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Volume 100-B, Issue 5 May 2018

Editorial
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F. S. Haddad
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J. D. Bartlett J. E. Lawrence M. E. Stewart N. Nakano V. Khanduja
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Aims

The aim of this study was to assess the current evidence relating to the benefits of virtual reality (VR) simulation in orthopaedic surgical training, and to identify areas of future research.

Materials and Methods

A literature search using the MEDLINE, Embase, and Google Scholar databases was performed. The results’ titles, abstracts, and references were examined for relevance.


Annotation
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T. O. White
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The posterior malleolus of the ankle is the object of increasing attention, with considerable enthusiasm for CT scanning and surgical fixation, as expressed in a recent annotation in The Bone & Joint Journal. Undoubtedly, fractures with a large posterior malleolar fragment that allow posterior talar subluxation from the mortise are served better by fixation. However, in all other situations, the existing literature does not support this widespread change in practice. The available biomechanical evidence shows that the posterior malleolus has little part to play in the stability or contact stresses of the ankle joint. Radiographic studies have not shown that CT scanning offers helpful information on pathoanatomical classification, case selection, or prognosis, or that scanning improves the likelihood of an adequate surgical reduction. Clinical studies have not shown any improvement in patient outcome after surgical fixation, and have confirmed that the inevitable consequence of increased intervention is an increased rate of complications. A careful and thoughtful evaluation of indications, risks, and benefits of this fashionable concept is required to ensure that we are deploying valuable resources with efficacy, and that we do no harm.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:566–9.


H. Gollwitzer C. Suren C. Strüwind H. Gottschling M. Schröder L. Gerdesmeyer P. M. Prodinger R. Burgkart
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Aims

Asphericity of the femoral head-neck junction is common in cam-type femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and usually quantified using the alpha angle on radiographs or MRI. The aim of this study was to determine the natural alpha angle in a large cohort of patients by continuous circumferential analysis with CT.

Methods

CT scans of 1312 femurs of 656 patients were analyzed in this cross-sectional study. There were 362 men and 294 women. Their mean age was 61.2 years (18 to 93). All scans had been performed for reasons other than hip disease. Digital circumferential analysis allowed continuous determination of the alpha angle around the entire head-neck junction. All statistical tests were conducted two-sided; a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.


S. Xu J. Y. Chen N. N. Lo S. L. Chia D. K. J. Tay H. N.  Pang Y. Hao S. J. Yeo
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Aims

This study investigated the influence of body mass index (BMI) on patients’ function and quality of life ten years after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Patients and Methods

A total of 126 patients who underwent unilateral TKA in 2006 were prospectively included in this retrospective study. They were categorized into two groups based on BMI: < 30 kg/m2 (control) and ≥ 30 kg/m2 (obese). Functional outcome was assessed using the Knee Society Function Score (KSFS), Knee Society Knee Score (KSKS), and Oxford Knee Score (OKS). Quality of life was assessed using the Physical (PCS) and Mental Component Scores (MCS) of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey.


C. J. Lever H. A. Bosman A. H. N. Robinson
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Aims

Flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon transfer is a well-recognized technique in the treatment of the neglected tendo Achillis (TA) rupture.

Patients and Methods

We report a retrospective review of 20/32 patients who had undergone transtendinous FHL transfer between 2003 and 2011 for chronic TA rupture. Their mean age at the time of surgery was 53 years (22 to 83). The mean time from rupture to surgery was seven months (1 to 36). The mean postoperative follow-up was 73 months (29 to 120). Six patients experienced postoperative wound complications.


M. Sawa T. Nakasa Y. Ikuta M. Yoshikawa Y. Tsuyuguchi M. Kanemitsu Y. Ota N. Adachi
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Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate antegrade autologous bone grafting with the preservation of articular cartilage in the treatment of symptomatic osteochondral lesions of the talus with subchondral cysts.

Patients and Methods

The study involved seven men and five women; their mean age was 35.9 years (14 to 70). All lesions included full-thickness articular cartilage extending through subchondral bone and were associated with subchondral cysts. Medial lesions were exposed through an oblique medial malleolar osteotomy, and one lateral lesion was exposed by expanding an anterolateral arthroscopic portal. After refreshing the subchondral cyst, it was grafted with autologous cancellous bone from the distal tibial metaphysis. The fragments of cartilage were fixed with 5-0 nylon sutures to the surrounding cartilage. Function was assessed at a mean follow-up of 25.3 months (15 to 50), using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot outcome score. The radiological outcome was assessed using MRI and CT scans.


P. Bock M. Pittermann M. Chraim S. Rois
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Aims

Various radiological parameters are used to evaluate a flatfoot deformity and their measurements may differ. The aims of this study were to answer the following questions: 1) Which of the 11 parameters have the best inter- and intraobserver reliability in a standardized radiological setting? 2) Are pre- and postoperative assessments equally reliable? 3) What are the identifiable sources of variation?

Patients and Methods

Measurements of the 11 parameters were recorded on anteroposterior and lateral weight-bearing radiographs of 38 feet before and after surgery for flatfoot, by three observers with different experience in foot surgery (A, ten years; B, three years; C, third-year orthopaedic resident). The inter- and intraobserver reliability was calculated.


M. Schnetzke S. Rick P. Raiss G. Walch M. Loew
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Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcome of using an anatomical short-stem shoulder prosthesis to treat primary osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint.

Patients and Methods

A total of 66 patients (67 shoulders) with a mean age of 76 years (63 to 92) were available for clinical and radiological follow-up at two different timepoints (T1, mean 2.6 years, sd 0.5; T2, mean 5.3 years, sd 0.7). Postoperative radiographs were analyzed for stem angle, cortical contact, and filling ratio of the stem. Follow-up radiographs were analyzed for timing and location of bone adaptation (cortical bone narrowing, osteopenia, spot welds, and condensation lines). The bone adaptation was classified as low (between zero and three features of bone remodelling around the humeral stem) or high (four or more features).


G. Giannicola G. Bullitta R. Rotini L. Murena D. Blonna M. Iapicca G. Restuccia G. Merolla M. Fontana A. Greco M. Scacchi G. Cinotti
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Aims

The aim of the study was to analyze the results of primary tendon reinsertion in acute and chronic distal triceps tendon ruptures (DTTRs) in the general population.

Patients and Methods

A total of 28 patients were operated on for primary DTTR reinsertions, including 21 male patients and seven female patients with a mean age of 45 years (14 to 76). Of these patients, 23 sustained an acute DTTR and five had a chronic injury. One patient had a non-simultaneous bilateral DTTR. Seven patients had DTTR-associated ipsilateral fracture or dislocation. Comorbidities were present in four patients. Surgical treatment included transosseous and suture-anchors reinsertion in 22 and seven DTTRs, respectively. The clinical evaluation was performed using Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), the modified American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Score (m-ASES), the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score (QuickDASH), and the Medical Research Council (MRC) Scale.


M. Uehara J. Takahashi S. Ikegami S. Kuraishi D. Fukui H. Imamura K. Okada H. Kato
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Aims

Although we often encounter patients with an aortic aneurysm who also have diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), there are no reports to date of an association between these two conditions and the pathogenesis of DISH remains unknown. This study therefore evaluated the prevalence of DISH in patients with a thoracic aortic aneurysm (AA).

Patients and Methods

The medical records of 298 patients who underwent CT scans for a diagnosis of an AA or following high-energy trauma were retrospectively examined. A total of 204 patients underwent surgery for an AA and 94 had a high-energy injury and formed the non-AA group. The prevalence of DISH was assessed on CT scans of the chest and abdomen and the relationship between DISH and AA by comparison between the AA and non-AA groups.


M. Maredza S. Petrou M. Dritsaki J. Achten J. Griffin S. E. Lamb N. R. Parsons M. L. Costa
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M. Maredza S. Petrou M. Dritsaki J. Achten J. Griffin S. E. Lamb N. R. Parsons M. L. Costa
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Aim

The aim of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of intramedullary nail fixation and ‘locking’ plate fixation in the treatment of extra-articular fractures of the distal tibia.

Patients and Methods

An economic evaluation was conducted from the perspective of the United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS) and personal social services (PSS), based on evidence from the Fixation of Distal Tibia Fractures (UK FixDT) multicentre parallel trial. Data from 321 patients were available for analysis. Costs were collected prospectively over the 12-month follow-up period using trial case report forms and participant-completed questionnaires. Cost-effectiveness was reported in terms of incremental cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained, and net monetary benefit. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to test the robustness of cost-effectiveness estimates.


K. Davda N. Heidari P. Calder D. Goodier
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Aims

The management of a significant bony defect following excision of a diaphyseal atrophic femoral nonunion remains a challenge. We present the outcomes using a combined technique of acute femoral shortening, stabilized with a long retrograde intramedullary nail, accompanied by bifocal osteotomy compression and distraction osteogenesis with a temporary monolateral fixator.

Patients and Methods

Eight men and two women underwent the ‘rail and nail’ technique between 2008 and 2016. Proximal locking of the nail and removal of the external fixator was undertaken once the length of the femur had been restored and prior to full consolidation of the regenerate.


B. Frietman J. Biert M. J. R. Edwards
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Aims

The aim of this study was to record the incidence of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (OA), the need for total hip arthroplasty (THA), and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMS) after surgery for a fracture of the acetabulum, in our centre.

Patients and Methods

All patients who underwent surgery for an acetabular fracture between 2004 and 2014 were included. Patients completed the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) questionnaires. A retrospective chart and radiographic review was performed on all patients. CT scans were used to assess the classification of the fracture and the quality of reduction.


J. M. Lawrenz J. F. Styron M. Parry R. J. Grimer N. W. Mesko
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Aims

The primary aim of this study was to determine the effect of the duration of symptoms (DOS) prior to diagnosis on the overall survival in patients with a primary bone sarcoma.

Patients and Methods

In a retrospective analysis of a sarcoma database at a single institution between 1990 and 2014, we identified 1446 patients with non-metastatic and 346 with metastatic bone sarcoma. Low-grade types of tumour were excluded. Our data included the demographics of the patients, the characteristics of the tumour, and the survival outcome of patients. Cox proportional hazards analysis and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis were performed, and the survivorship of the non-metastatic and metastatic cohorts were compared.


M. K. Laitinen J. D. Stevenson M. C. Parry V. Sumathi R. J. Grimer L. M. Jeys
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Aims

The purpose of this study was to describe the effect of histological grade on disease-specific survival in patients with chondrosarcoma.

Patients and Methods

A total of 343 patients with a chondrosarcoma were included. The histological grade was assessed on the initial biopsy and on the resection specimen. Where the histology showed a mixed grade, the highest grade was taken as the definitive grade. When only small focal areas showed higher grade, the final grade was considered as both.


O. Lauthe M. Soubeyrand A. Babinet V. Dumaine P. Anract D. J. Biau
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Aims

The primary aim of this study was to determine the morbidity of a tibial strut autograft and characterize the rate of bony union following its use.

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively assessed a series of 104 patients from a single centre who were treated with a tibial strut autograft of > 5 cm in length. A total of 30 had a segmental reconstruction with continuity of bone, 27 had a segmental reconstruction without continuity of bone, 29 had an arthrodesis and 18 had a nonunion. Donor-site morbidity was defined as any event that required a modification of the postoperative management. Union was assessed clinically and radiologically at a median of 36 months (IQR, 14 to 74).


M. J. Anderton G. R. Hastie R. W. Paton
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Aims

The aim of this study was to identify the association between asymmetrical skin creases of the thigh, buttock or inguinal region and pathological developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH).

Patients and Methods

Between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 2016, all patients referred to our unit from primary or secondary care with risk factors for DDH were assessed in a “one stop” clinic. All had clinical and sonographic assessment by the senior author (RWP) with the results being recorded prospectively. The inclusion criteria for this study were babies and children referred with asymmetrical skin creases. Those with a neurological cause of DDH were excluded. The positive predictive value (PPV) for pathological DDH was calculated.


D. C. Perry J. G. Wright S. Cooke A. Roposch M. S. Gaston N. Nicolaou T. Theologis
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Aims

High-quality clinical research in children’s orthopaedic surgery has lagged behind other surgical subspecialties. This study used a consensus-based approach to identify research priorities for clinical trials in children’s orthopaedics.

Methods

A modified Delphi technique was used, which involved an initial scoping survey, a two-round Delphi process and an expert panel formed of members of the British Society of Children’s Orthopaedic Surgery. The survey was conducted amongst orthopaedic surgeons treating children in the United Kingdom and Ireland.