We report the effect of introducing a dedicated
Ponseti service on the five-year treatment outcomes of children
with idiopathic clubfoot. Between 2002 and 2004, 100 feet (66 children; 50 boys and 16
girls) were treated in a general paediatric orthopaedic clinic.
Of these, 96 feet (96%) responded to initial casting, 85 requiring
a tenotomy of the tendo-Achillis. Recurrent deformity occurred in
38 feet and was successfully treated in 22 by repeat casting and/or
tenotomy and/or transfer of the tendon of tibialis anterior, The
remaining 16 required an extensive surgical release. Between 2005 and 2006, 72 feet (53 children; 33 boys and 20 girls)
were treated in a dedicated multidisciplinary Ponseti clinic. All
responded to initial casting: 60 feet (83.3%) required a tenotomy
of the tendo-Achillis. Recurrent deformity developed in 14, 11 of
which were successfully treated by repeat casting and/or tenotomy
and/or transfer of the tendon of tibialis anterior. The other three
required an extensive surgical release. Statistical analysis showed that children treated in the dedicated
Ponseti clinic had a lower rate of recurrence (p = 0.068) and a
lower rate of surgical release (p = 0.01) than those treated in
the general clinic. This study shows that a dedicated Ponseti clinic, run by a well-trained
multidisciplinary team, can improve the outcome of idiopathic clubfoot
deformity. Cite this article:
Given the increasing number of total hip arthroplasty
procedures being performed annually, it is imperative that orthopaedic
surgeons understand factors responsible for instability. In order
to treat this potentially complex problem, we recommend correctly
classifying the type of instability present based on component position, abductor
function, impingement, and polyethylene wear. Correct classification
allows the treating surgeon to choose the appropriate revision option
that ultimately will allow for the best potential outcome. Cite this article:
Non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection
of the musculoskeletal tissue is a rare disease. An early and accurate diagnosis
is often difficult because of the indolent clinical course and difficulty
of isolating pathogens. Our goal was to determine the clinical features
of musculoskeletal NTM infection and to present the treatment outcomes.
A total of 29 patients (nine females, 20 males between 34 and 85
years old, mean age 61.7 years; 34 to 85) with NTM infection of the
musculoskeletal system between 1998 to 2011 were identified and
their treatment retrospectively analysed. Microbiological studies
demonstrated NTM in 29 patients: the isolates were Cite this article:
A national, multi-centre study was designed in
which a questionnaire quantifying the degree of patient satisfaction
and residual symptoms in patients following total knee replacement
(TKR) was administered by an independent, blinded third party survey
centre. A total of 90% of patients reported satisfaction with the
overall functioning of their knee, but 66% felt their knee to be
‘normal’, with the reported incidence of residual symptoms and functional
problems ranging from 33% to 54%. Female patients and patients from
low-income households had increased odds of reporting dissatisfaction.
Neither the use of contemporary implant designs (gender-specific,
high-flex, rotating platform) or custom cutting guides (CCG) with
a neutral mechanical axis target improved patient-perceived outcomes.
However, use of a CCG to perform a so-called kinematically aligned
TKR showed a trend towards more patients reporting their knee to
feel ‘normal’ when compared with a so called mechanically aligned
TKR This data shows a degree of dissatisfaction and residual symptoms
following TKR, and that several recent modifications in implant
design and surgical technique have not improved the current situation. Cite this article:
The belief that an intervertebral disc must degenerate
before it can herniate has clinical and medicolegal significance,
but lacks scientific validity. We hypothesised that tissue changes
in herniated discs differ from those in discs that degenerate without
herniation. Tissues were obtained at surgery from 21 herniated discs
and 11 non-herniated discs of similar degeneration as assessed by
the Pfirrmann grade. Thin sections were graded histologically, and
certain features were quantified using immunofluorescence combined
with confocal microscopy and image analysis. Herniated and degenerated
tissues were compared separately for each tissue type: nucleus, inner
annulus and outer annulus. Herniated tissues showed significantly greater proteoglycan loss
(outer annulus), neovascularisation (annulus), innervation (annulus),
cellularity/inflammation (annulus) and expression of matrix-degrading
enzymes (inner annulus) than degenerated discs. No significant differences
were seen in the nucleus tissue from herniated and degenerated discs.
Degenerative changes start in the nucleus, so it seems unlikely
that advanced degeneration caused herniation in 21 of these 32 discs.
On the contrary, specific changes in the annulus can be interpreted
as the consequences of herniation, when disruption allows local
swelling, proteoglycan loss, and the ingrowth of blood vessels,
nerves and inflammatory cells. In conclusion, it should not be assumed that degenerative changes
always precede disc herniation. Cite this article:
Hip and groin injuries are common in athletes
who take part in high level sports. Adductor muscle tendon injuries represent
a small but important number of these injuries. Avulsion of the
tendons attached to the symphysis pubis has previously been described:
these can be managed both operatively and non-operatively. We describe
an uncommon variant of this injury, namely complete avulsion of
the adductor sleeve complex: this includes adductor longus, pectineus
and rectus abdominis. We go on to describe a surgical technique
which promotes a full return to the pre-injury level of sporting
activity. Over a period of ten years, 15 high-level athletes with an MRI-confirmed
acute adductor complex avulsion injury (six to 34 days old) underwent
surgical repair. The operative procedure consisted of anatomical
re-attachment of the avulsed tissues in each case and mesh reinforcement
of the posterior inguinal wall in seven patients. All underwent a
standardised rehabilitation programme, which was then individualised
to be sport-specific. One patient developed a superficial wound infection, which was
successfully treated with antibiotics. Of the 15 patients, four
complained of transient local numbness which resolved in all cases.
All patients (including seven elite athletes) returned to their
previous level of participation in sport. Cite this article:
As adverse events related to metal on metal hip
arthroplasty have been better understood, there has been increased
interest in toxicity related to the high circulating levels of cobalt ions.
However, distinguishing true toxicity from benign elevations in
cobalt levels can be challenging. The purpose of this review is
to examine the use of cobalt alloys in total hip arthroplasty, to
review the methods of measuring circulating cobalt levels, to define
a level of cobalt which is considered pathological and to review
the pathophysiology, risk factors and treatment of cobalt toxicity.
To the best of our knowledge, there are 18 published cases where
cobalt metal ion toxicity has been attributed to the use of cobalt-chromium
alloys in hip arthroplasty. Of these cases, the great majority reported
systemic toxic reactions at serum cobalt levels more than 100 μg/L.
This review highlights some of the clinical features of cobalt toxicity,
with the goal that early awareness may decrease the risk factors
for the development of cobalt toxicity and/or reduce its severity. Take home message: Severe adverse events can arise from the release
of cobalt from metal-on-metal arthroplasties, and as such, orthopaedic
surgeons should not only be aware of the presenting problems, but
also have the knowledge to treat appropriately. Cite this article:
We investigated whether the presence of a pathological
fracture increased the risk of local recurrence in patients with
a giant cell tumour (GCT) of bone. We also assessed if curettage
is still an appropriate form of treatment in the presence of a pathological
fracture. We conducted a comprehensive review and meta-analysis
of papers which reported outcomes in patients with a GCT with and
without a pathological fracture at presentation. We computed the
odds ratio (OR) of local recurrence in those with and without a
pathological fracture. We selected 19 eligible papers for final analysis. This included
3215 patients, of whom 580 (18.0%) had a pathological fracture.
The pooled OR for local recurrence between patients with and without
a pathological fracture was 1.05 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66
to 1.67, p = 0.854). Amongst the subgroup of patients who were treated with
curettage, the pooled OR for local recurrence was 1.23 (95% CI 0.75
to 2.01, p = 0.417). A There is no difference in local recurrence rates between patients
who have a GCT of bone with and without a pathological fracture
at the time of presentation. The presence of a pathological fracture
should not preclude the decision to perform curettage as carefully
selected patients who undergo curettage can have similar outcomes
in terms of local recurrence to those without such a fracture. Cite this article:
The August 2015 Oncology Roundup360 looks at: Glasgow prognostic score in soft-tissue sarcoma; Denosumab in giant cell tumour; Timing, complications and radiotherapy; Pigmented villonodular synovitis and arthroscopy; PATHFx: estimating survival in pathological cancer; Prosthetic lengthening of short stumps; Chondrosarcoma and pathological fracture
We hypothesised that adjuvant intermittent pneumatic
compression (IPC) beneath a plaster cast would reduce the risk of
deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) during post-operative immobilisation
of the lower limb. Of 87 patients with acute tendo Achillis (TA)
rupture, 26 were prospectively randomised post-operatively after
open TA repair. The treatment group (n = 14) received two weeks of
IPC of the foot for at least six hours daily under a plaster cast.
The control group (n = 12) had no additional treatment. At two weeks
post-operatively all patients received an orthosis until follow-up
at six weeks. At two and six weeks the incidence of DVT was assessed
using colour duplex sonography by two ultrasonographers blinded
to the treatment. Two patients withdrew from the study due to inability
to tolerate IPC treatment. An interim analysis demonstrated a high incidence of DVT in both
the IPC group (9 of 12, 75%) and the controls (6 of 12, 50%) (p
= 0.18). No significant differences in incidence were detected at
two (p = 0.33) or six weeks (p = 0.08) post-operatively. Malfunction
of the IPC leading to a second plaster cast was found to correlate
with an increased DVT risk at two weeks (φ = 0.71; p = 0.019), leading
to a premature abandonment of the study. We cannot recommend adjuvant treatment with foot IPC under a
plaster cast for outpatient DVT prevention during post-operative
immobilisation, owing to a high incidence of DVT related to malfunctioning
of this type of IPC application. Cite this article:
Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a devastating
complication for patients and results in greatly increased costs
of care for both healthcare providers and patients. More than 15
500 revision hip and knee procedures were recorded in England, Wales
and Northern Ireland in 2013, with infection accounting for 13%
of revision hip and 23% of revision knee procedures. We report our experience of using antibiotic eluting absorbable
calcium sulphate beads in 15 patients (eight men and seven women
with a mean age of 64.8 years; 41 to 83) as part of a treatment
protocol for PJI in revision arthroplasty. The mean follow-up was 16 months (12 to 22). We report the outcomes
and complications, highlighting the risk of hypercalcaemia which
occurred in three patients. We recommend that serum levels of calcium be routinely sought
following the implantation of absorbable calcium sulphate beads
in orthopaedic surgery. Cite this article:
The August 2012 Spine Roundup360 looks at: neural tissue and polymerising bone cement; a new prognostic score for spinal metastases from prostatic tumours; recovery after spinal decompression; spinal tuberculosis; unintended durotomy at spinal surgery; how carrying a load on your head can damage the cervical spine; and how age changes your lumbar spine.
A total of 22 patients with a tibial avulsion
fracture involving the insertion of the posterior cruciate ligament
(PCL) with grade II or III posterior laxity were reduced and fixed
arthroscopically using routine anterior and double posteromedial
portals. A double-strand Ethibond suture was inserted into the joint
and wrapped around the PCL from anterior to posterior to secure
the ligament above the avulsed bony fragment. Two tibial bone tunnels
were created using the PCL reconstruction guide, aiming at the medial
and lateral borders of the tibial bed. The ends of the suture were
pulled out through the bone tunnels and tied over the tibial cortex
between the openings of the tunnels to reduce and secure the bony
fragment. Satisfactory reduction of the fracture was checked arthroscopically and
radiographically. The patients were followed-up for a mean of 24.5 months (19 to
28). Bone union occurred six weeks post-operatively. At final follow-up,
all patients had a negative posterior drawer test and a full range
of movement. KT-1000 arthrometer examination showed that the mean
post-operative side-to-side difference improved from 10.9 mm (standard
deviation ( We conclude that this technique is convenient, reliable and minimally
invasive and successfully restores the stability and function of
the knee. Cite this article:
The April 2014 Hip & Pelvis Roundup360 looks at: Recent arthroplasty and flight; whether that squeak could be a fracture; diagnosing early infected hip replacement; impaction grafting at a decade; whether squeaking is more common than previously thought; femoral offset associated with post THR outcomes; and periprosthetic fracture stabilisation.
Injectable collagenase is an alternative to surgical
treatment for Dupuytren’s disease. Previous studies have reported
on the effectiveness of collagenase in finger contractures. This
prospective study reports on the short-term safety and efficacy
of collagenase treatment in five thumb and first web space Dupuytren’s
contractures. The thumb and first web space contractures were treated
with injectable collagenase in four consecutive patients (five hands) with
experience of previous surgical digital fasciectomy. The thumb contracture
was measured by angle and span in two planes of thumb extension
and abduction before injection and after manipulation. Collagenase
treatment resulted in release of the contracture with a mean increase
in thumb to index angle from 23° (10° to 35°) to 56° (45° to 60°)
in extension and from 30° (10° to 50°) to 58° (50° to 65°) in abduction
and a mean increase in span from 1.9 cm (1 to 3.5) to 3.9 cm (3
to 5) in extension and from 2.4 cm (1.5 to 3.5) to 3.9 cm (3 to
4.5) in abduction. All patients reported an increased range of movement
and function and described collagenase therapy as preferable to
surgery. In the short-term collagenase is an effective, well-tolerated
and safe alternative to surgery for Dupuytren’s disease of the thumb.
We retrospectively reviewed 30 patients with
a diffuse-type giant-cell tumour (Dt-GCT) (previously known as pigmented
villonodular synovitis) around the knee in order to assess the influence
of the type of surgery on the functional outcome and quality of
life (QOL). Between 1980 and 2001, 15 of these tumours had been
treated primarily at our tertiary referral centre and 15 had been
referred from elsewhere with recurrent lesions. The mean follow-up was 64 months (24 to 393). Functional outcome
and QOL were assessed with range of movement and the Knee injury
and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), the Musculoskeletal Tumour
Society (MSTS) score, the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS)
and the SF-36 questionnaire. There was recurrence in four of 14
patients treated initially by open synovectomy. Local control was
achieved after a second operation in 13 of 14 (93%). Recurrence
occurred in 15 of 16 patients treated initially by arthroscopic
synovectomy. These patients underwent a mean of 1.8 arthroscopies
(one to eight) before open synovectomy. This achieved local control
in 8 of 15 (53%) after the first synovectomy and in 12 of 15 (80%)
after two. The functional outcome and QOL of patients who had undergone
primary arthroscopic synovectomy and its attendant subsequent surgical
procedures were compared with those who had had a primary open synovectomy
using the following measures: range of movement (114º Those who had undergone open synovectomy needed fewer subsequent
operations. Most patients who had been referred with a recurrence
had undergone an initial arthroscopic synovectomy followed by multiple
further synovectomies. At the final follow-up of eight years (2
to 32), these patients had impaired function and QOL compared with
those who had undergone open synovectomy initially. We conclude that the natural history of Dt-GCT in patients who
are treated by arthroscopic synovectomy has an unfavourable outcome,
and that primary open synovectomy should be undertaken to prevent
recurrence or residual disease. Cite this article:
Most of the literature on surgical site infections
following the surgical treatment of fractures of the ankle is based
on small series of patients, focusing on diabetics or the elderly.
None have described post-operative functional scores in those patients
who develop an infection. We performed an age- and gender-matched
case–control study to identify patient- and surgery-related risk
factors for surgical site infection following open reduction and
internal fixation of a fracture of the ankle. Logistic regression
analysis was used to identify significant risk factors for infection
and to calculate odds ratios (OR). Function was assessed using the
Olerud and Molander Ankle Score. The incidence of infection was
4% (29/717) and 1.1% (8/717) were deep infections. The median ankle
score was significantly lower in the infection group compared with
the control group (60 A low incidence of infection following open reduction and internal
fixation of fractures of the ankle was observed. Both superficial
and deep infections result in lower functional scores. Cite this article:
The June 2015 Wrist &
Hand Roundup360 looks at: Collagenase and Dupuytren’s disease – a genuine alternative to surgery?; iPad PROMise?; Should we learn how to do endoscopic carpal tunnel release?; Two-week radiographs a relic of the past?; Bible? Aspirate or excise?; Patient expectations and trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis; Splintage in the treatment of sagittal band incompetence and extensor tendon subluxation
Peri-articular soft-tissue masses or ‘pseudotumours’
can occur after large-diameter metal-on-metal (MoM) resurfacing
of the hip and conventional total hip replacement (THR). Our aim
was to assess the incidence of pseudotumour formation and to identify
risk factors for their formation in a prospective cohort study. A total of 119 patients who underwent 120 MoM THRs with large-diameter
femoral heads between January 2005 and November 2007 were included
in the study. Outcome scores, serum metal ion levels, radiographs
and CT scans were obtained. Patients with symptoms or an identified
pseudotumour were offered MRI and an ultrasound-guided biopsy. There were 108 patients (109 hips) eligible for evaluation by
CT scan at a mean follow-up of 3.6 years (2.5 to 4.5); 42 patients
(39%) were diagnosed with a pseudotumour. The hips of 13 patients
(12%) were revised to a polyethylene acetabular component with small-diameter
metal head. Patients with elevated serum metal ion levels had a
four times increased risk of developing a pseudotumour. This study shows a substantially higher incidence of pseudotumour
formation and subsequent revisions in patients with MoM THRs than
previously reported. Because most revision cases were identified
only after an intensive screening protocol, we recommend close monitoring
of patients with MoM THR.
Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is one of
the most feared and challenging complications following total knee arthroplasty.
We provide a detailed description of our current understanding regarding
the management of PJI of the knee, including diagnostic aids,
pre-operative planning, surgical treatment, and outcome. Cite this article: