There have been few reports regarding the efficacy
of posterior instrumentation alone as surgical treatment for patients
with pyogenic spondylitis, thus avoiding the morbidity of anterior
surgery. We report the clinical outcomes of six patients with pyogenic
spondylitis treated effectively with a single-stage posterior fusion
without anterior debridement at a mean follow-up of 2.8 years (2
to 5). Haematological data, including white cell count and level
of C-reactive protein, returned to normal in all patients at a mean
of 8.2 weeks (7 to 9) after the posterior fusion. Rigid bony fusion
between the infected vertebrae was observed in five patients at
a mean of 6.3 months (4.5 to 8) post-operatively, with the remaining
patient having partial union. Severe back pain was immediately reduced
following surgery and the activities of daily living showed a marked
improvement. Methicillin-resistant Single-stage posterior fusion may be effective in patients with
pyogenic spondylitis who have relatively minor bony destruction.
Anterior debridement, grafting of the defect and posterior instrumentation as a single-stage procedure is a controversial method of managing pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis. Between 1994 and 2005, 37 patients underwent this procedure at our hospital, of which two died and three had inadequate follow-up. The remaining 32 were reviewed for a mean of 36 months (12 to 66). Their mean age was 48 years (17 to 68). A significant pre-operative neurological deficit was present in 13 patients (41%). The mean duration of surgery was 285 minutes (240 to 360) and the mean blood loss was 900 ml (300 to 1600). Pyogenic organisms were isolated in 21 patients (66%). All patients began to mobilise on the second post-operative day. The mean hospital stay was 13.6 days (10 to 20). Appropriate antibiotics were administered for 10 to 12 weeks. Early wound infection occurred in four patients (12.5%), and late infection in two (6.3%). At final follow-up, the infection had resolved in all patients, neurological recovery was seen in ten of 13 (76.9%) and interbody fusion had occurred in 30 (94%). The clinical outcome was excellent or good in 30 patients according to Macnab’s criteria. This surgical protocol can be used to good effect in patients with pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis when combined with appropriate antibiotic therapy.
The response of the muscle is critical in determining the functional outcome of limb lengthening. We hypothesised that muscle response would vary with age and therefore studied the response of the muscles during tibial lengthening in ten young and ten mature rabbits. A bromodeoxyuridine technique was used to identify the dividing cells. The young rabbits demonstrated a significantly greater proliferative response to the distraction stimulus than the mature ones. This was particularly pronounced at the myotendinous junction, but was also evident within the muscle belly. Younger muscle adapted better to lengthening, suggesting that in patients in whom a large degree of muscle lengthening is required it may be beneficial to carry out this procedure when they are young, in order to achieve the optimal functional result.
The aims of this piece of work were to: 1) record the background
concentrations of blood chromium (Cr) and cobalt (Co) concentrations
in a large group of subjects; 2) to compare blood/serum Cr and Co
concentrations with retrieved metal-on-metal (MoM) hip resurfacings;
3) to examine the distribution of Co and Cr in the serum and whole
blood of patients with MoM hip arthroplasties; and 4) to further
understand the partitioning of metal ions between the serum and
whole blood fractions. A total of 3042 blood samples donated to the local transfusion
centre were analysed to record Co and Cr concentrations. Also, 91
hip resurfacing devices from patients who had given pre-revision
blood/serum samples for metal ion analysis underwent volumetric
wear assessment using a coordinate measuring machine. Linear regression analysis
was carried out and receiver operating characteristic curves were
constructed to assess the reliability of metal ions to identify
abnormally wearing implants. The relationship between serum and
whole blood concentrations of Cr and Co in 1048 patients was analysed
using Bland-Altman charts. This relationship was further investigated
in an Objectives
Methods
We present a retrospective study of 27 patients treated by callus distraction using a unilateral external fixator of our own design for nonunion with bone loss and shortening of the femur caused by suppurative osteomyelitis. The unilateral external fixator was used either alone or in combination with an intramedullary nail. The mean age of the patients was 13.6 years (8 to 18). The fixator was used alone in 13 patients and with an intramedullary nail in 14. The bone results at a mean follow-up of 88 months (37 to 144) were excellent in 16 patients and good in 11. The functional results were excellent in 18 patients and good in nine. However, four patients still had draining sinuses at the latest follow-up. A residual deformity greater than 7° was present in seven femora, but this did not adversely affect function or require further treatment.
The June 2012 Trauma Roundup360 looks at: nerve injuries of warfare; the medical complications of earthquakes; the measuring of tissue pressures in compartment syndrome; the risk of plunging through the bone when drilling; bony nonunion and negative pressure therapy; surgery for the posteriorly dislocated hip; whether to use the sliding screw or intramedullary nail for the trochanteric fracture; antegrade interlocking nailing for the distal femoral fracture; and gunshot wounds to the pancreas.
We investigated the effect of locally administered bisphosphonate on distraction osteogenesis in a rabbit model and evaluated its systemic effect. An osteotomy on the right tibia followed by distraction for four weeks was performed on 47 immature rabbits. They were divided into seven equal groups, with each group receiving a different treatment regime. Saline and three types of dosage of alendronate (low, 0.75 μg/kg; mid, 7.5 μg/kg and high 75 μg/kg) were given by systemic injection in four groups, and saline and two dosages (low and mild) were delivered by local injection to the distraction gap in the remaining three groups. The injections were performed five times weekly during the period of distraction. After nine weeks the animals were killed and image analysis and mechanical testing were performed on the distracted right tibiae and the left tibiae which served as a control group. The local low-dose alendronate group showed a mean increase in bone mineral density of 124.3 mg/cm3 over the local saline group (analysis of variance, p <
0.05) without any adverse effect on the left control tibiae. The findings indicate that the administration of local low-dose alendronate could be an effective pharmacological means of improving bone formation in distraction osteogenesis.
There is little information about the management
of peri-prosthetic fracture of the humerus after total shoulder replacement
(TSR). This is a retrospective review of 22 patients who underwent
a revision of their original shoulder replacement for peri-prosthetic
fracture of the humerus with bone loss and/or loose components.
There were 20 women and two men with a mean age of 75 years (61
to 90) and a mean follow-up 42 months (12 to 91): 16 of these had
undergone a previous revision TSR. Of the 22 patients, 12 were treated
with a long-stemmed humeral component that bypassed the fracture.
All their fractures united after a mean of 27 weeks (13 to 94).
Eight patients underwent resection of the proximal humerus with
endoprosthetic replacement to the level of the fracture. Two patients
were managed with a clam-shell prosthesis that retained the original
components. The mean Oxford shoulder score (OSS) of the original
TSRs before peri-prosthetic fracture was 33 (14 to 48). The mean
OSS after revision for fracture was 25 (9 to 31). Kaplan-Meier survival
using re-intervention for any reason as the endpoint was 91% (95%
confidence interval (CI) 68 to 98) and 60% (95% CI 30 to 80) at
one and five years, respectively. There were two revisions for dislocation of the humeral head,
one open reduction for modular humeral component dissociation, one
internal fixation for nonunion, one trimming of a prominent screw
and one re-cementation for aseptic loosening complicated by infection,
ultimately requiring excision arthroplasty. Two patients sustained
nerve palsies. Revision TSR after a peri-prosthetic humeral fracture associated
with bone loss and/or loose components is a salvage procedure that
can provide a stable platform for elbow and hand function. Good
rates of union can be achieved using a stem that bypasses the fracture.
There is a high rate of complications and function is not as good as
with the original replacement.
The April 2012 Wrist &
Hand Roundup360 looks at releasing the trigger finger, function in the osteoarthritic hand, complex regional pain syndrome, arthroscopic ligamentoplasty for the injured scapholunate ligament, self-concept and upper limb deformities in children, wrist arthroscopy in children, internal or external fixation for the fractured distal radius, nerve grafting, splinting the PIPJ contracture, and finding the stalk of a dorsal wrist ganglion
Despite many claims of good wear properties following
total knee replacement (TKR) with an oxidised zirconium (OxZr) femoral
component, there are conflicting clinical results. We hypothesised
that there would be no difference in either the mid-term clinical
and radiological outcomes or the characteristics of the polyethylene
wear particles (weight, size and shape) in patients using an OxZr
or cobalt-chrome (CoCr) femoral component. In all 331 patients underwent
bilateral TKR, receiving an OxZr femoral component in one knee and
a CoCr femoral component in the other. The mean follow-up was 7.5
years (6 to 8). Following aspiration, polyethylene wear particles
were analysed using thermogravimetric methods and scanning electron
microscopy. At the most recent follow-up, the mean Knee Society
score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis
Index score, range of movement and satisfaction score were not significantly
different in the two groups. The mean weight, size, aspect ratio
and roundness of the aspirated wear particles were similar for each
femoral component. Survivorship of the femoral, tibial and patellar
components was 100% in both groups. In the absence of evidence of an advantage in the medium term
we cannot justify the additional expense of an OxZr femoral component.
The purpose of this prospective study was to
evaluate the long-term clinical and radiological outcomes of revision of
the femoral component of a total hip replacement using impaction
bone grafting. Femoral revision with an impacted allograft was performed
on 29 patients (31 hips). In all, 21 hips (68%) had grade III or
IV femoral defects according to the Endo-Klinik classification.
A total of 11 patients (12 hips) died before the ten-year follow-up
period. Of the remaining patients, 18 patients (19 hips) were followed
for 10 to 15 years; three further patients died during this time.
None of the 31 stems underwent further revision of their stem. However,
four stems showed extensive subsidence (>
15 mm). One of these patients
had a femoral fracture that required fixation. Three other patients
had a femoral fracture, two of which required fixation and the other
was treated conservatively. Patients with a femoral fracture and/or
severe subsidence had significantly more grade IV defects (six of
seven hips; p = 0.004). One patient needed a closed reduction for
dislocation. Impaction allografting in revision hip surgery gives good long-term
results for femora with grades I, II and III Endo-Klinik-classified
defects. Extensive subsidence and femoral fractures were seen mainly
in patients with grade IV damaged femora.
The June 2012 Research Roundup360 looks at: platelet-rich plasma; ageing, bone and mesenchymal stem cells; cytokines and the herniated intervertebral disc; ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and anti-inflammatories; the effect of NSAIDs on bone healing; osteoporosis of the fractured hip; herbal medicine and recovery after acute muscle injury; and ultrasound and the time to fracture union.
We report the results of vertebral column resection
(VCR) for paediatric patients with spinal deformity. A total of
49 VCRs in paediatric patients from four university hospitals between
2005 and 2009 with a minimum two-year follow-up were retrospectively
identified. After excluding single hemivertebral resections (n =
25) and VCRs performed for patients with myelomeningocele (n = 6),
as well as spondylectomies performed for tumour (n = 4), there were
14 patients who had undergone full VCR at a mean age of 12.3 years
(6.5 to 17.9). The aetiology was congenital scoliosis in five, neuromuscular
scoliosis in three, congenital kyphosis in two, global kyphosis
in two, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in one and secondary scoliosis
in one. A total of seven anteroposterior and seven posterolateral approaches
were used. The mean major curve deformity was 86° (67° to 120°) pre-operatively
and 37° (17° to 80°) at the two-year follow-up; correction was a
mean of 54% (18% to 86%) in the anteroposterior and 60% (41% to
70%) in the posterolateral group at the two-year follow-up (p =
0.53). The mean Scoliosis Research Society-24 total scores were
100 (92 to 108) for the anteroposterior and 102 (95 to 105) for
the posterolateral group. There was one paraparesis in the anteroposterior
group necessitating urgent re-decompression, with a full recovery. Patients undergoing VCR are highly satisfied after a successful
procedure.
We have developed a hollow perforated cannulated screw. One or more of these was implanted percutaneously in 11 patients with an osteolytic metastasis in the femoral neck and multiple metastases elsewhere. They were supplemented by one or two additional standard 6.5 mm cannulated screws in nine patients. Polymethylmethacrylate bone cement was injected through the screw into the neck of the femur using small syringes, as in vertebroplasty. The mean amount of cement injected was 23.2 ml (17 to 30). Radiotherapy was started on the fourth post-operative day and chemotherapy, on average, was resumed a day later. Good structural stability and satisfactory relief from pain were achieved in all the patients. This technique may be useful in the palliation of metastases in the femoral neck.
We have prospectively studied the outcome of infections associated with implants which were retained and treated using a standardised antimicrobial protocol. Over a period of four years, we studied 24 consecutive patients who had symptoms of infection for less than one year, a stable implant, no sinus tract and a known pathogen which was susceptible to recommended antimicrobial agents. The infections involved hip prostheses (14), knee prostheses (5), an internal fixation device (4), and an ankle prosthesis (1). Twenty patients had a successful outcome at a median follow-up of 3.7 years (1.8 to 4.7); four had failure of the implant after a median follow-up of 1.2 years (0.3 to 2.5). The probability of survival without failure of treatment was 96% at one year (95% confidence interval (CI) 88 to 100), 92% at two years (95% CI 80 to 100) and 86% at three years (95% CI 72 to 100). Patients with a short-term infection but with a stable implant, no sinus tract and a known pathogen may be successfully treated by retention of the implant and the use of a standardised regimen of antimicrobial treatment.
Controversy remains regarding the optimal post-operative
analgesic regimen following total knee replacement. A delicate balance
is required between the provision of adequate pain relief and early
mobilisation. By reviewing 29 randomised trials we sought to establish
whether local infiltration of analgesia directly into the knee during
surgery provides better pain relief and a more rapid rehabilitation.
Although we were able to conclude that local infiltration can provide
improved post-operative pain relief, and to suggest the most promising
technique of administration, there is no evidence that it reduces
hospital stay.
This review considers the surgical treatment
of displaced fractures involving the knee in elderly, osteoporotic patients.
The goals of treatment include pain control, early mobilisation,
avoidance of complications and minimising the need for further surgery.
Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) frequently results in
loss of reduction, which can result in post-traumatic arthritis
and the occasional conversion to total knee replacement (TKR). TKR
after failed internal fixation is challenging, with modest functional
outcomes and high complication rates. TKR undertaken as treatment
of the initial fracture has better results to late TKR, but does
not match the outcome of primary TKR without complications. Given
the relatively infrequent need for late TKR following failed fixation,
ORIF is the preferred management for most cases. Early TKR can be
considered for those patients with pre-existing arthritis, bicondylar
femoral fractures, those who would be unable to comply with weight-bearing restrictions,
or where a single definitive procedure is required.
Giant cell tumours (GCT) of the synovium and
tendon sheath can be classified into two forms: localised (giant
cell tumour of the tendon sheath, or nodular tenosynovitis) and
diffuse (diffuse-type giant cell tumour or pigmented villonodular
synovitis). The former principally affects the small joints. It
presents as a solitary slow-growing tumour with a characteristic
appearance on MRI and is treated by surgical excision. There is
a significant risk of multiple recurrences with aggressive diffuse
disease. A multidisciplinary approach with dedicated MRI, histological assessment
and planned surgery with either adjuvant radiotherapy or systemic
targeted therapy is required to improve outcomes in recurrent and
refractory diffuse-type GCT. Although arthroscopic synovectomy through several portals has
been advocated as an alternative to arthrotomy, there is a significant
risk of inadequate excision and recurrence, particularly in the
posterior compartment of the knee. For local disease partial arthroscopic
synovectomy may be sufficient, at the risk of recurrence. For both
local and diffuse intra-articular disease open surgery is advised
for recurrent disease. Marginal excision with focal disease will
suffice, not dissimilar to the treatment of GCT of tendon sheath.
For recurrent and extra-articular soft-tissue disease adjuvant therapy,
including intra-articular radioactive colloid or moderate-dose external
beam radiotherapy, should be considered.
The open blast fracture of the pelvis is considered
to be the most severe injury within the spectrum of battlefield trauma.
We report our experience of 29 consecutive patients who had sustained
this injury in Afghanistan between 2008 and 2010. Their median new
injury severity score (NISS) was 41 (8 to 75), and mean blood requirement
in the first 24 hours was 60.3 units (0 to 224). In addition to
their orthopaedic injury, six had an associated vascular injury, seven
had a bowel injury, 11 had a genital injury and seven had a bladder
injury. In all, eight fractures were managed definitively with external
fixation and seven required internal fixation. Of those patients
who underwent internal fixation, four required removal of metalwork
for infection. Faecal diversion was performed in nine cases. The
median length of hospital stay following emergency repatriation
to the United Kingdom was 70.5 days (5 to 357) and the mean total
operating time was 29.6 hours (5 to 187). At a mean follow-up of
20.3 months (13.2 to 29.9), 24 patients (82.8%) were able to walk
and 26 (89.7%) had clinical and radiological evidence of stability
of the pelvic ring. As a result of the increase in terrorism, injuries that were
previously confined exclusively to warfare can now occur anywhere,
with civilian surgeons who are involved in trauma care potentially
required to manage similar injuries. Our study demonstrates that
the management of this injury pattern demands huge resources and significant
multidisciplinary input. Given the nature of the soft-tissue injury,
we would advocate external fixation as the preferred management
of these fractures. With the advent of emerging wound and faecal
management techniques, we do not believe that faecal diversion is
necessary in all cases.
In this prospective study a total of 80 consecutive
Chinese patients with Crowe type I or II developmental dysplasia of
the hip were randomly assigned for hip resurfacing arthroplasty
(HRA) or total hip replacement (THR). Three patients assigned to HRA were converted to THR, and three
HRA patients and two THR patients were lost to follow-up. This left
a total of 34 patients (37 hips) who underwent HRA and 38 (39 hips)
who underwent THR. The mean follow-up was 59.4 months (52 to 70)
in the HRA group and 60.6 months (50 to 72) in the THR group. There was
no failure of the prosthesis in either group. Flexion of the hip
was significantly better after HRA, but there was no difference
in the mean post-operative Harris hip scores between the groups.
The mean size of the acetabular component in the HRA group was significantly
larger than in the THR group (49.5 mm vs 46.1 mm, p = 0.001). There was
no difference in the mean abduction angle of the acetabular component
between the two groups. Although the patients in this series had risk factors for failure
after HRA, such as low body weight, small femoral heads and dysplasia,
the clinical results of resurfacing in those with Crowe type I or
II hip dysplasia were satisfactory. Patients in the HRA group had
a better range of movement, although neck-cup impingement was observed.
However, more acetabular bone was sacrificed in HRA patients, and
it is unclear whether this will have an adverse effect in the long
term.