The reported prevalence of an asymptomatic slip
of the contralateral hip in patients operated on for unilateral slipped
capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is as high as 40%. Based on a population-based
cohort of 2072 healthy adolescents (58% women) we report on radiological
and clinical findings suggestive of a possible previous SCFE. Common
threshold values for Southwick’s lateral head–shaft angle (≥ 13°)
and Murray’s tilt index (≥ 1.35) were used. New reference intervals
for these measurements at skeletal maturity are also presented. At follow-up the mean age of the patients was 18.6 years (17.2
to 20.1). All answered two questionnaires, had a clinical examination
and two hip radiographs. There was an association between a high head–shaft angle and
clinical findings associated with SCFE, such as reduced internal
rotation and increased external rotation. Also, 6.6% of the cohort
had Southwick’s lateral head–shaft angle ≥ 13°, suggestive of a
possible slip. Murray’s tilt index ≥ 1.35 was demonstrated in 13.1%
of the cohort, predominantly in men, in whom this finding was associated
with other radiological findings such as pistol-grip deformity or
focal prominence of the femoral neck, but no clinical findings suggestive
of SCFE. This study indicates that 6.6% of young adults have radiological
findings consistent with a prior SCFE, which seems to be more common
than previously reported. Cite this article:
Early total hip replacement (THR) for acetabular
fractures offers accelerated rehabilitation, but a high risk of heterotopic
ossification (HO) has been reported. The purpose of this study was
to evaluate the incidence of HO, its associated risk factors and
functional impact. A total of 40 patients with acetabular fractures
treated with a THR weres retrospectively reviewed. The incidence
and severity of HO were evaluated using the modified Brooker classification,
and the functional outcome assessed. The overall incidence of HO
was 38%
(n = 15), with nine severe grade III cases. Patients who underwent
surgery early after injury had a fourfold increased chance of developing
HO. The mean blood loss and operating time were more than twice
that of those whose surgery was delayed (p = 0.002 and p <
0.001,
respectively). In those undergoing early THR, the incidence of grade
III HO was eight times higher than in those in whom THR was delayed
(p = 0.01). Only three of the seven patients with severe HO showed
good or excellent Harris hip scores compared with eight of nine
with class 0, I or II HO (p = 0.049). Associated musculoskeletal
injuries, high-energy trauma and head injuries were associated with
the development of grade III HO. The incidence of HO was significantly higher in patients with
a displaced acetabular fracture undergoing THR early compared with
those undergoing THR later and this had an adverse effect on the
functional outcome. Cite this article:
This study examined the role of vitamin D as a factor accounting for fatty degeneration and muscle function in the rotator cuff. There were 366 patients with disorders of the shoulder. A total of 228 patients had a full-thickness tear (group 1) and 138 patients had no tear (group 2). All underwent magnetic resonance arthrography and an isokinetic muscle performance test. The serum concentrations of vitamin D (25(OH)D3) were measured. In general, a lower serum level of vitamin D was related to higher fatty degeneration in the muscles of the cuff. Spearman’s correlation coefficients were 0.173 (p = 0.001), −0.181 (p = 0.001), and −0.117 (p = 0.026) for supraspinatus, infraspinatus and subscapularis, respectively. In group 1, multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that the serum level of vitamin D was an independent variable for fatty degeneration of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus. The serum vitamin D level has a significant negative correlation with the fatty degeneration of the cuff muscle and a positive correlation with isokinetic muscle torque.
A moderator and panel of five experts led an
interactive session in discussing five challenging and interesting patient
case presentations involving surgery of the hip. The hip pathologies
reviewed included failed open reduction internal fixation of subcapital
femoral neck fracture, bilateral hip disease, evaluation of pain
after metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty, avascular necrosis, aseptic
loosening secondary to osteolysis and polyethylene wear, and management
of ceramic femoral head fracture.
We performed a retrospective study of a departmental database to assess the efficacy of a new model of orthopaedic care on the outcome of patients with a fracture of the proximal femur. All 1578 patients admitted to a university teaching hospital with a fracture of the proximal femur between December 2007 and December 2009 were included. The allocation of Foundation doctors years 1 and 2 was restructured from individual teams covering several wards to pairs covering individual wards. No alterations were made in the numbers of doctors, their hours, out-of-hours cover, or any other aspect of standard patient care. Outcome measures comprised 30-day mortality and cause, complications and length of stay. Mortality was reduced from 11.7% to 7.6% (p = 0.007, Cox’s regression analysis); adjusted odds ratio was 1.559 (95% confidence interval 1.128 to 2.156). Reductions were seen in These findings may have implications for all specialties caring for patients on several wards, and we believe they justify a prospective trial to further assess this effect.
Controversy surrounds the management of displaced
three- and four-part fractures of the proximal humerus. The percutaneous
Resch technique of stabilisation involves minimal soft-tissue dissection
and a reduced risk of stiffness and avascular necrosis. However,
it requires a second operation to remove Kirschner wires and the
humeral block. We describe a modification of this technique that
dispenses with the need for this second operation and relies on
a sequential pattern of screw placement. We report the outcome of
32 three- or four-part fractures of the proximal humerus treated
in this way at a mean follow-up of 3.8 years (2 to 8)). There were
14 men and 18 women with a mean age of 56 years (28 to 83). At final
follow-up the mean Oxford shoulder scores were 38 (31 to 44) and
39 (31 to 42), and the mean Constant scores were 79 (65 to 92) and
72 (70 to 80) for three- and four-part fractures, respectively. We
further analysed the results in patients aged <
60 years with
high-energy fractures and those aged ≥ 60 years with osteoporotic
fractures. There were no cases of nonunion or avascular necrosis. The results were good and comparable to those previously reported
for the Resch technique and other means of fixation for proximal
humeral fractures. We would recommend this modification of the technique
for the treatment of displaced three-part and four-part fractures
in patients both younger and older than 60 years of age.
The aim of this prospective randomised study
was to compare the clinical and radiological results of a cemented
all-polyethylene Ultima acetabular component with those of a cementless
porous-coated acetabular component (PFC) following total hip replacement
(THR). A total of 287 patients received either a polyethylene acetabular
component (group A) or a cobalt–chromium porous-coated component
(group B) with an identical cemented femoral component and 28 mm
cobalt-chromium head, thus making it the largest study of its type.
Patients were evaluated radiologically and clinically using the
Harris hip score (HHS). Group A comprised 183 patients (73 male,
110 female) with a mean age of
71.3 years (55 to 89). Group B comprised 104 patients (48 male,
56 female) with a mean age of 69.8 years (56 to 89). A total of
16 patients (13 in Group A, three in Group B) did not have post-operative
data for analysis. The mean follow-up in group A was 7.52 years
(0.4 to 15.0) and in Group B 7.87 years (0.5 to 14.0). At final follow-up the mean HHS was similar between groups A
and B (74.5 (25 to 100) and 78.0 (37 to 100), respectively; p =
0.068). The total number of revisions for any cause was 28, 17 of
which were in group A and 11 in group B. The ten-year survivorship
was 86.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 78.4 to 92.1) and 89.2%
(95% CI 78.3 to 94.8) for groups A and B, respectively (log-rank
p-value = 0.938). A total of 20 cemented and two cementless acetabular
components had evidence of acetabular radiolucencies or acetabular
component migration at last follow-up (p = 0.001). These results indicate that patients with a cemented all-polyethylene
and cementless porous-coated polyethylene lined acetabular component
have similar long-term clinical outcomes.
We have conducted a case-control study over a period of ten years comparing both deep infection with methicillin-resistant Risk factors associated with deep infection were vascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, admission to a high-dependency or an intensive-care unit and open wounds. Those for colonisation were institutional care, vascular diseases and dementia. Older age was a risk factor for any MRSA infection. The length of hospital stay was dramatically increased by deep infection. These risk factors are useful in identifying higher-risk patients who may be more susceptible to MRSA infection. A strategy of early identification and isolation may help to control its spread in trauma units.
The October 2012 Research Roundup360 looks at: whether you can escape your genes; oral prophylaxis for DVT; non-responders and the internet; metal-on-metal, mice and damaged livers; sleeping on the job; cartilage contact stress in the normal human hip; and a perfect reason to subscribe to
Most fractures of the radial head are stable
undisplaced or minimally displaced partial fractures without an associated
fracture of the elbow or forearm or ligament injury, where stiffness
following non-operative management is the primary concern. Displaced
unstable fractures of the radial head are usually associated with other
fractures or ligament injuries, and restoration of radiocapitellar
contact by reconstruction or prosthetic replacement of the fractured
head is necessary to prevent subluxation or dislocation of the elbow
and forearm. In fractures with three or fewer fragments (two articular
fragments and the neck) and little or no metaphyseal comminution,
open reduction and internal fixation may give good results. However,
fragmented unstable fractures of the radial head are prone to early
failure of fixation and nonunion when fixed. Excision of the radial
head is associated with good long-term results, but in patients
with instability of the elbow or forearm, prosthetic replacement
is preferred. This review considers the characteristics of stable and unstable
fractures of the radial head, as well as discussing the debatable
aspects of management, in light of the current best evidence. Cite this article:
Thromboprophylaxis remains a controversial subject. A vast amount of epidemiological and trial data about venous thromboembolism has been published over the past 40 years. These data have been distilled and synthesised into guidelines designed to help the practitioner translate this extensive research into ‘evidence-based’ advice. Guidelines should, in theory, benefit patient care by ensuring that every patient routinely receives the best prophylaxis; without guidelines, it is argued, patients may fail to receive treatment or be exposed to protocols which are ineffective, dangerous or expensive. Guidelines, however, have not been welcomed or applied universally. In the United States, orthopaedic surgeons have published their concerns about the thromboprophylaxis guidelines prepared by the American College of Chest Physicians. In Britain, controversy persists with many surgeons unconvinced of the risk/benefit, cost/benefit or practicality of thromboprophylaxis. The extended remit of the recent National Institute of Clinical Excellence thromboprophylaxis guidelines has been challenged. The reasons for this disquiet are addressed in this paper and particular emphasis is placed on how clinically-acceptable guidelines could be developed and applied.
By and large, physicians and surgeons trust what they read, even if they take authors’ conclusions with a pinch of salt. There is a world of difference between being cautious about the implications of what you read and being defrauded by dishonest researchers. Fraud and scientific research are incompatible bedfellows and yet are an unhappy part of our research existence. All subspecialties are to blame and orthopaedics is no exception.
An 81-year-old woman presented with a fracture
in the left femur. She had well-fixed bilateral hip replacements
and had received long-term bisphosphonate treatment. Prolonged bisphosphonate
use has been recently linked with atypical subtrochanteric and diaphyseal
femoral fractures. While the current definition of an atypical fracture
of the femur excludes peri-prosthetic fractures, this case suggests
that they do occur and should be considered in patients with severe
osteopenia. Union of the fracture followed cessation of bisphosphonates
and treatment with teriparatide. Thus, this case calls into question
whether prophylactic intramedullary nailing is sufficient alone
to treat early or completed atypical femoral fractures.
The October 2012 Foot &
Ankle Roundup360 looks at: ankle arthrodesis in young active patients; the Bologna-Oxford total ankle replacements; significant failure and revision rates for total ankle arthroplasty; surgical treatment of Achilles tendon rupture; selective plantar fascia release; whether removal of metalwork can resolve foot pain; allografting of osteochondral lesions; distracting from osteoarthritis; and ultrasound-guided minimally invasive surgery.
This paper describes the presence of tenodesis effects in normal physiology and explores the uses of operative tenodesis in surgery of the upper limb.
We present the case of an 83-year-old man who developed quadriparesis and respiratory embarrassment following osteomyelitis at the occipito-atlantoaxial junction. He had developed an abscess at this site after an earlier urinary infection with methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus. Stabilisation of the neck and antibiotic therapy led to an almost complete neurological recovery without recourse to anterior surgery.
The Motec cementless modular metal-on-metal ball-and-socket
wrist arthroplasty was implanted in 16 wrists with scaphoid nonunion
advanced collapse (SNAC; grades 3 or 4) and 14 wrists with scapholunate
advanced collapse (SLAC) in 30 patients (20 men) with severe (grades
3 or 4) post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the wrist. The mean age of
the patients was 52 years (31 to 71). All prostheses integrated
well radiologically. At a mean follow-up of 3.2 years (1.1 to 6.1)
no luxation or implant breakage occurred. Two wrists were converted
to an arthrodesis for persistent pain. Loosening occurred in one
further wrist at five years post-operatively. The remainder demonstrated close
bone–implant contact. The clinical results were good, with markedly
decreased Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and pain
scores, and increased movement and grip strength. No patient used
analgesics and most had returned to work. Good short-term function was achieved using this wrist arthroplasty
in a high-demand group of patients with post-traumatic osteoarthritis.
The recent development of locking-plate technology has led to a potential revolution in the management of fractures of the distal radius. This review examines the evidence for pursuing anatomical restoration of the distal radius and the possible advantages and pitfalls of using volar locking plates to achieve this goal. The available evidence for adopting volar locking plates is presented and a number of important and, as yet unanswered, questions are highlighted.