Aims

The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of α defensin (AD) lateral flow assay (LFA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in comparison to conventional synovial white blood cell (WBC) count and polymorphonuclear neutrophil percentage (PMN%) analysis.

Aims

Patients receiving cemented hemiarthroplasties after hip fracture have a significant risk of deep surgical site infection (SSI). Standard UK practice to minimize the risk of SSI includes the use of antibiotic-loaded bone cement with no consensus regarding type, dose, or antibiotic content of the cement. This is the protocol for a randomized clinical trial to investigate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of high dose dual antibiotic-loaded cement in comparison to low dose single antibiotic-loaded cement in patients 60 years and over receiving a cemented hemiarthroplasty for an intracapsular hip fracture.

Aims

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is useful in the diagnosis of infectious disease. However, while it is highly sensitive at identifying bacteria, it does not provide information on the sensitivity of the organisms to antibiotics. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the results of mNGS can be used to guide optimization of culture methods to improve the sensitivity of culture from intraoperative samples.

Aims

Functional rehabilitation has become an increasingly popular treatment for Achilles tendon rupture (ATR), providing comparably low re-rupture rates to surgery, while avoiding risks of surgical complications. Limited evidence exists on whether gap size should affect patient selection for this treatment option. The aim of this study was to assess if size of gap between ruptured tendon ends affects patient-reported outcome following ATR treated with functional rehabilitation.

Aims

The aim of this study was to use diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to investigate changes in diffusion metrics in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) up to five years after decompressive surgery. We correlated these changes with clinical outcomes as scored by the Modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) method, Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

Aims

The primary aim was to assess the independent influence of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on 30-day mortality for patients with a hip fracture. The secondary aims were to determine whether: 1) there were clinical predictors of COVID-19 status; and 2) whether social lockdown influenced the incidence and epidemiology of hip fractures.

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

1. An account is given of fifty stress fractures of the fibula which occurred in athletes. 2. The characteristic symptoms, signs and radiological appearances are described, with details of treatment and prognosis. 3. The mechanism of the injury has been suggested on clinical grounds and supported by experimental methods

Aims

The aim of this study was to examine whether tourniquet use can improve perioperative blood loss, early function recovery, and pain after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the setting of multiple-dose intravenous tranexamic acid.

Injury of the neck may result when a motor vehicle is run into from behind; such injury is frequently the cause of prolonged disability and litigation. We report a series of 61 patients with these injuries. A classification, based upon the presenting symptoms and physical signs has been evolved. This classification is shown to be a reliable basis for formulating a prognosis. Factors which adversely affect prognosis include the presence of objective neurological signs, stiffness of the neck, muscle spasm, and pre-existing degenerative spondylosis

Four hundred and fifteen patients with cementless acetabular components of either a smooth threaded (130) or porous surfaced (285) variety were compared for clinical symptoms and radiographic signs of component loosening. At a mean 4.8 year follow-up none of the patients with porous acetabular components had signs of component instability. At a mean 3.9 year follow-up 27 (21%) of the patients with a smooth threaded acetabular component showed radiographic signs of instability and 33 (25%) had clinical symptoms. The disappointing short-term results with these threaded cups in our hands have prompted us to abandon their use in favour of the porous surfaced hemispherical cups

We made a prospective longitudinal clinical and radiological study of 18 children diagnosed as having dysplasia epiphysealis capitis femoris. Half the cases were bilateral. Boys were affected five times more often than girls. There were no symptoms or clinical signs in most but some of the bilateral cases had an inconsistent waddling gait. The imaging studies suggest that the cartilaginous proximal femoral epiphysis is hypoplastic, with delayed appearance of single or multiple ossification centres. Progressive improvement occurred and at an average age of five years and six months, there was complete fusion of all the ossific nuclei and normal density and texture of the epiphyseal bone. The end result was a round epiphysis with a slightly diminished height. The dysplasia is attributed to focal hypoplasia of the proximal femoral epiphysis

1. Chondromalacia, sometimes a precursor of osteoarthritis, is present in the articular cartilage of the patella of most people by the age of thirty; it causes symptoms in only a few, and it gives rise to osteoarthritis in fewer still. It may progress slowly or quickly but there is no clinical method of assessing the prognosis at an early stage. 2. The earliest change is swelling of the cartilage associated with a decrease in the chondroitin sulphuric acid content of the matrix. Later the cartilage fissures and flakes off to expose the bone, and there are reactive changes in the cartilage, bone and synovial membrane. The process is described and the etiology discussed. 3. The symptoms, signs and treatment are discussed. Operation, which has been performed only when there are disabling symptoms, may consist in removing part or the whole of the articular cartilage, or in excision of the patella. The results in forty-six knees are given

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition and clinical diagnosis is often easily made. A system of direct referral for day-case carpal tunnel surgery was introduced. General practitioners, physicians and surgeons were advised of the service and the criteria for referral, which included female patients with bilateral symptoms and physical signs, and some response to conservative treatment. All patients were reviewed preoperatively by the senior author (GEBG). The service was an alternative to standard outpatient referral. A total of 51 patients was seen. Two were refused surgery. In all those who underwent surgery, the symptoms either resolved or were improved. The service was well received, although some patients felt that they were poorly informed preoperatively. The mean waiting time for surgery was reduced by four months and the patients avoided an outpatient appointment. Direct access day-case carpal tunnel surgery works well by reducing delays and the costs of treatment. Adequate patient information is important to make the best of the service

We describe 12 children with idiopathic scoliosis who had a persistent absent superficial abdominal reflex (SAR) on routine neurological examination. MRI showed syringomyelia to be present in ten. The average age at detection of the scoliosis was 4.3 years and at diagnosis of syringomyelia 6.6 years. In all ten children the SAR was consistently absent on the same side as the convexity of the curve. In two it was the only abnormal neurological sign. An absent SAR in patients with scoliosis is an indication for investigation for underlying syringomyelia. In the children with syringomyelia, six had thoracic and four thoracolumbar curves. The clinical features differed in the two groups. Patients with thoracic curves were generally asymptomatic. Their neurological signs were subtle and none had any motor signs. By contrast, patients with thoracolumbar curves had symptoms and neurological signs. Abnormal gait was present in all four patients with thoracolumbar curves. In three this was due to considerable motor weakness. In eight children syringomyelia was associated with a Chiari-I malformation. In seven the syrinx was treated surgically by decompression of the foramen magnum

Children with a mucopolysaccharidosis or mucolipidosis suffer progressive disability of the hands, particularly in relation to dysfunction of the median nerve. This is an increasing problem because bone-marrow transplantation has dramatically improved survival without apparently changing the musculoskeletal manifestations. We have reviewed 48 children with these syndromes who required carpal tunnel decompression, recording symptoms, signs, radiological, electrophysiological and operative findings, histology and upper-limb function. In these children the carpal tunnel syndrome differs from that seen in adults. Symptoms are rare but signs such as decreased sweating, pulp atrophy, thenar wasting and manual clumsiness are much more common. At operation, the flexor retinaculum was thickened and a mass of white tenosynovium engulfed the flexor tendons. Most patients had some definite nerve constriction with a thickened epineurium. Functional improvement was seen after early decompression, with some benefit from simultaneous tendon release. Regular physiotherapy helped to maintain increased hand movement. We describe our assessment protocol, the physiotherapy and operative regime and the standard functional review which helps to maximise function in the hands and upper limbs of these children

Aims

To evaluate the donor site morbidity and tendon morphology after harvesting whole length, full-thickness peroneus longus tendon (PLT) proximal to the lateral malleolus for ligament reconstructions or tendon transfer.