We studied the effect of total knee replacement on venous flow in 110 patients. Resting venous blood flow was measured using straingauge plethysmography before operation, after surgery and after discharge from hospital. There was a significant reduction in mean venous capacitance (p < 0.001) and mean venous outflow (p < 0.004) affecting only the operated leg. Both improved significantly after mobilisation in the early postoperative period, returning to preoperative levels by six days after surgery and before discharge from hospital. Our findings showed that venous stasis may contribute to deep-vein thrombosis only in the first few days after total knee replacement. This would be the most important period for the use of flow-enhancing prophylactic devices. Comparison with changes in blood flow after total hip replacement identified different patterns of altered haemodynamics suggesting that there are different mechanisms of venous stasis and thrombogenesis in hip and knee arthritis and during surgery for these conditions

A subjective, objective and radiographic study of 21 patients with comminuted calcaneal fractures showing severe involvement of the subtalar joint is reported. The average follow-up was 14.6 years (range 8 to 29 years). Only patients with unilateral closed fractures and no associated injuries to either lower limb were admitted to the study. All were treated by early active mobilisation of the ankle, and the subtalar and the midtarsal joints. Seventy-six per cent of the patients achieved a good result with minor symptoms which did not interfere with their occupation or leisure requirements. Although two-thirds of the patients reached a point of maximal recovery at two to three years, 24% continued to improve for six years. None of the patients experienced any deterioration after this time. Neither the degree of clinical stiffness nor the degeneration of the subtalar joint, assessed radiographically, correlated with the severity of symptoms or functional disability. The role of the soft tissues in the aetiology of residual symptoms is discussed

The factors during and after operation which influence the development of a solid and stable posterior spinal fusion have been evaluated in 406 patients with scoliosis. The patients were managed in three different ways and all pseudarthroses were accurately detected by exploring the spines six months after the attempted fusion. The incidence of pseudarthroses was significantly lowered from 25 per cent in Group I to 3.8 per cent in Group III by the application of Harrington instrumentation and the use of large amounts of autogenous iliac bone grafts in addition to an interfacetal fusion. Early mobilisation 7 to 10 days after operation and a return to normal activities in a well-moulded underarm plaster jacket did not have a detrimental effect on the development of the fusion or the early maintenance of correction. Those spines with supplementary bone grafts stabilised more rapidly and had better maintenance of correction with only minimal loss after removal of all external support at 10 months

Aims

Despite the increase in the surgical repair of proximal hamstring tears, there exists a lack of consensus in the optimal timing for surgery. There is also disagreement on how partial tears managed surgically compare with complete tears repaired surgically. This study aims to compare the mid-term functional outcomes in, and operating time required for, complete and partial proximal hamstring avulsions, that are repaired both acutely and chronically.

1. Sixty-nine patients with degenerative disease of the hip joint were treated by intra-articular arthrodesis using secure internal fixation. External fixation with plaster was not used and the patients were mobilised on crutches after a mean interval of 3·2 weeks. Radiologically evident bony union occurred in 87 per cent of cases. Among the nine patients (13 per cent) who failed to show union only three complained of persistence of severe symptoms. 2. The only significant complication was fracture of the upper femoral shaft in three cases (4·3 per cent). However, this has not occurred since a small plate was used in addition to the nail. 3. The disadvantages of the routine use of plaster fixation are discussed and are contrasted with the advantages of early mobilisation without plaster. 4. Whereas this series does not show a rate of fusion as good as that in the best reported series, it supports the view that arthrodesis of the hip offers the most certain, reliable and efficient means of treatment for severe unilateral degenerative disease of that joint

1. The progress of recovery after transposition of the ulnar nerve has been studied in forty-six patients with ulnar neuritis of traumatic or mechanical origin. 2. In assessing the results, the lesions were divided into three grades according to the severity of the neurological signs: Grade I, minimal lesions with no detectable motor weakness; Grade II, intermediate lesions; Grade III, severe lesions with paralysis of one or more of the ulnar intrinsic muscles. 3. The earliest and most constant result after operation was the relief of discomfort and ulnar paraesthesiae. 4. The degree of motor recovery varied according to the severity of the lesion at the time of the operation. In Grades I and II cases, all the muscles (with one exception) were acting against gravity and resistance at the final examination. In Grade III cases, the recovery was usually far from complete. Recovery of sensibility was uniformly good. 5. In a further six patients with persistent symptoms after transposition, relief was obtained by free mobilisation and placing the nerve deep to the flexor origin

Ischaemia threatening an injured limb gives rise to the syndrome of pain, pallor, paralysis, and pulselessness. It is due to arterial injury by laceration, compression, intra-mural rupture or contusion, or to arterial spasm with or without demonstrable local arterial damage. The differentiation of spasm without local injury from organic obstruction is not possible by clinical methods. The suggested plan of treatment and of management is:. 1. General systemic investigation (blood-pressure, blood-count, coagulation time, etc.). 2. Removal of all external pressure. 3. Resuscitation. 4. Direct attempt to relieve the obstruction by operation. 5. Post-operative care. The operative procedure recommended is:. 1. Manipulative reduction of the fracture if possible. 2. Proximal control of the artery. 3. Arteriography. 4. Exposure of the occluded artery (unless contra-indicated by time factors and by the anatomy of the collateral circulation), liberation and mobilisation of the vessel, repair by suture where such is necessary and possible, and arterectomy only forirreparable local damage. 5. The provision of sympathetic block by injection or by sympathectomy. The important elements of post-operative care are:. 1. To maintain the blood-pressure while cooling the limb and heating the patient

The aim of limb-salvage surgery in malignant bone tumours in children is to restore function and eradicate local disease with as little morbidity as possible. Allografts are associated with a high rate of complications, particularly malunion at the allograft-host junction. We describe a simple technique which enhances union of allograft to host bone taking advantage of the discrepancy in size between the adult allograft and the child’s bone. This involves lifting a flap of periosteum before resection from the host bone, which is then telescoped into the allograft medullary canal, which may require internal burring or splitting, for a distance of 1.5 to 2 cm and covering the bone junction with the periosteal flap. This is more stable than conventional end-to-end opposition. For each centimetre of telescoping the surface area available for bony union is increased more than three times. The periosteal flap also augments union. Additional surface fixation with a plate and screws is not necessary. We have used this technique in nine children, in eight of whom there was complete union at a mean of 16 weeks. Delayed union, associated with generalised limb osteoporosis, occurred in one. Early mobilisation, with weight-bearing by three weeks, was possible. There was only one fracture of the allograft

From a series of 190 consecutive fractures of the shaft of the femur treated by closed Kuntscher nailing, 32 of the more severely comminuted have been studied to determine whether treatment by closed nailing was justified. Radiological criteria were used to divide them into 19 who were moderately comminuted and 13 grossly so. Twenty-four patients were less than 21 years of age and 19 patients had 40 significant associated injuries. Fifteen fractures were nailed on the day of injury, and complications were few. Nineteen patients had a supplementary cast-brace and all those who had been employed returned to work. Twelve patients had shortening of up to two centimetres and two had three centimetres; four had mild rotational deformities; seven had mild restriction of knee flexion; and two had delayed union. There were no infections. The advantages of this technique include a negligible risk of infection and rapid stabilisation of even grossly comminuted fractures, thus facilitating management of other injuries. The 44 per cent incidence of shortening is counterbalanced by early mobilisation and rapid return of knee function. It is concluded that when proper equipment and expertise are available then closed nailing is the treatment of choice for severely comminuted fractures of the femoral shaft

A programme for early mobilisation using a temporary prosthesis was evaluated in 17 children who had had an amputation above the knee for sarcomata. The temporary prosthesis had a performed adjustable polypropylene quadrilateral socket which was able to accommodate changes in the size of the stump during the first few months after amputation. The adjustable sockets were assembled onto wooden knee-shank-foot units or onto modular components covered with foam. The wooden units were better for routine use as more adjustment was possible between the socket and the knee and because they were more durable in active children. Prosthetic fitting usually took one hour and was carried out 10 days after the amputation to coincide with the start of the chemotherapy programme. The prosthesis was cosmetically acceptable, easy to use and provided a simple and economical way of rehabilitating the amputees and restoring their morale. After two to three months a new prosthesis with a laminated socket suspended by a waistband was supplied. The skin tolerated the closer fit of this socket and the small fluctuations in the size of the stump that occurred with each course of chemotherapy were easily accommodated by varying the thickness of the stump sock. A self-suspending laminated socket was provided after completion of the chemotherapy. The permanent sockets were assembled onto wooden components but the girls usually preferred the modular system covered with foam. The chemotherapy and rehabilitation programmes were successfully co-ordinated so that the children spent as little time as possible away from their normal activities

The case histories of 361 subcapital fractures of the femoral neck in 354 patients treated by primary replacement with the cemented Thompson prosthesis were reviewed, and 156 survivors were seen at follow-up. The average age was eighty-one years. Three hundred and thirty fractures occurred in women and thirty-one in men. The antero-lateral approach to the hip was used at all operations because it allows immediate and unrestricted mobilisation after operation. It is considered that this method is the best treatment in the rehabilitation of elderly patients after high femoral neck fractures, because of its low morbidity and high success rate in returning the geriatric orthopaedic patient to independence. The results after an average of just over three years were available for 161 hips in 156 patients studied at follow-up. Of these, 132 (82 per cent) were satisfactory. Most of the unsatisfactory results were in patients under seventy-five years of age. Out of the whole group of 361 hips treated the important early complications were wound infections in seventeen hips 4-7 per cent), all of which resolved, and dislocation in seven hips (2 per cent). Forty-six patients (12-9 per cent) died during the first four weeks after operation, their average age being eighty-five. One hundred and seventy-one patients (47-4 per cent) were discharged from hospital within under four weeks of the operation. Acetabular erosion and loosening are shown to be the important later complications. Three patients had late sepsis

A few points in this report deserve to be stressed. Indications–It is important that the orthopaedic surgeon should decide at a very early stage which of the two methods, closed or open, he must use. These do not exclude each other but are on the other hand complementary. Nowadays the dislocated hip can be reduced by open operation with a very good chance of lasting success. This should be carried out if a hip cannot easily be reduced otherwise, or if there is any doubt that closed reduction has been successful–and as early as possible, preferably before the age of three years. Technique–Ample exposure of the joint and removal of all obstacles to reduction are important. Reduction must be complete and stable but without stress, and there must be no interference with the articular bone and cartilage. After-care–Reduction, however perfect, is only the first step towards recovery. The hip must be observed carefully and the most suitable moments for mobilisation and for walking must be chosen; this calls for nice judgment. When it is clear that the roof of the acetabulum is not developing or that persistent valgus and anteversion may encourage subluxation, a secondary operation should be undertaken at once. Radiography is necessary about every three months for the first two years. Assessment of results–With a strict system of assessment, like McFarland's, we have observed 68·3 per cent favourable results in 171 hips treated by open reduction. It is obvious that the problem of congenital dislocation of the hip has not yet been completely solved. But if we review the progress of recent years we come to the encouraging conclusion that much has already been achieved, and that the efforts of the many orthopaedic surgeons who have dedicated themselves to the treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip have not gone unrewarded

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) on mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) proliferation in vitro and to determine whether pre-microfracture systemic administration of G-CSF (a bone marrow stimulant) could improve the quality of repaired tissue of a full-thickness cartilage defect in a rabbit model.

Aims

There is uncertainty regarding the optimal means of thromboprophylaxis following total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA, TKA). This systematic review presents the evidence for acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) as a thromboprophylactic agent in THA and TKA and compares it with other chemoprophylactic agents.

Aims

The outcome of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is not always satisfactory. The purpose of this study was to identify satisfaction and biomechanical features characterising the gait of patients who had undergone TKA with either an anatomical single radius design or a medial pivot design. We hypothesised that the latter would provide superior function.

Aims

The aims of this retrospective study were to report the feasibility of using 3D-printing technology for patients with a pelvic tumour who underwent reconstruction.

Aims

This non-blinded randomised controlled trial compared the effect of patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) versus local infiltration analgesia (LIA) within an established enhanced recovery programme on the attainment of discharge criteria and recovery one year after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The hypothesis was that LIA would increase the proportion of patients discharged from rehabilitation by the fourth post-operative day but would not affect outcomes at one year.