In children, nonunion of fractures of the waist of the scaphoid is uncommon. Treatment has included bone grafting without internal fixation, bone grafting with Kirschner-wire fixation, and screw fixation without bone grafting. We report the successful use of Herbert screw fixation and iliac-crest bone grafting in five cases, all of which healed without further surgery. At an average follow-up of 3.3 years, the range of motion, grip strength, carpal stability, and radiological appearances were all excellent

The clinical and radiological results of 50 consecutive acetabular reconstructions in 48 patients using impaction grafting have been retrospectively reviewed. A 1:1 mixture of frozen, ground irradiated bone graft and Apapore 60, a synthetic bone graft substitute, was used in all cases. There were 13 complex primary and 37 revision procedures with a mean follow-up of five years (3.4 to 7.6). The clinical survival rate was 100%, with improvements in the mean Harris Hip Scores for pain and function. Radiologically, 30 acetabular grafts showed evidence of incorporation, ten had radiolucent lines and two acetabular components migrated initially before stabilising. Acetabular reconstruction in both primary and revision surgery using a 1:1 mixture of frozen, ground, irriadiated bone and Apapore 60 appears to be a reliable method of managing acetabular defects. Longer follow-up will be required to establish whether this technique is as effective as using fresh-frozen allograft

Revascularisation of syngeneic and allogeneic intramuscular bone grafts have been studied using radioactive microspheres to measure the ingrowth of blood vessels. New bone formation and resorption were measured by 85strontium uptake and by graft weight reduction. Revascularisation, and mineralisation rate were significantly higher in syngeneic grafts than in allogeneic grafts at two, three and six weeks after implantation. The syngeneic grafts lost weight faster indicating that the allogeneic grafts resorbed more slowly. The ingrowth of new vessels is impaired in allogeneic bone, and this probably inhibits the rate of bone formation and resorption of the grafts

We present an update of the clinical and radiological results of 62 consecutive acetabular revisions using impacted morsellised cancellous bone grafts and a cemented acetabular component in 58 patients, at a mean follow-up of 22.2 years (20 to 25). The Kaplan-Meier survivorship for the acetabular component with revision for any reason as the endpoint was 75% at 20 years (95% confidence interval (CI) 62 to 88) when 16 hips were at risk. Excluding two revisions for septic loosening at three and six years, the survivorship at 20 years was 79% (95% CI 67 to 93). With further exclusions of one revision of a well-fixed acetabular component after 12 years during a femoral revision and two after 17 years for wear of the acetabular component, the survivorship for aseptic loosening was 87% at 20 years (95% CI 76 to 97). At the final review 14 of the 16 surviving hips had radiographs available. There was one additional case of radiological loosening and four acetabular reconstructions showed progressive radiolucent lines in one or two zones. Acetabular revision using impacted large morsellised bone chips (0.5 cm to 1 cm in diameter) and a cemented acetabular component remains a reliable technique for reconstruction, even when assessed at more than 20 years after surgery

We hypothesised that cells obtained via a Reamer–Irrigator–Aspirator (RIA) system retain substantial osteogenic potential and are at least equivalent to graft harvested from the iliac crest. Graft was harvested using the RIA in 25 patients (mean age 37.6 years (18 to 68)) and from the iliac crest in 21 patients (mean age 44.6 years (24 to 78)), after which ≥ 1 g of bony particulate graft material was processed from each. Initial cell viability was assessed using Trypan blue exclusion, and initial fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis for cell lineage was performed. After culturing the cells, repeat FACS analysis for cell lineage was performed and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for osteocalcin, and Alizarin red staining to determine osteogenic potential. Cells obtained via RIA or from the iliac crest were viable and matured into mesenchymal stem cells, as shown by staining for the specific mesenchymal antigens CD90 and CD105. For samples from both RIA and the iliac crest there was a statistically significant increase in bone production (both p < 0.001), as demonstrated by osteocalcin production after induction. . Medullary autograft cells harvested using RIA are viable and osteogenic. Cell viability and osteogenic potential were similar between bone grafts obtained from both the RIA system and the iliac crest. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1269–74

1. Sixteen cases of thenar paralysis are reviewed in which a bone graft was inserted between the first and second metacarpals to maintain fixed abduction and opposition of the thumb. 2. The technique of the operation is described and the causes of failure are discussed. 3. The operation is intended for those cases in which tendon transplantation to restore active opposition of the thumb is unsuitable. Rotation of the first metacarpal into full opposition is the most important feature of the operation

This study identified variables which influence the outcome of surgical management on 126 ununited scaphoid fractures managed by internal fixation and non-vascular bone grafting. The site of fracture was defined by a new method: the ratio of the length of the proximal fragment to the sum of the lengths of both fragments, calculated using specific views in the plain radiographs. Bone healing occurred in 71% (89) of cases. Only the site of nonunion (p = 1 × 10. −6. ) and the delay to surgery (p = 0.001) remained significant on multivariate analysis. The effect of surgical delay on the probability of union increased as the fracture site moved proximally. A prediction model was produced by stepwise logistic regression analysis, enabling the surgeon to predict the success of surgery where the site of the nonunion and delay to surgery is known

Seventy-nine open tibial fractures were treated with unilateral uniplanar tubular external fixators. Excellent stability allowed early weight-bearing. All comminuted fractures, with or without bone loss, and some transverse or short oblique fractures with intermediate fragments were treated by early bone grafting through a posterolateral approach. The external fixator was dynamised as soon as periosteal callus was seen on the radiograph. Bone healing times ranged from 11 to 40 weeks (mean 20). Significant ankle stiffness occurred in 10.9% and leg shortening in 2.8%. Pin track infection was seen in 45.2% but was easily controlled with standard management. The external fixation frame allowed excellent functional freedom for Oriental patients to sit cross-legged and squat. Combined with early bone grafting, external fixation is an excellent method for the management of open tibial fractures

We have reviewed the results of 30 operations performed on 23 patients with Ficat stage-III or stage-IV osteonecrosis of the femoral head in which autogenous cortical and cancellous bone grafting had been performed through a so-called trapdoor made in the femoral head. At a mean of 56 months (30 to 60) after operation 20 of 24 stage-III hips (83%) had a good or excellent result as determined by the Harris hip-scoring system. Two of six stage-IV hips (33%) had good or excellent results. Eighteen of 21 hips (86%) with a combined necrotic angle of 200° had good or excellent clinical results compared with only four of nine hips (44%) with a combined necrotic angle of more than 200°. Six of the eight hips which had fair or poor results were in patients who had received corticosteroids; five of these six hips had lesions with a combined necrotic angle of greater than 200° or were in a late stage (stage IV). There were no perioperative complications. Our results suggest that the trapdoor procedure with autogenous cancellous and cortical bone grafting can be successful in Ficat and Arlet stage-III osteonecrosis of the hip in patients with small- to medium-sized lesions

We have reviewed retrospectively 68 revisions of the femoral component in arthroplasties of the hip in 65 patients, using impaction bone grafting, at a median of three years (1 month to 6 years). We employed the cemented Exeter X-Change technique in 36 patients and the uncemented Bi-Metric allografting method in 32. The 37 bone defects were grade 3 or grade 4 on the Endo-Klinik classification. The Mayo hip score improved from a mean of 32 (. sd. ± 18) to 62 (. sd. ± 15). Most (25) of the 34 complications occurred in grade-3 and grade-4 defects; nine were intraoperative diaphyseal fractures and eight fractures of the greater trochanter. All the fractures united. The risk of intraoperative fracture was prevented by supporting the bone with wires in 16 hips, with reinforcement mesh in 18 and by a plate in six. Early migration of the stem of more than 10 mm during the first year indicated rotational instability; it occurred in three cases. In difficult revision cases with large defects of the femoral bone, bone-impaction techniques carry a high risk of complications

Delayed union or non-union of the scaphoid was treated by a bone graft on a pronator quadratus pedicle in eight cases. This produced earlier union than the Russe procedure. The procedure is simple and is recommended for old un-united scaphoid fractures

We describe a new method of reconstruction after resection of tumours of the proximal tibia by grafting and arthrodesis of the knee. Two separate vascularised bone grafts from the ipsilateral limb were used, one a gastrocnemius-pedicled femoral graft and the other a pedicled fibular graft. An anatomical study of the gastrocnemius-pedicled femoral graft was made. The method was shown to be practical and reproducible. One patient with osteosarcoma has a successful result with no recurrence at two-and-a-half years

Between June 1991 and May 1996 we carried out arthrodesis on 15 patients with flail or partially flail wrists using an AO/ASIF dynamic compression plate (DCP) without a bone graft. The wrist was approached through the second extensor compartment. The minimum follow-up was for 24 months with a mean of 34.2 months. All 15 wrists fused without major complications at a mean of 11.9 weeks. Stabilisation improved the function of the hand affected with paralysis and the appearance of the extensively paralysed upper limb with a flail hand. In the absence of bony abnormality fusion can be obtained with a DCP alone without the need for bone grafting

Dysplastic acetabula were augmented during total hip replacement by superolateral autografts. In cases of primary arthroplasty these were taken from the excised femoral head and in revision surgery from the iliac crest. Two or (usually) three small grafts were used to facilitate revascularisation; they were fixed with lag screws to the roughened iliac bone above the acetabulum. We reviewed 84 hips (63 primary arthroplasties and 21 revisions) more than five years (mean 10.1) after operation. All but one of the grafts showed consolidation within three months and they had become structurally integrated with the iliac bone, as evidenced by the trabecular reorientation. Resorption, which has caused early socket failure when large bone grafts have been used, did not occur

Aims

This single-centre observational study aimed to describe the results of extensive bone impaction grafting of the whole acetabular cavity in combination with an uncemented component in acetabular revisions performed in a standardized manner since 1993.

Sixty-one patients with 68 osteonecrotic femoral heads, at different stages of development, were treated surgically; their average age was 36 years. Necrosis followed a fracture in 43 hips and traumatic dislocation in three. It was idiopathic in 14, cortisone-induced in seven and associated with gout in one. The operation of multiple drilling, curettage of the necrotic bone and muscle pedicle bone grafting was performed in all. Cheilectomy of the superolateral part of the femoral head and adductor tenotomy were added in cases of advanced necrosis. Of the several types of muscle pedicle used, tensor fasciae latae anteriorly and quadratus femoris posteriorly were preferred. Full weight-bearing was not permitted for five to six months. The follow-up period varied from three to 12 years. Hip pain was regularly relieved and abduction and rotation of the joints were improved. Those with post-traumatic or idiopathic necrosis did better than those with cortisone-induced necrosis

We describe a new technique for open reduction, bone grafting and fixation with a single Kirschner wire of unstable fractures of the distal radius. Of the 83 patients treated by this technique, most had regained volar tilt when seen at an average of 13 months after injury. Malunion was seen in 18 patients due either to poor placement of the graft and Kirschner wire or because of both volar and dorsal comminution. Assessment of hand and wrist function showed an average recovery of 63% of mass grip strength with an excellent return of specialised grip strength and range of movement. The advantages of this technique over closed methods include the ability to regain the volar tilt of the distal radius and to achieve reduction at any time before union of the fracture

Fifty-six patients with ununited intracapsular fractures of the femoral neck were treated by internal fixation and muscle-pedicle bone grafting. All had some absorption of the femoral neck, and many had avascular necrosis of the femoral head. At operation the sclerosed surfaces of the fractures were freshened, the avascular femoral head was decompressed and the muscle-pedicle graft was fixed with silk thread wrapped around pins. Satisfactory union occurred in 42 patients (75%), and delayed union in seven, of whom four (7%) eventually united without further treatment and three united after osteotomy. Non-union occurred in five patients and technical failure in two

In fully-grown mongrel dogs, diaphyseal ulnar defects 25 mm long were stabilised by screws and plates, and were temporarily filled with silicone rubber blocks. After eight weeks the block was replaced either by fresh autogeneic cancellous bone, allogeneic deep-frozen cancellous bone, allogeneic decalcified bone matrix, or bone matrix gelatin. After 24 weeks the implants were evaluated by radiography, histology, and measurements of new bone volume, using computer-assisted density registration on microradiographs. Only the autogeneic bone grafts led to healing in all instances. Bone regeneration in the other groups was not significantly better than in the sham group in which no graft was employed. Decalcified bone matrix proved ineffective

Aims

We present our experience of using a metal-backed prosthesis and autologous bone graft to treat gross glenoid bone deficiency.