The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term clinical
and radiological outcome of patients who suffer recurrent injuries
to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after reconstruction and
require revision surgery. From a consecutive series of 200 patients who underwent primary
reconstruction following rupture of the ACL, we identified 36 who
sustained a further rupture, 29 of whom underwent revision surgery.
Patients were reviewed prospectively at one, two, seven, 15 and
about 20 years after their original surgery. Primary outcome measures
were the number of further ruptures, the posterior tibial slope
(PTS), and functional and radiological outcomes. These were compared
with a gender and age matched cohort of patients who underwent primary
ACL reconstruction only.Aims
Patients and Methods
Our aim was to analyse the long-term functional outcome of two
forms of surgical treatment for active patients aged >
70 years
with a displaced intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck. Patients
were randomised to be treated with either a hemiarthroplasty or
a total hip arthroplasty (THA). The outcome five years post-operatively
for this cohort has previously been reported. We present the outcome
at 12 years post-operatively. Initially 252 patients with a mean age of 81.1 years (70.2 to
95.6) were included, of whom 205 (81%) were women. A total of 137
were treated with a cemented hemiarthroplasty and 115 with a cemented
THA. At long-term follow-up we analysed the modified Harris Hip
Score (HHS), post-operative complications and intra-operative data
of the patients who were still alive.Aims
Patients and Methods
The number of arthroplasties being performed
increases each year. Patients undergoing an arthroplasty are at
risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and appropriate prophylaxis
has been recommended. However, the optimal protocol and the best
agent to minimise VTE under these circumstances are not known. Although
many agents may be used, there is a difference in their efficacy
and the risk of bleeding. Thus, the selection of a particular agent relies
on the balance between the desire to minimise VTE and the attempt
to reduce the risk of bleeding, with its undesirable, and occasionally
fatal, consequences. Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) is an agent for VTE prophylaxis
following arthroplasty. Many studies have shown its efficacy in
minimising VTE under these circumstances. It is inexpensive and
well-tolerated, and its use does not require routine blood tests.
It is also a ‘milder’ agent and unlikely to result in haematoma
formation, which may increase both the risk of infection and the
need for further surgery. Aspirin is also unlikely to result in persistent
wound drainage, which has been shown to be associated with the use
of agents such as low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and other
more aggressive agents. The main objective of this review was to summarise the current
evidence relating to the efficacy of aspirin as a VTE prophylaxis
following arthroplasty, and to address some of the common questions
about its use. There is convincing evidence that, taking all factors into account,
aspirin is an effective, inexpensive, and safe form of VTE following
arthroplasty in patients without a major risk factor for VTE, such
as previous VTE. Cite this article:
Fractures of the hip are common, often occurring
in frail elderly patients, but also in younger fit healthy patients following
trauma. They have a significant associated mortality and major social
and financial implications to patients and health care providers.
Many guidelines are available for the management of these patients,
mostly recommending early surgery for the best outcomes. As a result,
healthcare authorities now put pressure on surgical teams to ‘fast
track’ patients with a fracture of the hip, often misquoting the
available literature, which in itself can be confusing and even
conflicting. This paper has been written following an extensive review of
the available literature. An attempt is made to clarify what is
meant by early surgery (expeditious Cite this article:
To evaluate the incidence of primary venous thromboembolism (VTE),
epidural haematoma, surgical site infection (SSI), and 90-day mortality
after elective spinal surgery, and the effect of two protocols for
prophylaxis. A total of 2181 adults underwent 2366 elective spinal procedures
between January 2007 and January 2012. All patients wore anti-embolic
stockings, mobilised early and were kept adequately hydrated. In
addition, 29% (689) of these were given low molecular weight heparin
(LMWH) while in hospital. SSI surveillance was undertaken using the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria.Aims
Patients and Methods
We present the medium-term clinical results of a reverse total
shoulder arthroplasty with a trabecular metal glenoid base plate. We reviewed 125 consecutive primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasties
(RTSA) implanted in 124 patients for rotator cuff arthropathy. There
were 100 women and 24 men in the study group with a mean age of
76 years (58 to 89). The mean follow-up was 32 months (24 to 60).
No patient was lost to follow-up.Aim
Patients and Methods
There are two techniques widely used to determine the rotational
alignment of the components in total knee arthroplasty (TKA); gap
balancing (GB) and measured resection (MR). Which technique is the
best remains controversial. We aimed to investigate this in a systematic
review and meta-analysis. In accordance with the methods of Cochrane, databases were searched
for all randomised controlled trials in the literature between January
1986 and June 2015 comparing radiographic and clinical outcomes
between the use of these two tecniques. Meta-analysis involved the
use of the Revman5.3 software provided by Cochrane collaboration.Aims
Materials and Methods
The aim of this study was to assess the current available evidence
about when patients might resume driving after elective, primary
total hip (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) undertaken for
osteoarthritis (OA). In February 2016, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane,
PubMed Publisher, CINAHL, EBSCO and Google Scholar were searched
for clinical studies reporting on ‘THA’, ‘TKA’, ‘car driving’, ‘reaction
time’ and ‘brake response time’. Two researchers (CAV and JJT) independently
screened the titles and abstracts for eligibility and assessed the
risk of bias. Both fixed and random effects were used to pool data
and calculate mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals
(CI) between pre- and post-operative total brake response time (TBRT).Aims
Materials and Methods
In the time since Letournel popularised the surgical
treatment of acetabular fractures, more than 25 years ago, there
have been many changes within the field, related to patients, surgical
technique, implants and post-operative care. However, the long-term
outcomes appear largely unchanged. Does this represent stasis or
have the advances been mitigated by other negative factors? In this
article we have attempted to document the recent changes within
the surgery of patients with a fracture involving the acetabulum,
outline contemporary management, and identify the major problem
areas where further research is most needed. Cite this article:
We aimed to characterise the effect of expeditious hip fracture
surgery in elderly patients within 24 hours of admission on short-term
post-operative outcomes. Patients age 65 or older that underwent surgery for closed femoral
neck and intertrochanteric hip fractures were identified from the
American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement
Program between 2011 and 2014. Multivariable propensity-adjusted
logistic regressions were performed to determine associations between early
surgery within 24 hours and post-operative complications, controlling
for selection bias in patients undergoing early surgery based on
observable characteristics.Aims
Patients and Methods
The mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a group of
inherited lysosomal storage disorders with clinical manifestations relevant
to the orthopaedic surgeon. Our aim was to review the recent advances
in their management and the implications for surgical practice. The current literature about MPSs is summarised, emphasising
orthopaedic complications and their management. Recent advances in the diagnosis and management of MPSs include
the recognition of slowly progressive, late presenting subtypes,
developments in life-prolonging systemic treatment and potentially
new indications for surgical treatment. The outcomes of surgery
in these patients are not yet validated and some procedures have
a high rate of complications which differ from those in patients
who do not have a MPS. The diagnosis of a MPS should be considered in adolescents or
young adults with a previously unrecognised dysplasia of the hip.
Surgeons treating patients with a MPS should report their experience
and studies should include the assessment of function and quality
of life to guide treatment. Cite this article:
Stable fractures of the ankle can be safely treated
non-operatively. It is also gradually being recognised that the integrity
of the ‘medial column’ is essential for the stability of the fracture.
It is generally thought that bi- and tri-malleolar fractures are
unstable, as are pronation external rotation injuries resulting
in an isolated high fibular fracture (Weber type-C), where the deltoid
ligament is damaged or the medial malleolus fractured. However,
how best to identify unstable, isolated, trans-syndesmotic Weber
type-B supination external rotation (SER) fractures of the lateral
malleolus remains controversial. We provide a rationale as to how to classify SER distal fibular
fractures using weight-bearing radiographs, and how this can help
guide the management of these common injuries. Cite this article:
We have increased the dose of tranexamic acid (TXA) in our enhanced total joint recovery protocol at our institution from 15 mg/kg to 30 mg/kg (maximum 2.5 g) as a single, intravenous (IV) dose. We report the clinical effect of this dosage change. We retrospectively compared two cohorts of consecutive patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery in our unit between 2008 and 2013. One group received IV TXA 15 mg/kg, maximum 1.2 g, and the other 30 mg/kg, maximum 2.5 g as a single pre-operative dose. The primary outcome for this study was the requirement for blood transfusion within 30 days of surgery. Secondary measures included length of hospital stay, critical care requirements, re-admission rate, medical complications and mortality rates.Objectives
Methods