MRI was performed at three centres in Bombay on 24 patients clinically suspected of tuberculosis of the spine but with normal radiographs. There were 11 males and 13 females and their average age was 24 years (11 to 60). 99mTc bone scans were done in 16 patients before MRI. Eleven patients had the diagnosis confirmed by biopsy and the remainder all responded rapidly to specific antituberculous chemotherapy. On T1-weighted images there was a decrease in signal intensity of the involved bone and soft tissues; on T2-weighted images there was increased signal intensity. Depending on the stage of the disease, three different patterns of infection were revealed: osteitis, osteitis with an abscess, and osteitis with or without an abscess plus discitis. The anatomical pattern of involvement, particularly of the soft tissues and the discs, is specific for tuberculous disease. The ability of MRI to detect tuberculosis of the spine earlier than other techniques could reduce bone destruction and deformity and diminish the need for surgical intervention. Despite the specificity of the patterns revealed by MRI, biopsy is recommended during the stage of osteitis to confirm the diagnosis.

We studied 29 girls and one boy with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis who were at Risser grade 0 at the time of posterior spinal fusion and were followed until maturity (mean 7.8 years). We used serial radiographs to measure the ratio of disc to vertebral height in the fused segments and to detect differential anterior spinal growth and assess its effect on scoliosis, vertebral rotation, kyphosis, and rib-vertebral-angle difference (RVAD). From one year after surgery to the latest review, the percentage anterior disc height decreased by nearly one-half and the percentage posterior disc height by nearly one-third in the fused segments (p < 0.001). There was a 4 degree increase in mean Cobb angle (p < 0.001), 11 patients (37%) having an increase of between 6 degrees and 10 degrees. There was a significant increase in mean apical rotation by 2 degrees (p = 0.003), and four patients (13%) had an increase of between 6 degrees and 16 degrees. There was little change in kyphosis. There was an increase in mean RVAD by 4 degrees (p = 0.003), seven patients (23%) showing a reduction by 1 degree to 7 degrees, and 11 (37%) increases of between 6 degrees and 16 degrees. Spinal growth occurs after posterior fusion in adolescents who are skeletally immature, as a result of continued anterior vertebral growth. There is some progression of scoliosis, vertebral rotation, and RVAD, but little change in kyphosis. The increase in deformity is not enough to warrant the use of combined anterior and posterior fusion. The findings are relevant to the management of progressive curves, the timing and extent of surgery, and the prognosis for progression of deformity in this group of patients.

We reviewed 41 patients over the age of 65 years (mean 76.5) who had suffered cervical spine injuries, 12 of them with neurological deficit. Eleven patients died during treatment, mostly from respiratory disease. Seven patients were treated by surgical stabilisation, five by halo traction, and the rest by rigid collars or halo-vests. The cervical injury was missed at the first examination in four patients. We conclude that most injuries can be treated by a rigid collar, and that the use of a halo-vest or surgical stabilisation are effective alternatives. Bed rest and traction are poorly tolerated by old people. There should be a high index of suspicion that any elderly patient who presents with a history of a fall or minor trauma may have a cervical spine injury.

Sacral insufficiency fractures are not uncommon in elderly patients. We have diagnosed 20 cases in a five-year period, and have reviewed the clinical records, radiographs, CT and bone scans. We also assessed the degree of osteoporosis by measuring bone density using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and bone histomorphometry, and monitored the patients' functional outcome. Bone scans were positive in all 20 patients, CT showed a fracture or sclerosis in 7 of 12 patients and was useful in excluding malignancy. Plain radiographs were the least helpful, showing sclerosis in only 4 of the 20 patients. Involutional osteoporosis with a reduced bone formation rate was the most common underlying cause. Seventeen patients had complete resolution of pain within nine months, and no patient lost independence in daily activities. Increased awareness of these fractures may help to avoid unnecessary investigation and treatment. Bedrest and analgesia followed by rehabilitation provide good relief of symptoms.

We report four patients with unilateral postpartum sacroiliitis presenting with agonising unilateral pain, an elevated ESR, elevated alkaline phosphatase levels, leucocytosis and positive bone scans. The diagnosis of a non-infectious inflammatory cause was supported by the postpartum onset, the response to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, negative aspiration cultures in two cases and the lack of changes in the sacroiliac joints on long-term follow-up radiographs.

We compared the reoperation rate after internal fixation for minimally displaced or impacted intracapsular fractures of the femoral neck in patients aged 80 years and above with that in similar patients aged 65 to 79 years. We also compared the results of internal fixation with those of hemiarthroplasty for displaced intracapsular fracture in an age- and sex-matched group of elderly patients. We found that a significantly greater proportion of the older patients treated by internal fixation required reoperation than either the younger group or the age-matched group treated by hemiarthroplasty. Our results indicate that internal fixation may not be the best treatment for extremely elderly patients with minimally displaced or impacted intracapsular fractures of the femoral neck.

From 1987 to 1991, we treated 53 patients with 54 fractures of the acetabulum by reconstruction through a posterior or an extended iliofemoral surgical approach. For prophylaxis against heterotopic ossification we used perioperative irradiation and indomethacin. Indomethacin was given as daily doses of 25 mg started within 24 hours of operation and continued for four weeks. Irradiation was by either 1200 cGy in three daily doses or by a single 700 cGy dose on the first postoperative day. All patients were followed for at least one year postoperatively and the severity of heterotopic ossification was recorded using the Brooker classification and correlated with hip mobility. The combination therapy proved very effective; 44 fractures showed no heterotopic ossification and ten showed Brooker class I. The functional results were good and there were no complications of this therapy. Irradiation with 1200 cGy did not appear to offer any therapeutic advantage over the 700 cGy dose.

We describe a direct method of measuring the tightness of plaster casts. Tightness was measured weekly in 23 consecutive patients with Colles' fractures. Six had objective signs of algodystrophy nine weeks after the fracture. In these patients the plaster cast was significantly tighter during the first three weeks than in patients who did not develop algodystrophy. The complex relationship between these findings is discussed.

Broad, depressed pin-site scars often remain after the use of external fixators. We describe a new method of surgical revision which combines W-plasty to break up the outline of the scar, with burial of a dermal island to improve the surface contour. We obtained excellent results with this technique in five patients (19 scars).

We assessed 41 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (47 hips) who had had revision hip arthroplasty, at an average follow-up of 7 years 4 months (2 to 19). The clinical results were excellent or satisfactory in 43 hips. Radiologically, 45 stems were secure. Fifteen sockets (36.6%) were radiologically loose. Three hips required rerevision. Socket failure is the predominant problem in rheumatoid patients after cemented revision arthroplasty.

Roentgen stereophotogrammetry was used to measure the migration of the centre of the femoral head in 84 cemented Lubinus SP I hip arthroplasties (58 primary operations, 26 revisions). Four to seven years later, seven femoral components had been revised because of painful loosening. These implants showed greater subsidence, medial migration and posterior migration during the first two postoperative years than did the hips which had not been revised. Six months after operation, subsidence of more than 0.33 mm combined with a total migration of more than 0.85 mm predicted an increased risk of subsequent revision; the amount of subsidence at two years was an even better predictor. The probability of revision was greater than 50% if the subsidence at two years was 1.2 mm or more.

We examined ten femoral veins with duplex ultrasound during total hip replacement to demonstrate the operative manoeuvres which cause venous obstruction and to assess prophylactic measures which may overcome it. Exposure of the acetabulum by distraction of the femur with a hook was less likely to occlude flow than retraction with bone levers. Adequate exposure of the femoral shaft by adduction, flexion and either internal or external rotation caused cessation of flow in all cases. In four cases an A-V Impulse System foot pump was activated during periods of stasis. In each case it overcame the obstruction and produced peak velocities which were twice that of the resting state. In five cases, towards the end of the procedure, debris was seen travelling proximally through the femoral vein.

We performed curettage and bone grafting of amyloid cysts of the femoral neck in five patients on long-term haemodialysis. All had had hip pain on weight-bearing. The duration of haemodialysis before the operation averaged 15 years and the average age of the patients was 53 years. All the large cystic lesions were located in the anterosuperior quadrant of the femoral neck. At operation, they were found to consist of fibrous tissue containing amyloid deposits. Postoperatively, all five patients had painless hips and the grafts had incorporated into the bone defects.

We compared the outcome of total knee arthroplasty in 19 patients who had had previous patellectomy with the results in a matched series of arthroplasties performed on knees in which the patella was intact. The mean follow-up was 63 months (21 to 114). In the study group, the outcome was poor in five patients. There was instability in the coronal plane in three patients and persistent pain in four. Three supracondylar fractures occurred. The overall complication rate was 36%. In the control group, pain was relieved in every case and there were no complications. Total knee arthroplasty has a higher complication rate and inferior results if the knee has undergone prior patellectomy.

Patellofemoral problems are a common cause of morbidity and reoperation after total knee arthroplasty. We made a prospective study of 52 patients who had bilateral arthroplasty (104 knees) and in whom the patella was resurfaced on one side and not on the other. A movable-bearing prosthesis with an anatomical femoral groove was implanted on both sides by the same surgeon using an otherwise identical technique. The mean follow-up was 5.24 years (2 to 10). In the 30 available patients (60 knees) there was no difference between the two sides in subjective preference, performance on ascending and descending stairs or the incidence of anterior knee pain. Radiographs showed no differences in prosthetic alignment, femoral condylar height, patellar congruency or joint line position. The use of an appropriate prosthetic design and careful surgical technique can provide equivalent results after knee arthroplasty with or without patellar resurfacing. Given the indications and criteria, which we discuss, retention of the patellar surface is an acceptable option.

We report a prospective case-controlled study which compared the outcome of knee replacement in seriously deformed and slightly deformed knees. There were 51 knees with varus or valgus deformity greater than 20 degrees matched for age, gender, disease, type of prosthesis and time of operation with a control group in which the alignment of the leg was within 5 degrees of normal. The clinical outcome at a mean 5.5 years was similar in the two groups. Some deformity persisted in 14 patients in the first group, 13 of whom were initially in valgus. These patients had a significantly poorer mean clinical outcome. Lateral dislocation or subluxation of the patella was found in four knees, all of which had had valgus deformity of 30 degrees or more.

We report a new method of ankle arthrodesis which combines an anterior approach with a dowel technique of bone grafting and screw fixation. In 20 ankles of 20 patients, ten with osteoarthritis, eight with rheumatoid arthritis and two others, we achieved 19 solid bony fusions and one painless fibrous ankylosis. The average time to union was 12.5 weeks. Patient satisfaction was high and the functional results were as good as for other reported methods, with fewer complications.

We report the results of supramalleolar varus osteotomy on seven ankles (in six patients) for haemophilic arthropathy and secondary valgus deformity. The operation reduced pain and the frequency of intra-articular bleeding while preserving joint function for a mean of nine years. The procedure is an attractive alternative to the more commonly used surgical option of arthrodesis.

We dissected 105 cadaveric shoulders to study the origin of the tendon of the long head of biceps, and examined histologically the interrelationship between the tendon, the supraglenoid tubercle and the superior labrum of the glenoid. In all specimens approximately 50% of the biceps tendon arose directly from the superior glenoid labrum with the remainder attached to the supraglenoid tubercle. The main labral origin was from the posterior labrum in more than half of the specimens, and in a quarter this was the only labral attachment. On the basis of the biceps attachment to the anterior or posterior labrum, we distinguished four types of origin. These normal anatomical variations are significant for arthroscopic diagnosis and may help to explain the various patterns of injury seen in partial or complete detachment of the tendon, the labrum or both.

Any operation involving the implantation of a foreign body increases the risk of infection. The implant material and its surface, the dead space, and any necrosis or vascular changes play a significant role in susceptibility to infection. We investigated the effect of the dead space in an intramedullary nail on the rate of local infection. We inoculated the intramedullary cavities of rabbit tibiae with various concentrations of a human pathogen, of Staphylococcus aureus strain, and then inserted either a solid or a hollow slotted stainless-steel nail. We found a significantly higher rate of infection after use of the slotted nail (59%) than after the solid nail (27%) (p < 0.05).

We performed intra-articular reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) with the semitendinosus tendon placed in 2 mm diameter tunnels in 21 skeletally immature rabbits. The operation caused 11% damage to the physis of the femur on the frontal plane and 3% of its cross-sectional area but no alteration of growth or axial deviation of the bone resulted. In the tibia, the operation caused 12% damage to the physis in the frontal plane and 4% of the cross-sectional area. Two tibiae developed valgus deformities and one was shortened. Histological examination showed no areas of epiphysiodesis. There was no abnormality of growth-plate thickness in the two cases of tibia valga. Osseous metaplasia in the grafted tendons did not occur. The results suggest the need for careful evaluation of the percentage of damage to the growth plate before using intra-articular methods for reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament in adolescents.

We have assessed the results of 34 simple excisions of the trapezium, with no additional soft-tissue procedures, in 30 patients. At a median follow-up of five years (2 to 22), 16 thumbs (47%) were completely painfree and a further 10 (29%) were slightly painful after use. Nineteen thumbs (56%) had no functional disability, but thumb-pinch strength was reduced by about 20%. No patient had painful degeneration at the scaphotrapezial pseudarthrosis.

The ultrasonic findings in 38 children with osteomyelitis of the limb bones were analysed in four time-related groups based on the interval between the onset of symptoms and the ultrasonic examination. Deep soft-tissue swelling was the earliest sign of acute osteomyelitis; in the next stage there was periosteal elevation and a thin layer of subperiosteal fluid, and in some cases this progressed to form a subperiosteal abscess. The later stages were characterised by cortical erosion, which was commonly present in those who had had symptoms for more than a week. Concurrent septic arthritis was revealed in 11 patients, most frequently in association with osteomyelitis of the proximal femur or the distal humerus. Four weeks after clinical cure, ultrasonic examination showed no abnormalities. Ultrasonography is therefore a useful additional method for the diagnosis and assessment of osteomyelitis and its complications.

Between 1980 and 1988, displacement bone-marrow transplantation was performed on 25 children with Hurler's syndrome (type-1 mucopolysaccharidosis). We describe the musculoskeletal development of 11 of the 12 surviving children and the orthopaedic procedures undertaken to treat progressive thoracolumbar kyphosis, hip subluxation and carpal tunnel syndrome. We found abnormal bone modelling, focal failures of ossification and an avascular disorder of the femoral head in every patient and offer an explanation for these phenomena. Increasing valgus deformity of the knees and progressive generalised myopathy caused loss of mobility as the children entered adolescence. The benefit of bone-marrow transplantation as a treatment for the skeletal disorders of Hurler's syndrome is limited by the poor penetration of the musculoskeletal tissues by the enzyme derived from the leucocytes.