Aims. We investigated the prevalence of late developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), abduction bracing treatment, and surgical procedures performed following the implementation of universal ultrasound screening versus selective ultrasound screening programmes. Methods. A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, OrthoSearch, and Web of Science from the date of inception of each database until 27 March 2022 was performed. The primary outcome of interest was the prevalence of late detection of DDH, diagnosed after three months. Secondary outcomes of interest were the prevalence of abduction bracing treatment and surgical procedures performed in childhood for dysplasia. Only studies describing the primary outcome of interest were included. Results. A total of 31 studies were identified, of which 13 described universal screening and 20 described selective screening. Two studies described both. The prevalence of late DDH was 0.10 per 1,000 live births (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.00 to 0.39) in the universal screening group and 0.45 per 1,000 live births (95% CI 0.31 to 0.61) in the selective screening group. Abduction bracing treatment was performed on 55.54 per 1,000 live births (95% CI 24.46 to 98.15) in the universal screening group versus 0.48 per 1,000 live births (95% CI 0.07 to 1.13) in the selective screening group. Both the universal and selective screening groups had a similar prevalence of surgical procedures in childhood for dysplasia being performed (0.48 (95% CI 0.32 to 0.63) vs 0.49 (95% CI 0.31 to 0.71) per 1,000 live births, respectively). Conclusion. Universal screening showed a trend towards lower prevalence of late DDH compared to selective screening. However, it was also associated with a significant increase in the prevalence of abduction bracing without a significant reduction in the prevalence of surgical procedures in childhood for dysplasia being performed. High-quality studies comparing both treatment methods are required, in addition to studies into the natural history of missed DDH. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(2):198–208

Aims. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the neonatal hip instability screening programme. Patients and Methods. The study involved a four-year observational assessment of a neonatal hip screening programme. All newborns were examined using the Barlow or Ortolani manoeuvre within 72 hours of birth; those with positive findings were referred to a ‘one-stop’ screening clinic for clinical and sonographic assessment of the hip. The results were compared with previous published studies from this unit. Results. A total of 124 newborns with a positive Barlow or Ortolani manoeuvre, clunk positive, or ‘unstable’ were referred. Five were found to have clinical instability of the hip. Sonographically, 92 newborns had Graf Type I hips, 12 had Graf Type II hips, and 20 had Graf Type IV hips. The positive predictive value (PPV) of clinical screening was 4.0% and the PPV of sonography was 16.1%. This has led to an increased rate of surgery for DDH. Conclusion. Compared with previously published ten-year and 15-year studies, there has been a marked deterioration in the PPV in those referred with potential instability of the hip. There appears to be a paradox, with rising referrals and a decreasing PPV combined with an increasing rate of surgery in newborns with developmental dysplasia of the hip. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:806–10

Aims. The aim of this study was to review the value of accepting referrals for children with ‘clicky hips’ in a selective screening programme for hip dysplasia. Patients and Methods. A single-centre prospective database of all referrals to the hip clinic was examined to identify indication for referrals, diagnosis, and treatment. All patients referred received a standardized ultrasound scan and clinical examination by an orthopaedic consultant. Results. There were 5716 children referred to the orthopaedic hip clinic between 1 June 2014 and 26 September 2018. In all, 1754 children (30.1%) were referred due to ‘clicky hip’ with no additional risk factors or indications for ultrasound scan. A total of 123 children (7.1%) referred with ‘clicky hip’ and no additional risk factors or examination findings had an abnormal initial hip ultrasound, including 16 children (0.9%) with dysplastic hips. Of the 141 children who required treatment in a Pavlik harness during the study period, 23 (16%) had been referred with a ‘clicky hip’ and no additional risk factors or examination findings, including six children with Graf 3 or 4 hips. Conclusion. There is significant value in reviewing children with an isolated ‘clicky hip’. Many children who require treatment are referred to the orthopaedic service as ‘clicky hip’ with no additional risk factors. In a pragmatic pathway with a diverse population of clinicians performing baby checks, ‘clicky hip’ is an important indication for referral and should not be discarded. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:635–638

Objectives. The clinical utility of routine cross sectional imaging of the abdomen and pelvis in the screening and surveillance of patients with primary soft-tissue sarcoma of the extremities for metastatic disease is controversial, based on its questionable yield paired with concerns regarding the risks of radiation exposure, cost, and morbidity resulting from false positive findings. Methods. Through retrospective review of 140 patients of all ages (mean 53 years; 2 to 88) diagnosed with soft-tissue sarcoma of the extremity with a mean follow-up of 33 months (0 to 291), we sought to determine the overall incidence of isolated abdominopelvic metastases, their temporal relationship to chest involvement, the rate of false positives, and to identify disparate rates of metastases based on sarcoma subtype. Results. A total of four patients (2.9%) exhibited isolated abdominopelvic metastatic disease during the surveillance period. In all cases of concomitant chest and abdominopelvic disease, chest involvement preceded abominopelvic involvement. There was a significant false positive rate requiring invasive workup. Conclusions. In the setting of a relative paucity of evidence concerning a rare disease process and in difference to recently published investigations, we add a clinical cohort not supportive of routine cross sectional imaging of the abdomen and pelvis. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2015;4:45–9

Most centres in the United Kingdom adopt a selective screening programme for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) based on repeated clinical examination and selective ultrasound examination. The Newborn Infant Physical Examination protocol implemented in 2008 recommends a first examination at birth and then a second and final examination at six to ten weeks of age. Due to concerns over an increase in late presentations we performed a retrospective review of our 15-year results to establish if late presentation increases treatment requirements. Of children presenting before six weeks of age, 84% were treated successfully with abduction bracing, whereas 86% of children presenting after ten months eventually required open reduction surgery. This equates to a 12-fold increase in relative risk of requiring open reduction following late presentation. Increasing age at presentation was associated with an increase in the number of surgical procedures, which are inevitably more extensive and complex, with a consequent increased in cost per patient. The implementation of an opportunistic examination at three to five months could help to reduce the unintended consequences of the Newborn Infant Physical Examination programme.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:846–50.

Aims. A national screening programme has existed in the UK for the diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) since 1969. However, every aspect of screening and treatment remains controversial. Screening programmes throughout the world vary enormously, and in the UK there is significant variation in screening practice and treatment pathways. We report the results of an attempt by the British Society for Children’s Orthopaedic Surgery (BSCOS) to identify a nationwide consensus for the management of DDH in order to unify treatment and suggest an approach for screening. Methods. A Delphi consensus study was performed among the membership of BSCOS. Statements were generated by a steering group regarding aspects of the management of DDH in children aged under three months, namely screening and surveillance (15 questions), the technique of ultrasound scanning (eight questions), the initiation of treatment (19 questions), care during treatment with a splint (ten questions), and on quality, governance, and research (eight questions). A two-round Delphi process was used and a consensus document was produced at the final meeting of the steering group. Results. A total of 60 statements were graded by 128 clinicians in the first round and 132 in the second round. Consensus was reached on 30 out of 60 statements in the first round and an additional 12 in the seond. This was summarized in a consensus statement and distilled into a flowchart to guide clinical practice. Conclusion. We identified agreement in an area of medicine that has a long history of controversy and varied practice. None of the areas of consensus are based on high-quality evidence. This document is thus a framework to guide clinical practice and on which high-quality clinical trials can be developed. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(2):209–214

Aims. To analyze whether the addition of risk-based criteria to clinical examination-based selective ultrasound screening would increase the rates of early detected cases of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and decrease the rate of late detected cases. Methods. A systematic review with meta-analysis was performed. The initial search was performed in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases in November 2021. The following search terms were used: (hip) AND (ultrasound) AND (luxation or dysplasia) AND (newborn or neonate or congenital). Results. A total of 25 studies were included. In 19 studies, newborns were selected for ultrasound based on both risk factors and clinical examination. In six studies, newborns were selected for ultrasound based on only clinical examination. We did not find evidence indicating that there are differences in the incidence of early- and late-detected DDH, or in the incidence of nonoperatively treated DDH between the risk-based and clinical examination-based groups. The pooled incidence of operatively treated DDH was slightly lower in the risk-based group (0.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.3 to 0.7)) compared with the clinical examination group (0.9 per 1,000 newborns, (95% CI 0.7 to 1.0)). Conclusion. The use of risk factors in conjunction with clinical examination in the selective ultrasound screening of DDH might lead to fewer operatively treated cases of DDH. However, more studies are needed before stronger conclusions can be drawn. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(3):247–253

Aims. Early detection of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is associated with improved outcomes of conservative treatment. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate a novel screening programme that included both the primary risk factors of breech presentation and family history, and the secondary risk factors of oligohydramnios and foot deformities. Methods. A five-year prospective registry study investigating every live birth in the study’s catchment area (n = 27,731), all of whom underwent screening for risk factors and examination at the newborn and six- to eight-week neonatal examination and review. DDH was diagnosed using ultrasonography and the Graf classification system, defined as grade IIb or above or rapidly regressing IIa disease (≥4. o. at four weeks follow-up). Multivariate odds ratios were calculated to establish significant association, and risk differences were calculated to provide quantifiable risk increase with DDH, positive predictive value was used as a measure of predictive efficacy. The cost-effectiveness of using these risk factors to predict DDH was evaluated using NHS tariffs (January 2021). Results. The prevalence of DDH that required treatment within our population was 5/1,000 live births. The rate of missed presentation of DDH was 0.43/1000 live births. Breech position, family history, oligohydramnios, and foot deformities demonstrated significant association with DDH (p < 0.0001). The presence of breech presentation increased the risk of DDH by 1.69% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.93% to 2.45%), family history by 3.57% (95% CI 2.06% to 5.09%), foot deformities by 8.95% (95% CI 4.81% to 13.1%), and oligohydramnios nby 11.6% (95 % CI 3.0% to 19.0%). Primary risk factors family history and breech presentation demonstrated an estimated cost-per-case detection of £6,276 and £11,409, respectively. Oligohydramnios and foot deformities demonstrated a cost-per-case detected less than the cost of primary risk factors of £2,260 and £2,670, respectively. Conclusion. The inclusion of secondary risk factors within a national screening programme was clinically successful as they were more cost and resource-efficient predictors of DDH than primary risk factors, suggesting they should be considered in the national guidance. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(4):234–240

Aims. Preoperative nasal Staphylococcus aureus screening and eradication reduces surgical site infections (SSIs) but its impact on reducing early prosthetic joint infection (PJI) remains controversial. This study aims to assess the effect of preoperative nasal S. aureus screening and eradication on the incidence of early PJI in general and S. aureus-induced early PJI. Methods. All primary total hip arthroplasties (THA) and total knee arthroplasties (TKA) performed from January 2006 to April 2018 were retrospectively reviewed for the incidence of early PJI. Demographic parameters, risk factors for PJI (American Society of Anaesthesiologists classification, body mass index, smoking status, and diabetes mellitus) and implant types were collected. A preoperative screening and eradication protocol for nasal colonization of S. aureus was introduced in October 2010. The incidence of early PJI was compared before and after the implementation of the protocol. Missing data were imputed via multiple imputation by chained equations. Inverse probability weighting was used to account for differences between patients in both groups. Weighted univariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the incidence of early PJI for both groups. Results. In total, 10,486 THAs and TKAs were performed in the research period. After exclusion, a cohort of 5,499 screened cases and 3,563 non-screened cases were available for analysis. Overall, no significant reduction in early PJI was found in the screened group (odds ratio (OR) 0.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.55 to 1.11; p = 0.173). However, the incidence of S. aureus-induced PJI was significantly reduced (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.92; p = 0.027) in the screened group. Conclusion. A preoperative nasal S. aureus screening and eradication protocol did not significantly reduce the overall incidence of early PJI after THA or TKA. However, a decreased incidence of S. aureus-induced early PJI was established. These findings can help to establish better consensus around the value of these screening protocols. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(10):1341–1348

Aims. The present study seeks to investigate the correlation of pubofemoral distances (PFD) to α angles, and hip displaceability status, defined as femoral head coverage (FHC) or FHC during manual provocation of the newborn hip < 50%. Methods. We retrospectively included all newborns referred for ultrasound screening at our institution based on primary risk factor, clinical, and PFD screening. α angles, PFD, FHC, and FHC at follow-up ultrasound for referred newborns were measured and compared using scatter plots, linear regression, paired t-test, and box-plots. Results. We included 2,735 newborns, of whom 754 received a follow-up hip ultrasound within six weeks of age. After exclusion, 1,500 hips were included for analysis. Sex distribution was 372 male and 380 female, and the mean age at examination was 36.6 days (4 to 87). We found a negative linear correlation of PFD to α angles (p < 0.001), FHC (p < 0.001), and FHC during provocation (p < 0.001) with a 1 mm increase in PFD corresponding to a -2.1° (95% confidence interval (CI) -2.3 to -1.9) change in α angle and a -3.4% (95% CI -3.7 to -3.0) change in FHC and a -6.0% (-6.6 to -5.5) change in FHC during provocation. The PFD was significantly higher with increasing Graf types and in displaceable hips (p < 0.001). Conclusion. PFD is strongly correlated to both α angles and hip displaceability, as measured by FHC and FHC during provocation, in ultrasound of newborn hips. The PFD increases as the hips become more dysplastic and/or displaceable. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;5(1):3–8

Aims. Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) can be managed effectively with non-surgical interventions when diagnosed early. However, the likelihood of surgical intervention increases with a late presentation. Therefore, an effective screening programme is essential to prevent late diagnosis and reduce surgical morbidity in the population. Methods. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the epidemiological literature from the last 25 years in the UK. Articles were selected from databases searches using MEDLINE, EMBASE, OVID, and Cochrane; 13 papers met the inclusion criteria. Results. The incidence of DDH within the UK over the last 25 years is 7.3/1,000 live births with females making up 86% of the DDH population (odds ratio 6.14 (95% confidence interval 3.3 to 11.5); p < 0.001). The incidence of DDH significantly increased following the change in the Newborn and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE) guidance from 6.5/1,000 to 9.4/1,000 live births (p < 0.001). The rate of late presentation also increased following the changes to the NIPE guidance, rising from 0.7/1,000 to 1.2/1,000 live births (p < 0.001). However, despite this increase in late-presenting cases, there was no change in the rates of surgical intervention (0.8/1,000 live births; p = 0.940). Conclusion. The literature demonstrates that the implementation of a selective screening programme increased the incidence of DDH diagnosis in the UK while subsequently increasing the rates of late presentation and failing in its goal of reducing the rates of surgical intervention for DDH. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(8):635–642

Aims. Infection after surgery increases treatment costs and is associated with increased mortality. Hip fracture patients have historically had high rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization and surgical site infection (SSI). This paper reports the impact of routine MRSA screening and the “cleanyourhands” campaign on rates of MRSA SSI and patient outcome. Methods. A total of 13,503 patients who presented with a hip fracture over 17 years formed the study population. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine risk factors for MRSA and SSI. Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) modelling adjusted for temporal trends in rates of MRSA. Kaplan-Meier estimators were generated to assess for changes in mortality. Results. In all, 6,189 patients were identified before the introduction of screening and 7,314 in the post-screening cohort. MRSA infection fell from 69 cases to 15 in the post-screening cohort (p < 0.001). The ARIMA confirmed a significant reduction in MRSA SSI post-screening (p = 0.043) but no significant impact after hand hygiene alone (p = 0.121). Overall SSI fell (2.4% to 1.5%), however deep infection increased slightly (0.89% to 1.06%). ARIMA showed neither intervention affected overall SSI (“cleanyourhands” -0.172% (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.39% to 0.21); p = 0.122, screening -0.113% per year, (95% CI -0.34 to 0.12); p = 0.373). One-year mortality after deep SSI was unchanged after screening (50% vs 45%; p = 0.415). Only warfarinization (OR 3.616 (95% CI 1.366 to 9.569); p = 0.010) and screening (OR 0.189 (95% CI 0.086 to 0.414); p < 0.001) were significant covariables for developing MRSA SSI. Conclusion. While screening and decolonization may reduce MRSA-associated SSI, the benefit to patient outcome remains unclear. Overall deep SSI remains an unsolved problem that has seen little improvement over time. Preventing other hospital-associated infections should not be forgotten in the fight against MRSA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(1):170–177

Aims. To monitor the performance of services for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in Northern Ireland and identify potential improvements to enhance quality of service and plan for the future. Methods. This was a prospective observational study, involving all infants treated for DDH between 2011 and 2017. Children underwent clinical assessment and radiological investigation as per the regional surveillance policy. The regional radiology data was interrogated to quantify the use of ultrasound and ionizing radiation for this population. Results. Evidence-based changes were made to the Northern Ireland screening programme, including an increase in ultrasound scanning capacity and expansion of nurse-led screening clinics. The number of infant hip ultrasound scans increased from 4,788 in 2011, to approximately 7,000 in 2013 and subsequent years. The number of hip radiographs on infants of less than one year of age fell from 7,381 to 2,208 per year. There was a modest increase in the treatment rate from 10.9 to 14.3 per 1,000 live births but there was a significant reduction in the number of closed hip reductions. The incidence of infants diagnosed with DDH after one year of age was 0.30 per 1,000 live births over the entire period. Conclusion. Improving compliance with the regional infant hip screening protocols led to reduction in operative procedures and reduced the number of pelvic radiographs of infants. We conclude that performance monitoring of screening programmes for DDH is essential to provide a quality service. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(4):495–500

Objectives. Surgeons face a substantial risk of infection because of the occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens (BBPs) from patients undergoing high-risk orthopaedic procedures. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of four BBPs among patients undergoing joint arthroplasty in Shanghai, China. In addition, we evaluated the significance of pre-operative screening by calculating a cost-to-benefit ratio. Methods. A retrospective observational study of pre-operative screening for BBPs, including hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Treponema pallidum (TP), was conducted for sequential patients in the orthopaedic department of a large urban teaching hospital between 01 January 2009 and 30 May 2016. Medical records were analysed to verify the seroprevalence of these BBPs among the patients stratified by age, gender, local origin, type of surgery, history of previous transfusion and marital status. Results. Of the subjects who underwent arthroplasty surgery in our institution, pre-operative screening tests were available for 96.1% (11 609 patients). The seroprevalence of HBV, HCV, HIV and TP was 5.47%, 0.45%, 0.08% and 3.6%, respectively. A total of 761 seropositive cases (68.4%) were previously undiagnosed. Pre-operative screening for HIV resulted in a low cost to benefit ratio, followed by HCV and HBV. Conclusion. Routine HCV and HIV screening prior to joint arthroplasty is not a cost-effective strategy. Considering the high rate of undiagnosed patients and the shortage of protective options, targeted pre-operative screening for HBV and syphilis should be considered for the protection of healthcare workers in China who have not been vaccinated. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2017;6:566–571

Aims. Monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) or neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are useful for diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), but their diagnostic values are unclear for screening fixation-related infection (FRI) in patients for whom conversion total hip arthroplasty (THA) is planned after failed internal fixation for femoral neck fracture. Methods. We retrospectively included 340 patients who underwent conversion THA after internal fixation for femoral neck fracture from January 2008 to September 2020. Those patients constituted two groups: noninfected patients and patients diagnosed with FRI according to the 2013 International Consensus Meeting Criteria. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine maximum sensitivity and specificity of these two preoperative ratios. The diagnostic performance of the two ratios combined with preoperative CRP or ESR was also evaluated. Results. The numbers of patients with and without FRI were 19 (5.6%) and 321 (94.4%), respectively. Areas under the ROC curve for diagnosing FRI were 0.763 for MLR, 0.686 for NLR, 0.905 for CRP, and 0.769 for ESR. Based on the Youden index, the optimal predictive cutoffs were 0.25 for MLR and 2.38 for NLR. Sensitivity and specificity were 78.9% and 71.0% for MLR, and 78.9% and 56.4% for NLR, respectively. The combination of CRP with MLR showed a sensitivity of 84.2% and specificity of 94.6%, while the corresponding values for the combination of CRP with NLR were 89.5% and 91.5%, respectively. Conclusion. The presence of preoperative FRI among patients undergoing conversion THA after internal fixation for femoral neck fracture should be determined. The combination of preoperative CRP with NLR is sensitive tool for screening FRI in those patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(9):1534–1540

Over a 15-year prospective period, 201 infants with a clinically unstable hip at neonatal screening were subsequently reviewed in a ‘one stop’ clinic where they were assessed clinically and sonographically. Their mean age was 1.62 weeks (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.35 to 1.89). Clinical neonatal hip screening revealed a sensitivity of 62% (mean, 62.6 95%CI 50.9 to 74.3), specificity of 99.8% (mean, 99.8, 95% CI 99.7 to 99.8) and positive predictive value (PPV) of 24% (mean, 26.2, 95% CI 19.3 to 33.0). Static and dynamic sonography for Graf type IV dysplastic hips had a 15-year sensitivity of 77% (mean, 75.8 95% CI 66.9 to 84.6), specificity of 99.8% (mean, 99.8, 95% CI 99.8 to 99.8) and a PPV of 49% (mean, 55.1, 95% CI 41.6 to 68.5). There were 36 infants with an irreducible dislocation of the hip (0.57 per 1000 live births), including six that failed to resolve with neonatal splintage. Most clinically unstable hips referred to a specialist clinic are female and stabilise spontaneously. Most irreducible dislocations are not identified from this neonatal instability group. There may be a small subgroup of females with instability of the hip which may be at risk of progression to irreducibility despite early treatment in a Pavlik harness. A controlled study is required to assess the value of neonatal clinical screening programmes. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:265-9

Congenital Talipes Equinovarus (CTEV) is one of the most common congenital limb deformities. We reviewed the records of infants who had received treatment for structural CTEV between 1 January 2007 and 30 November 2012. This was cross-referenced with the prenatal scans of mothers over a corresponding period of time. We investigated the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the fetal anomaly scan for the detection of CTEV and explored whether the publication of Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme guidelines in 2010 affected the rate of detection. During the study period there were 95 532 prenatal scans and 34 373 live births at our hospital. A total of 37 fetuses with findings suggestive of CTEV were included in the study, of whom 30 were found to have structural CTEV at birth. The sensitivity of screening for CTEV was 71.4% and the positive predictive value was 81.1%. The negative predictive value and specificity were more than 99.5%. There was no significant difference between the rates of detection before and after publication of the guidelines (p = 0.5). We conclude that a prenatal fetal anomaly ultrasound screening diagnosis of CTEV has a good positive predictive value enabling prenatal counselling. The change in screening guidance has not affected the proportion of missed cases. This information will aid counselling parents about the effectiveness and accuracy of prenatal ultrasound in diagnosing CTEV. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:984–8

Aims. Despite the presence of screening programmes, infants continue to present with late developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), the impact of which is significant. The aim of this study was to assess infants with late presenting dislocation of the hip despite universal clinical neonatal and selective ultrasound screening. Patients and Methods. Between 01 January 1997 to 31 December 2011, a prospective, longitudinal study was undertaken of a cohort of 64 670 live births. Late presenting dislocation was defined as presentation after three months of age. Diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasound and plain radiography. Patient demographics, referral type, reason for referral, risk factors (breech presentation/strong family history) and clinical and radiological findings were recorded. Results. There were 31 infants with an irreducible dislocation of the hip, an incidence of 0.48 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.34 to 0.68) per 1000 live births. Of these, 18 (0.28 (95% CI 0.17 to 0.44) per 1000 live births; 58%) presented late. All infants had a documented normal newborn clinical examination and no abnormality reported in the six to eight week check. Of the 18 late presenting cases 72% (n = 13) had no risk factors: 16 were referred by GPs and two were late due to administrative issues (missed appointments). The mean time to diagnosis was 62.4 weeks (19 to 84). Conclusion. Despite universal clinical neonatal and selective ultrasound screening, late cases of irreducible hip dislocation still occur. We recommend an update of the national screening programme for DDH, a review of training and education of healthcare professionals involved in the physical examination of neonates and infants, and the addition of a further assessment after the six to eight week check. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:1250–5

Aims. Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) remains a major clinical challenge. Neutrophil CD64 index, Fc-gamma receptor 1 (FcγR1), plays an important role in mediating inflammation of bacterial infections and therefore could be a valuable biomarker for PJI. The aim of this study is to compare the neutrophil CD64 index in synovial and blood diagnostic ability with the standard clinical tests for discrimination PJI and aseptic implant failure. Methods. A total of 50 patients undergoing revision hip and knee arthroplasty were enrolled into a prospective study. According to Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria, 25 patients were classified as infected and 25 as not infected. In all patients, neutrophil CD64 index and percentage of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN%) in synovial fluid, serum CRP, ESR, and serum CD64 index levels were measured preoperatively. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the area under the curve (AUC) were analyzed for each biomarker. Results. Serum CD64 index showed no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.091). Synovial fluid CD64 index and PMN% discriminated good differentiation between groups of PJI and aseptic failure with AUC of 0.946 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.842 to 0.990) and 0.938 (95% CI 0.832 to 0.987) separately. The optimal threshold value of synovial CD64 index for the diagnosis of PJI was 0.85, with a sensitivity of 92.00%, a specificity of 96.00%, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of 227.11. Conclusion. The present study demonstrates that CD64 index in synovial fluid could be a promising laboratory marker for screening PJI. The cut-off values of 0.85 for synovial CD64 index has the potential to distinguish aseptic failure from PJI. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(4):463–469

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether universal (all neonates) or selective (neonates belonging to the risk groups) ultrasound screening of the hips should be recommended at birth. We carried out a prospective, randomised trial between 1988 and 1992, including all newborn infants at our hospital. A total of 15 529 infants was randomised to either clinical screening and ultrasound examination of all hips or clinical screening of all hips and ultrasound examination only of those at risk. The effect of the screening was assessed by the rate of late detection of congenital or developmental hip dysplasia in the two groups. During follow-up of between six and 11 years, only one late-detected hip dysplasia was seen in the universal group, compared with five in the subjective group, representing a rate of 0.13 and 0.65 per 1000, respectively. The difference in late detection between the two groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.22). When clinical screening is of high quality, as in our study, the effect of an additional ultrasound examination, measured as late-presenting hip dysplasia, is marginal. Under such circumstances, we consider that universal ultrasound screening is not necessary, but recommend selective ultrasound screening for neonates with abnormal or suspicious clinical findings and those with risk factors for hip dysplasia

We report the preliminary results of a continuing prospective evaluation of a screening programme for congenital dislocation of the hip (CDH) which uses ultrasound imaging to provide delayed selective screening to complement neonatal clinical screening. Of 26,952 births in the Southampton district, 1894 infants were referred for secondary screening because of a clinical abnormality or the presence of a predetermined risk category for CDH. Pavlik harness treatment was required for only 118 infants, giving a treatment rate of 4.4 per 1000 births. Of those referred with clinical instability, 35% did not require treatment. Dislocation or subluxation was detected in 17 of 643 infants referred only because they fell within one of three risk categories: breech presentation, foot deformity and family history. All 17 had normal clinical examinations and cases were discovered in each category. Six children presented with CDH after 12 weeks of age, giving a late presentation rate of 0.22 per 1000 births. All had normal clinical examinations within 24 hours of birth and none was in a risk category. Surgery has been required in ten children, giving a surgical treatment rate of 0.37 per 1000 births. We conclude that, in Southampton, delayed selective secondary screening with ultrasound is more effective than clinical screening alone. It targets treatment to those infants who need it, and reveals a number of dislocated and subluxed hips that would otherwise be missed

Between May 1992 and April 1997, there were 20 452 births in the Blackburn District. In the same period 1107 infants with hip ‘at-risk’ factors were screened prospectively by ultrasound. We recorded the presence of dislocation and dysplasia detected under the age of six months using Graf’s alpha angle. Early dislocation was present in 36 hips (34 dislocatable and 2 irreducible). Of the 36 unstable hips, 30 (83%) were referred as being Ortolani-positive or unstable; 25 (69%) of these had at least one of the risk factors. Only 11 (31%) were identified from the ‘at-risk’ screening programme alone (0.54 per 1000 live births). Eight cases of ‘late’ dislocation presented after the age of six months (0.39 per 1000 live births). The overall rate of dislocation was 2.2 per 1000 live births. Only 31% of the dislocated hips belonged to a major ‘at-risk’ group. Statistical analysis confirmed that the risk factors had a relatively poor predictive value if used as a screening test for dislocation. In infants referred for doubtful clinical instability, one dislocation was detected for every 11 infants screened (95% confidence interval (CI) 8 to 17) whereas in infants referred because of the presence of any of the major ‘at-risk’ factors the rate was one in 75 (95% CI 42 to 149). Routine ultrasound screening of the ‘at-risk’ groups on their own is of little value in significantly reducing the rate of ‘late’ dislocation in DDH, but screening clinically unstable hips alone or associated with ‘at-risk’ factors has a high rate of detection

Since September 1964, neonates born in New Plymouth have undergone clinical examination for instability of the hip in a structured clinical screening programme. Of the 41 563 babies born during this period, 1639 were diagnosed as having unstable hips and 663 (1.6%) with persisting instability were splinted, five of which failed. Also, three unsplinted hips progressed to congenital dislocation, and there were four late-presenting (walking) cases, giving an overall failure rate of 0.29 per 1000 live births, with an incidence of late-walking congenital dislocation of the hip of 0.1 per 1000 live births. This study confirms that clinical screening for neonatal instability of the hip by experienced orthopaedic examiners significantly reduces the incidence of late-presenting (walking) congenital dislocation of the hip

Aims. The aim of this study was to determine if the Oxford Knee and Hip Score (OKHS) can accurately predict when a primary knee or hip referral is deemed nonsurgical versus surgical by the surgeon during their first consultation, and to identify nonsurgical OKHS screening thresholds. Patients and Methods. We retrospectively reviewed pre-consultation OKHS for all consecutive primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) consultations of a single surgeon over three years. The 1436 knees (1016 patients) and 478 hips (388 patients) included were categorized based on the surgeon’s decision into those offered surgery during the first consultation versus those not (nonsurgical). Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed. Results. Oxford Scores were better for the nonsurgical cohorts (p < 0.001) and correlated with the surgical decision (p < 0.001). ROC area under the curve values for knees (0.83, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.81 to 0.85) and hips (0.87, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.91) were excellent. A conservative and effective threshold for knees is Oxford Knee Score (OKS) > 32 points (sensitivity = 0.997, negative predictive value (NPV) = 0.992) and for hips is Oxford Hip Score (OHS) > 34 points (sensitivity = 0.997, NPV = 0.978). Severable potential lower OKHS thresholds were identified. Conclusion. Pre-consultation OKHS demonstrate good ability to predict when a primary TKA or THA referral will be deemed nonsurgical in a single surgeon’s practice. Multiple OKHS thresholds can effectively screen out nonsurgical referrals. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B(6 Supple B):23–30

Between 1978 and 1997 all newborns in the Austrian province of Tyrol were reviewed regarding hip dysplasia and related surgery. This involved a mean of 8257 births per year (7766 to 8858). Two observation periods were determined: 1978 to 1982 (clinical examination alone) and 1993 to 1997 (clinical examination and universal ultrasound screening). A retrospective analysis compared the number and cost of interventions due to hip dysplasia in three patient age groups: A, 0 to < 1.5 years; B, ≥ 1.5 to < 15 years; and C, ≥ 15 to < 35 years. In group A, there was a decrease in hip reductions from a mean of 25.2 (. sd. 2.8) to 7.0 (. sd. 1.4) cases per year. In group B, operative procedures decreased from a mean of 17.8 (. sd. 3.5) to 2.6 (. sd. 1.3) per year. There was a 75.9% decrease in the total number of interventions for groups A and B. An increase of €57 000 in the overall cost per year for the second period (1993 to 1997) was seen, mainly due to the screening programme. However, there was a marked reduction in costs of all surgical and non-surgical treatments for dysplastic hips from €410 000 (1978 to 1982) to €117 000 (1993 to 1997). We believe the small proportional increase in costs of the universal ultrasound screening programme is justifiable as it was associated with a reduction in the number of non-surgical and surgical interventions. We therefore recommend universal hip ultrasound screening for neonates

Aims

This study aimed to develop and validate a fully automated system that quantifies proximal femoral bone mineral density (BMD) from CT images.

We studied the reproducibility of ultrasonographic screening examination of the hip when read by diagnostic radiographers. In order to determine interobserver variability, 200 ultrasonograms were classified according to Graf’s method by five observers (four radiographers and one radiologist). The kappa values for interobserver variability indicated moderate agreement (kappa 0.47) for the exact Graf classification and substantial agreement (kappa 0.65) for the classification of normal (type I) versus abnormal (type IIa-IV). Agreement was significantly different for normal, immature and abnormal hips. Comparison of the findings in our interobserver study with existing information based on other examinations and treatment revealed that only a small number of infants with mildly dysplastic hips would have been typed as normal by some observers as a result of observer variability. In conclusion, the interobserver agreement on the ultrasound assessment of the hip was good enough for screening purposes. Observer variability did not result in any severe cases being missed

We compared the success of the screening programmes for congenital dislocation of the hip in two hospitals in the same district, as applied to 68,861 live births over 11 years. Both used only clinical tests on new-born infants. Screening was less successful when the tests were done by junior paediatric physicians than by senior physiotherapists supervised by an orthopaedic surgeon. Clinical screening can be highly effective provided that all babies are screened at birth, and high-risk cases are followed up by a properly trained team with a well-designed protocol

Aims

Hereditary haemochromatosis is a genetic disorder that is caused by several known mutations in the human homeostatic iron regulator protein (HFE) gene. Abnormal accumulation of iron causes a joint disease that resembles osteoarthritis (OA), but appears at a relatively younger age and is accompanied by cirrhosis, diabetes, and injury to other organs. Increased serum transferrin saturation and ferritin levels are known markers of haemochromatosis with high positive predictive values.

We have analysed the patterns of management of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in Coventry over a period of 20 years during which three different screening policies were used. From 1976 to the end of 1985 we relied on clinical examination alone. The mean surgical cost for the treatment of DDH during this period was £5110 per 1000 live births. This was reduced to £3811 after the introduction of ultrasound for infants with known risk factors. Since June 1989 we have routinely scanned all infants at birth with a mean surgical cost of £468 per 1000 live births. This reduction in cost is a result of the earlier detection of DDH with fewer children requiring surgery. In those who do, fewer and less invasive procedures are needed. The overall rate of treatment has not increased and regular review of patients managed in a Pavlik harness has allowed us to avoid the complication of avascular necrosis. When we add the cost of running the screening programme to the expense of treating the condition, the overall cost for the management of DDH is comparable for the different screening policies

We report the screening of 67,093 infants for congenital dislocation of the hip from 1980 to 1989 and compare the results with those during the preceding two decades. More dislocations have been missed at neonatal examination during the last decade (0.13% of live births). Operative treatment was needed in 54 children (0.08% of live births) some of whom had been diagnosed at birth. We discuss the reasons for the failure of neonatal screening

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis may be associated with hypothyroidism and other endocrinopathies. Routine screening for such abnormalities is unlikely to be cost-effective since the overall incidence of these disorders, in association with slipped capital femoral epiphysis, is low. The identification of a presenting characteristic which would predict the chance of an associated endocrinopathy would allow only selected children to be screened. Our aim was to determine if certain characteristics were useful as a screen for patients with an underlying endocrinopathy who presented with slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Between January 1988 and December 1996 we recorded gender, age, height, unilateral or bilateral involvement and an associated diagnosis of endocrinopathy for all patients who were treated for slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Of 166 such patients 13 (7.8%) had an endocrinopathy. Height was the only useful screening characteristic, although bilateral involvement was more likely in those with an endocrinopathy. Most (90.9%) of this latter group were below the tenth percentile for height compared with only 5.4% in those who did not have an endocrinopathy (p < 0.005). The sensitivity and negative predictive value of detecting an underlying endocrinopathy in a patient presenting with a slipped capital femoral epiphysis and short stature (tenth percentile or less) were 90.2% and 98.6%, respectively. Patients who are on or below the tenth percentile for height at the time of presentation should be screened for a possible endocrine abnormality using measurement of thyroid-stimulating hormone and free thyroxine as a preliminary screening test. These hormones are most likely to be abnormal in the presence of endocrine dysfunction

Between 1956 1999, 132 601 living children were born in and Malmö, and screened for neonatal instability of the hip. All late diagnosed patients have been followed and re-examined clinically and radiologically. During the first years of screening, less than five per 1000 living newborn infants were treated. This figure increased to 35 per 1000 in 1980, but later diminished again to about six per 1000 annually after 1990. The number of referred cases decreased from 45 per 1000 in 1980 to between 10 to 15 per 1000 from 1990. During the period of high rates of referral and treatment a larger number of paediatricians were involved in the screening procedure than during the periods with low rates of referral and treatment. Altogether 21 patients (0.16 per 1000) with developmental dislocation of the hip were diagnosed late, after one week. At follow-up, 18 were free from symptoms and 15 considered to be radiologically normal

A prospective neonatal screening programme for congenital dislocation of the hip is reported. This covered over 20,000 live births including all the babies born in one area, with a virtually complete follow-up. All babies were examined within the first seven days of life and all hips which were dislocated or unstable after four days (1.6%) were splinted. Only two screened cases were "missed" and subsequently detected at 15 and 18 months. No later cases were discovered, and patients between 10 and 20 years of age had apparently remained asymptomatic. The detailed results show that neonatal screening is effective in detecting and preventing a crippling disorder in otherwise normal people. The examination, though brief, is difficult to perform well; it is considered that failure of the method lies with the examiner and not with the tests

We report on a radiographic screening programme at four months of age for infants who were clinically normal at neonatal examination but were considered to be 'at risk' for congenital dislocation of the hip because of their family history, breech presentation, or a persistent click. From a total population of 13,662 live births over a two-year period, 357 (2.6%) infants at risk were identified. Of these 46 had abnormal radiographs (six subluxations, 40 acetabular dysplasia). In 12 infants treatment resulted in a normal hip; 34 required no treatment but were followed up until their radiographs were normal and walking had begun. Of the 311 infants with normal radiographs, 256 (82%) were examined after 15 months of age; none had any detectable abnormality. We suggest that radiography of the hip at four months is a valuable adjunct to neonatal screening for infants at increased risk of congenital dislocation of the hip

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the leading causes of surgical site infection (SSI). Over the past decade there has been an increase in methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). This is a subpopulation of the bacterium with unique resistance and virulence characteristics. Nasal colonisation with either S. aureus or MRSA has been demonstrated to be an important independent risk factor associated with the increasing incidence and severity of SSI after orthopaedic surgery. Furthermore, there is an economic burden related to SSI following orthopaedic surgery, with MRSA-associated SSI leading to longer hospital stays and increased hospital costs. Although there is some controversy about the effectiveness of screening and eradication programmes, the literature suggests that patients should be screened and MRSA-positive patients treated before surgical admission in order to reduce the risk of SSI. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:4–9

There is controversy whether congenital foot abnormalities are true risk factors for pathological dysplasia of the hip. Previous United Kingdom screening guidelines considered congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) to be a risk factor for hip dysplasia, but present guidelines do not. We assessed the potential relationship between pathological dysplasia of the hip and fixed idiopathic CTEV. We present a single-centre 21-year prospective longitudinal observational study. All fixed idiopathic CTEV cases were classified (Harrold and Walker Types 1 to 3) and the hips clinically and sonographically assessed. Sonographic Graf Type III, IV and radiological irreducible hip dislocation were considered to be pathological hip dysplasia. Over 21 years there were 139 children with 199 cases of fixed idiopathic CTEV feet. Sonographically, there were 259 normal hips, 18 Graf Type II hips, 1 Graf Type III hip and 0 Graf Type IV hip. There were no cases of radiological or sonographic irreducible hip dislocation. Fixed idiopathic CTEV should not be considered as a significant risk factor for pathological hip dysplasia. This conclusion is in keeping with the current newborn and infant physical examination guidelines in which the only risk factors routinely screened are family history and breech presentation. Our findings suggest CTEV should not be considered a significant risk factor in pathological dysplasia of the hip. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1553–5

Between 1985 and 1998, 12 331 patients were included in the general neonatal ultrasound hip screening programme for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Patients who needed treatment (604) were compared with a second group of 73 unscreened children treated conservatively and surgically for DDH. The incidence of Graf sonographic hip types IIc to IV varied throughout the observation period. Femoral and pelvic osteotomies were almost entirely restricted to the unscreened group of patients. The six to ten per year recorded in the period 1985 to 1990 declined subsequently to three or less per year. The yearly admissions to hospital fell noticeably after six years of screening. Late presentations of DDH were reduced to three or less per year from 1990 to 1994, none between 1995 and 1998 and one or two per year from 2000. We conclude that general neonatal sonographic hip screening can reduce significantly surgical procedures, hospitalisation and late presentation of DDH

We present the results of treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip in infancy with the Pavlik harness using a United Kingdom screening programme with ultrasound-guided supervision. Initially, 128 consecutive hips in 77 patients were reviewed over a 40-month period; 123 of these were finally included in the study. The mean age of the patients at the start of treatment was five weeks (1 to 12). All hips were examined clinically and monitored with ultrasound scanning. Failure of treatment was defined as an inability to maintain reduction with the harness. All hips diagnosed with dysplasia or subluxation but not dislocation were managed successfully in the harness. There were 43 dislocated hips, of which 39 were reducible, but six failed treatment in the harness. There were four dislocated but irreducible hips which all failed treatment in the harness. One hip appeared to be successfully treated in the harness but showed persistent radiological dysplasia at 12 and 24 months. Grade 1 avascular necrosis was identified radiologically in three patients at 12 months

We have undertaken routine ultrasound screening for neonatal hip instability in Coventry since June 1989. Of the 14,050 babies scanned during the first three years, 847 (6%) had ultrasound abnormalities. A grading system, based on the percentage of femoral head coverage, is presented. The proportion of abnormal hips decreased gradually so that by nine weeks, 90% had normal ultrasound appearances. Abnormality was more common in babies with a family history of CDH and in breech presentations. All babies with clinically abnormal hips had an abnormal first ultrasound examination. Five babies not diagnosed by clinical examination and with no risk factors had abnormal ultrasound appearances and were subsequently found to have clinically abnormal hips. Routine ultrasound screening has detected cases which would otherwise have presented late

Aims

The purpose of this study was to analyze the incidence of the different ultrasound phenotypes of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), and to determine their subsequent course.

Impedance plethysmography has great potential in the non-invasive detection of dangerous iliofemoral thrombosis. It was used to examine 198 patients undergoing total hip replacement for evidence of proximal venous segment thrombosis. There were 13 abnormal results, and subsequent venography in 12 of these revealed a false-positive rate of 4.0%; there was one false-negative result giving a sensitivity of 85.7%. A venographic study of 46 other patients clinically suspected of having a proximal deep-vein thrombosis confirmed this sensitivity. The iliofemoral thrombosis rate was 3.9% after total hip replacement and this rate increased significantly in the group of patients over 70 kg in weight. Impedance plethysmography was found to be a useful non-invasive screening procedure for potentially fatal proximal venous thrombosis

We report a prospective study of the feasibility of employing specially trained physiotherapists to screen neonates for congenital dislocation of the hip. During ten years 42,241 babies were screened, using clinical tests; 255 were diagnosed and treated by a Pavlik harness. In the same period 13 children presented late with congenital dislocation of the hip which had not been detected by the screening programme

We describe a simple, quick ultrasound screening test for CDH, and its use in a prospective study of babies with a 'high risk' factor, over one year from January 1987. From a birth population of 3,879, 812 hip scans were performed on 406 babies and 98 babies were abnormal. So far, there have been no late cases of CDH. Family history, breech malposition, and postural foot deformities were confirmed to be important risk factors, but babies with a simple click were equally at risk. Our early results indicate that a large proportion of the potential late cases are contained within our extended high-risk group

Aims

We quantitatively compared the 3D bone density distributions on CT scans performed on scaphoid waist fractures subacutely that went on to union or nonunion, and assessed whether 2D CT evaluations correlate with 3D bone density evaluations.

A randomly selected sample of 3494 children evenly representing a total population of 37 391 schoolchildren aged between eleven and twelve was screened for idiopathic scoliosis by the bending test. Ten per cent of the children showed clinical evidence of scoliosis and 6.4 per cent had positive radiological findings. Small curves were equally distributed between the two sexes, while large ones were more common in girls. Children with fair hair and blue eyes showed a higher percentage of positive findings than children with a dark complexion. A group of 112 children with curves between 7 and 16 degrees were followed up for an average of nineteen months. The pattern and evolution of these curves showed their close relationship to established scoliosis. Potential factors of instability and deterioration of the curves were evaluated.

From 1962 to 1986, 117,256 neonates were screened for congenital dislocation of the hip (CDH). When the primary physical examination was performed by the junior paediatric staff there was a persistent late diagnosis rate of 0.5 per 1000 live births. When the primary examination was undertaken by experienced orthopaedic personnel (1982 to 1984) the late diagnosis rate fell and fewer infants were splinted.

In this study 201 elderly patients with femoral neck fractures were compared with 30 osteomalacic patients with the same injury. Hypocalcaemia and a raised alkaline phosphatase level are common biochemical abnormalities in elderly patients with femoral neck fractures. In only a minority of patients, however, were they associated with histologically proven osteomalacia. By using the combination of hypocalcaemia and a raised alkaline phosphatase it is possible to identify a subgroup (approximately 10% of all admissions) in whom osteomalacia is relatively likely.

We performed routine venography after operation in a consecutive series of 252 patients with total joint arthroplasties in whom no form of routine chemical or mechanical prophylaxis had been used.

The prevalence of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) was 32% (16% distal, 16% proximal) after total hip replacement and 66% (50% distal, 16% proximal) after total knee replacement (p < 0.001). We did not treat distal DVT. There were only two readmissions within three months of surgery because of thromboembolic disease. There were two deaths within this period, neither of which was due to pulmonary embolism.

Post-discharge surveillance of surgical site infection is necessary if accurate rates of infection following surgery are to be available. We undertook a prospective study of 376 knee and hip replacements in 366 patients in order to estimate the rate of orthopaedic surgical site infection in the community. The inpatient infection was 3.1% and the post-discharge infection rate was 2.1%. We concluded that the use of telephone interviews of patients to identify the group at highest risk of having a surgical site infection (those who think they have an infection) with rapid follow-up by a professional trained to diagnose infection according to agreed criteria is an effective method of identifying infection after discharge from hospital.

Of 4,617 babies born in Coventry in 1986, a total of 448 (9.7%) had either clinical abnormality of the hip or at risk factors for CDH. All were examined by ultrasound, but only 17 required treatment (3.7 per 1,000); in five of these no clinical abnormality had been detected. An additional 81 babies had ultrasound abnormalities but did not require treatment, despite the fact that ultrasound at first showed major hip displacement in 17 of them. Three late cases of CDH have presented among the babies born in 1986, but not examined by ultrasound. This incidence of late CDH is unchanged compared with the previous nine years, although ultrasound had detected covert displacement in a number of hips.

Aims. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and patterns of neuropathic pain over one year in a cohort of patients with chronic post-surgical pain at three months following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods. Between 2016 and 2019, 363 patients with troublesome pain, defined as a score of ≤ 14 on the Oxford Knee Score pain subscale, three months after TKA from eight UK NHS hospitals, were recruited into the Support and Treatment After Replacement (STAR) clinical trial. Self-reported neuropathic pain and postoperative pain was assessed at three, nine, and 15 months after surgery using the painDETECT and Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) questionnaires collected by postal survey. Results. Symptoms of neuropathic pain were common among patients reporting chronic pain at three months post-TKA, with half reporting neuropathic pain on painDETECT (191/363; 53%) and 74% (267/359) on DN4. Of those with neuropathic pain at three months, half continued to have symptoms over the next 12 months (148/262; 56%), one-quarter had improved (67/262; 26%), and for one-tenth their neuropathic symptoms fluctuated over time (24/262; 9%). However, a subgroup of participants reported new, late onset neuropathic symptoms (23/262; 9%). Prevalence of neuropathic symptoms was similar between the screening tools when the lower cut-off painDETECT score (≥ 13) was applied. Overall, mean neuropathic pain scores improved between three and 15 months after TKA. Conclusion. Neuropathic pain is common in patients with chronic pain at three months after TKA. Although neuropathic symptoms improved over time, up to half continued to report painful neuropathic symptoms at 15 months after TKA. Postoperative care should include screening, assessment, and treatment of neuropathic pain in patients with early chronic postoperative pain after TKA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(6):582–588

Aims. The underlying natural history of suspected scaphoid fractures (SSFs) is unclear and assumed poor. There is an urgent requirement to develop the literature around SSFs to quantify the actual prevalence of intervention following SSF. Defining the risk of intervention following SSF may influence the need for widespread surveillance and screening of SSF injuries, and could influence medicolegal actions around missed scaphoid fractures. Methods. Data on SSF were retrospectively gathered from virtual fracture clinics (VFCs) across a large Scottish Health Board over a four-year period, from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2021. The Bluespier Electronic Patient Record System identified any surgical procedure being undertaken in relation to a scaphoid injury over the same time period. Isolating patients who underwent surgical intervention for SSF was performed by cross-referencing the unique patient Community Health Index number for patients who underwent these scaphoid procedures with those seen at VFCs for SSF over this four-year period. Results. In total, 1,739 patients were identified as having had a SSF. Five patients (0.28%) underwent early open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). One patient (0.06%) developed a nonunion and underwent ORIF with bone grafting. All six patients undergoing surgery were male (p = 0.005). The overall rate of intervention following a SSF was 0.35%. The early intervention rate in those undergoing primary MRI was one (0.36%), compared with three in those without (0.27%) (p > 0.576). Conclusion. Surgical intervention was rare following a SSF and was not required in females. A primary MRI policy did not appear to be associated with any change in primary or secondary intervention. These data are the first and largest in recent literature to quantify the prevalence of surgical intervention following a SSF, and may be used to guide surveillance and screening pathways as well as define medicolegal risk involved in missing a true fracture in SSFs. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(4):312–316

Aims. Periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) and fracture-related infections (FRIs) are associated with a significant risk of adverse events. However, there is a paucity of data on cardiac complications following revision surgery for PJI and FRI and how they impact overall mortality. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the risk of perioperative myocardial injury (PMI) and mortality in this patient cohort. Methods. We prospectively included consecutive patients at high cardiovascular risk (defined as age ≥ 45 years with pre-existing coronary, peripheral, or cerebrovascular artery disease, or any patient aged ≥ 65 years, plus a postoperative hospital stay of > 24 hours) undergoing septic or aseptic major orthopaedic surgery between July 2014 and October 2016. All patients received a systematic screening to reliably detect PMI, using serial measurements of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T. All-cause mortality was assessed at one year. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to compare incidence of PMI and mortality between patients undergoing septic revision surgery for PJI or FRI, and patients receiving aseptic major bone and joint surgery. Results. In total, 911 consecutive patients were included. The overall perioperative myocardial injury (PMI) rate was 15.4% (n = 140). Septic revision surgery for PJI was associated with a significantly higher PMI rate (43.8% (14/32) vs 14.5% (57/393); p = 0.001) and one-year mortality rate (18.6% (6/32) vs 7.4% (29/393); p = 0.038) compared to aseptic revision or primary arthroplasty. The association with PMI persisted in multivariable analysis with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 4.7 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.1 to 10.7; p < 0.001), but was not statistically significant for one-year mortality (aOR 1.9 (95% CI 0.7 to 5.4; p = 0.240). PMI rate (15.2% (5/33) vs 14.1% (64/453)) and one-year mortality (15.2% (5/33) vs 9.1% (41/453)) after FRI revision surgery were comparable to aseptic long-bone fracture surgery. Conclusion. Patients undergoing revision surgery for PJI were at a risk of PMI and death compared to those undergoing aseptic arthroplasty surgery. Screening for PMI and treatment in specialized multidisciplinary units should be considered in major bone and joint infections. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(6):696–702

The October 2023 Research Roundup. 360. looks at: Gut microbiota in high-risk individuals for rheumatoid arthritis associated with disturbed metabolome and initiates arthritis by triggering mucosal immunity imbalance; International Consensus on Anaemia Management in Surgical Patients (ICCAMS); Sleep disturbance trends in the short-term postoperative period for patients undergoing total joint replacement; Achilles tendon tissue turnover before and immediately after an acute rupture; Quadriceps or hip exercises for patellofemoral pain? A randomized controlled equivalence trial; Total-body MRI for screening in patients with multiple osteochondromas

Aims. The aims of this study were to assess the pre- and postoperative incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) using routine duplex Doppler ultrasound (DUS), to assess the incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) using CT angiography, and to identify the factors that predict postoperative DVT in patients with a pelvic and/or acetabular fracture. Methods. All patients treated surgically for a pelvic and/or acetabular fracture between October 2016 and January 2020 were enrolled into this prospective single-centre study. The demographic, medical, and surgical details of the patients were recorded. DVT screening of the lower limbs was routinely performed using DUS before and at six to ten days after surgery. CT angiography was used in patients who were suspected of having PE. Age-adjusted univariate and stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis were used to determine the association between explanatory variables and postoperative DVT. Results. A total of 191 patients were included. A DVT was found preoperatively in 12 patients (6.3%), of which six were proximal. A postoperative DVT was found in 42 patients (22%), of which 27 were proximal. Eight patients (4.2%) had a PE, which was secondary to a DVT in three. None of the 12 patients in whom a vena cava filter was implanted prophylactically had a PE. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the association with the need for spinal surgery (odds ratio (OR) 19.78 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12 to 348.08); p = 0.041), intramedullary nailing of a long bone fracture (OR 4.44 (95% CI 1.05 to 18.86); p = 0.043), an operating time > two hours (OR 3.28 (95% CI 1.09 to 9.88); p = 0.035), and additional trauma surgery (OR 3.1 (95% CI 1.03 to 9.45); p = 0.045) were statistically the most relevant independent predictors of a postoperative DVT. Conclusion. The acknowledgement of the risk factors for the development of a DVT and their weight is crucial to set a threshold for the index of suspicion for this diagnosis by medical staff. We suggest the routine use of the DUS screening for DVT in patients with a pelvic and/or acetabular fracture before and six to ten days after surgery. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(2):283–289

The April 2024 Research Roundup. 360. looks at: Prevalence and characteristics of benign cartilaginous tumours of the shoulder joint; Is total-body MRI useful as a screening tool to rule out malignant progression in patients with multiple osteochondromas?; Effects of vancomycin and tobramycin on compressive and tensile strengths of antibiotic bone cement: a biomechanical study; Biomarkers for early detection of Charcot arthropathy; Strong association between growth hormone therapy and proximal tibial physeal avulsion fractures in children and adolescents; UK pregnancy in orthopaedics (UK-POP): a cross-sectional study of UK female trauma and orthopaedic surgeons and their experiences of pregnancy; Does preoperative weight loss change the risk of adverse outcomes in total knee arthroplasty by initial BMI classification?

Aims. This study aimed to answer two questions: what are the best diagnostic methods for diagnosing bacterial arthritis of a native joint?; and what are the most commonly used definitions for bacterial arthritis of a native joint?. Methods. We performed a search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane libraries for relevant studies published between January 1980 and April 2020. Of 3,209 identified studies, we included 27 after full screening. Sensitivity, specificity, area under the curve, and Youden index of diagnostic tests were extracted from included studies. We grouped test characteristics per diagnostic modality. We extracted the definitions used to establish a definitive diagnosis of bacterial arthritis of a native joint per study. Results. Overall, 28 unique diagnostic tests for diagnosing bacterial arthritis of a native joint were identified. The following five tests were deemed most useful: serum ESR (sensitivity: 34% to 100%, specificity: 23% to 93%), serum CRP (sensitivity: 58% to 100%, specificity: 0% to 96%), serum procalcitonin (sensitivity: 0% to 100%, specificity: 68% to 100%), the proportion of synovial polymorphonuclear cells (sensitivity: 42% to 100%, specificity: 54% to 94%), and the gram stain of synovial fluid (sensitivity: 27% to 81%, specificity: 99% to 100%). Conclusion. Diagnostic methods with relatively high sensitivities, such as serum CRP, ESR, and synovial polymorphonuclear cells, are useful for screening. Diagnostic methods with a relatively high specificity, such as serum procalcitonin and synovial fluid gram stain, are useful for establishing a diagnosis of bacterial arthritis. This review helps to interpret the value of various diagnostic tests for diagnosing bacterial arthritis of a native joint in clinical practice. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(12):1745–1753

Aims. Symptomatic spinal stenosis is a very common problem, and decompression surgery has been shown to be superior to nonoperative treatment in selected patient groups. However, performing an instrumented fusion in addition to decompression may avoid revision and improve outcomes. The aim of the SpInOuT feasibility study was to establish whether a definitive randomized controlled trial (RCT) that accounted for the spectrum of pathology contributing to spinal stenosis, including pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis (PI-LL) mismatch and mobile spondylolisthesis, could be conducted. Methods. As part of the SpInOuT-F study, a pilot randomized trial was carried out across five NHS hospitals. Patients were randomized to either spinal decompression alone or spinal decompression plus instrumented fusion. Patient-reported outcome measures were collected at baseline and three months. The intended sample size was 60 patients. Results. Of the 90 patients screened, 77 passed the initial screening criteria. A total of 27 patients had a PI-LL mismatch and 23 had a dynamic spondylolisthesis. Following secondary inclusion and exclusion criteria, 31 patients were eligible for the study. Six patients were randomized and one underwent surgery during the study period. Given the low number of patients recruited and randomized, it was not possible to assess completion rates, quality of life, imaging, or health economic outcomes as intended. Conclusion. This study provides a unique insight into the prevalence of dynamic spondylolisthesis and PI-LL mismatch in patients with symptomatic spinal stenosis, and demonstrates that there is a need for a definitive RCT which stratifies for these groups in order to inform surgical decision-making. Nonetheless a definitive study would need further refinement in design and implementation in order to be feasible. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(8):573–579

Aims. The distal radius is a major site of osteoporotic bone loss resulting in a high risk of fragility fracture. This study evaluated the capability of a cortical index (CI) at the distal radius to predict the local bone mineral density (BMD). Methods. A total of 54 human cadaver forearms (ten singles, 22 pairs) (19 to 90 years) were systematically assessed by clinical radiograph (XR), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), CT, as well as high-resolution peripheral quantitative CT (HR-pQCT). Cortical bone thickness (CBT) of the distal radius was measured on XR and CT scans, and two cortical indices mean average (CBTavg) and gauge (CBTg) were determined. These cortical indices were compared to the BMD of the distal radius determined by DXA (areal BMD (aBMD)) and HR-pQCT (volumetric BMD (vBMD)). Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to compare the results and degree of reliability. Results. The CBT could accurately be determined on XRs and highly correlated to those determined on CT scans (r = 0.87 to 0.93). The CBTavg index of the XRs significantly correlated with the BMD measured by DXA (r = 0.78) and HR-pQCT (r = 0.63), as did the CBTg index with the DXA (r = 0.55) and HR-pQCT (r = 0.64) (all p < 0.001). A high correlation of the BMD and CBT was observed between paired specimens (r = 0.79 to 0.96). The intra- and inter-rater reliability was excellent (ICC 0.79 to 0.92). Conclusion. The cortical index (CBTavg) at the distal radius shows a close correlation to the local BMD. It thus can serve as an initial screening tool to estimate the local bone quality if quantitative BMD measurements are unavailable, and enhance decision-making in acute settings on fracture management or further osteoporosis screening. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2021;10(12):820–829

Aims. To investigate the impact of consecutive perioperative care transitions on in-hospital recovery of patients who had primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) over an 11-year period. Methods. This observational cohort study used electronic health record data from all patients undergoing preoperative screening for primary TKA at a Northern Netherlands hospital between 2009 and 2020. In this timeframe, three perioperative care transitions were divided into four periods: Baseline care (Joint Care, n = 171; May 2009 to August 2010), Function-tailored (n = 404; September 2010 to October 2013), Fast-track (n = 721; November 2013 to May 2018), and Prehabilitation (n = 601; June 2018 to December 2020). In-hospital recovery was measured using inpatient recovery of activities (IROA), length of stay (LOS), and discharge to preoperative living situation (PLS). Multivariable regression models were used to analyze the impact of each perioperative care transition on in-hospital recovery. Results. The four periods analyzed involved 1,853 patients (65.9% female (1,221/1,853); mean age 70.1 years (SD 9.0)). IROA improved significantly with each transition: Function-tailored (0.9 days; p < 0.001 (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.32 to -0.15)), Fast-track (0.6 days; p < 0.001 (95% CI -0.25 to -0.16)), and Prehabilitation (0.4 days; p < 0.001 (95% CI -0.18 to -0.10)). LOS decreased significantly in Function-tailored (1.1 days; p = 0.001 (95% CI -0.30 to -0.06)), Fast-track (0.6 days; p < 0.001 (95% CI -0.21 to -0.05)), and Prehabilitation (0.6 days; p < 0.001 (95%CI -0.27 to -0.11)). Discharge to PLS increased in Function-tailored (77%), Fast-track (91.6%), and Prehabilitation (92.6%). Post-hoc analysis indicated a significant increase after the transition to the Fast-track period (p < 0.001 (95% CI 3.19 to 8.00)). Conclusion. This study highlights the positive impact of different perioperative care procedures on in-hospital recovery of patients undergoing primary TKA. Assessing functional recovery, LOS, and discharge towards PLS consistently, provides hospitals with valuable insights into postoperative recovery. This can potentially aid planning and identifying areas for targeted improvements to optimize patient outcomes. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(6):573–581

Aims. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to gather epidemiological information on selected musculoskeletal injuries and to provide pooled injury-specific incidence rates. Methods. PubMed (National Library of Medicine) and Scopus (Elsevier) databases were searched. Articles were eligible for inclusion if they reported incidence rate (or count with population at risk), contained data on adult population, and were written in English language. The number of cases and population at risk were collected, and the pooled incidence rates (per 100,000 person-years) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by using either a fixed or random effects model. Results. The screening of titles yielded 206 articles eligible for inclusion in the study. Of these, 173 (84%) articles provided sufficient information to be included in the pooled incidence rates. Incidences of fractures were investigated in 154 studies, and the most common fractures in the whole adult population based on the pooled incidence rates were distal radius fractures (212.0, 95% CI 178.1 to 252.4 per 100,000 person-years), finger fractures (117.1, 95% CI 105.3 to 130.2 per 100,000 person-years), and hip fractures (112.9, 95% CI 82.2 to 154.9 per 100,000 person-years). The most common sprains and dislocations were ankle sprains (429.4, 95% CI 243.0 to 759.0 per 100,000 person-years) and first-time patellar dislocations (32.8, 95% CI 21.6 to 49.7 per 100,000 person-years). The most common injuries were anterior cruciate ligament (17.5, 95% CI 6.0 to 50.2 per 100,000 person-years) and Achilles (13.7, 95% CI 9.6 to 19.5 per 100,000 person-years) ruptures. Conclusion. The presented pooled incidence estimates serve as important references in assessing the global economic and social burden of musculoskeletal injuries. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(11):814–825

Aims. This scoping review aims to identify patient-related factors associated with a poorer outcome following total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). Methods. A scoping review was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A computer-based literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane trials, and Web of Science. Two reviewers independently performed title/abstract and full-text screening according to predetermined selection criteria. English-language original research studies reporting patient-related factors associated with a poorer outcome following TAA were included. Outcomes were defined as patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), perioperative complications, and failure. Results. A total of 94 studies reporting 101,552 cases of TAA in 101,177 patients were included. The most common patient-related risk factor associated with poorer outcomes were younger age (21 studies), rheumatoid arthritis (17 studies), and diabetes (16 studies). Of the studies using multivariable regression specifically, the most frequently described risk factors were younger age (12 studies), rheumatoid arthritis (eight studies), diabetes (eight studies), and high BMI (eight studies). Conclusion. When controlling for confounding factors, the most commonly reported risk factors for poor outcome are younger age, rheumatoid arthritis, and comorbidities such as diabetes and increased BMI. These patient-related risk factors reported may be used to facilitate the refinement of patient selection criteria for TAA and inform patient expectations. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(9):985–992

Aims. The management of mid-shaft clavicle fractures (MSCFs) has evolved over the last three decades. Controversy exists over which specific fracture patterns to treat and when. This review aims to synthesize the literature in order to formulate an appropriate management algorithm for these injuries in both adolescents and adults. Methods. This is a systematic review of clinical studies comparing the outcomes of operative and nonoperative treatments for MSCFs in the past 15 years. The literature was searched using, PubMed, Google scholar, OVID Medline, and Embase. All databases were searched with identical search terms: mid-shaft clavicle fractures (± fixation) (± nonoperative). Results. Using the search criteria identified, 247 studies were deemed eligible. Following initial screening, 220 studies were excluded on the basis that they were duplicates and/or irrelevant to the research question being posed. A total of 27 full-text articles remained and were included in the final review. The majority of the meta-analyses draw the same conclusions, which are that operatively treated fractures have lower nonunion and malunion rates but that, in those fractures which unite (either operative or nonoperative), the functional outcomes are the same at six months. Conclusion. With regard to the adolescent population, the existing body of evidence is insufficient to support the use of routine operative management. Regarding adult fractures, the key to identifying patients who benefit from operative management lies in the identification of risk factors for nonunion. We present an algorithm that can be used to guide both the patient and the surgeon in a joint decision-making process, in order to optimize patient satisfaction and outcomes. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(11):850–858

Aims. Multiple secondary surgical procedures of the shoulder, such as soft-tissue releases, tendon transfers, and osteotomies, are described in brachial plexus birth palsy (BPBP) patients. The long-term functional outcomes of these procedures described in the literature are inconclusive. We aimed to analyze the literature looking for a consensus on treatment options. Methods. A systematic literature search in healthcare databases (PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane library, CINAHL, and Web of Science) was performed from January 2000 to July 2020, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The quality of the included studies was assessed with the Cochrane ROBINS-I risk of bias tool. Relevant trials studying BPBP with at least five years of follow-up and describing functional outcome were included. Results. Of 5,941 studies, 19 were included after full-text screening. A total of 15 surgical techniques were described. All studies described an improvement in active external rotation (range 12° to 128°). A decrease in range of motion and Mallet score after long-term (five to 30 years) follow-up compared to short-term follow-up was seen in most studies. Conclusion. The literature reveals that functional outcome increases after different secondary procedures, even in the long term. Due to the poor methodological quality of the included studies and the variations in indication for surgery and surgical techniques described, a consensus on the long-term functional outcome after secondary surgical procedures in BPBP patients cannot be made. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(4):455–464

Aims. This systematic review aimed to summarize the full range of complications reported following ankle arthroscopy and the frequency at which they occur. Methods. A computer-based search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Emcare, and ISI Web of Science. Two-stage title/abstract and full-text screening was performed independently by two reviewers. English-language original research studies reporting perioperative complications in a cohort of at least ten patients undergoing ankle arthroscopy were included. Complications were pooled across included studies in order to derive an overall complication rate. Quality assessment was performed using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine levels of evidence classification. Results. A total of 150 studies describing 7,942 cases of ankle arthroscopy in 7,777 patients were included. The overall pooled complication rate was 325/7,942 (4.09%). The most common complication was neurological injury, accounting for 180/325 (55.4%) of all complications. Of these, 59 (32.7%) affected the superficial peroneal nerve. Overall, 36/180 (20%) of all nerve injuries were permanent. The overall complication rate following anterior ankle arthroscopy was 205/4,709 (4.35%) compared to a rate of 35/528 (6.6%) following posterior arthroscopy. Neurological injury occurred in 52/1,998 (2.6%) of anterior cases using distraction, compared to 59/2,711 (2.2%) in cases with no distraction. The overall rate of major complications was 16/7,942 (0.2%), with the most common major complication – deep vein thrombosis – occurring in five cases. Conclusion. This comprehensive systematic review demonstrates that ankle arthroscopy is a safe procedure with a low overall complication rate. The majority of complications are minor, with potentially life-threatening complications reported in only 0.2% of patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(3):239–246

Aims. Arthroplasties of the elbow, including total elbow arthroplasty, radial head arthroplasty, distal humeral hemiarthroplasty, and radiocapitellar arthroplasty, are rarely undertaken. This scoping review aims to outline the current research in this area to inform the development of future research. Methods. A scoping review was undertaken adhering to the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines using Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, and trial registries, limited to studies published between 1 January 1990 and 7 February 2021. Endnote software was used for screening and selection, and included randomized trials, non-randomized controlled trials, prospective and retrospective cohort studies, case-control studies, analytical cross-sectional studies, and case series of ten or more patients reporting the clinical outcomes of elbow arthroplasty. The results are presented as the number of types of studies, sample size, length of follow-up, clinical outcome domains and instruments used, sources of funding, and a narrative review. Results. A total of 362 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most were of total elbow arthroplasty (246; 68%), followed by radial head arthroplasty (100; 28%), distal humeral hemiarthroplasty (11; 3%), and radiocapitellar arthroplasty (5; 1%). Most were retrospective (326; 90%) and observational (315; 87%). The median sample size for all types of implant across all studies was 36 (interquartile range (IQR) 21 to 75). The median length of follow-up for all studies was 56 months (IQR 36 to 81). A total of 583 unique outcome descriptors were used and were categorized into 18 domains. A total of 105 instruments were used to measure 39 outcomes. Conclusion. We found that most of the literature dealing with elbow arthroplasty consists of retrospective observational studies with small sample sizes and short follow-up. Many outcomes have been used with many different instruments for their measurement, indicating a need to define a core set of outcomes and instruments for future research in this area. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(10):1148–1155

Aims. Research on hip biomechanics has analyzed femoroacetabular contact pressures and forces in distinct hip conditions, with different procedures, and used diverse loading and testing conditions. The aim of this scoping review was to identify and summarize the available evidence in the literature for hip contact pressures and force in cadaver and in vivo studies, and how joint loading, labral status, and femoral and acetabular morphology can affect these biomechanical parameters. Methods. We used the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews for this literature search in three databases. After screening, 16 studies were included for the final analysis. Results. The studies assessed different hip conditions like labrum status, the biomechanical effect of the cam, femoral version, acetabular coverage, and the effect of rim trimming. The testing and loading conditions were also quite diverse, and this disparity limits direct comparisons between the different researches. With normal anatomy the mean contact pressures ranged from 1.54 to 4.4 MPa, and the average peak contact pressures ranged from 2 to 9.3 MPa. Labral tear or resection showed an increase in contact pressures that diminished after repair or reconstruction of the labrum. Complete cam resection also decreased the contact pressure, and acetabular rim resection of 6 mm increased the contact pressure at the acetabular base. Conclusion. To date there is no standardized methodology to access hip contact biomechanics in hip arthroscopy, or with the preservation of the periarticular soft-tissues. A tendency towards improved biomechanics (lower contact pressures) was seen with labral repair and reconstruction techniques as well as with cam correction. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2023;12(12):712–721

Aims. The aim of this study was to identify the information topics that should be addressed according to the parents of children with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in the diagnostic and treatment phase during the first year of life. Second, we explored parental recommendations to further optimize the information provision in DDH care. Methods. A qualitative study with semi-structured interviews was conducted between September and December 2020. A purposive sample of parents of children aged younger than one year, who were treated for DDH with a Pavlik harness, were interviewed until data saturation was achieved. A total of 20 interviews with 22 parents were conducted. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, independently reviewed, and coded into categories and themes. Results. Interviews revealed four fundamental information topics that should be addressed in the different phases of the DDH healthcare trajectory: general information (screening phase), patient-specific information (diagnostic and treatment phase), practical information (treatment phase), and future perspectives (treatment and follow-up phase). To further optimize the information provision in DDH care, parents wished for more accessible and trustworthy general information prior to the first hospital visit to be better prepared for the diagnosis. Furthermore, parents wanted more personalized and visually supported information for a better understanding of the nature of the disease and the reason for treatment. Conclusion. This study offers novel insights to optimize the information provision in DDH care. The main finding is the shift in information need from general information in the screening phase to patient-specific information in the diagnostic and treatment phase of DDH. Parents prefer visually-supported information, provided in a timely fashion, and tailored to their child’s situation. These recommendations potentially decrease parental anxiety, insecurity, confusion, and increase parental empowerment and treatment adherence throughout the diagnostic and treatment phase of DDH. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(7):496–506

Aims. To systematically evaluate whether bracing can effectively achieve curve regression in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), and to identify any predictors of curve regression after bracing. Methods. Two independent reviewers performed a comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library to obtain all published information about the effectiveness of bracing in achieving curve regression in AIS patients. Search terms included “brace treatment” or “bracing,” “idiopathic scoliosis,” and “curve regression” or “curve reduction.” Inclusion criteria were studies recruiting patients with AIS undergoing brace treatment and one of the study outcomes must be curve regression or reduction, defined as > 5° reduction in coronal Cobb angle of a major curve upon bracing completion. Exclusion criteria were studies including non-AIS patients, studies not reporting p-value or confidence interval, animal studies, case reports, case series, and systematic reviews. The GRADE approach to assessing quality of evidence was used to evaluate each publication. Results. After abstract and full-text screening, 205 out of 216 articles were excluded. The 11 included studies all reported occurrence of curve regression among AIS patients who were braced. Regression rate ranged from 16.7% to 100%. We found evidence that bracing is effective in achieving curve regression among compliant AIS patients eligible for bracing, i.e. curves of 25° to 40°. A similar effect was also found in patients with major curve sizes ranging from 40° to 60° when combined with scoliosis-specific exercises. There was also evidence showing that a low apical vertebral body height ratio, in-brace correction, smaller pre-brace Cobb angle, and daily pattern of brace-wear compliance predict curve regression after bracing. Conclusion. Bracing provides a corrective effect on scoliotic curves of AIS patients to achieve curve regression, given there is high compliance rate and the incorporation of exercises. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(3):286–292

Aims. To map literature on prognostic factors related to outcomes of revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA), to identify extensively studied factors and to guide future research into what domains need further exploration. Methods. We performed a systematic literature search in MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science. The search string included multiple synonyms of the following keywords: "revision TKA", "outcome" and "prognostic factor". We searched for studies assessing the association between at least one prognostic factor and at least one outcome measure after rTKA surgery. Data on sample size, study design, prognostic factors, outcomes, and the direction of the association was extracted and included in an evidence map. Results. After screening of 5,660 articles, we included 166 studies reporting prognostic factors for outcomes after rTKA, with a median sample size of 319 patients (30 to 303,867). Overall, 50% of the studies reported prospectively collected data, and 61% of the studies were performed in a single centre. In some studies, multiple associations were reported; 180 different prognostic factors were reported in these studies. The three most frequently studied prognostic factors were reason for revision (213 times), sex (125 times), and BMI (117 times). Studies focusing on functional scores and patient-reported outcome measures as prognostic factor for the outcome after surgery were limited (n = 42). The studies reported 154 different outcomes. The most commonly reported outcomes after rTKA were: re-revision (155 times), readmission (88 times), and reinfection (85 times). Only five studies included costs as outcome. Conclusion. Outcomes and prognostic factors that are routinely registered as part of clinical practice (e.g. BMI, sex, complications) or in (inter)national registries are studied frequently. Studies on prognostic factors, such as functional and sociodemographic status, and outcomes as healthcare costs, cognitive and mental function, and psychosocial impact are scarce, while they have been shown to be important for patients with osteoarthritis. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(5):338–356

Aims. The primary aim of this study was to determine the ten-year outcome following surgical treatment for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). We assessed whether the evolution of practice from open to arthroscopic techniques influenced outcomes and tested whether any patient, radiological, or surgical factors were associated with outcome. Methods. Prospectively collected data of a consecutive single-surgeon cohort, operated for FAI between January 2005 and January 2015, were retrospectively studied. The cohort comprised 393 hips (365 patients; 71% male (n = 278)), with a mean age of 34.5 years (SD 10.0). Over the study period, techniques evolved from open surgical dislocation (n = 94) to a combined arthroscopy-Hueter technique (HA + Hueter; n = 61) to a pure arthroscopic technique (HA; n = 238). Outcome measures of interest included modes of failures, complications, reoperation, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Demographic, radiological, and surgical factors were tested for possible association with outcome. Results. At a mean follow-up of 7.5 years (SD 2.5), there were 43 failures in 38 hips (9.7%), with 35 hips (8.9%) having one failure mode, one hip (0.25%) having two failure modes, and two hips (0.5%) having three failure modes. The five- and ten-year hip joint preservation rates were 94.1% (SD 1.2%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 91.8 to 96.4) and 90.4% (SD 1.7%; 95% CI 87.1 to 93.7), respectively. Inferior survivorship was detected in the surgical dislocation group. Age at surgery, Tönnis grade, cartilage damage, and absence of rim-trimming were associated with improved preservation rates. Only Tönnis grade was an independent predictor of hip preservation. All PROMs improved postoperatively. Factors associated with improvement in PROMs included higher lateral centre-edge and α angles, and lower retroversion index and BMI. Conclusion. FAI surgery provides lasting improvement in function and a joint preservation rate of 90.4% at ten years. The evolution of practice was not associated with inferior outcome. Since degree of arthritis is the primary predictor of outcome, improved awareness and screening may lead to prompt intervention and better outcomes. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(10):804–814

Aims. Current diagnostic tools are not always able to effectively identify periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs). Recent studies suggest that circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) undergo changes under pathological conditions such as infection. The aim of this study was to analyze miRNA expression in hip arthroplasty PJI patients. Methods. This was a prospective pilot study, including 24 patients divided into three groups, with eight patients each undergoing revision of their hip arthroplasty due to aseptic reasons, and low- and high-grade PJI, respectively. The number of intraoperative samples and the incidence of positive cultures were recorded for each patient. Additionally, venous blood samples and periarticular tissue samples were collected from each patient to determine miRNA expressions between the groups. MiRNA screening was performed by small RNA-sequencing using the miRNA next generation sequencing (NGS) discovery (miND) pipeline. Results. Overall, several miRNAs in plasma and tissue were identified to be progressively deregulated according to ongoing PJI. When comparing the plasma samples, patients with a high-grade infection showed significantly higher expression levels for hsa-miR-21-3p, hsa-miR-1290, and hsa-miR-4488, and lower expression levels for hsa-miR-130a-3p and hsa-miR-451a compared to the aseptic group. Furthermore, the high-grade group showed a significantly higher regulated expression level of hsa-miR-1260a and lower expression levels for hsa-miR-26a-5p, hsa-miR-26b-5p, hsa-miR-148b-5p, hsa-miR-301a-3p, hsa-miR-451a, and hsa-miR-454-3p compared to the low-grade group. No significant differences were found between the low-grade and aseptic groups. When comparing the tissue samples, the high-grade group showed significantly higher expression levels for 23 different miRNAs and lower expression levels for hsa-miR-2110 and hsa-miR-3200-3p compared to the aseptic group. No significant differences were found in miRNA expression between the high- and low-grade groups, as well as between the low-grade and aseptic groups. Conclusion. With this prospective pilot study, we were able to identify a circulating miRNA signature correlating with high-grade PJI compared to aseptic patients undergoing hip arthroplasty revision. Our data contribute to establishing miRNA signatures as potential novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for PJI. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(6):479–488

Aims. Machine-learning (ML) prediction models in orthopaedic trauma hold great promise in assisting clinicians in various tasks, such as personalized risk stratification. However, an overview of current applications and critical appraisal to peer-reviewed guidelines is lacking. The objectives of this study are to 1) provide an overview of current ML prediction models in orthopaedic trauma; 2) evaluate the completeness of reporting following the Transparent Reporting of a multivariable prediction model for Individual Prognosis Or Diagnosis (TRIPOD) statement; and 3) assess the risk of bias following the Prediction model Risk Of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST) tool. Methods. A systematic search screening 3,252 studies identified 45 ML-based prediction models in orthopaedic trauma up to January 2023. The TRIPOD statement assessed transparent reporting and the PROBAST tool the risk of bias. Results. A total of 40 studies reported on training and internal validation; four studies performed both development and external validation, and one study performed only external validation. The most commonly reported outcomes were mortality (33%, 15/45) and length of hospital stay (9%, 4/45), and the majority of prediction models were developed in the hip fracture population (60%, 27/45). The overall median completeness for the TRIPOD statement was 62% (interquartile range 30 to 81%). The overall risk of bias in the PROBAST tool was low in 24% (11/45), high in 69% (31/45), and unclear in 7% (3/45) of the studies. High risk of bias was mainly due to analysis domain concerns including small datasets with low number of outcomes, complete-case analysis in case of missing data, and no reporting of performance measures. Conclusion. The results of this study showed that despite a myriad of potential clinically useful applications, a substantial part of ML studies in orthopaedic trauma lack transparent reporting, and are at high risk of bias. These problems must be resolved by following established guidelines to instil confidence in ML models among patients and clinicians. Otherwise, there will remain a sizeable gap between the development of ML prediction models and their clinical application in our day-to-day orthopaedic trauma practice. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(1):9–19

Aims. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the induced membrane technique for treating infected bone defects, and to explore the factors that might affect patient outcomes. Methods. A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases between 1 January 2000 and 31 October 2021. Studies with a minimum sample size of five patients with infected bone defects treated with the induced membrane technique were included. Factors associated with nonunion, infection recurrence, and additional procedures were identified using logistic regression analysis on individual patient data. Results. After the screening, 44 studies were included with 1,079 patients and 1,083 segments of infected bone defects treated with the induced membrane technique. The mean defect size was 6.8 cm (0.5 to 30). After the index second stage procedure, 85% (797/942) of segments achieved union, and 92% (999/1,083) of segments achieved final healing. The multivariate analysis with data from 296 patients suggested that older age was associated with higher nonunion risk. Patients with external fixation in the second stage had a significantly higher risk of developing nonunion, increasing the need for additional procedures. The autografts harvested from the femur reamer-irrigator-aspirator increased nonunion, infection recurrence, and additional procedure rates. Conclusion. The induced membrane technique is an effective technique for treating infected bone defects. Internal fixation during the second stage might effectively promote bone healing and reduce additional procedures without increasing infection recurrence. Future studies should standardize individual patient data prospectively to facilitate research on the affected patient outcomes. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2023;12(9):546–558

Aims. Hip resurfacing remains a potentially valuable surgical procedure for appropriately-selected patients with optimised implant choices. However, concern regarding high early failure rates continues to undermine confidence in use. A large contributor to failure is adverse local tissue reactions around metal-on-metal (MoM) bearing surfaces. Such phenomena have been well-explored around MoM total hip arthroplasties, but comparable data in equivalent hip resurfacing procedures is lacking. In order to define genetic predisposition, we performed a case-control study investigating the role of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) genotype in the development of pseudotumours around MoM hip resurfacings. Methods. A matched case-control study was performed using the prospectively-collected database at the host institution. In all, 16 MoM hip resurfacing 'cases' were identified as having symptomatic periprosthetic pseudotumours on preoperative metal artefact reduction sequence (MARS) MRI, and were subsequently histologically confirmed as high-grade aseptic lymphocyte-dominated vasculitis-associated lesions (ALVALs) at revision surgery. ‘Controls’ were matched by implant type in the absence of evidence of pseudotumour. Blood samples from all cases and controls were collected prospectively for high resolution genetic a nalysis targeting 11 separate HLA loci. Statistical significance was set at 0.10 a priori to determine the association between HLA genotype and pseudotumour formation, given the small sample size. Results. Using a previously-reported ALVAL classification, the majority of pseudotumour-positive caseswere found to have intermediate-grade group 2 (n = 10; 63%) or group 3 (n = 4; 25%) histological findings. Two further patients (13%) had high-grade group 4 lesions. HLA-DQB1*05:03:01 (p = 0.0676) and HLA-DRB1*14:54:01 (p = 0.0676) alleles were significantly associated with a higher risk of pseudotumour formation, while HLA-DQA1*03:01:01 (p = 0.0240), HLA-DRB1*04:04:01 (p = 0.0453), HLA-C*01:02:01 (p = 0.0453), and HLA-B*27:05:02 (p = 0.0855) were noted to confer risk reduction. Conclusion. These findings confirm the association between specific HLA genotypes and the risk of pseudotumour development around MoM hip resurfacings. Specifically, the two ‘at risk’ alleles (DQB1*05:03:01 and DRB1*14:54:01) may hold clinical value in preoperative screening and prospective surgical decision-making. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(3):182–187

Aims. This systematic review aims to compare the precision of component positioning, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), complications, survivorship, cost-effectiveness, and learning curves of MAKO robotic arm-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (RAUKA) with manual medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (mUKA). Methods. Searches of PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar were performed in November 2021 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-­Analysis statement. Search terms included “robotic”, “unicompartmental”, “knee”, and “arthroplasty”. Published clinical research articles reporting the learning curves and cost-effectiveness of MAKO RAUKA, and those comparing the component precision, functional outcomes, survivorship, or complications with mUKA, were included for analysis. Results. A total of 179 articles were identified from initial screening, of which 14 articles satisfied the inclusion criteria and were included for analysis. The papers analyzed include one on learning curve, five on implant positioning, six on functional outcomes, five on complications, six on survivorship, and three on cost. The learning curve was six cases for operating time and zero for precision. There was consistent evidence of more precise implant positioning with MAKO RAUKA. Meta-analysis demonstrated lower overall complication rates associated with MAKO RAUKA (OR 2.18 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06 to 4.49); p = 0.040) but no difference in re-intervention, infection, Knee Society Score (KSS; mean difference 1.64 (95% CI -3.00 to 6.27); p = 0.490), or Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) score (mean difference -0.58 (95% CI -3.55 to 2.38); p = 0.700). MAKO RAUKA was shown to be a cost-effective procedure, but this was directly related to volume. Conclusion. MAKO RAUKA was associated with improved precision of component positioning but was not associated with improved PROMs using the KSS and WOMAC scores. Future longer-term studies should report functional outcomes, potentially using scores with minimal ceiling effects and survival to assess whether the improved precision of MAKO RAUKA results in better outcomes. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(5):541–548

Aims. Cervical radiculopathy is a significant cause of pain and morbidity. For patients with severe and poorly controlled symptoms who may not be candidates for surgical management, treatment with transforaminal epidural steroid injections (CTFESI) has gained widespread acceptance. However, a paucity of high-quality evidence supporting their use balanced against perceived high risks of the procedure potentially undermines the confidence of clinicians who use the technique. We undertook a systematic review of the available literature regarding CTFESI to assess the clinical efficacy and complication rates of the procedure. Methods. OVID, MEDLINE, and Embase database searches were performed independently by two authors who subsequently completed title, abstract, and full-text screening for inclusion against set criteria. Clinical outcomes and complication data were extracted, and a narrative synthesis presented. Results. Six studies (three randomized controlled trials and three non-randomized observational studies; 443 patients) were included in the final review. The aggregate data support the efficacy of CTFESI in excess of the likely minimal clinically important difference. No major complications were described. Conclusion. There is increasing evidence supporting the efficacy of CTFESI. Concerns regarding the occurrence of catastrophic complications, widely shared in the case report and anecdotal literature, were not found when reviewing the best available evidence. However, the strength of these findings remains limited by the lack of highly powered high-level studies and the heterogeneity of the studies available. Further high-quality studies are recommended to address the issues of efficacy and safety with CTFESI. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(5):567–574

Aims. Recurrent dislocation is both a cause and consequence of glenoid bone loss, and the extent of the bony defect is an indicator guiding operative intervention. Literature suggests that loss greater than 25% requires glenoid reconstruction. Measuring bone loss is controversial; studies use different methods to determine this, with no clear evidence of reproducibility. A systematic review was performed to identify existing CT-based methods of quantifying glenoid bone loss and establish their reliability and reproducibility. Methods. A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses-compliant systematic review of conventional and grey literature was performed. Results. A total of 25 studies were initially eligible. Following screening, nine papers were included for review. Main themes identified compared 2D and 3D imaging, as well as linear- compared with area-based techniques. Heterogenous data were acquired, and therefore no meta-analysis was performed. Conclusion. No ideal CT-based method is demonstrated in the current literature, however evidence suggests that surface area methods are more reproducible and lead to fewer over-estimations of bone loss, provided the views used are standardized. A prospective imaging trial is required to provide a more definitive answer to this research question. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(2):114–122

Aims. Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) has become the most common type of shoulder arthroplasty used in the UK, and a better understanding of the outcomes after revision of a failed RSA is needed. The aim of this study was to review the current evidence systematically to determine patient-reported outcome measures and the rates of re-revision and complications for patients undergoing revision of a RSA. Methods. MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched. Studies involving adult patients who underwent revision of a primary RSA for any indication were included. Those who underwent a RSA for failure of a total shoulder arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasty were excluded. Pre- and postoperative shoulder scores were evaluated in a random effects meta-analysis to determine the mean difference. The rates of re-revision and complications were also calculated. Results. The initial search elicited 3,166 results and, following removal of duplicates and screening, 13 studies with a total of 1,042 RSAs were identified. An increase in shoulder scores pre- to postoperatively was reported in all the studies. Following revision of a RSA to a further RSA, there was a significant increase in the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Score (mean difference 20.78 (95% CI 8.16 to 33.40); p = 0.001). A re-revision rate at final follow-up ranging from 9% to 32%, a one-year re-revision rate of 14%, and a five-year re-revision rate of 23% were reported. The complication rate in all the studies was between 18.5% and 36%, with a total incidence of 29%. Conclusion. This is the largest systematic review of the outcomes following revision of a RSA. We found an improvement in functional outcomes after revision surgery, but the rates of re-revision and complications are high and warrant consideration when planning a revision procedure. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(11):1293–1300

Aims. This systematic review aims to identify 3D predictors derived from biplanar reconstruction, and to describe current methods for improving curve prediction in patients with mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Methods. A comprehensive search was conducted by three independent investigators on MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Search terms included “adolescent idiopathic scoliosis”,“3D”, and “progression”. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were carefully defined to include clinical studies. Risk of bias was assessed with the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool (QUIPS) and Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS), and level of evidence for each predictor was rated with the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) approach. In all, 915 publications were identified, with 377 articles subjected to full-text screening; overall, 31 articles were included. Results. Torsion index (TI) and apical vertebral rotation (AVR) were identified as accurate predictors of curve progression in early visits. Initial TI > 3.7° and AVR > 5.8° were predictive of curve progression. Thoracic hypokyphosis was inconsistently observed in progressive curves with weak evidence. While sagittal wedging was observed in mild curves, there is insufficient evidence for its correlation with curve progression. In curves with initial Cobb angle < 25°, Cobb angle was a poor predictor for future curve progression. Prediction accuracy was improved by incorporating serial reconstructions in stepwise layers. However, a lack of post-hoc analysis was identified in studies involving geometrical models. Conclusion. For patients with mild curves, TI and AVR were identified as predictors of curve progression, with TI > 3.7° and AVR > 5.8° found to be important thresholds. Cobb angle acts as a poor predictor in mild curves, and more investigations are required to assess thoracic kyphosis and wedging as predictors. Cumulative reconstruction of radiographs improves prediction accuracy. Comprehensive analysis between progressive and non-progressive curves is recommended to extract meaningful thresholds for clinical prognostication. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(3):243–251

Aims. This study aims to assess the feasibility of conducting a pragmatic, multicentre randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test the clinical and cost-effectiveness of an informal caregiver training programme to support the recovery of people following hip fracture surgery. Methods. This will be a mixed-methods feasibility RCT, recruiting 60 patients following hip fracture surgery and their informal caregivers. Patients will be randomized to usual NHS care, versus usual NHS care plus a caregiver-patient dyad training programme (HIP HELPER). This programme will comprise of three, one-hour, one-to-one training sessions for the patient and caregiver, delivered by a nurse, physiotherapist, or occupational therapist. Training will be delivered in the hospital setting pre-patient discharge. It will include practical skills for rehabilitation such as: transfers and walking; recovery goal setting and expectations; pacing and stress management techniques; and introduction to the HIP HELPER Caregiver Workbook, which provides information on recovery, exercises, worksheets, and goal-setting plans to facilitate a ‘good’ recovery. After discharge, patients and caregivers will be supported in delivering rehabilitation through three telephone coaching sessions. Data, collected at baseline and four months post-randomization, will include: screening logs, intervention logs, fidelity checklists, quality assurance monitoring visit data, and clinical outcomes assessing quality of life, physical, emotional, adverse events, and resource use outcomes. The acceptability of the study intervention and RCT design will be explored through qualitative methods with 20 participants (patients and informal caregivers) and 12 health professionals. Discussion. A multicentre recruitment approach will provide greater external validity across population characteristics in England. The mixed-methods approach will permit in-depth examination of the intervention and trial design parameters. The findings will inform whether and how a definitive trial may be undertaken to test the effectiveness of this caregiver intervention for patients after hip fracture surgery. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(11):909–920

Aims. The aims of this study were to validate the Forgotten Joint Score-12 (FJS-12) in the postoperative evaluation of periacetabular osteotomy (PAO), identify factors associated with joint awareness after PAO, and determine the FJS-12 threshold for patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS). Methods. Data from 686 patients (882 hips) with hip dysplasia who underwent transposition osteotomy of the acetabulum, a type of PAO, between 1998 and 2019 were reviewed. After screening the study included 442 patients (582 hips; response rate, 78%). Patients who completed a study questionnaire consisting of the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and satisfaction, FJS-12, and Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) were included. The ceiling effects, internal consistency, convergent validity, and PASS thresholds of FJS-12 were investigated. Results. The median follow-up was 12 years (interquartile range 7 to 16). The ceiling effect of FJS-12 was 7.2%, the lowest of all the measures examined. FJS-12 correlated with all HOOS subscales (ρ = 0.72 to 0.77, p < 0.001) and pain and satisfaction-VAS (ρ = -0.63 and 0.56, p < 0.001), suggesting good convergent validity. Cronbach’s α was 0.95 for the FJS-12, which indicated excellent internal consistency. The median FJS-12 score for preoperative Tönnis grade 0 hips (60 points) was higher than that for grade 1 (51 points) or 2 (46 points). When PASS was defined as pain-VAS < 21 and satisfaction-VAS ≥ 77, the FJS-12 threshold that maximized the sensitivity and specificity for detecting PASS was 50 points (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.85). Conclusion. Our results suggest that FJS-12 is a valid and reliable assessment tool for patients undergoing PAO, and the threshold of 50 points may be useful to determine patient satisfaction following PAO in clinical settings. Further investigation of the factors influencing postoperative joint awareness may enable improved prediction of treatment efficacy and informed decision-making regarding the indication of PAO. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(7):760–767

Aims. Head-taper corrosion is a cause of failure in total hip arthroplasty (THA). Recent reports have described an increasing number of V40 taper failures with adverse local tissue reaction (ALTR). However, the real incidence of V40 taper damage and its cause remain unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term incidence of ALTR in a consecutive series of THAs using a V40 taper and identify potentially related factors. Methods. Between January 2006 and June 2007, a total of 121 patients underwent THA using either an uncemented (Accolade I, made of Ti. 12. Mo. 6. Zr. 2. Fe; Stryker, USA) or a cemented (ABG II, made of cobalt-chrome-molybdenum (CoCrMo); Stryker) femoral component, both with a V40 taper (Stryker). Uncemented acetabular components (Trident; Stryker) with crosslinked polyethylene liners and CoCr femoral heads of 36 mm diameter were used in all patients. At a mean folllow-up of 10.8 years (SD 1.1), 94 patients (79%) were eligible for follow-up (six patients had already undergone a revision, 15 had died, and six were lost to follow-up). A total of 85 THAs in 80 patients (mean age 61 years (24 to 75); 47 (56%) were female) underwent clinical and radiological evaluation, including the measurement of whole blood levels of cobalt and chrome. Metal artifact reduction sequence MRI scans of the hip were performed in 71 patients. Results. A total of 20 ALTRs were identified on MRI, with an incidence of 26%. Patients with ALTR had significantly higher median Co levels compared with those without ALTR (2.96 μg/l (interquartile range (IQR) 1.35 to 4.98) vs 1.44 μg/l (IQR 0.79 to 2.5); p = 0.019). Radiological evidence of osteolysis was also significantly associated with ALTR (p = 0.014). Median Cr levels were not significantly higher in those with ALTR compared with those without one (0.97 μg/l (IQR 0.72 to 1.9) v 0.67 μg/l (IQR 0.5 to 1.19; p = 0.080). BMI, sex, age, type of femoral component, head length, the inclination of the acetabular component, and heterotopic ossification formation showed no significant relationship with ALTR. Conclusion. Due to the high incidence of local ALTR in our cohort after more than ten years postoperatively, we recommend regular follow-up investigation even in asymptomatic patients with V40 taper and metal heads. As cobalt levels correlate with ALTR occurrence, routine metal ion screening and consecutive MRI investigation upon elevation could be discussed. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(7):852–858

Aims. Healthcare systems have been rapidly restructured to meet COVID-19 demand. Clinicians are working to novel clinical guidelines, treating new patient cohorts and working in unfamiliar environments. Trauma and orthopaedics (T&O) has experienced cancellation of routine clinics and operating, with redistribution of the workload and human resources. To date, no studies have evaluated the mental health impact of these changes on the T&O workforce. We report the results of a novel survey on the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of our orthopaedic workforce and the contributory factors. Methods. A 20-question survey-based cross-sectional study of orthopaedic team members was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary objective was to identify the impact of the pandemic on mental health in the form of major depressive disorder (MDD) and general anxiety disorder (GAD). The survey incorporated the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-2), which is validated for screening of MDD, and the generalized anxiety disorder questionnaire (GAD-2), which is validated for screening of GAD. Results. There were 62 respondents (18 females and 44 males). As compared to the general population, we noted a greater estimated prevalence of GAD (17.7% vs 5.9%, p = 0.0009297) and MDD (19.4% vs 3.3%, p = 0.0000007731). The prevalence of MDD symptoms was greatest among senior house officers (SHOs) (p = 0.02216). Female respondents scored higher for symptoms of MDD (p = 0.03583) and GAD (p = 0.0001086). Those identifying as ‘Black, African, Caribbean or Black British’ displayed a higher prevalence of GAD symptoms (p = 0.001575) and felt least supported at work (p = 0.001341). Conclusion. Our study, in the first of its kind, shows a significant prevalence of GAD and MDD in the workforce. We found that SHOs, females and those of Black, African, Caribbean, or Black British origin were disproportionately affected. Action should be taken to help prevent adverse mental health outcomes for our colleagues during the pandemic. Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;1-6:316–325

Aims. Metal allergy in knee arthroplasty patients is a controversial topic. We aimed to conduct a scoping review to clarify the management of metal allergy in primary and revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods. Studies were identified by searching electronic databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid MEDLINE, and Embase, from their inception to November 2020, for studies evaluating TKA patients with metal hypersensitivity/allergy. All studies reporting on diagnosing or managing metal hypersensitivity in TKA were included. Data were extracted and summarized based on study design, study population, interventions and outcomes. A practical guide is then formulated based on the available evidence. Results. We included 38 heterogeneous studies (two randomized controlled trials, six comparative studies, 19 case series, and 11 case reports). The evidence indicates that metal hypersensitivity is a rare complication with some histopathological features leading to pain and dissatisfaction with no reliable screening tests preoperatively. Hypoallergenic implants are viable alternatives for patients with self-reported/confirmed metal hypersensitivity if declared preoperatively; however, concerns remain over their long-term outcomes with ceramic implants outperforming titanium nitride-coated implants and informed consent is paramount. For patients presenting with painful TKA, metal hypersensitivity is a diagnosis of exclusion where patch skin testing, lymphocyte transformation test, and synovial biopsies are useful adjuncts before revision surgery is undertaken to hypoallergenic implants with shared decision-making and informed consent. Conclusion. Using the limited available evidence in the literature, we provide a practical approach to metal hypersensitivity in TKA patients. Future national/registry-based studies are needed to identify the scale of metal hypersensitivity, agreed diagnostic criteria, and management strategies. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(10):785–795

Aims. The aim of this study was to surveil whether the standard operating procedure created for the NHS Golden Jubilee sufficiently managed COVID-19 risk to allow safe resumption of elective orthopaedic surgery. Methods. This was a prospective study of all elective orthopaedic patients within an elective unit running a green pathway at a COVID-19 light site. Rates of preoperative and 30-day postoperative COVID-19 symptoms or infection were examined for a period of 40 weeks. The unit resumed elective orthopaedic services on 29 June 2020 at a reduced capacity for a limited number of day-case procedures with strict patient selection criteria, increasing to full service on 29 August 2020 with no patient selection criteria. Results. A total of 2,373 cases were planned in the 40-week study period. Surgery was cancelled in 59 cases, six (10.2%) of which were due to having a positive preoperative COVID-19 screening test result. Of the remaining 2,314, 996 (43%) were male and 1,318 (57%) were female. The median age was 67 years (interquartile range 59.2 to 74.6). The median American Society of Anesthesiologists grade was 2. Hip and knee arthroplasties accounted for the majority of the operations (76%). Six patients tested positive for COVID-19 preoperatively (0.25%) and 39 patients were tested for COVID-19 within 30 days after discharge, with only five patients testing positive (0.22%). Conclusion. Through strict application of a COVID-19 green pathway, elective orthopaedic surgery could be safely delivered to a large number of patients with no selection criteria. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(11):951–957

Aims. Nearly 99,000 total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) are performed in UK annually. Despite plenty of research, the satisfaction rate of this surgery is around 80%. One of the important intraoperative factors affecting the outcome is alignment. The relationship between joint obliquity and functional outcomes is not well understood. Therefore, a study is required to investigate and compare the effects of two types of alignment (mechanical and kinematic) on functional outcomes and range of motion. Methods. The aim of the study is to compare navigated kinematically aligned TKAs (KA TKAs) with navigated mechanically aligned TKA (MA TKA) in terms of function and ROM. We aim to recruit a total of 96 patients in the trial. The patients will be recruited from clinics of various consultants working in the trust after screening them for eligibility criteria and obtaining their informed consent to participate in this study. Randomization will be done prior to surgery by a software. The primary outcome measure will be the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score The secondary outcome measures include Oxford Knee Score, ROM, EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire, EuroQol visual analogue scale, 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), and Forgotten Joint Score. The scores will be calculated preoperatively and then at six weeks, six months, and one year after surgery. The scores will undergo a statistical analysis. Discussion. There is no clear evidence on the best alignment for a knee arthroplasty. This randomized controlled trial will test the null hypothesis that navigated KA TKAs do not perform better than navigated MA TKAs. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(11):945–950

Objectives. Nasal carriers of Staphylococcus (S.) aureus (MRSA and MSSA) have an increased risk for healthcare-associated infections. There are currently limited national screening policies for the detection of S. aureus despite the World Health Organization’s recommendations. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of molecular and culture techniques in S. aureus screening, determine the cause of any discrepancy between the diagnostic techniques, and model the potential effect of different diagnostic techniques on S. aureus detection in orthopaedic patients. Methods. Paired nasal swabs for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and culture of S. aureus were collected from a study population of 273 orthopaedic outpatients due to undergo joint arthroplasty surgery. Results. The prevalence of MSSA nasal colonization was found to be between 22.4% to 35.6%. The current standard direct culturing methods for detecting S. aureus significantly underestimated the prevalence (p = 0.005), failing to identify its presence in approximately one-third of patients undergoing joint arthroplasty surgery. Conclusion. Modelling these results to national surveillance data, it was estimated that approximately 5000 to 8000 S. aureus surgical site infections could be prevented, and approximately $140 million to $950 million (approximately £110 million to £760 million) saved in treatment costs annually in the United States and United Kingdom combined, by using alternative diagnostic methods to direct culture in preoperative S. aureus screening and eradication programmes. Cite this article: S. T. J. Tsang, M. P. McHugh, D. Guerendiain, P. J. Gwynne, J. Boyd, A. H. R. W. Simpson, T. S. Walsh, I. F. Laurenson, K. E. Templeton. Underestimation of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA and MSSA) carriage associated with standard culturing techniques: One third of carriers missed. Bone Joint Res 2018;7:79–84. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.71.BJR-2017-0175.R1

Aims. Open reduction in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is regularly performed despite screening programmes, due to failure of treatment or late presentation. A protocol for open reduction of DDH has been refined through collaboration between surgical, anaesthetic, and nursing teams to allow same day discharge. The objective of this study was to determine the safety and feasibility of performing open reduction of DDH as a day case. Methods. A prospectively collected departmental database was visited. All consecutive surgical cases of DDH between June 2015 and March 2020 were collected. Closed reductions, bilateral cases, cases requiring corrective osteotomy, and children with comorbidities were excluded. Data collected included demographics, safety outcome measures (blood loss, complications, readmission, reduction confirmation), and feasibility for discharge according to the Face Legs Activity Cry Consolidability (FLACC) pain scale. A satisfaction questionnaire was filled by the carers. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Results. Out of 168 consecutive DDH cases, 16 patients fit the inclusion criteria (age range 10 to 26 months, 13 female). Intraoperative blood loss ranged from "minimal" to 120 ml, and there were no complications or readmissions. The FLACC score was 0 for all patients. The carers satisfaction questionnaire expressed high satisfaction from the experience with adequate information and support provided. Conclusion. Open reduction in DDH, without corrective osteotomy, is safe and feasible to be managed as a day case procedure. It requires a clear treatment pathway, analgesia, sufficient counselling, and communication with carers. It is even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic when reduced length of hospital stay is likely to be safer for both patient and their parents. Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2021;2(4):271–277

Aims. Deep surgical site infection (SSI) is common after lower limb fracture. We compared the diagnosis of deep SSI using alternative methods of data collection and examined the agreement of clinical photography and in-person clinical assessment by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria after lower limb fracture surgery. Methods. Data from two large, UK-based multicentre randomized controlled major trauma trials investigating SSI and wound healing after surgical repair of open lower limb fractures that could not be primarily closed (UK WOLLF), and surgical incisions for fractures that were primarily closed (UK WHiST), were examined. Trial interventions were standard wound care management and negative pressure wound therapy after initial surgical debridement. Wound outcomes were collected from 30 days to six weeks. We compared the level of agreement between wound photography and clinical assessment of CDC-defined SSI. We are also assessed the level of agreement between blinded independent assessors of the photographs. Results. Rates of CDC-defined deep SSI were 7.6% (35/460) after open fracture and 6.3% (95/1519) after closed incisional repair. Photographs were obtained for 77% and 73% of WOLLF and WHiST cohorts respectively (all participants n = 1,478). Agreement between photographic-SSI and CDC-SSI was fair for open fracture wounds (83%; k = 0.27 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.14 to 0.42)) and for closed incisional wounds (88%; k = 0.29 (95% CI 0.20 to 0.37)) although the rate of photographically detected deep SSIs was twice as high as CDC-SSI (12% vs 6%). Agreement between different assessors for photographic-SSI (WOLLF 88%, k = 0.63 (95% CI 0.52 to 0.72); WHiST 89%; k = 0.61 (95% CI 0.54 to 0.69)); and wound healing was good (WOLLF 90%; k = 0.80 (95% CI 0.73 to 0.86); WHiST 87%; k = 0.57 (95% CI 0.50 to 0.64)). Conclusion. Although wound photography was feasible within the research context and inter-rater assessor agreement substantial, digital photographs used in isolation overestimated deep SSI rates, when compared to CDC criteria. Wound photography should not replace clinical assessment in pragmatic trials but may be useful for screening purposes where surgical infection outcomes are paramount. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(12):1802–1808

Aims. The modified Radiological Union Scale for Tibia (mRUST) fractures score was developed in order to assess progress to union and define a numerical assessment of fracture healing of metadiaphyseal fractures. This score has been shown to be valuable in predicting radiological union; however, there is no information on the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of this index for various cut-off scores. The aim of this study is to evaluate sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and cut-off points of the mRUST score for the diagnosis of metadiaphyseal fractures healing. Methods. A cohort of 146 distal femur fractures were retrospectively identified at our institution. After excluding AO/OTA type B fractures, nonunions, follow-up less than 12 weeks, and patients aged less than 16 years, 104 sets of radiographs were included for analysis. Anteroposterior and lateral femur radiographs at six weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks, and final follow-up were separately scored by three surgeons using the mRUST score. The sensitivity and specificity of mean mRUST score were calculated using clinical and further radiological findings as a gold standard for ultimate fracture healing. A receiver operating characteristic curve was also performed to determine the cut-off points at each time point. Results. The mean mRUST score of ten at 24 weeks revealed a 91.9% sensitivity, 100% specificity, and 92.6% accuracy of predicting ultimate fracture healing. A cut-off point of 13 points revealed 41.9% sensitivity, 100% specificity, and 46.9% accuracy at the same time point. Conclusion. The mRUST score of ten points at 24 weeks can be used as a viable screening method with the highest sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for healing of metadiaphyseal femur fractures. However, the cut-off point of 13 increases the specificity to 100%, but decreases sensitivity. Furthermore, the mRUST score should not be used at six weeks, as results show an inability to accurately predict eventual fracture healing at this time point. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(10):796–805