We retrospectively reviewed 2989 consecutive
patients with a mean age of 81 (21 to 105) and a female to male
ratio of 5:2 who were admitted to our hip fracture unit between
July 2009 and February 2013. We compared weekday and weekend admission
and weekday and weekend surgery 30-day mortality rates for hip fractures
treated both surgically and conservatively. After adjusting for
confounders, weekend admission was independently and significantly
associated with a rise in 30-day mortality (odds ratio (OR) 1.4,
95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02 to 1.9; p = 0.039) for patients
undergoing hip fracture surgery. There was no increase in mortality
associated with weekend surgery (OR 1.2, 95% CI 0.8 to 1.7; p =
0.39). All hip fracture patients, whether managed surgically or
conservatively, were more likely to die as an inpatient when admitted
at the weekend (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.80; p = 0.032), despite
our unit having a comparatively low overall inpatient mortality
(8.7%). Hip fracture patients admitted over the weekend appear to
have a greater risk of death despite having a consultant-led service. Cite this article:
The aims of this study were to compare the diagnostic test characteristics
of ultrasound alone, metal artefact reduction sequence MRI (MARS-MRI)
alone, and ultrasound combined with MARS-MRI for identifying intra-operative
pseudotumours in metal-on-metal hip resurfacing (MoMHR) patients
undergoing revision surgery. This retrospective diagnostic accuracy study involved 39 patients
(40 MoMHRs). The time between imaging modalities was a mean of 14.6
days (0 to 90), with imaging performed at a mean of 5.3 months (0.06
to 12) before revision. The prevalence of intra-operative pseudotumours
was 82.5% (n = 33).Aims
Methods
The traditional techniques involving an oblique
tunnel or triangular wedge resection to approach a central or mixed-type
physeal bar are hindered by poor visualisation of the bar. This
may be overcome by a complete transverse osteotomy at the metaphysis
near the growth plate or a direct vertical approach to the bar.
Ilizarov external fixation using small wires allows firm fixation
of the short physis-bearing fragment, and can also correct an associated angular
deformity and permit limb lengthening. We accurately approached and successfully excised ten central-
or mixed-type bars; six in the distal femur, two in the proximal
tibia and two in the distal tibia, without damaging the uninvolved
physis, and corrected the associated angular deformity and leg-length
discrepancy. Callus formation was slightly delayed because of periosteal
elevation and stretching during resection of the bar. The resultant
resection of the bar was satisfactory in seven patients and fair
in three as assessed using a by a modified Williamson–Staheli classification. Cite this article:
We identified a group of patients from the Swedish
Arthroplasty Register who reported no relief of pain or worse pain
one year after a total knee replacement (TKR). A total of two different
patient-reported pain scores were used during this process. We then
evaluated how the instruments used to measure pain affected the
number of patients who reported no relief of pain or worse pain,
and the relative effect of potential risk factors. Between 2008 and 2010, 2883 TKRs were performed for osteoarthritis
in two Swedish arthroplasty units. After applying exclusion criteria,
2123 primary TKRs (2123 patients) were included in the study. The
Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and a Visual
Analogue Scale (VAS) for knee pain were used to assess patients pre-operatively
and one year post-operatively. Only 50 of the 220 patients (23%) who reported no pain relief
on either the KOOS pain subscale or the VAS for knee pain did so
with both of these instruments. Patients who reported no pain relief
on either measure tended to have less pain pre-operatively but a
higher degree of anxiety. Charnley category C was a predictor for
not gaining pain relief as measured on a VAS for knee pain. The number of patients who are not relieved of pain after a TKR
differs considerably depending on the instrument used to measure
pain. Cite this article:
Large-head metal-on-metal (MoM) total hip replacements
(THR) have given rise to concern. Comparative studies of small-head
MoM THRs over a longer follow-up period are lacking. Our objective
was to compare the incidence of complications such as infection,
dislocation, revision, adverse local tissue reactions, mortality
and radiological and clinical outcomes in small-head (28 mm) MoM
and ceramic-on-polyethylene (CoP) THRs up to 12 years post-operatively. A prospective cohort study included 3341 THRs in 2714 patients.
The mean age was 69.1 years (range 24 to 98) and 1848 (55.3%) were
performed in women, with a mean follow-up of 115 months (18 to 201).
There were 883 MoM and 2458 CoP bearings. Crude incidence rates
(cases/1000 person-years) were: infection 1.3 In conclusion, we found similar results for small-head MoM and
CoP bearings up to ten years post-operatively, but after ten years
MoM THRs had a higher risk of all-cause revision. Furthermore, the
presence of an adverse response to metal debris seen in the small-head
MOM group at revision is a cause for concern. Cite this article:
Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) should
be diagnosed as early as possible to optimise treatment. The current
United Kingdom recommendations for the selective screening of DDH
include a clinical examination at birth and at six weeks. In Northern
Ireland babies continue to have an assessment by a health visitor
at four months of age. As we continue to see late presentations
of DDH, beyond one year of age, we hypothesised that a proportion had
missed an opportunity for earlier diagnosis. We expect those who
presented to our service with Tonnis grade III or IV hips and decreased
abduction would have had clinical signs at their earlier assessments. We performed a retrospective review of all patients born in Northern
Ireland between 2008 and 2010 who were diagnosed with DDH after
their first birthday. There were 75 856 live births during the study
period of whom 645 children were treated for DDH (8.5 per 1000).
The minimum follow-up of our cohort from birth, to detect late presentation,
was four years and six months. Of these, 32 children (33 hips) were
diagnosed after their first birthday (0.42 per 1000). With optimum application of our selective screening programme
21 (65.6%) of these children had the potential for an earlier diagnosis,
which would have reduced the incidence of late diagnosis to 0.14
per 1000. As we saw a peak in diagnosis between three and five months
our findings support the continuation of the four month health visitor
check. Our study adds further information to the debate regarding
selective Cite this article:
We report a new surgical technique for the treatment
of traumatic dislocation of the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint of the
thumb. This is a tenodesis which uses part of the flexor carpi radialis. Between January 2010 and August 2013, 13 patients with traumatic
instability of the CMC joint of the thumb were treated using this
technique. The mean time interval between injury and ligament reconstruction
was 13 days (0 to 42). The mean age of the patients at surgery was
38 years: all were male. At a mean final follow-up of 26 months (24 to 29), no patient
experienced any residual instability. The mean total palmar abduction
of the CMC joint of the thumb was 61° and the mean radial abduction
65° The mean measurements for the uninjured hand were 66° (60° to
73°) and 68° (60° to 75°), respectively. The mean Kapandji thumb
opposition score was 8.5° (8° to 9°). The mean pinch and grip strengths
of the hand were 6.7 kg (3.4 to 8.2) and 40 kg (25 to 49), respectively.
The mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire
score was 3 (1 to 6). Based on the Smith and Cooney score, we obtained
a mean score of 85 (75 to 95), which included four excellent, seven
good, and two fair results. Our technique offers an alternative method of treating traumatic
dislocation of the CMC joint of the thumb: it produces a stable
joint and acceptable hand function. Cite this article:
There is conflicting evidence about the functional
outcome and rate of satisfaction of super-elderly patients (≥ 80 years
of age) after carpal tunnel decompression. We compiled outcome data for 756 patients who underwent a carpal
tunnel decompression over an eight-year study period, 97 of whom
were super-elderly, and 659 patients who formed a younger control
group (<
80 years old). There was no significant difference between
the super-elderly patients and the younger control group in terms
of functional outcome according to the mean (0 to 100) QuickDASH
score (adjusted mean difference at one year 1.8; 95% confidence
interval (CI) -3.4 to 7.0) and satisfaction rate (odds ratio (OR)
0.78; 95% CI 0.34 to 1.58). Super-elderly patients were, however,
more likely to have thenar muscle atrophy at presentation (OR 9.2,
95% CI 5.8 to 14.6). When nerve conduction studies were obtained,
super-elderly patients were more likely to have a severe conduction deficit
(OR 12.4, 95% CI 3.0 to 51.3). Super-elderly patients report functional outcome and satisfaction
rates equal to those of their younger counterparts. They are more
likely to have thenar muscle atrophy and a severe nerve conduction
deficit at presentation, and may therefore warrant earlier decompression. Cite this article:
The October 2015 Research Roundup360 looks at: Wasted implants; Biofilms revisited; Peri-operative anticoagulation not required in atrial fibrillation; Determinants in outcome following orthopaedic surgery; Patient ‘activation’ and outcomes; Neuroplasticity and nerve repair; KOOS Score in predicting injury?
The patient with a painful arthritic knee awaiting
total knee arthroplasty (TKA) requires a multidisciplinary approach.
Optimal control of acute post-operative pain and the prevention
of chronic persistent pain remains a challenge. The aim of this
paper is to evaluate whether stratification of patients can help
identify those who are at particular risk for severe acute or chronic
pain. Intense acute post-operative pain, which is itself a risk factor
for chronic pain, is more common in younger, obese female patients
and those suffering from central pain sensitisation. Pre-operative
pain, in the knee or elsewhere in the body, predisposes to central
sensitisation. Pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee may also trigger
neuropathic pain and may be associated with chronic medication like
opioids, leading to a state of nociceptive sensitisation called
‘opioid-induced hyperalgesia’. Finally, genetic and personality
related risk factors may also put patients at a higher risk for
the development of chronic pain. Those identified as at risk for chronic pain would benefit from
specific peri-operative management including reduction in opioid
intake pre-operatively, the peri-operative use of antihyperalgesic
drugs such as ketamine and gabapentinoids, and a close post-operative
follow-up in a dedicated chronic pain clinic. Cite this article:
The accurate assessment of skeletal maturity
is essential in the management of orthopaedic conditions in the growing
child. In order to identify the time of peak height velocity (PHV)
in adolescents, two systems for assessing skeletal maturity have
been described recently; the calcaneal apophyseal ossification method
and the Sanders hand scores. The purpose of this study was to compare these methods in assessing
skeletal maturity relative to PHV. We studied the radiographs of
a historical group of 94 healthy children (49 females and 45 males),
who had been followed longitudinally between the ages of three and
18 years with serial radiographs and physical examination. Radiographs
of the foot and hand were undertaken in these children at least
annually between the ages of ten and 15 years. We reviewed 738 radiographs
of the foot and 694 radiographs of the hand. PHV was calculated
from measurements of height taken at the time of the radiographs. Prior to PHV we observed four of six stages of calcaneal apophyseal
ossification and two of eight Sanders stages. Calcaneal stage 3
and Sanders stage 2 was seen to occur about 0.9 years before PHV,
while calcaneal stage 4 and Sanders stage 3 occurred approximately
0.5 years after PHV. The stages of the calcaneal and Sanders systems can be used in
combination, offering better assessment of skeletal maturity with
respect to PHV than either system alone. Cite this article:
There are various pin-in-plaster methods for treating fractures
of the distal radius. The purpose of this study is to introduce
a modified technique of ‘pin in plaster’. Fifty-four patients with fractures of the distal radius were
followed for one year post-operatively. Patients were excluded if
they had type B fractures according to AO classification, multiple
injuries or pathological fractures, and were treated more than seven
days after injury. Range of movement and functional results were
evaluated at three and six months and one and two years post-operatively.
Radiographic parameters including radial inclination, tilt, and
height, were measured pre- and post-operatively.Objectives
Methods
Total Of the 54 patients who underwent TES for a primary tumour between
1993 and 2010, 19 died and four were lost to follow-up. In January
2012, a questionnaire was sent to the 31 surviving patients. This
included the short form-36 to assess HRQoL and questions about the
current condition of their disease, activities of daily living (ADL)
and surgery. The response rate was high at 83.9% (26/31 patients).
We found that most patients were satisfied and maintained good performance
of their ADLs. The mental health status and social roles of the HRQoL scores
were nearly equivalent to those of healthy individuals, regardless
of the time since surgery. There was significant impairment of physical
health in the early post-operative years, but this usually returned
to normal approximately three years after surgery. Cite this article:
Bariatric surgery has been advocated as a means
of reducing body mass index (BMI) and the risks associated with total
knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, this has not been proved clinically.
In order to determine the impact of bariatric surgery on the outcome
of TKA, we identified a cohort of 91 TKAs that were performed in
patients who had undergone bariatric surgery (bariatric cohort).
These were matched with two separate cohorts of patients who had not
undergone bariatric surgery. One was matched 1:1 with those with
a higher pre-bariatric BMI (high BMI group), and the other was matched
1:2 based on those with a lower pre-TKA BMI (low BMI group). In the bariatric group, the mean BMI before bariatric surgery
was 51.1 kg/m2 (37 to 72), which improved to 37.3 kg/m2 (24
to 59) at the time of TKA. Patients in the bariatric group had a
higher risk of, and worse survival free of, re-operation (hazard
ratio (HR) 2.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2 to 6.2; p = 0.02)
compared with the high BMI group. Furthermore, the bariatric group
had a higher risk of, and worse survival free of re-operation (HR
2.4; 95% CI 1.2 to 3.3; p = 0.2) and revision (HR 2.2; 95% CI 1.1
to 6.5; p = 0.04) compared with the low BMI group. While bariatric surgery reduced the BMI in our patients, more
analysis is needed before recommending bariatric surgery before
TKA in obese patients. Cite this article:
The aim of this randomised controlled study was
to compare functional and radiological outcomes between modern cemented
and uncemented hydroxyapatite coated stems after one year in patients
treated surgically for a fracture of the femoral neck. A total of
141 patients aged >
65 years were included. Patients were randomised
to be treated with a cemented Exeter stem or an uncemented Bimetric
stem. The patients were reviewed at four and 12 months. The cemented group performed better than the uncemented group
for the Harris hip score (78 In conclusion, our data do not support the use of an uncemented
hydroxyapatite coated stem for the treatment of displaced fractures
of the femoral neck in the elderly. Cite this article:
This retrospective study was designed to evaluate
the outcomes of re-dislocation of the radial head after corrective osteotomy
for chronic dislocation. A total of 12 children with a mean age
of 11 years (5 to 16), with further dislocation of the radial head
after corrective osteotomy of the forearm, were followed for a mean
of five years (2 to 10). Re-operations were performed for radial
head re-dislocation in six children, while the other six did not
undergo re-operation (‘non-re-operation group’). The active range
of movement (ROM) of their elbows was evaluated before and after
the first operation, and at the most recent follow-up. In the re-operation group, there were significant decreases in
extension, pronation, and supination when comparing the ROM following
the corrective osteotomy and following
re-operation (p <
0.05). The children who had not undergone re-operation achieved a better
ROM than those who had undergone re-operation. There was a significant difference in mean pronation (76° Cite this article:
Using the United States Nationwide Inpatient
Sample, we identified national trends in revision spinal fusion
along with a comprehensive comparison of comorbidities, inpatient
complications and surgical factors of revision spinal fusion compared
to primary spinal fusion. In 2009, there were 410 158 primary spinal fusion discharges
and 22 128 revision spinal fusion discharges. Between 2002 and 2009,
primary fusion increased at a higher rate compared with revision
fusion (56.4% In the multivariable logistic regression model for all spinal
fusions, depression (odds ratio (OR) 1.53, p <
0.001), psychotic
disorders (OR 1.49, p <
0.001), deficiency anaemias (OR 1.35,
p <
0.001) and smoking (OR 1.10, p = 0.006) had a greater chance
of occurrence in revision spinal fusion discharges than in primary
fusion discharges, adjusting for other variables. In terms of complications,
after adjusting for all significant comorbidities, this study found
that dural tears (OR 1.41; p <
0.001) and surgical site infections
(OR 3.40; p <
0.001) had a greater chance of occurrence in revision
spinal fusion discharges than in primary fusion discharges (p <
0.001). A p-value <
0.01 was considered significant in all final
analyses. Cite this article:
The accurate reconstruction of hip anatomy and
biomechanics is thought to be important in achieveing good clinical
outcomes following total hip arthroplasty (THA). To this end some
newer hip designs have introduced further modularity into the design
of the femoral component such that neckshaft angle and anteversion,
which can be adjusted intra-operatively. The clinical effect of
this increased modularity is unknown. We have investigated the changes
in these anatomical parameters following conventional THA with a
prosthesis of predetermined neck–shaft angle and assessed the effect
of changes in the hip anatomy on clinical outcomes. In total, 44 patients (mean age 65.3 years (standard deviation
( The mean pre-operative neck–shaft angle was significantly increased
by 2.8° from 128° ( Cite this article:
The effects of surgical approach in total hip
replacement on health-related quality of life and long-term pain
and satisfaction are unknown. From the Swedish Hip Arthroplasty
Register, we extracted data on all patients that had received a
total hip replacement for osteoarthritis through either the posterior
or the direct lateral approach, with complete pre- and one-year
post-operative Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs). A total
of 42 233 patients met the inclusion criteria and of these 4962
also had complete six-year PROM data. The posterior approach resulted in
an increased mean satisfaction score of 15 ( Cite this article:
Slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE) is one
of the known causes of cam-type femoroacetabular impingement (FAI).
The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of FAI cases
considered to be secondary to SUFE-like deformities. We performed a case–control study on 96 hips (75 patients: mean
age 38 years (15.4 to 63.5)) that had been surgically treated for
FAI between July 2005 and May 2011. Three independent observers
measured the lateral view head–neck index (LVHNI) to detect any
SUFE-like deformity on lateral hip radiographs taken in 45° flexion,
45° abduction and 30° external rotation. A control group of 108
healthy hips in 54 patients was included for comparison (mean age
36.5 years (24.3 to 53.9). The impingement group had a mean LVHNI of 7.6% (16.7% to -2%) Our results suggest that SUFE is one of the primary aetiological
factors for cam-type FAI. Cite this article: