This is a prospective study of 107 repairs of obstetric brachial plexus palsy carried out between January 1990 and December 1999. The results in 100 children are presented. In partial lesions operation was advised when paralysis of abduction of the shoulder and of flexion of the elbow persisted after the age of three months and neurophysiological investigations predicted a poor prognosis. Operation was carried out earlier at about two months in complete lesions showing no sign of clinical recovery and with unfavourable neurophysiological investigations. Twelve children presented at the age of 12 months or more; in three more repair was undertaken after earlier unsuccessful neurolysis. The median age at operation was four months, the mean seven months and a total of 237 spinal nerves were repaired. The mean duration of follow-up after operation was 85 months (30 to 152). Good results were obtained in 33% of repairs of C5, in 55% of C6, in 24% of C7 and in 57% of operations on C8 and T1. No statistical difference was seen between a repair of C5 by graft or nerve transfer. Posterior dislocation of the shoulder was observed in 30 cases. All were successfully relocated after the age of one year. In these children the results of repairs of C5 were reduced by a mean of 0.8 on the Gilbert score and 1.6 on the Mallett score. Pre-operative electrodiagnosis is a reliable indicator of the depth of the lesion and of the outcome after repair. Intra-operative somatosensory evoked potentials were helpful in the detection of occult intradural (pre-ganglionic) injury

We retrospectively reviewed 11 consecutive patients with an infected reverse shoulder prosthesis. Patients were assessed clinically and radiologically, and standard laboratory tests were carried out. Peroperative samples showed Propionbacterium acnes in seven, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus in five, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus in one and Escherichia coli in one. Two multibacterial and nine monobacterial infections were seen. Post-operatively, patients were treated with intravenous cefazolin for at least three days and in all antibiotic therapy was given for at least three months. Severe pain (3 of 11) or severe limitation of function (3 of 11) are not necessarily seen. A fistula was present in eight, but function was not affected. All but one patient were considered free of infection after one-stage revision at a median follow-up of 24 months, and without antibiotic treatment for a minimum of six months. One patient had a persistent infection despite a second staged revision, but is now free of infection with a spacer. Complications included posterior dislocation in one, haematoma in one and a clavicular fracture in one. At the most recent follow-up the median post-operative Constant-Murley score was 55, 6% adjusted for age, gender and dominance. A one-stage revision arthroplasty reduces the cost and duration of treatment. It is reliable in eradicating infection and good functional outcomes can be achieved

Aims

Pelvic incidence (PI) is a position-independent spinopelvic parameter traditionally used by spinal surgeons to determine spinal alignment. Its relevance to the arthroplasty surgeon in assessing patient risk for total hip arthroplasty (THA) instability preoperatively is unclear. This study was undertaken to investigate the significance of PI relative to other spinopelvic parameter risk factors for instability to help guide its clinical application.

Dislocation following total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a well-known and potentially devastating complication. Clinicians have used many strategies in attempts to prevent dislocation since the introduction of THA. While the importance of postoperative care cannot be ignored, particular emphasis has been placed on preoperative planning in the prevention of dislocation. The strategies have progressed from more traditional approaches, including modular implants, the size of the femoral head, and augmentation of the offset, to newer concepts, including patient-specific component positioning combined with computer navigation, robotics, and the use of dual-mobility implants. As clinicians continue to pursue improved outcomes and reduced complications, these concepts will lay the foundation for future innovation in THA and ultimately improved outcomes.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(1):8–11.

Aims

Spinopelvic mobility plays an important role in functional acetabular component position following total hip arthroplasty (THA). The primary aim of this study was to determine if spinopelvic hypermobility persists or resolves following THA. Our second aim was to identify patient demographic or radiological factors associated with hypermobility and resolution of hypermobility after THA.

Aims

To determine if primary cemented acetabular component geometry (long posterior wall (LPW), hooded, or offset reorientating) influences the risk of revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) for instability or loosening.

Traumatic posterior dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint is an unusual injury. We report a rare, late complication in the form of a thoracic outlet syndrome. Resection of the first rib resulted in prompt and complete resolution of the symptoms and would appear to be the appropriate treatment, avoiding the complications associated with resection of the clavicle

1. Three cases of fracture of the neck of the radius with medial displacement of the head are described. 2. It is proposed that such injuries be classified into two types: 1) displacement of the radial head without dislocation of the elbow; and 2) displacement during posterior dislocation of the elbow

1. The symptoms, signs and treatment of three patients with a posterior dislocation of the clavicle are described. 2. The value of tomography in confirming the diagnosis is outlined. 3. Certain experimental work has been done in an attempt to determine the factors necessary to produce this dislocation

We describe a 15-year-old boy with a posterior dislocation of the hip, fracture of the posterior column of the acetabulum and separation of the femoral capital epiphysis. To our knowledge no previous case in a child has been reported. Such high-energy injuries are extremely rare, and a poor outcome is expected. We advocate early referral to a specialised tertiary centre, and the use of a modification of Delbet’s classification to reflect the complexity and displacement which may occur with this injury

1. Two cases of fracture-dislocation of the trochlea are described. One case was complicated by complete ulnar nerve palsy. 2. The injury is caused by direct force applied to the point of the elbow, or it may be associated with posterior dislocation of the joint. 3. Open reduction is recommended, the fragment being held in position by soft-tissue sutures alone. 4. Four other cases mentioned in the literature are reviewed

1. Breech malposition and hormonal joint laxity produce atraumatic posterior dislocations in the hip joints of young rabbits. 2. Experimental studies were shown to cause the development of a limbus and other softtissue changes similar to those found in human congenital dislocations. 3. The development of femoral retroversion and anteversion in the presence of joint laxity is described. 4. The co-existence of breech malposition and hormonal joint laxity in utero, and their importance as prime factors in the etiology of congenital dislocation of the hip, are discussed

1. In a survey of 107 cases of Erb's paralysis, twenty-seven instances of incipient or actual posterior dislocation of the upper end of the radius were discovered. 2. The type of case in which the dislocation occurs is defined and the early clinical and radiographic signs of the displacement are described and illustrated. 3. The probable causes—muscle imbalance and rigid splinting over a long period—are adumbrated and the prevention and remedies are suggested. 4. The occurrence of anterior dislocation—six cases—and its significance are discussed

A patient with recurrent dislocation of the hip is described. The initial injury had been a posterior dislocation without associated fracture of the acetabular wall, and the hip had not been immobilised or protected from weight-bearing during treatment. Exploration of the hip for recurrence revealed disruption of the posterosuperior acetabular labrum with formation of a pouch between the posterior acetabular wall and the short rotator muscles. We have found no previous report of this lesion, which resembles a Bankart lesion of the shoulder. Repair using a bone block is described

Three patients were reviewed seven, eight and fourteen years after delayed open reduction of traumatic posterior dislocation of the hip. The delay between injury and operation varied from twenty-eight to ninety-three days. At the time of review symptoms were minimal or absent, and in all cases the injured hip was clinically normal. Radiological examination showed loss of articular cartilage in one hip and trabecular changes in the bone of all three. On the basis of these three results the traditional pessimism about prognosis in such cases may not be justified

A retrospective survey of 135 posterior dislocations and fracture-dislocations of the hip was carried out in order to define the pattern of associated knee injuries. Thirty-five patients had sustained a significant injury to the knee, of which twenty-five were clearly attributable to a direct blow on the front of the knee (fractured patella, traumatic chondromalacia, fractures of femoral and tibial condyles) and ten were compatible with valgus, yams or rotational forces (medial, lateral and cruciate ligament tears). The second type of injury has not been widely recognised but it is important that it should not be overlooked

Aims

Use of the direct anterior approach (DAA) for total hip arthroplasty (THA) has increased in recent years due to proposed benefits, including a lower risk of dislocation and improved early functional recovery. This study investigates the dislocation rate in a non-selective, consecutive cohort undergoing THA via the DAA without any exclusion or bias in patient selection based on habitus, deformity, age, sex, or fixation method.

Six children with entrapment of the medial epicondyle in the elbow after closed reduction of a posterior dislocation were seen an average of 14 weeks after injury. The elbows were painful and the average range of flexion was 22 degrees. Two children had ulnar nerve involvement which recovered after operation. The epicondyle was removed from the joint and either reattached to the humerus or excised, and the muscles reattached. Two children had anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve, one for pre-operative hyperaesthesia, and the other to relieve tension on the nerve. At follow-up, at an average of 15 months after operation, flexion had increased fivefold, none of the children had pain and all were leading normal lives

1. A collected series of forty-seven traumatic dislocations of the hip in children is reported and reviewed in detail. 2. All were simple hip dislocations, and no child was included in whom there was any other injury to the affected joint. 3. All were posterior dislocations. 4. No anatomical predisposition was observed. 5. Significant complications occurred in fourteen children: avascular necrosis of the head of the femur in four, degenerative joint changes in three, premature epiphysial fusion in one and overgrowth of the femoral head in six. Study of the children with these complications revealed no common cause except the dislocation itself. 6. The injury responsible was often trivial. 7. The results suggest that it is harmless to bear weight four weeks after reduction