Introduction

The rising incidence of metastatic bone disease (MBD) in the UK poses a significant management problem. Poorly defined levels of service provision have meant that improvements in patient prognosis have been mediocre at best. For that reason the British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) in conjunction with the British Orthopaedic Oncology Society (BOOS) issued guidelines in 2002 on good practice in the management of MBD. Despite the availability of these standards, there is very little robust data available for audit. The aim of this study was to conduct a regional survey of how these guidelines are being used in the management of MBD.

Arthroscopy of ankle is becoming a common procedure for the diagnosis and treatment of ankle pain. Little information exists regarding the long term prognosis following ankle arthroscopy, particularly in avoiding further major surgery. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prognosis of arthroscopic ankle treatment, based on survival analysis. Also we will formalise the relationship between the arthroscopic treatment and time for a further major ankle surgery.

Introduction: The rising incidence of metastatic bone disease (MBD) in the UK poses a significant management problem. Poorly defined levels of service provision have meant that improvements in patient prognosis have been mediocre at best. For that reason the British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) in conjunction with the British Orthopaedic Oncology Society (BOOS) issued guidelines in 2002 on good practice in the management of MBD. Despite the availability of these standards, there is very little robust data available for audit. The aim of this study was to conduct a regional survey of how these guidelines are being used in the management of MBD.

Methods: A questionnaire was designed with 9 multiple choice questions representing the most common MBD scenarios. This was posted to 106 Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons in 12 NHS Trusts in the South East of England.

Results: The overall response rate to the questionnaire was 44%. There was considerable variation in the management of solitary femoral diaphyseal lesions, pathological subtrochanteric and intertrochanteric femoral neck fractures and vertebral metastases. Furthermore only 2 out of the 12 Trusts surveyed had a designated MBD lead as per the BOA/BOOS guidelines.

Discussion: Our study reflects the variation in the management of MBD throughout the region, which may in turn be linked to poorer clinical outcomes. The results demonstrate the possibility of

inappropriate initial treatment,

Streamlining cancer care will involve establishing regional MBD units within large centres where multidisciplinary services are available. Consequently all surrounding hospitals will need a designated MBD lead that can function as a conduit to this integrated care for selected patients.

Introduction: Since the first meeting in 1875, and the subsequent introduction of the concept of evidence based medicine in the 1990s, the journal club has become an integral part of keeping abreast with current literature.

There is no study assessing orthopaedic journal clubs amongst training programs across the UK. This study had two aims: the first was to determine whether journal clubs still play an important part in orthopaedic training programs, the second was to evaluate the frequency, format and goals of journal clubs conducted in orthopaedic training programs in the UK.

Method: We surveyed fifty seven hospitals across the UK. This included hospitals from all the orthopaedic teaching regions of which twelve were teaching hospitals and forty five district general hospitals.

Results: A total of 57 hospitals were surveyed. Of these hospitals 28/57(49%) had a journal club programme in place. On average journals clubs were undertaken once a month and lasted about 1 hour. Most occurred during the working day and were chaired by a consultant. Specialist registrars presented the vast majority of papers (average of 1.9 each per session), with the JBJS Br being the most widely used journal (100% of journal clubs).

Of the twelve teaching hospitals questioned, five (42%) had journal clubs, and twenty three of the forty five (51%) district general hospitals had journal clubs. The average number of articles critically appraised by trainees who attended journal clubs was 5 (0–15) compared to 3 (0–18) in those not attending a journal club.

When asked whether there was any alternative way in which a trainee might otherwise learn how to critically appraise an article, fourteen suggested online journal forums and eighteen suggested self-directed learning or personal study.

Although only 49% of hospital had journal clubs, 88% of trainees believed that it formed a valuable part of training and 56% thought it should be compulsory.

Discussion: This study shows that journal clubs occur in around half of the orthopaedic departments surveyed across the country. This is despite the importance trainees’ associate with journal clubs being part of their training.

In contrast, studies from North America show that a regular journal club occurs in 99% of residency programs.

It may therefore be suggested that for those trainees who do not attend a journal club, an alternative method to learning the skills of critical appraisement may have to be sort. One suggested modality is through on-line journal clubs or forums within regions which trainees may be encouraged to undertake from their regional directors.

This implant seemed to overcome the failings of previous designs. It is a ceramic bearing screwed into a titanium screw, which bonded to bone. The bearing surface was also coated with calcium phosphate to enhance secondary stability.

An initial study examined 40 patients over three years. No patients had any loosening, screw breakages, fractures, or local osteoporosis. The patient satisfaction was good with only two dissatisfied. On the basis of this, Orthosonics introduced it to the UK in 1999. Following problems with the device we conducted a survey with Orthosonics and the MDA.

In total 160 implants were implanted by 46 surgeons. We received replies from 33 surgeons representing 119 patients. There were 93 implants with a successful outcome but 17 had failed and been revised. The commonest mode of failure was osteolysis secondary to metallic wear debris. Also six implants showed radiographic loosening with symptoms, but had not been revised. There were three that showed radiographic loosening, but were symptom free.

A failure rate of 19% at one year is unacceptable. We are of the view that products of this type should be introduced in a controlled fashion as part of a prospective trial.

The incidence of first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) stiffness following bunion surgery varies in the literature from 2% to 60%. The causes include pre-existing degenerative joint disease, infection, chronic regional pain syndrome (Type 1), joint incongruence and avascular necrosis.

The aim of this study was to establish whether closure of the capsule influences the range of motion in the first MTPJ.

We performed a cadaveric study using a ‘Y’ shaped medial capsulotomy as our model.

A mid-medial approach was performed on ten cadaveric feet, exposing the medial capsule of the 1st MTPJ. The range of motion of the 1st MTPJ was recorded, and a ‘Y’ shaped capsulotomy performed. The capsule was then closed in neutral, full plantar flexion, and full dorsi flexion and the range of motion recorded.

When the capsule was closed with the first MTPJ at the limit of plantar flexion there was a mean loss of 13.7° of dorsi-flexion (range 12°–15°, p< 0.01) compared with the pre-capsulotomy range of motion. When the capsule was closed in dorsi-flexion there was a mean loss of 9.3° of plantar flexion (range 0°–20°, p< 0.05). There was no change in range of motion when the capsule was closed in neutral.

Capsular closure can influence first MPTJ motion. Care should therefore be taken during capsular repair. Closure in extremes of extension or flexion, as advocated in some techniques such as the Mitchell osteotomy, should be avoided.

Introduction

The strength of the Scarf osteotomy has been compared to that of other metatarsal osteotomies, but the effect of increasing the amount of displacement is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether increasing offset adversly affects the strength of the Scarf osteotomy.

Methods

Seven pairs of freah frozen cadaveric feet were tested. Specimens in Group 1 underwent Scarf osteotomy with displacement of one third the mid shaft diameter. Specimens in Group 2 were offset two thirds the midshaft diameter. All osteotomies were fixed using two Barouk screws.

Each specimen was tested in cantilever bending using a servohydraulic testing machine.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference in strength or stiffness between the two groups. Mean strength was 75.2 N ± 16.8 for Group 1 and 64.8 N ± 28.7 for Group 2 (p> 0.05).

Mean stiffness was 12.9 N/mm ± 5.1 for Group I and 10.2 N/mm ± 5.9 for Group 2 (p> 0.05).

Discussion

All specimens failed at the proximal extent of the osteotomy. Failure did not occur by screw pullout in either Group. The proximal part of the cut is therefore the weakest part of the construct irrespective of the degree of osteotomy displacement.

Hallux rigidus is the second most common pathological condition of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, after hallux valgus. Manipulation of the joint and injection with steroid and local anaesthetic (MUA and Injection) is widely practiced, but the literature contains little information on the results of such treatment. We report the results of this procedure performed on thirty-seven joints, with a minimum follow-up of 1 year (mean 41.2 months). Patients with mild (Grade I) changes gained symptomatic relief for a mean of 6 months and only one third required further surgery. Two thirds of patients with moderate (Grade II) disease proceeded to open surgery. In advanced (Grade III) hallux rigidus little symptomatic relief was obtained and all patients required operative treatment. We recommend that joints are Graded before treatment and that MUA and injection be used only in early (Grades I and II) hallux rigidus.