Aims. Patients with midcarpal instability are difficult to manage. It is a rare condition, and few studies have reported the outcomes of surgical treatment. No prospective or retrospective study has reported the results of arthroscopic palmar capsuloligamentous suturing. Our aim was to report the results of a prospective study of arthroscopic suture of this ligament complex in patients with midcarpal instability. Methods. This prospective single-centre study was undertaken between March 2012 and May 2022. The primary outcome was to evaluate the functional outcomes of arthroscopic palmar midcarpal suture. The study included 12 patients, eight male and four female, with a mean age of 27.5 years (19 to 42). They were reviewed at three months, six months, and one year postoperatively. Results. There was a significant improvement in flexion, extension, grip strength, abbreviated version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire score, and pain, in all patients. After telephone contact with all patients in March 2023, at a mean follow-up of 3.85 years (2.2 to 6.25), no patient had a persistent or recurrent clunk. Conclusion. Arthroscopic suture of the midcarpal capsuloligamentous complex represents a minimally invasive, easy, and reproducible technique for the management of patients with midcarpal instbility, with a clear improvement in function outcomes and no complications. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(3):262–267

Aims. Surgical approaches that claim to be minimally invasive, such as the direct anterior approach (DAA), are reported to have a clinical advantage, but are technically challenging and may create more injury to the soft-tissues during joint exposure. Our aim was to quantify the effect of soft-tissue releases on the joint torque and femoral mobility during joint exposure for hip resurfacing performed via the DAA. Methods. Nine fresh-frozen hip joints from five pelvis to mid-tibia cadaveric specimens were approached using the DAA. A custom fixture consisting of a six-axis force/torque sensor and motion sensor was attached to tibial diaphysis to measure manually applied torques and joint angles by the surgeon. Following dislocation, the torques generated to visualize the acetabulum and proximal femur were assessed after sequential release of the joint capsule and short external rotators. Results. Following initial exposure, the ischiofemoral ligament (7 to 8 o’clock) was the largest restrictor of exposure of the acetabulum, contributing to a mean 25% of overall external rotational restraint. The ischiofemoral ligament (10 to 12 o’clock) was the largest restrictor of exposure of the proximal femur, contributing to 25% of overall extension restraint. Releasing the short external rotators had minimal contribution in torque generated during joint exposure (≤ 5%). Conclusion. Adequate exposure of both proximal femur and acetabulum may be achieved with minimal torque by performing a full proximal circumferential capsulotomy while preserving short external rotators. The joint torque generated and exposure achieved is dependent on patient factors; therefore, some cases may necessitate further releases. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(3 Supple A):59–66

We hypothesised that a minimally invasive peroneus brevis tendon transfer would be effective for the management of a chronic rupture of the Achilles tendon. In 17 patients (three women, 14 men) who underwent minimally invasive transfer and tenodesis of the peroneus brevis to the calcaneum, at a mean follow-up of 4.6 years (2 to 7) the modified Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS) was recorded and the maximum circumference of the calf of the operated and contralateral limbs was measured. The strength of isometric plantar flexion of the gastrocsoleus complex and of eversion of the ankle were measured bilaterally. Functional outcomes were classified according to the four-point Boyden scale. . At the latest review, the mean maximum circumference of the calf of the operated limb was not significantly different from the pre-operative mean value, (41.4 cm, 32 to 50 vs 40.6 cm, 33 to 46; p = 0.45), and not significantly less than that of the contralateral limb (43.1 cm, 35 to 52; p = 0.16). The mean peak torque (244.6 N, 125 to 367) and the strength of eversion of the operated ankle (149.1 N, 65 to 240) were significantly lower (p < 0.01) than those of the contralateral limb (mean peak torque 289, 145 to 419; strength of eversion: 175.2, 71 to 280). The mean ATRS significantly improved from 58 pre-operatively (35 to 68) to 91 (75 to 97; 95% confidence interval 85.3 to 93.2) at the time of final review. Of 13 patients who practised sport at the time of injury, ten still undertook recreational activities. . This procedure may be safely performed, is minimally invasive, and allows most patients to return to pre-injury sport and daily activities. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:353–7

This prospective study describes the outcome of the first 1000 phase 3 Oxford medial unicompartmental knee replacements (UKRs) implanted using a minimally invasive surgical approach for the recommended indications by two surgeons and followed up independently. The mean follow-up was 5.6 years (1 to 11) with 547 knees having a minimum follow-up of five years. At five years their mean Oxford knee score was 41.3 (. sd. 7.2), the mean American Knee Society Objective Score 86.4 (. sd. 13.4), mean American Knee Society Functional Score 86.1 (. sd. 16.6), mean Tegner activity score 2.8 (. sd. 1.1). For the entire cohort, the mean maximum flexion was 130° at the time of final review. The incidence of implant-related re-operations was 2.9%; of these 29 re-operations two were revisions requiring revision knee replacement components with stems and wedges, 17 were conversions to a primary total knee replacement, six were open reductions for dislocation of the bearing, three were secondary lateral UKRs and one was revision of a tibial component. The most common reason for further surgical intervention was progression of arthritis in the lateral compartment (0.9%), followed by dislocation of the bearing (0.6%) and revision for unexplained pain (0.6%). If all implant-related re-operations are considered failures, the ten-year survival rate was 96% (95% confidence interval, 92.5 to 99.5). If only revisions requiring revision components are considered failures the ten-year survival rate is 99.8% (confidence interval 99 to 100). This is the largest published series of UKRs implanted through a minimally invasive surgical approach and with ten-year survival data. The survival rates are similar to those obtained with a standard open approach whereas the function is better. This demonstrates the effectiveness and safety of a minimally invasive surgical approach for implanting the Oxford UKR

Aims. This study addressed two questions: first, does surgical correction of an idiopathic scoliosis increase the volume of the rib cage, and second, is it possible to evaluate the change in lung function after corrective surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) using biplanar radiographs of the ribcage with 3D reconstruction?. Methods. A total of 45 patients with a thoracic AIS which needed surgical correction and fusion were included in a prospective study. All patients underwent pulmonary function testing (PFT) and low-dose biplanar radiographs both preoperatively and one year after surgery. The following measurements were recorded: forced vital capacity (FVC), slow vital capacity (SVC), and total lung capacity (TLC). Rib cage volume (RCV), maximum rib hump, main thoracic curve Cobb angle (MCCA), medial-lateral and anteroposterior diameter, and T4-T12 kyphosis were calculated from 3D reconstructions of the biplanar radiographs. Results. All spinal and thoracic measurements improved significantly after surgery (p < 0.001). RCV increased from 4.9 l (SD 1) preoperatively to 5.3 l (SD 0.9) (p < 0.001) while TLC increased from 4.1 l (SD 0.9) preoperatively to 4.3 l (SD 0.8) (p < 0.001). RCV was correlated with all functional indexes before and after correction of the deformity. Improvement in RCV was weakly correlated with correction of the mean thoracic Cobb angle (p = 0.006). The difference in TLC was significantly correlated with changes in RCV (p = 0.041). It was possible to predict postoperative TLC from the postoperative RCV. Conclusion. 3D rib cage assessment from biplanar radiographs could be a minimally invasive method of estimating pulmonary function before and after spinal fusion in patients with an AIS. The 3D RCV reflects virtual chest capacity and hence pulmonary function in this group of patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(1):112–119

Aims. The aim of this study was to analyze the complications and outcomes of treatment in a series of previously untreated patients with a primary aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) who had been treated by percutaneous sclerosant therapy using polidocanol. Methods. Between January 2010 and December 2016, 56 patients were treated primarily with serial intralesional sclerosant injections. Their mean age was 20 years (1 to 54). The sites involved were clavicle (n = 3), humeri (n = 11), radius (n = 1), ulna (n = 3), hand (n = 2), pelvis (n = 12), femur (n = 7), tibia (n = 13), fibula (n = 3), and foot (n = 1). After histopathological confirmation of the diagnosis, 3% polidocanol (hydroxypolyaethoxydodecan) was injected into the lesion under image intensifier guidance. Patients were evaluated clinically and radiologically every six to eight weeks. In the absence of clinical and/or radiological response, a repeat sclerosant injection was given after eight to 12 weeks and repeated at similar intervals if necessary. Results. There were no complications of treatment. One patient was lost to follow-up. Overall, 46/55 (84%) of lesions healed after one or more injections of polidocanol: 24/55 (44%) patients healed with a single injection, and 43/55 (78%) within two injections. Of these 46, four (9%) patients developed local recurrence, two of whom healed with a repeat sclerosant injection. Thus, 44/55 (80%) patients of primary ABC healed with sclerotherapy. The mean follow-up was 62 months (20 to 111). The local recurrence free survival (LRFS) with percutaneous sclerosant therapy with polidocanol was 100%, 98% (95% confidence interval (CI) 85 to 100) and 93% (95% CI 78 to 98) at two, three, and five years, respectively. Conclusion. Percutaneous sclerotherapy using polidocanol is a safe, effective, minimally invasive and inexpensive method of treating a primary ABC of the limbs or pelvis. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(2):186–190

Objectives. The aim of this study was to determine the polyethylene wear rate of Phase 3 Oxford Unicompartmental Knee Replacement bearings and to investigate the effects of resin type and manufacturing process. Methods. A total of 63 patients with at least ten years’ follow-up with three bearing types (1900 resin machined, 1050 resin machined, and 1050 resin moulded) were recruited. Patients underwent full weight-bearing model-based radiostereometric analysis to determine the bearing thickness. The linear wear rate was estimated from the change in thickness divided by the duration of implantation. Results. The wear rate for 1900 resin machined (n = 19), 1050 machined (n = 21), and 1050 moulded bearings (n = 23) were 60 µm/year (. sd. 42), 76 µm/year (. sd. 32), and 57 µm/year (. sd. 30), respectively. There was no significant difference between 1900 machined and 1050 machined (p = 0.20), but 1050 moulded had significantly less wear than the 1050 machined (p = 0.05). Increasing femoral (p < 0.001) and tibial (p < 0.001) component size were associated with increasing wear. Conclusion. Wear rate is similar with 1050 and 1900 resin, but lower with moulded bearings than machined bearings. The currently used Phase 3 bearings wear rate is low (1050 moulded, 57 µm/year), but higher than the previously reported Phase 2 bearings (1900 moulded, 20 µm/year). This is unlikely to be due to the change in polyethylene but may relate to the minimally invasive approach used with the Phase 3. This approach, as well as improving function and thus increasing activity levels, may increase the risk of surgical errors, such as impingement or bearing overhang, which can increase wear. Surgeons should aim to use 4 mm thick bearings rather than 3 mm thick bearings in young patients, unless they are small and need conservative bone resections. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2019;8:535–543

We compared the outcome of closed intramedullary nailing with minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis using a percutaneous locked compression plate in patients with a distal metaphyseal fracture in a prospective study. A total of 85 patients were randomised to operative stabilisation either by a closed intramedullary nail (44) or by minimally invasive osteosynthesis with a compression plate (41). Pre-operative variables included the patients’ age and the side and pattern of the fracture. Peri-operative variables were the operating time and the radiation time. Postoperative variables were wound problems, the time to union of the fracture, the functional American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle surgery score and removal of hardware. We found no significant difference in the pre-operative variables or in the time to union in the two groups. However, the mean radiation time and operating time were significantly longer in the locked compression plate group (3.0 vs 2.12 minutes, p < 0.001, and 97.9 vs 81.2 minutes, p < 0.001, respectively). After one year, all the fractures had united. Patients who had intramedullary nailing had a higher mean pain score, but better function, alignment and total American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle surgery scores, although the differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.234, p = 0.157, p = 0.897, p = 0.177 respectively). Three (6.8%) patients in the intramedullary nailing group and six (14.6%) in the locked compression plate group showed delayed wound healing, and 37 (84.1%) in the former group and 38 (92.7%) in the latter group expressed a wish to have the implant removed. We conclude that both closed intramedullary nailing and a percutaneous locked compression plate can be used safely to treat Orthopaedic Trauma Association type-43A distal metaphyseal fractures of the tibia. However, closed intramedullary nailing has the advantage of a shorter operating and radiation time and easier removal of the implant. We therefore prefer closed intramedullary nailing for patients with these fractures

The August 2013 Foot & Ankle Roundup. 360 . looks at: mobility, ankles and fractures; hindfoot nailing: not such a bad option after all?; little treatment benefit for blood injection in tendonitis; fixed bearing ankles successful in the short term; hindfoot motion following STAR ankle replacement; minimally invasive calcaneal fracture fixation?; pes planus in adolescents; and subluxing peroneals and groove deepening

The April 2012 Spine Roundup. 360. looks at yoga for lower back pain, spinal tuberculosis, complications of spinal surgery, fusing the subaxial cervical spine, minimally invasive surgery and osteoporotic vertebral fractures, spinal surgery in the over 65s, and pain relief after spinal surgery

Aims. Periacetabular osteotomy is an effective way of treating symptomatic hip dysplasia. We describe a new minimally invasive technique using a modification of the Smith-Peterson approach. We performed a prospective, longitudinal cohort study to assess for any compromise in acetabular correction when using this approach, and to see if the procedure would have a higher complication rate than that quoted in the literature for other approaches. We also assessed for any improvement in functional outcome. Patients and Methods. From 168 consecutive patients (189 hips) who underwent acetabular correction between March 2010 and March 2013 we excluded those who had undergone previous pelvic surgery for DDH and those being treated for acetabular retroversion. The remaining 151 patients (15 men, 136 women) (166 hips) had a mean age of 32 years (15 to 56) and the mean duration of follow-up was 2.8 years (1.2 to 4.5). In all 90% of cases were Tönnis grade 0 or 1. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Non Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS), University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Tegner activity scores. Results. The mean pre-operative lateral centre-edge angle was 14.2° (-5° to 30°) and the mean acetabular index was 18.4° (4° to 40°). Post-operatively these were 31° (18° to 46°) and 3° (-7° to 29°), respectively, a significant improvement in both (p < 0.001). Allogenic blood transfusion was required in two patients (1.2%). There were no major nerve or vascular complications, and no wound infections. At the time of last follow-up, we noted a significant improvement in functional outcome scores: UCLA improved by 2.31 points, Tegner improved by 1.08 points, and the NAHS improved by 25.4 points (p < 0.001 for each). Hypermobility and longer duration of surgery were significant negative predictors for a good post-operative UCLA score, while residual retroversion was a positive predictor of post-operative UCLA score. Conclusion. We have found this approach to be safe and effective, facilitating early recovery from surgery. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:22–8

The October 2012 Foot & Ankle Roundup. 360. looks at: ankle arthrodesis in young active patients; the Bologna-Oxford total ankle replacements; significant failure and revision rates for total ankle arthroplasty; surgical treatment of Achilles tendon rupture; selective plantar fascia release; whether removal of metalwork can resolve foot pain; allografting of osteochondral lesions; distracting from osteoarthritis; and ultrasound-guided minimally invasive surgery

Aims. The aim of this study was to report a retrospective, consecutive series of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) who were treated with posterior minimally invasive surgery (MIS) with a mean follow-up of two years (. sd. 1.4; 0.9 to 0 3.7). Our objectives were to measure the correction of the deformity and record the peri-operative morbidity. Special attention was paid to the operating time (ORT), estimated blood loss (EBL), length of stay (LOS) and further complications. Patients and Methods. We prospectively collected the data of 70 consecutive patients with AIS treated with MIS using three incisions and a muscle-splitting approach by a single surgeon between June 2013 and February 2016 and these were retrospectively reviewed. There were eight male and 62 female patients with a mean age of 15 years (. sd. 4.5 ) with a mean body mass index of 19.8 kg/m. 2. (. sd. 5.4). The curves were classified according to Lenke; 40 curves were type 1, 15 were type 2, three were type 3, two were type 4, eight were type 5 and two were type 6. Results. The mean primary Cobb angle was corrected from 58.9° (. sd. 12.6°) pre-operatively to 17.7° (. sd.  10.2°) post-operatively with a mean correction of 69% (. sd. 20%, p < 0.001). The mean kyphosis at T5 to T12 increased from 24.2° (. sd. 12.2°) pre-operatively to 30.1° (. sd. 9.6°, p < 0.001) post-operatively. Peri-operative (30 days) complications occurred in three patients(4.2%): one subcutaneous haematoma, one deep venous thrombosis and one pulmonary complication. Five additional complications occurred in five patients (7.1%): one superficial wound infection, one suture granuloma and three delayed deep surgical site infections. The mean ORT was 337.1 mins (. sd. 121.3); the mean EBL was 345.7 ml (. sd. 175.1) and the mean LOS was 4.6 days (. sd. 0.8). Conclusion. The use of MIS for patients with AIS results in a significant correction of spinal deformity in both the frontal and sagittal planes, with a low EBL and a short LOS. The rate of peri-operative complications compares well with that following a routine open technique. The longer term safety and benefit of MIS in these patients needs to be evaluated with further follow-up of a larger cohort of patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:1651–7

We treated 106 patients with a peripheral osteoid osteoma by conventional surgical methods; 81 had curettage and 25 en-bloc resection. The rate of local recurrence after curettage was 12% and after en-bloc resection 4.5%. Postoperative fractures were observed in 3% after curettage and in 4.5% after en-bloc resection. We compared our findings with those reported in the literature after minimally invasive treatment and concluded that curettage can be regarded as the treatment of choice in patients in whom minimally invasive methods do not offer any advantage, for example, for subperiosteal tumours which are readily accessible, or when the diagnosis is unclear and further histological analysis is required

The operative treatment of displaced fractures of the tibial plateau is challenging. Recent developments in the techniques of internal fixation, including the development of locked plating and minimal invasive techniques have changed the treatment of these fractures. We review current surgical approaches and techniques, improved devices for internal fixation and the clinical outcome after utilisation of new methods for locked plating

The February 2013 Trauma Roundup. 360 . looks at: the risk of ankle fractures; absorbable implants; minimally invasive heel fracture fixation; pertrochanteric fractures; arthroplasty and intracapsular hip fractures; and extensor mechanism disruption

Guiding growth by harnessing the ability of growing bone to undergo plastic deformation is one of the oldest orthopaedic principles. Correction of deformity remains a major part of the workload for paediatric orthopaedic surgeons and recently, along with developments in limb reconstruction and computer-directed frame correction, there has been renewed interest in surgical methods of physeal manipulation or ‘guided growth’. Manipulating natural bone growth to correct a deformity is appealing, as it allows gradual correction by non- or minimally invasive methods. This paper reviews the techniques employed for guided growth in current orthopaedic practice, including the basic science and recent advances underlying mechanical physeal manipulation of both healthy and pathological physes

The October 2012 Spine Roundup. 360. looks at: a Japanese questionnaire at work in Iran; curve progression in degenerative lumbar scoliosis; the cause of foot drop; the issue of avoiding the spinal cord at scoliosis surgery; ballistic injuries to the cervical spine; minimally invasive oblique lumbar interbody fusion; readmission rates after spinal surgery; clinical complications and the severely injured cervical spine; and stabilising the thoracolumbar burst fracture

The presacral retroperitoneal approach for axial lumbar interbody fusion (presacral ALIF) is not widely reported, particularly with regard to the mid-term outcome. This prospective study describes the clinical outcomes, complications and rates of fusion at a follow-up of two years for 26 patients who underwent this minimally invasive technique along with further stabilisation using pedicle screws. The fusion was single-level at the L5-S1 spinal segment in 17 patients and two-level at L4–5 and L5-S1 in the other nine. The visual analogue scale for pain and Oswestry Disability Index scores were recorded pre-operatively and during the 24-month study period. The evaluation of fusion was by thin-cut CT scans at six and 12 months, and flexion-extension plain radiographs at six, 12 and 24 months. Significant reductions in pain and disability occurred as early as three weeks postoperatively and were maintained. Fusion was achieved in 22 of 24 patients (92%) at 12 months and in 23 patients (96%) at 24 months. One patient (4%) with a pseudarthrosis underwent successful revision by augmentation of the posterolateral fusion mass through a standard open midline approach. There were no severe adverse events associated with presacral ALIF, which in this series demonstrated clinical outcomes and fusion rates comparable with those of reports of other methods of interbody fusion

We reviewed the outcome of a retrospective case series of eight patients with atlantoaxial instability who had been treated by percutaneous anterior transarticular screw fixation and grafting under image-intensifier guidance between December 2005 and June 2008. The mean follow-up was 19 months (8 to 27). All eight patients had a solid C1–2 fusion. There were no breakages or displacement of screws. All the patients with pre-operative neck pain had immediate relief from their symptoms or considerable improvement. There were no major complications. Our preliminary clinical results suggest that percutaneous anterior transarticulation screw fixation is technically feasible, safe, useful and minimally invasive when using the appropriate instruments allied to intra-operative image intensification, and by selecting the correct puncture point, angle and depth of insertion