The increasing prevalence of osteoporosis in an ageing population has contributed to older patients becoming the fastest-growing group presenting with acetabular fractures. We performed a systematic review of the literature involving a number of databases to identify studies that included the treatment outcome of acetabular fractures in patients aged > 55 years. An initial search identified 61 studies; after exclusion by two independent reviewers, 15 studies were considered to meet the inclusion criteria. All were case series. The mean Coleman score for methodological quality assessment was 37 (25 to 49). There were 415 fractures in 414 patients. Pooled analysis revealed a mean age of 71.8 years (55 to 96) and a mean follow-up of 47.3 months (1 to 210). In seven studies the results of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) were presented: this was combined with simultaneous hip replacement (THR) in four, and one study had a mixture of these strategies. The results of percutaneous fixation were presented in two studies, and a single study revealed the results of non-operative treatment.

With fixation of the fracture, the overall mean rate of conversion to THR was 23.1% (0% to 45.5%). The mean rate of non-fatal complications was 39.8% (0% to 64%), and the mean mortality rate was 19.1% (5% to 50%) at a mean of 64 months (95% confidence interval 59.4 to 68.6; range 12 to 143). Further data dealing with the classification of the fracture, the surgical approach used, operative time, blood loss, functional and radiological outcomes were also analysed.

This study highlights that, of the many forms of treatment available for this group of patients, there is a trend to higher complication rates and the need for further surgery compared with the results of the treatment of acetabular fractures in younger patients.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:157–63.

We treated 31 patients aged 65 years or more with cervical spondylotic myelopathy by microsurgical decompression and fusion at a single most appropriate level, in spite of MRI evidence of compression at several levels. Spinal cord potentials evoked at operation localised the level responsible for the principal lesion at C3-4 in 18 patients, C4-5 in 11 and at C5-6 in two. Despite the frequent coexistence of other age-related conditions, impairing ability to walk, the average Nurick grade improved from 3.5 before operation to 2.2 at a mean follow-up of 48 months. There was also good recovery of finger dexterity and sensitivity.

Operation at a single optimal level, as opposed to several, has the advantage of minimising complications, of particular importance in this age group.

A new anterior intrapelvic approach for the surgical management of displaced acetabular fractures involving predominantly the anterior column and the quadrilateral plate is described. In order to establish five ‘windows’ for instrumentation, the extraperitoneal space is entered along the lateral border of the rectus abdominis muscle. This is the so-called ‘Pararectus’ approach. The feasibility of safe dissection and optimal instrumentation of the pelvis was assessed in five cadavers (ten hemipelves) before implementation in a series of 20 patients with a mean age of 59 years (17 to 90), of whom 17 were male. The clinical evaluation was undertaken between December 2009 and December 2010. The quality of reduction was assessed with post-operative CT scans and the occurrence of intra-operative complications was noted. In cadavers, sufficient extraperitoneal access and safe instrumentation of the pelvis were accomplished. In the patients, there was a statistically significant improvement in the reduction of the fracture (pre- versus post-operative: mean step-off 3.3 mm (sd 2.6) vs 0.1 mm (sd 0.3), p < 0.001; and mean gap 11.5 mm (sd 6.5) vs 0.8 mm (sd 1.3), p < 0.001). Lesions to the peritoneum were noted in two patients and minor vascular damage was noted in a further two patients. Multi-directional screw placement and various plate configurations were feasible in cadavers without significant retraction of soft tissues.

In the treatment of acetabular fractures predominantly involving the anterior column and the quadrilateral plate, the Pararectus approach allowed anatomical restoration with minimal morbidity related to the surgical access.

We report the results of a prospective randomised controlled trial of the management of 101 Colles' fractures in patients over the age of 55 years. Within two weeks of initial reduction 43 fractures had displaced with either more than 10 degrees dorsal angulation or more than 5 mm radial shortening. These patients were randomly divided into two groups: 21 were remanipulated and held by an external fixator; in the control group of 22 patients, the redisplacement was accepted and conservative treatment was continued. Patients treated with external fixation had a good anatomical result, but their function was no better than that of the control group. We found no correlation between final anatomical and functional outcome, and concluded that the severity of the original soft-tissue injury and its complications are the major determinants of functional end result.

The Gamma nail was introduced for the treatment of peritrochanteric fractures with the theoretical advantage of a load-sharing femoral component which could be implanted by a closed procedure. We report a randomised prospective study of 186 fractures treated by either the Gamma nail or a dynamic hip screw. Gamma nails were implanted with significantly shorter screening times, smaller incisions, and less intraoperative bleeding. The Gamma nail group had a shorter convalescence and earlier full weight-bearing, but there was no significant difference in mortality within six months, postoperative mobility, or hip function at review. More intra-operative complications were recorded in the Gamma nail group, mainly due to the mismatching of the femoral component of the nail to the small femurs of Chinese people. Use of a smaller modified nail reduced these complications. We conclude that with careful surgical technique and the modified femoral component, the Gamma nail is an advance in the treatment of peritrochanteric fractures.

Aims. To describe the epidemiology of acetabular fractures including patient characteristics, injury mechanisms, fracture patterns, treatment, and mortality. Methods. We retrieved information from the Swedish Fracture Register (SFR) on all patients with acetabular fractures, of the native hip joint in the adult skeleton, sustained between 2014 and 2020. Study variables included patient age, sex, injury date, injury mechanism, fracture classification, treatment, and mortality. Results. In total, 2,132 patients with acetabular fractures from the SFR were included in the study. The majority of the patients were male (62%) and aged over 70 years old (62%). For patients aged > 70 years, the 30-day mortality was 8% and one-year mortality 24%. For patients aged ≤ 70 years, the 30-day mortality was 0.2% and one-year mortality 2%. Low-energy injuries (63%) and anterior wall fractures (20%) were most common. Treatment was most often non-surgical (75%). Conclusion. The majority of patients who sustain an acetabular fracture are elderly (> 70 years), of male sex, and the fracture most commonly occurs after a simple, low-energy fall. Non-surgical treatment is chosen in the majority of acetabular fracture patients. The one-year mortality for elderly patients with acetabular fracture is similar to the mortality after hip fracture, and a similar multidisciplinary approach to care for these patients should be considered. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(9):652–658

Aims. The aim of this study was to compare the functional and radiological outcomes and the complication rate after nail and plate fixation of unstable fractures of the ankle in elderly patients. Methods. In this multicentre study, 120 patients aged ≥ 60 years with an acute unstable AO/OTA type 44-B fracture of the ankle were randomized to fixation with either a nail or a plate and followed for 24 months after surgery. The primary outcome measure was the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot score. Secondary outcome measures were the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire, the Olerud and Molander Ankle score, the EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire, a visual analogue score for pain, complications, the quality of reduction of the fracture, nonunion, and the development of osteoarthritis. Results. At 24 months, the median AOFAS score was equivalent in the two groups (nail 90 (interquartile range (IQR) 82 to 100), plate 95 (IQR 87 to 100), p = 0.478). There were statistically more complications and secondary operations after nail than plate fixation (p = 0.024 and p = 0.028, respectively). There were no other significant differences in the outcomes between the two groups. Conclusion. The functional outcome after nail and plate fixation was equivalent; however, the complication rate and number of secondary operations was significantly higher after nail fixation. These results suggest that plate fixation should usually be the treatment of choice for unstable ankle fractures in the elderly. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(1):72–81

Aims. The optimal choice of management for proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) has been increasingly discussed in the literature, and this work aimed to answer the following questions: 1) what are the incidence rates of PHF in the geriatric population in the USA; 2) what is the mortality rate after PHF in the elderly population, specifically for distinct treatment procedures; and 3) what factors influence the mortality rate?. Methods. PHFs occurring between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2019 were identified from the Medicare physician service records. Incidence rates were determined, mortality rates were calculated, and semiparametric Cox regression was applied, incorporating 23 demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic covariates, to compare the mortality risk between treatments. Results. From 2009 to 2019, the incidence decreased by 11.85% from 300.4 cases/100,000 enrollees to 266.3 cases/100,000 enrollees, although this was not statistically significant (z = -1.47, p = 0.142). In comparison to matched Medicare patients without a PHF, but of the same five-year age group and sex, a mean survival difference of -17.3% was observed. The one-year mortality rate was higher after nonoperative treatment with 16.4% compared to surgical treatment with 9.3% (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23 to 1.36; p < 0.001) and to shoulder arthroplasty with 7.4% (HR = 1.45, 95% CI 1.33 to 1.58; p < 0.001). Statistically significant mortality risk factors after operative treatment included age older than 75 years, male sex, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cerebrovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, a concomitant fracture, congestive heart failure, and osteoporotic fracture. Conclusion. Mortality risk factors for distinct treatment modes after PHF in elderly patients could be identified, which may guide clinical decision-making. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2023;12(2):103–112

Aims. This work aimed at answering the following research questions: 1) What is the rate of mechanical complications, nonunion and infection for head/neck femoral fractures, intertrochanteric fractures, and subtrochanteric fractures in the elderly USA population? and 2) Which factors influence adverse outcomes?. Methods. Proximal femoral fractures occurred between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2019 were identified from the Medicare Physician Service Records Data Base. The Kaplan-Meier method with Fine and Gray sub-distribution adaptation was used to determine rates for nonunion, infection, and mechanical complications. Semiparametric Cox regression model was applied incorporating 23 measures as covariates to identify risk factors. Results. Union failure occured in 0.89% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.83 to 0.95) after head/neck fracturs, in 0.92% (95% CI 0.84 to 1.01) after intertrochanteric fracture and in 1.99% (95% CI 1.69 to 2.33) after subtrochanteric fractures within 24 months. A fracture-related infection was more likely to occur after subtrochanteric fractures than after head/neck fractures (1.64% vs 1.59%, hazard ratio (HR) 1.01 (95% CI 0.87 to 1.17); p < 0.001) as well as after intertrochanteric fractures (1.64% vs 1.13%, HR 1.31 (95% CI 1.12 to 1.52); p < 0.001). Anticoagulant use, cerebrovascular disease, a concomitant fracture, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, open fracture, and rheumatoid disease was identified as risk factors. Mechanical complications after 24 months were most common after head/neck fractures with 3.52% (95% CI 3.41 to 3.64; currently at risk: 48,282). Conclusion. The determination of complication rates for each fracture type can be useful for informed patient-clinician communication. Risk factors for complications could be identified for distinct proximal femur fractures in elderly patients, which are accessible for therapeutical treatment in the management. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(10):801–807

Aims. The aim of this study was to describe the demographic details of patients who sustain a femoral periprosthetic fracture (PPF), the epidemiology of PPFs, PPF characteristics, and the predictors of PPF types in the UK population. Methods. This is a multicentre retrospective cohort study including adult patients presenting to hospital with a new PPF between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018. Data collected included: patient characteristics, comorbidities, anticoagulant use, social circumstances, level of mobility, fracture characteristics, Unified Classification System (UCS) type, and details of the original implant. Descriptive analysis by fracture location was performed, and predictors of PPF type were assessed using mixed-effects logistic regression models. Results. In total, 720 femoral PPFs from 27 NHS sites were included. PPF patients were typically elderly (mean 79.9 years (SD 10.6)), female (n = 455; 63.2%), had at least one comorbidity (n = 670; 93.1%), and were reliant on walking aids or bed-/chair-bound prior to admission (n = 419; 61.7%). The study population included 539 (74.9%) hip PPFs, 151 (21.0%) knee PPFs, and 30 (4.2%) dividing type PPFs. For hip (n = 407; 75.5%) and knee (n = 88; 58.3%) arthroplasty UCS B type fractures were most common. Overall, 556 (86.2%) were treated in the presenting hospital and 89 (13.8%) required transfer for treatment. Female sex was the only significant predictor of fracture type (A/B1/C type versus B2/B3) for femoral hip PPFs (odds ratio 0.61 (95% confidence interval 0.41 to 0.91); p = 0.014). Sex, residence type, primary versus revision implant PPF, implant fixation, and time between arthroplasty and PPF were not found to predict fracture type for hip PPFs. Conclusion. This multicentre analysis describes patient and injury factors for patients presenting with femoral PPFs to centres across the UK. These patients are generally elderly and frail, comparable to those sustaining a hip fracture. These data can be useful in planning future services and clinical trials. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(8):987–996

Aims. Current literature suggests that survival outcomes and local recurrence rates of primary soft-tissue sarcoma diagnosed in the very elderly age range, (over 90 years), are comparable with those in patients diagnosed under the age of 75 years. Our aim is to quantify these outcomes with a view to rationalizing management and follow-up for very elderly patients. Methods. Retrospective access to our prospectively maintained oncology database yielded a cohort of 48 patients across 23 years with a median follow-up of 12 months (0 to 78) and mean age at diagnosis of 92 years (90 to 99). Overall, 42 of 48 of 48 patients (87.5%) were managed surgically with either limb salvage or amputation. Results. A lower overall local recurrence rate (LRR) was seen with primary amputations compared with limb salvage (p > 0.050). The LRR was comparable between free (R0), microscopically (R1), and macroscopically positive (R2) resection margins in the limb salvage group. Amputation was also associated with longer survival times (p < 0.050). Overall median survival time was limited to 20 months (0 to 80). Conclusion. Early and aggressive treatment with appropriate oncological surgery confers the lowest LRR and a survival advantage versus conservative treatment in this cohort of patients. With limited survival, follow-up can be rationalized on a patient-by-patient basis using alternative means, such as GP, local oncology, and/or patient-led follow-up. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(1):177–182

The June 2023 Foot & Ankle Roundup. 360. looks at: Nail versus plate fixation for ankle fractures; Outcomes of first ray amputation in diabetic patients; Vascular calcification on plain radiographs of the ankle to diagnose diabetes mellitus; Elderly patients with ankle fracture: the case for early weight-bearing; Active treatment for Frieberg’s disease: does it work?; Survival of ankle arthroplasty; Complications following ankle arthroscopy

The February 2024 Foot & Ankle Roundup. 360. looks at: Survival of revision ankle arthroplasty; Tibiotalocalcaneal nail for the management of open ankle fractures in the elderly patient; Accuracy of a patient-specific total ankle arthroplasty instrumentation; Fusion after failed primary ankle arthroplasty: can it work?; Treatment options for osteochondral lesions of the talus; Managing hair tourniquet syndrome of toe: a rare emergency; Ultrasound-guided collagenase therapy for recurrent plantar fibromatosis: a promising line of therapy?

Aims. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a very successful and cost-effective operation, yet debate continues about the optimum fixation philosophy in different age groups. The concept of the 'cementless paradox' and the UK 'Getting it Right First Time' initiative encourage increased use of cemented fixation due to purported lower revision rates, especially in elderly patients, and decreased cost. Methods. In a high-volume, tertiary referral centre, we identified 10,112 THAs from a prospectively collected database, including 1,699 cemented THAs, 5,782 hybrid THAs, and 2,631 cementless THAs. The endpoint was revision for any reason. Secondary analysis included examination of implant survivorship in patients aged over 70 years, over 75 years, and over 80 years at primary THA. Results. Cemented fixation had the lowest implant survival in all age groups, with a total ten-year survivorship of 97.0% (95% confidence interval (CI) 95.8 to 97.8) in the cemented group, 97.6% (95% CI 96.9 to 98.1) in the hybrid group, and 97.9% (95% CI 96.9 to 98.6) in the cementless group. This was not statistically significant (p = 0.092). There was no age group where cemented fixation outperformed hybrid or cementless fixation. Conclusion. While all fixation techniques performed well at long-term follow-up, cemented fixation was associated with the lowest implant survival in all age groups, including in more elderly patients. We recommend that surgeons should carefully monitor their own outcomes and use fixation techniques that they are familiar with, and deliver the best outcomes in their own hands. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(2):206–211

The August 2024 Shoulder & Elbow Roundup. 360. looks at: Comparing augmented and nonaugmented locking-plate fixation for proximal humeral fractures in the elderly; Elevated five-year mortality following shoulder arthroplasty for fracture; Total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol reduces discharge times compared with inhaled general anaesthesia in shoulder arthroscopy: a randomized controlled trial; The influence of obesity on outcomes following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair; Humeral component version has no effect on outcomes following reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: a prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial; What is a meaningful improvement after total shoulder arthroplasty by implant type, preoperative diagnosis, and sex?; The safety of corticosteroid injection prior to shoulder arthroplasty: a systematic review; Mortality and subsequent fractures of patients with olecranon fractures compared to other upper limb osteoporotic fractures

The August 2024 Spine Roundup. 360. looks at: Laminectomy adjacent to instrumented fusion increases adjacent segment disease; Influence of the timing of surgery for cervical spinal cord injury without bone injury in the elderly: a retrospective multicentre study; Lumbar vertebral body tethering: single-centre outcomes and reoperations in a consecutive series of 106 patients; Machine-learning algorithms for predicting Cobb angle beyond 25° in female adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients; Pain in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis; Teriparatide prevents surgery for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture

The February 2024 Hip & Pelvis Roundup. 360. looks at: Trial of vancomycin and cefazolin as surgical prophylaxis in arthroplasty; Is preoperative posterior femoral neck tilt a risk factor for fixation failure? Cemented versus uncemented hemiarthroplasty for displaced intracapsular fractures of the hip; Periprosthetic fractures in larger hydroxyapatite-coated stems: are collared stems a better alternative for total hip arthroplasty?; Postoperative periprosthetic fracture following hip arthroplasty with a polished taper slip versus composite beam stem; Is oral tranexamic acid as good as intravenous?; Stem design and the risk of early periprosthetic femur fractures following THA in elderly patients; Does powered femoral broaching compromise patient safety in total hip arthroplasty?

The December 2022 Spine Roundup. 360. looks at: Deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis protocol on a Level 1 trauma centre patient database; Non-specific spondylodiscitis: a new perspective for surgical treatment; Disc degeneration could be recovered after chemonucleolysis; Three-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion versus corpectomy- anterior cervical discectomy and fusion “hybrid” procedures: how does the alignment look?; Rivaroxaban or enoxaparin for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis; Surgical site infection: when do we have to remove the implants?; Determination of a neurologic safe zone for bicortical S1 pedicle placement; Do you need to operate on unstable spine fractures in the elderly: outcomes and mortality; Degeneration to deformity: when does the patient need both?