Aims

In cases of severe periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) of the knee, salvage procedures such as knee arthrodesis (KA) or above-knee amputation (AKA) must be considered. As both treatments result in limitations in quality of life (QoL), we aimed to compare outcomes and factors influencing complication rates, mortality, and mobility.

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The aim of this study was to determine the fracture haematoma (fxH) proteome after multiple trauma using label-free proteomics, comparing two different fracture treatment strategies.

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The aims of this study were to describe the epidemiology of metacarpal shaft fractures (MSFs), assess variation in treatment and complications following standard care, document hospital resource use, and explore factors associated with treatment modality.

Objectives. Healing in cancellous metaphyseal bone might be different from midshaft fracture healing due to different access to mesenchymal stem cells, and because metaphyseal bone often heals without a cartilaginous phase. Inflammation plays an important role in the healing of a shaft fracture, but if metaphyseal injury is different, it is important to clarify if the role of inflammation is also different. The biology of fracture healing is also influenced by the degree of mechanical stability. It is unclear if inflammation interacts with stability-related factors. Methods. We investigated the role of inflammation in three different models: a metaphyseal screw pull-out, a shaft fracture with unstable nailing (IM-nail) and a stable external fixation (ExFix) model. For each, half of the animals received dexamethasone to reduce inflammation, and half received control injections. Mechanical and morphometric evaluation was used. Results. As expected, dexamethasone had a strong inhibitory effect on the healing of unstable, but also stable, shaft fractures. In contrast, dexamethasone tended to increase the mechanical strength of metaphyseal bone regenerated under stable conditions. Conclusions. It seems that dexamethasone has different effects on metaphyseal and diaphyseal bone healing. This could be explained by the different role of inflammation at different sites of injury. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2015;4:170–175

Arthrodesis after the removal of a knee prosthesis is often hampered by the small area of contact of the bony surfaces and by pre-existing infection. Conventional systems of external fixation and compression frequently fail to achieve stability but the addition of the Wagner leg-lengthening apparatus applied anteriorly and adjusted to give compression ensures rigid external fixation. Four knees in four patients were treated using this technique; the treatment followed the removal of infected prostheses in three knees and painful fibrous ankylosis after the removal of the prosthesis in the other. All obtained a sound arthrodesis

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As has been shown in larger animal models, knee immobilization can lead to arthrofibrotic phenotypes. Our study included 168 C57BL/6J female mice, with 24 serving as controls, and 144 undergoing a knee procedure to induce a contracture without osteoarthritis (OA).

We present a series of ten hypertrophic nonunions in which bony alignment and length were restored and union induced by external fixation and callus distraction. The mean length gained was 3.5 cm (1 to 6) and the mean angular correction was 13.5° (0 to 40). The mean treatment time was 10.2 months (3 to 15) and mean follow-up was 40 months (6 to 71). There have been no refractures or loss of correction or length. The technique of callus distraction at a site of hypertrophic nonunion can correct shortening and angulation as well as induce bony union. No extra equipment is needed beyond readily-available external fixation systems

We live in troubled times. Increased opposition reliance on explosive devices, the widespread use of individual and vehicular body armour, and the improved survival of combat casualties have created many complex musculoskeletal injuries in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Explosive mechanisms of injury account for 75% of all musculoskeletal combat casualties. Throughout all the echelons of care medical staff practice consistent treatment strategies of damage control orthopaedics including tourniquets, antibiotics, external fixation, selective amputations and vacuum-assisted closure. Complications, particularly infection and heterotopic ossification, remain frequent, and re-operations are common. Meanwhile, non-combat musculoskeletal casualties are three times more frequent than those derived from combat and account for nearly 50% of all musculoskeletal casualties requiring evacuation from the combat zone

A randomised, prospective study was carried out on 60 patients with unstable fractures of the distal radius to compare bridging with non-bridging external fixation using pins placed in the distal fragment of the radius. The radiological results showed significant improvement in the non-bridging group at all stages of review. In particular, normal volar tilt and carpal alignment were regained and maintained. The functional results at six weeks, three months, six months and one year showed statistically better grip strength and flexion in the non-bridging group at all stages of review. Other ranges of movement showed an early advantage in the non-bridging group. Non-bridging external fixation is the treatment of choice for unstable fractures of the distal radius which have sufficient space for the placement of pins in the distal fragment

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Biofilm-related infection is a major complication that occurs in orthopaedic surgery. Various treatments are available but efficacy to eradicate infections varies significantly. A systematic review was performed to evaluate therapeutic interventions combating biofilm-related infections on in vivo animal models.

External fixation is useful for the treatment of selected injuries to the hand. Some authors have suggested that external fixation of a phalanx may tether the extensor hood, thereby hindering active movements and predisposing to permanent adhesions. There is no consensus as to the best site for placement of the pin to minimise these problems. This study was performed on cadaver specimens to investigate the influence of the pin site on the range of simulated active movement of the interphalangeal joint. The dorsal midline position produces least interference with the extensor mechanism; radial and ulnar to this, interdigitating oblique fibres prevent a clean longitudinal split in the direction of gliding thus limiting movement of the extensor hood. At the proximal phalanx, positioning of the pin just off the midline avoids the thickening of the proximal median hood, whereas at the middle phalanx, a true midline position utilises the bare area at its base

We describe two patients with a diffuse haemangioma of the lower limb complicated by pathological fracture of the femoral shaft, one of whom was treated by a bone graft and immobilisation in a cast, and the other by external fixation and injection of bone marrow. A review of the literature identified difficulty in control of bleeding and obtaining bony union

Twenty consecutive patients treated by arthrodesis for failed knee arthroplasty are reviewed. Eight hinged, five stabilised and seven compartmental prostheses were removed, for infection (15 cases), loosening (4) and instability (1). One patient refused a second-stage operation but the remainder gained sound fusion. Infected knees had a two-stage procedure with temporary insertion of gentamicin-loaded beads after removal of the prosthesis; all infections healed. Six arthrodeses using a Hoffmann-Vidal external fixator resulted in two temporary failures. One Ace-Fischer external fixation was successful. Of 10 primary attempts at arthrodesis with an intramedullary Kuntscher nail, nine were successful; the tenth fused after two more attempts by the same method. The two failures of external fixation and two failures after Charnley single-frame compression done elsewhere were successfully fused with intramedullary nails. Delayed union in three cases fused after prolonged fixation and repeated bone grafts. The indications for and methods of arthrodesis after failed knee arthroplasty are discussed

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The purpose of this study was to determine the weightbearing practice of operatively managed fragility fractures in the setting of publically funded health services in the UK and Ireland.

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Revision rates for ankle arthroplasties are higher than hip or knee arthroplasties. When a total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) fails, it can either undergo revision to another ankle replacement, revision of the TAA to ankle arthrodesis (fusion), or amputation. Currently there is a paucity of literature on the outcomes of these revisions. The aim of this meta-analysis is to assess the outcomes of revision TAA with respect to surgery type, functional outcomes, and reoperations.

Open reduction and internal fixation of high-energy pilon fractures are often associated with serious complications. Various methods have been used to treat these injuries, with variable results. A total of 17 consecutive patients with pilon fractures of AO/OTA type 43-B3 (n = 1), type C2 (n = 12) and type C3 (n = 4) were treated by indirect reduction by capsuloligamentotaxis and stabilisation using an ankle-spanning Ilizarov fixator. The calcaneal ring was removed at a mean of 3.7 weeks (3 to 6). A total of 16 patients were available for follow-up at a mean of 29 months (23 to 43). The mean time to healing was 15.8 weeks (13 to 23). Nine patients had pin-track infections but none had deep infection or osteomyelitis. Four patients (25%) had malunion. Fair, good or excellent ankle scores were found in 14 patients. External fixation with a ring fixator achieves stable reduction of the fractured fragments without additional trauma to soft tissues. With minimum complications and good healing results, the Ilizarov apparatus is particularly useful for high-energy pilon fractures

We report the results of distraction osteogenesis (callotasis) for the reconstruction of extensive defects after the excision of skeletal tumours in the limbs. Bone transport was performed in ten patients (five osteosarcomas and five giant-cell tumours), shortening-distraction in three (two osteosarcomas and one Ewing’s sarcoma), and distraction osteogenesis combined with an intramedullary nail to reduce the time of external fixation in six (three osteosarcomas, two chondro-sarcomas, and one malignant fibrous histiocytoma). The mean length of the defects after excision of the lesion was 8.4 cm. The mean external fixation index was 39.5 days/cm for the group treated by bone transport, 34.1 days/cm for the shortening-distraction group, and 24.0 days/cm for the group treated by distraction and an intramedullary nail. Functional evaluation gave excellent results in 12 patients, good in five and fair in two. There were ten complications in 19 patients, all of which were successfully treated. We also classified reconstruction using distraction osteogenesis into five types based on the location of the defects after resection of the tumour: type 1, diaphyseal; type 2, metaphyseal; type 3, epiphyseal; type 4, subarticular reconstruction; and type 5, arthrodesis. Our results suggest that reconstruction using distraction osteogenesis provides bone which will develop sufficient biomechanical strength and durability. It is beneficial in patients with an expectation of long-term survival and in growing children