Unstable bicondylar tibial plateau fractures are rare and there is little guidance in the literature as to the best form of treatment. We examined the short- to medium-term outcome of this injury in a consecutive series of patients presenting to two trauma centres. Between December 2005 and May 2010, a total of 55 fractures in 54 patients were treated by fixation, 34 with peri-articular locking plates and 21 with limited access direct internal fixation in combination with circular external fixation using a Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF). At a minimum of one year post-operatively, patient-reported outcome measures including the WOMAC index and SF-36 scores showed functional deficits, although there was no significant difference between the two forms of treatment. Despite low outcome scores, patients were generally satisfied with the outcome. We achieved good clinical and radiological outcomes, with low rates of complication. In total, only three patients (5%) had collapse of the joint of > 4 mm, and metaphysis to diaphysis angulation of greater than 5º, and five patients (9%) with displacement of > 4 mm. All patients in our study went on to achieve full union.

This study highlights the serious nature of this injury and generally poor patient-reported outcome measures following surgery, despite treatment by experienced surgeons using modern surgical techniques. Our findings suggest that treatment of complex bicondylar tibial plateau fractures with either a locking plate or a TSF gives similar clinical and radiological outcomes.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:956–62.

Metal-on-metal resurfacing of the hip (MoMHR) has enjoyed a resurgence in the last decade, but is now again in question as a routine option for osteoarthritis of the hip. Proponents of hip resurfacing suggest that its survival is superior to that of conventional hip replacement (THR), and that hip resurfacing is less invasive, is easier to revise than THR, and provides superior functional outcomes. Our argument serves to illustrate that none of these proposed advantages have been realised and new and unanticipated serious complications, such as pseudotumors, have been associated with the procedure. As such, we feel that the routine use of MoMHR is not justified.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B(11 Suppl A):17–21.

The December 2015 Wrist & Hand Roundup360 looks at: Fuse or replace? The index PIPJ; A solution for the unstable DRUJ at last; Anatomical reconstruction in place of arthroplasty?; The Welsh ‘fight bite’; Does surgeon empathy improve results?; Regional or local for wrist analgesia; The evidence for wrist arthroplasty; FPL rupture a hidden problem?; Deciding on surgery in the distal radius; Composing that paper in hand surgery

A small proportion of children with Gartland type III supracondylar humeral fracture (SCHF) experience troubling limited or delayed recovery after operative treatment. We hypothesised that the fracture level relative to the isthmus of the humerus would affect the outcome.

We retrospectively reviewed 230 children who underwent closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP) for their Gartland type III SCHFs between March 2003 and December 2012. There were 144 boys and 86 girls, with the mean age of six years (1.1 to 15.2). The clinico-radiological characteristics and surgical outcomes (recovery of the elbow range of movement, post-operative angulation, and the final Flynn grade) were recorded. Multivariate analysis was employed to identify prognostic factors that influenced outcome, including fracture level. Multivariate analysis revealed that a fracture below the humeral isthmus was significantly associated with poor prognosis in terms of the range of elbow movement (p < 0.001), angulation (p = 0.001) and Flynn grade (p = 0.003). Age over ten years was also a poor prognostic factor for recovery of the range of elbow movement (p = 0.027).

This is the first study demonstrating a subclassification system of Gartland III fractures with prognostic significance. This will guide surgeons in peri-operative planning and counselling as well as directing future research aimed at improving outcomes.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:134–40.

The aims of this study were to report functional outcomes of salvage procedures for patients with cerebral palsy (CP) who have chronic dislocation of the hip using validated scoring systems, and to compare the results of three surgical techniques.

We reviewed 37 patients retrospectively. The mean age at the time of surgery was 12.2 years (8 to 22) and the mean follow-up was 56 months (24 to 114). Patients were divided into three groups: 14 who underwent proximal femoral resection arthroplasty (PFRA group 1), ten who underwent subtrochanteric valgus osteotomy (SVO group 2), and 13 who underwent subtrochanteric valgus osteotomy with resection of the femoral head (SVO with FHR group 3). All patients were evaluated using the Caregiver Priorities and Child Health Index of Life with Disabilities (CPCHILD) and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL).

Significant improvements occurred in most CPCHILD and PedsQL subsection scores following surgery in all patients, without significant differences between the groups. There were 12 post-operative complications. Less severe complications were seen in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3.

Salvage surgery appears to provide pain relief in patients with CP who have painful chronic dislocation of the hip. The three salvage procedures produced similar results, however, we recommend the use of PFRA as the complications are less severe.

Take home message: Salvage surgery can be of benefit to patients with CP with chronic painful hip dislocation, but should be limited to selected patients considering complications.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:137–43.

The April 2015 Wrist & Hand Roundup360 looks at: Non-operative hand fracture management; From the sublime to the ridiculous?; A novel approach to carpal tunnel decompression; Osteoporosis and functional scores in the distal radius; Ulnar variance and force distribution; Tourniquets in carpal tunnel under the spotlight; Scaphoid fractures reclassified; Osteoporosis and distal radial fracture fixation; PROMISing results in the upper limb

Excision of the proximal femur for tumour with prosthetic reconstruction using a bipolar femoral head places a considerable load on the unreplaced acetabulum.

We retrospectively reviewed the changes which occur around the affected hip joint by evaluating the post-operative radiographs of 65 consecutive patients who underwent proximal prosthetic arthroplasty of the femur, and in whom an acetabular component had not been used. There were 37 men and 28 women with a mean age of 57.3 years (17 to 93). Radiological assessment included the extent of degenerative change in the acetabulum, heterotopic ossification, and protrusio acetabuli.

The mean follow-up was 9.1 years (2 to 11.8). Degenerative changes in the acetabulum were seen in three patients (4.6%), Brooker grade 1 or 2 heterotopic ossification in 17 (26%) and protrusion of the prosthetic head in nine (13.8%).

A total of eight patients (12.3%) needed a revision. Five were revised to the same type of prosthesis and three (4.6%) were converted to a total hip arthroplasty.

We conclude that radiological evidence of degenerative change, heterotopic ossification and protrusion occur in a few patients who undergo prosthetic arthroplasty of the proximal femur for tumour. The limited extent of these changes and the lack of associated symptoms do not justify the routine arthroplasty of the acetabulum in these patients.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1704–9

The October 2014 Foot & Ankle Roundup360 looks at: multilayer compression bandaging superior for post-traumatic ankle oedema; compression stockings for ankle fractures; weight bearing ok in Achilles tendon ruptures; MRI findings can predict ankle sprain symptoms; salvage for malreduced ankle fractures; locking fibular plates are more expensive; is fixation better early or late in pilon fractures?; and calcaneal fracture fixation not for subtalar arthropathy

Hip and groin injuries are common in athletes who take part in high level sports. Adductor muscle tendon injuries represent a small but important number of these injuries. Avulsion of the tendons attached to the symphysis pubis has previously been described: these can be managed both operatively and non-operatively. We describe an uncommon variant of this injury, namely complete avulsion of the adductor sleeve complex: this includes adductor longus, pectineus and rectus abdominis. We go on to describe a surgical technique which promotes a full return to the pre-injury level of sporting activity.

Over a period of ten years, 15 high-level athletes with an MRI-confirmed acute adductor complex avulsion injury (six to 34 days old) underwent surgical repair. The operative procedure consisted of anatomical re-attachment of the avulsed tissues in each case and mesh reinforcement of the posterior inguinal wall in seven patients. All underwent a standardised rehabilitation programme, which was then individualised to be sport-specific.

One patient developed a superficial wound infection, which was successfully treated with antibiotics. Of the 15 patients, four complained of transient local numbness which resolved in all cases. All patients (including seven elite athletes) returned to their previous level of participation in sport.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1488–92.

The February 2015 Trauma Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Evaluating the syndesmosis in ankle fractures; Calcaneal fracture management an ongoing problem; Angular stable locking in low tibial fractures did not improve results; Open fractures: do the seconds really count?; Long-term outcomes of tibial fractures; Targeted performance improvements in pelvic fractures

The February 2015 Foot & Ankle Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Syndesmosis screw removal in randomised controlled trial; Diagnostic value of Hawkins sign; Chevron rules supreme?; Diabetes and ankle replacement; Fixed-bearing ankle replacement; Fusion for osteomyelitis of the ankle; ‘Reformed’ fallers.

The October 2015 Foot & Ankle Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: TightRope in Weber C fractures; A second look at the TightRope; Incisional VAC comes of age?; Platelet-derived growth factor and ankle fusions; Achilles tendon rehab in the longer term following surgery; Telemedicine for diabetic foot ulcer

The October 2015 Oncology Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Radiotherapy for the radioresistant; Multiple hereditary exostosis; The total femur as a limb salvage option; Survival prediction in osteosarcoma; What happens when chondrosarcoma recurs?; Thumbs up for vascularised fibular graft; Radiotherapy and survival; Musculoskeletal tumours in pregnancy

The October 2015 Spine Roundup360 looks at: Traumatic spinal cord injury under the spotlight; The odontoid peg nonunion; Driving and spinal surgery; Drains and antibiotics post-spinal surgery; Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty equally effective; Who will benefit from steroid injections?; Back pain following lumbar discectomy

Background

Approximately half of all hip fractures are displaced intracapsular fractures. The standard treatment for these fractures is either hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty. The recent National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on hip fracture management recommends the use of ‘proven’ cemented stem arthroplasty with an Orthopaedic Device Evaluation Panel (ODEP) rating of at least 3B (97% survival at three years). The Thompsons prosthesis is currently lacking an ODEP rating despite over 50 years of clinical use, likely due to the paucity of implant survival data. Nationally, adherence to these guidelines is varied as there is debate as to which prosthesis optimises patient outcomes.

Haematomas, drainage, and other non-infectious wound complications following total knee replacement (TKR) have been associated with long-term sequelae, in particular, deep infection. However, the impact of these wound complications on clinical outcome is unknown. This study compares results in 15 patients re-admitted for wound complications within 90 days of TKR to 30 matched patients who underwent uncomplicated total knee replacements. Patients with wound complications had a mean age of 66 years (49 to 83) and mean body mass index (BMI) of 37 (21 to 54), both similar to that of patients without complications (mean age 65 years and mean BMI 35). Those with complications had lower mean Knee Society function scores (46 (0 to 100 vs 66 (20 to 100), p = 0.047) and a higher incidence of mild or greater pain (73% vs 33%, p = 0.01) after two years compared with the non re-admitted group. Expectations in patients with wound complications following TKR should be tempered, even in those who do not develop an infection.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:619–21.

A total of seven patients (six men and one woman) with a defect in the Achilles tendon and overlying soft tissue underwent reconstruction using either a composite radial forearm flap (n = 3) or an anterolateral thigh flap (n = 4). The Achilles tendons were reconstructed using chimeric palmaris longus (n = 2) or tensor fascia lata (n = 2) flaps or transfer of the flexor hallucis longus tendon (n = 3). Surgical parameters such as the rate of complications and the time between the initial repair and flap surgery were analysed. Function was measured objectively by recording the circumference of the calf, the isometric strength of the plantar flexors and the range of movement of the ankle. The Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) questionnaire was used as a patient-reported outcome measure. Most patients had undergone several previous operations to the Achilles tendon prior to flap surgery. The mean time to flap surgery was 14.3 months (2.1 to 40.7).

At a mean follow-up of 32.3 months (12.1 to 59.6) the circumference of the calf on the operated lower limb was reduced by a mean of 1.9 cm (sd 0.74) compared with the contralateral limb (p = 0.042). The mean strength of the plantar flexors on the operated lower limb was reduced to 88.9% of that of the contralateral limb (p = 0.043). There was no significant difference in the range of movement between the two sides (p = 0.317). The mean ATRS score was 72 points (sd 20.0). One patient who had an initial successful reconstruction developed a skin defect of the composite flap 12 months after free flap surgery and this resulted in recurrent infections, culminating in transtibial amputation 44 months after reconstruction.

These otherwise indicate that reconstruction of the Achilles tendon combined with flap cover results in a successful and functional reconstruction.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:215–20.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to compare the results and complications of tibial lengthening over an intramedullary nail with treatment using the traditional Ilizarov method.