The aim of this study was to develop a psychometrically sound measure of recovery for use in patients who have suffered an open tibial fracture. An initial pool of 109 items was generated from previous qualitative data relating to recovery following an open tibial fracture. These items were field tested in a cohort of patients recovering from an open tibial fracture. They were asked to comment on the content of the items and structure of the scale. Reduction in the number of items led to a refined scale tested in a larger cohort of patients. Principal components analysis permitted further reduction and the development of a definitive scale. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and responsiveness were assessed for the retained items.Aims
Methods
Abnormal femoral torsion (FT) is increasingly recognized as an additional cause for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). It is unknown if in-toeing of the foot is a specific diagnostic sign for increased FT in patients with symptomatic FAI. The aims of this study were to determine: 1) the prevalence and diagnostic accuracy of in-toeing to detect increased FT; 2) if foot progression angle (FPA) and tibial torsion (TT) are different among patients with abnormal FT; and 3) if FPA correlates with FT. A retrospective, institutional review board (IRB)-approved, controlled study of 85 symptomatic patients (148 hips) with FAI or hip dysplasia was performed in the gait laboratory. All patients had a measurement of FT (pelvic CT scan), TT (CT scan), and FPA (optical motion capture system). We allocated all patients to three groups with decreased FT (< 10°, 37 hips), increased FT (> 25°, 61 hips), and normal FT (10° to 25°, 50 hips). Cluster analysis was performed.Aims
Patients and Methods
An attempt to produce scoliosis in young baboons by excision of the heads of ribs failed in thirteen growing animals observed for up to a year after operation. Other investigators have failed to produce scoliosis in primates by similar and other techniques that had successfully produced scoliosis in quadruped animals. The possible reasons for this are discussed, especially in the light of
The aim of this study was to compare the osseous reactions elicited by all-suture, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and two different biodegradable anchors used during rotator cuff repair. Transosseous-equivalent rotator cuff repair was performed in 73 patients. The patients were divided into two groups, in both of which two different medial-row anchors were used. In group 1, anchor A comprised 30% β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) + 70% fast-absorbing poly lactic-co-glycolic acid copolymer (85% polylactic acid enantiomers + 15% polyglycolic acid) and anchor B comprised all-sutures. In group 2, anchor C comprised 23% micro β-TCP + 77% polylactic acid enantiomers and anchor D comprised PEEK polymer. There were 37 patients in group 1 and 36 patients in group 2. The presence and severity of fluid collection around anchors and healing of the rotator cuff were assessed using MRI scans, approximately one year postoperatively. The severity of the collection was graded as 0 (no perianchor fluid signal), 1 (minimal perianchor fluid), 2 (local collection of fluid), 3 (fluid collection around the whole length of the anchor but of a diameter less than twice the anchor diameter), or 4 (fluid collection around the whole length of the anchor and of a diameter greater than twice the anchor diameter).Aims
Patients and Methods
Arthroplasty skills need to be acquired safely during training, yet operative experience is increasingly hard to acquire by trainees. Virtual reality (VR) training using headsets and motion-tracked controllers can simulate complex open procedures in a fully immersive operating theatre. The present study aimed to determine if trainees trained using VR perform better than those using conventional preparation for performing total hip arthroplasty (THA). A total of 24 surgical trainees (seven female, 17 male; mean age 29 years (28 to 31)) volunteered to participate in this observer-blinded 1:1 randomized controlled trial. They had no prior experience of anterior approach THA. Of these 24 trainees, 12 completed a six-week VR training programme in a simulation laboratory, while the other 12 received only conventional preparatory materials for learning THA. All trainees then performed a cadaveric THA, assessed independently by two hip surgeons. The primary outcome was technical and non-technical surgical performance measured by a THA-specific procedure-based assessment (PBA). Secondary outcomes were step completion measured by a task-specific checklist, error in acetabular component orientation, and procedure duration.Aims
Patients and Methods
The aim of this study was to examine trends in the management of fractures of the distal radius in Ireland over a ten-year period, and to determine if there were any changes in response to the English Distal Radius Acute Fracture Fixation Trial (DRAFFT). Data was grouped into annual intervals from 2008 to 2017. All adult inpatient episodes that involved emergency surgery for fractures of the distal radius were includedAims
Patients and Methods
We compared the success of the screening programmes for congenital dislocation of the hip in two hospitals in the same district, as applied to 68,861 live births over 11 years. Both used only
Delayed rather than early reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament is the current recommended treatment for injury to this ligament since it is thought to give a better functional outcome. We randomised 105 consecutive patients with injury associated with chondral lesions no more severe than grades 1 and 2 and/or meniscal tears which only required trimming, to early (<
two weeks) or delayed (>
four to six weeks) reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament using a quadrupled hamstring graft. All operations were performed by a single surgeon and a standard rehabilitation regime was followed in both groups. The outcomes were assessed using the Lysholm score, the Tegner score and measurement of the range of movement. Stability was assessed by
1. The unreliable results of the conventional cup arthroplasty are attributed to mechanical imperfections in the reconstructed joint. 2. If its reliability can be improved, there will remain a place for cup arthroplasty, which, in relatively young and active patients, offers advantages over prosthetic replacement arthroplasty. 3. A technique of concentric cup arthroplasty is described. The new joint is shaped with precision to exact dimensions and lined with a cup designed to ensure stability, concentric movement and a uniform clearance between the moving parts. 4. The results so far are encouraging and justify continued
To evaluate the influence of discharge timing on 30-day complications following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We identified patients aged 18 years or older who underwent TKA between 2005 and 2016 from the American College of Surgeons’ National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. We propensity score-matched length-of-stay (LOS) groups using all relevant covariables. We used multivariable regression to determine if the rate of complications and re-admissions differed depending on LOS.Aims
Patients and Methods
This study validates the short-form WOMAC function scale for assessment of conservative treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. Data were collected before treatment and six and nine months later, from 100 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee to determine the validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, floor and ceiling effects, and responsiveness of the short-form WOMAC function scale. The scale showed high correlation with the traditional WOMAC and other measures. The internal consistency was good (Cronbach α: 0.88 to 0.95) and an excellent test-retest reliability was found (Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (ρ. c. ): 0.85 to 0.94). The responsiveness was adequate and comparable to that of the traditional WOMAC (standardised response mean 0.56 to 0.44 and effect size 0.64 to 0.57) and appeared not to be significantly affected by floor or ceiling effects (0% and 7%, respectively). The short-form WOMAC function scale is a valid, reliable and responsive alternative to the traditional WOMAC in the evaluation of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee managed conservatively. It is simple to use in daily practice and is therefore less of a burden for patients in
In comparison with monofilament wire, multifilament cable was found to be a more suitable material for fixation of the greater trochanter. It is versatile, easy to work with and has superior mechanical properties. The "trochanter cable-grip system" was developed to exploit the use of multifilament cable as a means of reattaching the greater trochanter and experimental studies have yielded excellent results. This system was subjected to
The outcome of primary management of acute osteomyelitis in 655 children treated in New Zealand between 1947 and 1976 is examined. Failure occurred in 20 per cent of children, in four-fifths of whom it was manifest by one year, and half of whom experienced one recurrence only. Lower failure rates were associated with use of bactericidal antibiotics, certain favourable sites, and age over 16 years. Surgical intervention was associated with significantly higher failure rates. The place of surgical intervention and the optimal duration of antibiotic treatment can only be determined by prospective
1.
1. A
Inversion injuries of the ankle are common and most are managed adequately by functional treatment. A significant number will, however, remain symptomatic. Synovial impingement is one cause of continuing pain. This condition is often difficult to diagnose because the physical signs and investigations are non-specific. If the diagnosis is made, treatment by arthroscopic debridement has been shown to be highly effective. Our aim was to describe a new physical sign to help in the diagnosis of anterolateral synovial impingement in the ankle. A cadaver dissection demonstrated the anatomical basis for the physical sign and a prospective
The effects of extracorporeal shock waves (ESWT) on tendon healing were assessed by observing histological and biomechanical parameters in a rat model of injury to the tendo Achillis. The injury was created by inserting an 18-G needle through tendo Achillis in 48 adult Wistar albino rats. The animals were divided into three groups. The first group received radiation only after the operation. The second received no shock waves and the third had 500 15 KV shocks on the second post-operative day. All the rats were killed on the 21st day after surgery. Histopathological analysis showed an increase in the number of capillaries and less formation of adhesions in the study group compared with the control group (p = 0.03). A significantly greater force was required to rupture the tendon in the study group (p = 0.028). Our findings suggest a basis for
In 28 patients with a solitary diagnosis of instability of the trapeziometacarpal joint because of a rupture of the anterior oblique ligament, reconstruction was carried out using a slip of the tendon of flexor carpi radialis. We were able to review 26 patients. The results after a follow-up of four years seven months showed that most (87%) had significant relief from pain and symptoms. Seventeen were graded as good to excellent. The mean grip strength recovered to 86% of the contralateral side. Most patients (81%) felt that they had subjective improvement and would have undergone the operation again. A lesser functional result was seen in those who developed a flexion deformity because of overtightening of the reconstruction. Increased awareness of this lesion can lead to an early and clear diagnosis so that the patient may be advised adequately. We describe a specific, diagnostic,
In an experimental