Aims. In the UK, the NHS generates an estimated 25 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (4% to 5% of the nation’s total carbon emissions) and produces over 500,000 tonnes of waste annually. There is limited evidence demonstrating the principles of sustainability and its benefits within orthopaedic surgery. The primary aim of this study was to analyze the environmental impact of orthopaedic surgery and the environmentally sustainable initiatives undertaken to address this. The secondary aim of this study was to describe the barriers to making sustainable changes within orthopaedic surgery. Methods. A literature search was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines through EMBASE, Medline, and PubMed libraries using two domains of terms: “orthopaedic surgery” and “environmental sustainability”. Results. A total of 13 studies were included in the final analysis. All papers studied the environmental impact of orthopaedic surgery in one of three areas: waste management, resource consumption, and carbon emissions. Waste segregation was a prevalent issue and described by nine studies, with up to 74.4% of hazardous waste being generated. Of this, six studies reported recycling waste and up to 43.9% of waste per procedure was recyclable. Large joint arthroplasties generated the highest amount of recyclable waste per procedure. Three studies investigated carbon emissions from intraoperative consumables, sterilization methods, and through the use of telemedicine. One study investigated water wastage and demonstrated that simple changes to practice can reduce water consumption by up to 63%. The two most common barriers to implementing environmentally sustainable changes identified across the studies was a lack of appropriate infrastructure and lack of education and training. Conclusion. Environmental sustainability in orthopaedic surgery is a growing area with a wide potential for meaningful change. Further research to cumulatively study the carbon footprint of orthopaedic surgery and the wider impact of environmentally sustainable changes is necessary. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(8):628–640

Aims. The purpose of this survey study was to examine the demographic and lifestyle factors of women currently in orthopaedic surgery. Methods. An electronic survey was conducted of practising female orthopaedic surgeons based in the USA through both the Ruth Jackson Society and the online Facebook group “Women of Orthopaedics”. Results. The majority of surveyed female orthopaedic surgeons reported being married (76.4%; 285/373) and having children (67.6%; 252/373). In all, 66.5% (247/373) were collegiate athletes; 82.0% (306/373) reported having no female orthopaedic surgeon mentors in undergraduate and medical school. Their mean height is 65.8 inches and average weight is 147.3 lbs. Conclusion. The majority of female orthopaedic surgeons did not have female mentorship during their training. Additionally, biometrically, their build is similar to that of the average American woman. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(5):419–425

Aims. Orthopaedic surgeries are complex, frequently performed procedures associated with significant haemorrhage and perioperative blood transfusion. Given refinements in surgical techniques and changes to transfusion practices, we aim to describe contemporary transfusion practices in orthopaedic surgery in order to inform perioperative planning and blood banking requirements. Methods. We performed a retrospective cohort study of adult patients who underwent orthopaedic surgery at four Canadian hospitals between 2014 and 2016. We studied all patients admitted to hospital for nonarthroscopic joint surgeries, amputations, and fracture surgeries. For each surgery and surgical subgroup, we characterized the proportion of patients who received red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, the mean/median number of RBC units transfused, and exposure to platelets and plasma. Results. Of the 14,584 included patients, the most commonly performed surgeries were knee arthroplasty (24.8%), hip arthroplasty (24.6%), and hip fracture surgery (17.4%). A total of 10.3% of patients received RBC transfusion; the proportion of patients receiving RBC transfusions varied widely based on the surgical subgroup (0.0% to 33.1%). Primary knee arthroplasty and hip arthroplasty, the two most common surgeries, were associated with in-hospital transfusion frequencies of 2.8% and 4.5%, respectively. RBC transfusion occurred in 25.0% of hip fracture surgeries, accounting for the greatest total number of RBC units transfused in our cohort (38.0% of all transfused RBC units). Platelet and plasma transfusions were uncommon. Conclusion. Orthopaedic surgeries were associated with variable rates of transfusion. The rate of RBC transfusion is highly dependent on the surgery type. Identifying surgeries with the highest transfusion rates, and further evaluation of factors that contribute to transfusion in identified at-risk populations, can serve to inform perioperative planning and blood bank requirements, and facilitate pre-emptive transfusion mitigation strategies. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(10):850–857

Aims. Preprint servers allow authors to publish full-text manuscripts or interim findings prior to undergoing peer review. Several preprint servers have extended their services to biological sciences, clinical research, and medicine. The purpose of this study was to systematically identify and analyze all articles related to Trauma & Orthopaedic (T&O) surgery published in five medical preprint servers, and to investigate the factors that influence the subsequent rate of publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Methods. All preprints covering T&O surgery were systematically searched in five medical preprint servers (medRxiv, OSF Preprints, Preprints.org, PeerJ, and Research Square) and subsequently identified after a minimum of 12 months by searching for the title, keywords, and corresponding author in Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, and the Web of Science. Subsequent publication of a work was defined as publication in a peer-reviewed indexed journal. The rate of publication and time to peer-reviewed publication were assessed. Differences in definitive publication rates of preprints according to geographical origin and level of evidence were analyzed. Results. The number of preprints increased from 2014 to 2020 (p < 0.001). A total of 38.6% of the identified preprints (n = 331) were published in a peer-reviewed indexed journal after a mean time of 8.7 months (SD 5.4 (1 to 27)). The highest proportion of missing subsequent publications was in the preprints originating from Africa, Asia/Middle East, and South America, or in those that covered clinical research with a lower level of evidence (p < 0.001). Conclusion. Preprints are being published in increasing numbers in T&O surgery. Depending on the geographical origin and level of evidence, almost two-thirds of preprints are not subsequently published in a peer-reviewed indexed journal after one year. This raises major concerns regarding the dissemination and persistence of potentially wrong scientific work that bypasses peer review, and the orthopaedic community should discuss appropriate preventive measures. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(7):582–588

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly growing across many domains, of which the medical field is no exception. AI is an umbrella term defining the practical application of algorithms to generate useful output, without the need of human cognition. Owing to the expanding volume of patient information collected, known as ‘big data’, AI is showing promise as a useful tool in healthcare research and across all aspects of patient care pathways. Practical applications in orthopaedic surgery include: diagnostics, such as fracture recognition and tumour detection; predictive models of clinical and patient-reported outcome measures, such as calculating mortality rates and length of hospital stay; and real-time rehabilitation monitoring and surgical training. However, clinicians should remain cognizant of AI’s limitations, as the development of robust reporting and validation frameworks is of paramount importance to prevent avoidable errors and biases. The aim of this review article is to provide a comprehensive understanding of AI and its subfields, as well as to delineate its existing clinical applications in trauma and orthopaedic surgery. Furthermore, this narrative review expands upon the limitations of AI and future direction. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2023;12(7):447–454

The number of women entering medical school has been steadily increasing over the past two decades; however, the number of women pursuing careers in orthopaedic surgery has not increased at the same rate. One of the suggested reasons for this discrepancy is the perceived incompatibility of having a family while upholding the demands of a surgical career in orthopaedics. A growing body of scientific literature has also outlined the increased rate of infertility and pregnancy complications in women surgeons. The extent to which these factors play a role in the recruitment and retention of women in orthopaedic surgery is unknown. Understanding pregnancy and parenthood in orthopaedic surgery is a critical first step in addressing this issue. A scoping review was conducted to identify literature pertaining to the perceptions and experiences of pregnancy and/or parenthood of women in orthopaedic surgery. Embase, MEDLINE and PsychINFO were searched on June 7th, 2021 with Boolean operators to combine the following terms: orthop?e*, pregnancy, maternity, motherhood, parenthood, parental, and parenting. Studies pertaining to orthopaedic surgery residents, fellows and staff were included. The Arksey and O'Malley framework for scoping studies was followed. Descriptive statistics were used to quantify the included studies while thematic analysis as described by Braun and Clarke was used to analyze the qualitative data. A total of 17 studies from 2006 to 2021 met inclusion criteria. Over half of the available research was conducted within the last two years (n=9, 53%). The majority of studies were conducted in the United States (n=15, 88%) and the United Kingdom (n=2, 12%). The most commonly used study design was survey-based research (n=13, 76%), followed by review studies (n=3, 18%), and case series (n=1, 6%). Thematic analysis revealed five key themes contributing to the women's experiences of pregnancy and/or parenthood in orthopaedics: (1) women are subtly or blatantly discouraged from becoming pregnant by their colleagues and superiors, (2) women delay childbearing to preserve their professional reputation, (3) there are higher rates of infertility and preterm labor in orthopaedic surgeons than in the general population, (4) the orthopaedic work environment can be hazardous and challenging for the pregnant woman, but accommodations are possible to mitigate risks, and (5) overall, there is limited support for pregnant and/or parenting women in orthopaedics throughout their career. The first woman to be board-certified in orthopaedic surgery in the United States was Ruth Jackson in 1937. Eighty-four years later, orthopaedic surgery has the lowest number of women of the surgical specialties. The barriers related to pregnancy and/or parenthood during a woman's career in orthopaedics may be one cause. This study identified five themes related to pregnancy and parenthood that warrant further investigation. Qualitative research approaches can be used to elucidate the details of women's experiences and to provide suggestions for structural changes in the orthopaedic work environment

Aims. The use of fluoroscopy in orthopaedic surgery creates risk of radiation exposure to surgeons. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) can help mitigate this. The primary aim of this study was to assess if current radiation protection in orthopaedic trauma is safe. The secondary aims were to describe normative data of radiation exposure during common orthopaedic procedures, evaluate ways to improve any deficits in protection, and validate the use of electronic personal dosimeters (EPDs) in assessing radiation dose in orthopaedic surgery. Methods. Radiation exposure to surgeons during common orthopaedic trauma operations was prospectively assessed using EPDs and thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs). Normative data for each operation type were calculated and compared to recommended guidelines. Results. Current PPE appears to mitigate more than 90% of ionizing radiation in orthopaedic fluoroscopic procedures. There is a higher exposure to the inner thigh during seated procedures. EPDs provided results for individual procedures. Conclusion. PPE currently used by surgeons in orthopaedic trauma theatre adequately reduces radiation exposure to below recommended levels. Normative data per trauma case show specific anatomical areas of higher exposure, which may benefit from enhanced radiation protection. EPDs can be used to assess real-time radiation exposure in orthopaedic surgery. There may be a role in future medical wearables for orthopaedic surgeons. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(11):907–912

Abstract. Introduction. The NHS generates 4–5% of the nation's total carbon emissions and over 500,000 tonnes of waste annually. Up to one-third of waste from orthopaedic procedures are recyclable, with large joint arthroplasties producing more than other subspecialties. However, there is limited evidence demonstrating the principles of sustainability and its benefits within orthopaedic surgery. This study aimed to analyse the environmental impact and sustainable initiatives undertaken within orthopaedic surgery. Methodology. A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. The systematic search was conducted through EMBASE, Medline, and PubMed libraries. Results. Four studies analysed waste management in primary total knee replacements (TKRs) during the perioperative period. The most prevalent environmental issue was waste management. A total of 33 TKRs were observed across the studies. The mean waste generated per TKR was 13.1kg (range 11.6-15.1kg), with up to 69.9% being hazardous waste. The number of waste streams reported ranged from two to six. This study has further demonstrated that TKRs generated the highest amount of waste per procedure compared to other orthopaedic subspecialties. Three studies reported recycling waste, with up to 43% of total waste from TKRs being potentially recyclable material. Conclusion. Primary TKRs one of the largest contributors of waste generated by orthopaedic procedures during the perioperative period. Environmental sustainability in orthopaedic surgery is a growing area of interest with a wide potential for meaningful change. Further research is needed to study the cumulative carbon footprint of primary TKRs and long-term benefits of environmentally sustainable changes

Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSK-US) can have many uses for orthopaedic surgeons, such as assisting in clinical diagnosis for muscle, tendon and ligament injuries, providing direct guidance for joint injections, or assessing the adequacy of a reduction in the emergency department. However, proficiency in sonography is not a requirement for Royal College certification, and orthopaedic trainees are rarely exposed to this modality. The purpose of this project was to assess the usefulness in clinical education of a newly implemented MSK-US course in an orthopaedic surgery program. A MSK-US course for orthopaedic surgery residents was developed by an interdisciplinary team involving a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon, an emergency physician with a fellowship in point-of-care ultrasonography, and an orthopaedic surgery resident. Online videos were created to be viewed by residents prior to a half-day long practical course. The online portion covered the basics of ultrasonography, as well as the normal and abnormal appearance of musculoskeletal structures, while the practical portion applied those principles to the examination, injection, and aspiration of joints, and ultrasound-guided fracture reduction. An online survey covering the level of training of the resident and their previous use of ultrasound (total hours) was filled by the participants prior to the course. Resident's knowledge acquisition was measured with a written pre-course, same-day post-course and six-month follow-up tests. Residents were also scored on a practical shoulder examination immediately after the course and at six-month follow-up. An online survey was also sent to evaluate residents' satisfaction with different aspects of the course (NAS). Change in test scores were calculated using an ANOVA and a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Ten orthopaedic surgery residents underwent the MSK-US curriculum. Pre-course interest to MSK-US was moderate (65%) and prior exposure was low (1.5 hours mean total experience). MSK-US has been previously mostly observed in the emergency department and sports orthopaedic clinic. Satisfaction with the online curriculum, hands-on practice session and general quality of the course were high (8.78, 8.70 and 8.60/10 respectively). Written test scores improved significantly from 50.7 ± 17% to 84 ± 10.7% immediately after the course (p < 0 .001) and suffered no significant drop at six months (score 75 ± 8.7%, p=0.303). Average post-course practical exam score was 78.8 ± 3.1% and decreased to 66.2 ± 11.3% at six months (p=0.012). Residents significantly improved their subjective comfort level with all aspects of ultrasound use at six months (p=0.007–0.018) but did not significantly increase clinical usage frequency. A MSK-US curriculum was successfully developed and implemented using an interdisciplinary approach. The course was rated high quality and succeeded in improving the residents' knowledge, skills, and comfort with MSK-US. This improvement was maintained at six months on the written test, but did not result in higher frequency of use by the residents

Aims

Physician burnout and its consequences have been recognized as increasingly prevalent and important issues for both organizations and individuals involved in healthcare delivery. The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the patterns of self-reported wellness in orthopaedic surgeons and trainees from multiple nations with varying health systems.

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect movement and posture caused by injury to the developing brain. While prematurity and low birth weight are common causes in developed countries, birth asphyxia, kernicterus, and infections have been identified as predominant aetiologies in Africa. There is, however, very little information on the aetiology of CP in South Africa. The purpose of this study was to determine the aetiology, severity, and topographical distribution of CP in children undergoing orthopaedic surgery at our tertiary paediatric unit. A retrospective folder review was performed for patients with CP that underwent orthopaedic surgery from July 2018 to June 2022. Data was collected on perinatal circumstances, aetiology or risk factors for developing CP, severity of disability as classified by the Gross Motor Function Classification Scale (GMFCS) and topographical distribution. Descriptive analysis was performed. Two-hundred-and-thirty-four patients were included in the analysis. No specific aetiology could be identified in 51 (21.9%) patients. Hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) accounted for 23.6% of patients and was the most common aetiology across the different categories except for patients graded as GMFCS 2, in whom prematurity was the most common aetiology. Congenital brain malformations (10.5%) and cerebral infections, including HIV encephalopathy (11.4%) were the next most frequent aetiologies, followed by prematurity (7.6%), ischaemic stroke (6.8%) and intraventricular haemorrhage (6.3%). Fifty-two percent of patients were classified as GMFCS 4 or 5. There was a predominance of quadriplegic patients (37%) compared to hemiplegics (29%), diplegics (30%) and monoplegics (4%). Most patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery for musculoskeletal sequelae of CP were severely disabled quadriplegic patients in whom HIE was the predominant cause of CP. This emphasises the need for intervention at a primary care level to decrease the incidence of this frequently preventable condition

The 2020-2021 Canadian Residency Matching Service (CaRMS) match year was altered on an unprecedented scale. Visiting electives were cancelled at a national level, and the CaRMS interview tour was moved to a virtual model. These changes posed a significant challenge to both prospective students and program directors (PDs), requiring each party to employ alternative strategies to distinguish themselves throughout the match process. For a variety of reasons, including a decline in applicant interest secondary to reduced job prospects, the field of orthopaedic surgery was identified as vulnerable to many of these changes, creating a window of opportunity to evaluate their impacts on students and recruiting residency programs. This longitudinal survey study was disseminated to match-year medical students (3rd and 4th year) with an interest in orthopaedic surgery, as well as orthopaedic surgery program directors. Responses to the survey were collected using an electronic form designed in Qualtrics (Qualtrics, 2021, Provo, Utah, USA). Students were contacted through social media posts, as well as by snowball sampling methods through appropriate medical student leadership intermediates. The survey was disseminated to all 17 orthopedic surgery program directors in Canada. A pre-match and post-match iteration of this survey were designed to identify whether expectations differed from reality regarding the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the CaRMS match 2020-2021 process. A similar package was disseminated to Canadian orthopaedic surgery program directors pre-match, with an option to opt-in for a post-match survey follow-up. This survey had a focus on program directors’ opinions of various novel communication, recruitment, and assessment strategies, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students’ responses to the loss of visiting electives were negative. Despite a reduction in financial stress associated with reduced need to travel (p=0.001), this was identified as a core component of the clerkship experience. In the case of virtual interviews, students’ initial trepidation pre-CaRMS turned into a positive outlook post-CaRMS (significant improvement, p=0.009) indicating an overall satisfaction with the virtual interview format, despite some concerns about a reduction in their capacity to network. Program directors and selection committee faculty also felt positively about the virtual interview format. Both students and program directors were overwhelmingly positive about virtual events put on by both school programs and student-led initiatives to complement the CaRMS tour. CaRMS was initially developed to facilitate the matching process for both students and programs alike. We hope to continue this tradition of student-led and student-informed change by providing three evidence-based recommendations. First, visiting electives should not be discontinued in future iterations of CaRMS if at all possible. Second, virtual interviews should be considered as an alternative approach to the CaRMS interview tour moving forward. And third, ongoing virtual events should be associated with a centralized platform from which programs can easily communicate virtual sessions to their target audience

Objectives. The aim of this systematic literature review was to assess the clinical level of evidence of commercially available demineralised bone matrix (DBM) products for their use in trauma and orthopaedic related surgery. Methods. A total of 17 DBM products were used as search terms in two available databases: Embase and PubMed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses statement. All articles that reported the clinical use of a DBM-product in trauma and orthopaedic related surgery were included. Results. The literature search resulted in 823 manuscripts of which 64 manuscripts met the final inclusion criteria. The included manuscripts consisted of four randomised controlled trials (level I), eight cohort studies (level III) and 49 case-series (level IV). No clinical studies were found for ten DBM products, and most DBM products were only used in combination with other grafting materials. DBM products were most extensively investigated in spinal surgery, showing limited level I evidence that supports the use Grafton DBM (Osteotech, Eatontown, New Jersey) as a bone graft extender in posterolateral lumbar fusion surgery. DBM products are not thoroughly investigated in trauma surgery, showing mainly level IV evidence that supports the use of Allomatrix (Wright Medical, London, United Kingdom), DBX (DePuy Synthes, Zuchwil, Switzerland), Grafton DBM, or OrthoBlast (Citagenix Laval, Canada) as bone graft extenders. Conclusions. The clinical level of evidence that supports the use of DBM in trauma and orthopaedic surgery is limited and consists mainly of poor quality and retrospective case-series. More prospective, randomised controlled trials are needed to understand the clinical effect and impact of DBM in trauma and orthopaedic surgery. Cite this article: J. van der Stok, K. A. Hartholt, D. A. L. Schoenmakers, J. J. C. Arts. The available evidence on demineralised bone matrix in trauma and orthopaedic surgery: A systemati c review. Bone Joint Res 2017;6:423–432. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.67.BJR-2017-0027.R1

The aim of this study was to review the role of clinical trial networks in orthopaedic surgery. A total of two electronic databases (MEDLINE and EMBASE) were searched from inception to September 2013 with no language restrictions. Articles related to randomised controlled trials (RCTs), research networks and orthopaedic research, were identified and reviewed. The usefulness of trainee-led research collaborations is reported and our knowledge of current clinical trial infrastructure further supplements the review. Searching yielded 818 titles and abstracts, of which 12 were suitable for this review. Results are summarised and presented narratively under the following headings: 1) identifying clinically relevant research questions; 2) education and training; 3) conduct of multicentre RCTs and 4) dissemination and adoption of trial results. This review confirms growing international awareness of the important role research networks play in supporting trials in orthopaedic surgery. Multidisciplinary collaboration and adequate investment in trial infrastructure are crucial for successful delivery of RCTs. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2014;3:169–74

Aims. Now that we are in the deceleration phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus has shifted to how to safely reinstate elective operating. Regional and speciality specific data is important to guide this decision-making process. This study aimed to review 30-day mortality for all patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery during the peak of the pandemic within our region. Methods. This multicentre study reviewed data on all patients undergoing trauma and orthopaedic surgery in a region from 18 March 2020 to 27 April 2020. Information was collated from regional databases. Patients were COVID-19-positive if they had positive laboratory testing and/or imaging consistent with the infection. 30-day mortality was assessed for all patients. Secondly, 30-day mortality in fracture neck of femur patients was compared to the same time period in 2019. Results. Overall, 496 operations were carried out in 484 patients. The overall 30-day mortality was 1.9%. Seven out of nine deceased patients underwent surgery for a fractured neck of femur. In all, 27 patients contracted COVID-19 in the peri-operative period; of these, four patients died within 30 days (14.8%). In addition, 21 of the 27 patients in this group had a fractured neck of femur, 22 were over the age of 70 years (81.5%). Patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade > 3 and/or age > 75 years were at significantly higher risk of death if they contracted COVID-19 within the study period. Conclusion. Overall 30-day postoperative mortality in trauma and orthopaedic surgery patients remains low at 1.9%. There was no 30-day mortality in patients ASA 1 or 2. Patients with significant comorbidities, increasing age, and ASA 3 or above remain at the highest risk. For patients with COVID-19 infection, postoperative 30-day mortality was 14.8%. The reintroduction of elective services should consider individual patient risk profile (including for ASA grade). Effective postoperative strategies should also be employed to try and reduce postoperative exposure to the virus. Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;1-7:392–397

Aims

This study assesses patient barriers to successful telemedicine care in orthopaedic practices in a large academic practice in the COVID-19 era.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology and treatment of Perthes’ disease of the hip.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has become more frequently used in surgical specialties in recent years. Orthopaedic surgery is particularly well-suited to 3D printing applications, and thus has seen a variety of uses for this technology. These uses include pre-operative planning, patient-specific instrumentation (PSI), and patient-specific implant production. As with any new technology, it is important to assess the clinical impact, if any, of three-dimensional printing. The purpose of this review was to answer the following questions: . What are the current clinical uses of 3D printing in orthopaedic surgery?. Does the use of 3D printing have an effect on peri-operative outcomes?. Four electronic databases (Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science) were searched for Articles discussing clinical applications of 3D printing in orthopaedics up to November 13, 2018. Titles, abstracts, and full texts were screened in duplicate and data was abstracted. Descriptive analysis was performed for all studies. A meta-analysis was performed among eligible studies to compare estimated blood loss (EBL), operative time, and fluoroscopy use between 3D printing cases and controls. Study quality was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) criteria for non-randomized studies and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). This review was prospectively registered on PROSPERO (Registration ID: CRD42018099144). One-hundred and eight studies were included, published between 2012 and 2018. A total of 2328 patients were included in these studies, and 1558 patients were treated using 3D printing technology. The mean age of patients, where reported, was 47 years old (range 3 to 90). Three-dimensional printing was most commonly reported in trauma (N = 41) and oncology (N = 22). Pre-operative planning was the most common use of 3D printing (N = 63), followed by final implants (N = 32) and PSI (N = 22). Titanium was the most commonly used 3D printing material (16 studies, 27.1%). A wide range of costs were reported for 3D printing applications, ranging from “less than $10” to $20,000. The mean MINORS score for non-randomized studies was 8.3/16 for non-comparative studies (N = 78), and 17.7/24 for non-randomized comparative studies (N = 19). Among RCTs, the most commonly identified sources of bias were for performance and detection biases. Three-dimensional printing resulted in a statistically significant decrease in mean operative time (−15.6 mins, p < .00001), mean EBL (−35.9 mL, p<.00001), and mean fluoroscopy shots (−3.5 shots, p < .00001) in 3D printing patients compared to controls. The uses of 3D printing in orthopaedic surgery are growing rapidly, with its use being most common in trauma and oncology. Pre-operative planning is the most common use of 3D printing in orthopaedics. The use of 3D printing significantly reduces EBL, operative time, and fluoroscopy use compared to controls. Future research is needed to confirm and clarify the magnitude of these effects

Aims

Evidence exists of a consistent decline in the value and time that medical schools place upon their undergraduate orthopaedic placements. This limited exposure to trauma and orthopaedics (T&O) during medical school will be the only experience in the speciality for the majority of doctors. This review aims to provide an overview of undergraduate orthopaedic training in the UK.

Aims

The primary aim of this prospective, multicentre study is to describe the rates of returning to golf following hip, knee, ankle, and shoulder arthroplasty in an active golfing population. Secondary aims will include determining the timing of return to golf, changes in ability, handicap, and mobility, and assessing joint-specific and health-related outcomes following surgery.