Periprosthetic infection following total hip replacement can be a catastrophic complication for the patient. The treatments available include single-stage exchange, and two-stage exchange. We present a series of 50 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of infected total hip replacement who were assessed according to a standardised protocol. Of these, 11 underwent single-stage revision arthroplasty with no recurrence of infection at a mean of 6.8 years follow-up (5.5 to 8.8). The remaining 39 underwent two-stage revision, with two recurrences of infection successfully treated by a second two-stage procedure. At five years, significant differences were found in the mean Harris Hip Scores (single-stage 87.8; two-stage 75.5; p = 0.0003) and in a visual analogue score for satisfaction (8.6; 6.9; p = 0.001) between the single- and two-stage groups. Single-stage exchange is successful in eradicating periprosthetic infection and results in excellent functional and satisfaction scores.

Identification of patients suitable for the single-stage procedure allows individualisation of care and provides as many as possible with the correct strategy in successfully tackling their periprosthetic infection

Bilateral sequential total knee replacement was carried out under one anaesthetic in 100 patients. One knee was replaced using a CT-free computer-assisted navigation system and the other conventionally without navigation. The two methods were compared for accuracy of orientation and alignment of the components. There were 85 women and 15 men with a mean age of 67.6 years (54 to 83). Radiological and CT imaging was carried out to determine the alignment of the components. The mean follow-up was 2.3 years (2 to 3).

The operating and tourniquet times were significantly longer in the navigation group (p < 0.001). There were no significant pre- or post-operative differences between the knee scores of the two groups (p = 0.288 and p = 0.429, respectively). The results of imaging and the number of outliers for all radiological parameters were not statistically different (p = 0.109 to p = 0.920).

In this series computer-assisted navigated total knee replacement did not result in more accurate orientation and alignment of the components than that achieved by conventional total knee replacement.

Our aim was to determine the success rate of repeated debridement and two-stage cementless revision arthroplasty according to the type of infected total hip replacement (THR). We enrolled 294 patients (294 hips) with an infected THR in the study. There were 222 men and 72 women with a mean age of 55.1 years (24.0 to 78.0). The rate of control of infection after the initial treatment and after repeated debridement and two-stage revisions was determined. The clinical (Harris hip score) and radiological results were evaluated. The mean follow-up was 10.4 years (5.0 to 14.0).

The eventual rate of control of infection was 100.0% for early superficial post-operative infection, 98.4% for early deep post-operative infection, 98.5% for late chronic infection and 91.0% for acute haematogenous infection. Overall, 288 patients (98%) maintained a functioning THR at the latest follow-up. All the allografts appeared to be united and there were no failures.

These techniques effectively controlled infection and maintained a functional THR with firm fixation in most patients. Repeated debridement and two-stage or repeated two-stage revisions further improved the rate of control of infection after the initial treatment and increased the likelihood of maintaining a functional THR.

A new generation of knee prostheses has been introduced with the intention of improving post-operative knee flexion. In order to evaluate whether this goal has been achieved we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic literature searches were conducted on MEDLINE and EMBASE from their inception to December 2007, and proceedings of scientific meetings were also searched. Only randomised, clinical trials were included in the meta-analysis. The mean difference in the maximum post-operative flexion between the ‘high-flex’ and conventional types of prosthesis was defined as the primary outcome measure. A total of five relevant articles was identified.

Analysis of these trials suggested that no clinically relevant or statistically significant improvement was obtained in flexion with the ‘high-flex’ prostheses. The weighted mean difference was 2.1° (95% confidence interval −0.2 to +4.3; p = 0.07).

We evaluated two reconstruction techniques for a simulated posterolateral corner injury on ten pairs of cadaver knees. Specimens were mounted at 30° and 90° of knee flexion to record external rotation and varus movement. Instability was created by transversely sectioning the lateral collateral ligament at its midpoint and the popliteus tendon was released at the lateral femoral condyle. The left knee was randomly assigned for reconstruction using either a combined or fibula-based treatment with the right knee receiving the other. After sectioning, laxity increased in all the specimens. Each technique restored external rotatory and varus stability at both flexion angles to levels similar to the intact condition. For the fibula-based reconstruction method, varus laxity at 30° of knee flexion did not differ from the intact state, but was significantly less than after the combined method.

Both the fibula-based and combined posterolateral reconstruction techniques are equally effective in restoring stability following the simulated injury.

Various chemicals are commonly used as adjuvant treatment to surgery for giant-cell tumour (GCT) of bone. The comparative effect of these solutions on the cells of GCT is not known. In this study we evaluated the cytotoxic effect of sterile water, 95% ethanol, 5% phenol, 3% hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and 50% zinc chloride (ZnCI₂) on GCT monolayer tumour cultures which were established from six patients. The DNA content, the metabolic activity and the viability of the cultured samples of tumour cells were assessed at various times up to 120 hours after their exposure to these solutions.

Equal cytotoxicity to the GCT monolayer culture was observed for 95% ethanol, 5% phenol, 3% H₂O₂ and 50% ZnCI₂. The treated samples showed significant reductions in DNA content and metabolic activity 24 hours after treatment and this was sustained for up to 120 hours. The samples treated with sterile water showed an initial decline in DNA content and viability 24 hours after treatment, but the surviving cells were viable and had proliferated. No multinucleated cell formation was seen in these cultures.

These results suggest that the use of chemical adjuvants other than water could help improve local control in the treatment of GCT of bone.

We carried out lacerations of 50%, followed by trimming, in ten turkey flexor tendons in vitro and measured the coefficient of friction at the tendon-pulley interface with loads of 200 g and 400 g and in 10°, 30°, 50° and 70° of flexion. Laceration increased the coefficient of friction from 0.12 for the intact tendon to 0.3 at both the test loads. Trimming the laceration reduced the coefficient of friction to 0.2. An exponential increase in the gliding resistance was found at 50° and 70° of flexion (p = 0.02 and p = 0.003, respectively) following trimming compared to that of the intact tendon.

We concluded that trimming partially lacerated flexor tendons will reduce the gliding resistance at the tendon-pulley interface, but will lead to fragmentation and triggering of the tendon at higher degrees of flexion and loading. We recommend that higher degrees of flexion be avoided during early post-operative rehabilitation following trimming of a flexor tendon.

Between June 2005 and March 2008, 14 patients with a Campanacci grade-3 giant-cell tumour of the distal radius were treated by en bloc resection and reconstruction by ulnar translocation with arthrodesis of the wrist. The mean length of radius resected was 7.9 cm (5.5 to 15). All the patients were followed to bony union and 12 were available at a mean follow-up of 26 months (10 to 49).

The mean time to union was four months (3 to 7) at the ulnocarpal junction and five months (3 to 8) at the ulnoradial junction. All except one patient had an excellent range of pronation and supination. The remaining patient developed a radio-ulnar synostosis. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was 26 (87%, range 20 to 28). Three patients had a soft-tissue recurrence, but with no bony involvement. They underwent a further excision and are currently well and free from disease.

Ulnar translocation provides a local vascularised bone graft to reconstruct the defect left after excision of the distal radius for giant cell tumour. It avoids the need for a microvascular procedure while retaining rotation of the forearm and good function of the hand.

This study evaluated the effect on movement under load of three different techniques for re-attachment of the tuberosities of the humerus using test sawbones. In the first, the tuberosities were attached both to the shaft and to each other, with one cerclage suture through the anterior hole in the prosthesis. The second technique was identical except for omission of the cerclage suture and in the third the tuberosities were attached to the prosthesis and to the shaft. An orthogonal photogrammetric system allowed all segments to be tracked in a 3D axis system. The humeri were incrementally-loaded in abduction, and the 3D linear and angular movements of all segments were calculated. Displacement between the tuberosities and the shaft was measured.

The first and second techniques were the most stable constructs, with the third allowing greater separation of fragments and angular movement. Separation at the midpoint of the tuberosities was significantly greater using the latter technique (p < 0.05). The cerclage suture added no further stability to the fixation.

The angle of inclination of the acetabular component in total hip replacement is a recognised contributing factor in dislocation and early wear. During non-navigated surgery, insertion of the acetabular component has traditionally been performed at an angle of 45° relative to the sagittal plane as judged by the surgeon’s eye, the operative inclination. Typically, the method used to assess inclination is the measurement made on the postoperative anteroposterior radiograph, the radiological inclination.

The aim of this study was to measure the intra-operative angle of inclination of the acetabular component on 60 consecutive patients in the lateral decubitus position when using a posterior approach during total hip replacement. This was achieved by taking intra-operative photographs of the acetabular inserter, representing the acetabular axis, and a horizontal reference. The results were compared with the post-operative radiological inclination.

The mean post-operative radiological inclination was 13° greater than the photographed operative inclination, which was unexpectedly high. It appears that in the lateral decubitus position with a posterior approach, the uppermost hemipelvis adducts, thus reducing the apparent operative inclination. Surgeons using the posterior approach in lateral decubitus need to aim for a lower operative inclination than when operating with the patient supine in order to achieve an acceptable radiological inclination.

We have evaluated the difference in the migration patterns over two years of two cementless stems in a randomised, controlled trial using radiostereophotogrammetric analysis (RSA). The implants studied were the Furlong HAC stem, which has good long-term results and the Furlong Active stem, which is a modified version of the former designed to minimise stress concentrations between the implant and bone, and thus to improve fixation.

A total of 23 Furlong HAC and 20 Furlong Active stems were implanted in 43 patients. RSA examinations were carried out immediately post-operatively and at six, 12 and 24 months post-operatively.

The subsidence during the first year in the Furlong HAC stem, was approximately one-third that of the Furlong Active stem, the measured mean subsidence of the femoral head at six months being 0.27 mm (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.03 to 0.51) and 0.99 mm (95% CI 0.38 to 1.60), respectively (p = 0.03). One Active stem continued to subside during the second year. All hips, regardless of the type of stem were clinically successful as judged by the Oxford hip score and a derived pain score without any distinction between the two types of stem.

The initial stability of the Furlong Active stem was not as good as the established stem which might compromise osseo-integration to the detriment of long-term success. The changes in the geometry of the stem, to minimise stress have affected the attainment of initial stability.

We used interconnected porous calcium hydroxyapatite ceramic to bridge a rabbit ulnar defect. Two weeks after inducing the defect we percutaneously injected rabbit bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells labelled with ferumoxide. The contribution of an external magnetic targeting system to attract these cells into the ceramic and their effect on subsequent bone formation were evaluated.

This technique significantly facilitated the infiltration of ferumoxide-labelled cells into ceramic and significantly contributed to the enhancement of bone formation even in the chronic phase. As such, it is potentially of clinical use to treat fractures, bone defects, delayed union and nonunion.

Our aim was to determine the effect of the initial pattern of fracture and the displacement of fragments on the outcome of proximal humeral fractures treated conservatively. We followed 93 consecutive patients prospectively for one year. Final movement and strength were compared with those of the contralateral side. The final American Shoulder and Elbow Society score and the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand and Short-Form 36 questionnaires were compared with those provided by the patient on the day of the injury. Radiographs and CT scans with three-dimensional reconstruction were obtained in all patients. The pattern of the fracture and the displacement of individual fragments were analysed and correlated with the final outcome. There were two cases of nonunion and six of avascular necrosis. The majority of the fractures (84 patients; 90%) followed one of the following four patterns: posteromedial (varus) impaction in 50 patients (54%), lateral (valgus) impaction in 13 (14%), isolated greater tuberosity in 15 (16%), and anteromedial impaction fracture in six (6%). Head orientation, impaction of the surgical neck and displacement of the tuberosity correlated strongly with the outcome.

In fractures with posteromedial impaction, a poor outcome was noted as the articular surface displaced inferiorly increasing its distance from the acromion. A poorer outcome was noted as a fractured greater tuberosity displaced medially overlapping with the posterior articular surface. Lateral impaction fractures had a worse outcome than other patterns of fracture.

Spinal deformities are a common feature of Marfan’s syndrome and can be a significant cause of morbidity. The morphology of the scoliosis associated with this condition was previously described by Sponseller, but no correlation with the pelvic parameters has been seen. We performed a retrospective radiological study of 58 patients with scoliosis, secondary to Marfan’s syndrome and related the findings in the thoracolumbar spine to the pelvic parameters, including pelvic version (tilt), pelvic incidence and sacral slope. Our results showed marked abnormalities in the pelvic values compared with those found in the unaffected population, with increased retroversion of the pelvis in particular. In addition we found a close correlation between the different patterns of pelvic parameters and scoliosis morphology. We found that pelvic abnormalities may partially dictate the spinal disorders seen in Marfan’s syndrome. Our results supplement the well-established Sponseller classification, as well as stressing the importance of considering the orientation of the pelvis when planning surgery.

We split 100 porcine flexor tendons into five groups of 20 tendons for repair. Three groups were repaired using the Pennington modified Kessler technique, the cruciate or the Savage technique, one using one new device per tendon and the other with two new devices per tendon. Half of the tendons received supplemental circumferential Silfverskiöld type B cross-stitch. The repairs were loaded to failure and a record made of their bulk, the force required to produce a 3 mm gap, the maximum force applied before failure and the stiffness. When only one device was used repairs were equivalent to the Pennington modified Kessler for all parameters except the force to produce a 3 mm gap when supplemented with a circumferential repair, which was equivalent to the cruciate.

When two devices were used the repair strength was equivalent to the cruciate repair, and when the two-device repair was supplemented with a circumferential suture the force to produce a 3 mm gap was equivalent to that of the Savage six-strand technique.

In order to determine the epidemiology of adult scoliosis in the elderly and to analyse the radiological parameters and symptoms related to adult scoliosis, we carried out a prospective cross-sectional radiological study on 1347 adult volunteers. There were 615 men and 732 women with a mean age of 73.3 years (60 to 94), and a mean Cobb angle of 7.55° (sd 5.95).

In our study, 478 subjects met the definition of scoliosis (Cobb angle ≥10°) showing a prevalence of 35.5%. There was a significant difference in the epidemiological distribution and prevalence between the age and gender groups. The older adults showed a larger prevalence and more severe scoliosis, more prominent in women (p = 0.004). Women were more affected by adult scoliosis and showed more linear correlation with age (p < 0.001). Symptoms were more severe in those with scoliosis than in the normal group, but were similar between the mild, moderate and severe scoliosis groups (p = 0.224) and between men and women (p = 0.231).

Adult scoliosis showed a significant relationship with lateral listhesis, vertebral rotation, lumbar hypolordosis, sagittal imbalance and a high level of the L4–5 disc (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, p = 0.002, p = 0.002, p < 0.0001 respectively). Lateral listhesis, lumbar hypolordosis and sagittal imbalance were related to symptoms (p < 0.0001, p = 0.001, p < 0.0001 respectively).

Between 1996 and 2003 six institutions in the United States and France contributed a consecutive series of 234 fractures of the femur in 229 children which were treated by titanium elastic nailing. Minor or major complications occurred in 80 fractures. Full information was available concerning 230 fractures, of which the outcome was excellent in 150 (65%), satisfactory in 57 (25%), and poor in 23 (10%). Poor outcomes were due to leg-length discrepancy in five fractures, unacceptable angulation in 17, and failure of fixation in one. There was a statistically significant relationship (p = 0.003) between age and outcome, and the odds ratio for poor outcome was 3.86 for children aged 11 years and older compared with those below this age. The difference between the weight of children with a poor outcome and those with an excellent or satisfactory outcome was statistically significant (54 kg vs 39 kg; p = 0.003). A poor outcome was five times more likely in children who weighed more than 49 kg.

Our aim was to investigate the relationship between urinary excretion of deoxypyridinoline (DPD) as a marker of bone resorption, and Perthes’ disease. There were 39 children with Perthes’ disease in the florid stage who collected first-morning urine samples at regular intervals of at least three months. The level of urinary DPD was analysed by chemiluminescence immunoassay and was correlated with the radiological stage of the disease as classified by Waldenström, and the severity of epiphyseal involvement according to the classification systems of Catterall and Herring. The urinary DPD levels of a group of 44 healthy children were used as a control.

The median urinary DPD/creatinine (CREA) ratio was significantly reduced (p < 0.0001) in the condensation stage and increased to slightly elevated values at the final stage (p = 0.05) when compared with that of the control group. Herring-C patients showed significantly lower median DPD/CREA ratios than Herring-B patients (p = 0.03). The significantly decreased median DPD/CREA ratio in early Perthes’ disease indicated a reduced bone turnover and supports the theory of a systemic aetiology. Urinary levels of DPD may therefore be used to monitor the course of Perthes’ disease.

This study evaluates the outcome of arthroscopic femoral osteochondroplasty for cam lesions of the hip in the absence of additional pathology other than acetabular chondral lesions. We retrospectively reviewed 166 patients (170 hips) who were categorised according to three different grades of chondral damage. The outcome was assessed in each grade using the modified Harris Hip Score (MHHS) and the Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS).

Overall, at the last follow-up (mean 22 months, 12 to 72), the mean MHHS had improved by 15.3 points (95% confidence interval (CI), 8.9 to 21.7) and the mean NAHS by 15 points (95% CI, 9.4 to 20.5). Significantly better results were observed in hips with less severe chondral damage. Microfracture in limited chondral lesions showed superior results.

Arthroscopic femoral osteochondroplasty for cam impingement with microfracture in selected cases is beneficial. The outcome correlates with the severity of acetabular chondral damage.

This study explored the relationship between the initial stability of the femoral component and penetration of cement into the graft bed following impaction allografting.

Impaction allografting was carried out in human cadaveric femurs. In one group the cement was pressurised conventionally but in the other it was not pressurised. Migration and micromotion of the implant were measured under simulated walking loads. The specimens were then cross-sectioned and penetration of the cement measured.

Around the distal half of the implant we found approximately 70% and 40% of contact of the cement with the endosteum in the pressure and no-pressure groups, respectively. The distal migration/micromotion, and valgus/varus migration were significantly higher in the no-pressure group than in that subjected to pressure. These motion components correlated negatively with the mean area of cement and its contact with the endosteum.

The presence of cement at the endosteum appears to play an important role in the initial stability of the implant following impaction allografting.