We systematically reviewed all the evidence published in the English language on proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) replacement, to determine its effectiveness on the function of the hand and the associated post-operative complications.

Original studies were selected if they reported clinical outcome with a minimum of one year’s follow-up. Quality was assessed using the Cowley systematic review criteria modified for finger-joint replacements. Of 319 articles identified, only five were adequately reported according to our quality criteria; there were no randomised controlled trials. PIPJ replacements had a substantial effect size on hand pain of -23.2 (95% confidence interval (CI) -27.3 to -19.1) and grip strength 1.2 (95% CI -10.7 to 13.1), and a small effect on range of movement 0.2 (95% CI -0.4 to 0.8). A dorsal approach was most successful. Post-operative loosening occurred in 10% (95% CI 3 to 30) of ceramic and 12.5% (95% CI 7 to 21) of pyrocarbon replacements. Post-operative complications occurred in 27.8% (95% CI 20 to 37).

We conclude that the effectiveness of PIPJ replacement has not been established. Small observational case studies and short-term follow-up, together with insufficient reporting of patient data, functional outcomes and complications, limit the value of current evidence.

We recommend that a defined core set of patients, surgical and outcome data for this intervention be routinely and systematically collected within the framework of a joint registry.

We present a review of litigation claims relating to foot and ankle surgery in the NHS in England during the 17-year period between 1995 and 2012.

A freedom of information request was made to obtain data from the NHS litigation authority (NHSLA) relating to orthopaedic claims, and the foot and ankle claims were reviewed.

During this period of time, a total of 10 273 orthopaedic claims were made, of which 1294 (12.6%) were related to the foot and ankle. 1036 were closed, which comprised of 1104 specific complaints. Analysis was performed using the complaints as the denominator. The cost of settling these claims was more than £36 million.

There were 372 complaints (33.7%) involving the ankle, of which 273 (73.4%) were related to trauma. Conditions affecting the first ray accounted for 236 (21.4%), of which 232 (98.3%) concerned elective practice. Overall, claims due to diagnostic errors accounted for 210 (19.0%) complaints, 208 (18.8%) from alleged incompetent surgery and 149 (13.5%) from alleged mismanagement.

Our findings show that the incorrect, delayed or missed diagnosis of conditions affecting the foot and ankle is a key area for improvement, especially in trauma practice.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1510–14.

The aim of this prospective multicentre study was to report the patient satisfaction after total knee replacement (TKR), undertaken with the aid of intra-operative sensors, and to compare these results with previous studies. A total of 135 patients undergoing TKR were included in the study. The soft-tissue balance of each TKR was quantified intra-operatively by the sensor, and 18 (13%) were found to be unbalanced. A total of 113 patients (96.7%) in the balanced group and 15 (82.1%) in the unbalanced group were satisfied or very satisfied one year post-operatively (p = 0.043).

A review of the literature identified no previous study with a mean level of satisfaction that was greater than the reported level of satisfaction of the balanced TKR group in this study. Ensuring soft-tissue balance by using intra-operative sensors during TKR may improve satisfaction.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1333–8

The April 2013 Trauma Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: ankle sprains; paediatric knee haemarthroses; evidence to support a belief; ‘Moonboot’ saves the day; pamphlets and outcomes; poor gait in pilons; lactate and surgical timing; and marginal results with marginal impaction.

Patients with pain and loss of shoulder function due to nonunion of a fracture of the proximal third of the humerus may benefit from reverse total shoulder replacement. This paper reports a prospective, multicentre study, involving three hospitals and three surgeons, of 35 patients (28 women, seven men) with a mean age of 69 years (46 to 83) who underwent a reverse total shoulder replacement for the treatment of nonunion of a fracture of the proximal humerus. Using Checchia’s classification, nine nonunions were type I, eight as type II, 12 as type III and six as type IV. The mean follow-up was 51 months (24 to 99). Post-operatively, the patients had a significant decrease in pain (p < 0.001), and a significant improvement in flexion, abduction, external rotation and Constant score (p < 0.001), but not in internal rotation. A total of nine complications were recorded in seven patients: six dislocations, one glenoid loosening in a patient who had previously suffered dislocation, one transitory paresis of the axillary nerve and one infection.

Reverse total shoulder replacement may lead to a significant reduction in pain, improvement in function and a high degree of satisfaction. However, the rate of complications, particularly dislocation, was high.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1239–43.

We report the outcome of 161 of 257 surgically fixed acetabular fractures. The operations were undertaken between 1989 and 1998 and the patients were followed for a minimum of ten years. Anthropometric data, fracture pattern, time to surgery, associated injuries, surgical approach, complications and outcome were recorded. Modified Merle D’Aubigné score and Matta radiological scoring systems were used as outcome measures. We observed simple fractures in 108 patients (42%) and associated fractures in 149 (58%).

The result was excellent in 75 patients (47%), good in 41 (25%), fair in 12 (7%) and poor in 33 (20%). Poor prognostic factors included increasing age, delay to surgery, quality of reduction and some fracture patterns. Complications were common in the medium- to long-term and functional outcome was variable. The gold-standard treatment for displaced acetabular fractures remains open reduction and internal fixation performed in dedicated units by specialist surgeons as soon as possible.

There have been several studies examining the association between the morphological characteristics seen in acetabular dysplasia and the incidence of the osteoarthritis (OA).

However, most studies focus mainly on acetabular morphological analysis, and few studies have scrutinised the effect of femoral morphology. In this study we enrolled 36 patients with bilateral acetabular dysplasia and early or mid-stage OA in one hip and no OA in the contralateral hip. CT scans were performed from the iliac crest to 2 cm inferior to the tibial tuberosity, and the morphological characteristics of both acetabulum and femur were studied.

In addition, 200 hips in 100 healthy volunteer Chinese adults formed a control group. The results showed that the dysplastic group with OA had a significantly larger femoral neck anteversion and a significantly shorter abductor lever arm than both the dysplastic group without OA and the controls. Femoral neck anteversion had a significant negative correlation with the length of the abductor lever arm and we conclude that it may contribute to the development of OA in dysplastic hips.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014; 96-B:1586–93.

The treatment of infected nonunions is difficult. Antibiotic cement-coated (ACC) rods provide stability as well as delivering antibiotics. We conducted a review of 110 infected nonunions treated with ACC rods. Patients were divided into two groups: group A (67 patients) with an infected arthrodesis, and group B (43 patients) with an infected nonunion in a long bone. In group A, infected arthrodesis, the success rate after the first procedure was 38/67 (57%), 29/67 (43%) required further surgery for either control of infection or non-union. At last follow-up, five patients required amputation, representing a limb salvage rate of 62/67 (93%) overall. In all, 29/67 (43%) presented with a bone defect with a mean size of 6.78 cm (2 to 25). Of those with a bone defect, 13/29 (45%) required further surgery and had a mean size of defect of 7.2 cm (3.5 to 25). The cultures were negative in 17/67 (26%) and the most common organism cultured was methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (23/67, (35%)). In group B, long bones nonunion, the success rate after the first procedure was 26/43 (60%), 17/43 (40%) required further surgery for either control of infection or nonunion. The limb salvage rate at last follow-up was 43/43 (100%). A total of 22/43 (51%) had bone defect with a mean size of 4.7 cm (1.5 to 11.5). Of those patients with a bone defect, 93% required further surgery with a mean size of defect of 5.4 cm (3 to 8.5). The cultures were negative in 10/43 (24%) and the most common organism cultured was MRSA, 15/43 (35%). ACC rods are an effective form of treatment for an infected nonunion, with an acceptable rate of complications.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014; 96-B:1349–54

The October 2014 Trauma Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: proximal humeral fractures in children; quadrilateral surface plates in transverse acetabular fractures; sleep deprivation and poor outcomes in trauma; bipolar hemiarthroplasty; skeletal traction; forefoot fractures; telemedicine in trauma; ketamine infusion for orthopaedic injuries; and improved functional outcomes seen with trauma networks.

A total of 31 patients, (20 women, 11 men; mean age 62.5 years old; 23 to 81), who underwent conversion of a Girdlestone resection-arthroplasty (RA) to a total hip replacement (THR) were compared with 93 patients, (60 women, 33 men; mean age 63.4 years old; 20 to 89), who had revision THR surgery for aseptic loosening in a retrospective matched case-control study. Age, gender and the extent of the pre-operative bone defect were similar in all patients. Mean follow-up was 9.3 years (5 to 18).

Pre-operative function and range of movement were better in the control group (p = 0.01 and 0.003, respectively) and pre-operative leg length discrepancy (LLD) was greater in the RA group (p < 0.001). The post-operative clinical outcome was similar in both groups except for mean post-operative LLD, which was greater in the study group (p = 0.003). There was a significant interaction effect for LLD in the study group (p < 0.001). A two-way analysis of variance showed that clinical outcome depended on patient age (patients older than 70 years old had worse pre-operative pain, p = 0.017) or bone defect (patients with a large acetabular bone defect had higher LLD, p = 0.006, worse post-operative function p = 0.009 and range of movement, p = 0.005), irrespective of the group.

Despite major acetabular and femoral bone defects requiring complex surgical reconstruction techniques, THR after RA shows a clinical outcome similar to those obtained in aseptic revision surgery for hips with similar sized bone defects.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1478–84.

Whiplash injury is surrounded by controversy in both the medical and legal world. The debate on whether it is either a potentially serious medical condition or a social problem is ongoing. This paper briefly examines a selection of studies on low velocity whiplash injury (LVWI) and whiplash associated disorder (WAD) and touches upon the pathophysiological and epidemiological considerations, cultural and geographical differences and the effect of litigation on chronicity. The study concludes that the evidence for significant physical injury after LVWI is poor, and if significant disability is present after such injury, it will have to be explained in terms of psychosocial factors.

An atypical femoral fracture (AFF), with a transverse fracture radiologically through the lateral cortex is a rare but serious condition. In order to improve our ability to identify patients with this condition, we retrospectively surveyed all subtrochanteric, peri-implant and diaphyseal femoral fractures in patients aged ≥ 65 years who underwent surgical treatment at our hospital between 2004 and 2011.

We describe the incidence of atypical fractures and their characteristics, with observational data including a review of the hospital and general practitioner records. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Harris hip score (HHS) and the timed up-and-go (TUG) test.

Atypical fractures only occurred in women with an incidence of 9.8 per 100 000 person-years. The incidence in those who were treated with bisphosphonates was 79.0 per 100 000 person-years; eight of 17 fractures occurred around metal implants. There was a high incidence of delayed union and revision surgery. A total of nine patients (ten AFFs) were available for review at a mean follow-up of 36.5 months (10 to 104). The clinical outcome was poor with a mean HHS of 58.9 (95% CI 47.4 to 70.4) and a mean TUG test of 25.7 s (95% CI 12.7 to 38.8).

The delay in diagnosis and treatment of AFF may result from a lack of knowledge of this condition.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014; 96-B:1035–40.

Previous studies from single centres or single-surgeon series report good early and mid-term results for high tibial osteotomy (HTO) in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. However, the survivorship of HTO at a national level is unknown. This registry-based study included 3195 high HTOs performed between 1987 and 2008. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed an overall survivorship of 89% (95% confidence interval (CI) 88 to 90) at five years and 73% (95% CI 72 to 75) at ten years, when conversion to total knee replacement was taken as the endpoint. Females and patients aged > 50 years had worse survivorship than males or patients aged ≤ 50 years (hazard ratio (HR) 1.26 (95% CI 1.11 to 1.43) and HR 1.41 (95% CI 1.23 to 1.64), respectively). The survivorship of HTOs performed between 1998 to 2008 was worse than for those performed between 1987 and 1997.

There is little in the literature on the level of participation in sports which patients undertake after total hip replacement (THR). Our aims in this study were to determine first, the level of sporting activity, second, the predictive factors for returning to sporting activity, and third, the correlation between participation in sports and satisfaction after THR. We retrospectively identified 815 patients who had undergone THR between 1995 and 2005. All were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire regarding their sporting activity. A total of 571 patients (71%) met the inclusion criteria and completed the evaluation. At a mean follow-up of 9.8 years (sd 2.9), 366 patients (64%) returned to sporting activity as defined by a University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score of > 5. The main reasons that patients had for refraining from sports were fear of dislocation (65; 31.6%), avoiding wear (52; 25.4%), and the recommendation of the surgeon (34; 16.6%). There was a significant relationship between higher post-operative participation in sport in those patients with a higher pre-operative Harris hip score (HHS) (p = 0.0074), motivation to participate in sporting activities (p = 0.00022) and a shorter duration of symptoms (p = 0.0034). Finally, there was a correlation between age (p = 0.00013), UCLA score (p = 0.012) and pre-operative HHS (p = 0.00091) and satisfaction.

In conclusion, we found that most patients participate in sporting activity after THR, regardless of the advice of their surgeon, and that there is a correlation between the level of participation and pre-operative function, motivation, duration of symptoms and post-operative satisfaction.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1041–6

In light of the growing number of elderly osteopenic patients with distal humeral fractures, we discuss the history of their management and current trends. Under most circumstances operative fixation and early mobilisation is the treatment of choice, as it gives the best results. The relative indications for and results of total elbow replacement versus internal fixation are discussed.

This paper investigates whether cortical comminution and intra-articular involvement can predict displacement in distal radius fractures by using a classification that includes volar comminution as a separate parameter.

A prospective multicentre study involving non-operative treatment of distal radius fractures in 387 patients aged between 15 and 74 years (398 fractures) was conducted. The presence of cortical comminution and intra-articular involvement according to the Buttazzoni classification is described. Minimally displaced fractures were treated with immobilisation in a cast while displaced fractures underwent closed reduction with subsequent immobilisation. Radiographs were obtained after reduction, at 10 to 14 days and after union. The outcome measure was re-displacement or union.

In fractures with volar comminution (Buttazzoni type 4), 96% (53 of 55) displaced. In intra-articular fractures without volar comminution (Buttazzoni 3), 72% (84 of 117) displaced. In extra-articular fractures with isolated dorsal comminution (Buttazzoni 2), 73% (106 of 145) displaced while in non-comminuted fractures (Buttazzoni 1), 16 % (13 of 81 ) displaced.

A total of 32% (53 of 165) of initially minimally displaced fractures later displaced. All of the initially displaced volarly comminuted fractures re-displaced. Displacement occurred in 31% (63 of 205) of fractures that were still in good alignment after 10 to 14 days.

Regression analysis showed that volar and dorsal comminution predicted later displacement, while intra-articular involvement did not predict displacement. Volar comminution was the strongest predictor of displacement.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:978–83.

We identified 11 women with a mean age of 74 years (65 to 81) who sustained comminuted distal radial and ulnar fractures and were treated by volar plating and slight shortening of the radius combined with a primary Sauvé-Kapandji procedure.

At a mean of 46 months (16 to 58), union of distal radial fractures and arthrodesis of the distal radioulnar joint was seen in all patients. The mean shortening of the radius was 12 mm (5 to 18) compared to the contralateral side. Flexion and extension of the wrist was a mean of 54° and 50°, respectively, and the mean pronation and supination of the forearm was 82° and 86°, respectively. The final mean disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand score was 26 points. According to the Green and O’Brien rating system, eight patients had an excellent, two a good and one a fair result.

The good clinical and radiological results, and the minor complications without the need for further operations related to late ulnar-sided wrist pain, justify this procedure in the elderly patient.

We report a 12- to 15-year implant survival assessment of a prospective single-surgeon series of Birmingham Hip Resurfacings (BHRs). The earliest 1000 consecutive BHRs including 288 women (335 hips) and 598 men (665 hips) of all ages and diagnoses with no exclusions were prospectively followed-up with postal questionnaires, of whom the first 402 BHRs (350 patients) also had clinical and radiological review.

Mean follow-up was 13.7 years (12.3 to 15.3). In total, 59 patients (68 hips) died 0.7 to 12.6 years following surgery from unrelated causes. There were 38 revisions, 0.1 to 13.9 years (median 8.7) following operation, including 17 femoral failures (1.7%) and seven each of infections, soft-tissue reactions and other causes. With revision for any reason as the end-point Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed 97.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) 96.9 to 97.9) and 95.8% (95% CI 95.1 to 96.5) survival at ten and 15 years, respectively. Radiological assessment showed 11 (3.5%) femoral and 13 (4.1%) acetabular radiolucencies which were not deemed failures and one radiological femoral failure (0.3%).

Our study shows that the performance of the BHR continues to be good at 12- to 15-year follow-up. Men have better implant survival (98.0%; 95% CI 97.4 to 98.6) at 15 years than women (91.5%; 95% CI 89.8 to 93.2), and women < 60 years (90.5%; 95% CI 88.3 to 92.7) fare worse than others. Hip dysplasia and osteonecrosis are risk factors for failure. Patients under 50 years with osteoarthritis fare best (99.4%; 95% CI 98.8 to 100 survival at 15 years), with no failures in men in this group.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1298–1306.

The June 2014 Children’s orthopaedics Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: plaster wedging in paediatric forearm fractures; the medial approach for DDH; Ponseti – but not as he knew it?; Salter osteotomy more accurate than Pemberton in DDH; is the open paediatric fracture an emergency?; bang up-to-date with femoral external fixation; indomethacin, heterotopic ossification and cerebral palsy hips; lengthening nails for congenital femoral deformities, and is MRI the answer to imaging of the physis?

The June 2014 Trauma Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: BMP use increasing wound complication rates in trauma surgery; can we predict re-admission in trauma?; humeral bundle nailing; how best to treat high-angle femoral neck fractures?; hyperglycaemia and infection; simultaneous soft-tissue and bony repair in terrible triad injuries; metaphyseal malunion in the forearm leading to function restrictions; delayed fixation of the distal radius: not a bad option; and fasciotomies better with shoelaces