. Anterior fusion alone was undertaken in 15 patients (group A) and combined anterior and posterior fusion was carried out in a further 15 (group B). The degree and maintenance of the angle of correction, the incidence of graft subsidence, degeneration at adjacent levels and the rate of fusion were assessed radiologically and clinically and the rate of complications recorded. The mean angle of correction in group B was significantly higher than in group A (p = 0.0009). The mean visual analogue scale and the neck disability index in group B was better than in group A (p = 0.043, 0.0006). The mean operation time and the blood loss in B were greater than in group A (p < 0.0001, 0.037). Pseudarthrosis, subsidence of the cage, and problems related to the hardware were more prevalent in group A than in group B (p = 0.034, 0.025, 0.013). Although the combined procedure resulted in a longer operating time and greater blood loss than with anterior fusion alone, our results suggest that for the treatment of degenerative cervical kyphosis the combined approach leads to better maintenance of sagittal alignment, a higher rate of fusion, a lower incidence of complications and a better clinical outcome

We assessed the long-term outcome of open debridement for the treatment of anterior impingement of the ankle in 27 patients. By using preoperative radiographs to group patients according to both the McDermott and the van Dijk scoring system, we assessed the accuracy of these classifications in predicting outcome. The Ogilvie-Harris scoring system, a visual analogue scale of patient satisfaction, the time to return to full activities, and the ability to return to sports determined the clinical outcome. Follow-up radiographs were used to assess the recurrence of osteophytes. We also assessed the incidence of talar osteochondral lesions at surgery. At a mean follow-up of 7.3 years, 23 of 25 patients (92%) without joint-space narrowing had a good or excellent result. Improvement in the Ogilvie-Harris score was seen in all patients. In athletes, 19 of 24 (79%) were able to return to sports at the same level. Two patients with preoperative joint-space narrowing had a poor result. Osteophytes usually recurred and most patients did not feel that the range of dorsiflexion returned to normal, but symptomatic relief allowed most to return to high-level sport. Our results for non-arthritic joints suggest that this is a safe and successful procedure

Severe kypho-scoliosis, lateral curvature and lordo-scoliosis are ultimately caused by disturbance of vertebral growth. The results of treatment by destroying the growth potential opposite the area of growth inhibition have been encouraging. When the operation has been adequate further deterioration has been prevented; in younger children there has been improvement with further growth. It is important that the growth arrest should be at the right site and that it should be sufficiently extensive. Accurate pre-operative diagnosis of the type and extent of the curve is important

One hundred and twenty-nine unselected club feet were classified at birth into three grades of severity; 123 were followed up. The results of primary treatment were analysed and it is shown that the bad feet did worst. Serial splinting in plasters achieved lasting correction in nine in ten mild club feet, in half of the moderately deformed, but in only one in ten of the severely affected. Surgical correction succeeded in two out of three of the resistant feet, but had to be repeated in the others

Thirty-three consecutive patients with complete ruptures of the calcaneal tendon were treated by external fixation. The patients were assessed both objectively and subjectively, and the results classified as excellent, good, fair and poor. In 30 patients the result was excellent or good. There were no infections or re-ruptures. Two patients with fair results had sural nerve injury. The only patient with a poor result had Sudeck's atrophy. It is felt that this operation satisfies the need for a new technique which is simple and combines the advantages of both surgical and non-surgical treatment without their major complications

1. The results of treatment of fractures of the shaft of the femur in fifty patients aged sixty-five years and over seen over a twelve-year period are presented. 2. Half of the patients were treated by internal fixation and half by conservative methods. The mortality in the former group was three times that of the latter. 3. The length of hospital stay was only slightiy less after internal fixation because many patients in both groups had to remain in hospital because of social problems. 4. The indications for internal fixation of fractures of the shaft of the femur in elderly patients are discussed

1. The success of any method of treating the injured hand is to be measured by the use that is made of the remnant. 2. Careful, prompt surgical treatment of the wound will usually allow prompt healing. 3. Skin-grafts, internal fixation of fractures and the eking out and rearrangement of tissues that have escaped injury have an important place in primary treatment. 4. Many hands so treated are ready for use after one operation and within a few weeks of being injured. 5. Reconstruction in several stages should not be carried out unless it offers a reasonable prospect of improvement that will be useful to the particular patient

We treated 22 patients with type-two odontoid fractures in halothoracic vests for six to eight weeks followed by a Philadelphia collar for four weeks. Eighteen patients were reviewed by questionnaire and radiography at a mean of 40 months after injury. We assessed union, fracture position, the degree of permanent pain and stiffness, satisfaction with the treatment and the outcome. The overall union rate was 82%. Posterior malunion with residual posterior displacement or angulation was associated with a higher incidence of persisting pain. The position at union did not correlate with the residual cervical stiffness. Fractures failed to unite in four patients (18%) none of whom had late neurological sequelae, although they had more late pain. There were associations between the development of nonunion and an extension-type injury, age over 65 years and delay in diagnosis

The late results of early treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip in the von Rosen splint have been recorded in a follow-up study of 111 children with an average age of ten years (range eight to sixteen). The clinical diagnosis had been made within two days of birth and in most cases confirmed by radiological examination. Splintage was in all cases begun within the first few days and maintained for an average period of ten weeks. Two cases of failure of the initial treatment were encountered but had good final results. The follow-up study included a radiological examination in which were recorded the general configuration of the joint, the CE-angle described by Wiberg, the presence or absence of an os acetabuli and the roundness of the femoral head. The findings were compared with those in a control group of 222 normal children. All the treated hips developed normally except for a single case of minor dysplasia and a single case of slight enlargement of the femoral head and neck following appearances suggestive of avascular necrosis at the age of two years

The internal pressure of simple bone cysts was found to be slightly higher than the normal pressure of the bone marrow in the contralateral limb. The pressure within the cyst was measured during drilling with a Kirschner wire; it gradually decreased as the number of drill-holes increased. The PO2 of the cyst fluid was markedly lower than that of either venous or arterial blood measured synchronously. It is suggested that venous obstruction in the bone is the likely cause of these cysts. Seven patients with simple bone cysts were treated by the multiple drill-hole method, and the clinical outcome was excellent. Multiple drilling may prove to be the treatment of choice for simple bone cysts in the younger patient, as it presents fewer hazards than other procedures

1. Ten children with scoliosis and cerebral palsy of various types have been reviewed. All underwent operation for correction and stabilisation of the spinal curve, and spinal fusion. 2. Three of the ten patients required supplemental surgery in the form of regrafting, with or without reinsertion of Harrington rods. All have shown considerable correction of the curve, and in all cases the fusion appears to be consolidated. Operation has given these children stable spines which are compensated. Their ability to sit, and in some cases to stand, has improved. 3. In many such cases of scoliosis complicating cerebral palsy Harrington instrumentation and spinal fusion is the only feasible effective form of treatment