Antegrade nailing of proximal humeral fractures using a straight nail can damage the bony insertion of the supraspinatus tendon and may lead to varus failure of the construct. In order to establish the ideal anatomical landmarks for insertion of the nail and their clinical relevance we analysed CT scans of bilateral proximal humeri in 200 patients (mean age 45.1 years (. sd. 19.6; 18 to 97) without humeral fractures. The entry point of the nail was defined by the point of intersection of the anteroposterior and lateral vertical axes with the cortex of the humeral head. The critical point was defined as the intersection of the sagittal axis with the medial limit of the insertion of the supraspinatus tendon on the greater tuberosity. The region of interest, i.e. the biggest entry hole that would not encroach on the insertion of the supraspinatus tendon, was calculated setting a 3 mm minimal distance from the critical point. This identified that 38.5% of the humeral heads were categorised as ‘critical types’, due to morphology in which the predicted offset of the entry point would encroach on the insertion of the supraspinatus tendon that may damage the tendon and reduce the stability of fixation. We therefore emphasise the need for ‘fastidious’ pre-operative planning to minimise this risk. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:249–53

Aims. Patient-specific glenoid guides (PSGs) claim an improvement in accuracy and reproducibility of the positioning of components in total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). The results have not yet been confirmed in a prospective clinical trial. Our aim was to assess whether the use of PSGs in patients with osteoarthritis of the shoulder would allow accurate and reliable implantation of the glenoid component. Patients and Methods. A total of 17 patients (three men and 14 women) with a mean age of 71 years (53 to 81) awaiting TSA were enrolled in the study. Pre- and post-operative version and inclination of the glenoid were measured on CT scans, using 3D planning automatic software. During surgery, a congruent 3D-printed PSG was applied onto the glenoid surface, thus determining the entry point and orientation of the central guide wire used for reaming the glenoid and the introduction of the component. Manual segmentation was performed on post-operative CT scans to compare the planned and the actual position of the entry point (mm) and orientation of the component (°). Results. The mean error in the accuracy of the entry point was -0.1 mm (standard deviation (. sd. ) 1.4) in the horizontal plane, and 0.8 mm (. sd. 1.3) in the vertical plane. The mean error in the orientation of the glenoid component was 3.4° (. sd. 5.1°) for version and 1.8° (. sd. 5.3°) for inclination. Conclusion. Pre-operative planning with automatic software and the use of PSGs provides accurate and reproducible positioning and orientation of the glenoid component in anatomical TSA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:1080–5

Aims. Anatomical atlases document classical safe corridors for the placement of transosseous fine wires through the calcaneum during circular frame external fixation. During this process, the posterior tibial neurovascular bundle (PTNVB) is placed at risk, though this has not been previously quantified. We describe a cadaveric study to investigate a safe technique for posterolateral to anteromedial fine wire insertion through the body of the calcaneum. Materials and Methods. A total of 20 embalmed cadaveric lower limbs were divided into two groups. Wires were inserted using two possible insertion points and at varying angles. In Group A, wires were inserted one-third along a line between the point of the heel and the tip of the lateral malleolus while in Group B, wires were inserted halfway along this line. Standard dissection techniques identified the structures at risk and the distance of wires from neurovascular structures was measured. The results from 19 limbs were subject to analysis. Results. In Group A, no wires pierced the PTNVB. Wires were inserted a median 22.3 mm (range 4.7 to 39.6) from the PTNVB; two wires (4%) passed within 5 mm. In Group B, 24 (46%) wires passed within 5 mm of the PTNVB, with 11 wires piercing it. The median distance of wires from the PTNVB was 5.5 mm (range 0 to 30). A Mann–Whitney U test showed that this was significantly closer than in Group A (Hodges–Lehmann shift, 14.06 mm; 95% confidence interval (CI) 10.52 to 16.88; p < 0.0001). In Group B, with an increased angle of insertion there was greater risk to the PTNVB (r. s.  = -0.80; p < 0.01). Conclusion. Insertion of wires using an entry point one-third along a line from the point of the heel to the tip of the lateral malleolus (Group A) appears to be the safer technique. An insertion angle of up to 30° to the coronal plane can be used without significant risk to the PTNVB. Insertion of wires halfway along a line from the point of the heel to the tip of the lateral malleolus (Group B) carried a significantly higher risk of injury to neurovascular structures and, if necessary, an angle of insertion parallel to the coronal plane should be used. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:1054–9

The purpose of this study was to measure the radiological parameters of femoral component alignment of the Oxford Phase 3 unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR), and evaluate their effect on clinical outcome. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relative contributions of the radiological assessment of femoral component alignment in 189 consecutive UKRs performed by a single surgeon. The American Knee Society scores were compared between groups, defined as being within or outside recommended tolerances of the position of the femoral component. For the flexion/extension position 21 UKRs (11.1%) lay outside the recommended limits, and for posterior overhang of the femoral component nine (4.8%) lay outside the range. The pre-operative hip/knee/ankle (HKA) angle, narrowest canal distance from the distal femoral entry point of the alignment jig and coronal entry-point position had significant effects on the flexion/extension position. Pre-operative HKA angle had a significant influence on posterior overhang of the femoral component. However, there was no significant difference in American Knee Society scores relative to the position of the femoral component

The risk of articular penetration during tibial nailing is well known, but the incidence of unrecognised damage to joint cartilage has not been described. We have identified this complication in the treatment of tibial fractures, described the anatomical structures at risk and examined the most appropriate site of entry for tibial nailing in relation to the shape of the bone, the design of the nail and the surgical approach. We studied the relationship between the intra-articular structures of the knee and the entry point used for nailing in 54 tibiae from cadavers. The results showed that the safe zone in some bones is smaller than the size of standard reamers and the proximal part of some nails. The structures at risk are the anterior horns of the medial and lateral menisci, the anterior part of the medial and lateral plateaux and the ligamentum transversum. This was confirmed by observations made after nailing 12 pairs of cadaver knees. A retrospective radiological analysis of 30 patients who had undergone tibial nailing identified eight at risk according to the entry point and the size of the nail. Unrecognised articular penetration and damage during surgery were confirmed in four. Although intramedullary nailing has been shown to be a successful method for treating fractures of the tibia, one of the most common problems after bony union is pain in the knee. Unrecognised intra-articular injury of the knee may be one cause of this

Distal tibial physeal fractures are the second most common growth plate injury and the most common cause of growth arrest and deformity. This study assesses the accuracy of pre-operative planning for placement of the screws in these fractures using either standard radiographs or CT scans. We studied 62 consecutive physeal fractures over a period of four years. An outline of a single cut of the CT scan was used for each patient. An ideal position for the screw was determined as being perpendicular to and at the midpoint of the fracture. The difference in entry point and direction of the screw between the ideal and the observers’ assessments were compared using the paired Student’s t-test. There was a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.0001) in the accuracy of the point of insertion and the direction of the screw on the pre-operative plan when CT scans were used rather than plain radiographs. We would, therefore, recommend that CT scans are routinely used in the pre-operative assessment and treatment of distal tibial physeal fractures

Aims

Distal femoral resection in conventional total knee arthroplasty (TKA) utilizes an intramedullary guide to determine coronal alignment, commonly planned for 5° of valgus. However, a standard 5° resection angle may contribute to malalignment in patients with variability in the femoral anatomical and mechanical axis angle. The purpose of the study was to leverage deep learning (DL) to measure the femoral mechanical-anatomical axis angle (FMAA) in a heterogeneous cohort.

Aims

Proper preoperative planning benefits fracture reduction, fixation, and stability in tibial plateau fracture surgery. We developed and clinically implemented a novel workflow for 3D surgical planning including patient-specific drilling guides in tibial plateau fracture surgery.

The April 2023 Trauma Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Displaced femoral neck fractures in patients aged 55 to 70 years: internal fixation or total hip arthroplasty?; Tibial plateau fractures: continuous passive motion approves range of motion; Lisfranc fractures: to fuse or not to fuse, that is the question; Is hardware removal after clavicle fracture plate fixation beneficial?; Fixation to coverage in Grade IIIB open fractures – what’s the time window?; Nonoperative versus locking plate fixation in the proximal humerus; Retrograde knee nailing or lateral plate for distal femur fractures?

Aims

To report the development of the technique for minimally invasive lumbar decompression using robotic-assisted navigation.

The December 2023 Children’s orthopaedics Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: A comprehensive nonoperative treatment protocol for developmental dysplasia of the hip in infants; How common are refractures in childhood?; Femoral nailing for paediatric femoral shaft fracture in children aged eight to ten years; Who benefits from allowing the physis to grow in slipped capital femoral epiphysis?; Paediatric patients with an extremity bone tumour: a secondary analysis of the PARITY trial data; Split tibial tendon transfers in cerebral palsy equinovarus foot deformities; Liposomal bupivacaine nerve block: an answer to opioid use?; Correction with distal femoral transphyseal screws in hemiepiphysiodesis for coronal-plane knee deformity.

Aims

Aseptic loosening is the most common cause of failure following cemented total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and has been linked to poor cementation technique. We aimed to develop a consensus on the optimal technique for component cementation in TKA.

Aims

The objective of this study was to compare simulated range of motion (ROM) for reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) with and without adjustment for scapulothoracic orientation in a global reference system. We hypothesized that values for simulated ROM in preoperative planning software with and without adjustment for scapulothoracic orientation would be significantly different.

Periprosthetic femoral fractures are increasing in incidence, and typically occur in frail elderly patients. They are similar to pathological fractures in many ways. The aims of treatment are the same, including 'getting it right first time' with a single operation, which allows immediate unrestricted weightbearing, with a low risk of complications, and one that avoids the creation of stress risers locally that may predispose to further peri-implant fracture. The surgical approach to these fractures, the associated soft-tissue handling, and exposure of the fracture are key elements in minimizing the high rate of complications. This annotation describes the approaches to the femur that can be used to facilitate the surgical management of peri- and interprosthetic fractures of the femur at all levels using either modern methods of fixation or revision arthroplasty.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(6):593–601.

Aims

The aim of this study was to compare the functional and radiological outcomes and the complication rate after nail and plate fixation of unstable fractures of the ankle in elderly patients.

Aims

Hip arthroplasty aims to accurately recreate joint biomechanics. Considerable attention has been paid to vertical and horizontal offset, but femoral head centre in the anteroposterior (AP) plane has received little attention. This study investigates the accuracy of restoration of joint centre of rotation in the AP plane.

Aims

Iliosacral sarcoma resections have been shown to have high rates of local recurrence (LR) and poor overall survival. There is also no universal classification for the resection of pelvic sarcomas invading the sacrum. This study proposes a novel classification system and analyzes the survival and risk of recurrence, when using this system.