Charcot neuroarthropathy is a limb threatening condition and the optimal surgical strategy for limb salvage in gross foot deformity remains unclear. We present our experience of using fine wire frames to correct severe midfoot deformity, followed by internal beaming to maintain the correction. Nine patients underwent this treatment between 2020–2023. Initial deformity correction by Ilizarov or hexapod butt frame was followed by internal beaming with a mean follow up of 11 months. A retrospective analysis of radiographs and electronic records was performed. Meary's angle, calcaneal pitch, cuboid height, hindfoot midfoot angle and AP Meary's angle were compared throughout treatment. Complications, length of stay and the number of operations are also described.Introduction
Materials and Methods
Unicompartment knee replacement (UKR) has been an effective treatment of isolated medial compartment osteoarthritis (OA). There has been several studies which suggest that patellofemoral (PFJ) wear may not be a relative contraindication for UKR with no statistical difference in failure rates. There is currently conflicting evidence on the role of BMI. We will review if BMI and PFJ wear impacts on the post operative functional scores following UKR. A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database was performed. Data was collected between 26/6/2014 and 25/8/2022. 159 UKR procedures were identified. BMI and PFJ cartilage wear were collected. Oxford knee scores (OKS) were collected at > 2 years. PFJ wear was split into International Cartilage Research Society (ICRS) grades I&II and III&IV. 159 UKR procedures were identified, of these 115 had 2 year follow up. There were 77 who had OKS recorded at 2 years. For PFJ wear there was no statistical difference in the median OKS at 2 years 45 vs 43.5 (p=0.408). Assessing the BMI the median was 29kg/m2, range 20–43kg/m2. Spearman's rank was performed to assess the correlation between BMI and >2 year OKS, this demonstrated a moderately negative correlation p(df)=−0.339 (CI 95% −0.538, −0.104) p=0.004. There is no statistically significant difference in >2 year OKS following UKR regardless of PFJ wear. There is a moderately negative correlation between BMI and >2 year OKS which was significant p=0.004. Therefore BMI is a more important consideration when counselling patients for UKR.Abstract
Hemiarthroplasty and proximal femoral fixation are common procedures performed in trauma units, but there is very little information regarding post-operative pain experience. Pain control is a keystone in the successful management of hip fractures. A sound strategy of pain management is easier to implement in patients where pain levels can be predicted, allowing for an effective balanced analgesic regime. Analysis was performed on patients presenting with a hip fracture in two hospitals. Patients with a diagnosis of dementia were excluded. Post-operative pain scores were taken from patient observation charts using a verbal analogue scale. Post-operative opiate consumption was calculated from inpatient drug charts. 357 patients were included, 205 patients underwent a cemented hemiarthroplasty (HG) and 152 had fixation with a dynamic hip screw (DG). No significant difference was found in the length of hospital stay. HG patients recorded a mean morphine requirement of 20.2mg compared with 40.3mg for the DG group. Although the early pain score difference was significant (p=0.009), after 4 days, the scores were equivalent. This may support the notion of non-surgical factors determining the total length of hospital stay. The reason for the elevated pain scores and higher morphine requirement in the DHS group remains unclear. One theory is the fracture site still exists, and it is possible that pre-existing hip arthritis may continue to be symptomatic. It is important to recognise the difference in pain experienced between the groups and analgesia should be tailored towards the individual, allowing for improved peri-operative surgical care and patient experience.
