The results of surgery in 59 patients with Scheuermann's kyphosis are reported at an average follow-up of 56 months. These show that in skeletally immature patients, in whom the iliac apophysis has not yet fused to the body of the ilium, posterior fusion alone is adequate and is followed by little loss of correction. For skeletally mature patients combined anterior and posterior surgery is recommended. In all cases a period of pre-operative treatment is important. It is stressed that the indications for surgery are limited

1 . Dislocation of the upper end of the fibula is probably less unusual than the paucity of the published reports suggests. 2. Dislocation may be anterior or posterior, anterior dislocation occurring about twice as often as posterior. Rarely the fibula moves proximally. 3. In most cases a closed manipulation suffices for reduction, and a full and rapid return of normal function follows. 4. Five cases are described. In one case operative reduction was required

In type-II fractures of the odontoid process, the treatment is either conservative in a halo vest or primary surgical stabilisation. Since nonunion, requiring prolonged immobilisation or late surgery, is common in patients treated in a halo vest, the identification of those in whom this treatment is likely to fail is important. We reviewed the data of 69 patients with acute type-II fractures of the odontoid process treated in a halo vest. The mean follow-up was 12 months. Conservative treatment was successful, resulting in bony union in 32 (46%) patients. Anterior dislocation, gender and age were unrelated to nonunion. However, nonunion did correlate with a fracture gap (> 1 mm), posterior displacement (> 5 mm), delayed start of treatment (> 4 days) and posterior redisplacement (> 2 mm). We conclude that patients presenting with these risk factors are unlikely to achieve bony union by treatment in a halo vest. They deserve careful attention during the follow-up period and should also be considered as candidates for primary surgical stabilisation

We reviewed 20 adult patients with spondylolysis and isthmic spondylolisthesis an average of 10.5 years after treatment by anterior spinal fusion. Nineteen patients had excellent or satisfactory results. Ten of the patients were symptom-free at one year, and 15 were asymptomatic at final follow-up. Anterior spinal fusion can produce results comparable to those of posterior fusion with or without decompression. The results tend to improve with time in contrast to the known worsening of late results after posterior decompression without fusion

We studied 23 patients with spondylolysis of the fifth lumbar vertebra (L5) and 20 with spondylolytic spondylolisthesis at this level. All were more than 40 years of age. The transverse processes at L5 were significantly wider in the former group than in the latter. We also dissected 56 cadavers to study the morphological relationship between the transverse process of L5 and the iliolumbar ligament, and found that the wider transverse process is associated with increased width of the posterior band of the iliolumbar ligament. If a patient with pars defects has wide transverse processes at L5, the lumbosacral junction may be stabilised by wide posterior bands of the iliolumbar ligament and the fifth lumbar vertebra by the ligament, preventing anterior displacement

We carried out a prospective study to assess the clinical outcome, complications and survival of the NexGen Legacy posterior-stabilised-Flex total knee replacement (TKR) in a consecutive series of 278 knees between May 2003 and February 2005. Mean follow-up for 259 TKRs (98.2%) was 3.8 years (3.0 to 4.8). Annual follow-up showed improvement in the Knee Society scores (paired t-test, p < 0.05). At the last follow-up, the mean maximum flexion was 135° (110° to 150°). Two knees showed radiolucent lines, but revision was not required because the patients were asymptomatic. Revision was required in one case because of infection, but there were no prosthesis-related revisions. There were no other complications. The estimated survival rate at four years with revision for any reason and prosthesis-related problems was 99.6% and 100%, respectively. This relatively large study indicates that the legacy posterior stabilised-Flex design provides excellent short-term outcome but warrants ongoing evaluation to confirm the long-term durability and functioning of the implant

A patient with recurrent dislocation of the hip is described. The initial injury had been a posterior dislocation without associated fracture of the acetabular wall, and the hip had not been immobilised or protected from weight-bearing during treatment. Exploration of the hip for recurrence revealed disruption of the posterosuperior acetabular labrum with formation of a pouch between the posterior acetabular wall and the short rotator muscles. We have found no previous report of this lesion, which resembles a Bankart lesion of the shoulder. Repair using a bone block is described

Aims

The aim of this study was to establish the results of isolated exchange of the tibial polyethylene insert in revision total knee arthroplasty (RTKA) in patients with well-fixed femoral or tibial components. We report on a series of RTKAs where only the polyethylene was replaced, and the patients were followed for a mean of 13.2 years (10.0 to 19.1).

In a series of over 250 patients, four suffered peritoneal penetration by one of the pelvic pins while being put into a halo-pelvic apparatus. In each case a point on the iliac crest two to three centimetres posterior to the anterior superior iliac crest had been used as the anterior landmark for the positioning of the pelvic pin guide. To avoid this complication we advise that the anterior landmark for the guide should be the "tubercle of the crest", five centimetres or more posterior to the anterior superior iliac spine

The effect of early fusion on growth of the spine has been studied in rabbits. Free periosteal grafts from the tibia were transplanted either posteriorly between the spinous and articular processes or postero-laterally between the articular and transverse processes. Sound bony fusion was achieved in both the thoracic and the lumbar spine. Spinal fusion caused local narrowing and wedging of the intervertebral spaces, followed by retardation of growth and wedging of the vertebrae. A progressive structural scoliosis developed after unilateral postero-lateral fusion and a lordosis developed after posterior fusion

The medial rotation contracture caused by weak external rotation secondary to obstetric brachial plexus injury leads to deformation of the bones of the shoulder. Scapular hypoplasia, elevation and rotation deformity are accompanied by progressive dislocation of the humeral head. Between February and August 2005, 44 children underwent a new surgical procedure called the ‘triangle tilt’ operation to correct this bony shoulder deformity. Surgical levelling of the distal acromioclavicular triangle combined with tightening of the posterior glenohumeral capsule (capsulorrhaphy) improved shoulder function and corrected the glenohumeral axis in these patients. The posture of the arm at rest was improved and active external rotation increased by a mean of 53° (0° to 115°) in the 40 children who were followed up for more than one year. There was a mean improvement of 4.9 points (1.7 to 8.3) of the Mallet shoulder function score after surgical correction of the bony deformity

We reviewed the magnetic resonance (MR) images of eight adults with acute hyperextension-dislocation of the cervical spine. The images were obtained to evaluate damage to the spinal cord. All eight patients had disruption of the anterior longitudinal ligament and of the annulus of the intervertebral disc, and separation of the posterior longitudinal ligament from the subjacent vertebra. Some, but not all, showed widening of the disc space, posterior bulging or herniation of the nucleus pulposus, and disruption of the ligamentum flavum. The MR demonstration of these ligament injuries, taken with the clinical and radiographic findings, establishes the mechanism of hyperextension-dislocation, confirms the diagnosis, and is relevant to management

Although the association between femoroacetabular impingement and osteoarthritis is established, it is not yet clear which hips have the greatest likelihood to progress rapidly to end-stage disease. We investigated the effect of several radiological parameters, each indicative of a structural aspect of the hip joint, on the progression of osteoarthritis. Pairs of plain anteroposterior pelvic radiographs, taken at least ten years apart, of 43 patients (43 hips) with a pistol-grip deformity of the femur and mild (Tönnis grade 1) or moderate (Tönnis grade 2) osteoarthritis were reviewed. Of the 43 hips, 28 showed evidence of progression of osteoarthritis. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of progression between hips with initial Tönnis grade 1 or grade 2 osteoarthritis (p = 0.31). Comparison of the hips with and without progression of arthritis revealed a significant difference in the mean medial proximal femoral angle (81° vs 87°, p = 0.004) and the presence of the posterior wall sign (39% vs 7%, p = 0.02) only. A logistic regression model was constructed to predict the influence of these two variables in the development of osteoarthritis. Mild to moderate osteoarthritis in hips with a pistol-grip deformity will not progress rapidly in all patients. In one-third, progression will take more than ten years to manifest, if ever. The individual geometry of the proximal femur and acetabulum partly influences this phenomenon. A hip with cam impingement is not always destined for end-stage arthritic degeneration

We treated 12 patients with multilevel stenosis of the cervical canal after spondylosis or ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament by an expansive open-door laminoplasty, stabilised by using an anchor system. The preoperative sagittal diameter of the canal was 9.8 mm(±2.2) which was increased to 16.1 mm (±2.9) after surgery. The mean expansion ratio of the canal was 64% (42 to 100). The anchoring systems did not fail during the follow-up period (mean 29.5 months), and the decompression was maintained. The use of anchor systems to stabilise the posterior elements after laminoplasty is a simple and effective technique for maintaining the increased sagittal diameter of the canal

Traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation in adults is usually fatal and survival without neurological deficit is rare. The surgical management of those who do survive is difficult and controversial. Most authorities recommend posterior occipitoaxial fusion, but this compromises cervical rotation. We describe a case in which a patient with a traumatic atlanto-occipital disruption but no neurological deficit was treated by atlanto-occipital fusion using a new technique consisting of cancellous bone autografting supported by an occipital plate linked by rods to lateral mass screws in the atlas. The technique is described in detail. At one year the neck was stable, radiological fusion had been achieved, and atlantoaxial rotation preserved. The rationale behind this approach is discussed and the relevant literature reviewed. We recommend the technique for injuries of this type

The appearance of the ‘grand-piano sign’ on the anterior resected surface of the femur has been considered to be a marker for correct femoral rotational alignment during total knee replacement. Our study was undertaken to assess quantitatively the morphological patterns on the resected surface after anterior femoral resection with various angles of external rotation, using a computer-simulation technique. A total of 50 right distal femora with varus osteoarthritis in 50 Korean patients were scanned using computerised tomography. Computer image software was used to simulate the anterior femoral cut, which was applied at an external rotation of 0°, 3° and 6° relative to the posterior condylar axis, and parallel to the surgical and clinical epicondylar axes in each case. The morphological patterns on the resected surface were quantified and classified as the ‘grand-piano sign’, ‘the boot sign’ and the ‘butterfly sign’. The surgeon can use the analogy of these quantified sign patterns to ensure that a correct rotational alignment has been obtained intra-operatively

Aim

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have several properties that may support their use as an early treatment option for osteoarthritis (OA). This study investigated the role of multiple injections of allogeneic bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) to alleviate the progression of osteoarthritic changes in the various structures of the mature rabbit knee in an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient OA model.

In 17 patients (eleven males, six females) with Morquio-Brailsford syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis IV) we have used onlay femoral and tibial autografts placed posteriorly and secured to the laminae of C1 and C2 to obtain satisfactory occipito-C1/C2 posterior fusion. They were immobilised postoperatively in a halo-plaster body jacket for four months. The age at operation varied between three and 28 years. Those with myelopathic symptoms of recent onset made some recovery, but severely myelopathic patients showed little or no recovery. We advise prophylactic occipitocervical fusion in these patients since the cartilaginous dens is not strong enough to ensure atlanto-axial mechanical stability

We have reviewed the literature on the anatomy of the posteromedial peripheral ligamentous structures of the knee and found differing descriptions. Our aim was to clarify the differing descriptions with a simplified interpretation of the anatomy and its contribution to the stability of the knee. We dissected 20 fresh-frozen cadaver knees and the anatomy was recorded using video and still digital photography. The anatomy was described by dividing the medial collateral ligament (MCL) complex into thirds, from anterior to posterior and into superficial and deep layers. The main passive restraining structures of the posteromedial aspect of the knee were found to be superficial MCL (parallel, longitudinal fibres), the deep MCL and the posteromedial capsule (PMC). In the posterior third, the superficial and deep layers blend. Although there are oblique fibres (capsular condensations) running posterodistally from femur to tibia, no discrete ligament was seen. In extension, the PMC appears to be an important functional unit in restraining tibial internal rotation and valgus. Our aim was to clarify and possibly simplify the anatomy of the posteromedial structures. The information would serve as the basis for future biomechanical studies to investigate the contribution of the posteromedial structures to joint stability

Aims

This aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of designing and introducing generic 3D-printed instrumentation for routine use in total knee arthroplasty.