We performed a prospective, double-blind, randomised, clinical trial to investigate the efficacy of two regimes of rehabilitation for knees with anterior cruciate ligament deficiency (ACLD). Fifty ACLD patients were randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups: a programme of muscle strengthening (T) or a programme designed to enhance proprioception and improve hamstring contraction reflexes (P). An indirect measure of proprioception, the reflex hamstring contraction latency (RHCL), and a functional scoring system were used to record the status of the knee before and after the 12-week course of physiotherapy. Sagittal knee laxity was also measured. There was improvement in mean RHCL and in the mean functional score in both groups after treatment. The improvement in group P was significantly greater than that in group T. There was no significant change in joint laxity after treatment in either group. In both groups there was a positive correlation between improvement in RHCL and functional gain.

Septic arthritis has been regarded as rare in haemophiliacs, but its incidence may have increased since HIV infection has become widespread in these patients. We describe six cases treated at one haemophilia unit over a two-year period and discuss their investigation, diagnosis and treatment. Four of the patients were seropositive to anti-HIV.

Failure of conservative treatment is the usual indication for the reconstruction of a knee with deficiency of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and this depends on subjective judgement. The ability of muscles to protect the subluxing joint by reflex contraction could provide an objective measurement. We have studied 30 patients with unilateral ACL deficiency by measuring the latency of reflex hamstring contraction. We found that the mean latency in the injured leg was nearly twice that in the unaffected limb (99 ms and 53 ms respectively). There was a significant correlation between the differential latency and the frequency of 'giving way' indicating that functional instability may be due, in part, to loss of proprioception. Measures of proprioception, including reflex hamstring latency, may be useful in providing an objective assessment of the efficacy of conservative treatment and the need for surgery.

We made a prospective study of 58 patients with suspected internal derangement of the knee. They were examined by magnetic resonance imaging using 3-D gradient echo intermediate-weighted studies before having an arthroscopy. The preoperative clinical assessment was found to have a diagnostic sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 43%, compared with 100% and 63% respectively for magnetic resonance imaging. Comparison of magnetic resonance imaging and arthroscopy confirmed the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of internal derangement but the results for articular cartilage lesions were much less good, with a sensitivity of only 18% but a specificity of 100%. Acceptance of the magnetic resonance imaging findings could have resulted in a 29% reduction in the number of arthroscopies without missing any significant meniscal lesion.

The results of 276 cemented revision total hip arthroplasties performed for aseptic failure between 1977 and 1986 have been reviewed. The mean time between revision and review was 75 months (range 30 to 144). Of 220 cases available for review, 159 were assessed clinically and radiographically, and 32 by postal questionnaire. Eighteen hips required further revision, 12 for loosening, two for sepsis, two for persistent pain, and one each for fracture and recurrent dislocation. A further six hips were radiologically and symptomatically loose. Pain was mild or absent in 83%. Over half were able to walk a mile or more; 70% flexed more than 70 degrees; 15% had a flexion deformity, but in only 7% was this more than 10 degrees. The mean Harris hip score was 74. Survival at five years was 95% and at 10 years, 77%.

The results of a study of the use of autograft versus allograft bone in the surgery of idiopathic adolescent scoliosis are presented. Two groups of patients, matched for age, sex, level and angle of curve, received bone grafts, 20 patients having autogenous bone from the iliac crest and the other 20 having donor bone from a bone bank. Both groups had otherwise identical posterior fusions and Harrington instrumentation. There was no difference between the two groups in a blind, radiographic assessment of bone graft mass at six months, nor in maintenance of the curve correction over the same period. No major operative complications nor failures of instrumentation were encountered. There was, however, a marked reduction in operative time and blood loss in the patients receiving donor bone and also a much lower incidence of late symptoms relating to the operative sites. We conclude that, even in the presence of adequate iliac crest, the use of bank bone is superior for grafting in idiopathic scoliosis surgery.