The aim of this study was to describe services available to patients with periprosthetic femoral fracture (PPFF) in England and Wales, with focus on variation between centres and areas for care improvement. This work used data freely available from the National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD) facilities survey in 2021, which asked 21 questions about the care of patients with PPFFs, and nine relating to clinical decision-making around a hypothetical case.Aims
Methods
Musculoskeletal infection is a devastating complication in both trauma and elective orthopaedic surgeries that can result in significant morbidity. Aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and complications of local antibiotic impregnated dissolvable synthetic calcium sulphate beads (Stimulan Rapid Cure) in the hands of different surgeons from multiple centres in surgically managed bone and joint infections. Between January 2019 and December 2022, 106 patients with bone and joint infections were treated by five surgeons in five hospitals. Surgical debridement and calcium sulphate bead insertion was performed for local elution of antibiotics in high concentration. In all, 100 patients were available for follow-up at regular intervals. Choice of antibiotic was tailor made for each patient in consultation with microbiologist based on the organism grown on culture and the sensitivity. In majority of our cases, we used a combination of vancomycin and culture sensitive heat stable antibiotic after a thorough debridement of the site. Primary wound closure was achieved in 99 patients and a split skin graft closure was done in one patient. Mean follow-up was 20 months (12 to 30).Aims
Methods
Tibial plateau fractures are serious injuries about the knee that have the potential to affect patients’ long-term function. To our knowledge, this is the first study to use patient-reported outcomes (PROs) with a musculoskeletal focus to assess the long-term outcome, as compared to a short-term outcome baseline, of tibial plateau fractures treated using modern techniques. In total, 102 patients who sustained a displaced tibial plateau fracture and underwent operative repair by one of three orthopaedic traumatologists at a large, academic medical centre and had a minimum of five-year follow-up were identified. Breakdown of patients by Schatzker classification is as follows: two (1.9%) Schatzker I, 54 (50.9%) Schatzker II, two (1.9%) Schatzker III, 13 (12.3%) Schatzker IV, nine (8.5%) Schatzker V, and 26 (24.5%) Schatzker VI. Follow-up data obtained included: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) or Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pain scores, Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment (SMFA), and knee range of movement (ROM). Data at latest follow-up were then compared to 12-month data using a paired Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to develop a psychometrically sound measure of recovery for use in patients who have suffered an open tibial fracture. An initial pool of 109 items was generated from previous qualitative data relating to recovery following an open tibial fracture. These items were field tested in a cohort of patients recovering from an open tibial fracture. They were asked to comment on the content of the items and structure of the scale. Reduction in the number of items led to a refined scale tested in a larger cohort of patients. Principal components analysis permitted further reduction and the development of a definitive scale. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and responsiveness were assessed for the retained items.Aims
Methods
This study aimed to determine the long-term functional,
clinical and radiological outcomes in patients with Schatzker IV
to VI fractures of the tibial plateau treated with an Ilizarov frame.
Clinical, functional and radiological assessment was carried out
at a minimum of one year post-operatively. A cohort of 105 patients
(62 men, 43 women) with a mean age of 49 years (15 to 87) and a
mean follow-up of 7.8 years (1 to 19) were reviewed. There were
18 type IV, 10 type V and 77 type VI fractures. All fractures united
with a mean time to union of 20.1 weeks (10.6 to 42.3). No patient
developed a deep infection. The median range of movement (ROM) of
the knee was 110o and the median Iowa score was 85. Our study demonstrates good long-term functional outcome with
no deep infection; spanning the knee had no detrimental effect on
the ROM or functional outcome. High-energy fractures of the tibial plateau may be treated effectively
with a fine wire Ilizarov fixator. Cite this article:
This is a retrospective study of survivors of
recent conflicts with an open fracture of the femur. We analysed
the records of 48 patients (48 fractures) and assessed the outcome.
The median follow up for 47 patients (98%) was 37 months (interquartile
range 19 to 53); 31 (66%) achieved union; 16 (34%) had a revision
procedure, two of which were transfemoral amputation (4%). The New Injury Severity Score, the method of fixation, infection
and the requirement for soft-tissue cover were not associated with
a poor outcome. The degree of bone loss was strongly associated
with a poor outcome (p = 0.00204). A total of four patients developed
an infection; two with This study shows that, compared with historical experience, outcomes
after open fractures of the femur sustained on the battlefield are
good, with no mortality and low rates of infection and late amputation.
The degree of bone loss is closely associated with a poor outcome. Cite this article:
Radiological evidence of post-traumatic osteoarthritis
(PTOA) after fracture of the tibial plateau is common but end-stage arthritis
which requires total knee arthroplasty is much rarer. The aim of this study was to examine the indications for, and
outcomes of, total knee arthroplasty after fracture of the tibial
plateau and to compare this with an age and gender-matched cohort
of TKAs carried out for primary osteoarthritis. Between 1997 and 2011, 31 consecutive patients (23 women, eight
men) with a mean age of 65 years (40 to 89) underwent TKA at a mean
of 24 months (2 to 124) after a fracture of the tibial plateau.
Of these, 24 had undergone ORIF and seven had been treated non-operatively.
Patients were assessed pre-operatively and at 6, 12 and >
60 months
using the Short Form-12, Oxford Knee Score and a patient satisfaction
score. Patients with instability or nonunion needed total knee arthroplasty
earlier (14 and 13.3 months post-injury) than those with intra-articular
malunion (50 months, p <
0.001). Primary cruciate-retaining implants
were used in 27 (87%) patients. Complication rates were higher in
the PTOA cohort and included wound complications (13% Total knee arthroplasty undertaken after fracture of the tibial
plateau has a higher rate of complications than that undertaken
for primary osteoarthritis, but patient-reported outcomes and satisfaction
are comparable. Cite this article:
This is a case series of prospectively gathered
data characterising the injuries, surgical treatment and outcomes
of consecutive British service personnel who underwent a unilateral
lower limb amputation following combat injury. Patients with primary,
unilateral loss of the lower limb sustained between March 2004 and
March 2010 were identified from the United Kingdom Military Trauma
Registry. Patients were asked to complete a Short-Form (SF)-36 questionnaire.
A total of 48 patients were identified: 21 had a trans-tibial amputation,
nine had a knee disarticulation and 18 had an amputation at the
trans-femoral level. The median New Injury Severity Score was 24 (mean
27.4 (9 to 75)) and the median number of procedures per residual
limb was 4 (mean 5 (2 to 11)). Minimum two-year SF-36 scores were
completed by 39 patients (81%) at a mean follow-up of 40 months
(25 to 75). The physical component of the SF-36 varied significantly
between different levels of amputation (p = 0.01). Mental component
scores did not vary between amputation levels (p = 0.114). Pain
(p = 0.332), use of prosthesis (p = 0.503), rate of re-admission
(p = 0.228) and mobility (p = 0.087) did not vary between amputation
levels. These findings illustrate the significant impact of these injuries
and the considerable surgical burden associated with their treatment.
Quality of life is improved with a longer residual limb, and these
results support surgical attempts to maximise residual limb length. Cite this article:
The augmentation of fixation with bone cement
is increasingly being used in the treatment of severe osteoporotic fractures.
We investigated the influence of bone quality on the mechanics of
augmentation of plate fixation in a distal femoral fracture model
(AO 33 A3 type). Eight osteoporotic and eight non-osteoporotic femoral
models were randomly assigned to either an augmented or a non-augmented
group. Fixation was performed using a locking compression plate.
In the augmented group additionally 1 ml of bone cement was injected
into the screw hole before insertion of the screw. Biomechanical
testing was performed in axial sinusoidal loading. Augmentation significantly
reduced the cut-out distance in the osteoporotic models by about
67% (non-augmented mean 0.30 mm ( Cite this article:
Osteochondral injuries, if not treated adequately, often lead
to severe osteoarthritis. Possible treatment options include refixation
of the fragment or replacement therapies such as Pridie drilling,
microfracture or osteochondral grafts, all of which have certain
disadvantages. Only refixation of the fragment can produce a smooth
and resilient joint surface. The aim of this study was the evaluation
of an ultrasound-activated bioresorbable pin for the refixation of
osteochondral fragments under physiological conditions. In 16 Merino sheep, specific osteochondral fragments of the medial
femoral condyle were produced and refixed with one of conventional
bioresorbable pins, titanium screws or ultrasound-activated pins.
Macro- and microscopic scoring was undertaken after three months. Objectives
Methods
We report on the use of the Ilizarov method to
treat 40 consecutive fractures of the tibial shaft (35 AO 42C fractures and
five AO 42B3 fractures) in adults. There were 28 men and
12 women with a mean age of 43 years (19 to 81). The series included
19 open fractures (six Gustilo grade 3A and 13 grade 3B) and 21
closed injuries. The mean time from injury to application of definitive
Ilizarov frame was eight days (0 to 35) with 36 fractures successfully
uniting without the need for any bone-stimulating procedure. The
four remaining patients with nonunion healed with a second frame.
There were no amputations and no deep infections. None required
intervention for malunion. The total time to healing was calculated
from date of injury to removal of the frame, with a median of 166
days (mean 187, (87 to 370)). Minor complications included snapped
wires in two patients and minor pin-site infections treated with
oral antibiotics in nine patients (23%). Clinical scores were available
for 32 of the 40 patients at a median of 55 months (mean 62, (26
to 99)) post-injury, with ‘good’ Olerud and Molander ankle scores
(median 80, mean 75, (10 to 100)), ‘excellent’ Lysholm knee scores
(median 97, mean 88, (29 to 100)), a median Tegner activity score
of 4 (mean 4, (0 to 9)) (comparable to ‘moderately heavy labour
/ cycling and jogging’) and Short Form-12 scores that exceeded the
mean of the population as a whole (median physical component score
55 (mean 51, (20 to 64)), median mental component score 57 (mean
53, (21 to 62)). In conclusion, the Ilizarov method is a safe and
reliable way of treating complex tibial shaft fractures with a high
rate of primary union.
Coronal plane fractures of the posterior femoral
condyle, also known as Hoffa fractures, are rare. Lateral fractures are
three times more common than medial fractures, although the reason
for this is not clear. The exact mechanism of injury is likely to
be a vertical shear force on the posterior femoral condyle with
varying degrees of knee flexion. These fractures are commonly associated
with high-energy trauma and are a diagnostic and surgical challenge. Hoffa
fractures are often associated with inter- or supracondylar distal
femoral fractures and CT scans are useful in delineating the coronal
shear component, which can easily be missed. There are few recommendations
in the literature regarding the surgical approach and methods of
fixation that may be used for this injury. Non-operative treatment
has been associated with poor outcomes. The goals of treatment are
anatomical reduction of the articular surface with rigid, stable
fixation to allow early mobilisation in order to restore function.
A surgical approach that allows access to the posterior aspect of
the femoral condyle is described and the use of postero-anterior
lag screws with or without an additional buttress plate for fixation
of these difficult fractures. Cite this article:
The results of the treatment of 31 open femoral fractures (29 patients) with significant bone loss in a single trauma unit were reviewed. A protocol of early soft-tissue and bony debridement was followed by skeletal stabilisation using a locked intramedullary nail or a dynamic condylar plate for diaphyseal and metaphyseal fractures respectively. Soft-tissue closure was obtained within 48 hours then followed, if required, by elective bone grafting with or without exchange nailing. The mean time to union was 51 weeks (20 to 156). The time to union and functional outcome were largely dependent upon the location and extent of the bone loss. It was achieved more rapidly in fractures with wedge defects than in those with segmental bone loss. Fractures with metaphyseal defects healed more rapidly than those of comparable size in the diaphysis. Complications were more common in fractures with greater bone loss, and included stiffness of the knee, malunion and limb-length discrepancy. Based on our findings, we have produced an algorithm for the treatment of these injuries. We conclude that satisfactory results can be achieved in most femoral fractures with bone loss using initial debridement and skeletal stabilisation to maintain length, with further procedures as required.
We present the results of 13 patients who suffered severe injuries to the lower leg. Five sustained a traumatic amputation and eight a Gustilo-Anderson type IIIC open fracture. All were treated with debridement, acute shortening and stabilisation of the fracture and vascular reconstruction. Further treatment involved restoration of tibial length by callus distraction through the distal or proximal metaphysis, which was commenced soon after the soft tissues had healed (n = 8) or delayed until union of the fracture (n = 5). All patients were male with a mean age of 28.4 years (17 to 44), and had sustained injury to the leg only. Chen grade II functional status was achieved in all patients. Although the number of patients treated with each strategy was limited, there was no obvious disadvantage in the early lengthening programme, which was completed more quickly.
The purpose of this study was to describe the anatomical distribution and incidence of fatigue injuries of the femur in physically-active young adults, based upon MRI studies. During a period of 70 months, 1857 patients with exercise-induced pain in the femur underwent MRI of the pelvis, hips, femora, and/or knees. Of these, 170 patients had a total of 185 fatigue injuries, giving an incidence of 199 per 100 000 person-years. Bilateral injuries occurred in 9% of patients. The three most common sites affected were the femoral neck (50%), the condylar area (24%) and the proximal shaft (18%). A fatigue reaction was seen in 57%, and a fracture line in 22%. There was a statistical correlation between the severity of the fatigue injury and the duration of pain (p = 0.001). The location of the pain was normally at the site of the fatigue injury. Fatigue injuries of the femur appear to be relatively common in physically-active patients.