The purpose of this study was to evaluate the
change in sagittal tibiotalar alignment after total ankle arthroplasty (TAA)
for osteoarthritis and to investigate factors affecting the restoration
of alignment. This retrospective study included 119 patients (120 ankles) who
underwent three component TAA using the Hintegra prosthesis. A total
of 63 ankles had anterior displacement of the talus before surgery
(group A), 49 had alignment in the normal range (group B), and eight
had posterior displacement of the talus (group C). Ankles in group
A were further sub-divided into those in whom normal alignment was
restored following TAA (41 ankles) and those with persistent displacement
(22 ankles). Radiographic and clinical results were assessed. Pre-operatively, the alignment in group A was significantly more
varus than that in group B, and the posterior slope of the tibial
plafond was greater (p <
0.01 in both cases). The posterior slope
of the tibial component was strongly associated with restoration
of alignment: ankles in which the alignment was restored had significantly
less posterior slope (p <
0.001). An anteriorly translated talus was restored to a normal position
after TAA in most patients. We suggest that surgeons performing
TAA using the Hintegra prosthesis should aim to insert the tibial
component at close to 90° relative to the axis of the tibia, hence
reducing posterior soft-tissue tension and allowing restoration
of normal tibiotalar alignment following surgery. Cite this article:
Pelvic obliquity is a common finding in adolescents
with cerebral palsy, however, there is little agreement on its measurement
or relationship with hip development at different gross motor function
classification system (GMFCS) levels. The purpose of this investigation was to study these issues in
a large, population-based cohort of adolescents with cerebral palsy
at transition into adult services. The cohort were a subset of a three year birth cohort (n = 98,
65M: 33F, with a mean age of 18.8 years (14.8 to 23.63) at their
last radiological review) with the common features of a migration
percentage greater than 30% and a history of adductor release surgery. Different radiological methods of measuring pelvic obliquity
were investigated in 40 patients and the angle between the acetabular
tear drops (ITDL) and the horizontal reference frame of the radiograph
was found to be reliable, with good face validity. This was selected
for further study in all 98 patients. The median pelvic obliquity was 4° (interquartile range 2° to
8°). There was a strong correlation between hip morphology and the
presence of pelvic obliquity (effect of ITDL on Sharpe’s angle in
the higher hip; rho 7.20 (5% confidence interval 5.59 to 8.81, p
<
0.001). This was particularly true in non-ambulant adolescents
(GMFCS IV and V) with severe pelvic obliquity, but was also easily
detectable and clinically relevant in ambulant adolescents with mild
pelvic obliquity. The identification of pelvic obliquity and its management deserves
closer scrutiny in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. Cite this article:
This prospective study reports the 15-year survival and ten-year
functional outcome of a consecutive series of 1000 minimally invasive
Phase 3 Oxford medial UKAs (818 patients, 393 men, 48%, 425 women,
52%, mean age 66 years; 32 to 88). These were implanted by two surgeons
involved with the design of the prosthesis to treat anteromedial
osteoarthritis and spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee, which
are recommended indications. Patients were prospectively identified
and followed up independently for a mean of 10.3 years (5.3 to 16.6). At ten years, the mean Oxford Knee Score was 40 (standard deviation
( This is the only large series of minimally invasive UKAs with
15-year survival data. The results support the continued use of
minimally invasive UKA for the recommended indications. Cite this article:
The December 2014 Research Roundup360 looks at: demineralised bone matrix not as good as we thought?; trunk control following ACL reconstruction; subclinical thyroid dysfunction: not quite subclinical?; establishing musculoskeletal function in mucopolysaccharidosis; starting out: a first year in consultant practice under the spotlight; stroke and elective surgery; sepsis and clots; hip geometry and arthritis incidence; and theatre discipline and infection.
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
Although atlantoaxial rotatory fixation (AARF) is a common cause
of torticollis in children, the diagnosis may be delayed. The condition
is characterised by a lack of rotation at the atlantoaxial joint
which becomes fixed in a rotated and subluxed position. The management of
children with a delayed presentation of this condition is controversial.
This is a retrospective study of a group of such children. Children who were admitted to two institutions between 1988 and
2014 with a diagnosis of AARF were included. We identified 12 children
(four boys, eight girls), with a mean age of 7.3 years (1.5 to 13.4),
in whom the duration of symptoms on presentation was at least four weeks
(four to 39). All were treated with halo traction followed by a
period of cervical immobilisation in a halo vest or a Minerva jacket.
We describe a simple modification to the halo traction that allows
the child to move their head whilst maintaining traction. The mean follow-up
was 59.6 weeks (24 to 156).Aims
Patients and Methods
As the number of younger and more active patients
treated with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) continues to increase,
consideration of better fixation as a means of improving implant
longevity is required. Cemented TKA remains the reference standard
with the largest body of evidence and the longest follow-up to support
its use. However, cementless TKA, may offer the opportunity of a
more bone-sparing procedure with long lasting biological fixation
to the bone. We undertook a review of the literature examining advances
of cementless TKA and the reported results. Cite this article:
We report on the long-term results of 163 bicruciate-retaining
Hermes 2C total knee replacements in 130 patients at a mean follow-up
of 22.4 years (20.3 to 23.5). Even when the anterior cruciate ligament
had a partially degenerative appearance it was preserved as long
as the knee had a normal anterior drawer and Lachman’s test pre-operatively. The
description and surgical technique of this minimally constrained
prosthesis were published in 1983 and the ten-year clinical results
in 1999. A total of 12% of the knees (20 of 163) in this study were revised
because of wear of the polyethylene tibial insert. Excellent stability
was achieved and the incidence of aseptic component loosening was
4.3% (seven of 163). The survival rate using revision for any reason
as the endpoint was 82% (95% confidence interval 76.2 to 88.0). Although this series included a relatively small number of replacements,
it demonstrated that the anterior cruciate ligament, even when partially
degenerated at the time of TKR, remained functional and provided
adequate stability at a long-term follow-up. Cite this article:
Sporting injuries around the ankle vary from
simple sprains that will resolve spontaneously within a few days
to severe injuries which may never fully recover and may threaten
the career of a professional athlete. Some of these injuries can
be easily overlooked altogether or misdiagnosed with potentially
devastating effects on future performance. In this review article,
we cover some of the common and important sporting injuries involving
the ankle including updates on their management and outcomes. Cite this article:
Pedicle-lengthening osteotomy is a novel surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), which achieves substantial enlargement of the spinal canal by expansion of the bilateral pedicle osteotomy sites. Few studies have evaluated the impact of this new surgery on spinal canal volume (SCV) and neural foramen dimension (NFD) in three different types of LSS patients. CT scans were performed on 36 LSS patients (12 central canal stenosis (CCS), 12 lateral recess stenosis (LRS), and 12 foraminal stenosis (FS)) at L4-L5, and on 12 normal (control) subjects. Mimics 14.01 workstation was used to reconstruct 3D models of the L4-L5 vertebrae and discs. SCV and NFD were measured after 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, or 5 mm pedicle-lengthening osteotomies at L4 and/or L5. One-way analysis of variance was used to examine between-group differences.Objectives
Methods
The aim of this study was to examine the results of revision
total knee arthroplasty (TKA) undertaken for stiffness in the absence
of sepsis or loosening. We present the results of revision surgery for stiff TKA in 48
cases (35 (72.9%) women and 13 (27.1%) men). The mean age at revision
surgery was 65.5 years (42 to 83). All surgeries were performed
by a single surgeon. Stiffness was defined as an arc of flexion
of <
70° or a flexion contracture of >
15°. The changes in the
range of movement (ROM) and the Western Ontario and McMasters Osteoarthritis
index scores (WOMAC) were recorded.Aims
Patients and Methods
The purpose of this study was to analyse the biomechanics of
walking, through the ground reaction forces (GRF) measured, after
first metatarsal osteotomy or metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP) arthrodesis. A total of 19 patients underwent a Scarf osteotomy (50.3 years,
standard deviation (Aims
Patients and Methods
Patient specific instrumentation (PSI) uses advanced
imaging of the knee (CT or MRI) to generate individualised cutting
blocks aimed to make the procedure of total knee arthroplasty (TKA)
more accurate and efficient. However, in this era of healthcare
cost consciousness, the value of new technologies needs to be critically
evaluated. There have been several comparative studies looking at
PSI Cite this article:
We undertook this study to determine the minimum
amount of coronoid necessary to stabilise an otherwise intact elbow
joint. Regan–Morrey types II and III, plus medial and lateral oblique
coronoid fractures, collectively termed type IV fractures, were
simulated in nine fresh cadavers. An electromagnetic tracking system
defined the three-dimensional stability of the ulna relative to
the humerus. The coronoid surface area accounts for 59% of the anterior articulation.
Alteration in valgus, internal and external rotation occurred only
with a type III coronoid fracture, accounting for 68% of the coronoid
and 40% of the entire articular surface. A type II fracture removed
42% of the coronoid articulation and 25% of the entire articular
surface but was associated with valgus and external rotational changes
only when the radial head was removed, thereby removing 67% of the
articular surface. We conclude that all type III fractures, as defined here, are
unstable, even with intact ligaments and a radial head. However,
a type II deficiency is stable unless the radial head is removed.
Our study suggests that isolated medial-oblique or lateral-oblique
fractures, and even a type II fracture with intact ligaments and
a functional radial head, can be clinically stable, which is consistent
with clinical observation.
The eccentric glenosphere was principally introduced into reverse
shoulder arthroplasty to reduce the incidence of scapular notching.
There is only limited information about the influence of its design
on deltoid power and joint reaction forces. The aim of our study was to investigate how the diameter and
eccentricity of the glenosphere affect the biomechanics of the deltoid
and the resultant joint reaction forces. Different sizes of glenosphere and eccentricity were serially
tested in ten cadaveric shoulders using a custom shoulder movement
simulator.Aims
Methods
Initial stability of tibial trays is crucial for long-term success of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in both primary and revision settings. Rotating platform (RP) designs reduce torque transfer at the tibiofemoral interface. We asked if this reduced torque transfer in RP designs resulted in subsequently reduced micromotion at the cemented fixation interface between the prosthesis component and the adjacent bone. Composite tibias were implanted with fixed and RP primary and revision tibial trays and biomechanically tested under up to 2.5 kN of axial compression and 10° of external femoral component rotation. Relative micromotion between the implanted tibial tray and the neighbouring bone was quantified using high-precision digital image correlation techniques.Objectives
Methods
The term mid-flexion instability has entered
the orthopaedic literature as a concept, but has not been confirmed
as a distinct clinical entity. The term is used freely, sometimes
as a synonym for flexion instability. However, the terms need to
be clearly separated. A cadaver study published in 1990 associated
joint line elevation with decreased stability at many angles of
flexion, but that model was not typical of clinical scenarios. The
literature is considered and it is proposed that the more common
entity of an uncorrected flexion contracture after a measured resection arthroplasty
technique is more likely to produce clinical findings that suggest
instability mid-flexion. It is proposed that the clinical scenario encountered is generalised
instability, with the appearance of stability in full extension
from tight posterior structures. This paper seeks to clarify whether mid-flexion instability exists
as an entity distinct from other commonly recognised forms of instability. Cite this article: