1. Septic arthritis of the hip in adults is not common and the diagnosis can be difficult. The value of diagnostic aspiration is emphasised. 2. Predisposing causes in fifty patients are analysed and the possible relationship to pelvic infection is discussed. 3. Loss of joint space is occasionally seen within one week of the onset of the infection. 4. A method of treatment is suggested and the value of decompression by arthrotomy is discussed

1. Two cases are reported in which reappearance of an osteochondroma after excision was shown to represent a second independent lesion and not a true recurrence. 2. The significance of this observation is discussed in relation to the pathogenesis and prognosis of this lesion. 3. A plea is made for greater discrimination in using the ominous description "recurrence," because the rare true recurrence must strongly favour a diagnosis of malignancy

1. Two new cases of obstetrical separation of the upper femoral epiphysis are described. 2. Diagnosis in the first instance must be largely clinical, because radiological confirmation of the injury may be delayed. 3. The simple method of longitudinal traction is the treatment recommended. 4. It is notable that in our first case the ossification centre of the femoral head appeared at the exceptionally early age of fifteen days

1. Twenty-five cases of benign giant-cell tumour of bone, treated at Westminster Hospital, London, are reported. 2. The diagnosis can often be made on clinical and radiographic grounds alone but biopsy is sometimes necessary and seldom, if ever, contra-indicated. 3. Some cases may best be treated by excision, but in general irradiation is the treatment of choice. 4. Details of treatment by irradiation are given

We describe three patients with a compartment syndrome of the thigh, two after total hip replacement and one after total knee replacement. Two of the patients were fully anticoagulated. A compartment syndrome of the thigh is a rare, but important complication of joint replacement surgery if patients are receiving anticoagulants. Close observation is needed and when indicated monitoring of the intracompartmental pressure should be done. Early recognition of the signs and symptoms of an acute compartment syndrome and knowledge of the anatomy of the compartments of the thigh will help in the diagnosis and treatment of this potentially devastating complication

Melioidosis is an uncommon infection caused by a Gram-negative bacillus, Pseudomonas pseudomallei. Only a few case reports of orthopaedic infection have been published in English, and most were of isolated septic arthritis or secondary to melioidosis of another organ. We have reviewed ten patients with localised melioidotic osteomyelitis; six had underlying conditions. We discuss the importance of obtaining a bacteriological diagnosis, and of surgical debridement as well as appropriate antibiotic therapy

Isolated traumatic dislocation of the radial head in children is not as rare as sometimes supposed. Attention to detail in radiographic interpretation is the key to diagnosis. Early closed reduction and immobilisation in an above-elbow plaster in 90 degrees of flexion and full supination for three to six weeks is recommended. Seven cases are presented, two of which were treated operatively and had unsatisfactory results. The applied anatomy, management and complications are discussed

It is not uncommon to observe bone cement in the pelvis on radiographs after total hip replacement, a finding which is generally considered to be benign. This paper reviews some catastrophic late complications from intrapelvic methylmethacrylate. We also describe a case of progressive, unbearable dyspareunia beginning three years after total hip replacement. A possible explanation of the pathophysiology is suggested. Recommendations for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of these late complications are offered

The clinical characteristics of sleeve fractures of the patella are described and the methods of treatment are reviewed. Attention is drawn to the fact that the diagnosis may be missed because the distal bony fragment may be so small as not to be detectable by radiography. This is important because a large fragment of articular cartilage also separates. The best result was obtained from reconstitution of the extensor apparatus by internal fixation of the patellar fracture with repair of the quadriceps expansion

Aims

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) remains a challenging complication following total hip arthroplasty (THA). It is associated with high levels of morbidity, mortality and expense. Guidelines and protocols exist for the management of culture-positive patients. Managing culture-negative patients with a PJI poses a greater challenge to surgeons and the wider multidisciplinary team as clear guidance is lacking.

1. A case of ulnar nerve compression at the wrist caused by rheumatoid arthritis producing motor and sensory changes is presented. 2. The diagnosis from compression at the elbow can be determined by electromyography. 3. It may be that lesions of the deep branch leading to motor changes only occur in rheumatoid arthritis more often than is suspected, their effects being hidden by the concomitant disease and its associated muscle wasting

1. Two cases are reported in which there was diffuse fibro-fatty overgrowth or tumour formation involving the adipose tissue of the median nerve. In each the diagnosis was confirmed by operation and histological examination. 2. The first case is an example of the developmental abnormality usually referred to as "macrodystrophia lipomatosa." The second case should be termed fibrolipoma. 3. The literature is reviewed; no case of fibrolipoma has been recorded

We report three cases of avulsion of the ischial tuberosity with marked chronic disability after delay in diagnosis and non-union of the fracture. All were treated by open reduction and internal fixation with return to full function, allowing in one case, athletic performances of Olympic standard. We also report one patient with an acute apophyseal avulsion treated by early reduction and internal fixation with restoration of full function

Aims

Positive cultures are not uncommon in cases of revision total knee and hip arthroplasty (TKA and THA) for presumed aseptic causes. The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of positive intra-operative cultures in presumed aseptic revision of TKA and THA, and to determine whether the presence of intra-operative positive cultures results in inferior survival in such cases.

Aims

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the performance and safety of magnetically controlled growth rods in the treatment of early onset scoliosis. Secondary aims were to evaluate the clinical outcome, the rate of further surgery, the rate of complications, and the durability of correction.

We describe a case of pyoderma gangrenosum which presented with severe wound breakdown after elective hip replacement. The patient was treated successfully with minimal wound debridement and steroids. This diagnosis should always be considered when confronted with an enlarging painful skin lesion which does not grow organisms when cultured and fails to respond to antibiotic therapy, especially if there are similar lesions in other sites. In patients who have a past history of pyoderma gangrenosum, prophylactic steroids may be indicated at the time of surgery or may be required early in the postoperative period

1. Three cases of cystic angiomatosis of bone are presented and the literature is reviewed. 2. The typical radiological appearances are described and illustrated. 3. The diagnosis must be confirmed by biopsy, and it is essential that the bone removed should be from an involved rib. 4. The prognosis is dependent upon extraskeletal visceral involvement and is not influenced by radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Splenectomy may improve the chance of survival when the spleen is the only viscus involved

1. A critical analysis of the findings in 200 knees examined by arthroscopy at least one year previously has been carried out to assess its value in the management of a wide variety of disorders. 2. Arthroscopy is a practical and valuable procedure with minimal associated morbidity or complications. 3. The increased accuracy of diagnosis helps to avoid unnecessary operations and to base methods of treatment on a better knowledge of the pathology

1. The case histories of four siblings affected by osteogenic sarcoma are described. 2. The lesions appeared over a period of twelve years. The ages of the patients at the onset of symptoms were fifteen, twenty, eleven and twenty-two years. 3. The diagnosis of osteogenic sarcoma was in each case established by radiological and histological methods. 4. Two patients survived for eight and sixteen years after treatment and both are still alive and well