Aims

The aim of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of cemented hemiarthroplasty (HA) versus hydroxyapatite-coated uncemented HA for the treatment of displaced intracapsular hip fractures in older adults.

Resection of malignant bony tumours of the pelvis creates large bone and soft-tissue defects, and is frequently associated with complications such as wound dehiscence and deep infection. We present the results of six patients in whom a rectus abdominis myocutaneous (RAM) flap was used following resection of a malignant tumour of the pelvis. Bony reconstruction was performed using a constrained hip tumour prosthesis in three patients, vascularised fibular graft in two and frozen autograft in one. At a mean follow-up of 63 months (16 to 115), no patients had a problem with the wound. Immediate reconstruction using a RAM flap may be used after resection of a malignant tumour of the pelvis to provide an adequate volume of tissue to eliminate the dead space, cover the exposed bone or implants with well-vascularised soft tissue and to reduce the risk of complications. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:270–3

The extended lateral L-shaped approach for the treatment of displaced intra-articular fractures of the calcaneum may be complicated by wound infection, haematoma, dehiscence and injury to the sural nerve. In an effort to reduce the risk of problems with wound healing a technique was developed that combined open reduction and fixation of the joint fragments and of the anterior process with percutaneous reduction and screw fixation of the tuberosity. A group of 24 patients with unilateral isolated closed Sanders type II and III fractures was treated using this technique and compared to a similar group of 26 patients managed by the extended approach and lateral plating. The operation was significantly shorter (p < 0.001) in the first group, but more minor secondary procedures and removal of heel screws were necessary. There were no wound complications in this group, whereas four minor complications occurred in the second group. The accuracy and maintenance of reduction, and ultimate function were equivalent

Aims

The purpose of this study was to determine the weightbearing practice of operatively managed fragility fractures in the setting of publically funded health services in the UK and Ireland.

Aims

There has been an increasing use of early operative fixation for scaphoid fractures, despite uncertain evidence. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate up-to-date evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), comparing the effectiveness of the operative and nonoperative treatment of undisplaced and minimally displaced (≤ 2 mm displacement) scaphoid fractures.

Aims

The purpose of this study was to explore a simple and effective method of preparing human acellular amniotic membrane (HAAM) scaffolds, and explore the effect of HAAM scaffolds with juvenile cartilage fragments (JCFs) on osteochondral defects.

1. Eighty consecutive open fractures of the tibial shaft were treated by primary internal fixation and wound closure. Wound healing was complicated by deep infection in eight patients (10 per cent) and by skin loss of varying degree in ten (l2·5 per cent). 2. Careful selection of patients on the basis of associated soft-tissue injuries is urged. A simple method of grading open fractures by the appearance of the wound and adjacent skin and the effectiveness of wound closure is suggested. If internal fixation is indicated on mechanical grounds, the nature of the soft-tissue injury should be the deciding factor in the choice of the method of treatment. In the less severe (Grade 1) fractures internal fixation and wound closure may be safely employed. In the severe (Grade 3) injuries, primary wound closure with or without internal fixation should be avoided. Moderately severe (Grade 2) fractures should be carefully assessed and treated by internal fixation and wound closure only if primary wound healing is confidently expected. 3. Wound healing by first intention requires, in addition to adequate debridement of the deep layers of the wound, careful approximation of healthy wound edges without excessive tension. An adequate knowledge of skin-plastic procedures is essential to achieve this. 4. A combination of systemic penicillin and streptomycin in adequate doses is a safe and effective prophylactic antibiotic for use in the treatment of open fractures

Aims. The aim of this study was to explore the patients’ experience of recovery from open fracture of the lower limb in acute care. Patients and Methods. A purposeful sample of 20 participants with a mean age of 40 years (20 to 82) (16 males, four females) were interviewed a mean of 12 days (five to 35) after their first surgical intervention took place between July 2012 and July 2013 in two National Health Service (NHS) trusts in England, United Kingdom. The qualitative interviews drew on phenomenology and analysis identified codes, which were drawn together into categories and themes. Results. The findings identify the vulnerability of the patients expressed through three themes; being emotionally fragile, being injured and living with injury. The participants felt a closeness to death and continued uncertainty regarding loss of their limb. They experienced strong emotions while also trying to contain their emotions for the benefit of others. Their sense of self changed as they became a person with visible wounds, needed intimate help, and endured pain. When ready, they imagined what it would be like to live with injury. Conclusion. Recovery activities require an increased focus on emotional wellbeing. Surgeons are aware of the need for clinical expertise and for adequate pain relief but may not be as aware that their patients require support regarding their body image and help to imagine their future life. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:522–6

Aims. The classical longitudinal incision used for the direct anterior approach (DAA) to the hip does not follow the tension lines of the skin and can lead to impaired wound healing and poor cosmesis. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the satisfaction with the scar, and functional and radiographic outcomes comparing the classic longitudinal incision with a modified skin crease ‘bikini’ when the DAA is used for total hip arthroplasty (THA). Patients and Methods. A total of 964 patients (51% female; 59% longitudinal, 41% ‘bikini’) completed a follow-up questionnaire between two and four years postoperatively, including the Oxford Hip Score (OHS), the University of North Carolina ‘4P’ scar scale (UNC4P) and two items for assessing the aesthetic appearance of the scar and symptoms of numbness. The positioning of the components, rates of heterotopic ossification (HO) and rates of revision were assessed. Results. The mean OHS was similar in both groups (p = 0.41). The mean UNC4P total score was slightly better (p = 0.01) and the proportion of patients who were very satisfied with the cosmetic aspects of the scar was higher in the ‘bikini’ group (p < 0.001). The proportion of patients reporting numbness in the scar was higher in the longitudinal group (14.5% vs 7.5%, respectively, p < 0.001). The abduction angle of the acetabular component, the position of the stem and rates of HO did not differ between the groups. There were no differences in the revision rates of both groups, being 2.3% in the longitudinal and 1.5% in the ‘bikini’ group (p = 0.911). Conclusion. We found that a short oblique ‘bikini’ skin crease incision is safe when used for the DAA at THA, without compromising the positioning of the components or increasing the rate of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve dysaesthesia. Although it leads to a superior scar satisfaction, as it is less extensile, it should be used after having gained experience with the classic longitudinal incision. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:853–61

We randomly allocated 50 total knee replacements to scrub teams wearing body-exhaust suits (BES) or Rotecno occlusive clothing. The effectiveness of the clothing was assessed using air and wound bacterial counts. Bacteria were recovered from 62% of wounds (64% BES, 60% Rotecno). The mean air count was 0.5 CFU/ m. 3. with BES and 1.0 CFU/m. 3. with Rotecno (p = 0.014). The mean wound counts were 14 bacteria/wound with BES and eight bacteria/wound with Rotecno (p = 0.171). There was no correlation between the air and wound counts (r = −0.011, Spearman’s). The higher air counts suggest that Rotecno occlusive clothing is less effective than BES, but wounds were equally contaminated with both types of clothing suggesting that at very low levels of air contamination the contribution of bacteria to the wound from the air is irrelevant. Even doubling the air counts from 0.5 to 1.0 CFU/m. 3. had no detectable effect on the wound. This allows a reassessment to be made of other sources of contamination the effect of which would previously have been overwhelmed by contamination from air

Aims

There is an increasing concern of osteoporotic fractures in the ageing population. Low-magnitude high-frequency vibration (LMHFV) was shown to significantly enhance osteoporotic fracture healing through alteration of osteocyte lacuno-canalicular network (LCN). Dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) in osteocytes is known to be responsible for maintaining the LCN and mineralization. This study aimed to investigate the role of osteocyte-specific DMP1 during osteoporotic fracture healing augmented by LMHFV.

Blast and ballistic weapons used on the battlefield cause devastating injuries rarely seen outside armed conflict. These extremely high-energy injuries predominantly affect the limbs and are usually heavily contaminated with soil, foliage, clothing and even tissue from other casualties. Once life-threatening haemorrhage has been addressed, the military surgeon’s priority is to control infection. . Combining historical knowledge from previous conflicts with more recent experience has resulted in a systematic approach to these injuries. Urgent debridement of necrotic and severely contaminated tissue, irrigation and local and systemic antibiotics are the basis of management. These principles have resulted in successful healing of previously unsurvivable wounds. Healthy tissue must be retained for future reconstruction, vulnerable but viable tissue protected to allow survival and avascular tissue removed with all contamination. . While recent technological and scientific advances have offered some advantages, they must be judged in the context of a hard-won historical knowledge of these wounds. This approach is applicable to comparable civilian injury patterns. One of the few potential benefits of war is the associated improvement in our understanding of treating the severely injured; for this positive effect to be realised these experiences must be shared

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The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between reason for revision total hip arthroplasty (rTHA) and outcomes in terms of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).

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Giant cell tumour of bone (GCTB) treatment changed since the introduction of denosumab from purely surgical towards a multidisciplinary approach, with recent concerns of higher recurrence rates after denosumab. We evaluated oncological, surgical, and functional outcomes for distal radius GCTB, with a critically appraised systematic literature review.

Aims. This study reviews the use of a titanium mesh cage (TMC) as an adjunct to intramedullary nail or plate reconstruction of an extra-articular segmental long bone defect. Patients and Methods. A total of 17 patients (aged 17 to 61 years) treated for a segmental long bone defect by nail or plate fixation and an adjunctive TMC were included. The bone defects treated were in the tibia (nine), femur (six), radius (one), and humerus (one). The mean length of the segmental bone defect was 8.4 cm (2.2 to 13); the mean length of the titanium mesh cage was 8.3 cm (2.6 to 13). The clinical and radiological records of the patients were analyzed retrospectively. Results. The mean time to follow-up was 55 months (12 to 126). Overall, 16 (94%) of the patients achieved radiological filling of their bony defect and united to the native bone ends proximally and distally, resulting in a functioning limb. Complications included device failure in two patients (12%), infection in two (12%), and wound dehiscence in one (6%). Four patients (24%) required secondary surgery, four (24%) had a residual limb-length discrepancy, and one (6%) had a residual angular limb deformity. Conclusion. A titanium mesh cage is a useful adjunct in the treatment of an extra-articular segmental defect in a long bone. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:646–51

Aims. To evaluate interobserver reliability of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association’s open fracture classification system (OTA-OFC). Patients and Methods. Patients of any age with a first presentation of an open long bone fracture were included. Standard radiographs, wound photographs, and a short clinical description were given to eight orthopaedic surgeons, who independently evaluated the injury using both the Gustilo and Anderson (GA) and OTA-OFC classifications. The responses were compared for variability using Cohen’s kappa. Results. The overall interobserver agreement was ĸ = 0.44 for the GA classification and ĸ = 0.49 for OTA-OFC, which reflects moderate agreement (0.41 to 0.60) for both classifications. The agreement in the five categories of OTA-OFC was: for skin, ĸ = 0.55 (moderate); for muscle, ĸ = 0.44 (moderate); for arterial injury, ĸ = 0.74 (substantial); for contamination, ĸ = 0.35 (fair); and for bone loss, ĸ = 0.41 (moderate). Conclusion. Although the OTA-OFC, with similar interobserver agreement to GA, offers a more detailed description of open fractures, further development may be needed to make it a reliable and robust tool. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:242–6